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(It is not necessary to enter turn based mode to do this. The plate doesn't react to having excess weight put on it, so you can drop something else on there and then pick up the book with no problem.) |
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| effect = <!-- The effect(s) of the item when used or consumed. Leave EMPTY for non-consumable items. --> | | effect = <!-- The effect(s) of the item when used or consumed. Leave EMPTY for non-consumable items. --> | ||
| 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]] | In the [[Apothecary's Cellar]] beneath the [[Blighted Village]] behind a locked gate, on an altar | ||
* ''What think you of the Zulkir known as Szass Tam?'' 'Szass Tam is a foul, wretched creature.' | | usage = | ||
* ''Why might one use balsam ointment?'' 'To clean a wound.' | === Obtaining the book === | ||
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 {{Skill|Intimidation}} check or correctly answer its questions: | |||
* Question: ''What think you of the Zulkir known as Szass Tam?'' Right answer: ''Szass Tam is a foul, wretched creature.'' | |||
* Question: ''Why might one use balsam ointment?'' Right answer: ''To clean a wound.'' | |||
** [[Ranger]]s have a special response that will also be regarded as correct. | ** [[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.' | * Question: ''If you could see anything in me, what would it be?'' Right answer: ''I'd look for whatever spell will rid me of this worm in my head.'' | ||
** [[Warlock]]s, [[Bard]]s, and [[Sorcerer]]s have a special response to the third question that will also be regarded as correct. | ** [[Warlock]]s, [[Bard]]s, and [[Sorcerer]]s have a special response to the third question that will also be regarded as correct. | ||
The locked gate in front of the book can be | The locked gate in front of the book can be {{Skill|Sleight of Hand|lockpicked}}. The {{SmRarityItem|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. | ||
Taking the book | Taking the book triggers a trap. To avoid this an item of similar weight (like another book) can be placed on the pedestal, or the trap can be disarmed after a {{Skill|Perception}} check, or by disarming the two nearby statues. | ||
To read the book, the {{ | To read the book, the {{SmRarityItem|Dark Amethyst}} must be obtained from the [[Whispering Depths]] at at {{coords|-550|-350}}, 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]]. | ||
=== Using the book === | |||
==== Act One ==== | |||
The ''Necromancy of Thay'' has three main paths that can be chosen, each with different outcomes. | The ''Necromancy of Thay'' has three main paths that can be chosen, each with different outcomes. | ||
* '''Giving the book to''' {{CharLink|Astarion}}. Giving it to him will net approval from Astarion. Once he has obtained the book, it cannot be transferred to another [[Companion]] or the player character. <!-- verified --> | * '''Giving the book to''' {{CharLink|Astarion}}. Giving it to him will net approval from Astarion. Once he has obtained the book, it cannot be transferred to another [[Companion]] or the player character. <!-- verified --> | ||
* '''Destroying the book.''' The book can be destroyed only by {{DamageType|Radiant}} damage. Destroying it will net disapproval from Astarion, but approval from {{CharLink|Karlach}}, {{CharLink|Lae'zel}}, and {{CharLink|Wyll}}. Destroying the book will spawn 3 hostile [[Shadow]]s. | * '''Destroying the book.''' The book can be destroyed only by {{DamageType|Radiant}} damage. Destroying it will net disapproval from Astarion, but approval from {{CharLink|Karlach}}, {{CharLink|Lae'zel}}, and {{CharLink|Wyll}}. Destroying the book will spawn 3 hostile [[Shadow]]s. | ||
* '''Using Knock.''' Using the {{SAI|Knock}} spell on the book will summon one [[Shadow]]. | |||
* '''Read the book for its dark secrets.''' Interact with the book and use the option to insert the {{SmRarityItem|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 option to insert the {{SmRarityItem|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: | ||
** 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 the reader with {{Cond|Whispers of Madness}} ({{Disadvantage}} on Wisdom [[Check]]s until cleansed by {{SAI|Remove Curse}}). | ||
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After placing the {{SmRarityItem|Dark Amethyst}} in the book's cover, the item quote will change from '' 'It. Is. Not. Too. Late.' '' to '' 'Look. Away.' '' | After placing the {{SmRarityItem|Dark Amethyst}} in the book's cover, the item quote will change from '' 'It. Is. Not. Too. Late.' '' to '' 'Look. Away.' '' | ||
=== Act Three === | ==== Act Three ==== | ||
With the help of {{CharLink|Gale}} and {{CharLink|Tolna Tome-Monger}} at [[Sorcerous Sundries]] in the [[Lower City]], it can be revealed that in order to unlock the full potential of the book, the {{SmRarityItem|The Tharchiate Codex}} somewhere in the vault of Sorcerous Sundries needs to be obtained. The help of {{CharLink|Mystic Carrion}} in [[Philgrave's Mansion]] - for a 1500 gp fee - reveals the same. | With the help of {{CharLink|Gale}} and {{CharLink|Tolna Tome-Monger}} at [[Sorcerous Sundries]] in the [[Lower City]], it can be revealed that in order to unlock the full potential of the book, the {{SmRarityItem|The Tharchiate Codex}} somewhere in the vault of Sorcerous Sundries needs to be obtained. The help of {{CharLink|Mystic Carrion}} in [[Philgrave's Mansion]] - for a 1500 gp fee - reveals the same. | ||
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Within the vault, the Codex is located in the Elminster section. To unlock the Elminster door, the party must first find the lever at the end of the Silverhand section by opening doors in this order: Silverhand, Evocation, Wish. | Within the vault, the Codex is located in the Elminster section. To unlock the Elminster door, the party must 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'', the ''Necromancy of Thay'' | After reading the ''Tharchiate Codex'', the ''Necromancy of Thay'' can 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 {{Cond|Baleful Knowledge}}, but still gains the spell. | ||
Reading the Codex also grants the reader {{SAI|The Tharchiate Codex: Blessing}} passive feature, which lets the reader gain 20 temporary [[Hit Points]] after each [[Long Rest]]. | Reading the Codex also grants the reader {{SAI|The Tharchiate Codex: Blessing}} passive feature, which lets the reader gain 20 temporary [[Hit Points]] after each [[Long Rest]]. | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
If {{CharLink|Yurgir}} has not been killed for {{CharLink|Raphael}}, having {{CharLink|Astarion}} successfully read both the ''Necromancy of Thay'' and the {{SmRarityItem|The Tharchiate Codex|Tharchiate Codex}} allows him to find out the meaning of his scars. | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Inflicts|Baleful Knowledge|item}} | {{Inflicts|Baleful Knowledge|item}} | ||
{{Inflicts|Whispers of Madness|item}} | {{Inflicts|Whispers of Madness|item}} |