While wizards usually keep record of every spells they encounter in their adventuring career, some of them excel at this task. These masters of the arcane are known as arcane scribes. Members of this Arcane Tradition are masters of record-keeping, have developed stronger connections with their spellbooks, and are able to create sigils that grants them swift access to any spell in their collection.

An arcane scribe will go great lengths to discover and eventually master arcane lore, preserving and sharing the knowledge with other wizards. As such, most arcane scribes are also dedicated explorers that would eventually settle at some of the greatest libraries, such as Candlekeep. Others prefer to keep their findings to themselves, sometimes with nefarious ends, and an insatiable hunger for knowledge will lead them to pursue immortality by becoming liches.

Superior Penmanship

2nd-level Arcane Scribe feature

You gain proficiency with calligrapher's supplies or with painter's supplies (your choice).

In addition, as bonus action, you can magically create or dismiss a Scrivener's Quill. This magic quill allows you to transcribe spells into your spellbook at a rate of 2 minutes per spell level. You can also use the quill to write in any color of your choice, and you can erase the writing by waving the quill over the text.

You will learn additional ways to use your Scrivener's Quill at higher levels.

Proficiency: Calligrapher's Supplies

You gain proficiency with calligrapher's supplies.

Proficiency: Painter's Supplies

You gain proficiency with painter's supplies.

Scribe's Arcanum

2nd-level Arcane Scribe feature

Starting at 2nd level, you can use your spellbook as spellcasting focus. In addition, while you are holding your spellbook you gain the following benefits:

• When you cast a wizard spell with a spell slot, you can temporarily replace its damage type with a type that appears in another spell in your spellbook, which magically alters the spell’s formula for this casting only. The latter spell must be of the same level as the spell slot you expend.
• Once per long rest you when you cast a wizard spell as a ritual, you can use the spell’s normal casting time, rather than adding 10 minutes to it.

If necessary, you can replace your spellbook by performing a special ritual using 100 gold pieces of rare inks infused with gem powder. The ritual takes 24 hours to complete, and its casting time can be spread over no more than 3 days. At the end of the ritual, you draw magic sigils using your Scrivener's Quill on a blank book or a magic spellbook to which you’re attuned, transforming it into your new spellbook along with all the spells your previous spellbook contained. If the previous spellbook still existed somewhere, all the spells vanish from its pages.

Sigils of Power

6th-level Arcane Scribe feature

Starting at 6th level, you can use your Scrivener's Quill to create sigils on a blank page of your spellbook to store spell magic. Choose a number of spells from your spellbook equal to 1+ half your level in this class (rounded down); these spells are stored in the sigils and are considered prepared spells, but don't count against the number of spells you have prepared. Once per long rest, you can cast one of these spells from your spellbook without using a spell slot. If the casting of this spell would consume material components, they must be provided. To have access to these features you must be holding your spellbook.

When you gain this feature, you can only cast a stored spell of 1st or 2nd level. As you gain levels in this class you are able to cast higher level spells: a 3rd level spell when you reach level 9, a 4th level spell when you reach level 13, and a 5th level spell when you reach level 17.  You can change what spells are stored within the sigils after you finish a long rest.

Bonus prepared spells

Requirement: wizard level 6

Bonus prepared spells

Requirement: wizard level 8

Bonus prepared spells

Requirement: wizard level 10

Bonus prepared spells

Requirement: wizard level 12

Bonus prepared spells

Requirement: wizard level 14

Bonus prepared spells

Requirement: wizard level 16

Bonus prepared spells

Requirement: wizard level 18

Bonus prepared spells

Requirement: wizard level 20

Far Scribe

10th-level Arcane Scribe feature

Starting at 10th level, you learn two new ways to use your Scrivener's Quill. You also add the sending and contact other plane spells to your spellbook, if they are not there already.

• A willing creature can use your Scrivener's Quill to write their true name on a blank page of your spellbook. Thereafter, you can cast the sending spell targeting this creature by writing your message under their name. If the target of the spell replies to you, their message appears written below yours. Casting the spell this way does not consume a spell slot or require the spell to be prepared. Your spellbook can contain a number of names equal to your proficiency bonus, and names and messages can be erased from your spellbook by using your Scrivener's Quill.

• Once per week you can cast the contact other plane spell without consuming a spell slot or having it prepared. To do so, you must perform the verbal components of the spell over 1 minute and use your Scrivener's Quill to write your questions in your spellbook. Replies to your questions also appear in your spellbook and vanish after 1 minute.

Warding Knowledge

14th-level Arcane Scribe feature

Starting at 14th level, your familiarity with most spell components grants you a deeper understanding of the principles of magic and spellcasting. You have advantage on saving throws against spells. In addition, you may attempt to identify a spell when perceiving the casting, the spell's effect, or both by making an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC of 15 + spell level (no action required).