Books

[SamuraiY]

I recently made a few new books, some of which may be too powerful, so I'd like to post them for suggestion. The post would be way to long if I included all of them, so these are only a few. There may be another post with more of them later on.

The Theory of Binding Arcane Energy

AUTHOR: Unknown
PUBLISHER: Unknown if any (seems to be printed rather than hand-written).
TYPE/ASPECT: Mundane medium-sized hardcover book.
CONDITION: Damaged and fragile, but still readable provided it is handled with care.
LANGUAGE: Draconic (Draconic signs, symbols, and alphabet).
SUBJECT: Knowledge (Arcana: ancient mysteries, magic traditions, etc.).
ORIGINALITY: Really original work that brings a new perspective on the subject.
CLARITY: Confused (Int check DC=15 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 (see special notes).
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Invaluable (over 1000 gold-piece).
NOTES: Contains expert level information used for the metamagic feat Extend Spell. It also contains an entry of the spell "Permanency" in the back, as an entry in a spell book.
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A Treatise on the Origins and Design of Language

AUTHOR: Kheyub Tebios, Scholar of Language
PUBLISHER: Ostoro (200 copies printed).
TYPE/ASPECT: Luxurious large-sized leather-bound tome with metal fasteners.
CONDITION: Excellent, as if new.
LANGUAGE: Common speech (Common alphabet).
SUBJECT: Dictionary / language method.
ORIGINALITY: Rather conventional, but offers some occasional fresh point of view.
CLARITY: Unclear (Int check DC=10 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 3d4 months (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: Speak Language becomes a class skill.
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Very expensive (from 100 to 1000 gold pieces).
NOTES:
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Kheyub's Guide to the Secret Language of the Druids

AUTHOR: Kheyub Tebios, Scholar of Language
PUBLISHER: None (handwritten manuscript).
TYPE/ASPECT: Collection of handwritten notes in a wrapper.
CONDITION: Damaged and fragile, but still readable provided it is handled with care.
LANGUAGE: Common speech (Common alphabet).
SUBJECT: Dictionary / language method.
ORIGINALITY: Really original work that brings a new perspective on the subject.
CLARITY: Incomprehensible (Int check DC=20 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 3d4 months (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: Lesser tutorial to get up to 5 ranks in the relevant skill (requires normal expenditure of skill points).
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Priceless
NOTES: The skill that this book allows to be studied is Speak Language: Druidic

There is only one copy of this book, remaining, as the druids have destroyed what few printed copies were made. This book was the undoing of Kheyub, as it earned him the enmity of all druid groves, everywhere. After writing this he was subsequently removed by a rather ruthless druid. The only reason this copy of Kheyub's masterpiece remains is that no one, aside from its current owner, knows of its existence.
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The Manual of Vile Creatures

AUTHOR: Paileti Gegoyi
PUBLISHER: Abbey of Midrande (60 copies printed).
TYPE/ASPECT: Mundane medium-sized hardcover book.
CONDITION: Good, although a little worn.
LANGUAGE: Common speech (Common alphabet).
SUBJECT: Knowledge (Monsters bestiary -see special notes-).
ORIGINALITY: Rather conventional, but offers some occasional fresh point of view.
CLARITY: Clear (Int check DC=5 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 1 or 2 week (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: undefined (write your own description)
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Normal (from 1 to 10 gold pieces).
NOTES: This volume, once read and comprehended, grants the reader a limited knowledge of aberrations from the Monster Manual, Monster Manual II, and Creatures of Faerun.
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Logom's Bird Migrations

AUTHOR: Logom of Evermeet
PUBLISHER: Ostoro (1000 copies printed).
TYPE/ASPECT: Luxurious large-sized leather-bound tome with metal fasteners.
CONDITION: Excellent, as if new.
LANGUAGE: Common speech (Common alphabet).
SUBJECT: Starts as a study of bird migrations, but the author obviously had the attention span of a cat. This book covers everything from meteorology to the general process of forging weapons.
ORIGINALITY: Really original work that brings a new perspective on the subject.
CLARITY: Unclear (Int check DC=10 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 1 month (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: Gain an additional two skill points to spend the next time you level
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Very expensive (from 100 to 1000 gold pieces).
NOTES: This book can only be used once by any one character. It can also be obtained in the original Elven Calligraphy, which reduces the DC to 5. This book is a classic, an all time favorite. As a result, it is often reprinted. Ostoro printed this book again about 3 years ago. Half of the current edition is in the original Elven.
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Manual of the Planes

AUTHOR: Tsiilan Aumynneir
PUBLISHER: Kerwen Brothers, Inc. (40 copies printed).
TYPE/ASPECT: Mundane medium-sized hardcover book.
CONDITION: In bad condition, but still readable.
LANGUAGE: Magical writing (requires the use of a 'Read magic' spell).
SUBJECT: Knowledge (The planes: generalities).
ORIGINALITY: Not much originality, yet brings some new ideas to the subject.
CLARITY: Confused (Int check DC=15 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 2d4 months (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: Encyclopedia enabling to take 10 with the relevant knowledge skill.
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Normal (from 1 to 10 gold pieces).
NOTES:
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The Adventurers Guide to Halruaa

AUTHOR: Hanur Gadarâph
PUBLISHER: Ostoro (400 copies printed).
TYPE/ASPECT: Luxurious medium-sized leather-bound book.
CONDITION: Good, although a little worn.
LANGUAGE: Common speech (Common alphabet).
SUBJECT: Halruaa
ORIGINALITY: Copy of a well known work but expanded with useful development.
CLARITY: Clear (Int check DC=5 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 1 or 2 week (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: This text contains various information about Halruaa, specifically those bits that would be interesting to adventurers, with special note of the larger cities, along with a few maps, including a mention of The Ostoro Printing Co.
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Normal (from 1 to 10 gold pieces).
NOTES: This book is part of a series that was only recently released by Ostoro. So far there is only one other book in the series.
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[Saepiroth]

I like them, and I especially like this;

SUBJECT: Starts as a study of bird migrations, but the author obviously had the attention span of a cat. This book covers everything from meteorology to the general process of forging weapons.

 

[SamuraiY]

Contains expert level information used for the metamagic feat Extend Spell.

I just realised I didn't explain this. The idea is this: a character can learn feats by reading sufficient information on them. A player must read and understand three books regarding the feat in order to learn it, one at novice level, one at intermediate, and one at expert. Books containing such information are extremely rare. You cannot comprehend an expert level explanation if you have not understood an intermidiate one, and you can't understand an intermediate one until you've understood a novice one. You cannot begin research unless you already meet all the prerequisites for the feat in question.

I tried not to make this to powerful, but I'm not sure I suceeded. I may have to take it out altogether. I'm not certain I really like this idea anyway. It doesn't seem right... But if I take it out, I'd want to put something else in this book, and I really don'y know what it would be.

 

[Night Watchman]

I love these! Please post more!

 

[SamuraiY]

Ok, here's a few more. Hope you like them too

The Adventurer's Guide to Calimshan

AUTHOR: Amlor Enethroth
PUBLISHER: Ostoro (400 copies printed).
TYPE/ASPECT: Luxurious medium-sized leather-bound book.
CONDITION: Good, although a little worn.
LANGUAGE: Common speech (Common alphabet).
SUBJECT: Calimshan
ORIGINALITY: Copy of a well known work but expanded with useful development.
CLARITY: Clear (Int check DC=5 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 1 or 2 week (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: This text contains various information about Halruaa, specifically those bits that would be interesting to adventurers, with special note of the larger cities, along with a few maps.
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Normal (from 1 to 10 gold pieces).
NOTES: This book is part of a series that was only recently released by Ostoro. So far there is only one other book in the series.
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A Guide to Standard Arms

AUTHOR: Corwyn of Waterdeep
PUBLISHER: Kerwen Brothers, Inc. (40 copies printed).
TYPE/ASPECT: Mundane medium-sized hardcover book.
CONDITION: In bad condition, but still readable.
LANGUAGE: Common speech (Common alphabet).
SUBJECT: Professional tutorial
ORIGINALITY: Extremely conformist, when not doctrinal, to the detriment of the subject.
CLARITY: Confused (Int check DC=15 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 1 month (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: Tutorial to learn a specific feat (see special notes).
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Expensive (from 10 to 100 gold pieces).
NOTES: Contains novice level information used for the feat Simple Weapon Proficiency.
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The Untapped Powers of Alchemy

AUTHOR: Unknown
PUBLISHER: None (handwritten manuscript).
TYPE/ASPECT: Collection of handwritten notes in a wrapper.
CONDITION: Damaged and fragile, but still readable provided it is handled with care.
LANGUAGE: Common speech (Common alphabet).
SUBJECT: Alchemy.
ORIGINALITY: Really original work that brings a new perspective on the subject.
CLARITY: Incomprehensible (Int check DC=20 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 3d4 months (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: Contains specific alchemical formulas (see special notes).
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Invaluable (over 1000 gold-piece).
NOTES: Contains formulas for several alchemical potions, including a version of alchemists fire that will burn for 1d6 years, an oil that makes objects it touches translucent, and a gooey substance that is as sticky and tough as sovereign glue.
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An Essay on the Use of Monsters in Crafting

AUTHOR: Hamban Sibazar
PUBLISHER: Ostoro (500 copies printed).
TYPE/ASPECT: Luxurious large-sized leather-bound tome with metal fasteners.
CONDITION: Good, although a little worn.
LANGUAGE: Gnomish language (Dwarven runes).
SUBJECT: Arcane Craftmanship
ORIGINALITY: Not much originality, yet brings some new ideas to the subject.
CLARITY: Clear (Int check DC=5 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 1 or 2 week (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: Allows the use of Monster remains (scales, claws, etc.) to be used when creating magic items.
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Normal (from 1 to 10 gold pieces).
NOTES: This book supplies a list of monster remains and their corresponding items as well as information on the general principles behind their use. It allows a character to use a specific component when creating an item (a dragon scale for an amulet of natural armor, etc.) If the character uses this component, the cost to create the item is reduced as appropriate, depending on the component.
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A Compiled Dictionary of Various Monstrous Languages

AUTHOR: Kheyub Tebios, Scholar of Language
PUBLISHER: Ostoro (200 copies printed).
TYPE/ASPECT: Mundane large-sized hardcover book.
CONDITION: Good, although a little worn.
LANGUAGE: Common speech (Common alphabet).
SUBJECT: Dictionary / language method.
ORIGINALITY: Not much originality, yet brings some new ideas to the subject.
CLARITY: Unclear (Int check DC=10 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 1 month (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: Lesser tutorial to get up to 5 ranks in the relevant skill (requires normal expenditure of skill points).
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Expensive (from 10 to 100 gold pieces).
NOTES: The skills that this book allows to be studied are Speak Language: Goblin, Giant, Gnoll, and Orc
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Again, I'm not sure about the Guide to Standard Arms.

 

[Ravellion]

On the Extend spell one: Instead of it's current benefit: any spell cast with the extend spell feat is cast with +1 caster level (making it last just that little bit longer still)?

On the Weapon One: No problem: Simple weapon proficiency can't break the game. Make the time to study a bit longer (fighting stances that need to be practiced etc). If a wizard or Rogue has the time to do this (and hence can use *gasp* a shortspear) let them have it IMHO.

Nice idea anyway.

Rav

 

[Night Watchman]

I'm confused about the feat books. From what I understand, to learn a feat from a book the character must first read the novice level book, then the Intermediate level book and finally the expert level book.

Am I right?

If so, are you going to post the rest of the books for the Simple Weapons Feat so we can see what a complete series of these books would look like?

 

[SamuraiY]

Originally posted by Night Watchman

From what I understand, to learn a feat from a book the character must first read the novice level book, then the Intermediate level book and finally the expert level book.

Thats right, and here's the rest of the simple weapon books.

A Manual of Modern Weaponry

AUTHOR: Mutis Caepio
PUBLISHER: Kerwen Brothers, Inc. (95 copies printed).
TYPE/ASPECT: Mundane medium-sized hardcover book.
CONDITION: Good, although a little worn.
LANGUAGE: Common speech (Common alphabet).
SUBJECT: Professional tutorial
ORIGINALITY: Rather conventional, but offers some occasional fresh point of view.
CLARITY: Unclear (Int check DC=10 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 1 month (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: Tutorial to learn a specific feat (see special notes).
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Expensive (from 10 to 100 gold pieces).
NOTES: Contains intermediate level information used for the feat Simple Weapon Proficiency.
____________________________________

The Definitive Reference for Combat Weaponry

AUTHOR: Nibar Baginâth
PUBLISHER: Ostoro (300 copies printed).
TYPE/ASPECT: Luxurious large-sized leather-bound tome with metal fasteners.
CONDITION: Good, although a little worn.
LANGUAGE: Common speech (Common alphabet).
SUBJECT: Professional tutorial
ORIGINALITY: Not much originality, yet brings some new ideas to the subject.
CLARITY: Clear (Int check DC=5 to benefit from book's contents).
LENGTH OF STUDY: 1 month (provided Intelligence check succeeded - see above).
BENEFIT FROM STUDY: Tutorial to learn a specific feat (see special notes).
BOOK'S MONETARY VALUE: Very expensive (from 100 to 1000 gold pieces).
NOTES: Contains expert level information used for the feat Simple Weapon Proficiency.
____________________________________


If anyone has suggestions they'd be appreciated.

Oh, and thanks Ravellion, I like the idea.

 

[SylverFlame]

This is really cool. Kudos. Also, this is a lot of work to make up each book. From me to you, thanks. I'm definitely gonna use these sometime (if you don't mind) and when I get the chance (after exams) I may make a few of my own and post them!

This is a really cool treasure. Not the ol'+1 sword or piles of gold. Something new that adds flavour to a treasure hoard and a bonus to the characters. That's sooooo cool.

 

[SamuraiY]

Thanks! Go ahead and use them if you want, and if you decide to make some yourself, go to this site. It has the program I use to write all these down. It makes it much less of a chore.

Enjoy

EDITED: fixed link