Chronicle of Shattered Realities
Wondrous Item (Magic Book), rare (requires attunement)
This intricately bound tome, its leather cover adorned with swirling patterns that seem to shimmer and shift as if hinting at hidden realities, hums softly when near. When attuned, the reader discovers that the pages are filled with fragmented tales from alternate dimensions, each recounted in a unique script only they can decipher.
Once per day, the wielder can open the book and select one of the following abilities, manifesting as a brief glimpse into an alternate reality:
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Shattered Spell: You can cast a spell that has an altered effect compared to its original form. Choose a spell you know that deals damage; it deals an additional 1d10 psychic damage. However, the effects will appear as if reflecting a strange and twisted version of its normal outcome (e.g., fireballs that leave a frigid sensation).
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Rewind Time: You can rewind a single action taken within the last round. You can negate the outcome of that action (whether it was a successful attack of yours or an enemy's attack that hit) as if it never occurred. This effect can only be used once before requiring a short or long rest.
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Phantom Allies: For one minute, you can summon shadowy figures from alternate realities to aid you. You create two illusory duplicates of yourself that distract or confuse enemies. Each duplicate can give advantage on attack rolls made against enemies within 5 feet of it but cannot deal damage or take hits themselves.
Using any of these abilities draws on the wielder’s mental fortitude. After activating any power, the user must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or experience vivid flashes of alternate realities, resulting in disadvantage on all ability checks until the end of their next turn.
The tome contains a set number of pages—when the last page is turned, or if it is closed abruptly while in use, a jarring, chaotic energy surges forth, requiring all creatures within 30 feet to make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, they take 4d6 psychic damage and are stunned until the end of their next turn, as reality momentarily shatters around them. This effect can occur only once per long rest.
In addition to its powers, the book harbors a personality—voiced through soft whispers, it encourages exploration and experimentation. It may provide cryptic hints about upcoming encounters but never offers direct solutions, resulting in moments of both frustration and ultimate learning for its wielder. The character's journey becomes intertwined with the stories written within, leading to unique plot developments and character growth as they face the uncertainties of shattered realities.
