Wind rustles through the bare tree branches of a nearby tree and a crow caws in the distance. You spot Valcav leaning against a gravestone, shovel in hand and a crowbar hanging over his shoulder. “People tend to come to cemeteries for funerals or to put undead to rest. Based on what you’re wearing I’m going to assume you’re not here to drop off a wreath of flowers.” Valcav gestures behind himself with the crowbar towards a nearby crypt. “Why don’t we step into my office and discuss what exactly it is you are looking for. I can offer you quite a bit more than a simple wooden stake.”
Casket of Containment
The first of these caskets was made by a vampire hunter who was unwilling to kill a loved one who was transformed into a vampire.
Pathfinder:
Aura strong abjuration Price 56,000 gp; Slot none; CL 15th; Weight 300lbs.;
DESCRIPTION
This casket has walls of reinforced silver engraved with the holy symbols of dozens of good deities
BENEFITS
These ornate caskets are built specifically to imprison vampires. Closing the lid forms an airtight seal which prevents escape using gaseous form or similar abilities. The lid fits perfectly into grooved slots and is fastened in place with a superior lock. Additionally, the inside of the casket is warded against all forms of extradimensional travel. A creature sealed inside is unable to communicate with the outside world by any means.
The walls of the casket are made of plates of beaten silver fit over iron bands. This gives the casket a hardness of 10 and 160 hit points. Bursting out of the casket would require a successful DC 30 Strength check. If a casket of containment ever gains the broken condition, its powers begin to weaken. Anyone inside is still trapped, but can now make its presence known either by using telepathy or magic.
A casket of containment is a tight fit for a medium creature and the lid will not close properly if a larger creature is placed inside.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Feats Craft Wondrous Item; Spells forbiddance, sacramental seal; Special The creator must worship a good-aligned deity Cost 28,000 gp
5e:
Wondrous item, rare
This casket is designed to contain vampires you are either unable or unwilling to slay. The lid seals completely, preventing an imprisoned vampire from using its misty escape ability. There is a lock built into the lid that can be picked with a successful DC 30 Dexterity check. The casket proper is imbued with holy magic to block all forms of teleportation magic. Once the lid is closed, anyone inside is completely cut off from the outside world. The casket is very sturdily built and has an AC and damage threshold of 20. If the damage threshold is breached, a creature trapped in the casket can make contact with the outside world through telepathy or other magic.
Death Seeking Lantern
Traveling undead hunters will make use of these lanterns when meeting strangers in unfamiliar territory.
Pathfinder:
Aura moderate divination and evocation Price 4,800 gp; Slot none; CL 7th; Weight 2lbs.;
DESCRIPTION
This lantern is made from polished brass and bears an image of the sun
BENEFITS
This bullseye lantern burns with a pure white light when lit. This light reacts to undead creatures, causing them to give off a faint orange glow when exposed to it. If an undead creature is disguising themselves with magic the lantern’s bearer and allies are entitled to a Will save to pierce the disguise. If an undead creature is hiding their creature type with a mundane disguise the lantern’s bearer and allies are entitled to a Perception check to see through it. Succeeding on either check does not automatically identify the undead creature.
Twice per day the bearer of a death seeking lantern can adjust the lens and focus the light at a single target. This functions as the searing light spell except the range is 120 feet and the damage is calculated as if the target is undead regardless of type.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Feats Craft Wondrous Item; Spells detect undead, searing light; Cost 2,400 gp
5e:
Wondrous item, uncommon
This brass bullseye lantern has a sun engraved over the lens. It provides light like a normal lantern and has the additional power of detecting undead creatures. Any undead will glow faintly orange when you shine the lantern’s light on them. If an undead creature is disguising itself you are entitled to an Intelligence (Investigation) check to notice that the lantern is affecting them. Twice per day you can also focus the lantern’s light into a powerful ray of energy. You must succeed on a ranged spell attack at a target within 120 feet. If you hit the target takes 5d6 points of radiant damage.
Talisman of Emancipation
Particularly benevolent paladins have been known to give these talismans to undead minions they encounter.
Pathfinder:
Aura moderate abjuration and evocation Price 11,500 gp; Slot neck; CL 10th; Weight —;
DESCRIPTION
This amulet is a fragment of bone covered in runes and coated with shards of rubies.
BENEFITS
Anyone wearing a talisman of emancipation gains a +2 bonus on Will saves against enchantment effects. The talisman’s true power is to free undead from the thrall of their masters. If an undead creature was reanimated in service to another, such as the create spawn ability of vampires, wights, and spectres, they are considered free-willed as long as they wear the talisman. Any spawn penalties still apply until the creature’s master is destroyed. A master does not immediately realize their spawn is free willed until they give them a direct order. If a talisman of emancipation is removed, either by the spawn or someone else, they return to being enslaved by their master.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Feats Craft Wondrous Item; Spells break enchantment, sanctify corpse; Special The creator cannot be subject to any enchantment spells for the duration of the crafting Cost 5,750 gp
5e:
Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement)
While wearing this amulet you have advantage on Wisdom saving throws against enchantment spells and effects. This amulet provides additional powers if you are an undead creature enslaved by another such as a vampire spawn. As long as you wear this amulet you are considered free from your master’s direct control. A master will only realize your freedom if you refuse one of their orders. This freedom lasts as long as you keep the amulet on.
