Arcane Autography, Introduction

This thin volume serves both as a spellbook and a 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. This uncommon item functions similarly to an Enduring Spellbook, and grants additional magical features. This is the first volume of a set.

The 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 refers to other volumes. The author of this compendium is unknown, and styles themself as "Q". Under the front cover is pressed one perfect rose permanently affixed.

Copying a new spell into blank pages takes the same time and gold cost as writing it into a normal spellbook.

Introduction

Of course I write this for myself. I like a good author, and I appreciate an intelligent reader. A spellbook page, like good tailoring, should reveal just enough.

The only cure for boredom is curiosity, and curiosity has no cure, and I am incurably addicted. If you have any young friends who aspire to become wizards, the second-greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of Elminster's Biography, the full series. The first-greatest, of course, is to fire bolt them now, while they're happy.

Give a wizard a blank page, a bard the right secrets, or a rogue the right entry, and no dungeon or rival holds them. And if I had a copper for every self-proclaimed archmage, I'd buy them all a mirror. Each volume is useful, see L–M if you wonder how acidic geometry kills you. I stole the silverware, and you steal the wine. These books wander off when you least want. Watch out for Rary or Elminster or Mordenkainen unless you enjoy that sort of thing. They do tempt.

Missing autographs or spells from several reluctant casters — and dead is not an excuse, I'm keen to fill in gaps. Abi-Dalzim, Big George, Fizban, Galther, Jim (who is this wit?), Mora, Raulothim and others, their names I only know from writings.

It's all about who you know, and who knows you. Posterity is a crapshoot, children are unreliable, and that bard song you think is about you is definitely in the wrong key.
— Q.

Table of Volumes

Introduction
Start here, if you must. Not that anyone reads introductions. I don't.

A–D
Aganazzar, Bigby, and others who blew themselves up or became footnotes. Some good stuff, if you dig.
Hard to find this volume but not challenging.

Elminster
He gets his own volume. He insisted. I let him write half himself. Then I crossed it out. Then he erased everything and I'm left with an empty reference book.
Quite hard to find this volume. He let me create only so many copies.

E–J
A loose-lipped gossiper, an obsessive for her pet, poor weather, and delightfully grasping tentacles — who's bringing the cockatrices?
If you expected Iggwilv here, go see the Tasha volume. You didn't know her that well.
Hard to find this volume but not challenging.

L–M
Pleasant Leomund, and Melf’s obsession with acidic geometries. Draw them out in conversation or you lose their attention.
Hard to find this volume but not challenging.

Mordenkainen
He turned out more notable wizard apprentices than anyone else. A natural born teacher, and we know what those are like. And the rudest person outside the planes.
Quite hard to find this volume. They keep getting acquired.

N–O
This is the group at dinner parties who get out of hand. That Otto knows how to get things swinging — and dancing.
Hard to find this volume but not challenging.

Tasha
Dear Tasha, let's do dinner sometime. I'll bring the flowers if you bring the terror and passion.

R–Y
This volume's a mess. Blame Nystul. Or Rary. Or me. Just don't ask about "P". And don't trust Rary. Be frightened of Yolande and she'll appreciate you.
Hard to find this volume but not challenging.

Z
I hesitate to write this volume. You could be cut, burned, pierced, hung. Might as well live.
I wrote this only once and need more drink.

— Q.

Features

Arcane Lore

The writings in this book enhance your thirst for more.

• You have advantage on Arcana checks, and on History checks related to magical lore, wizard lineages, ancient spells, and arcane traditions.
• Once per day, you can cast Locate Object without expending a spell slot, but only to locate a nearest volume of the set if any.
• Once per week, you can cast Legend Lore without expending a spell slot, but only for information about a person appearing in volumes of this series — and trust me, everyone worth writing about is famous.

Secondhand spells, like secondhand shoes, don't tell where they've been, but fit for now. Don't think about where they've been.
— Q.

Spells Already Present

When you come across this book and cast Detect Magic, you discover that it is a magical spellbook containing scribed spells and commentary. The pages are organized by author, and follow with blank pages suitable for copying in new spells from any school or other authors.

Casting Identify reveals details for the spells already written in the book including originals in many authors' hands. You can prepare or copy a spell from the book only if it appears on your class’s spell list, or if a class feature (such as Magical Secrets) lets you use spells from another class.

I scribbled simple spells as an exercise. I do love teasing.
— Q.

• Dancing Lights — And who doesn't enjoy a party?
• Encode Thoughts — These make good bookmarks.
• Friends — I make quick friends. Up to them if they stay after.
• Vicious Mockery — Don't look at me in that tone of voice.

About the Crafter

Nothing in the volume reveals the identity of "Q" though some have noted the editor's obsession with Iggwilv/Tasha in the notes, and acerbic comments. The crafter seems sharp-tongued and potent.

Notes: Bonus: Spell Save DC, Bonus: Spell Attacks, Advantage: Arcana, Advantage: History, Buff, Focus