"Codex Tributorum," the Book of Taxes. In particular, Volume IV. So, just part of the Internal Revenue Code. While I would think it's funny if it were also a spell book, that's not how the magic system works.

Not scared yet! Will it be? Who knows.

Also, thank you!

Hopefully something good!

Thank you! This was stolen straight out of Norse Mythology, but it a good, visual way to show that the excessively greedy are gonna be the bad guys.

Thank you!

Thank you!

You could even bake it in and have the side-effect be disadvantage on death saving throws? The PC will know what they're getting into. If they die, it's dramatic. If they actually survive, then it's even more dramatic.

It sounds similar in practice to the Zealot Barb's 14th level ability, which is essentially "you can't die when raging," and rage lasts one minute. So it's like that but without the alternative ways to be dropped out of rage.

I also enjoy doing this! I usually do two quotes from very different perspectives of the character. I think it has a great "characterization per word" ratio!

I'm glad! I feel like it ticks my boxes of being (1) highly dumb, yet (2) it naturally follows within the logic of a high fantasy world.

See, that's part of the battle. It's easy to find players, but it's trickier to find a DM. Especially with a group of first time players, odds aren't fantastic someone will be chomping at the bit to run a game. It's always possible, though, so no harm in finding out!

I always just mention it casually among groups I'm friendly with, and there's always an amount of interest. You might have to stumble your way through your first session as a DM, but it gets more fun.

As someone with insomnia, I've found listening to a podcast I do not care about to be surprisingly effective. 9/10 times, I start nodding off after 30-45 minutes. In theory, I think a bedtime story might work better, but it's easier to find a podcast these days.

Thank you!

Thank you so much!