Spellcasting. The bookwyrmling is a 3rd-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). The bookwyrmling has the following wizard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): dancing lights, prestidigitation
1st level (4 slots): comprehend languages, detect magic, expeditious retreat, identify, magic missile
2nd level (2 slots): darkness, misty step
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
Psychic Breath (Recharge 5–6). The bookwyrmling exhales psychic energy in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 12 Intelligence saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Description
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Inquisitive, supremely intelligent, and naturally linked to the arcane arts, Bookwyrms have been painstakingly bred by powerful wizards to keep and protect their vast hoards of knowledge. Wizards who have won the favor of a dragon (typically green, gold, or silver) may be gifted an egg from their brood to be turned into a bookwyrm via a litany of secret magical rituals. While most dragons would see "enhancement" of a dragon from the magic of a lesser race as an abomination, there are some who value the increased intelligence and arcane talent that their new offspring will possess, and any dragon who offers one of their own eggs will almost definitely consider the receiving wizard to be in their debt.
Due to the rituals performed to create a bookwyrm, the resulting creature grows to become vastly different from its progenitor. Most notably, bookwyrms are born without wings, and instead fly by arcane means. The thick, hard scales typical of dragons is replaced by a smooth, leathery, almost snake-skin hide that is pure white at birth, before slowly tarnishing into more beige tones as the bookwyrm ages. Also notably, bookwyrms are typically smaller and more agile than their progenitors, which suits their preference for cunning over power.
Bookwyrms make their homes in the grand libraries of their wizard foster parent, where they spend much of their time poring through the tomes and volumes that they are charged to protect. They quickly memorize their favourite works, and painstakingly copy others that they deem to be of particular importance - often with added notes and amendments. After enough time, most bookwyrms eventually begin to consider their wizard's library as their own lair, with the contents being seen as its precious treasures. A particularly cunning bookwyrm may even attempt to gain control of the collection from the wizard who created them, and if successful, there is no telling how much power and knowledge it will take to satisfy the now boundless being.
Due to their innate connection to the essence of magic, bookwyrms are avid dabblers in the arcane arts, and many who encounter spellbooks among their collections entertain themselves by experimenting with the spells contained within, with some even keeping spellbooks of their own. An inexperienced bookwyrm or even one who only practices magic casually is still just as powerful as a low to medium level wizard, and an older and wiser bookwyrm is bound to become as skilled at their hobby of spellcraft as the most dedicated masters of the arcane arts.
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