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 R-Y 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.
Rary
Known little of him of except the epithet, Rary the Betrayer, and deaths of other prominent wizards. I suspect jealousy. Or excess snark.
— Q.
- No pages appear authored or autographed by Rary
- A blank spell page entitled "Rary’s Telepathic Bond"
- A page of unhelpful notes for other spells such as Rary’s Mnemonic Enhancer, Rary’s Spell Enhancer, Rary’s Superior Spell Enhancer, and Rary’s Urgent Utterance
Snilloc
Snilloc was cold, especially his reception to everything after Snowball Swarm.
He's famous only for his "snowball" spells but not as fun as Otto for dancing at parties, although I'd like to see his "cream pie" spell.
— Q
- Snilloc’s Snowball Swarm
- A page of unhelpful notes for other spells such as Snilloc’s Snowball and Snilloc’s Major Missile
- A page mentioning Snilloc’s Cream Pie stolen from Danilo Than with unrecorded results on casting
Tenser
Tenser was fearsomely dedicated to lawfulness and right. Few of his own spells still exist, and are handed down among those sharing his obsessions.
— Q.
- No pages appear authored or autographed by Tenser
- Tenser’s Floating Disk
- A blank spell page entitled "Tenser’s Transformation"
- A page listing notable works by Tenser: The Evolution of the Arcane Will Power, The Magical Properties of Gemstones, The Magical Properties of Herbs and Flowers, The Properties of Gemstones, The Theory of the Invisible Forces
- A page of unhelpful notes listing other spells created by Tenser including Tenser’s Brawl, Tenser’s Deadly Strike, Tenser’s Destructive Resonance, Tenser’s Eye of the Eagle, Tenser’s Eye of the Tiger, Tenser’s Flaming Blade, Tenser’s Fortunes of War, Tenser’s Giant Strength, Tenser’s Greater Floating Disc, Tenser’s Hunting Hawk, Tenser’s Master of Arms, Tenser’s Primal Fury, Tenser’s Running Warrior, Tenser’s Staff of Smiting, and Tenser’s Steady Aim
This section on Tenser ends with a comment page:
Why do these power mad wizards wish they had been made warriors? I spot an obsession with long pointy sticks.
Though "Eye of the Tiger" might have made a good bard song.
— Q.
Yolande
Melf the Elf is a wizard. Yolande is an Elf goddess. There's the difference if you survive. Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone. She is terrible with raisins in it.
She styles herself as "Her Fey Majesty," the "Faerie Queen," the "Perfect Flower of Celene," and "Lady Rhalta of All Elvenkind". And she lacks the charm of Southerners at which they were particularly adept, smiling as they poisoned your intoxicating iced tea. Even in northern cities her pretense was cloying, like too many perfumed personages pressed close in church.
— Q
- A blank spell page entitled "Yolande’s Regal Presence My Sweet Backside". A comment in another hand notes that "Q" showed poor disposition
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
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