Necromancy of Thay: Difference between revisions

* In the [[Apothecary's Cellar]] beneath the [[Blighted Village]], behind a locked gate, on an altar.

:* To access the hidden portion of the cellar containing the book, a wardrobe must be moved by pulling a lever hidden behind a box, then it the magic mirror must be spoken to and either an [[Intimidation|intimidate]] must be passed or the correctly answers its questions must be given:

::* ''What think you of the Zulkir known as Szass Tam?'' 'Szass Tam is a foul, wretched creature.'

::* ''Why might one use balsam ointment?'' 'To clean a wound.'

:::* [[Ranger]]s have a special response that will also be regarded as correct.

::* ''If you could see anything in me, what would it be?'' 'I'd look for whatever spell will rid me of this worm in my head.'

:::* [[Warlock]]s, [[Bard]]s, and [[Sorcerer]]s have a special response to the third question that will also be regarded as correct.

:* The locked gate in front of the book can be [[Sleight of Hand|lockpicked]]. The [[Rusted Key]] found on a shelf in the next room (near the lever that opens a shortcut back to the cellar entrance) can also be used to open the door. Alternatively, spells like {{SAI|Misty Step}} or {{SAI|Mage Hand}} can be used to bypass the gate.

:* Note that taking the book will trigger a trap. To avoid this, turn-based mode can be entered and an item of similar weight (like another book) can be placed on the pedestal, or the trap can be dismarmed with a [[Trap Disarm Toolkit|disarm]] after a perception check, or by disarming the two nearby statues.

* To read the book, the {{RarityItem|Dark Amethyst}} must be obtained from the [[Whispering Depths]], which can be accessed from the well or the blacksmith's basement in the Blighted Village. The Amethyst is guarded by a [[Phase Spider Matriarch]]. {{coords|-550|-350}}

* The {{story|Necromancy of Thay}} has three main paths that can be chosen, each with different outcomes.

** '''Give the book to [[Astarion]]'''. Giving it to him will net you approval from [[Astarion]]. Once he has obtained the book, it cannot be transferred to another [[companion]] or the player character.

** '''Destroy the book.''' The book can be destroyed only by {{DamageType|Radiant}} damage. Destroying it will net you disapproval from Astarion, but approval from [[Karlach]], [[Lae'zel]], and [[Wyll]]. Destroying the book will spawn 3 hostile [[Shadow]]s.

** '''Read the book for its dark secrets.''' Interact with the book and use the option to insert the {{story|Dark Amethyst}} to unlock it. In total, three pages of the book can be turned. Each page which is turned prompts a progressively harder [[Wisdom]] [[Saving Throw]] ([[Difficulty Class|DC]] 10, 15, and 20). The following possible events can occur:

*** Failing one Saving Throw curses the reader with {{Cond|Whispers of Madness}} ({{Disadvantage}} on Wisdom [[Check]]s until cleansed by {{SAI|Remove Curse}}).

*** Failing two or more Saving Throws curses the reader with {{Cond|Baleful Knowledge}} ({{Disadvantage}} on Wisdom [[Checks]] until cleansed by {{SAI|Remove Curse}}).  

**** Some classes and some party memnbers receive special options to modify or lower these DCs; all such special options result in the same overall outcomes.

***** [[Bard]]s may make Performance checks with DCs of 5, 10, and 15.

***** [[Sorcerer]]s may make Charisma checks with DCs of 5, 10, and 15.

***** [[Warlock]]s may make the first save using Charisma with a DC of 5.  The other pages will use the default Wisdom saves.

***** [[Wizard]]s may make the first save using Intelligence with a DC of 5. The other pages will use the default Wisdom saves.

***** [[Cleric]]s of dark/evil aligned gods like Talos, Gruumsh, or Lolth get a 10 DC wisdom ability check for the third page, instead of a 20 DC Wisdom saving throw. This includes [[Shadowheart]], as a Cleric of Shar.

***** [[Astarion]] is given a special option: "Drink in the darkness, embracing it, and turn the page" for turning the third page, offering a Wisdom ability check with a DC of 15 (in contrast to the 20 DC Wisdom saving throw).

*** Turning at least one page permanently grants the reader {{SAI|Speak with Dead}}. This can be cast as a {{SmIconLink|Ritual Spell Icon.png|Spells#Ritual Spells|Ritual}} and does not consume a [[Spells#Spell_Slots|Spell Slot]].

*** Turning three pages, regardless of success, grants the ''Forbidden Knowledge'' tag and {{Pass|Forbidden Knowledge}} passive feature.

*** Closing the book before turning three pages leaves the [[Search the Cellar]] quest incomplete and allows the character to reopen the book again later.

* Once the book has been opened by one party member, it will not open for any other party member. Once all three pages have been turned, the book will refuse to open again for anyone until more knowledge is gained later in Act Three. It will also no longer be possible to remove the book from the inventory of the reader.  

* After placing the {{story|Dark Amethyst}} in the book's cover, the item quote will change from '' 'It. Is. Not. Too. Late.' '' to '' 'Look. Away.' ''

* With the help of [[Mystic Carrion]] in [[Philgrave's Mansion]] in the [[Lower City]], it can be revealed - for a 1500 gp fee - that in order to unlock the full potential of the book, the [[The Tharchiate Codex]] somewhere within [[Sorcerous Sundries]] needs to be obtained. However, it's not neceesary to pay that fee. It's possible to go directy to Socerous Sundries to get the book without talking to Mystic Carrion.  

* [[The Tharchiate Codex]] is stored in the basement vault of [[Sorcerous Sundries]]. The vault can be reached in two different ways:

** By interacting with the Clasped Book in the bookshelf of [[Tolna Tome-Monger]]'s office upstairs and going through the portal, or

** By using the Weave Button labelled 'Vault' on the middle level of [[Ramazith's Tower]].

* Within the vault, the Codex is located in the Elminster section. To unlock the Elminster door, the party mus first find the lever at the end of the Silverhand section by opening doors in this order: Silverhand, Evocation, Wish.

* After reading [[The Tharchiate Codex]], {{story|Necromancy of Thay}} ca be re-read. After passing a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw the reader gains the permanent ability to summon 4 ghouls via the {{SAI|Danse Macabre}} spell once per Long Rest. Failing this saving throw has the same effect as before: the reader will be cursed with '''Baleful Knowledge''', but still gains the spell.

** Reading the Codex also grants the reader [[The Tharchiate Codex: Blessing]] passive feature, which lets the reader gain 20 temporary [[Hit Points]] after each [[Long Rest]].

** Completing {{story|Necromancy of Thay}} does not break [[Oath of the Ancients]], nor does using Danse Macabre.

* Having the {{Pass|Forbidden Knowledge}} feature allows the reader to ''safely'' obtain another permanent bonus from the Mirror of Loss in the [[House of Grief]]; see [[Permanent Bonuses]] for more details.