While closed this appears to be a normal spellbook. When opened all its writings are in small script whose ink burns as magical fire rising two inches off the otherwise normal parchment. It is a magical flame and will burns similar to flames from coals. It is both difficult to look and alluring similar to a very interesting camp fire. It will cause damage to vision over time. Attempting to use the spellbook without deactivating the magical ward will cause damage to sight. The damage is not immediate and a creature must decide to press forward with the effort. A successful DC15 Constitution save will allow a Wizard to learn or cast a spell from the spellbook but will result in two hours of being Blinded. A failed save will result in one week of being Blinded. A Lesser Restoration will negate any Blinded condition caused by this ward.

Touching the flames will cause 1 hit point of damage or 2d4 points of damage if the creature cannot withdraw.

The ward may be neutralized in several ways. First, a creature may utter it’s magical passphrase. Doing so will reduce the flames to mere wisps until the tome is closed. Second, if the creature using the spellbook has their name listed as the current owner on the inside back of the cover then they will be identified by the tome and the flames will automatically reduce themselves to mere wisps upon opening the book. The third manner of neutralizing the book is with a Dispel Magic spell. This is a DC 15 check using your spellcasting ability. A successful dispel will eliminate the warding for 24 hours. And the final manner is to apply water to the page. The spellbook is not damaged, but the flames are quenched for 10 minutes. This may be repeated while reading the spellbook.

New spells inscribed by the owner will become magically enflamed. No special inks or charcoals are required. Simply writing a new owner name on the inside cover will establish ownership.

An Identify spell will reveal the spellbook’s passphase and its manner of establishing its current owner. An Arcana skill check of DC20 will reveal the method of deactivating the ward with water and owner name. If the spellbook ward is neutralized in any manner, a (daily repeatable) Arcana DC10 check will reveal its ownership mechanism if not already known. 

The spellbook may be used as a makeshift light source and is treated similar to a continual light source with 30’ radius of light and an additional 30’ radius of dim light.

A found Fire-Warded Spellbook has a similar selection of spells as a normal spellbook suitable for a level ten Wizard or higher.

Notes: Debuff, Utility, Warding, enchantment