Apples of Paradise

These apples grow on a tree located in the Subterranean Book, a few hours outside the village of Yarozersk, in the far north. The presence of the apples was detected by Vasilisa, when she was in the process of searching for the apple stolen from Sasha by Sergei Reznikov. 
The tree bears many apples - all golden, perfectly round, and identical, but plucking them results in the apple turning into a prophetic bird a crowned human head and dark, feathery wings. The bird possesses magical powers, and can drain life with its singing. Plucking multiple apples has the same effect - there are currently two birds sitting in the tree branches (a third was slain). The birds' song warns mortals that the apples are not for them unless they are willing to pay the price. As was learned by Chonkorchuk through divination, the only way to actually get hold of an apple without it turning into such a bird is to ritually sacrifice a living being (not clear how that is defined) in a nearby enclosure, and then to pick an apple with hands still bloodied after the sacrifice.  
The magical effect of the apple is to double any 5th level cure spell, including Raise Dead. It's not clear how the apple can be administered to a dead person - Drazhan ate one while alive, and it cured one of his lingering injuries. It is also not clear whether the apples are identical to the Golden apple of Baba Yaga, which Reznikov stole, but it looks remarkably similar.

Item type

Consumable, Food / Drink

Current Location

Subterranean Book