Spellbooks
Each spellbook or formula book is a unique reflection of its creator's personality and capabilities — many containing personal notes, naturalist sketches, or political treatises alongside their spells. Some hold preparation rituals that grant a boon (or occasional hindrance) to any spellcaster who uses the book to prepare.
Using Preparation Rituals
When a spellcaster who prepares spells uses a spellbook with a preparation ritual, as long as she prepares at least three spells (not including cantrips) or formulae from that spellbook, she gains a temporary boon granted by the ritual. The boon lasts until its effect is spent (as specified by the boon) or the spellcaster prepares spells again — at which point it can be reapplied.
A spellcaster can only benefit from one preparation ritual when she prepares spells, regardless of how many ritual-bearing spellbooks she uses.
In spell listings below: S marks a specialty-school spell; OP marks an opposition-school spell. Descriptions, protections, preparation rituals, and spell content can be freely mixed and matched between books. Higher-level books can serve lower-level casters — simply drop inapplicable spell levels or remove lower-level spells as desired. A standard spellbook includes all cantrips except those in the wizard's opposition schools.
This surprisingly ornate and heavy volume is more than three-quarters empty. Tightly written notes on the precepts of arcane defense and the vulnerabilities of supernatural entities fill the first two pages.
Spells
1st—burning hands, detect undead, expeditious retreat, magic missile, protection from evilS, ray of enfeeblement, shieldS
This slim book is carefully but amateurishly bound, with leather stretched tight across thin boards. The writing inside is fussy and crammed together, with words that are occasionally illegible. Eight of its pages contain spells; the final 10 pages are blank. A portrait of a plain woman, unsmiling, has been bound into the inside front cover.
Spells
1st—comprehend languagesS, detect secret doorsS, detect undeadS, identifyS, protection from evil, protection from law, summon monster I, true strikeS
This is a simple, unadorned spellbook. Notes on improving the efficiency of each spell crowd the margins, most of them hopelessly misguided.
Spells
2nd—fox's cunning, scorching ray
1st—alarm, feather fall, obscuring mist, mount, shield, shocking grasp, silent image, sleep
This small book, no larger than a pocket notebook, is bound between wooden covers, and is clearly a copy meant to withstand the rigors of adventuring. The arrowhead lodged in the cover can't be removed without magic.
Spells
2nd—glideS, knockS, levitateS, rope trickS
1st—ant haulS, enlarge personS, eraseS, expeditious retreatS, gravity bowS, hold portal, jumpS, magic weaponS, shield
The leather wrapping of this book is of an indeterminate type and gives off a faint and unpleasant scent, as of charred meat. The writing inside is in a jagged hand, and many notes on the ash-smudged pages indicate its previous owner sought ever more damaging magic. A glittering rune in the cover's center is shaped vaguely like a lightning bolt.
Spells
3rd—fireballS, lightning boltS
2nd—acid arrow, darknessS, ghoul touch, gust of windS
1st—burning handsS, color spray, corrosive touchS, hydraulic pushS, hypnotism, magic missileS, ray of enfeeblement, shocking graspS
You can maximize a spell, but doing so damages you. Spend this boon effect as a free action when you cast a wizard evocation spell. You may treat that spell as if cast with the Maximize Spell metamagic feat, but you take 1d4 points of damage × the level of the spell. The damage cannot be reduced in any way.
The steel cover of this slim journal has taken its fair share of abuse; acid scars and minor slag spots show where the journal was subjected to intense working conditions. Equations, balances, and chemical notations mark the margins — with some formulae, it is difficult to tell where the notes end and the formula begins.
Formulae
2nd—blur, delay poison, fire breath, transmute potion to poison, vomit swarm
1st—bomber's eye, comprehend languages, cure light wounds, jump, keen senses, negate aroma, resist energy, touch of the sea
The alchemical knowledge granted by this book protects you from poisons and alchemical items. Spend this boon's effect as an immediate action when you make a saving throw against poison or an alchemical item but before rolling. You gain a +4 bonus on that saving throw.
This tome reeks of decomposing flesh or some even fouler stench. Grave mold clings to the worm-eaten cover, and dirt stains the pages. Some pages have been torn out.
Spells
3rd—blood biography, ray of exhaustionS, vampiric touchS, vitriol
2nd—command undeadS, create treasure map, ghoul touchS, spectral handS, stone call, web
1st—burning hands, chill touchS, disguise self, mage armor, protection from good, ray of enfeeblementS, sculpt corpseS, shield, true strike, ventriloquism
As a swift action, spend this boon's effect to breathe a 15-foot cone of rotting stench. Creatures within the cone must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 10 + your highest caster level in a class that prepares spells) or be sickened for 1 round. After this boon is spent, you take a –4 penalty on Diplomacy and Stealth checks until you prepare spells again.
The title is embossed into the scaly cover. Inside, the pages sparkle and gleam in even the faintest light, and the handwriting looks preternaturally clean.
Spells
4th—phantasmal killerS, wandering star motesS
3rd—illusory scriptS, invisibility sphereS, madnessS, major imageS
2nd—magic mouthS, misdirectionS, phantom trapS, scareOP
1st—alarm, animate rope, color sprayS, comprehend languages, disguise selfS, hypnotism, magic auraS, magic weapon, shield, sleep
When casting an illusion spell, you gain expanded sight. Spend this boon's effect as a free action when you cast an illusion spell. You gain darkvision 60 feet and a +4 bonus on saving throws to disbelieve illusions, both lasting 1 minute.
This simple book is bound in white leather with a silver clasp. Careful notes on economic theory in a crisp and precise hand occupy the last few written pages, after which there is a page stained with a dark reddish-brown smear. The rest of the pages are blank.
Spells
4th—beast shape IIS, calcific touchS, confusion, dimension door, stone shapeS
3rd—arcane sight, dispel magic, explosive runes, lightning bolt, greater magic weaponS, slowS
2nd—alter selfS, flaming sphere, knockS, pyrotechnicsS, resist energy, see invisibility, whispering windS
1st—animate ropeS, charm person, color sprayOP, eraseS, floating disk, hush, mage armor, magic missile, protection from chaos, unseen servant
When taking another shape, you can increase your defenses. Spend this boon's effect as a free action when you cast a transmutation spell with a range of personal. While affected by that spell, you gain a +2 natural armor bonus for its duration.
This medium-sized book has a creased spine and supple gray leather covers. The leather has rubbed away in certain spots, tiny pinhole burns pock the surface, and a brass lock holds the book shut. A woman's portrait has been bound into the front cover; text covers almost all of the image except her face, with the words "Diabolist sacrifice?" beneath her chin.
Spells
5th—contact other planeS, major creation, telepathic bondS
4th—detect scryingS, locate creatureS, remove curse, scryingS
3rd—arcane sightS, clairaudience/clairvoyanceS, secret pageOP, tonguesS
2nd—detect thoughtsS, flaming sphere, locate objectS, resist energy, see invisibilityS, summon monster II
1st—cause fear, comprehend languagesS, detect secret doorsS, detect undeadS, disguise selfOP, identifyS, protection from evil, protection from law, true strikeS
You use a trick perfected by Rul Thaven to ferret out invisible creatures. Spend this boon's effect as a swift action. You gain the effects of see invisibility for 1 round.
This ragged collection of scorched and stained notes is tied with cheap twine between wooden covers. A few formulae appear to have been deliberately obliterated, scratched through so thoroughly that the paper is torn in places.
Formulae
4th—dragon's breath
3rd—beast shape I, rage, tongues, water breathing
2nd—barkskin, bull's strength, cure moderate wounds, elemental touch, resist energy
1st—bomber's eye, comprehend languages, crafter's fortune, cure light wounds, disguise self, enlarge person, identify, shield
Spend this boon when you imbibe your mutagen. The mutagen grants you a +6 alchemical bonus to your selected ability score instead of the normal +4; you take a –2 penalty to all mental ability scores (Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma) while the mutagen is in effect.
Blood, dirt, wine, and more stain this white leather book. The owner's name, Jack Were-son, is stamped into the cover in peeling gold. Several of the pages contain careful diagrams and illustrations done by a competent but uninspiring artist.
Spells
5th—break enchantment, mage's private sanctum, polymorph, treasure stitching
4th—charm monster, dimension door, greater invisibility, moonstruck, true form
3rd—cloak of winds, explosive runes, haste, lightning bolt, nondetection, twilight knife
2nd—acid arrow, burning gaze, dust of twilight, fog cloud, metabolize, protection from arrows, spider climb
1st—alter winds, ant haul, burning hands, cause fear, hold portal, identify, magic missile, sleep, stone fist, vanish
Fine vellum sheets fill these two well-worn books. Beautiful illustrations depict the effects of each spell, many with a distinctly arctic theme. The protective leather case smells and feels greasy, as if the hide has been crudely waterproofed with animal fat.
Spells
6th—contingencyS, freezing sphereS, repulsion
5th—cone of coldS, mage's private sanctum, permanency, teleport, wall of forceS
4th—ice stormS, shoutS, stoneskin, symbol of revelation, wall of iceS
3rd—arcane sight, dispel magic, elemental auraS, fire trap, heroism, lightning boltS, phantom steed, seek thoughts
2nd—bull's strength, false lifeOP, glitterdust, hideous laughter, make whole, resist energy, rope trick
1st—detect secret doors, endure elements, enlarge person, feather fall, mage armor, magic missileS, obscuring mist, shield, shocking graspS
You infuse your spell with a biting cold few can withstand. Spend this boon as a free action when you cast a spell with the cold descriptor. Any damage from that spell ignores all resistance to cold, but does not ignore immunity to cold.
These two books are part of a set held together with a leather strap. The covers are of a shimmering and unearthly blue leather, and the spines are built of silver and iron. The books are chilly to the touch, and staring at them induces minor vertigo.
Spells
6th—getawayS, planar bindingS, summon monster VIS, wall of ironS
5th—life bubbleS, contact other planeOP, overland flightS, teleportS
4th—acid pitS, black tentaclesS, dimensional anchor, lesser geas, phantasmal killer, solid fogS
3rd—gaseous form, greater magic weapon, magic circle against evil, sepia snake sigilS, spiked pitS, stinking cloud, tiny hut
2nd—arrow eruptionS, daze monster, dust of twilightS, fantastic reach, glitterdustS, metabolizeS, shatter, stone callS
1st—comprehend languagesOP, disguise self, jump, mage armorS, magic aura, mountS, sleep, stumble gapS, unseen servantS
Spend this boon's effect as a free action when you cast a conjuration (summoning) wizard spell. The summoned creature gains temporary hit points equal to your caster level, and as long as it has at least 1 of these hit points it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on saving throws.
Stuffed between the pages of these two well-worn volumes are all manner of riddles, tidbits of lore, and fragments of maps. One cover is missing a corner, as if hacked off with a blade, and the text inside is tiny and cramped, as if the author were afraid of running out of room.
Spells
7th—greater arcane sightS, greater scryingS, prismatic spray
6th—chain lightning, contingency, eyebite, legend loreS, true seeingS
5th—dominate person, fire snake, prying eyesS, teleportOP, telepathic bondS
4th—arcane eyeS, confusion, detect scryingS, fear, ice storm, wall of fire
3rd—clairaudience/clairvoyanceS, dispel magic, displacement, greater magic weaponOP, hydraulic torrent, lightning bolt, seek thoughts, tonguesS
2nd—arcane lock, false life, fox's cunningOP, locate objectS, resist energy, scorching ray, see invisibilityS, touch of idiocy
1st—alarm, charm person, comprehend languagesS, color spray, detect secret doorsS, expeditious excavationOP, floating disk, protection from evil, shield, true strikeS, ventriloquism
Unlike other boons, you do not spend this one. Until you prepare spells again, you are considered trained in Knowledge (geography). If you are already trained, you gain a +2 circumstance bonus on those checks instead.
This pair of lexicons is covered in excellently preserved human skin, with an intricate lace of fingerbones forming the locks on the cover. A family seal has been embossed on the lower center of the cover, but flecks of gold leaf have begun to peel away, revealing that the embossed pattern follows a faded tattoo on the skin itself.
Spells
7th—control undeadS, finger of deathS, symbol of weaknessS, temporary resurrectionS
6th—acid fog, chain lightningS, circle of deathS, create undeadS, unwilling shieldS
5th—dismissal, hold monster, magic jarS, possess objectS, wall of force, waves of fatigueS
4th—animate deadS, bestow curseS, contagionS, enervationS, shadow projectionS, shout, wall of ice
3rd—gentle reposeS, halt undeadS, lightning bolt, magic circle against good, nondetection, ray of exhaustionS, stinking cloud, vampiric touchS
2nd—arcane lock, blindnessS, darkness, false lifeS, obscure object, resist energy, scareS, summon swarm
1st—cause fearS, chill touchS, floating disk, restore corpseS, hypnotism, obscuring fog, ray of enfeeblementS, sculpt corpseS, shield, sleep
The pages of this formula book are carefully varnished. Sprinkled among the formulae are details and diagrams of alchemical devices, many of which seem to defy the normal conventions of alchemy and physics. The last page contains incomplete notes on the preparation of experimental mutagens.
Formulae
5th—delayed consumption, magic jar, spell resistance
4th—detonate, freedom of movement, greater invisibility, restoration, stoneskin
3rd—amplify elixir, arcane sight, haste, heroism, protection from energy, thorn body
2nd—alter self, bear's endurance, false life, fire breath, see invisibility, transmute potion to poison
1st—ant haul, comprehend languages, cure light wounds, detect secret doors, enlarge person, jump, keen senses, negate aroma, shield, true strike
These three well-made books are covered with runes of warding against outsiders and undead. The pages inside show water damage along the edges.
Spells
8th—binding, maze, protection from spellsS
7th—banishmentS, delayed blast fireball, expendS, form of the dragon II, grasping hand
6th—analyze dweomer, antimagic fieldS, chain lightning, greater dispel magicS, true seeing
5th—break enchantmentS, cone of cold, dismissalS, polymorph, summon monster V, wall of force
4th—confusion, dimension door, dimensional anchorS, fire trapS, mass enlarge person, secure shelter, true formS
3rd—cloak of windsS, daylight, enter image, explosive runesS, haste, lightning bolt, magic circle against evilS, water breathing
2nd—detect thoughts, glitterdust, knock, protection from arrowsS, cushioning bands, resist energyS, scorching ray, whispering wind
1st—animate rope, detect secret doors, detect undead, endure elementsS, feather fall, obscuring mist, protection from chaosS, shadow bladeS, shieldS, shocking grasp, touch of gracelessness
Spend this boon's effect as an immediate action when an undead or outsider hits you with an attack. The attacking creature must reroll the attack, taking the second result even if it is lower.
Each volume of this three-book set is written in gold ink on jet-black paper. Illusory script hides descriptions of the geography and denizens of the Shadow Plane.
Spells
8th—greater shadow evocationS, mind blank, scintillating patternS, temporal stasis
7th—finger of death, greater shadow conjurationS, project imageS, simulacrumS, spell turning
6th—eyebite, guards and wards, limited wish, permanent imageS, programmed imageS, shadow walkS, symbol of persuasion
5th—cloudkill, mirage arcanaS, mind fog, nightmareS, seemingS, shadow evocationS, telekinesis
4th—black tentacles, dimension door, greater invisibilityS, lesser globe of invulnerability, phantasmal killerS, remove curse, scryingOP, shadow conjurationS
3rd—dispel magic, heroism, illusory scriptS, magic circle against good, major imageS, phantom steed, shrink item, slow
2nd—arcane lock, darknessOP, false life, glitterdust, magic mouthS, mirror imageS, obscure object, phantom trapS, whispering wind
1st—color sprayS, disguise selfS, endure elements, feather fall, grease, magic auraS, minor imageS, obscuring mist, ray of enfeeblement, silent imageS, ventriloquismS
Unlike other boons, you do not spend this one. Until you prepare spells again, you are considered trained in all Knowledge skills when the check pertains to the geography and denizens of the Shadow Plane. If already trained, you gain a +2 circumstance bonus on such checks instead.
This trio of books is bound in leather as black as a starless night, clasped together with gleaming silver. The pages are filled with notes and errata. The handwriting becomes more hurried toward the end of the trilogy, and the final page says, "I have found her!"
Spells
9th—foresightS, freedom
8th—demand, discern locationS, greater prying eyesS, trap the soul
7th—instant summons, greater arcane sightS, greater scryingS, plane shift, visionS
6th—analyze dweomerS, greater dispel magic, guards and wards, legend loreS, repulsion, true seeingS
5th—contact other planeS, major creation, secret chest, sending, telepathic bondS, planar adaptationOP
4th—bestow curse, dimensional anchor, lesser geas, lesser globe of invulnerability, locate creatureS, remove curse, secure shelter, share sensesS
3rd—arcane sightS, blood biographyS, clairaudience/clairvoyanceS, explosive runes, secret pageOP, seek sensesS, tonguesS
2nd—continual flame, detect thoughtsS, flaming sphere, hold person, locate objectS, resist energy, see invisibilityS, summon monster II
1st—cause fear, comprehend languagesS, detect secret doorsS, detect undeadS, disguise selfOP, identifyS, protection from evil, protection from law, true strikeS
Activate this boon as a swift action to gain the effects of see invisibility for up to 10 rounds (need not be consecutive; spend a swift action each time). The boon is spent when all 10 rounds are used or you next prepare spells.
The three volumes of this set are bound in black sharkskin, the spells inscribed in purple ink on fine paper. Spells conceal extensive notes on constructing a lich's phylactery.
Spells
9th—gateS, soul bind, summon monster IXS, time stop, wish
8th—create greater undead, horrid wilting, greater planar bindingS, mazeS, screen
7th—banishmentOP, finger of death, grasping hand, greater teleportS, reverse gravity, summon monster VIIS
6th—contagious flames, disintegrate, greater dispel magicOP, legend lore, planar bindingS, wall of ironS
5th—cloudkillS, cone of cold, contact other plane, hungry pitS, magic jar, overland flight, permanency, secret chestS, symbol of pain
4th—ball lightning, black tentaclesS, detect scrying, dimension doorS, enervation, greater invisibility, resilient sphere, remove curseOP
3rd—blink, daylight, enter image, fireball, gentle repose, secret page, sepia snake sigilS, stinking cloudS
2nd—darkvision, false life, glitterdustS, make whole, mirror image, resist energyOP, see invisibility, summon swarmS, webS
1st—burning hands, detect undead, disguise self, greaseS, mage armorS, magic aura, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, unseen servantS
You do not spend this boon with an action. The first time you are reduced to 0 or fewer hit points, you immediately regain 2d6 hit points. If this brings you to 0 or higher, you do not fall unconscious.
This quartet of books is held together by a shining silver strand wound around the four tomes and tied in an intricate knot. Inside, the writing is expansive and sloppy, filled with marginalia; the author's notes indicate clear excitement about her discoveries — the thinker is obviously brilliant, but apparently undisciplined.
Spells
9th—weird, shapechange, wish, world wave
8th—giant form II, polar ray, scintillating pattern, seamantle, trap the soul
7th—control weather, elemental body IV, phantasmal revenge, power word blind, rampart, spell turning
6th—beast shape IV, cloak of dreams, control water, fluid form, getaway, lightning field, plant shape II
5th—comet, fabricate, fire snake, geyser, hold monster, overland flight, planar adaptation, telekinesis
4th—dragon's breath, dimension door, firefall, greater invisibility, moonstruck, resilient sphere, true form, wandering star motes
3rd—blink, cloak of winds, elemental aura, fly, lightwall, shifting sands, twilight knife, versatile weapon
2nd—arrow eruption, dust of twilight, elemental speech, alter self, fire breath, accelerate poison, share language, slipstream
1st—alter winds, ant haul, endure elements, feather fall, flare burst, identify, stone fist, touch of the sea, true strike, vanish
As an immediate action when targeted with a touch spell or spell-like ability, spend this boon's effect to gain a +4 deflection bonus to AC against the triggering attack.
These four cloth-bound books are neatly printed — as with a printing press — with a title page, a table of contents, and a useful cross-referenced index. They have been treated well and are clearly reference works rather than laboratory notes; the writer was obviously a most disciplined and focused inventor.
Formulae
6th—elemental body III, form of the dragon I, heal, shadow walk, transformation, twin form
5th—delayed consumption, dream, elude time, nightmare, overland flight, resurgent transformation, spell resistance
4th—detonate, dragon's breath, fire shield, fluid form, greater invisibility, neutralize poison, stoneskin, universal formula
3rd—absorbing touch, amplify elixir, bloodhound, displacement, draconic reservoir, haste, heroism, seek thoughts, thorn body
2nd—alchemical allocation, barkskin, bull's strength, cat's grace, elemental touch, fire breath, perceive cues, see invisibility, transmute potion to poison, vomit swarm
1st—bomber's eye, comprehend languages, crafter's fortune, disguise self, endure elements, keen senses, negate aroma, shield, stone fist, touch of the sea
Once per day as a swift action, apply a discovery you qualify for (but do not already know) to a bomb. This does not allow stacking of non-stacking discoveries.
This massive tome is the size of four normal spellbooks, bound in leather as hard as plate armor and stitched together with strands of thin, pliable metal rather than thread. Toward the end is a list of names, each crossed out.
Spells
9th—dominate monsterS, foresight, mage's disjunction, mass hold monsterS, mass suffocation, power word killS, time stop
8th—bindingS, clone, irresistible danceS, mind blank, polymorph any object, power word stunS, sunburst
7th—deflection, greater arcane sight, instant summonsOP, limited wish, mass hold personS, plane shiftOP, power word blindS, resonating word, symbol of stunningS
6th—cloak of dreamsS, contingency, enemy hammer, greater dispel magic, geas/questS, legend lore, mage's lucubration, true seeing
5th—dismissal, dominate personS, fabricate, forced hand, icy prison, feeblemindS, mage's private sanctum, permanency, prying eyes, teleportOP
4th—bestow curse, crushing despairS, dimensional anchor, fear, moonstruckS, resilient sphere, stone shape, stoneskin
3rd—fireball, fly, greater magic weapon, heroismS, loathsome veil, nondetection, protection from energy, symbol of peaceS, suggestionS
2nd—arcane lock, continual flame, false life, hideous laughterS, magic mouthOP, mirror imageOP, resist energy, rope trick, see invisibility, touch of idiocyS
1st—alarm, charm personS, feather fall, forced quiet, hydraulic push, identify, magic missile, memory lapseS, ray of enfeeblement, shield, unseen servantOP
When you finish preparing spells, write a creature's proper name in the book's list. As a swift action within 30 feet of that creature, call out its name to bestow a curse: the target takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4 penalty on attack rolls against you for 1 minute. The name is then crossed out and cannot be targeted by curse of names from you again. Penalties from two instances do not stack.
No spellbooks match the current filters.