This thick volume serves both as spellbook and spellcasting focus.It and any spells written in its pages or notes therein can't be damaged by fire or immersion in water. In addition, the book doesn't deteriorate with age or use, and has other benefits. This rare item functions similarly to an Enduring Spellbook, and grants additional magical features with attunement.
This well-used tome smells faintly of ozone and lilac ink and is a cornucopia of magic history. Each page reveals arcane history that changed the world, and some pages are in the original caster's own hand. Only spell author Elminster is present, and you are clearly missing other volumes. The author of this compendium series is unknown — styling themself as "Q".
The book is one of a set of volumes. The Introduction is missing — unless, of course, you found it. You suspect that without more of the set, you may not benefit fully though this volume may benefit enough. You may need the Introduction to aid in finding other volumes.
Copying a new spell into blank pages takes the same time and gold cost as writing it into a normal spellbook.
Features
Knowledge is Power
The knowledge and commentary in this book enhance your spellcasting when you have attunement. You sense power from original signatures and first-hand writings.
- You gain a +1 bonus to spell attack rolls and to your spell save difficulty class.
Living Archive
Once per long rest when attuned, you can ask the book a question about a named spell within its pages. A cryptic marginal note appears — you are unsure who or what wrote the note. It can give clues similar to the Augury spell as the DM decides. If interpreting the note requires a D20 test, roll with advantage.
Of course it writes back. All the worst relationships do. So why do you talk to it?
— Q.
Unexpected Apprenticeship
While you are attuned to this book, when you gain a level in a spellcasting class, a new spell appears in its pages whether fresh ink on a blank page or a foreign leaf sewn in with haste.
At the DM's discretion, the spell is one associated with a caster named in this volume, or another fitting entry. It may be of a higher level than you can currently cast.
I saw a new page write itself.
This is a séance. Even as I write, unexpected spells turn up as last regrets and apologies. At least it means they share ink too smug to erase.
— Q.
Spells Already Present
Elminster
The Elminster spells were magically removed from my writings. I don't know how he did it — typical. Did he or Mordenkainen have the bigger wand to brandish?
What spells I can find are a cheap jokes poking at me. No one knows these spells — did they really exist?
They do have Elminster's touch for big jaw-jaw and a mess of pottage — more than a bit of Esau. To find these, that Volo is quite my sort, though I'd appreciate more appearance and less abstinence.
— Q.
- Elminster’s Effulgent Epuration
- Elminster's Evasion
- Elminster's Evoked Empowerment
- Elminster's Spell Matrix
- Elminster's Superior Scrying
Notes: Bonus: Spell Save DC, Bonus: Spell Attacks, Advantage: Arcana, Advantage: History, spellcaster with proficiency in Calligrapher's Supplies, Buff, Focus
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