Helm of Brilliance
Helm of Brilliance
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When discovered, a helm of brilliance appears to be
nothing more than an ordinary piece of armor for head protection, viz.
a
helmet, basinet, sallet,
etc. of iron or steel.
When worn, it functions only
upon the utterance of a special command word. When so empowered the
true nature of the helm is visible to all. The helm is armor of +2
value. It is
of brilliant silver and polished steel, and set with 10 diamonds, 20
rubies,
30 fire opals, and 40 opals - each of large size and magicked - which
perform as explained below. When struck by bright light the helm will
scintillate and send forth reflective rays in all directions from its
crown-like
spikes set with gems. The jewels‘ functions are:
| 10 Diamonds | Prismatic spray (as the seventh level illusionist spell) |
| 20 Rubies | Wall of fire (as the fifth level druid spell) |
| 30 Fire Opals | Fireball (as the third level magic-user spell) |
| 40 Opals | Light (as the first level cleric spell) |
Each gem can perform its spell-like power in but 1 segment, but each
is
usable only once. The helm may be thus used once per round. The level
of
the spell is doubled to obtain the level at which the spell was cast
with
respect to range, duration, and such considerations. Until all of its
jewels
are magically expended, a helm of brilliance also is capable of the
following
magical properties when activated:
1. Holy Aura: It glows with a bluish light
when undead are within 30’, this light
causing pain and 1-6 points
of damage to all such creatures save
skeletons and zombies.
2. Flaming Weapon: The wearer may command any
sword he or she wields to become a
sword of flame (q.v.) ,
this being additional to its other special
properties, if any; 1 round
of time i s required to effect this fire.
3. Produce Flame: The wearer may produce flame just as if he or she were a 5th level druid.
4. Resist Fire: The wearer is protected iust
as if a double strength fire resistance
ring were worn, but this protection cannot be augmented
by further
magical means.
Once all of its jewels have lost their magic, the helm loses all of
its powers.
The gems turn to worthless powder when this occurs. Removing a jewel
destroys the gem. They may not be re-magicked.
If for any reason the wearer fails to make his or her saving throw versus
a
magical fire attack, he or she must attempt another saving throw for
the
helmet without magical additions. If this is failed, the remaining
gems on
the helm will all overload and detonate, causing in multiple whatever
effects the gems would normally have.
<headings:OSRIC.338>
Q: Does the sword
of flame ability of
a helm of brilliance bestow
any
magical properties to a
sword that
the helm?s user carries?
A: A nonmagical sword
becomes the equivalent
of a flame tongue sword.
Magical
swords gain the powers of
a flame tongue
sword in addition to their
own. If the
sword was a flame tongue
weapon to
begin with, double the effects
of its
powers when used with the
helm (see the
DMG, pages 145-146 for the
helm and
page 165 for the sword).
(147.103)