Manual of Dogmatic Methods

Manual of Dogmatic Methods: This silver-bound book, studded with jewels, appears to be a tome of considerable value. The book is actually cursed, although this is not immediately obvious.
The manual has the power to provide advice on any action that its owner might consider taking. The owner need only open to any page in the book, and there before him will be a list of actions, most of them ritualistic in nature, to insure the success of any project he undertakes.
The first time the book is used, the owner is suddenly struck with the idea that he now owns a source of information that can give him valuable advice on any matter. It becomes a guide for his whole life. He will not share the book or let anyone take it away from him. If anyone tries to remove it, he will fight to keep the book.
Following the first use of the book, the owner cannot do anything without first checking the book. The information in the manual is completely worthless, but the owner of the book does not realize this. The pages in the manual change constantly, offering its owner an obscure (and usually ridiculous) ritual to perform before doing anything. Thus, if a character is about to go into battle, he might check the book and find several exercises he should undertake to loosen his muscles. If he is going to speak to a duke, he might find instructions for the color of his clothing according to the day of the year and the time of day of the meeting. If he is going to pray to his god for a spell, he might find six pages of cleansing rituals that should be performed first.
The manual's instructions are almost never harmful, but they might delay the owner's actions at a crucial moment.
Whenever a character is in a situation that requires hasty action (for example, he is attacked), the book will delay its owner by 1d8 rounds. If the owner is preparing for a lengthy activity (a long trip, for example), he will be busy for 1d4 days getting ready for the event. The DM should be creative in detailing the tasks the owner must perform before he can comfortably commit himself to his goal.
The compulsion to follow the manual's instructions can be ended with a remove curse spell. Following this, the next person to open the book becomes its new owner. If an owner should die, the book becomes the property of the next person to open its cover.
If possible, the DM should hint that the character is actually gaining bonuses for using the book, while allowing the other characters in the group to figure out the effects for themselves.
Category:TOM Magic ItemsCategory:Magic Items