Codex of the Infinite Planes II (Magic Book)

The Codex is a massive tome, far larger than any book has a right to be. It is said that two strong men can barely lift the volume. The covers are made of flawless black obsidian and the pages therein are sheets of lead hammered so thin that they flex like paper. These are illuminated with strange writings in languages unknown and illustrations both beautiful and horrific. No matter how many pages are turned, there is always one more.
No one knows the origin of the Codex or what its original purpose might have been except that it also known as Yagrax 's Tome. The first mention of the Codex ties it to an unnamed wizard-priest who tyrannically ruled ancient lands now sunk beneath the waves. The source of his power, the book was also the force that sank his empire beneath the waves. Only the Codex survived; the secrets of its use were apparently lost with the wizard-priest, for now it is notorious for madness and death.
After a life of study, the archmage Tzunk actually found the artifact shortly before he vanished from the world. Of his extensive writings only fragments survive, and most of these are ravings about a beast and how Tzunk came to rule the City of Brass.
The Codex is a powerful and dangerous device and should only be introduced into high level campaigns when the DM is willing to use the outer planes. Because of its terrible curse, it is not an item characters should have for any length of time. The Codex could be introduced through a series of strange catastrophes—unnatural events of other-planar origin. A wizard, driven mad by the secrets of the Codex, has breached a barrier veil in the outer planes, unbinding a great horror. The characters must find and safely use the codex to send the creature back, perhaps even battling it in its own realm.
Invoked Powers: All powers of the Codex are triggered by reading, if one knows where to look. The Codex can open a portal to any plane, demiplane, or prime material world at any location. The book, however, has no index or table of contents. The only other known power is to summon a greater fiend to serve for 24 hours (1/month).
Random Powers: Four from Artifact Table 1- 16: Minor Powers, four from Table 1-15: Major Powers. 
Curse: Every page read, whether useful or not, has a 1% cumulative chance of triggering an awful fate (by accidentally opening the wrong portal)—irreversible madness, the arrival of a greater tanar'ri, 10-mile radius clouds of deadly poison (no saving throw), or worse. Reading the hundredth page brings certain doom.
Suggested Means of Destruction:
* It cannot be destroyed, only safely hidden where it can cause no harm.
* Every page of its infinite pages must be read.
* One page of the book opens a portal upon the book itself, wiping it out of existence.
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Books
Category:Encyclopedia Magica