D&D 5E what to do with a camptured spellbook when you have no wizard?

[Amrûnril]

I don't know if the spellbook plays any special role in the module you're playing, but to answer the question more generally, not every treasure owned by a defeated enemy is going to be useful to every party. A party of DEX characters and Barbarians won't have any use for a suit of plate mail taken from a defeated fighter, and a party of spellcasters and throwing weapon users won't have much use for a magical bow. You can debate whether to make substitutions for such treasures or whether to allow them to be easily traded or sold, but there's no reason to treat a spellbook in a party with no wizards (or tome warlocks) as an inherently different issue.

 

[evilbob]

This... thread has gotten quite creative.

 

[Oofta]

On a slightly more serious note, you have two basic options. First is just substitute out something that your party will use. I do this sometimes, but other times it can feel a little artificial.

The other option is to use it as a plot hook. The real owner of the book comes looking for it. Or they group can trade it to another wizard in exchange for a favor. The group attracts unwanted attention when they try to pawn it off, someone sees it and thinks their in league with the owner. Etc.

But if this is a published mod, there is no spell caster that could help the group, or you simply don't want to go too far off the rails you can also just let them trade it for some item of slightly less value.

 

[Ancalagon]

Or they group can trade it to another wizard in exchange for a favor.

Absolutely - this isn't a "worth X gp" treasure. This is a "worth a *favor*" treasure. And, *furthermore*, you can make an ally out of the deal too! Whenever two powerful group cooperate successfully, even if it's a strict "you give me A, I give you B", it opens the door for further cooperation. It builds trust. And a wizard is a nice ally to have, esp if you don't have one in the party...

 

[Koren]

Subbing some scrolls in is the easiest and most likely to "equate" to what they would have otherwise gained; it also makes sense story-wise in nearly any situation (wizards could have scrolls, too). I'm wondering if it might be more interesting to let them keep it and maybe trade it to another wizard (or witch) later, though.

To be fair they do have a sorcerer, but I am pretty sure it's useless to that character.

No wizard in my group either. I've swapped it out with some old favorite 1st and 2nd level spell scrolls for other classes that I converted from the 3.5 spell compendium and complete divine. Characters will be able to study them to learn the spell whenever they gain a new spell known from a class feature or use them as one offs.

New Bard Spells
1st. Vigor
2nd. Wave of Grief

New Cleric Spells
1st. Omen of Peril, Vigor
2nd. Nimbus of Light, Wave of Grief

New Druid Spells
1st. Camouflage, Omen of Peril, Vigor
2nd. Creeping Cold

New Paladin Spells
2nd. Nimbus of Light

New Ranger Spells
1st. Camouflage, Vigor
2nd. Creeping Cold

New Warlock Spells
2nd. Malevolent Miasma

New Wizard Spells
2nd. Malevolent Miasma

 

[GX.Sigma]

House rule: If anyone reads a spell aloud from a spellbook, the spell is released. The reader must make an Intelligence (Arcana) check (DC = 10 + the spell's level). On a success, the spell takes effect immediately. Whether the roll is a success or failure, the text disappears from the book, and the reader must save against scroll mishap. Of course, the spells know this, and will stop at nothing to be free.

 

[spectacle]

I suggest leaving the spellbook in and letting the players decide what to do with it, let them find someone to sell/trade it with if they so desire.

When the characters find treasure they have no direct use for, it enhances the illusion that the game world is a real place, and that treasure is there because it has a reason to be there and hasn't just been placed as a reward for the players.

 

[Ancalagon]

When the characters find treasure they have no direct use for, it enhances the illusion that the game world is a real place, and that treasure is there because it has a reason to be there and hasn't just been placed as a reward for the players.

YES! Not every treasure should be "useless", but this is an excellent point.

 

[MoonSong]

Personally.... I would claim the spellbook then burn it in front of the wizards guild. Just because...