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?
Best Answer
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
You will immedately have access to your cantrips. Also page 114 PHB:
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:
All of this assume that your DM is OK with multiclassing, which like feats is optional, but is typically allowed and used.