This week's random Wondrous Item is the Pipes of Haunting. They can be used to scare off opponends in a short range for a little while. Personally, I've never given this item a first glance, nevermind a second, but now that I've actually read its description, I can see some uses for it.

This is definitely an item for low-level characters. With a low-DC save and a concrete 5-Hit-Die maximum, the Pipes lose effectiveness once the party is out of diapers. However, for the early days of their careers, adventurers might find good use in them; keep in mind that the Pipes require a decent Perform (wind instruments) check, so this is an item for the party's Bard or musically-inclined Rogue.

Now, down to actual practical uses. Since the Pipes are made to scare, not kill, they can come in handy any time you need guards diverted or enemies scattered. Even if it doesn't affect all desired subjects, it may still frighten enough of them to reduce the difficulty of overcoming the group. Additionally, the Pipes could be used for more creative purposes, such as a fun party prank. They can also be used at higher levels to clear away townsfolk from a dangerous area, since the townsfolk themselves will rarely have enough hit dice or a high enough Will save bonus to resist the Pipes effectively. Overall, not a bad purchase if you have 6,000 gold lying around.

-The Wizard
"What is that unholy wailing racket...? Kender, where did you get those pipes?"