"Any rogue can craft a spell - but it takes a really reckless fool to write one down."

Thus, the wizard Elminster introduces the latest collection of wizardly lore from the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, including:

*New spells from mages such ads Daltim, Darsson, and Myrl.
*Fell creatures - the Tome Guardian, the Disenchanter, and the Scalamagdrion.
*Details of more than 40 spellbooks - appearance, history, the magic they contain, and what is known of the fates of their makers.
*And just for fun - Elminster's very own traveling spellbook!

"All this could have been avoided, of course... If the handful of heedful folk in the worlds'd listen to me but a few moments more, much trouble could be avoided - and, I suppose, much high adventure. Hmmm... perhaps 'tis the doom of humans to always rush in heedless of the costs - and to open and read every old, crumbling book they find." -Elminster