Grimoire of Shadows: Unveiling the Secrets of Necromancy

Author: Jergal, Lord of the End of Everything
Value: Priceless
Pages: 512

Description

Bound in human skin or bones, adorned with grotesque symbols and possibly inscribed with blood or other bodily fluids. The pages are parchment or vellum, treated with alchemical substances to make them more durable and resistant to decay.

Opening Paragraph

As one of the oldest gods in the multiverse, I, Jergal, have seen the rise and fall of civilizations, the birth and death of countless beings. As the Lord of the End of Everything, I have observed and guided the natural order of death and decay, and thus, have an unparalleled understanding of necromancy. This comprehensive guide will delve into the art of necromancy, providing insight into the many applications of this often misunderstood magic, from animating the dead to divining the future through communion with the spirits. Whether you seek to become a master of death magic or simply wish to understand its intricacies, this tome will serve as an invaluable resource.

Mechanical Benefit

By spending the time to read this book, the reader gains access to the Divination spell Kelemvor’s Communion.

Kelemvor’s Communion

6th-level Divination (Ritual)

Casting Time: 1 Hour (Ritual)
Range/Area: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a diamond worth 500 gp)
Duration: Instantaneous / 2 Hours
School: Divination
Attack/Save: None
Damage/Effect: Communication

You beseech the god of death, Kelemvor, to grant you an audience. Select a willing target (which could include yourself) and when you begin casting this spell, they are immediately transported to a bleak and desolate plane of existence that represents the god’s domain (alternatively Kelemvor’s desk on the Fugue Plane). You find yourself standing before a towering figure clad in black armour, his face obscured by a featureless helm. This is Kelemvor, the Lord of the Dead.

You may speak with Kelemvor for up to 1 hour. During this time, you may ask him up to 10 questions related to the dead, dying, or the afterlife. Kelemvor’s answers are often cryptic and may be difficult to interpret.

While you are communing with Kelemvor, your body remains in a catatonic state and is vulnerable to attack. If you are disturbed during the communion, you must make a Wisdom saving throw with a DC equal to 10 + the number of questions you have asked Kelemvor. On a failed save, you suffer 8d6 psychic damage as your mind is overloaded with the god’s power. Additionally, you may experience vivid and disturbing nightmares for several nights afterwards.

The target of the spell is also subjected to the effects of the Death Ward spell as if the spell was cast on them at the beginning of the casting of this spell.

Note that Kelemvor is a stern and uncompromising deity, and he is unlikely to appreciate being disturbed without good reason. Using this spell frivolously or without a serious purpose may incur his wrath and, in this event, the effects of the Death Ward spell will be removed.

Provenance

Jergal is one of the oldest gods in the Forgotten Realms — the original god of death who willingly gave up his portfolio. His successors: Myrkul, then Cyric, then Kelemvor (the current god of the dead).
A book by Jergal granting a spell named after Kelemvor connects the old and new orders of death.
Found in the Castle of Azir — fitting, given Azir was eternally imprisoned by Nemesis and the castle was re-anchored from the Shadowfell to Mt. Celestia.

Current Status — SECRET

[[Lux]] found the book in the Castle of Azir
[[Lyra Shadowthorn]] secretly stole it from him
Lux does not know Lyra has it (or may not know it’s missing)
This is Lyra’s second major secret — she also smuggled the [[Voidstone]] into Silverton

DM Notes

Lyra has a pattern: smuggling the Voidstone, stealing this grimoire. She operates in the shadows even within the party.
A priceless necromancy tome written by a death god, in the hands of a rogue who doesn’t know the cosmic consequences of her actions — there’s story potential here.
The Kelemvor connection could become relevant if the party needs to commune with the dead (e.g. the Fire King, the Couatl, Lux’s parents, Kaial’s mother).