Typically engraved with numerous skulls, this small metal coffer allows the safe transport of infectious substances. Closing the lid seals in the contents and holds them in stasis, rendering them immune to aging or damage. In addition, any infectious material— such as the body of a creature that died of disease— is preserved for as long as the coffer is closed. A death’s head coffer‘s dimensions are approximately 4"x4"x6", so it can potentially hold several items.
A death’s head coffer can spread infections between items. Any item placed into a coffer with a disease-ridden item becomes infected with the same disease. For 1 week after being removed from the coffer, the newly infected item can spread the same affliction as the disease-ridden item to any creature that touches it. For example, if a coin is placed into a death’s head coffer with a rat infected with the shakes, any creature that touches the coin must make a Vigor check or become infected with the shakes as well.
After a death’s head coffer is closed and then reopened, its magic dissipates, rendering the box completely mundane. Some death’s head coffers feature complex locking mechanisms, which require a Thievery check at –4 to open.
Price: 1,000 gp; Weight: 5 lbs.
Resembling the nonmagical doctor’s mask, a plaguebringer’s mask grants protection against nauseating scents and immunity to one specific disease (chosen at the time of the mask’s creation).
The mask also veils the wearer’s alignment, making her aura register as neutral to alignment-detecting effects.
Price: 2,000 gp; Weight: 2 lbs.