Pick a card....any card

Moving out of the welcome chamber, the heroes made their way into one of Acererak's audience chambers. Here, seated on a throne of bone, was a skeleton. When approached, it produced a small deck of cards. Each player could draw 1, or none, and the effects would only be in effect while in the tower.

Not wanting to be left out, Ford raced to the front of the line, drawing the first card. Much to his disappointment, and excitement, he drew, the "Observer". He became insubstantial, yet bound to the party. This was my way of keeping him around, but out of danger.

Alexander: Hangman. If you fail a death saving throw at any time, you immediately die.
Ekeraath: Jailer. You always act last in initiative, and you cannot ready actions or delay.
Rudy: While you are adjacent to an ally, you gain resist 10 all and may use your second wind as a free action.

There were, other, more powerful cards that were not drawn.

Once the first card was drawn, a pair of double doors opened behind the throne.