Hey, where's the spellbook?

[BigNorseWolf]

Am I correct in thinking that if the spellbook doesn't show up on the chronicle sheet, then it isn't actually loot?

[jjaamm]

yes. This means you cant buy it later. But while you are at the table, you can still copy from it if you want to.

[BigNorseWolf]

Hmmm let me rephrase that.

The party defeats a wizard. The wizard has spells memorized, but no spellbook listed in their equipment. You know they have to have one, somewhere. Is it just assumed that if it isn't on the wizards equipment list that the wizard left it at home far far away?

[Marthian]

Ask your GM. The scenario may talk about the spellbook.

(I know one module that it talks about where you find the wizard's spellbook.)

[BigNorseWolf]

Marthian wrote:

Ask your GM. The scenario may talk about the spellbook.

(I know one module that it talks about where you find the wizard's spellbook.)

I was the dm. I wanted to let the witch grind it up and turn it into a pancake for the familiar, but there's no reference to a spellbook or what was in it other than the fact that there was a wizard with memorized spells (first steps part III)

[jjaamm]

OH, in the very rare times I have seen wizards they have listed a spell book "memorized spells plus these". I dont know of any wizard that wouldnt have a book on them though, so unless MJM says otherwise I would assume that there is a book with just those spells. As I said, they are very rare in first few seasons that aint no game breaker.

[Hawkwen Agricola]

It could be that the spellbook was some other place in this circumstance

Spoiler:

In this case, perhaps the gillwoman's spellbook is somewhere else. Somewhere under the water or in her dwelling. I assume she doesn't live at the tavern. Considering that this was a setup, thinking they would get away with it, why would you bring your spellbook along?

[Zhao Jianghu]

Yes, not all villians are like PCs. They don't always carry their entire wealth with them. I would say that spellbook is not on her therefore not copyable.

[TwilightKnight]

Technically, if the scenario makes no mention of a spellbook, per RAW, it doesn't exist within the scope of the session. It might be somewhere else or whatever. As Jeff said, some scenarios have a small notation in the stat block indicating the caster has access to "memorized spells plus [list]." In that case, I think it is reasonable to assume there is a spellbook available. However, it might just be that the NPC has an item bond and can cast any spell from their book without prepping it. So, I would expect some minor table variation. Short of that, I would not make a spellbook available to the characters.

Also, as stated above, if the spellbook is not listed on the chronicle sheet, even if you obtain it during the game, you would have to copy from it within the scope of the session (ie before the game ended).