I’ve been watching the vigilante playtest closely in anticipation of the release of Ultimate Intrigue in early 2016. If you have not had a look at the vigilante class featured in the playtest (the playtest recently closed on August 17th for final thoughts), the vigilante is reminiscent of how the modern costumed super hero goes about being heroic. The basics of the class involve having a secret vigilante identity to champion just causes against tyranny and a public mundane identity to move about society unnoticed. There are also four major ways to develop the vigilante that loosely conform to the four basic character tropes. While trying this class out and thinking of the things a vigilante should have to make fighting evil easier, I remembered a favorite comic book character that had a way to get signaled when help was needed. It was with these thoughts that I developed the following wondrous item.

Vigilante’s Prognostic Contraption

Aura moderate transmutation; CL 9th
Slot none or shield; Price 4000 gp; Weight 2 lbs.
Description

Vigilantes find having the contraption immensely useful to advancing their causes.

When the item is created, a specific masterwork tool and masterwork weapon are selected. The chosen masterwork weapon can be a sling, scimitar, rapier, or any light melee weapon. Instead of a masterwork weapon, the creator can choose a masterwork light shield or masterwork buckler.

When the item is attuned to a character with vigilante levels, it works as a masterwork tool when in social/mundane mode and works as a masterwork weapon or a masterwork shield when in vigilante mode. The tool changes automatically only when the attuned vigilante’s mode changes. Attuning the contraption requires it to be in the vigilante’s possession for at least 24 hours. A non-vigilante cannot attune the item, but can use its current form.

Once attuned, the vigilante can designate up to 2 x their Charisma bonus callers (minimum 2). The callers must be sapient creatures that are not opposed to the vigilante’s cause. When a caller on the same plane speaks a command word, a vigilante more than 5 miles away will feel a specific tingle and know what direction the call originated from. Additionally, the vigilante knows when the item is within 5 miles and when it’s within a 50-ft. radius of the originating call (but not necessarily the location of the caller themselves).

The contraption can be enhanced with further weapon or shield enchantments (cost based on vigilante mode).

Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, message, fabricate, creator must have at least 5 ranks in Craft (armorsmith) or Craft (weaponsmith); Cost 4,000 gp