Stat Block: Riftborn Archivist
Huge Outsider (Chaotic, Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 60d8+720 (1,200 hp, maximized)
Initiative: +10 (+10 Dex)
Speed: Fly 60 ft. (perfect)
Armor Class: 50 (-2 size, +10 Dex, +32 natural), touch 18, flat-footed 40
Base Attack/Grapple: +60/+82
Attack: Rift tendril +76 melee (4d6+14 plus essence drain, Will DC 42 negates)
Full Attack: 4 rift tendrils +76 melee (4d6+14 plus essence drain, Will DC 42 negates) and archive gaze (60-ft. cone, Will DC 42 or stunned)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./20 ft.
Special Attacks: Essence drain, archive gaze, planar rift, spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 20/epic, darkvision 60 ft., immunity to mind-affecting effects, spell resistance 45, planar attunement, telepathy 100 ft.
Saves: Fort +44, Ref +42, Will +37
Abilities: Str 38, Dex 30, Con 34, Int 28, Wis 20, Cha 34
Skills: Knowledge (arcana) +72, Knowledge (history) +72, Knowledge (planes) +72, Listen +68, Search +72, Spot +68, Spellcraft +72
Feats: None (outsider, feats not required for encounter)
Environment: Ruined Library Dimension
Organization: Solitary
Treasure: Tome of Infinite Planes (see below)
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Advancement: —
Treasure: Tome of Infinite Planes
The Tome of Infinite Planes is a unique minor artifact carried by the Riftborn Archivist, a massive, leather-bound book (3 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide, 1 ft. thick) with pages that shimmer like liquid starlight. Each page is a portal to a different plane, inscribed with infinite knowledge but fraught with danger. The Tome reflects the Archivist’s role as a collector of planar secrets and ties into the Sundering Prism’s reality-warping theme.
Appearance:
The Tome’s cover is etched with shifting runes in Abyssal, Celestial, and Draconic, glowing faintly with prismatic light. Its pages rustle as if caught in an unseen wind, and faint whispers of planar voices echo when opened. The book weighs 50 pounds and radiates overwhelming magic (all schools).
A 3-ft.-tall, 2-ft.-wide, 1-ft.-thick leather-bound book with pages of liquid starlight, weighing 50 pounds
Powers:
The Tome of Infinite Planes has the following abilities, usable by its bearer (requires attunement, 24 hours of study, Int 20+). All save DCs are 25 (10 + 15 artifact level, per DMG p. 268).
Planar Knowledge (Su): The bearer can access the Tome to cast legend lore at will (CL 20th), gaining knowledge about any plane, creature, or object, but each use requires a Will DC 25 save or the bearer takes 1d6 Int damage from the overwhelming information.
Planar Gate (Sp): Once per day, the bearer can open a gate to any plane by turning to a specific page (CL 20th). The gate lasts 1 minute, and creatures summoned through it are not automatically controlled (requiring negotiation or a Charisma check, DC 25).
Infinite Library (Su): The bearer can cast secret chest at will (CL 20th), storing items in an extradimensional library within the Tome. The library can hold up to 1,000 pounds or 150 cubic feet, but retrieving an item requires a Knowledge (planes) DC 25 check (failure summons a CR 15 outsider guardian, e.g., a hezrou).
Planar Surge (Su): 3/day, the bearer can unleash a 60-ft.-cone burst of planar energy, dealing 15d6 damage (roll 1d4: 1=fire, 2=acid, 3=cold, 4=electricity, Reflex DC 25 half) and forcing a Will DC 25 save or be plane shifted to a random plane.
Reality Anchor (Su): While holding the Tome, the bearer is immune to forced planar travel (e.g., banishment, plane shift) unless they willingly travel.
Drawbacks:
Planar Instability: Each time a power is used, there’s a 10% chance a random rift opens nearby (as the Archivist’s planar rift: 15d6 damage, Reflex DC 25 half, Will DC 25 or plane shift).
Curse of the Archivist: The bearer must make a Will DC 25 save each day or become obsessed with planar knowledge, taking a -4 penalty to all non-Knowledge skill checks until they spend 1 hour studying the Tome (triggering the planar instability chance).
Binding: The Tome cannot be destroyed by conventional means; it reforms in a random plane 1d4 days after destruction unless a miracle or wish (CL 25th) is used to sever its planar ties (Spellcraft DC 40).
Value:
Treasure Value: Priceless (minor artifact, DMG p. 268).
Narrative Role: The Tome could be used to retrieve the party member stranded in the Abyss (Layer 600: Endless Maze), but its instability risks further chaos, tying into the Sundering Prism’s theme.
