Phylacteries

"Mysterious fonts of power that manipulate the flow of Essence, the fearsome-looking Phylacteries are only found in the hands of Rathma’s priesthood. Does this exclusivity somehow support a cosmic balance, as the necromancers often claim?"

- Game Guide

Phylacteries are a special type of off-hand items in Diablo III, only usable by s.

Lore
Phylacteries are mysterious objects that are only utilized by the Priests of Rathma. The use of phylaccteries enhances their power over the dead. In truth, the priests did not create phylacteries, but recovered them in the earliest days of their order.

Diablo III
Phylactieres are similar to Shrunken Heads from Diablo II. They may take forms of many unusual objects that enhance the power over the dead: hearts, enchanted vessels, scepters, sandglasses, metal charms or even bells. They may roll increased maximum Essence as secondary affixes.

Phylacteries cannot be transmogrified into any other item types.

Interestingly, there are not set phylacteries: the only Necromancer off-hand set item, Jesseth Skullshield, is a shield.

Trivia

 * Like Wizards, Necromancers hold their Phylacteries with magic, instead of physically grasping it.


 * In fantasy, a phylactery is a mandatory attribute of a lich (undead wizard), holding its soul and binding it to the mortal realm.


 * In reality, a phylactery is a type of mystical charm.