The Book of Umbra

Dare to peer into the abyss of forbidden knowledge with The Book of Umbra, a chilling and enigmatic tome that beckons to those curious enough to tread its sinister pages. Wrapped in a cover of worn, black leather and inscribed with cryptic sigils, this dark grimoire is a portal to arcane realms that defy the light of day.

## Backstory:

From the twisted mind of an enigmatic author, The Book of Umbra is a journey into the shadows, where secrets long buried and malevolent forces lie in wait. Unveil the arcane rituals that invoke eldritch powers and plunge into the abyssal depths of dark magic that test the boundaries of sanity.

With pages that seem to absorb the very light around them, The Book of Umbra is a repository of spells that manipulate the ebon threads of reality. From summoning creatures of nightmare to invoking curses that shroud the world in despair, this tome leaves no dark desire unexplored.

However, beware, for the path carved within these pages is treacherous. The Book of Umbra delves into the morally ambiguous and the ethically unsettling, challenging even the most hardened sorcerers to grapple with the weight of their choices. The allure of its power is undeniable, but at what cost?

As you leaf through its pages, The Book of Umbra will demand your unwavering resolve and your deepest vulnerabilities. Will you succumb to its intoxicating darkness, or will you wield its arcane knowledge with caution and purpose? Prepare to embark on a journey that will forever alter your perception of magic, morality, and the boundaries of human understanding. Enter, if you dare, The Book of Umbra—a testament to the allure and peril of forbidden lore.

## The Book of Umbra: Item

*Item Level:* 13

*Price:* 5,500 gp

*Item Type:* Wondrous Item, Book, Cursed, Dark

*Bulk:* 1

*Hands:* 2

## Description:

The Book of Umbra is a sinister and foreboding tome bound in aged black leather, its pages exuding an eerie, otherworldly aura. The cover is adorned with intricate, pulsating sigils that seem to writhe and twist as if alive. The book radiates a palpable sense of malevolence, drawing the eye to its pages with a disconcerting allure.

### Usage:

The Book of Umbra contains dark and forbidden knowledge, detailing profane rituals, necromantic incantations, and eldritch secrets that delve into the shadowy depths of magic. To decipher and utilize its contents, a character must spend a number of hours studying the book equal to their level. After this period, the character must succeed at a DC 30 Arcana check to understand and cast a specific spell from the book. Failure by 5 or more results in the character gaining a minor curse.

### Effect:

When successfully deciphered, the character gains access to a selection of necromantic and shadow spells that they can prepare and cast as if they were on their spell list. These spells are treated as if they were two levels higher than their original spell level. The character can prepare and cast these spells using the Book of Umbra as a focus.

### Curse:

The Book of Umbra carries a potent curse. Each time a character successfully deciphers and uses a spell from the book, they must succeed at a DC 25 Will saving throw or become temporarily influenced by its malevolent power. While under this influence, the character becomes increasingly detached from their sense of morality, suffering a -2 penalty to Will saves against mind-affecting effects. This influence lasts for 24 hours or until the character rests and regains their spells.

### Destruction:

The Book of Umbra can only be destroyed by casting it into the heart of a raging bonfire fueled by sacred herbs and incense while being bathed in the light of a full moon. Even then, the destruction is not guaranteed, as the tome's dark essence may resist annihilation.

### *Note:*

The Book of Umbra is intended for use in campaigns with mature themes and a willingness to explore dark and morally complex narratives. It is advised that both players and Game Masters discuss the implications and potential consequences of introducing such an item into the game.