View source for Bagpipes of Zariel's Lament

== Bagpipes of Zariel's Lament ==
The '''Bagpipes of Zariel's Lament''' are an infernal magic artifact from [[Avernus]] that magnify a bard's magic at the risk of a mortal wielder's soul. Formerly the instrument of [[Lady Calera]] (the erinyes [[Zarchelia]]), they were given to [[Shade]] through the [[Pact with Lady Calera|Original Pact]] in [[Session 42 - Bagpipes, Blood, and the Bronze Blades|Session 42]].

=== Appearance ===
A set of bagpipes unlike any of mundane make: the leather of the bag is the color of fresh blood, and the chanters are carved from dark, polished bone. They radiate a faint infernal energy detectable by those sensitive to it (the [[Zhentarim]] leader [[Rian Nightshade]] sensed it immediately).

=== Properties ===
While attuned, the bagpipes grant:
* +2 to bard spell attack rolls and spell save DCs
* +1 AC
* −2 Acrobatics; +2 to Deception, Intimidation, and Performance (''not'' Persuasion)
* Cannot be used while wielding a shield
* Once per day, an action to regain an expended use of Bardic Inspiration

=== The Curse ===
The instrument curses mortal souls not already bound to the Hells: a wielder without [[Tieflings|Infernal Heritage]] who plays them risks corruption and eventual damnation, their alignment drifting toward evil over time. For a being of infernal heritage — such as the tiefling [[Shade]], or [[Lady Calera]] herself — the risk is nothing. This is why Calera, unable to safely pass them to a non-infernal owner, entrusted them to Shade.

=== History ===
* Sought by the [[Zhentarim]]: [[Halia Thornton]] wanted the bagpipes acquired for the network. [[Shade]] possessing them satisfied that objective — they need only be kept out of [[Cult of the Dragon|Cult]] hands, not handed over.
* Acquired by [[Shade]] in [[Session 42 - Bagpipes, Blood, and the Bronze Blades|Session 42]] at [[Lady Calera]]'s gala in [[Waterdeep]], in exchange for the party's pledge to aid Calera in a future battle or uprising (the [[Pact with Lady Calera|Original Pact]], later deepened into [[A Compact of restoration and continuance]]).
* At the same gala, [[Lady Calera]] demonstrated that the instrument is not solely a weapon: she used the bagpipes to defuse a brewing duel between two nobles, the playing washing a forced wave of nostalgia over the antagonists (a Wisdom save) and draining the fight out of them.
* Shade's first performance on them was an old tiefling air, the "Toot of the Fallen."

=== Current Owner ===
[[Shade]], who wields them in the fight against the [[Cult of the Dragon]].

[[Category:Magic Items]] [[Category:Items]] [[Category:Rise of Tiamat]] [[Category:Infernal]]