Tamriel Rebuilt

This idea stems from a previous quest idea, [url=http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/viewtopic.php?t=24763]The Webspinner's Curse[/url].

Say Mephala had a Daedric artifact that, when used properly, stores a target's deepest secrets. From then on, it would spout out these secrets with the voice of the target.

As an example, let's use it in a high-profile mages guild quest. An important person is being blackmailed by bandits/cultists that tricked him into activating the artifact. Now the belligerents are ransoming the object, threatening to sell it to the highest bidder if their demands are not met.

The Mages Guild has been hired to retrieve the artifact and deactivate it. The player finds the cultist/bandit hideout and retrieves it. The player is then to return it, and along the way the artifact keeps spouting off the important person's dark secrets.

I am not sure how to explain the player's inability to use the artifact, but I think the core idea is strong. Any thoughts?

Maybe not say the secret in their voice, but just tell the user the secrets. Then, when equipped, the player has a much higher success rate of taunting people. You wouldn't need to do any special rituals or anything, just equip it and taunt away (maybe even some specials responses like:"how do you know that?" then he/she attacks).

Sounds good. Several journal entries could be added on the way to returning the artifact as it reveals secrets. The startling revelations might presents player with a new choice. Return artifact to original deactivate it or return to someone else for justice. This could be a discussion that player mediates back at guild hall?

Rich hook, though I think Mephala is usually more subtle - about knowing,holding,drawing specific secrets rather than revealing them indiscriminately

A devious option: instead of directly revealing, it deforms and slanders in a way that can't be defended against without compromising one's own secrets

I am not sure how to explain the player's inability to use the artifact

Overlook it assuming the player knows better;
or make it targeted (family, House nobility)
or like a monkey paw thing with the three uses depleted by the time the player's free with it...