The Grand Illusionist's Delusion [Levels 5-8; Haunted House] 1

The Tome of Absence is a powerful spellbook of illusion magic. Many of the greatest illusionists throughout history possessed the tome, but most hid it someplace secret, died at the hands of a rival magician, or simply disappeared. The tome has a dark secret: it feeds on the spirit of its owner, using the magician’s own life to fuel his or her illusions, eventually killing its master and trapping his or her soul.

Urlach the Grand Illusionist is a rogue wizard who fancies himself the greatest illusionist of the current age. He has sought the Tome of Absence for more than a decade,believing that the tome will elevate him to be the greatest illusionist of all time. He tracked down the tome, claimed it for himself, and dove into studying the text, taking few precautions as he did. By the time he learned of the Tome’s deadly secret, it was too late. Now, Urlach is frantically searching for a way to remove the tome’s curse before it kills him.

The PCs might become the targets of one of Urlach’s servants, hunt Urlach for the bounty on his head, or be hired by the people of Dinton to rescue missing priests. The PCs will explore the mansion where Urlach found the Tome and at first it seems welcoming, but they will quickly realize that nothing within the mansion is what it seems. Illusions, traps, and arcane defenders hinder their progress through a mansion that is literally falling apart around them. If the PCs encounter and defeat Urlach, they will be left with the dilemma of responsibly disposing of the tome - or perhaps the temptation of using its power for themselves...

The Grand Illusionist’s Delusion is an adventure designed for a party of four 5th-8th level adventurers. The adventure was designed with 6th level characters in mind but it is still appropriate for characters of 7th or 8th level.