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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lancelot" data-source="post: 7118410" data-attributes="member: 30022">Regarding the box...The player is given clear and unambiguous instructions that they must not open the box under any circumstances. If they've already received the box, then a breathless messenger arrives (or an animal messenger or a sending) that conveys the same message. I'm assuming they haven't opened it yet, because you're still working out what to put in it.This sort of thing also drives PCs crazy, and provides a nice test of their paladinhood. Do they give in to curiosity, or do they obey orders? It also creates some interesting potential encounters...1) Someone attempts to steal the box. If they succeed, the party tracks them back to an inn room where they find the thief's dismembered body... and the box lying unattended.2) The box rattles and moves slightly at night.3) Undead are drawn towards the holder of the box in combat, and may even attempt to claw the item away from the holder.What happens if the PCs open the box...? My preference would be for them to release a minor fiend of some kind (e.g. lemure devil). Not something too threatening, but also something that is alien and cannot communicate with them (avoid "cute" fiends like spinagons or imps, because the party will want to talk with it). Heck, it could be a black pudding or an intellect devourer. This sets up additional questions or possibilities. Is the sender evil, and wanted to use the party to kill an innocent person? Or, more interestingly, was the intended recipient meant to "purify" the creature within? Perhaps the creature was a good paladin trapped in hideous form until redeemed by the intended recipient. By releasing (and possibly killing) it, the party may have caused a tragic loss - simply because they let their suspicions get in the way of their trust and loyalty.</blockquote>

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