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Archivist
Involvement
House of Hope
Before entering the Archives, Hope warns the party about the Archivist. She says the party must exploit his weakness to get by. She says he fears authority figures, like Verillius Receptor, a High Inquisitor of Zariel who has official permission to audit Raphael's collection. Verillius' true form is so ghastly and mind-scarring that she takes on guises when she comes to visit. The party can exploit this by pretending to be that guise. If Hope fails to get out the name, then a successful use of 
(DC 10) can be used on the Archivist to reveal the name as well.
Karlach can also introduce herself, saying she's acting as Zariel's High Inquisitor, for a similar effect without needing a check.
Once inside, the party needs to pass a Deception check (DC 15) to get the Archivist to fully believe in the ruse. Unfortunately, the Archivist cannot give access to the 
Orphic Hammer / 
Soul-Sworn Contract, as it is surrounded by an impervious sphere. The sphere requires a magic code that only Raphael has. Instead, he refers the party to wait in the Boudoir until Raphael has returned. The Archivist can also relinquish the pass to the Boudoir by being intimidated (DC 25), or simply by pickpocketing him.
Attacking the Archivist, even if killing / knocking him on a single strike and far from any witnesses, will instantly break the 
Debtor's Attire and raise the alarm.
Items
Speak with Dead
Party member: Who are you?
- Archivist: Raphael's... archivist... a most important man...
Party member: What did you do here?
- Archivist: Maintained... the collection... and legal documentation...
Party member: How did you end up in the House of Hope?
- Archivist: Calculated... true value of my soul... then sold it...
Party member: How can I get the Orphic Hammer?
- Archivist: Sweat... blood... tears...
- Archivist: And... every other fluid... look to the boudoir...
Party member: How do I get the contract?
- Archivist: Sweat... blood... tears...
- Archivist: And... every other fluid... look to the boudoir...
Related literature
Gallery
Archivist's model.
External links
Archivist on the Forgotten Realms Wiki