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{{hatnote|For using the tome, see the quests: [[Unlock the Ancient Tome]] and [[Destroy the Ancient Tome]]}}
{{MiscItemPage|<!-- See here for tips on how to use this template: https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Template:MiscItemPage -->
{{MiscItemPage|<!-- See here for tips on how to use this template: https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Template:MiscItemPage -->
| image = Book Thay A Image.png
| image = Book_NecromancyofThayUnsocketed.png
| controller icon = Book Thay A Unfaded.png
| description = {{story|Necromancy of Thay}} is a [[Story Item|Story-related]] [[Books|Book]] related to the [[Search the Cellar]] [[Quest]]. {{SpoilerWarning}} <!-- This is the first text that will appear on the page. Briefly describe what the item is and what makes it noteworthy. -->
| icon = Book Thay A Item Icon.png
| description = {{story|Necromancy of Thay}} is a [[Story Item|Story-related]] [[Books|Book]] related to the [[Search the Cellar]] [[Quest]]. <!-- This is the first text that will appear on the page. Briefly describe what the item is and what makes it noteworthy. -->
| quote = It. Is. Not. Too. Late.
| quote = It. Is. Not. Too. Late.
| book text = <!-- The text of the book. Leave EMPTY for non-books - use "quote" parameter for all other item types. -->
| book text = <!-- The text of the book. Leave EMPTY for non-books - use "quote" parameter for all other item types. -->
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| where to find = <!-- Describe where and how to obtain the item. -->
| where to find = <!-- Describe where and how to obtain the item. -->
* In the [[Apothecary's Cellar]] beneath the [[Blighted Village]], behind a locked gate, on an altar.
* In the [[Apothecary's Cellar]] beneath the [[Blighted Village]], behind a locked gate, on an altar.
:* To access the hidden portion of the cellar containing the book, the party must reveal a secret area by pulling a lever hidden behind a box, then speak to the magic mirror and either pass an [[Intimidation|intimidate]] check or correctly answer its questions:
** To access the hidden portion of the cellar containing the book, you must move a wardrobe by pulling a lever hidden behind a box, then speak with the magic mirror and either [[Intimidation|intimidate]] it or correctly answer its questions:
::* ''What think you of the Zulkir known as Szass Tam?'' 'Szass Tam is a foul, wretched creature.'
*** ''What think you of the Zulkir known as Szass Tam?'' 'Szass Tam is a foul, wretched creature.'
::* ''Why might one use balsam ointment?'' 'To clean a wound.'
*** ''Why might one use balsam ointment?'' 'To clean a wound.'
:::* [[Ranger]]s have a special response that will also be regarded as correct.
*** ''If you could see anything in me, what would it be?'' 'I'd look for whatever spell will rid me of this worm in my head.'
::* ''If you could see anything in me, what would it be?'' 'I'd look for whatever spell will rid me of this worm in my head.'
** The locked gate in front of the book can be [[Sleight of Hand|lockpicked]] as of release. The [[Rusted Key]] found on a shelf in the next room (near the lever that opens a shortcut back to the cellar entrance) can also be used to open the door. Alternatively, spells like [[File:Misty Step Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Misty Step]] [[Misty Step]] can be used to bypass the gate.
:::* [[Warlock]]s, [[Bard]]s, and [[Sorcerer]]s have a special response to the third question that will also be regarded as correct.
** Note that taking the book will trigger a trap. To avoid this, you can enter turn-based mode and place an item of similar weight (like another book) on the pedestal, or simply [[Trap Disarm Toolkit|disarm]] the two nearby statues.
:* The locked gate in front of the book can be [[Sleight of Hand|lockpicked]]. The [[Rusted Key]] found on a shelf in the next room (near the lever that opens a shortcut back to the cellar entrance) can also be used to open the door. Alternatively, spells like {{SAI|Misty Step}} or {{SAI|Mage Hand}} can be used to bypass the gate.
* To read the book, you must obtain the {{story|Dark Amethyst}} from the [[Whispering Depths]], which can be accessed from the well or the blacksmith's basement in the Blighted Village. The Amethyst is guarded by a [[Phase Spider Matriarch]]. {{coords|-550|-350}}
:* Note that taking the book will trigger a trap. To avoid this, turn-based mode can be entered and an item of similar weight (like another book) can be placed on the pedestal, or the trap can be dismarmed with a [[Trap Disarm Toolkit|disarm]] after a perception check, or by disarming the two nearby statues.
* See [[#Notes and Trivia|Notes and Trivia]] for the possible paths that can be taken with this book.
* To read the book, the {{RarityItem|Dark Amethyst}} must be obtained from the [[Whispering Depths]], which can be accessed from the well or the blacksmith's basement in the Blighted Village. The Amethyst is guarded by a [[Phase Spider Matriarch]]. {{coords|-550|-350}}
}}
| notes = === Act One ===
 
== Notes and Trivia ==
=== Chapter One ===
* The {{story|Necromancy of Thay}} has three main paths that can be chosen, each with different outcomes.
* The {{story|Necromancy of Thay}} has three main paths that can be chosen, each with different outcomes.
** '''Give the book to [[Astarion]]'''. Giving it to him will net you approval from [[Astarion]]. Once he has obtained the book, it cannot be transferred to another [[companion]] or the player character.
** '''Give to [[Gale]] for his condition or to [[Astarion]]'''. Giving it to one of those [[Companions]] will net you approval from the one you've given it to, and disapproval from the other. Once one of said Companions obtain the book, it will be impossible to transfer it to a different party member.
** '''Destroy the book.''' The book can be destroyed only by {{DamageType|Radiant}} damage. Destroying it will net you disapproval from Astarion, but approval from [[Karlach]], [[Lae'zel]], and [[Wyll]]. Destroying the book will spawn 3 hostile [[Shadow]]s.
** '''Destroy the book.''' The book can be destroyed only by {{DamageType|Radiant}} damage. Destroying it will net you disapproval from both Astarion and Gale. However it will net you approval from Karlach, Lae'zel, and Wyll if you bring them in your party.
** '''Read the book for its dark secrets.''' Interact with the book and use the option to insert the {{story|Dark Amethyst}} to unlock it. In total, three pages of the book can be turned. Each page which is turned prompts a progressively harder [[Wisdom]] [[Saving Throw]] ([[Difficulty Class|DC]] 10, 15, and 20). The following possible events can occur:
** '''Read the book for its dark secrets.''' Interact with the book and use the dialogue option to insert the {{story|Dark Amethyst}} into the oval recess to unlock it. In total, three pages of the book can be turned. Each page you turn prompts a progressively harder [[Wisdom]] [[Saving Throw]] ([[Difficulty Class|DC]] 10, 15, and 20; certain spellcasting classes and race/class combinations may receive special options to lower these DCs). The following possible events can occur:
*** Failing one Saving Throw curses the reader with {{Cond|Whispers of Madness}} ({{Disadvantage}} on Wisdom [[Check]]s until cleansed by {{SAI|Remove Curse}}).
*** Failing one Saving Throw curses you with '''Whispers of Madness''' ({{Disadvantage}} on Wisdom [[Check]]s) for 50 turns.
*** Failing two or more Saving Throws curses the reader with {{Cond|Baleful Knowledge}} ({{Disadvantage}} on Wisdom [[Checks]] until cleansed by {{SAI|Remove Curse}}).  
*** Failing two or more Saving Throws curses you with '''Baleful Knowledge''' ({{Disadvantage}} on [[Wisdom]] Ability Checks) until cleansed by the {{SmallIcon|Remove Curse Icon.png}} [[Remove Curse]] spell.
**** Some classes and some party members receive special options to modify or lower these DCs; all such special options result in the same overall outcomes.
*** Turning at least one page permanently grants the reader the {{SmallIcon|Speak with Dead Icon.png}} [[Speak with Dead]] [[Spell]]. This spell does not consume a [[Spells#Spell_Slots|Spell Slot]] and is usable once per [[Long Rest]].
***** [[Bard]]s may make Performance checks with DCs of 5, 10, and 15.
*** If the player character is a sorcerer, you will have a unique option to make 3 charisma saves instead of wisdom saving throws. Once you make 3 successful save DCs of 5, 10, and 15 you will learn the [[Speak with Dead]] spell as a ritual meaning you can cast it as many times as you want outside of danger.
***** [[Sorcerer]]s may make Charisma checks with DCs of 5, 10, and 15.
*** Bards get a similar option, with a performance check of DC 5, then 10 to stay on the first page. This also leads to learning the [[Speak with Dead]] spell as a ritual. You are still able to turn the other pages afterward (provided you pass the saving throws).
***** [[Warlock]]s may make the first save using Charisma with a DC of 5.  The other pages will use the default Wisdom saves.
*** Turning three pages regardless of success grants the ''Forbidden Knowledge'' tag and {{IconLink|Passive Feature Generic Icon.png|Forbidden Knowledge|size=25}} passive feature.
***** [[Wizard]]s may make the first save using Intelligence with a DC of 5. The other pages will use the default Wisdom saves.
*** Closing the book before turning three pages leaves the [[Search the Cellar]] quest uncompleted and allows the character to reopen the book again later.
***** [[Cleric]]s of dark/evil aligned gods like Talos, Gruumsh, or Lolth get a 10 DC wisdom ability check for the third page, instead of a 20 DC Wisdom saving throw. This includes [[Shadowheart]], as a Cleric of Shar.
* Once the book has been opened by one character, it will not open for any other character. Once all three pages have been turned, the book will refuse to open again for anyone.
***** [[Astarion]] is given a special option: "Drink in the darkness, embracing it, and turn the page" for turning the third page, offering a Wisdom ability check with a DC of 15 (in contrast to the 20 DC Wisdom saving throw).
* After reading, the item quote will change from '' 'It. Is. Not. Too. Late.' '' to '' 'Look. Away.' ''
*** Turning at least one page permanently grants the reader {{SAI|Speak with Dead}}. This can be cast as a {{SmIconLink|Ritual Spell Icon.png|Spells#Ritual Spells|Ritual}} and does not consume a [[Spells#Spell_Slots|Spell Slot]].
 
*** Turning three pages, regardless of success, grants the ''Forbidden Knowledge'' tag and {{Pass|Forbidden Knowledge}} passive feature.
=== Chapter Three ===
*** Closing the book before turning three pages leaves the [[Search the Cellar]] quest incomplete and allows the character to reopen the book again later.
* With the help of [[Mystic Carrion]] in [[Philgraves' Mansion]] in the [[Lower City]], you can learn - for a 1500 gp fee - that in order to unlock the full potential of the book, you need to seek the [[Tharchiate Codex]] somewhere within [[Sorcerous Sundries]].
* Once the book has been opened by one party member, it will not open for any other party member. Once all three pages have been turned, the book will refuse to open again for anyone until more knowledge is gained later in Act Three. It will also no longer be possible to remove the book from the inventory of the reader.  
* The [[Tharchiate Codex]] is stored in the basement vault of [[Sorcerous Sundries]]. You can reach the vault in two different ways:
* After placing the {{story|Dark Amethyst}} in the book's cover, the item quote will change from '' 'It. Is. Not. Too. Late.' '' to '' 'Look. Away.' ''
**By interacting with the Clasped Book in the leftmost upstairs bookshelf of [[Tolna Tome-Monger]]'s office and going through the portal, or
=== Act Three ===
**By using the Weave Button labelled 'Vault' on the middle level of [[Ramazith's Tower]].
* With the help of [[Mystic Carrion]] in [[Philgrave's Mansion]] in the [[Lower City]], it can be revealed - for a 1500 gp fee - that in order to unlock the full potential of the book, the [[The Tharchiate Codex]] somewhere within [[Sorcerous Sundries]] needs to be obtained. However, it's not necessary to pay that fee. It's possible to go directly to Sorcerous Sundries to get the book without talking to Mystic Carrion.  
* Within the vault, the codex is located in the Elminster section of the maze. To unlock the Elminster door, you must first find the lever at the end of the the Silverhand section by opening doors in this order: Silverhand, Evocation, Wish.
* [[The Tharchiate Codex]] is stored in the basement vault of [[Sorcerous Sundries]]. The vault can be reached in two different ways:
* After reading the [[Tharchiate Codex]], you can re-read {{story|Necromancy of Thay}} to gain the permanent ability to summon 6 ghouls via the [[Danse Macabre]] spell once per Short Rest. Additionally, reading the [[Tharchiate Codex]] grants you [[The Tharchiate Codex: Blessing]] passive feature, which allows you to automatically gain 20 temporary [[Hit Points]] after each [[Long Rest]].
** By interacting with the Clasped Book in the bookshelf of [[Tolna Tome-Monger]]'s office upstairs and going through the portal, or
{{ up to date | 2023-08-17 }} <!-- Date format is YEAR-MONTH-DAY, like 2023-08-07. -->
** By using the Weave Button labelled 'Vault' on the middle level of [[Ramazith's Tower]].
* Within the vault, the Codex is located in the Elminster section. To unlock the Elminster door, the party mus first find the lever at the end of the Silverhand section by opening doors in this order: Silverhand, Evocation, Wish.
* After reading [[The Tharchiate Codex]], {{story|Necromancy of Thay}} ca be re-read. After passing a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw the reader gains the permanent ability to summon 4 ghouls via the {{SAI|Danse Macabre}} spell once per Long Rest. Failing this saving throw has the same effect as before: the reader will be cursed with '''Baleful Knowledge''', but still gains the spell.
** Reading the Codex also grants the reader [[The Tharchiate Codex: Blessing]] passive feature, which lets the reader gain 20 temporary [[Hit Points]] after each [[Long Rest]].
** Completing {{story|Necromancy of Thay}} does not break [[Oath of the Ancients]], nor does using Danse Macabre.
* Having the {{Pass|Forbidden Knowledge}} feature allows the reader to ''safely'' obtain another permanent bonus from the [[Mirror of Loss]] in the [[House of Grief]]; see [[Permanent Bonuses]] for more details.
}}
{{Inflicts|Baleful Knowledge|item}}
{{Inflicts|Whispers of Madness|item}}
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