Books of Life and Death

In all of the multiverse, there are countless magical items that bring life and wring death. But there are only two that can be said to truly wield those powers. Two books bridge over the eternal chasm, between the land of the Living and that of the Dead.

Twin Artefacts

In the beginning of reality, the world fissioned into two parts: Life and Death. From then on, souls could only pass through the membrane between them once.

They were forever separated, or so it seemed. Like the lingering threads of mitosis, two absolute - yet opposite - strands came into being. Some hypothesise that all forms of necromancy are simply distant echoes of the strands' vibrations. What is certain is that if one of the two is destroyed, it must be with and through the other.

When passages from the Book of the Living and the Book of the Dead are read aloud in alternating order, both books are destroyed. The Mummy Lord, whose existence is bound to these books, (wherever it is) is also destroyed forever.

Scroll of Atum - Book of the Dead

Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement)



This artefact has the appearance of a scroll made of thin obsidian slates bound by thread. Once unfurled, eerie thaumaturgical effects manifest themselves briefly, but the slates remain empty. When the corresponding command phrase is spoken, a chapter of etched arcane text is summoned onto the surface, spewing forth information that no living-person could know.

Whilst you are attuned to this item, the colours of your irises turn to dulled tones.

Any spells cast with the Scroll of Atum is cast without expending a spell slot, unless specified. Material or somatic components are ignored. Nor does the caster sustain any penalties specified within the spell.

Each command phrase takes an action to recite, and is separate from activating the chapter's effects.



"The deceased enters the afterlife in five parts, through the door of the earth."

Chapters 1 - 16. This chapter contains detailed accounts of burial rites from ancient cultures, chillingly told from the perspective of the dead.



"The deceased is made to rise again, reborn, with the morning sun."

Chapters 17 - 63. As an action, you can cast the Revivify spell.

As an action, you can cast the Resurrection spell. The verbal componenent is replaced with the following:

Amun-Ra, Amun-Dei. Su-ei a-ha-ra oktu, ubsin mas ybet baya. Iman tipteen som pikai. Setsu-ei, yatu-ei. Yatu-ei! Yatu-ei!



"The deceased travels across the sky in the sun ark as one of the blessed dead."

Chapters 64 - 129. As an action, you can cast the Create Undead spell, at 6th level. You may also expend spell slots of a higher level to cast the spell.

As an action, you can gain control over a number of undead creatures you see, up to a total challenge rating of 4 for 24 hours.



"Transcending the mortal realm, the deceased assumes power in the universe as one of the gods."

Chapters 130 - 189. This chapter appears blank to any living reader.



Curse. The Mummy Lord knows that you have attuned to this book and, wherever it is, wil try to find you.

Scroll of Amun-Ra - Book of the Living

Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement)



This artefact has the appearance of a scroll made of linked golden plates. Once unfurled, soothing thaumaturgical effects manifest themselves briefly, but the plates remain empty. When the corresponding command phrase is spoken, a chapter of engraved arcane text is summoned onto the surface, bringing forth knowledge to ward off all that is Undead.

Whilst you are attuned to this item, the colours of your pupils turn to pure white.

Any spells cast with the Scroll of Amun-Ra is cast without expending a spell slot, and without using material or somatic components. Nor does the caster sustain any penalties specified within the spell.

Each command phrase takes an action to recite, and is separate from activating the chapter's effects.



"A whole soul, is Life's rightful gift to Death."

Chapters 190 - 211. This chapter contains detailed accounts of burial rites from ancient cultures, methodically transcribed by myriad master morticians.



"The path to the afterlife is preserved, and no soul shall stray from the natural order."

Chapters 212 - 257. As an action, you can cast the Gentle Repose spell. The targeted corpse becomes cocooned in an amber-like substance.



"By the moonlight, all that is unearthed shall return to rest."

Chapters 258 - 296. As an action, you hold the book out in front of you. Each Undead that can see or hear you within 30 feet must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails, it is turned for 1 minute or until it takes any damage.