Mirror of Loss

A Mirror of Loss, in the House of Grief

The Mirror of Loss is a large mirror found in both the Gauntlet of Shar at X: -645 Y: -735 and the House of Grief at X: -474 Y: -1650. The former is cracked and cannot be used for reflection, however the latter is functional and can be offered a memory by the user.

Overview

A character with base Charisma 8 being affected by the Stolen Vigour condition from the mirror.

The Mirror of Loss found at the House of Grief can be used to gain a permanent bonus one ability, in exchange for a temporary penalty. Each character may use the mirror independently, offering a sizable stat increase to your entire party.

Using the mirror

To access the benefits of the mirror, one party member must first pass either an Arcana (DC 25) or Religion (DC 20) check to recognize the purpose of the mirror.

Each party member may then surrender a memory to the mirror, optionally attempting a Religion (DC 25) check beforehand to offer a prayer to Shar. The character who underwent the Mapping of the Heart receives advantage on the Religion check to offer a prayer.

Surrendering a memory to the mirror requires choosing one ability to sacrifice, which will be temporarily cursed with Stolen Vigour, a -2 penalty to the chosen ability.

If the character made a successful prayer check beforehand, there is a chance that they will be rewarded with a new memory, allowing them to select an ability which will receive a permanent +2 bonus – up to 24.

Details

For more details on the permanent bonus, see permanent bonuses.

When a character offers a memory to the mirror, there is a hidden, random roll to determine the outcome.

• Rolled a 6 or higher and haven't already landed on this outcome: You feel the presence of something, ancient and unknowable. It has taken notice of you.
  • This option lets you select the +2 ability bonus.
  • You can only get this option after passing the DC 25 religion check for each character that uses the mirror.
  • Once you get this option, you won't be able to use the mirror again with that character.
• Rolled a 5 or higher and haven't already landed on this outcome: Disappointment floods your mind. You were sure to succeed Stelmane, but Lord Enver Gortash has stolen your support. All that charming and cajoling in the parlours of the Upper City, wasted.
  • This option gives you +1 Charisma from Patriar's Memory. This can occur without passing the religion check.
• Rolled a 4 or higher and haven't already landed on this outcome: You embody a merchant, deep in mourning. His wife died, and he cannot bear to go on. Only the House of Grief can help him.
  • If the party encountered Arves outside the House of Grief, this narration is modified slightly to include his name.
• Rolled a 3 or higher and haven't already landed on this outcome: You embody a heartbroken heiress, desperate to forget an unrequited love. The sadness flees from you... along with a string of numbers. A safe combination?
• Rolled a 2 or higher and haven't already landed on this outcome: Your mind is that of corrupt alderman, eager to forget his transgressions. You feel them fade away... but your faith in the goddess Selûne is devoured along with them.
• Haven't already landed on this outcome: You embody an officer of the City Watch. A comrade died because of you. The dead man's face fades away... but the identities of informants vanish as well.
• Default outcome: A jumble of memories clamour for your attention. They range from ancient to new. But none are yours.
  • This option can be landed on multiple times once other options are depleted.

In total, each character will have 7 opportunities to roll (1 per ability plus 1 from passing the Deception check).

Shadowheart

Shadowheart is generally denied the mirror's benefits, having already surrendered most of her memories to the mirror. As such, she is not given the chance to be cursed nor receive a boon.

If she is no longer loyal to Shar she has disadvantage on the Religion check to offer a prayer to the mirror. Passing this difficult check ultimately still does not yield any benefit.

However, if Shadowheart becomes a Dark Justiciar, overthrows the Mother Superior, and becomes Lady Shar's Chosen, she will automatically receive a permanent +2 bonus to the ability of her choosing without receiving a curse.

Becoming a Dark Justiciar gives her an advantage on the Religion check to offer a prayer to the mirror. Passing it does not seem to do anything, as is not required for her to get the bonus.

Related literature

• Teachings of Loss: Forgetting and Loss
• Reflections Upon the Mirror of Loss