My group's in the middle of Into the Wyrmcrafl Fissure, and I've realized I'm completely confused about how the Balakarde fragments are supposed to work.
When first found, each fragment (individually) offers the benefit listed on page 62.
When brought together, and for as long as the PCs are pursuing the goals of the adventure, each fragment individually still offers that benefit.
Once the PCs reach Dragotha, the benefits listed near the end of page 70 come into effect, and the soul fragments "disengage" from the items and can be passed from PC to PC as an immediate action. I'm good so far. But does this mean that the listed individual benefits are still attached to the individual items, or does the +2 luck bonus pair fade away for this final fight, replaced by the special benefits on page 70?
And in Concluding the Adventure, there's another benefit listed. But again, do the three individual items still offer the benefits listed on page 62?
(One of the players in my group is really interested in one of the items, primarily for the skill benefits from its page 62 listing. And I have no idea if he's going to get to keep that benefit or not. I realize the correct answer is, Whatever I decide as DM. But I'd like to know what was intended when this was written.)
Spoilers follow...
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IMC, the initial benefits have remained with the two characters who took the physical items (the purse and statuette)and the dwarf 'slayer' priest/barbarian who very appropriately slew the advanced thessalhydra with his waraxe, gaining the 'slayer fragment'.
Now, the PCs are in the first rounds battling Dragotha and the characters have retained their items (and associated benefits) gained earlier. However, since the halfling Archer/Rogue had the purse (Which gives a spellcasting level benefit vs. Dragotha's SR), I ruled that the scholar fragment's arcane enhancement powers spontaneously shifted to the party Warlock. (The halfling's greed is legendary and he is loath to give up anything to his comrades, whom he generally considers as beneath him-typical CN player!)
I am running Bucknard/Balakarde's spirit as much more involved in the tactical part of the combat ("...and at it's advice are the mighty undone."), so this represents the Wizard's choice of action. The three initial PCs will retain their bonuses to stats and skills until Dragotha is destroyed, at which point all will fade away with Bucknard/Balakarde save for his stat-enhancing 'gifts' to those that survive. There's enough treasure to go around (and I am throwing in my new 'Deck of Many Things' for good measure and as a tip of the hat to our Old 'Skool players), so the idea of the initial fragment bonuses persisting as well is a bit too much even for my high-powered campaign.