Book of the Dead
The Book of the Dead is a unique item you retrieve from the Wizard of Yendor in his tower. It is one of the items needed for the invocation. It is a papyrus spellbook when unidentified.
Contents
Reading the Book
The Book's effects depend on whether you are standing on the vibrating square (i.e. you are trying to perform the ritual).[1]
On the vibrating square
If the Book is cursed, nothing happens ("The runes appear scrambled. You can't read them!").[2]
If you lack either the Bell of Opening or the Candelabrum of Invocation, nothing happens ("A chill runs down your spine."), and you get a clue:[3]
- "You hear a faint chime..." (without Bell)
- "Vlad's doppelganger is amused." (without Candelabrum)
If either the Bell or Candelabrum is cursed, "The invocation fails!"/"At least one of your artifacts is cursed..."[4]
If the Bell has not been rung recently, or the Candelabrum is not fully lit, "You have a feeling that something is amiss..."/"You raised the dead!"[5]
Not on the vibrating square
If the Book is cursed, "You raised the dead!"[6]
If the Book is blessed, undead monsters might be tamed or frightened.[7]
If the Book is uncursed, there is no effect, and you get a random message:[8]
- "Your ancestors are annoyed with you!"
- "The headstones in the cemetery begin to move!"
- "Oh my! Your name appears in the book!"
