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In Reality Z-25 31-H, the Artifact was a magical tiara which allowed its wearer to telepathically command any snakes in their vicinity. It was not foolproof, however, as the connection would break if either the wearer, the snake, or both, became too agitated. When calling upon its full power, the wearer's eyes would turn green like the gem set in the tiara.
The device was used by the Serpent Priest to control Nerkash and found the Serpent Cult. After he was defeated by Kaza, the Priest managed to keep the secret of his tiara, with Kaza going away believing he had just been a charlatan. He eventually died in the Temple of the Serpent God, and his skeleton sat on his throne, still wearing the tiara, for ten years. Eventually, Nerlana recovered the Artifact with Mitchell's help and attempted to restart the Cult, but ended up being defeated by Kaza, Gwenna and friends, and eaten by Nerkash. In the aftermath, the Commissioner picked up the Artifact and decided to send it to the Home Office for “review and advisement”, under the firm belief that this would result in it being buried in paperwork for “the next few centuries” and thus safely safely out of harm's way. (COMIC: The Serpent Sorceress)