ColonelHardisson
What? Me Worry?
In 30+ years it hasn't happened to me, so it's just nothing that's ever really crossed my mind.
Do You Write In Or Modify Your Game Manuals?
- Thread starter Terry DM
- Start date
In 30+ years it hasn't happened to me, so it's just nothing that's ever really crossed my mind.
Cor_Malek
First Post
Well, you can. Rarely do programmers make a system without backdoor, and same is true for pdf's. Can't say if there is software available now that's on par with current versions of file, but last time I used those (some years ago) I had a programme that didn't even have to make brute force attacks, it was all in several clicks: load, open, save; and everything's off Dunno how license looks there, though.
Try google
MadLordOfMilk
First Post
I sometimes write stuff in. My 4e PHB is pretty heavily marked up due to errata, actually
I don't really write too much in game books, though, mostly as I haven't really had much need to. I tend to jot notes into margins in novels and the like, but not so much RPG books.
I don't really write too much in game books, though, mostly as I haven't really had much need to. I tend to jot notes into margins in novels and the like, but not so much RPG books.
Boregar
First Post
Hell no - I'm another one of these types that need to keep my books in as good condition as possible, and I'm never in a position with them where I would need to worry about them being taken. When I buy books (of ny kind) I hunt through the piles to find the one with the least marks or bumps, so the very thought of writing in them is something that makes me shiver.
I guess its some kind of minor disorder to place this much importance on the condition of objects, but hey, I made my peace with it years ago.
I guess its some kind of minor disorder to place this much importance on the condition of objects, but hey, I made my peace with it years ago.
angelababy
First Post
I never marked anything in a book. Then I started writing my name inside the covers after a player at a table claimed my book and denied it was mine.
My AD&D DMG & PHB are highlighted, and some of my modules have pencilled-in notes.
A couple of my 2Ed PHBs have penciled-in notes where things got changed between printings (like what multiclass options were available), and some of my splatbooks also have annotations.
After that, no, no alterations.
A couple of my 2Ed PHBs have penciled-in notes where things got changed between printings (like what multiclass options were available), and some of my splatbooks also have annotations.
After that, no, no alterations.
Olaf the Stout
Legend
Nope, I don't write in any of my books. Even when I was at university I never made notes in any of my textbooks. I don't even think I put my name on any of them. Something in me just doesn't want to write on that nice paper.
I have put post-it notes and coloured sticky tabs in my D&D books before for quick game reference. A few of them got left on a little too long though and made a bit of a sticky mark so I tend not to do that much any more.
Olaf the Stout
I have put post-it notes and coloured sticky tabs in my D&D books before for quick game reference. A few of them got left on a little too long though and made a bit of a sticky mark so I tend not to do that much any more.
Olaf the Stout
Let's see. Small light notes in pencil in the margins of modules. Things such as keeping track of monster hp, spells cast, etc. One module that I can personally recall (The Lost City of Barakus by Necromancer Games) required some adjustments to the map to bring it in line with the adventure text, so I did that, just to expediate the gameplay.
Things like my numbered boxed set of Rappan Athuk Reloaded or the Wilderlands of High Fantasy, I just knew they were going to be rare, so I didn't mark up those. (Though I now understand Barakus is considered a little rare. Oh well, we got a lot of fun out of it.)
When I began DMing outside of my home group and running for strangers at FLGS and conventions, I began putting my name in the books.
I began writing errata in the 4E core books in ink - which was a big deal for me. I considered that 1) these books will not be so rare as to be extraordinarly valuable to a collector in mint condition years down the road; 2) they are going to receive enough use and abuse at the game table anyway (I was wrong about #2).
Retreater
Things like my numbered boxed set of Rappan Athuk Reloaded or the Wilderlands of High Fantasy, I just knew they were going to be rare, so I didn't mark up those. (Though I now understand Barakus is considered a little rare. Oh well, we got a lot of fun out of it.)
When I began DMing outside of my home group and running for strangers at FLGS and conventions, I began putting my name in the books.
I began writing errata in the 4E core books in ink - which was a big deal for me. I considered that 1) these books will not be so rare as to be extraordinarly valuable to a collector in mint condition years down the road; 2) they are going to receive enough use and abuse at the game table anyway (I was wrong about #2).
Retreater
Noumenon
First Post
I stole all my D&D books, but I'm not evil. When I started playing I didn't buy the books. Then I decided to GM and I just borrowed a DMG and an MM from the old GM. Then I forgot who I borrowed the books from because they didn't write their name in, and they didn't ask for them back. Then I started writing in them, so when they do ask for them back I'm gonna have to buy a new copy.
I write in my books heavily. Whenever I look something up for the second time I recognize I'm going to need it again and enter its page number in the front of the book (eg, wealth by level, point buy character creation, wondrous items). Makes for much faster lookup.
I make notes in magic item tables about what the items do. Otherwise every single character you make, you have to look "What does boots of whatever do, what does orb of thunder do" while you're picking your items. You end up reading the whole magic item section every time. Better to note "stand from prone, daily" and be able to skim down the table looking for what you need.
I write in my books heavily. Whenever I look something up for the second time I recognize I'm going to need it again and enter its page number in the front of the book (eg, wealth by level, point buy character creation, wondrous items). Makes for much faster lookup.
I make notes in magic item tables about what the items do. Otherwise every single character you make, you have to look "What does boots of whatever do, what does orb of thunder do" while you're picking your items. You end up reading the whole magic item section every time. Better to note "stand from prone, daily" and be able to skim down the table looking for what you need.
Oryan77
Adventurer
I don't write in any of my books, not even my name. I wouldn't even dare put a pencil mark in it. I don't know why, I just treat all of my belongings like this. I take very good care of everything I own. Maybe it has to due with wondering if I'd ever sell something, I would like it to look nice for the new owner. But I can't imagine I'd ever sell my D&D books.
I even go as far as printing out pdf pages of the adventures I own. I use 3 different colored markers to prepare my published adventures, but I won't mark in the actual book, so I mark up printouts instead. I use the maps and pictures from the physical book to show to players or refer to when needed because they still look better than my printouts.
I even go as far as printing out pdf pages of the adventures I own. I use 3 different colored markers to prepare my published adventures, but I won't mark in the actual book, so I mark up printouts instead. I use the maps and pictures from the physical book to show to players or refer to when needed because they still look better than my printouts.
