Retiring Strongbox
Description: Small but sturdy maple-wood strongbox with brass fittings and lock. On close inspection the lock proves to be just an ornament, with no tumblers or bolt. Basic magical detection won't perceive the strongbox at all. More advanced divinations will reveal a strong aura of mind-affecting illusion magic coming from, um, something nearby. What was I doing again?
Powers: A Retiring Strongbox is remarkably hard to notice and easily forgotten when not under observation. Spotting it should be at least as difficult as detecting an invisible, motionless and soundless creature. Even if detected and carried off it's likely to be lost again and absent-mindedly set aside if the bearer is distracted even briefly.
Despite their non-functional lock, each Retiring Strongbox has an associated brass key. Anyone holding the key is immune to the strongbox's magic, but when the key is not in hand they're likely to forget the box exists and may wonder what this key is doing in their pocket, hung around their neck, or on their key chain - which may result in them grasping the key and remembering again. This can get a little confusing if the process repeats multiple times.
Possible Origins: These items are generally made on commission for merchants, bankers, and misers who choose to rely on subtlety and deception rather than locks and bars to dissuade thieves.
Complications: Owners who are aware of the strongbox's quirks are careful to leave themselves notes to remind them of its existence, sometimes wrapped around this mysterious key they're carrying. They're also careful to leave the strongbox tucked safely away in a spot where the oblivious and forgetful (possibly including themselves) won't trip over it. Tripping over (or otherwise interacting with) an invisible chest is grounds for a save vs. magic item (or against willpower, or however your system models mental resistance) to notice the Retiring Strongbox for a round or two.
Most owners are pretty careful with their keys for obvious reasons. Having the key stolen is an excellent way to be robbed without the pain of knowing you've been robbed, and may be responsible for many accounting irregularities and unfair accusations of embezzlement. Just holding the key doesn't make you aware of the strongbox's existence though, so the thief may not benefit much without further efforts.
Design Commentary: This is another rescue from a post on Telecanter's Receding Blog, albeit with quite a lot of rewriting that changes the way this originally worked. If you're curious you can see the original in the comments section over here:
http://recedingrules.blogspot.com/2020/09/reclusive-coffer.html
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