Wondrous Item, very rare (requires attunement)
This grisly charm is fashioned from a withered harpy’s claw, its talons bound in silver wire and strung on a loop of black sinew. It smells faintly of swamp water and burnt feathers. The claw twitches ever so slightly when held, as though remembering flight.
Properties
Spell-Fed Illusion.
The Harpy’s Claw Charm must be charged by a willing spellcaster casting either Minor Illusion or Major Image into the claw. When charged, the claw curls tightly, and a faint shimmer of feathers ripples across its surface.
Once charged, the creature attuned to the charm can wear it to assume the illusionary appearance of their choosing, as determined when the spell was cast into the item.
The illusion persists until the wearer removes the charm, falls unconscious, dies, or the illusion is dispelled (as by Dispel Magic).
The wearer can end the illusion at will (no action required).
Once the illusion ends for any reason, the charm becomes inert and must be recharged with a new Minor Illusion or Major Image spell.
No Magical Aptitude Required.
This charm allows non-spellcasters to benefit from an illusion spell’s effect, though they cannot modify or recast the illusion themselves.
Dark Origins.
The charm was first created by a green hag who used it to disguise her monstrous thralls as travelers, merchants, or clergy before sending them into cities to sow chaos. May still bear faint traces of hag magic — the illusion may flicker slightly in candlelight, or the wearer’s shadow may briefly reveal their true form.
Attunement
Requires attunement by any creature capable of wearing it around the neck.
Rarity: Very Rare
Requires Attunement: Yes
Weight: Negligible
DM Notes:
Minor Illusion versions are simple disguises (masking small details, facial features, or small objects).
Major Image versions can grant a full false appearance or alternate form — perfect for infiltration or espionage.
Detect Magic reveals the charm as faint illusion and necromancy magic.
A broken charm (HP 5, AC 10) crumbles to dust when destroyed, releasing a faint screech like distant wings.