There are a number of ways to secure valuable belongings and send confidential messages, but Serpent Clasps have become a favorite for people with questionable codes of ethics. This little magical device—while innocent at first glance—packs a venomous bite that can put even the strongest man down for a day. As if that weren’t enough, the owner of the charm is warned of any tampering.
Mechanics
You can use a Serpent Clasp to bind one small object. For example, you could lock a chest or seal an envelope. The object cannot be opened unless the proper command word is given.
A creature that attempts to remove the clasp without the command word is bitten and must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 6 (1d12) poison damage and is Poisoned for 24 hours. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage and is Poisoned for 8 hours.
Additionally, if you are attuned to the Serpent Clasp, you are alerted by a faint hiss in the back of your mind when someone tries to open it without the command word.
Type: Wondrous
Required: Attunement
Rarity: Uncommon
Serpent Shackles (Variant)
An even more controversial variation of the Serpent Clasp is that used to shackle prisoners. The practice is wholly illegal inside the borders of the Vast Kingdom, but those who are tempted to use such a device don’t give a lot of thought to what is and isn’t within the bounds of the law.
Mechanics
You can use the Serpent Shackles to restrain a medium sized creature that has been Incapacitated. If the command word is spoken, the shackles fall free and the creature is no longer restrained.
If an attempt is made to remove the shackles without the command word, the restrained creature is repeatedly bitten and must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or take 6 (1d12) poison damage, and must repeat the saving throw at the start of each of its turns. On each successive failed save, the creature takes 3 (1d6) poison damage. After three successful saves, the biting ends.
Additionally, if you are attuned to the Serpent Clasp, you are alerted by a faint hiss in the back of your mind when someone tries to open it without the command word.
Type: Wondrous
Required: Attunement
Rarity: Rare