Artifact (requires attunement)
A tome bound in withered flesh and inked in the essence of fate, the Severed Journal is feared by those who understand its true power. It is said that every name written within its cursed pages is severed from life itself, leaving only the whispers of the dead in its wake.
Death by Writing. By using the Severed Journal, you can attempt to erase a creature from life itself. As an action, you may write a creature’s true name while envisioning their true appearance. The targeted creature, regardless of distance or plane, must make a DC 20 Charisma saving throw.
- On a failure, the creature’s hit points are instantly reduced to 0, and they immediately begin making death saving throws at disadvantage while suffering 5 levels of exhaustion.
- On a success, the creature suffers 2 levels of exhaustion.
While attuned to the journal, you can always see the current and maximum hit points of any creature you can see.
Curse. The Severed Journal does not grant its power freely. Every name written within its pages adds to the wielder’s inevitable demise.
- For each name written, the wielder’s death saving throw DC permanently increases by 1 (normally DC 10, rising with each use).
- If reduced to 0 hit points, the wielder cannot be stabilized by any means except by succeeding on their own death saving throws.
- Upon their death, their soul is claimed by a God of Death, making resurrection impossible—even by a Wish spell or divine intervention.
This curse does not disappear upon breaking attunement and cannot be dispelled unless removed by a Wish spell.