need to fill wizard's library

[Rpjunkie]

I have a library worth 2000 gp and would like to make a list of books that could be in it. They need to be non-magical, but should give some type of bonus if used to look up a topic during research. Anyone care to come up with some names and topics and the bonuses.. no more than +2 please.

Thanks

RPJ

 

[dave_o]

Principia Arcanum -- Grants a +2 bonus to Spellcraft checks when researching new spells.

Principia Celestium -- Grants a +2 bonus to Knowledge (The Planes) checks.

Darrus' Applied Tactics and Strategems -- When used in preparation for a battle (of more than one-on-one), grants a +2 bonus to initative rolls.

Just a few random ideas.

 

[Maerdwyn]

Just the thing:

http://www.public.asu.edu/~tarchon/necrobiblicon.html

Edit: There is also a Greyhawk version:
http://www.public.asu.edu/~tarchon/necrog.html

Make up the bonuses (if any) according to the titles generated.

For example, if "Antebellum Pamphlets on Heraldry" comes up, its +1 to heraldry checks after studying the book. which takes a week.

Limit these bonuses to a total of +x (maybe +3?) per skill, though, no matter how many book are found. You can only learn so much from books, after all.

 

[Rpjunkie]

Personally soem of the titles that generator comes up with are a little off there are some ideas though and keep em coming

Feel free to add a GP value to a book as well.

RPJ

 

[alsih2o]

it has been done for you


at- http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=623& is a "title generator by creative mountain games. push the button, get titles

it is a greta little toy, go check it out

best of all, it will be updated regularly...every 3 months i belive

 

[ergeheilalt]

Heh, dont forget to give obscure bonuses...

Like the Libriam of Modern Magicial Ethics

I'd also give a higher bonus on the more specific the book. A book on magic might give you a +1. While a book Conjuration for apprentices and mid level wizards would give a bonus to spellcraft checks concerning Conjuration spells between 0-2 levels ...

Erge

 

[Conaill]

Also check out the D20 Scriptorium. They have a generator that leaves all the others posetd here in the dust. Here's a random sample...

Legends of the Dumb of Mind in the Other World

AUTHOR: Theodoret of Cyrrhus
PUBLISHER: Master Wheezing Printing (300 copies printed)
TYPE/ASPECT: Richly illuminated small-sized leather-bound book.
CONDITION: Reasonably good as far as the pages are concerned, but the cover is much damaged
LANGUAGE:
SUBJECT: Spellcraft.
ORIGINALITY: Rather conventional, but offers some occasional fresh point of view.
CLARITY:Incomprehensible (Int check DC=20 to benefit from book's contents)
LENGTH OF STUDY: 1 or 2 week (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: Tutorial to learn specific feats (1d4 general/ metamagic/ or item creation feats, as most appropriate to book's title and subject).
BOOK MONETARY VALUE: Expensive (from 10 to 100 gold pieces).
NOTES: This crappy item is in fact an invaluable book looking like a worthless bundle of papers, thanks to illusionary magic.

DESCRIPTION SUBMITTED BY: The D20 Scriptorium's Random Generator

They also have a Netbook of Books with 40 randomly generated books that were submitted by users of the site.

 

[Storminator]

I would tie the bonuses to a gp value, that way you can make the value of the library important. Perhaps 100 gp per plus if the bonus applies to all checks of some type (all Knowledge: Arcana checks frex), and a lesser value for more restricted check (+2 on knowledge checks that relate to portals).

And if your library ends up strongly themed, perhaps give an overall additional bonus that represents the synergy between info in different books. Perhaps the synergy bonus requires more study time to get, as you have to read a number of books.

PS

 

[bret]

Size Does Matter
A Gnome's Guide to Transformation

Should give a bonus to transformation magic having to do with size. Example could include background on the spells Enlarge, Reduce, Change Self, Shrink, and the Polymorph spells.

 

[Enceladus]

No, no.

This one. Makes up titles and what they're about.

Bookspinner

Edited because cut and paste is my enemy...