Aspectu,
Sentient Robe of Eyes

(Wondrous Item, very rare, requires attunement)

Has all the abilities and qualities of a normal robe of eyes.

Sentience: Neutral alignment, Int 18, Wis 16, Cha 14, speaks and reads Common and Undercommon, has hearing and darkvision to 120’.

Roleplaying: The robe has the voice of an old human male and the demeanor of a long-suffering college professor. 

Special Purpose: Aspectu is a Lore Seeker who craves knowledge, especially ancient knowledge. While he will typically not complain or unduly influence his wielder, he will come into conflict with them if they try to destroy knowledge or an item of historic value. If his wielder does not comply then he will attempt to charm them. The wielder must make a DC 14 Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, the wielder is charmed by Aspectu for 6 (1d12) hours. While charmed, the wielder must try to follow Aspectu’s commands. If the wielder takes damage, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on a success. Whether the attempt to control its user succeeds or fails, Aspectu can’t use this power again until the next dawn. If Aspectu fails to charm the wearer he will pout for 6 (1d12) hours and refuse to use his knowledge to help the PCs.

Knowledge: Aspectu is very knowledgeable about a wide variety of topics with a +4 bonus to all Knowledge checks. 

In addition, he knows the following about specific subjects:

• Dinara – If the PCs have been scryed by Dinara he is familiar with what she learned. This will be evident when he uses the PCs first names when first meeting them. He knows the basics about Dinara’s backstory, and while he will not always think to volunteer all of the information, he is always delighted to answer questions. He cautions them that they should not be over-confident by how easy it is to dispatch her simulacrums—the real necromancer is a significantly more deadly adversary.

• Dinara’s plans – He knows all the information found in the introduction. He also knows the location of all the major locations in the campaign including Redjack Quay, Horloch Keep, the Wings of Angel Crematorium, the Black Crag, and the Cold Embrace. He does not know the location of all Dinara’s hidden caches and strongholds outside of Greywall.

• Ring around the Rosies – One piece of information that Aspectu knows and will volunteer (if the PCs haven’t already dealt with it) is Cassius’ plague scheme. The most pertinent item is the fact that a caravan with plague rats is even now en route to Highport on the King’s Road.

• Faux Dinara – He knows that Dinara’s simulacrum is currently using the Wings of Angels Crematorium as a temporary base of operations.

• Dinara’s location – The other piece of information that he will volunteer is where he suspects Dinara can be found. Namely, he knows the whereabouts of the Necropolis of Mendeleth. He will share the tale found in the beginning of Part 5.

• Dinara’s entourage – He knows that Dinara is typically accompanied by an erinyes, a wraith named Bristol, and a living effigy named Sawyer of Windale.

• The Cold Embrace – Aspectu can tell the PCs about the main hall upstairs, the fact that the brothel’s guards are typically found in the pub, and that everyone seems scared of the brothel’s madam, Shadru. 

• Aspectu’s backstory – The robe was crafted many years ago by an archmage named Gaven the Gaunt. The wizard was a master artificer and came into the employment of Dinara a couple years ago. Gaven faithfully built items for the Necromancer and was expected to play a vital role in deprograming the obelisk in the Great Mausoleum. However, Gaven was more greedy than evil, and was unhappy with Dinara’s plan to begin slaughtering innocents to fuel her armies. Coincidentally, Dinara’s agents would find the Necropolis shortly thereafter, but not before Gaven sold her whereabouts to Cressinda of the Deep, a high priestess of Poseidon who dreamt about the Necromancer and sent a team of paladins to slay her. Dinara discovered Gaven was involved in the assassination attempt and had him turned to stone by Caeparys before being tossed down an abandoned well. Aspectu was taken prior to the petrification and brought to the Cold Embrace by the medusa.