A helm of brilliance was a jeweled magical helmet that granted its wearer a variety of powerful abilities. The helm was set with Evocation-laced diamonds, rubies, fire opals, and opals, each gem tied to a specific magical effect. Removing or destroying the gems caused them to crumble into dust, and once the last gem was gone, the helm lost all magic. Despite its dazzling appearance, the helm’s value lay not in its ornamentation but in the destructive and defensive powers it could provide in battle.
The helm allowed its wearer to expend gems to cast Spells, respectively invoking potent sprays of prismatic energy, walls of fire, fireballs, and magical light. Additional properties were tied to the presence of certain gems: diamonds caused the helm to glow near undead and burn them with radiant energy, rubies gave the wearer resistance to fire, and fire opals could be used to wreathe a weapon in flames that burned enemies with every strike. These effects remained as long as the relevant gems were intact, making the preservation and use of the helm’s jewels a matter of strategy.
The helm carried significant risk. If the wearer was hit by magical fire themselves, there was a chance the helm’s gems would flare and unleash beams of light against all nearby creatures. The resulting radiant blast could cause immense harm, but it also destroyed the helm and all its jewels in the process. Because of this, the helm of brilliance was both an extremely powerful weapon and a dangerous gamble, rewarding careful use but punishing recklessness.