LENS OF TRANSFORMATION
Artifact GP Sale Value: 22,500

This device is a sheet of cloudy crystal, 7
feet broad and tall and 3 inches thick. It was
created by Iuz, who placed it in the dungeon
for his own evil purposes.

The crystal sheet appears cloudy from
one side, but clear from the other. No detect
spell works within 20 feet of it, except for
detect magic, which reveals that a powerful
dweomer is upon the crystal sheet, and (if
the lens is activated) that a lesser magic
affects the AREA within 20 feet of it.

The lens is activated whenever any life
force (living or undead) approaches within 3
feet of the clear side. The cloudy side of the
lens then begins to brighten, its radiance
producing a continual light effect within one
round. Viewed from the cloudy side, the
users (those on the clear side) appear as the
purest opposites of their actual forms. A
paladin would appear demonic or diabolic;
a Chaotic Evil monster might appear as a
paladin, or as a deva, planetar, or solar.
Additional visual effects (flames and
smoke, sky and fluffy clouds, etc.) are automatically produced as a background setting
appropriate to the visual (false) form.
Subtle feelings (fear, peace, etc.) are likewise
projected to the viewers of the illusion,
allowing no saving throw (though innate
total immunity to ESP negates the emotional effects).

The cloudy side of the lens
quickly darkens when the user(s) back away
from the clear side.

The lens will function as often as desired.
It is protected by a powerful and permanent
force field, and is impervious to harm by
anything less than a godling. Even passwall
and glassee are useless against its mighty
dweomer. Once mounted, as it is herein, it
cannot be removed by a power lesser than
Iuz', except for a wish—and even that may
cause the lens to shatter in the attempt (a
25% chance).

A final dweomer lets Iuz know if the lens is destroyed, and who did it.