The Grand Illusionist's Delusion

7/27/2019 The Grand Illusionist's Delusion

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The Grand Illusionists DelusionA D&D Next playtest adventure for 5th-7th level characters

Written by Ambrose Ingram ambrose!i"gmail#com$

%he rand Illusionist's Delusion is an adventure designed for

a party of four 5th-(th level adventurers# %he adventure )as

designed )ith *th level characters in mind but it is still

appropriate for characters of 7th or (th level# +haracters of ,thlevel or higher )ill have a much easier time because of spells

such as true seeing.or a smaller or lo)er-level group. the

dungeon master should consider reducing the number of

illusions to one or t)o illusions covering each floor of the

mansion# /educing the number of illusions in the house )ill

also speed up the adventure and can be used to turn the

adventure into a more straightfor)ard dungeon cra)l#

Adventure Background%he Tome of Absence is a po)erful spellboo0 of illusion

magic# 1any of the greatest illusionists throughout history

possessed the tome. but most hid it someplace secret. died at

the hands of a rival magician. or simply disappeared# %he tomehas a dar0 secret2 it feeds on the spirit of its o)ner. using the

magician's o)n life to fuel his or her illusions. eventually

0illing its master and trapping his or her soul#

%he %ome3s previous o)ner. Albrecht 4parro)ing. once

lived in a mansion outside Dinton. but he disappeared thrity-

five years ago# ooters have explored the mansion. but none

have returned# or many years the mansion sat. dilapidated

and ignored# /ecently. the to)nsfol0 of Dinton have noticed

lights coming from the mansion and the )orn-do)n exterior

)as restored to its former grandeur. seemingly overnight#

6rlach the rand Illusionist is a rogue )iard )ho fancies

himself the greatest illusionist of the current age# 8e has

sought the Tome of Absence for more than a decade,believing

that the tome )ill elevate him to be the greatest illusionist of

all time# 8e trac0ed the tome to 4parro)ing and rightly

suspected that it )ould still reside )ithin the )iard's home#

8e entered the mansion. claimed the Tome of Absence for

himself. and dove into studying the text. ta0ing fe)

precautions as he did# 9y the time he learned of the %ome's

deadly secret. it )as too late# No). 6rlach is frantically

searching for a )ay to remove the tome's curse before it 0ills

him#

In order to save himself. 6rlach spends his time in themansion3s library. continuing 4parro)ing's research# 8e

0idnapped t)o clerics. but they )ere unable to remove the

curse# 6rlach is 0eeping them alive to heal him as the boo0

slo)ly drains his life# 6rlach has sent doppelganger servants

out into Dinton and other nearby to)ns to see0 anyone )ho

might have information that could save him#

Adventure Summary

%he :+s might become the targets of one of 6rlach's servants.

hunt 6rlach for the bounty on his head. or be hired by thepeople of Dinton to rescue the missing priests# When the :+s

first explore 4parro)ing's mansion it seems )elcoming. but

they )ill ;uic0ly realie that nothing )ithin the mansion is

)hat it seems# Illusions. traps. and arcane defenders hinder

their progress through a mansion that is literally falling apart

around them# If the :+s encounter and defeat 6rlach. they )illbe left )ith the dilemma of responsibly disposing of the tome -

or perhaps the temptation of using its po)er for themselves###

Adventure HooksRescue Mission2 %he party is passing through the small

to)n of Dinton and is approached by 9rother Astor# 9rother

Astor as0s the party to investigate the disappearance of t)o

priests from his order. offering a small re)ard#Bounty Hunters: A )oman named +atherine approaches

the :+s and tells them about the bounty on 6rlach's head# 4he

has her o)n motives. but can tell the :+s )here to find him#A amiliar ace:/eplace Dinton )ith the party's home

base# An N:+ the party 0no)s approaches them and as0s

probing ;uestions about magical artifacts. tomes of magic. and

brea0ing enchantments# %he N:+ invites the party to visit a

friend of his or hers at 4parro)ing's mansion# %he N:+ is

actually one of 6rlach's doppelgangers. and if the party

figures this out. they can get enough information from thecreature to learn that their real friend has been 0idnapped by

6rlach#

In!ormation GatheringAny character )ho spends time tal0ing to people in Dinton

can learn the follo)ing2

1ost to)nsfol0 believe the mansion is haunted# 1aybe itisn't. but a fe) treasure hunters )ho entered the mansion

many years ago never returned#

or the last month. villagers have seen lights in the

mansion at night# At least one person claims that the formerly

rotting mansion )as completely restored overnight


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Any character )ho ma0es an Intelligence Arcana$ chec0

about Albrecht might learn the follo)ing2

D+ >?2 Albrecht 4parro)ing )as a mage and adventurer

)ho retired at a surprisingly young age#

D+ @?2 4parro)ing specialied in con!uration and the

creation of arcane constructs#

D+ @52 4parro)ing )as the last 0no)n o)ner of an

artifact 0no)n as the Tome of Absence.

Any character )ho has heard of 6rlach and ma0es an

Intelligence Arcana$ chec0 about him might learn the

follo)ing2

D+ >52 6rlach is a rogue magician )ith a 5?? gold

bounty on his head#

D+ @?2 6rlach fancies himself the greatest illusionist of

the age and gave himself the moni0er. 52 %he %ome holds the secret to po)erful illusion

magic#

D+ @?2 1ost o)ners of the %ome either died or

disappeared )ithin a year of ac;uiring it#

D+ @52 Albrecht 4parro)ing )as the last o)ner of the

%ome and he possessed it for longer than most. for abouta decade#

D+ ?2 %he %ome )as created by a po)erful devil many

centuries ago# %he %ome uses the life force of its o)ner

to po)er its magic. slo)ly 0illing and consuming its

o)ner's spirit#

Summary o! "#$s

Bartholome%Doppelganger rogue (assassin), lawful evil

9artholome) is three years into a five year contract )or0ing

for 6rlach# %he other doppelgangers serving 6rlach are

9artholome)3s gang and are loyal to him#

:rior to his employment )ith 6rlach. 9artholome) )as a

member of an assassins' guild. but ended up on the )rong side

of a coup and is considered a traitor# 8e is loyal to 6rlachbecause their contract pays )ell and 6rlach provides some

protection against 9artholome)'s former allies# 9artholome)

is not )illing to lose his life for his )or0. ho)ever. and )ill

abandon or betray 6rlach if he believes it is the only )ay to

ensure his o)n survival#

9artholome) normally ta0es the form of a tall. gaunt half-

elf and )ill ta0e the identity of 9arty 4parro)ing if he

interacts )ith the party# While conversing )ith the :+s.9artholome) attempts to get them to tal0 about themselves.

their abilities. and their past adventures in order to ascertain ifthey are useful to his employer# 9artholome) 0no)s the

predicament that 6rlach is in and is doing his best to help. if

for no other reason than another t)o years of guaranteed )or0#In combat. 9artholome) al)ays tries to attac0 from

surprise in order to assassinate a target and uses up to t)o of

hispotions of invisibility to stal0 and surprise a foe# 8e al)ays

flees combat if it loo0s li0e he )ill lose and saves his last

potion for this purpose# In general. he )ill attempt to capturethe :+s so that 6rlach can ;uestion them#

4tats for 9artholome) can be found on pg# >@#

Brother AstorHuman male cleric (healing), neutral good

9rother Astor is a young. devout cleric and an active priest at

the Dinton church# With the disappearance of 9rother

8armond and 4ister elicy. he is the highest ran0ing

clergyman and highest level cleric in Dinton level $# 9rother

Astor only 0no)s common 0no)ledge about Albrecht

4parro)ing and the mansion. but gladly shares )hat he 0no)s

)ith the :+s if he thin0s they )ill help#

9rother Astor does not personally believe that the4parro)ing mansion is haunted. but he thin0s that it has a ne)

o)ner# /egardless. he is afraid of the mansion. especially

since the disappearance of +aptain 9layloc0e# If the characters

agree to trac0 do)n the missing priests. 9rother Astor )ill

promise 5? gold to each party member and a year of free

church services#

Brother Harmond and Sister elicy

&$a'tured #riests(Human clerics (healing), lawful good

9rother 8armond and 4ister elicy are the priests captured by

6rlach# %hey are both level 5# %hey are suffering from

pneumonia and are barely conscious )hen the party finds

them# 6rlach has 0ept them both bound and gagged in the attic

@


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of the mansion. )hich is exposed to the elements#

6rlach has 0ept the pair alive so that he can continue to

interrogate them and so they can heal the damage he suffers

daily from the tome# %hey have pic0ed up some information

about the Tome of Absence from 6rlach3s interrogations# %hey

0no) that the %ome can only be touched by the person attuned

to it. and that it )ill slo)ly 0ill its o)ner# %hey do not 0no)ho) it can be unattuned or destroyed#

$atherineDoppelganger rogue, neutral

+atherine )or0s for a member of 9atholome)'s former

assassins' guild# 4he 0no)s that 9artholome) is )or0ing for

6rlach and )ill point the party to)ards the bounty on 6rlach's

head in hopes of flushing 9artholome) from out of the

protection of his employer#

If she approaches the party and they do not trust her

motives. she )ill remain evasive. revealing only that her

employer is interested in 6rlach's capture or death# If pressed.

she )ill explain that it's not 6rlach. but 9artholome) )ho she

is after. and explain that he is a traitor )ho )ill be brought to

!ustice#

+atherine prefers to ta0e female forms and )ill appear to

the party as an attractive halfling unless she has reason to

believe a different form )ill get a better reception#

If necessary. use doppelganger rogue stats pg# >@$ for

+atherine#

)rlach the Grand IllusionistHuman male mage (illusionist), neutral evil

6rlach. the self-styled


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progress through the mansion# Any character that sees through

an illusion )ill be unaffected by that illusion until he or she

ta0es an extended rest#

.alls and Doors: %he interior )alls and doors of the

mansion are rotten and termite-ridden# 1ost doors in the

mansion are unloc0ed. but brea0ing do)n a door or smashing

through a )all is easy to do and any character that does so can

ma0e a Wisdom :erception$ chec0 to see through the

illusions in the connected rooms#

Rotting ooden Door! A+ 5 hp 5 resistant to piercing

immune to poison. psychic. and all conditions#

Rotting "nterior all! A+ 5 hp 5 resistant to piercing


loors: %he floors of the mansion are treacherous bro0en

glass and rusty nails cover the ground and some sections of the

upper floors have completely deteriorated#

#ails and $ro%en &lass! 6nless other)ise noted in the

individual room descriptions. any space ad!acent to a )all or

door)ay should be treated as if it )ere covered in caltrops#

6rlach3s illusions suppress this effect. so characters )hobelieve the illusion in a room ignore this haard#

ea% 'loorboards! +ertain sections of the floor are so

decomposed they collapse )hen stepped on# 6nsafe regions

are noted in the individual room descriptions#

+haracters )ho have seen through the illusion recognie

unsafe sections of floor )ith a D+ >? Intelligence 4earch$ or

Wisdom :erception$ chec0# If a character )al0s onto an

unsafe region then that character ma0es a D+ >5 Dexterity

saving thro)# Bn a failed save the character falls through to

the first floor of the mansion# %he fall is >5 feet from the

second floor and ? feet from the third floor# If a character

falls onto a section of floor that is covered in nails and bro0en

glass see above$ he or she ta0es >d* extra falling damage#

The Adventure:

*ntering the Mansion

A neat gravel path, bordered by small white flowers leads up

the the hill to Albrecht parrowings mansion. "t is

architecturally simple* a rectangular home with a sloped,

shingled roof, and wooden siding that is painted forest green.

$ehind the main house, you see the rotting foundation of whatwas once a servants home or guest house.

If the party sees through the illusory house. read the follo)ing2

The house is barely standing. "t is impossible to tell what

color it once was because the paint has completely peeled

away, revealing warped, termite+riddled walls. The roof sags

horribly in the middle and entire sections have fallen through.

The path leading to the house can barely be seen beneath

thic%, thorny vines that cover most of the yard.

*ntering via Di'lomacy:If the characters 0noc0 on on

the front door of the mansion or other)ise announce their

presence. 9artholome) pg# @$ )ill greet them# 9artholome)

)ill ta0e on the persona of 9arty 4parro)ing. the son of

Albrecht 4parro)ing. and invite the characters inside for

coffee#

A tall, gaunt man opens the door. He is wearing fine clothes

and sips a cup of coffee as he eamines you for a moment.

uddenly he smiles, -&reetings, he says, -my name is $arty

parrowing. "/d be delighted if you 0oin be for a cup of 0o. "

havent had visitors since " moved in* " thin% the townsfol% are

a bit scared of my fathers old house1 $arty chuc%les at his

own 0o%e and waves for you to step inside.

If the :+s !oin 9arty for coffee. he )ill lead them to into

room E and excuse himself to prepare the coffee# %he party

)ill have about five minutes to loo0 around before 9arty

returns )ith the drin0s#

9arty poisons the :+s' coffee. )hich 0ic0s in 5 minutes

after being ingested# 9arty uses his sleeping poison usless

there are t)o or more elves in the party. in )hich case he )ill

use his intoxication poison#

While )aiting on the poison. 9arty )ill start the

conversation by as0ing )hat brings the party to Dinton and

tries to 0eep the characters tal0ing about themselves# If the

poison doesn't seem to affect the party. 9arty )ill engage in

conversation until the characters finish their coffee and then

politely suggest that he has )or0 to do and that the characters

should leave#

Breaking in through the ront Door:%he front door is

unloc0ed. but )arded )ith an audible alarm spell# %he alarma faint. !ingling bell$ )ill sound if any person )ho isn't one

of 6rlach's servants opens or brea0s the door# %riggering the

alarm )ill alert 9artholome) in room E@. the doppelgangers

in room EF. and 6rlach in room E>@# Initially. only

9artholome) )ill react to the alarm# 8e )ill drin0 one of his

potions of invisibility and ;uietly follo)ing the :+s until they

start another encounter. then attac0# 6rlach )ill continue his

research. trusting his servants to handle intruders#

Breaking in through the Back Door: %he bac0 door is

barred from the inside and boarded up# 8o)ever. 6rlach's

illusion ma0es it appear )ell-0ept and unbarred#

Any attempt to unloc0 the door )ill automatically fail. but

if the character )ho ma0es the Dexterity chec0 rolls a @? or

higher. allo) that character to ma0e a Wisdom :erception$

chec0 to see through the illusion# 4uccessfully brea0ing do)n

the door allo)s the character )ho did so to ma0e a Wisdom

perception chec0 to see through the illusion#

Reinforced ooden Door2 5ac. @?hp resistant to piercing


F


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This map was published by i2ards of the 3oast and used with permission.

5


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Breaking in through a .indo%: %he )indo)s are

boarded. but 6rlach's illusions ma0e them appear to be )ell-

0ept. glass )indo)s# +haracters loo0ing through a )indo)

)ill see the illusory room on the other side. but not any

creatures in the rooms#

%he illusion ma0es anyone trying to open the )indo)

believe that it is latched from the inside# If any character

attempts to brea0 open a )indo) or brea0 the illusory latch.

allo) that character to ma0e a Wisdom :erception$ chec0 tosee through the illusion#

$oarded indow! 5ac. >?hp resistant to piercing immune

to poison. psychic. and all conditions#

The Adventure: /eyed Ma' *ntries

,0 *ntrance Hall

%he entrance hall connects to most of the rooms on the first

floor# A small. plain door under the stairs leads to a cloa0room

that is not encompassed by 6rlach's illusion#

'ine blue carpeting covers the floor of the entrance andhallway. 4il lamps are hung at even intervals on each side of

the hallway and between them are several large portraits of

the same smiling man wearing different rich or eotic outfits.

The blue carpet continues up a wide, open staircase in the

front entryway, leading to a landing on the second floor that

overloo%ing this room.

4eeing through the illusion reveals the follo)ing2

The walls and floors are incredibly dilapidated. 5ildew

covers everything, and the carpeting on the floor is completely

rotted away. All that remains are a few dirty blue scraps.

plinters from former picture frames and shards of glass coverthe hallway floor.

#ortraits: %he man in the portraits is a half-elf. and a D+

>? Intelligence chec0 is enough to guess that the man is

Albrecht 4parro)ing#

$loakroom: 6rlach overloo0ed this room )hen he created

the illusion in the entry)ay# 1ilde) covers the )alls. and the

floor of the closet has completely rotted a)ay# %he hole in the

floor gives characters access to a cra)l space underneath the

house#

+haracters in the cra)l space can travel under any room on

the first floor and )ill be able to see through the rottenfloorboards into the rooms above# It ta0es a D+ >? 4trength

chec0 to brea0 through the floor into a room# Any character

)ho does can ma0e a Wisdom :erception$ chec0 to see

through the illusion#

10 ront #arlor 2 Bartholome%s $ham3er

9artholome) see pg# @$ spends most of his time in this room

reading boo0s he has borro)ed from the mansion's library#

9artholome) has made mundane reparations to the room.

such as s)eeping the floor and covering the )alls )ith drapes#

4till. 6rlach's illusionary room )ill is the first thing the :+s

see upon entering#

everal fine chairs and a couch sit around a low coffee table.

Do2ens of boo%s are piled on the floor net to the couch and

cover the table. A tapestry on the bac% wall depicts a peaceful

sylvan scene of elves and beasts dancing together in a merry

circle.


$lac% sheets cover the walls of the room and peeling,

mildewed plaster can be seen through crac%s in the drapery.

The floors have been recently swept* a pile of bro%en glassand fragments of wood sits in one corner of the room. The

piles of boo%s remain around the couch, which is covered in

coarse blan%ets.

$reatures &456+'(: 9artholome) is usually sitting on thecouch reading# If he is attac0ed here. he )ill shout for aid.

calling the doppelganger rogues from room EF. )ho )ill

arrive after @ rounds of combat#

Ha7ards: %he caltrops effect from the bro0en glass is onlypresent in the north corner of this room#

Books: Any character inspecting the boo0s can ma0e a D+@? Intelligence 8istory$# Bn a success. the character

recognies a boo0. The Adventures of 3ompendium 3opper,

&nome Detective,penned by its original author# %he boo0 is

)orth >? gold to most merchants but a collector might pay as

much as 5? gold#

80 Dining Room%he dining room remains empty most of the time. but is used

)hen 6rlach meets )ith 9artholome) and the doppelgangers#

%he table and chairs in this room are illusory. but becauseof the Tome of Absence they support anyone )ho uses them as

long as that person believes the illusion#

A large oa% table ta%es up the center of this room, surrounded

by blue cushioned chairs that match the carpeting. A

chandelier of candles and crystal hangs over the center of the

table. Do2ens of paintings of fruit bowls, feasts, and scenes of

drin%ing or revelry cover the walls.


The room is completely empty. 'ragments of wood and shards

of crystal are scattered across the floor, but little else remains.

80 Mess Hall4everal of 9artholome)'s doppelgangers spend their time here)hen not on assignment# %he doppelgangers avoid the ooes

in the 0itchen so they coo0 meals in this room over an open

fire#

Although characters entering the room )ill see 6rlach's

illusion. the doppelgangers' coo0ing could provide a clue

about the illusory mansion#

*


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Two plain wooden tables stand parallel to each other in the

middle of the room. There is no carpeting here, but instead a

worn, but well+polished floor. "n one corner of the room is a

cauldron full of stew which is bubbling despite the lac% of fire

beneath it. imple lanterns hang on walls that are otherwise

unadorned.


The tables stand in the room, although one has a large hole in

the middle of it. The plaster on the walls has peeled away,revealing studwor% and glimpses of the surrounding rooms.

6nderneath the boiling cauldron is an open fire pit with a

small crac%ling flame.

$reatures &566+'(: ive doppelganger rogues pg# >@$ are

usually in this room# %he doppelgangers remain polymorphed

as humans or half-elves and only ta0e their natural forms ifnecessary#

If the doppelgangers are attac0ed here. they )ill shout for

help. calling 9artholome) from room E@# If 9artholome) is

called. he )ill arrive. invisible. after t)o rounds of combat and

attempt to assassinate the biggest threat in the room#

50 Main #arlor%he parlor has been largely ignored by 6rlach and his

servants# When +aptain 9layloc0e investigated the mansion a)ee0 earlier. 9artholome) 0illed him and sto)ed the body in

this room. relying on 6rlach's illusion to conceal the rotting

corpse# 9y the time the characters explore the mansion. the

smell of the captain's corpse is beginning to penetrate the

illusion#

7lush chairs and couches fill this room, surrounding a coffee

table with an ivory and obsidian chess set on it. As in other

rooms of the mansion, the lamps on the walls give of a faint

scent of incense, but in this room, the spicy aroma barely

covers up the putrid stench of rotting flesh.


hards of wood and bits of stuffing cover the floor of this

room. "n the southern corner, on top of a large pile of ruined

furniture, is a bloated, rotting corpse wearing studded leather

armor. The ceiling in the western corner of the room has

fallen through, revealing an empty closet above.

$a'tain Blaylockes Body: If a character ta0es at least a

minute to examine the body of the late captain. he or she can

ma0e a D+ >? Intelligence 1edicine$ chec0 to notice a stab

)ound in the captain's stomach# A result of >5 or more )illalso reveal that )hatever blade stabbed the captain )as

poisoned#Treasure: If a character sifts through the bro0en furniture

under the body. a D+ >5 Intelligence 4earch$ chec0 )ill

uncover * chess pieces#

%here are F obsidian pa)ns. each )orth , gold > obsidian

0night. )orth >5 gold and an ivory 0ing. )orth @? gold#

Hole in the $eiling: %he hole in the ceiling leads to room

E># +haracters can !ump up to pull themselves into that room

)ith a D+ >5 4trength Athletics$ chec0# %his is much more

difficult for a small character D+ @5$ unless they have

something to stand on#

With a grappling hoo0 and rope. characters can easily

climb into the room above )ith a D+ 5 4trength Athletics$chec0#

40 9ounge 2 Storage Room%he lounge is being used to store the doppelgangers' food and

supplies# 4everal of the doppelgangers also sleep in this

chamber from time to time#

everal chairs are placed along the walls of this room. A five+

foot tall marble statue of a na%ed nymph stands in each corner

of the room, and along the bac% wall is a gilded clavichordwith a pastoral scene painted inside its open lid.


All but one of the statues are smashed and strewn across the

floor. The body of the clavichord remains intact but its lid is

shut and its legs have rotted away. "n one corner of the room

is a pile of bac%pac%s and in the middle of the floor areseveral empty, unrolled bedrolls.

Back'acks: %he bac0pac0s contain mundane gear used bythe doppelgangers# Any character )ho searches the pac0s )ill

find any of the gear normally found in an adventurer's 0it.

thieves' tools. and several containers of specialty food items2 a

sac0 of coffee )orth >? gold. a small pouch of spices )orth 5

gold. and t)o bottles of fine )ine )orth @ gold each#

"ym'h Statue: 4parro)ing found these statues as an

adventurer# %he statues are valuable. but also cursed# %he

intact statue )eighs about @5? lbs and is )orth @5? gold. but a

character could easily sell it for more to someone )ho is

affected by the statue's curse#Any person )ho touches the statue must ma0e a D+ >5

Wisdom saving thro) or become infatuated )ith it# Aninfatuated character )ill believe the statue is the most

beautiful piece of art he or she has ever seen. insist on

claiming the statue as their o)n. and )ill refuse to get rid of it#

Cxplain to the player of an infatuated character ho) they

no) feel about the statue and prompt the player to describe

ho) his or her character treats such a priceless treasure#

Bnly remove curse orgreater restoration can remove the

statue's curse#

$lavichord: %he clavichord is magical. )hich has 0ept it

mostly preserved# As0ing the clavichord to play a song

activates it. causing it to start playing on its o)n#All but three of the strings inside the instrument are

bro0en. so only a fe) notes )ill play. but if a character puts at

least 5? gold into restoring the instrument. it can be repaired#

%he repaired clavichord )ill play a s)eet. common tune and is

)orth 5?? gold#

7


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0 /itchen%he 0itchen has been left alone by 6rlach and his servants

because of the ooes that ma0e it their home# 6rlach's illusory

room conceals the ooes. ma0ing them invisible until

characters see through the illusion#

A stove and several small prep tables ta%e up the floor of the

%itchen. 7ots and pans hang from the ceiling and a water

basin, complete with indoor water pump, stands empty in the

western corner of the room. Although everything appears tobe in good condition, there are no signs that the %itchen has

been used recently.


The stove is completely covered in rust and nothing remains of

the tables ecept for a few splinters. Rusted pots and pans are

strewn across the floor, which is also covered in puddles of

dirty water* the pipes leading to the water pump have rusted

through, allowing a slow stream of water flow into the %itchen.

If a character sees through the illusion prior to being attac0ed

by the ooes. read the follo)ing as )ell2

Three of the puddles of water suddenly coalesce into grey

blobs and surge forward with tendrils of ichor outstretched.$reatures &466+'(: %hree gray ooes 9estiary pg# 5>$

ma0e this room their home# %hey typically lie ;uietly in the

puddles of )ater but )ill immediately attac0 anyone )ho

enters the room# 9ecause of 6rlach's illusion. the ooes are

invisible to any character )ho hasn't seen through the illusion#

#ots and #ans: %he pots and pans on the floor ma0e it

difficult to move ;uietly in this room# Any character

attempting to move stealthily through the 0itchen has

disadvantage on Dexterity 4nea0$ chec0s#

Develo'ment: If the doppelganger rogues from room EF

hear the sounds of combat they )ill start preparing for a fight#

Bne )ill immediately go to alert 9artholome) and returns)ith him after F rounds#

Bnce the doppelgangers hear the sound of combat stop.

they attac0. entering the 0itchen from room EF and room E>#

-0 #antry/usset mold has ta0en over the pantry. covering the remnants

of the shelves and foodstuffs that )ere once here# 6rlach's

illusion conceals the mold. ma0ing it invisible until characters

see through the illusion#

Two large wooden shelves that reach the ceiling are stoc%ed

with bags and 0ars full of foodstuffs. everal barrels, perhaps

full of mead or wine, sit in one corner.4eeing through the illusion reveals the follo)ing2

The shelves and containers are gone. 3ompletely covering the

floors and walls is a fla%ey, red substance that loo%s li%e rust.

Russet Mold &156+'(: %he red substance is a russet mold

9arrier :ea0s pg# >5$# %he mold is invisible to anyone )ho

hasn't seen through 6rlach's illusion# Any character that

ma0es a saving thro) against the mold's paralysis may also

ma0e a Wisdom :erception$ chec0 to see through the illusion#

;0 Second loor #

6rlach created the illusion in the hall)ay to conceal the

door)ay to room E>?# In place of the door to that room.

characters see a long tapestry of an oa0 tree#

6rlach trapped the top of the landing to prevent anyone but

himself from entering the second floor of the house#

The floor in this hallway is covered in plush blue carpetingand do2ens of paintings of scantily clad elven woman are

hung along the walls. Two narrow passages branch off the

hallway that must lead to the mansions living 8uarters.


The carpeting has rotted away, revealing wea% floorboards

that fle and crea% as you move across them. #o sign of the

lewd portraits remain, but a purple glyph glows on the wall

across from the main stairwell.

Glo%ing Gly'h &=66+'(: Any creature that reaches the top

of the staircase )ho doesn't loo0 li0e 6rlach or Albrecht

4parro)ing triggers the rune# Cach creature )ithin line of

sight of the glyph must ma0e a D+ >( Wisdom saving thro)#

Bn a failed save. a character sees a minotaur charging do)nthe hall)ay to)ards them# Any character that successful saves

sees nothing#

%he minotaur is an illusion. but the Tome of Absence

allo)s it to affect the characters as if it )ere real 9estiary pg#

*7$# Any character can ta0e an action to save against the

illusion again. or urge a friend to disbelieve. granting one ally

a free saving thro)#

%he glyph can be removed by casting dispel magic on it#

Ha7ards: %here are t)o patches of )ea0 floor see pg# F$

in this room# %he first is a 5 ft# s;uare patch at the top of thestair)ell leading to room E7# %he second region stretches from

in front of room E>> to the door to room E>#9ocked Door: In addition to being hidden by the illusion.

6rlach has cast arcane loc% and alarm on the door to roomE>?#

6rlach used the audible version of alarm, and triggering

the spell )ill dra) the attention of 6rlach and his shield

guardian from. room E>@. as )ell as the invisible stal0ers from

room E>>#

9oc%ed Rotting ooden Door! A+ 5 hp >5 resistant to

piercing immune to poison. psychic. and all conditions loc0

cannot be pic0ed#

Develo'ment: When the trap triggers. someone falls

through the floor. or the alarm from room E>? triggers. the

invisible stal0ers in room E>> emerge and attac0# 6rlach onlyemerges if his alarm is triggered#

,,0 irst Guest $ham3er 2 )rlachs $ham3er6rlach has ta0en over this room as his o)n )hile he stays at

4parro)ing's mansion# 8e concealed the entrance to this room

and placed arcane loc% and alarm spells on the door in orderto protect his personal belongings#

(


9/15

If the party has not seen through the illusion in the hall)ay

and a character examines the tapestry that appears in place of

the door. allo) that character to ma0e a Wisdom :erception$

chec0 to see through the illusion#

A solid oa% bed piled high with pillows sits along one wall of

the room. A bra2ier with smo%ing incense stands across from

the bed net to a large armoire.


There is a bed in this room, but it is little more than a cotcovered with rough wool blan%ets. "n place of the armoire

stands a large oa% chest loc%ed with an impressive iron

padloc%.

$hest: 6rlach 0eeps his belongings in this chest. )hich is

protected by arcane loc%.

Inside the chest are three spare robes. one in blue and

silver and t)o that are red and gold. each )orth >5 gold and a

coffer containing @? platinum. >(? gold. and four moonstones)orth F? gold each# In addition. 6rlach's primary spellboo0 is

in the chest see pg# >$#

9oc%ed turdy ooden 3hest! A+ 5 hp @5 resistant to

piercing immune to poison. psychic and all conditions loc0

cannot be pic0ed#

,,0 Second Guest $ham3er6rlach stationed t)o invisible stal0ers in this room# %he entire

floor is )ea0ened. ma0ing exploring the room difficult

A four+poster with wave patterns carved in the posts

dominates the room. A des% and a chest of drawers stand

against the wall opposite the bed.


Rotting scraps of wood are all that remain of the furniture

here. The floorboards are riddled with holes, and termites

crawl over every surface in the room.$reatures &;16+'(: 6rlach has t)o invisible stal0ers

White :lume pg# 7$ in his service. standing guard )ith orders

to attac0 any intruders )ho reach the second floor of the

mansion#

If the :+s reach this room )ithout alerting the invisible

stal0ers. the stal0ers )ill attac0 on sight#

Ha7ards: %he entire floor of this room is )ea0ened see

pg# F$# A character that falls through this floor )ill land inroom E5#

,10 9i3rary

%he library is the one room in the house that )as protectedfrom the effects of the elements and time# It is also one of the

fe) rooms that 6rlach has not concealed )ith an illusion#

6rlach spends most of his time here. reading 4parro)ing's

extensive collection of arcana and hoping to find some clue to

saving himself from the Tome of Absence.

A large des% made of dar% wood ta%es up the center of this

room. The des% is piled high with enormous tomes and

bundles of scrolls. All four walls of the room are made up of

boo%shelves that etend from the floor to the ceiling. Two balls

of light float near the ceiling, illuminating the room in a

gentle glow.

If 6rlach is in the room. read the follo)ing as )ell2

A human man with long, waed mustaches and wearing a

deep blue robe embroidered with silver symbols sits behind

the des%, poring over an open tome. The edges of his form

seem ha2y, trailing wisps of smo%e, and his entire body is

partially translucent. :very few seconds he disappears fromview completely, returning an instant later in a slightly

different position. $ehind him stands a humanoid+shaped,

featureless construct made of iron and wood. As soon as the

door opens, the construct moves around the des%, bloc%ing thedoorway into the room.

$reatures &1>8-6+'(: 6rlach and one of 4parro)ing's oldshield guardians are in this room pg# >$# 6rlach does not

necessarily resort to violence right a)ay. preferring to spea0

)ith intruders before combat brea0s out in hopes of learning

something that helps his situation#

If the :+s do not insist on entering the library. neither

6rlach nor his protector )ill attac0 immediately# 4ee 6rlach's

entry on page for advice on ho) he might interact )ith theparty#

Develo'ment: If combat does brea0 out in this room. the

invisible stal0ers from room E>> )ill !oin after > round#

,80 Guest $loset6rlach did not create an illusion for this room# %he floor has

fallen through into room E5 and characters might be able toclimb into this room from the first floor#

This small chamber was probably once a linen closet. Theremnants of wooden shelves can be seen against the bac%

wall, but the center of the floor has fallen away completely,

revealing the parlor below.

Hole in the loor: %here is !ust enough floor left along the

bac0 )all for a person or t)o to stand#

,=0 Master $loset6rlach did not create an illusion for this room# %he closet is

full of the moldering remains of 4parro)ing's )ardrobe#

The gust of air from opening the door sends up a cloud of

dust. A couple of dirty are still hanging from hoo%s, but the

ma0ority sit in a rotting pile on the floor, covered in the

corpses of dead moths.

,50 S'arro%ings Bedroom%his )as once Albrecht 4parro)ing's bedroom but 6rlach has

opted not to ta0e it over. preferring the guest room across from

room E>?#

%here is a trapdoor in the ceiling. )hich is the only

entrance to the attic# 6lrach has left t)o of 4parro)ing's

shield guardians in this room )ith orders to attac0 anyone )ho

enters#

,


10/15

This room is clearly the master bedroom. "t is full of ornate

furniture, including a four+poster bed, several chairs, and a

large armoire, all made of mahogany and carved with a

delicate ivy pattern. tanding in the middle of the room are

two man+si2ed constructs made of metal and wood.


All the furniture in this room is rotten or smashed, littering the

floor with debris. et in the ceiling in front of the entrance to

the room is a wooden trap door with a string hanging from it.$reatures &,>46(: %he t)o shield guardians pg# >$ are

instructed to attac0 anyone )ho enters the room# %hey treat

each other as each other3s master for the purposes of their

arcane defender ability#

Develo'ment: If combat brea0s out here. the invisible

stal0ers from room E>> )ill !oin after rounds#

Tra'door: %he trap door in the ceiling leads to room E>(#

:ulling the string opens the trap door. causing a rope ladder to

drop into the room#

,40 Study%his )as once 4parro)ing's study. a room that 6rlach has notdisturbed at all# +haracters can enter from room E>7. but thedoor into this room is trapped#

The walls and floors of this room are bare, the carpeting andwall hangings have rotted away, but the woodwor% itself still

seems to be sturdy. An oa% des% sits against one wall with a

large, dust+covered boo% sitting on it. everal in%pens stand in

empty in%wells near the boo%.

Book: %he boo0 is Albrecht 4parro)ing's spellboo0 and

contains the follo)ing spells2 alarm, burning hands, cause

fear, charm person, disguise self, magic missile, shield, sleep,

arcane loc%, dar%ness, hold person, invisibility, %noc%,

phantasmal force, scorching ray, suggestion, aura ofinvisibility, blin%, dispel magic, lightning bolt, ma0or image,remove curse, ice storm, polymorph, stones%in, hold monster,

seeming and true seeing.

Desk: 4earching the dra)ers of the des0 reveals a wand of

enemy detection.

,0 Antecham3er%hree treasure hunters )ho attempted to explore the mansion

many years ago perished here to one of 4parro)ing's traps#

6rlach has concealed the evidence of that explosion )ith

his illusion#

This small room has no furniture, but many certifications,

letters of than%s, awards, and the stuffed head of an owlbear

hang on the walls.


#othing remains of the wall hangings and all the surfaces in

the room are blac%ened and charred. Three soot+covered

s%eletons lie in the middle of the room.

Tra''ed Door: %he door leading to room >* is magically

trapped#Detect magic reveals moderate evocation on the door#

%he trap can be dispelled )ith dispel magic.

If the door is opened )hile the trap is active. the room is

engulfed in a burst of flame# +reatures in the room must ma0e

a D+ >F Dexterity saving thro)#

'ailed save! d* fire damage#uccessful save! 8alf damage#

,-0 Attic *ntranceIn this empty chamber. 6rlach's illusion conceals the door

leading into room E>, and places a false door in the north-east

)all of the room. )here a hole in the )all allo)s characters to

)al0 themselves out of the mansion into empty air#

The ceiling in this empty room has many holes in it and the

floor is damp and covered in shingles and wet leaves. Despite

eposure to the elements, the floorboards appear sturdy. A

single wooden door leads out of this room through the north+

east wall.


The door in the north+east wall is actually a hole in the wallthat leads out of the mansion into thin air. The real eit is a

dilapidated wooden door in the north+west wall.

alse Door: Anyone )ho opens the door )ill see a small.

5ft# by 5ft# room )ith a )ooden chest against the bac0 )all#

Any character that )illingly )al0s through the door)ay must

ma0e a D+ >7 Dexterity saving thro)# Bn a failed save. theyfall ? ft#. landing !ust outside the mansion#

:layers paying attention to the layout of the house maynotice that the north-east )all is an exterior )all# Any

character )ho notices this. or )ho )itnesses a friend fall out

of the house should be allo)ed to ma0e a Wisdom

:erception$ chec0 to see through the illusion#

.eak loors: %here is a >? ft# by >? ft# patch of )ea0floor in this room see pg# F$# %he )ea0 area is the four

s;uares underneath the small table in the map illustration#

+haracters )ho fall through this section of floor )ill land

in room E(#

,;0 Storage Room6rlach 0eeps his prisoners in this room. including the t)o0idnapped priests and any 0idnapped N:+ )ho )as added by

the dungeon master as a plot hoo0#

6rlach's illusion in this room disguises the hostages as

monsters and hides the door that leads to room E@?#

$oes, chests, and fragments of bro%en furniture cover thefloor in this large room. Along the south+east wall, several

orcs are chained to the wall by their hands and feet. The orcs

curse and growl unintelligibly. Two vaguely humanoid clouds

of air and lightning begin to swirl in the middle of the room,

hurling debris in every direction.

>?


11/15


The debris and elementals remain, but the orcs are actually

6rlachs prisoners, chained, gagged, and unconscious. Along

the south+west wall is a rotting wooden door.

#risoners: 9rother 8armond and 4ister elicy are being

0ept alive to heal 6rlach )hen he loses life to the tome# %he

chains holding the prisoners are rusted and can be bro0en )ith

a D+ >@ 4trength chec0. or pic0ed )ith a D+ >@ Dexterity

chec0#$reatures &66+'(: %)o air elementals 9estiary pg# F?$

are bound to the room and guard the prisoners# %hey attac0

anyone )ho enters )ithout 6rlach being present#

160 The Tome o! A3sence%his is )here 4parro)ing stored the Tome of Absence )hen he

)as alive and 6rlach has continued to do so#

A blac% podium stands in the middle of this otherwise empty

room. 4n top of the podium is a thic%, silver+bound boo% with

a large blue gem set in its cover. The gem glows faintly,

illuminating the room in dim a2ure light.

The Tome o! A3sence: %he boo0 is the Tome of Absence.

ee pg# >5 for more details about the %ome#

$reatures &,>==6(: If the :+s reach this room )hile

6rlach is still alive. the spirits of the tome's past o)ners )ill

emerge and defend the boo0# %he spirits ta0e the form of six

)raiths 9estiary pg# (*$ and attac0 until 0illed#

%he spirits in the %ome respa)n after one hour#

.ra' )'When the characters finish exploring the mansion they shouldbe left )ith the dilemma of )hat to )ith the Tome of Absence# If

6rlach is still alive. he )ill insist on finding a )ay to find a )ay

to 0eep the %ome )ithout losing his life to its curse# %his isimpossible. and if left to his o)n devices 6rlach )ill lose his

physical form after >5 days. then his life and soul @5 days later#6rlach )ill adamantly refuse to destroy the %ome. but he

0no)s ho) to do so# If 6rlach is 0illed. the party )ill be unableto move the %ome )ithout attuning to it#

If the party decides to move the %ome to a safe location. acharacter )ill need to become attuned to it to do so# %his could

lead to further adventures if the attuned character then )ants tounattune via the wish spell. or even end in a heroic suicide if a

character )ants to hide the %ome and 0eep it safe#If the party chooses to try and destroy the %ome. it is up to

the dungeon master to decide ho) that can be accomplished# If

you )ish to )rap up the adventure ;uic0ly and neatly. allo) the%ome to be destroyed ifsacred flame and magic missile are cast

on it simultaneously# If you prefer to 0eep the %ome around as acontinuing challenge or plot device. allo) it to be destroyed

only if its infernal creator chooses to unma0e it#

If the party successfully rescues the priests from themansion. a)ard each player @?? experience points# 9rotherAstor in Dinton )ill pay 5? gold to each character for their

service. and promise a year of free temple services from hisorder# 8e )ill sign and date a document that can be sho)n to

other members of his order. )ho )ill usually uphold thepromise#

"#$> Monster> and Item Statistics

%he follo)ing pages contain stats for monsters. N:+s. anditems uni;ue to this adventure and glossaries of the monsters

items. spells referenced from the playtest pac0et#

>>


12/15

Bartholomew, Doppelganger AssassinMedium Monstrosity (Shapechanger), neutral evil

Armor $lass >5 leather$

Hit #oints *> (d(G($

S'eed ? ft#

Str >@ G>$ De+ >( GF$ $on > G>$

Int >5 G@$ .is >F G@$ $ha >7 G$

Skills Acrobatics G@. Deception G@. Insight G@. 4nea0 G@. 4leight of

8and G@. :ersuasion G@

S'ecial Senses dar0vision *?ft#

9anguages +ommon. Clven. D)arven

Ideal :ersonal Wealth

la% ears /etribution

Bond +ontract )ith 6rlach

9evel *

*+'erience #oints *5?

Traits

Sneak Attack &8d4(: As the /ogue ability by the same name+lasses pg# 5>$#

Assassinate: As the /ogue ability by the same name

+lasses pg# 5$#

Immunities: 9artholome) cannot be charmed or put to sleep#

$unning Action: As the /ogue ability by the same name. except

9artholome) may also use read thoughts. or change shape as his

extra action +lasses pg# 5>$#

ActionsMelee Attack ? #oisoned Dagger: G* to hit reach 5ft# one

creature$#Hit! >dFGF piercing damage and the target must ma0e a D+

>@ +onstitution saving thro)#'ailed ave! %he target ta0es >dF

poison damage#Ranged Attack ? Heavy $ross3o%: G* to hit reach >??ft#HF??ft#

one creature$#Hit! >d>?GF piercing damage#

$hange Sha'e: As the doppelganger ability by the same name#

Read Thoughts: As the doppelganger ability by the same name.

except the save D+ is >5#

Reactions*vasion: As the /ogue ability by the same name +lasses pg# 5@$#

*@ui'ment#oison: 9artholome) carries several vials of poison# 8is poisons

have a saving thro) D+ of >@# 8e has @ vials of sleep poison and >

vial of intoxication poison as described by the poison mastery

ability. +lasses pg# 5$# 9artholome) also has a !ar of irulent

:oison )ith F charges remaining# irulent :oison functions as 9asic

:oison. except )ith a save D+ of >@. and lasts for >? minutes#

#otions: 9artholome) carries potions of invisibility and @potions

of healing

Ring o! Shattered Glass: %his ring )as gifted to 9artholome) by

6rlach# 9artholome) )ill use the ring if he is preparing for a fight he

believes )ill be difficult# 4ee pg# >F#

Do''elganger Rogue5edium 5onstrosity (hapechanger), neutral

Armor $lass >@ leather$

Hit #oints @@ Fd(GF$

S'eed ? ft#

Str >@ G>$ De+ >5 G@$ $on >@ G>$

Int > G>$ .is >F G@$ $ha > G>$

Skills Deception G@. 4nea0 G@


9anguages +ommon

Ideal 4elf-:reservation

la% ac0s Cmpathy

Bond ang eader 9artholome)$

9evel

*+'erience #oints >??

TraitsAm3usher: As the doppelganger ability by the same name# %his

ability does not stac0 )ith 4nea0 Attac0#

Sneak Attack &,d4(: As the /ogue ability by the same name +lassespg# 5>$# %his ability does not stac0 )ith Ambusher#

Immunities: %he doppelganger cannot be charmed or put to sleep#

Actions

Melee Attack ? Shorts%ord: GF to hit reach 5ft# one creature$#Hit!

>d*G@ piercing damage#

$hange Sha'e: As the doppelganger ability by the same name#

Read Thoughts: As the doppelganger ability by the same name#

>@


13/15

Shield Guardian> 9esser5edium 3onstruct, unaligned

Armor $lass >5

Hit #oints 77 ,d>?G@7$

S'eed ?ft#

Str @> G5$ De+ >? G?$ $on >* G$

Int -F$ .is >? G?$ $ha > -5$


9evel 7*+'erience #oints ((?

TraitsArcane De!ender: As long as the shield guardian is )ithin 5ft# of its

master. any attac0 made against the guardian's master suffer a -@

penalty to hit#

ActionsMelee Attack ? Slam: G* to hit reach 5ft# one creature$#Hit! @d(G5

bludgeoning damage#

ReactionsShield 5 mage armor. ring of protection$

Hit #oints 5F ,d*$

S'eed ?ft#

Str ( ->$ De+ > G>$ $on >? G?$

Int @? G5$ .is >5 G@$ $ha >? G?$

Skills Arcana G. Deception G. 8istory G. :erception G

9anguages +ommon. Draconic. iant. Clven. D)arven. Infernal

Ideal 4ee0s /eno)n

la% 8ubris

Bond 8istory and earning

9evel ,

*+'erience #oints >.5??

TraitsDissolving S'irit: 6rlach is incorporeal and permanently affected by

the blin% spell# 4ee pg# >5 for more information about this ability#

Dreams made Real: 6rlach can enhance his illusion spells by

sacrificing his o)n hit points# 4ee pg# >5 for more information aboutthis ability#

Im'roved Minor Illusion: As the 1age ability by the same name

+lasses pg# $#

Master Illusionist: 6rlach has a G@ bonus to the saving thro) D+ of

any spell he casts from the illusion spell school#

S'ellcasting: 6rlach is a ,th-level spellcaster )ho uses Intelligence

as his magic attribute D+ >*. >( for illusions$# 6rlach has the

follo)ing spells prepared2

At will! Invisibility. ight. 1inor Illusion. /ead 1agic. 4hoc0ing

rasp#

;st level (nd level ( piercing damage#

ReactionsDisa''earing Trick: As the 1age ability by the same name +lasses

pg# F$#

*@ui'mentRing o! #rotection &Attuned(: %he ring grants 6rlach a bonus to

armor class included$ and saving thro)s#

Tome o! A3sence &Attuned(: 6rlach is attuned to the %ome. granting

him its benefits even though it is stored in the attic of 4parro)ing's

mansion# 6rlach has sacrificed a total of 55 hit points to the tome#

#otions: 6rlach carries potions of healing )ith him at all time#

>


14/15

S'ell3ook: 6rlach's spellboo0 is stored in his chamber in room E>?

inside a loc0ed chest# 6rlach's spellboo0 contains the follo)ing

spells2

;st level! All mage spells

>nd level! All mage spells

7$

Ring of 7rotection................................................1agic Items pg# >,$

%hieves %ools##########################################################C;uipment pg# >>$

and of :nemy Detection....................................1agic Items pg# >5$

S'ells Glossary

Alarm................................................................................4pells pg# 5$Arcance 9oc%....................................................................4pells pg# 7$

3olor pray.....................................................................4pells pg# >$3one of 3old...................................................................4pells pg# >F$3onfusion........................................................................4pells pg# >F$

Detect 5agic..................................................................4pells pg# >($

Dimension Door..............................................................4pells pg# >($Dispel 5agic..................................................................4pells pg# >,$

&reater Restoration........................................................4pells pg# @($"nvisibility.......................................................................4pells pg# @$

9ight................................................................................4pells pg# $5agic 5issile.................................................................4pells pg# F$

5a0or "mage...................................................................4pells pg# 5$5inor "llusion.................................................................4pells pg# 7$

5irror "mage..................................................................4pells pg# ($7hantasmal 'orce...........................................................4pells pg# F?$

Read 5agic.....................................................................4pells pg# FF$

Remove 3urse.................................................................4pells pg# F5$acred 'lame..................................................................4pells pg# F*$corching Ray.................................................................4pells pg# F*$

hoc%ing &rasp..............................................................4pells pg# F($low................................................................................. 4pells pg# F,$True eeing.....................................................................4pells pg# 55$ish................................................................................ 4pells pg# 57$

Ring o! Shattered Glassery rare ring

%his )ide steel ring is bright and polished and the )earer's visageconstantly reflects in its surface#

%he ring has shards of sharp crystal on the inside# :utting the ringon or ta0ing it off briefly causes the )earer to feel li0e his or her

body is being torn into pieces and doing so deals > hit point ofdamage#

re;uent use of the ring's ability )ill leave the )earer )ith a

permanent. !agged scar around his or her finger##ro'erty Attuned: Bnce per day. as an action. you can t)ist

the ring on your finger. creating >dFG> illusionary copies of yourself#

or each copy that is created. you ta0e points of damage that cannot

be prevented#

%he copies funtion in the same )ay as the mirror image spell#

8o)ever. they also trail shards of glass through the air as they move.

adding G> damage to your melee and ranged attac0s for each active

copy# %he effect lasts for one minute or until dispelled by the )earer#

>F


15/15

The Tome o! A3sence9egendary wondrous item

%his silver-bound tome has a large sapphire set in its cover. )hichconstantly gives off a faint blue light# %he %ome is immaterial and

can only be touched except by the person attuned to it#

#ro'erties Attuned: As long as you are attuned to the %ome.

you can physically interact )ith it and you may summon the tome asan action from )herever it is located as long as you and it are on thesame plane# As long as you are attuned to the %ome. it )hispers

advice to you in the voices of its past past o)ners# Kou do not need tophysically carry the tome to use these abilities#

%he %ome has instructions to cast every illusion spell from themage spell list and you may prepare those spells directly from the%ome if you are able to prepare spells from a spellboo0s# +opying a

spell from the %ome ta0es half the time and gold#While you are attuned to the %ome the saving thro) D+ of any

illusion spell you cast is increased by @#%he most important property of the tome is the ability to sacrifice

hit points to enhance your illusion spells# Damage ta0en from thetome cannot be healed naturally. but can be restored through magic

healing#

9y spending 5 hit points. you may cause any illusion spell you

cast to become permanent# Kou do not have the ability to

dismiss an effect that you cause to become permanent. butdispel magic affects the illusion normally#

9y spending >? hit points. you increase the realism of your

illusion to the point that it can harm others# %his effect is

similar tophantasmal force. If a creature )ho believes they

)ould ta0e damage from your illusion. it ta0es >d* damage# If

the creature affected by your illusion has reason to doubt that it

is real. that creature find a )ay to rationalie your illusion#

9y spending @? hit points. you create an illusion that is

physical and real# or example. creating an illusion of a

minotaur creates a creature that uses the statitics and abilities of

a real minotaur# +reating a bridge over a ravine creates a bridge

that supports the )eight of anyone )ho believes in it# Despite

this. the effect is still is an illusion. allo)ing creatures toLdisbelieve' by ta0ing an action and succeeding at a Wisdom

saving thro). or Wisdom :erception$ chec0 against your spell

save D+#

Secret: Bnce attuned to you. the %ome cannot be unattuned

except by a wish spell cast by a divine spellcaster or )hen you die# If

you die from damage dealt to you by the %ome. your soul is trapped

permanently and your physical form disappears#

6sing the %ome gives it a greater hold on your life force.

unloc0ing more abilities. but bringing you closer to death# %he

dungeon master should secretly 0eep trac0 of the total amount of life

that is sacrificed to the tome# Additional effects that can be unloc0ed

by the tome are as follo)s2

When @? hit points have been sacrificed to the tome. you may

cast invisibility at )ill and it is al)ays prepared for you#

When 5? hit points have been sacrificed to the tome. the tome

automatically deals 5 hit points of damage to you at the end of

every extended rest# %his damage adds to the counter of life fed

to the tome#

When >?? hit points have been sacrificed to the tome. you are

permanently affected by the blin% spell as your physical form

begins to disappear#

When >5? hit points have been sacrificed to the tome. you

become permanently incorporeal as your body continues to

dissolve#

When @5? hit points have been sacrificed to the tome. you

begin to lose >? hit points at the end of each extended rest#

When 5?? hit points have been sacrificed to the tome. your

physical form disappears ma0ing you permantently invisible

and incapable of interacting )ith the material )orld except

through spells#

When 75? hit points have been sacrificed to the tome. your soulgets suc0ed into the tome permanently and you die#

A "ote A3out the Tome%he Tome of Absenceis not a balanced magic item# Its abilities have

the potential to be abused# %his is intentional and for that reason the%ome is designed to 0ill anyone )ho uses it# 4till. some players maynot be deterred. and if a player decides to use the %ome in )ays thatunbalance the game. the Dungeon 1aster should not be afraid to

expidite that rate at )hich the character is affected by the %ome3scurse#

>5

Documents

The Grand Illusionist's Delusion