Ballad 27 of the Fallen

In the land where shadows call,
Heroes rise and sometimes fall,
By the sword or by the brawl,
Silent whispers tell it all.

In the night, when battles stall,
Voices echo in the hall,
Blood and tears, they slowly crawl,
Secrets hidden by the wall.

Through the mist, a clarion call,
Warriors answer, standing tall,
Yet beneath the shroud and pall,
Mysteries loom, and heroes fall.

Blades will clash and cannons maul,
In the dark, the dead enthrall,
Eyes wide open, seeing all,
Life and death in silence sprawl.

In the fields where roses thrall,
Shadows dance, and spirits scrawl,
In the end, we heed the call,
Breaking chains that do enthrall.

Bodies cold, yet standing tall,
Echoes of their final brawl,
In their hearts, a somber call,
To the earth, they’ll never fall.

In the morgue, where lights are small,
Secrets whisper, through the wall,
Each incision, every small,
Tale of heroes, after all.

In the silence, secrets scrawl,
Ancient voices start to call,
In the tomb, the stories stall,
Yet in death, we see it all.

In the world, both great and small,
Heroes rise, and heroes fall,
Yet their tales forever scrawl,
In the dark, we heed the call.

Item: The Tome of Ebon Whispers

Lore: The Tome of Ebon Whispers is a centuries-old artifact, bound in dark leather and etched with silver runes. This mysterious tome has passed through the hands of many renowned scholars and bards, each contributing to its lore. It is said that the book itself chooses its bearer, appearing to those who have witnessed great loss and seek to understand the thin veil between life and death. The ballad, “Ballad 27 of the Fallen,” is inscribed on the inner pages, written in ink that shimmers like starlight.

Motivation: The tome is believed to have been created by a powerful necromancer who wished to communicate with the spirits of fallen heroes. His motivation was not for evil, but to learn from the greatest warriors of history and ensure that their wisdom would not be lost to time. The necromancer embedded the ballad into the tome as a means to channel the voices of these spirits.

Positives

• Enhanced Wisdom: Singing the ballad grants the singer profound insights into past battles, strategies, and heroic deeds, enhancing their wisdom and tactical abilities.
• Spirit Guidance: Spirits of fallen heroes may appear to offer guidance or aid in combat, providing strategic advice or revealing hidden dangers.
• Necromantic Awareness: The singer gains the ability to sense the presence of undead or restless spirits within a significant radius.
• Healing and Fortitude: When the ballad is sung with true reverence, it can heal minor wounds and bolster the fortitude of nearby allies, granting temporary resistance to fear and charm effects.

Negatives

• Necrotic Feedback: Improper or disrespectful singing of the ballad can result in necrotic feedback, causing harm to the singer and possibly attracting malevolent spirits.
• Emotional Toll: The singer may experience overwhelming emotions from the memories of the fallen heroes, which can lead to temporary bouts of melancholy or distraction.
• Attracts Undead: The use of the tome can sometimes attract the attention of undead creatures, drawn to the necromantic energies it emits.
• Possession Risk: There is a small risk that a powerful spirit might attempt to possess the singer, seeking to complete unfinished business in the mortal realm.

Tags: Artifact, Necromantic, Wisdom, Spirit Communication, Healing, Risk

Use: The tome must be read aloud with respect and solemnity, often during moments of quiet reflection or before a significant battle. The ballad should be sung in its entirety to invoke its full power. Partial readings may still grant minor benefits but also increase the risks of negative effects.

Magic Manifested — When the ballad is sung:

• Wisdom Aura: A soft, ethereal light surrounds the singer, symbolizing the wisdom and guidance of fallen heroes.
• Spirit Manifestation: Ghostly figures may appear, visible only to the singer and those with the ability to see spirits, offering their counsel.
• Necromantic Detection: A faint, pulsing glow highlights any nearby sources of necromantic energy, including hidden undead or cursed objects.
• Healing Light: A gentle light emanates from the tome, closing minor wounds and imbuing allies with a sense of courage and resilience.

The Tome of Ebon Whispers is a powerful artifact that requires respect and caution in its use, offering great rewards for those who can master its necromantic energies and channel the voices of the fallen.

Slot: Handheld / Carried Item

Stats:

• Wisdom Enhancement: +2 to Wisdom
• Necromantic Awareness: Ability to detect undead and necromantic energies within a 60-foot radius
• Healing Aura: Can heal 1d4 hit points to allies within a 10-foot radius once per day
• Spirit Guidance: Provides advantage on history and arcana checks related to battles and ancient heroes

Size and Weight

• Size: 12 inches tall, 9 inches wide, 2 inches thick
• Weight: 5 pounds

Perception of the Five Senses

• Sight
  • Perceived: The tome has a dark, weathered leather cover with silver runes that glow faintly. The pages shimmer with starlight-like ink, and there is an ethereal aura around the book.
  • Description: The tome appears ancient and well-worn, yet its magical nature is evident from the glow of the runes and the shimmer of the ink.
  • Positives: The glow and shimmer make it easy to read in low light, and the aura gives it an unmistakable presence.
  • Negatives: The constant glow can attract unwanted attention in dark environments.
• Touch
  • Perceived: The leather cover feels smooth but firm, and the runes are slightly raised, adding texture. The pages feel thin and delicate, almost like parchment.
  • Description: The tactile sensation of the tome is both comforting and slightly eerie, with a sense of ancient power embedded in its materials.
  • Positives: The raised runes provide a tactile guide for reading in darkness, and the smooth leather is pleasing to the touch.
  • Negatives: The delicate pages can be easily torn if handled roughly.
• Smell
  • Perceived: The tome emits a faint, musty scent mixed with a hint of burnt incense.
  • Description: The smell is reminiscent of old libraries and ancient rituals, giving a sense of history and mystery.
  • Positives: The scent can be calming and help focus the mind on ancient knowledge and wisdom.
  • Negatives: The mustiness might be off-putting to those with sensitive noses.
• Sound
  • Perceived: When opened, the tome produces a faint rustling sound, and the runes occasionally emit a soft, melodic hum.
  • Description: The sounds are subtle but soothing, creating an atmosphere of quiet contemplation and reverence.
  • Positives: The melodic hum can help calm nerves and focus concentration.
  • Negatives: The rustling pages might be mistaken for whispers, potentially causing unease.
• Taste
  • Perceived: Not applicable; the tome is not intended to be tasted.
  • Description: Attempting to taste the tome would result in a dry, bitter sensation.
  • Positives: None.
  • Negatives: Tasting the tome is not advisable and provides no benefit.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions
  • Magic Aura Perception
    • Perceived: The tome radiates a strong magical aura that can be sensed by those attuned to magic.
    • Description: The aura feels like a steady pulse of energy, indicating the tome’s powerful necromantic nature.
    • Positives: The aura can guide magic users to the tome, and its strength can be reassuring.
    • Negatives: The strong aura might attract other magic users or creatures sensitive to magic.
  • Spiritual Presence Perception
    • Perceived: The presence of spirits around the tome can be felt, especially when the ballad is sung.
    • Description: The spirits manifest as a cold chill or a gentle touch, often accompanied by faint whispers.
    • Positives: The spirits can offer guidance and protection.
    • Negatives: The constant presence of spirits can be unnerving and may cause distraction.
  • Emotional Resonance Perception
    • Perceived: The tome carries the emotional weight of the heroes whose stories it tells.
    • Description: Touching or reading the tome can evoke strong emotions such as courage, sorrow, and determination.
    • Positives: The emotional resonance can inspire the bearer and provide a deeper connection to the heroes.
    • Negatives: The intense emotions can be overwhelming and may affect the bearer’s mental state.

The Tome of Ebon Whispers is a powerful artifact with deep historical and magical significance, offering both great benefits and potential risks to its bearer.

Recipe to Recreate the Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Ingredients Needed
  • Ancient Leather: Skin from a beast that has lived for over a century.
  • Silver Dust: Finely powdered silver from a pure silver source.
  • Arcane Ink: Ink infused with stardust and enchanted with necromantic energy.
  • Parchment of Memory: Special parchment made from the bark of a memory tree.
  • Essence of Fallen Heroes: Collected essence from the spirits of deceased warriors.
  • Binding Thread of Eternity: Thread spun from the silk of an ethereal spider.
  • Elemental Fire and Water: Controlled flames and water from elemental sources for steaming and treating materials.
  • Sacred Incense: Burned to purify and infuse the tome with spiritual energy.
• Equipment or Utensils Required
  • Enchanted Quill: A quill that channels arcane energy for writing runes.
  • Mortar and Pestle: For grinding silver into fine dust.
  • Cauldron: To brew the arcane ink.
  • Runic Etching Tools: Special tools for carving runes into the leather.
  • Press: For binding the leather and parchment together.
  • Spirit Vessel: A container to hold and channel the essence of fallen heroes.
  • Steaming Equipment: For treating and softening the leather.
  • Incense Burner: For purifying rituals.
• Skills Needed
  • Leatherworking: Expertise in preparing and treating leather.
  • Runecrafting: Knowledge of ancient runes and their magical properties.
  • Alchemy: Skill in creating arcane ink and other magical substances.
  • Necromancy: Ability to handle and channel necromantic energies.
  • Binding and Bookmaking: Crafting skills to assemble and bind the tome.
  • Spiritual Attunement: Ability to connect with and harness the essence of spirits.
• Crafting Steps
  • Prepare the Leather:
    • Treat the ancient leather using elemental fire and water to soften it.
    • Steam the leather until it becomes pliable and easy to work with.
  • Grind the Silver:
    • Use the mortar and pestle to grind the pure silver into a fine dust.
  • Brew the Arcane Ink:
    • In the cauldron, combine stardust with a base ink, infusing it with necromantic energy.
    • Stir in the silver dust to enhance its magical properties.
  • Create the Parchment:
    • Harvest the bark of a memory tree and process it into parchment sheets.
  • Etch the Runes:
    • Use runic etching tools to carve silver runes into the leather cover.
    • Ensure the runes are precise to maintain their magical integrity.
  • Inscribe the Ballad:
    • With the enchanted quill, inscribe “Ballad 27 of the Fallen” onto the parchment using the arcane ink.
  • Infuse the Essence:
    • Place the essence of fallen heroes into the spirit vessel and perform a necromantic ritual to bind the essence to the tome.
    • Allow the spirits to inhabit the runes and the ballad.
  • Bind the Tome:
    • Assemble the parchment pages and bind them to the leather cover using the binding thread of eternity.
    • Use the press to secure the binding and ensure durability.
  • Purification Ritual:
    • Burn sacred incense around the tome to purify it and infuse it with spiritual energy.
    • Complete the ritual with a chant to seal the tome’s powers.

Cost

• Ingredients: 500 gold coins
• Equipment: 300 gold coins
• Skilled Labor: 200 gold coins
• Total Cost: Approximately 1000 gold coins

Shops

• Arcane Emporiums: High-end magical shops in major cities.
• Necromantic Guilds: Specializing in necromantic artifacts and tomes.
• Alchemist Shops: Suppliers of rare and enchanted ingredients.
• Specialty Leatherworkers: For obtaining the rare ancient leather.

The Tome of Ebon Whispers is a rare and powerful artifact, requiring both significant resources and expertise to recreate. It is typically sold in specialized shops catering to advanced practitioners of magic and those with a deep interest in necromantic arts.

Tale of the Lamenting Knight

Once upon a time in the realm of Saṃsāra, there was a brave knight named Sir Eadric, known far and wide for his courage and honor. Eadric fought many battles, always standing for justice and protecting the weak. His deeds were sung by bards, and his name became legend. Yet, even the bravest of knights cannot escape fate.

Eadric’s final battle was against a fearsome necromancer who terrorized the land. The necromancer, named Morvan, wielded dark magic that could raise the dead and twist the living. Eadric and his loyal companions journeyed to Morvan’s fortress, determined to end his reign of terror.

The battle was fierce, with Eadric and his friends fighting valiantly against the undead horde. However, Morvan’s magic was too strong. One by one, Eadric’s companions fell, until he stood alone against the dark sorcerer. In a final, desperate clash, Eadric struck down Morvan but was mortally wounded.

As Eadric lay dying on the battlefield, he remembered an old tome he had found during his travels: the Tome of Ebon Whispers. The ballad inscribed within, “Ballad 27 of the Fallen,” was said to hold great power. With his last strength, Eadric began to sing the ballad, hoping to gain some comfort in his final moments.

The air around him shimmered as he sang, and the spirits of fallen heroes appeared. They surrounded Eadric, their voices joining his in the lament. The ethereal light from the tome bathed Eadric, and his wounds began to close. Yet, the power of the ballad was not only to heal but to reveal the truth.

As Eadric continued to sing, he saw visions of the past. The spirits showed him the lives they led, their battles, their victories, and their defeats. Eadric felt their pain, their hopes, and their dreams. The ballad connected him to the fallen heroes, making their stories part of his own.

In this moment of connection, Eadric understood the true nature of heroism. It was not just about fighting and winning battles but also about the sacrifices and the bonds forged through struggle. The spirits guided Eadric’s soul, ensuring he found peace in the afterlife.

Eadric’s body was found the next day, lying peacefully amidst the fallen. The Tome of Ebon Whispers rested on his chest, its pages glowing softly. His face bore a serene expression, as if he had found a deep, abiding peace.

News of Eadric’s final act spread across the land. People spoke of how the brave knight had sung the ballad of the fallen and found solace in the embrace of heroic spirits. The tale of the Lamenting Knight became a story that everyone knew, a reminder of the power of sacrifice and the enduring legacy of heroes.

Thus, the tale of Sir Eadric and the Ballad 27 of the Fallen passed into legend, a story cherished and told for generations to come.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Handheld
• Size and Weight: Medium (5 pounds)
• Sanity Loss: 1d6/1d20 (reading the entire tome)
• Skills Required:
  • Cthulhu Mythos: 10%
  • Occult: 20%
  • Library Use: 15%
• Benefits:
  • Wisdom Enhancement: Provides +10% bonus to History and Occult skill checks.
  • Necromantic Awareness: Detects undead and necromantic energies within 20 yards.
  • Healing Aura: Heals 1d4 HP once per day.
  • Spirit Guidance: Once per game session, the player can consult the spirits for guidance, gaining a +20% bonus on a single skill check.
• Drawbacks:
  • Necrotic Feedback: Failing a Sanity check while reading the tome causes 1d4 HP damage.
  • Emotional Toll: Reading the tome causes a temporary bout of madness (roll on the temporary insanity table).
  • Attracts Undead: Using the tome can attract nearby undead within a 50-yard radius.

Blades in the Dark

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Handheld
• Load: 2
• Special Abilities:
  • Wisdom Enhancement: Provides a +1d bonus to Study and Consort rolls related to ancient lore and necromancy.
  • Necromantic Awareness: The user can attune to sense nearby ghosts and undead within a 10-foot radius.
  • Healing Aura: Heals 1 stress point or 1 level 1 harm once per score.
  • Spirit Guidance: Gain potency when dealing with supernatural entities or negotiating with spirits.
• Drawbacks:
  • Necrotic Feedback: On a critical failure when using the tome, the user takes level 1 harm (necrotic burn).
  • Emotional Toll: Each use of the tome causes 1 stress.
  • Attracts Undead: Using the tome can attract nearby ghosts or spirits within a 20-foot radius.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Wondrous Item (requires attunement)
• Size and Weight: Medium (5 pounds)
• Benefits:
  • Wisdom Enhancement: +2 to Wisdom while attuned to the tome.
  • Necromantic Awareness: The user can cast “Detect Undead” at will, without expending a spell slot.
  • Healing Aura: Once per day, the tome can cast “Cure Wounds” at 2nd level.
  • Spirit Guidance: Once per long rest, the user can consult the spirits, gaining advantage on one skill check related to history or arcana.
• Drawbacks:
  • Necrotic Feedback: If the user fails a Wisdom saving throw while using the tome (DC 15), they take 2d6 necrotic damage.
  • Emotional Toll: Each use of the tome requires a Wisdom saving throw (DC 10) or the user suffers disadvantage on Wisdom checks for the next hour.
  • Attracts Undead: Using the tome can attract undead within a 60-foot radius.

Knave

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Inventory Slot (1 slot)
• Size and Weight: Medium (5 pounds)
• Benefits:
  • Wisdom Enhancement: Provides +2 to Wisdom checks related to ancient lore and necromancy.
  • Necromantic Awareness: Allows the user to detect undead within a 30-foot radius.
  • Healing Aura: Heals 1d4 HP once per day.
  • Spirit Guidance: The user gains advantage on one Wisdom check per day.
• Drawbacks:
  • Necrotic Feedback: On a failed Wisdom check, the user takes 1d4 damage.
  • Emotional Toll: Each use of the tome causes the user to lose 1 Willpower.
  • Attracts Undead: Using the tome can attract nearby undead within a 30-foot radius.

Fate Core

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Handheld
• Size and Weight: Medium (5 pounds)
• Aspects:
  • High Concept: Ancient Tome of Necromantic Power
  • Trouble: Attracts the Undead
• Stunts:
  • Wisdom of the Fallen: +2 to Lore when researching ancient battles or necromancy.
  • Necromantic Awareness: Once per scene, detect the presence of undead within a zone.
  • Healing Aura: Once per session, use a Fate Point to heal 2 stress boxes or remove a minor consequence.
  • Spirit Guidance: Once per session, gain a +2 bonus on a skill roll by consulting the spirits of fallen heroes.
• Drawbacks:
  • Necrotic Feedback: On a failed Lore check, the user takes 1 stress.
  • Emotional Toll: Using the tome may cause the GM to compel the Trouble aspect.
  • Attracts Undead: The tome’s use attracts undead within a nearby zone.

Numenera & Cypher System

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Artifact
• Level: 5
• Effects:
  • Wisdom Enhancement: +2 to Intellect tasks related to ancient lore and necromancy.
  • Necromantic Awareness: The user can sense undead within short range.
  • Healing Aura: Once per day, the tome can heal the user or an ally for 5 points.
  • Spirit Guidance: Once per day, the user can gain an asset on a single task by consulting the spirits.
• Depletion: Roll 1d20. On a roll of 1-2, the tome depletes and loses its powers.
• Drawbacks:
  • Necrotic Feedback: On a failed Intellect roll, the user takes 3 points of Intellect damage.
  • Emotional Toll: Using the tome may cause the GM to inflict a temporary madness effect.
  • Attracts Undead: Using the tome can attract undead within long range.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Worn Item (must be held to use)
• Size and Weight: Bulk 1
• Benefits:
  • Wisdom Enhancement: +2 item bonus to Occultism checks.
  • Necromantic Awareness: Detect undead as a 1st-level spell at will.
  • Healing Aura: Cast “Heal” once per day at 2nd level.
  • Spirit Guidance: Once per day, gain advantage (roll twice, take the better result) on a single Occultism check.
• Drawbacks:
  • Necrotic Feedback: On a critical failure while using the tome, take 2d6 necrotic damage.
  • Emotional Toll: Each use requires a DC 15 Will save or suffer a -1 status penalty to Will saves for 1 hour.
  • Attracts Undead: Using the tome can attract undead within a 60-foot radius.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Held Item
• Size and Weight: Medium (5 pounds)
• Attributes:
  • Wisdom Enhancement: Provides a +2 bonus to Common Knowledge rolls related to ancient lore and necromancy.
  • Necromantic Awareness: The user can sense undead within a medium burst template.
  • Healing Aura: Once per day, the tome can cast “Healing” as a power with a Faith roll.
  • Spirit Guidance: Once per session, the user can add a +2 bonus to a single Spirit roll by consulting the spirits.
• Drawbacks:
  • Necrotic Feedback: On a failed Faith roll, the user takes 1 wound.
  • Emotional Toll: Each use requires a Spirit roll (DC 4) or suffer a level of Fatigue.
  • Attracts Undead: Using the tome can attract undead within a large burst template.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Handheld
• Size and Weight: Medium (5 pounds)
• Attributes:
  • Arcana Enhancement: +2 dice pool modifier to Arcana skill tests.
  • Necromantic Awareness: The user can cast “Detect Life” at Force 4, targeting only undead, without Drain once per day.
  • Healing Aura: Once per day, the tome can cast “Heal” at Force 4.
  • Spirit Guidance: Once per session, the user can summon a spirit of a deceased hero, gaining a +2 dice pool modifier on a single skill test.
• Drawbacks:
• Necrotic Feedback: On a critical glitch using the tome, the user takes 4P (Physical) damage.
• Emotional Toll: Using the tome causes 1 Stun damage due to mental strain.
• Attracts Undead: The tome’s use can attract spirits and other astral entities within 100 meters.

Starfinder

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Carried Item
• Size and Weight: Bulk 1
• Attributes:
  • Mysticism Enhancement: +2 insight bonus to Mysticism checks.
  • Necromantic Awareness: The user can cast “Detect Undead” at will.
  • Healing Aura: Once per day, the tome can cast “Mystic Cure” as a 2nd-level spell.
  • Spirit Guidance: Once per day, gain a +2 bonus on one skill check related to knowledge or arcane matters by consulting the spirits.
• Drawbacks:
  • Necrotic Feedback: On a failed skill check using the tome, the user takes 2d6 damage.
  • Emotional Toll: Each use causes a -1 penalty to Will saves for 1 hour.
  • Attracts Undead: Using the tome can attract undead within a 60-foot radius.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Personal Gear
• Size and Weight: 2 kg
• Attributes:
  • Wisdom Enhancement: +2 DM to any skill checks related to ancient lore and necromancy.
  • Necromantic Awareness: The user can detect life signs, focusing on undead entities within Short range.
  • Healing Aura: Once per day, the tome can heal 1d6 points of Endurance damage.
  • Spirit Guidance: Once per session, gain a +2 DM on a skill check by consulting the spirits of fallen heroes.
• Drawbacks:
  • Necrotic Feedback: On a failed skill check using the tome, the user suffers 1d6 damage.
  • Emotional Toll: Using the tome imposes a -1 DM penalty to Intelligence checks for the next hour.
  • Attracts Undead: Using the tome can attract undead entities within Medium range.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Tome of Ebon Whispers

• Slot: Trappings
• Encumbrance: 2
• Attributes:
  • Wisdom Enhancement: +10 to Lore (Necromancy) tests.
  • Necromantic Awareness: The user can detect undead within 30 yards.
  • Healing Aura: Once per day, the tome can heal 1d10 Wounds.
  • Spirit Guidance: Once per session, the user can consult the spirits, gaining a +10 bonus on one Intelligence-based skill test.
• Drawbacks:
  • Necrotic Feedback: On a failed Lore (Necromancy) test, the user takes 1d10 Wounds.
  • Emotional Toll: Each use causes a -10 penalty to Willpower tests for 1 hour.
  • Attracts Undead: Using the tome can attract undead within a 50-yard radius.