This legendary artifact within Dungeons & Dragons is a tome containing a variable number of pages, each inscribed with a potent and unpredictable magical effect. Drawing a page at random activates its magic, resulting in outcomes ranging from immense power and fortune to utter ruin and oblivion. Examples include gaining godlike abilities, being imprisoned in another dimension, or the immediate loss of levels.
Its presence in a game introduces an element of chaotic chance and high-stakes gambling. It can dramatically reshape campaigns, providing players with opportunities for rapid advancement or sudden setbacks. This element of unpredictable excitement and potential for narrative disruption has cemented its place as a classic, if controversial, element of the game since its introduction in the original 1975 Greyhawk supplement. While potent, its use often requires careful consideration by Dungeon Masters due to its unpredictable and potentially game-altering nature.