Book murder

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

This fascinating notion is mentioned in passing in "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell": Books of magic are such a treasure in England that destroying one has the same penalties as murder.

Obviously, magic books are a lot more common in most D&D settings, but this notion still appeals to me for a magocracy. What sorts of books would merit this kind of respect, though? (And don't worry, if I use this in a game, the law will be worded sufficiently vaguely, something about "ancient or respected nature." )

 

[Crothian]

Maybe all books are because the written language is complex and hard to master, and ink and paper are difficul;t and dangerious to make.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

In a theocracy the book of the religion/law is a likely candidate. "For the Word is Law and the Law is the Word of the Gods"

In games where True Names have meaning a book of true names can be important, especially when there is only one copy.

The Auld Grump

 

[jonesy]

In games where True Names have meaning a book of true names can be important, especially when there is only one copy.

Heck, depending on whose names it contained (and how powerful True Names were in the setting), a book of True Names would be worth going to war for several times in a row.

 

[philreed]

That's a pretty cool idea. I've seen the book mentioned a lot of times but never really heard how it is. Would you recommend it?

 

[Varianor Abroad]

Obviously, magic books are a lot more common in most D&D settings, but this notion still appeals to me for a magocracy. What sorts of books would merit this kind of respect, though? (And don't worry, if I use this in a game, the law will be worded sufficiently vaguely, something about "ancient or respected nature." )

Comic Books.

In a magocracy though, I'd make it "ancient and respected" works as well as "those with an enchantment upon their pages." Anything with magic to it is worth preserving.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

That's a pretty cool idea. I've seen the book mentioned a lot of times but never really heard how it is. Would you recommend it?

If you'd truly enjoy Harry Potter as written by Jane Austen. (Well, more adult, but still by Austen.) No one's kidding when they compare the writing style to hers.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

Highly recommended. Have you read Lords & Ladies, by Terry Pratchett? Very similar take on elves.

 

[Janx]

Highly recommended. Have you read Lords & Ladies, by Terry Pratchett? Very similar take on elves.

What, if you destroy an elf, that constitutes a crime as bad as murder?

That'll completely ruin the sport of elf pitching. What are we going to do with all the game elves?

 

[Dakkareth]

That's a pretty cool idea. I've seen the book mentioned a lot of times but never really heard how it is. Would you recommend it?

Though its 'first book' nature shows at some points, I very much enjoyed it after I'd gotten past the first 300 or so pages (which was how long it took me to get into it). There's certainly a lot of interesting ideas in it and - which is a nice touch - it's no trilogy despite being enough for an afternoon of reading . Interesting, how it is mentioned everywhere, too ...

As for the elves ... even though I never played Exalted, I shall have to get the Fair Folk book at some point. It seems to capture and distill a big variety of elves, fey, little folk, etc myths into a form, where they get an explanation of underpinning rules (well, one interpretation of course). Hey, just keeping this on-gaming-topic .