Book - Compendium of Infernal Bargains and Pacts

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Compendium of Infernal Bargains and Pacts

DM ONLY - NOT FOR PLAYER EYES

Book Information

Title: Compendium of Infernal Bargains and Pacts

Candlekeep Archive Reference: IBP-VI-14

Location: Candlekeep Library, Infernal Artifacts section

Subject: Catalogue of various infernal contracts and the artifacts used to bind mortals

Notable Features: Contains extensive marginal notes from an anonymous Harper scribe

About This Book

The Compendium of Infernal Bargains and Pacts is a scholarly work documenting the various ways devils bind mortals to their service. Chapter XII, "Contracts of Melody and Malice," specifically addresses infernal instruments and includes detailed discussion of the Bagpipes of Zariel's Lament.

The book is notable for its extensive marginal notes, apparently written by a Harper scribe investigating the pipes.

Printed Text - Chapter XII: "Contracts of Melody and Malice"

"...Infernal instruments have long been tools of subtle domination. Beyond the famed Devils' Harps and the Blood Trumpets of Glasya, there exists a singular relic of unparalleled subtlety: the Bagpipes of Zariel's Lament. Though many pacts involve direct exchanges of soul or service, the bearer of these pipes binds themselves with each breath, each note drawing them deeper into the Hells' grand design.

Crafted in Avernus during the twilight of Zariel's reign, the pipes were imbued not with the raw fury of war, but with whispered compulsions—urges toward ambition, cunning, and duplicity. Unlike more straightforward infernal compacts, the Bargain of the Bagpipes requires no written contract: the instrument itself becomes the parchment upon which one's fate is inscribed. The bearer need only play to invoke its bond.

Many mortal wielders have attempted to sever this bond. The majority perish in obscurity, their souls found hollowed and echoing with regret. A rare few—adept in both arcane lore and willpower—have managed to master the pipes' influence, channeling their darker impulses into unparalleled feats of diplomacy, espionage, or intrigue. Yet even they report an insatiable hunger: a desire to push boundaries, to seize ever-greater power at ever-greater cost..."

Marginal Notes - Anonymous Harper Scribe

The following notes appear in the margins of this copy, written in a different hand:

"Found mention again of Zariel's Lament—bagpipes, not lyre as once thought. Why did earlier scribes conflate this with the Lyre of Valesh? Must check cross-references in Norrell's Chronicles."

"A warning I overlooked: each owner showed brilliance at first—soaring reputation, uncanny tact—but darkness follows close behind. Records hint at a secret clause: after the seventh performance, the pipes begin to 'sing of betrayal.'"

"No record clarifies if the pipes corrupt or merely reveal latent ambition. Must find primary source; Candlekeep scribes tight-lipped. What are they hiding? Perhaps Barasus the Blind knows more—his treatise on cursed melody is hidden in restricted stacks."

"Marginal dating in another copy suggests a later addition: 'Beware the echoes; the instrument hears your doubts and plays them back.' Does this imply sentience—or merely the reflection of the bearer's darkest thoughts?"

"Next step: consult the Libram of Fallen Champions for testimonials. Also seek any reference to 'seven breaths' or 'seven notes'—might tie to infernal rituals of binding."

Key Information

The Nature of the Bargain:

  • Unlike other infernal pacts, no written contract is required
  • The instrument itself becomes the parchment upon which one's fate is inscribed
  • The bearer need only play to invoke the bond
  • Each breath and each note draws the wielder deeper into the Hells' grand design

Creation and Purpose:

  • Crafted in Avernus during the twilight of Zariel's reign
  • Imbued with whispered compulsions rather than raw fury
  • Designed to urge toward ambition, cunning, and duplicity
  • A tool of subtle domination

Pattern of Wielders:

  • Majority perish in obscurity, souls "hollowed and echoing with regret"
  • A rare few master the pipes' influence through arcane lore and willpower
  • Those who succeed channel darker impulses into diplomacy, espionage, or intrigue
  • Even masters report insatiable hunger for greater power at greater cost

The Seventh Performance Warning:

  • Each owner shows brilliance at first: soaring reputation, uncanny tact
  • Darkness follows close behind
  • After the seventh performance, the pipes begin to "sing of betrayal"
  • This appears to be a critical threshold

The Core Question:

  • Do the pipes corrupt their wielders?
  • Or do they merely reveal latent ambition?
  • The Harper scribe could not determine which is true

Sentience or Reflection?:

  • Another source says: "Beware the echoes; the instrument hears your doubts and plays them back"
  • Unclear if this implies sentience or is merely reflection of the bearer's darkest thoughts

Missing Research:

  • The scribe mentions Barasus the Blind's treatise on cursed melody - hidden in restricted stacks
  • The Libram of Fallen Champions may contain testimonials
  • References to "seven breaths" or "seven notes" might tie to infernal rituals of binding
  • The Lyre of Valesh was previously conflated with the bagpipes by earlier scribes

Harper Investigation

The marginal notes reveal that the Harpers have been actively investigating the Bagpipes of Zariel's Lament. The anonymous scribe's research suggests:

  • The Harpers discovered the bagpipes are distinct from the Lyre of Valesh
  • They are attempting to determine whether the pipes corrupt or reveal
  • Candlekeep scribes appear to be "tight-lipped" about certain information
  • There may be hidden texts in the restricted stacks
  • The number seven appears to be significant (seventh performance, seven breaths, seven notes)
  • Bagpipes of Zariel's Lament - The artifact described
  • Zariel - Archdevil who created/inspired the pipes
  • Candlekeep - Location where this book is housed
  • Harpers - Faction investigating the pipes
  • Shade - Tiefling bard researching the pipes
  • Barasus the Blind - Author of a treatise on cursed melody (restricted)
  • The Lyre of Valesh - Previously conflated with the bagpipes

Quest Connection

This book was found by the party during their research at Candlekeep as part of Shade's quest to locate the Bagpipes of Zariel's Lament.

The marginal notes suggest the Harpers are also investigating the pipes, which could create an interesting dynamic given that Gootch is a Harper member.

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