The Necronomicon, Book of the Dead

The Necronomicon is an ancient and forbidden tome, bound in ancient leather that is strangely both durable and delicate. Its pages exude an aura of darkness and malevolence, and the symbols etched upon its surface seem to writhe and shift as if alive. Said to contain knowledge too dangerous for mortal minds, the Necronomicon is both a source of immense power and an invitation to unspeakable horrors.
== The Necronomicon, Book of the Dead ==
Artifact Rarity: Unique
=== Description: ===
The leather covering the Necronomicon is a deep, matte black, seemingly absorbing light rather than reflecting it. When touched, the leather is cold to the fingertips, as though it draws warmth from the very souls of those who dare to grasp it. The cover is adorned with intricate, esoteric sigils that pulse with a faint, ominous light.
Upon opening the Necronomicon, one is met with a sense of vertigo as if peering into an abyss. The pages are parchment-thin, each one filled with inscriptions that defy the conventions of known languages. The symbols seem to move and shift, forming coherent words and sentences for those who dare to decipher them. Reading the text, even for a fleeting moment, leaves an indelible impression on the reader's mind—an impression that lingers like a whispered secret.
Item Level: 20
Price: Not for sale
Usage: Held in 1 hand, Bulk L
=== Abilities: ===
# Forbidden Lore: Reading the Necronomicon requires a successful DC 30 Will saving throw. On a failure, the reader is driven to madness, taking 1d6 mental damage and becoming stupefied 3 for 1 hour. On a critical failure, the reader gains a permanent insanity.
# Eldritch Knowledge: If a character succeeds on the Will save and studies the book for 1 week, they gain proficiency in a Lore skill of their choice, and they can cast contact other plane once per week as a 10th-level spell.
# Bane of the Outer Gods: When used as a focus component for a spell or ritual that targets creatures from the Outer Planes, the spell's save DC is increased by 2, and the creatures take a -2 penalty to saves against the spell.
# Binding Ritual: As an 8-hour ritual, a spellcaster can use the Necronomicon to attempt to bind an otherworldly entity. The ritual requires a sacrifice, costing 50,000 gp in rare and expensive components. The entity must succeed on a DC 40 Will save or be imprisoned within the book, where its essence is trapped and its powers suppressed. The entity can attempt to break free with a DC 40 Will save after each year of imprisonment. If it fails, it takes 10d10 mental damage and remains bound for another year.
=== Appearance and Legend: ===
The origins of the Necronomicon are shrouded in mystery and fear. Legends speak of a cult of mad sorcerers who crafted the tome in an attempt to unlock the secrets of the cosmos and gain power over the very fabric of reality. As the lore goes, the book was written by the hand of a long-forgotten deity, whispered to possess dominion over the realms beyond mortal understanding.
Throughout the ages, the Necronomicon has been sought by ambitious wizards and scholars who seek to tap into its eldritch might. Its pages reveal secrets of cosmic horrors and forbidden planes, offering a glimpse into the minds of beings beyond mortal comprehension. Those who possess the book are often plagued by nightmares, visions, and an insatiable thirst for more knowledge.
To many, The Necronomicon remains a relic of both fascination and fear—a testament to the unending curiosity of mortals and a warning of the consequences that await those who meddle with the unknown.
=== Powers and Curses: ===
The Necronomicon holds within its pages knowledge that can unravel the fabric of reality itself. However, this knowledge comes at a steep price. Merely gazing upon its contents can lead to madness and despair. The curse of the Necronomicon is twofold—those who seek its arcane wisdom may find themselves ensnared by its malevolent influence.
Yet, the lure of the Necronomicon is undeniable. Its eldritch secrets promise power beyond imagination: the ability to communicate with cosmic entities, comprehend hidden truths of the universe, and even wield forbidden sorceries. To wield such power, one must have the utmost strength of will, for the price of failure is a descent into madness or worse.
=== Legends and Whispers: ===
Whispers of the Necronomicon have echoed through the annals of history, spoken of by the bravest and most foolish souls alike. Some claim it to be a creation of ancient, cosmic beings, while others attribute its origins to cults that worship cosmic horrors. Regardless of its source, its dark reputation has made it a coveted prize for seekers of forbidden knowledge and an object of dread for those who understand the peril it poses.
The very existence of the Necronomicon serves as a reminder of the boundaries that mortals should not cross, of the lurking malevolence that lies just beyond the veil of comprehension. Tales of those who have fallen under its sway or glimpsed its contents and emerged forever changed serve as a dire warning—a testament to the irrevocable consequences that accompany the pursuit of truths better left concealed.