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.
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.
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 some pages are in the original caster's own hand. Only spell authors N-O are present, and you are clearly missing other volumes. The author of this compendium series is unknown — styling themself as "Q". The commentary and acid wit comes through.
Copying a new spell into the book takes the same time and gold cost as writing it into a normal spellbook, and requires you to use Calligrapher's Supplies as you craft your writing to match previous authors.
Features
Knowledge is Power
The knowledge and commentary in this book enhance your spellcasting when attuned. You sense power from original signatures and first-hand writings.
- You gain a +1 bonus to spell attack rolls and to your spell save DC (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, written in the hand of the spell's creator — 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 — 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 spell. It may be of a higher level than you can currently cast.
This is a séance. Even as I write, unexpected spells turn up as last regrets and apologies. Those casters are not genius but last gasps. For living casters at least it means they share ink too smug to erase.
— 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 an author's hand. You can prepare or cast a spell from the book only if it appears in your class's spell list.
Nathair
Here's a caster I can admire. At least he gets into trouble without knowing the outcome.
— Q.
- A page of unhelpful notes for "Nathair's Mischief". That silly Fizban is a cauldron of spells I'd like to grab hold of.
Nystul
His true appearance was never known not even to his colleagues. It was remarked that he was humorless and abhorred word play.
His spellcraft shows a fascination for light and dark, concealment and misdirection.
Nystul? You know the type: the kind of man who stands in a corner pretending to be mysterious.
Under that, he’s just a man who hates the sound of other people having fun.
— Q.
- Nystul's Magic Aura
- A page of unhelpful notes for other spells such as Nystul's Flash, Nystul's Light, Nystul's Radiant Ward, and Nystul's Undetectable Aura
Otiluke
This wizard is missing comments from "Q" which is surprising though she started to write before blotting it out.
- No pages appear authored or autographed by Otiluke
- Otiluke's Resilient Sphere
- A blank spell page entitled "Otiluke's Freezing Sphere"
- A page of unhelpful notes in another hand missed by "Q" for other spells such as Otiluke's Acid Cloud, Otiluke's Boiling Oil Bath, Otiluke's Bubbling Buoyancy, Otiluke's Death Screen, Otiluke's Diamond Screen, Otiluke's Dispelling Screen, Otiluke's Electrical Screen, Otiluke's Excruciating Screen, Otiluke's Fire and Ice, Otiluke's Force Umbrella, Otiluke's Greater Dispelling Screen, Otiluke's Orb of Containment, Otiluke's Polar Screen, Otiluke's Radiant Screen, Otiluke's Siege Sphere, Otiluke's Smoky Sphere, Otiluke's Steaming Sphere, Otiluke's Suppressing Field, and Otiluke's Telekinetic Sphere
Otto
Some described Otto as a vain and foppish man usually in a good mood and showing off his refined tastes. Some called him "Tim" though writing is unclear why.
That man could dance like it saved his life.
He once stepped a measure across a table and didn't spill a drink.
And didn't die.
Though this gave me pause to think.I was unable to discover many spells by Otto but was able to find a rare spell page in his own hand.
— Q.
- No pages appear authored or autographed by Otto
- Otto's Irresistible Dance — the vellum page is stitched separately into the binding with red thread and clearly from a different original book
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, spellcaster with proficiency in Calligrapher's Supplies, Buff, Focus
Comments