Arcane Autography, Z

This thin 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 legendary item functions similarly to an Enduring Spellbook.

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. Additional benefits require attunement to related volumes while possessing (carried, worn, or kept within 5 feet of you) this book.

A copper for your thoughts. A silver if you tell the truth.
I'll take the silver but won't promise results. I'm worth at least a gold.
— Q.

The well-used tome smells faintly of ozone, roses, and spilled drinks. The binding is clean and solid, the pages of high quality vellum with ink in a fine skilled hand. There are no spells scribed here unless the DM chooses otherwise.

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.

I’m sure Elminster will destroy this book as soon as he finds out — or at least try.
So if you're reading this, you got here before him.
— Q.

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

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.

Collector’s Find

As you collect more volumes and attune to them you find increasing confidence and power.

I hate writing, I love having written.
Only a fool saves books, only a fool doesn't.
— Q.

Possession. While this book is on your person (carried, worn, or stored within 5 feet of you), you gain the benefits described in this feature, even if you are not attuned to it. You must still attune to other volumes of this series to gain the additional features listed below, and features are cumulative and several improve with more attuned volumes.

Deeper Reading

You learn the Guidance cantrip. While you possess this book, you can cast it at will

While you are attuned to at least one other Arcane Autography volume, you can draw on the combined knowledge of the set, channeling the insight of the casters whose works it contains. You gain the following benefits.

• One Volume. You can cast Augury once per long rest without expending a spell slot or components.
• Two Volumes. You can cast Legend Lore once per long rest without expending a spell slot or components.
• Three Volumes. You can cast Foresight once per long rest without expending a spell slot or components. When you cast Foresight in this way, the spell targets only you, lasts for 1 minute, and requires no concentration. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

You wish you were better off. I do.
— Q.

Cross References

While this book is on your person and you are attuned to at least one other Arcane Autography volume, you can consult its indexed notes.

Once per long rest, you can spend 1 minute consulting the book to gain insight into one area of study. Choose Arcana, History, or Investigation. For the next 10 minutes, whenever you make an ability check with the chosen skill, you can roll a d4 and add it to the result.

Gossip

You can cast Comprehend Languages on yourself 1/long rest without expending a spell slot and without components.

Because someone always writes in Draconic when Common would do.
— Q.

Ability Boost

Increase your Intelligence or Charisma by 1, up to a maximum of 21 with two attuned volumes or a maximum of 22 with three attuned volumes.

Sharp Quill

When you are attuned to at least 2 other Arcane Autography volumes, the wit and insight of its pages bolster your mind. Once per long rest, when you fail an Intelligence or Charisma saving throw, you can reroll the save. You must use the second result.

The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue.
Tasha said it first.
— Q.

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 the scathing comments about Elminster. The crafter seems sharp-tongued and potent.

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