Tome of the Creed Resolute

Wondrous Item, artifact (requires attunement)

Thavius Kreeg's betrayal of Elturel and all the Creed Resolute stood for corrupted the magic of the tome, cursing it. Instead of the power to unite people in common cause, it is now infused with the infernal ability to dominate.

Infernal Perspective. While attuned to the Tome of the Creed Resolute, your force of personality grows, but your empathy is diminished. You have Advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks, but Disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks.

Spells. While holding the tome, you can take a Magic action to cast Command at will (save DC 20). The book also has 3 charges and regains 1 spent charge at dawn. While holding the book, you can take a Magic action to cast one of the spells (save DC 20) listed below, requiring no material components. Each spell costs 1 charge.

• Geas (can only be ended by Wish, and only 1 creature may be affected by this spell at a time)
• Mass Suggestion (8th level version)

Infernal Influence. The presence of the tome on the material plane exerts a corrupting influence on the area around it. It takes some time, but left in one place long enough, the tome's influence will infect the nearby populace with thoughts of cruelty, tyranny, and domination.

List of Names. The names of all who signed the Creed before Avernus are still in the book, though each appears crossed out in blood. The name of whoever attunes the Creed appears in the tome, as does that of anyone who fails a saving throw against Geas cast from the book.

Following the coming of the Companion, the second sun that appeared over Elturel in 1444 DR, many pilgrims journeyed to see it, including many paladins. With no clear sign of the source of the Companion and so many faithful arriving in Elturgard each day, the first High Observer brought together a cadre of paladins and devised the Creed Resolute. While originally the Creed Resolute was intended to forge the fractious paladins of Elturgard into the Companions, the oath has since been taken by all among the Hellriders as well. If a Hellrider or Companion oversteps the bounds of the law or good conduct, often a fellow will say “recall the Creed,” and soon things are set right.

After 1489 DR, then-High Observer Thavius Kreeg made all Elturians swear to follow the Creed Resolute, making them oathbound to defend Elturel. While he sold it as a way to unite all Elturians as it had the Companions, the real purpose was binding the whole population to the city and to his deal with the archdevil Zariel, which included the city's "oathbound defenders". When the deal was concluded and Elturel was transported to the Nine Hells in 1492 DR, the Creed would bind the Elturians to fight and even die for Zariel in her eternal wars in the Hells, even after Kreeg's death.

The series of oaths and maxims outlines, among other things, that those who swear by it will not ascribe the Companion to any one god, nor allow religious differences to come between themselves and others. Those who swear the Creed Resolute also promise to serve the High Observer and uphold the laws of Elturgard, and always be in service to the greater good.

Though some of the Creed’s agents seem unnecessarily stern, the people of Elturgard hold the Hellriders and Companions in the highest esteem. The Companions are without a doubt the champions of the people first and foremost, and the folk of Elturgard love them for it. Disrespect the Creed, and it isn’t the Creed’s wrath you face, but that of the local citizenry.