14
\$\begingroup\$

In one of my campaigns I have a character that just leveled up. I've been planning for a while to multi-class into Wizard, but never really had the character RP prepare for the event, since I didn't expect to level up mid-dungeon (we're using milestone XP). I always figured we'd end the dungeon run, head to the nearest inn, and I'd be able to level up and prepare there - buy the spell book in town, and so on.

We're nowhere near done with the dungeon, so I'm not going to buy a spellbook anytime soon. I'm looking for creative options to get around this hurdle without having the party wait for this guy over here to prepare his book. Thus, my question is two fold:

  • Can I immediately just use the 3 cantrips I've selected?
  • What would be a reasonable approach to scrap together a prepared spellbook, having no prior scrolls and no spells?

So far I've written a short story for the DM explaining that my character "secretly bought an empty notebook a while back (subtract whatever GP is appropriate)" and that he's been "observing the other spell casters in the party" and wanting to get into magic, but "it wasn't until the last battle it all clicked for him."

Not sure if that's going to fly - and honestly I'm okay if it doesn't. I want to be realistic within reason, but I also feel like there's a compromise to keep things fun. Could my character overnight just suddenly unlock a prepared spellbook? Would it be more reasonable to craft one, and then during each rest slowly build up the prepared spells?

\$\endgroup\$
3
  • 7
    \$\begingroup\$ Obligatory OOTS reference \$\endgroup\$
    – Kirt
    Jun 29, 2022 at 20:16
  • \$\begingroup\$ Amazing reference. Thank you for teaching me this comic exists. \$\endgroup\$
    – Porschiey
    Jun 30, 2022 at 4:15
  • \$\begingroup\$ Have you considered just asking the DM? "I want to multiclass to a wizard. Is that ok? How do you want to do it, considering we are in a middle of a dungeon right now?" \$\endgroup\$ Jun 30, 2022 at 7:43

2 Answers 2

24
\$\begingroup\$

You can multiclass and will have spells and spellbook

Your spellbook is part of your Spellcasting ability. You do not need to buy one when you level into your first level of wizard. How and if you narratively justify that is up to you and your DM.

Your spellbook can be anything, it does not need to be a proper spellbook. It can be scrap notes you made adventuring. Page 114 PHB

Your spellbook is a unique compilation of spells, with its own decorative flourishes and margin notes. It might be a plain, functional leather volume that you received as a gift from your master, a finely bound gilt-edged tome you found in an ancient library, or even a loose collection of notes scrounged together after you lost your previous spellbook in a mishap.

You will immedately have access to your cantrips. Also page 114 PHB:

Cantrips
At 1st level, you know three cantrips of your choice from the wizard spell list.

You need to prepare your leveled spells, which you typically can only do after a long rest. Given that you just achieved a milestone, that might be a natural point for a rest/break anyways? Still page 114:

You prepare the list of wizard spells that are available for you to cast. (…) You can change your list of prepared spells when you finish a long rest. Preparing a new list of wizard spells requires time spent studying your spellbook and memorizing the incantations and gestures you must make to cast the spell: at least 1 minute per spell level for each spell on your list."

All of this assume that your DM is OK with multiclassing, which like feats is optional, but is typically allowed and used.

\$\endgroup\$
4
  • \$\begingroup\$ Would you consider that the spelled are automatically prepared as well? \$\endgroup\$
    – Porschiey
    Jun 29, 2022 at 19:00
  • 8
    \$\begingroup\$ I think you need to prepare them, which you typically can only do at the end of a long rest. Given that you just achieved a milestone, that might be a natural point for a rest/break anyways? "You can change your list of prepared spells when you finish a long rest. Preparing a new list of wizard spells requires time spent studying your spellbook and memorizing the incantations and gestures you must make to cast the spell: at least 1 minute per spell level for each spell on your list." \$\endgroup\$ Jun 29, 2022 at 19:03
  • \$\begingroup\$ @GroodytheHobgoblin maybe the comment can be incorporated into the answer as it is relevant tot he question :) ... nice answer btw and link to previous related question \$\endgroup\$
    – Thank-Glob
    Jun 29, 2022 at 21:23
  • 5
    \$\begingroup\$ This is an issue with mechanic/narrative split. Mechanically, you get all your cantrips, spells, spellbook, etc. because the rules say you do. Narratively, it's up to you and your DM how you justify this. \$\endgroup\$ Jun 30, 2022 at 8:08
3
\$\begingroup\$

I know it's too late for you now, but for future readers:

If you plan on multiclassing, you should plan

To be a wizard, you need to experiment:

They learn new spells as they experiment and grow in experience.

The spells that you add to your spellbook as you gain levels reflect the arcane research you conduct on your own, as well as intellectual breakthroughs you have had about the nature of the multiverse.

It would only make sense that even before you actually get the first level of the Wizard class you already have started experimenting on the spells you are going to get.

This learning and experimentation is the time when you should be able to assemble your spell component pouch or find an item that'll work as your focus, and fill a book with notes to make it a spellbook.

Most of DMs I know (that allows multiclassing) would be glad to know in advance your multiclassing plans and help you to go smoothly and without retcons, by making sure there's always a stack of papers somewhere, an almost empty journal, a weird gem that if mounted on just right would allow your cane to channel arcane energy, and so on.

Your DM is there to cooperate. To write the story together. Use that. Help them to help you!

\$\endgroup\$
1
  • 3
    \$\begingroup\$ Many people are not natural planners, and having to pre-plan the fun "what do I choose next" part of levelling up might be something of a chore. For those players, rather than forcing them to pre-plan the narrative, or provide foreshadowing, it may be more appropriate to retroactively declare the IC preparation as having happened off-screen as a "reveal" instead. Many heist and thriller movies do exactly this for clever reveals (what immediately springs to mind is revealing Julia Robert's character can swim, and how she pre-planned her escape in Sleeping With The Enemy). \$\endgroup\$ Jun 30, 2022 at 14:07

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .