Description
This heavy tome is bound in cracked grey leather with tarnished silver clasps. It feels unnaturally cold and whispers faintly when held. The pages are filled with names, dates, and descriptions of oaths broken throughout history—some from the Shadowfell, others from distant realms.
Properties
Sentience.
An Index of Broken Oaths is a sentient lawful neutral item with Intelligence 16, Wisdom 18, and Charisma 14. It communicates telepathically with its attuned user in whispers and can read and understand all languages. It is obsessed with truth and remembrance, and it despises oathbreakers.
Weight of Words.
While attuned to the book, reading it causes emotional and psychic strain. At the end of each minute spent reading, the reader must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or gain 1 level of exhaustion. This exhaustion is magically lifted after a long rest.
Oath Echo (1/day).
You may speak the name of a person listed in the book and summon a spectral echo of the moment they broke their oath. This echo is an incorporeal spirit (use Ghost stat block, MM p.147) that answers 3 questions truthfully about the oath, if it can. It fades after 1 minute or if damaged. Using this power draws the attention of the Gray Watchers—vengeful wraith-like entities (DM’s discretion).
Reveal the Forgotten.
If a drop of a creature’s blood touches the book, a new page manifests with the most significant broken promise or betrayal in their history, if any. If the creature has never broken an oath, the book remains blank.
True Name Invocation.
If the true name of a creature is spoken aloud while holding the book, and they have ever broken an oath, a new entry will forcibly etch itself into the page—sometimes even if the oath has not yet been broken. This can be used for prophecy, at the DM’s discretion.
Languages.
The book magically translates all entries into the reader’s native language. In total darkness, it shows hidden entries in shadow-ink that describe the consequences of broken oaths, some of which may still be unfolding.
Cursed
While attuned to An Index of Broken Oaths, you are Marked by Oath:
- You have disadvantage on Charisma (Deception) and Charisma (Persuasion) checks.
- If you speak a lie or make a promise you knowingly intend to break, you take 1d4 psychic damage per false word spoken.
- You cannot willingly unattune from the book unless you make amends for your worst betrayal (as determined by the DM).
Destroying the Book
An Index of Broken Oaths can only be destroyed by swearing an unbreakable vow in the presence of a god of death, fate, or truth, and keeping that vow unto death. If broken, the book reforms in the Shadowfell after 1d4 days, bound in the soul of the one who broke the vow.
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