Rod of Misshapen Identity
This ordinary piece of 12" long, 1" thick, twisted tree limb has small stubby thorns which run from the top to the bottom in the same spiral pattern as the wood itself. It is capped on both ends by animal bone. It does not radiate magic of any kind unless detected by a spell or magic item which will allow it. At that time, a strong magical aura will be revealed.
Anyone in possession of such an item will slowly, during the next 24 hours, take on the appearance, voice, mannerisms, age, ailments or afflictions and alignment of the last individual who possessed it. Once the full 24 hours has passed, the transformation will be complete and there will be no way for anyone to tell the difference between the previous owner and the newly transformed one. No magical means, not even a True Seeing spell, can differentiate between them.
Of course, this can make for some dangerous problems as well as helpful benefits to the individual. For example, if the original character was a 4th level mage and took possession of the rod from a person who was a 10th level fighter, all magical abilities, learnings and the like would be lost. Only the abilities of the fighter, along with his level and everything else about him, would be possessed. If the original individual was a wanted man, the new individual would now also be wanted, and would have the knowledge as to why. Any recollection of former friends or traveling companions will have been forgotten. They will all now be strangers, and the infected individual will take whatever actions he deems fitting at the time.
This also means that there can be two of the same individual living at the same time within the realm.
However, the real danger of this item comes if it is picked up from a crypt or individual who has been dead for more then a day. Any individual taking this item from a person long dead has to make a save vs death magic. A failed save results in that character dying instantly and rising one hour later as the creature from which he or she got the rod. In other words, if the creature who had the item was a skeleton, a failed save would result in the new owner turning instantly to bones. One hour later, the bones will rise and walk as a living dead skeleton. If the save is made, the individual will take on the characteristics that the original person had when he was alive. This all can make for some very interesting role playing.
Simply destroying the item will not cure the infected individual. Only a Wish, Limited Wish, Heal, or Polymorph spell, coupled with a Remove Curse spell will cure the individual. Over the course of one week of rest, the individual will slowly return to his normal self. This item is considered rare.
The Rod of Misshapen Identitiy, depending on how you look at it, is usually considered cursed. Nevertheless, for some who do know of it and its capabilities, it can be very powerful.
(c) John (Jake) Brunette 1996