EN World City Project: Guilds and Organizations

[Tonguez]

Re: Re: libraries

(except as Connail noted the city annals... which I don't consider a library... just a repository of facts and figures).

I must object
Have you ever sat down and read some city/court records? The stuff you find there is amazing - entire histories, descriptions of people and places and obscure factoids about just about every aspect of the city and surrounding district that puts a whole new spin on what we take for granted. In Mors End there would be records recording land/lake claims by the Silk Fishers and the Argali Herdsmen - including recitations of geneology and history, claims lodge re Saphire and Clay stakes, charters for establishment of guilds, incorporation of noble houses, treaties with the Dwarfs, Acts offering citizenship to all goblins who surrender to the city etc etc etc.

(okay Rant over - and of course reading official documents is part of what I do irl)

 

[Lalato]

OK... Tonguez... you got me there (although, I didn't spell it out... that's what I meant by facts and figures).

Still... that doesn't disprove my argument. The city annals can have 100s of books... but most, if not all, will be related to the city. I wouldn't go to the city annals to look up the anatomy of a goblin... and I wouldn't go to an arcane library to look up the treaty with the dwarves.

--sam

 

[Tonguez]

OK... Tonguez... you got me there (although, I didn't spell it out... that's what I meant by facts and figures). --sam

Your forgiven

BTW there is currently no writeup or description on Silas Pimm - so far he is a name on the first page of the Government thread associated with the fences, smuggling and a pawn shop. So present him how you will and I'll do a writeup based on that...

 

[GladiusNP]

Just taking a quick break from study. What if Silas Pimm is a woman, posing as a man? I've suggested this due to the fact we have almost all men in the current 'triad'. Why would she bother? Knowing she will hold considerably less respect from the others as a woman, she uses her considerable skills in disguise (former actress?) to maintain the illusion she is a man.

Only a suggestion, Tonguez, so let me know what you think. The actress background also makes her be a bard - since I think we are nearly out of rogues!

 

[Conaill]

Re: libraries

Tome and Blood, p. 71-2, lists an arcane library of 200 volumes at 10,000 gp. [By the way, just what are the benefits of that?]

Stronghold Builders Guidebook, p. 25-6 offers libraries costing 500, 3000, and 15,000, holding 2, 3, & 6 book lots [which cost 1000 gp to give a +2 circumstance bonus on a specific knowledge, or 3000 for a +1 on any knowledge question, or 5000 for a set of 3 lots that give +4 on a particular knowledge or 20,000 for 6 lots that give +6 to a particular knowledge. I thought I found the # of books in a lot, but lost it. It would fill a 5x10'x5? bookcase.

I believe the 200 volume arcane library from T&B is what's required to do *any* research into new spells etc.

David, I didin't quite get what benefits the three library sizes from SBG give. What is up with the two different sets of prices (500/3000/15,000 and 1000/3000/5000/20,000)? Could you elaborate a little more on that?

 

[Lalato]

I believe the 200 volume arcane library from T&B is what's required to do *any* research into new spells etc.

I'm not disagreeing with that... just the idea that all of the books must be under one roof.

The city might have the equivalent of an arcane library... but in order to complete your research you'll have to knock on a couple of doors. This could actually be a plot hook for some DMs.

Some DMs, on the other hand, may choose to ignore it and say that the various private libraries offer easy access... and therefore there is no hindrance to arcane research.

--sam

 

[Conaill]

AHA! Mongoose's "Quintessential Wizard" is supposed to have a whole chapter on "Libraries and Spellbooks".

Anyone have this book ?

 

[David Argall]

Stronghold libraries

"I didin't quite get what benefits the three library sizes from SBG give. What is up with the two different sets of prices (500/3000/15,000 and 1000/3000/5000/20,000)? Could you elaborate a little more on that?"

Stronghold Builder's Guidebook, p. 25-6
There are 3 basic types of libraries.
The basic costs about 500 gp and is about 20x20 and can hold 2 lots of books [cost not included here].
The fancy costs 3000 gp and holds 3 lots of books. Most of the additional costs is in the frills.
The luxury costs 15,000 and holds holds 6 lots of books. It also requires a professional librarian to run. He & other frills cut research time in half.

The lots of books come in 2 basic types.
A general lot of books will cover all subjects and give a +1 bonus to your attempt to find any answer. Cost 3000 gp
A specific lot is worth +2 on a specific subject, and of course pretty much worthless on other subject. Cost 1000 gp
A comprehensive lot is 3 specific lots on the same subject, but gives a +4 bonus on that subject and costs 5000.
A master lot is is 6 lots on the same subject for a +6 bonus, and a cost of 20,000 gold. [possibly you have to throw away a lot of duplicates.]

So our basic library could contain a lot on religion and a lot on everything for a total cost of 500 +1000+3000 =4500 gp.
Our fancy might add a lot on arcana for 3000+1000+1000+3000 = 8000 gp
And maybe our luxury library decides to throw out all this and specialize in the planes with a master lot, for 15,000+20,000 = 35,000 gp.

 

[Conaill]

Were you able to track down the number of books per lot?

By comparing with the T&B arcane library (10,000 gp for 200 books), I figure a lot has to be somewhere between 20 and 67 books.

Anyone with "Quintessential Wizard"?

 

[Conaill]

Re: The Wizards Cabal (long)

I would like to revisit the makeup of the Mage's Guild from the top of the last page. To recap, here are the NPCs GladiusNP suggested:

Organisation/Positions –
Guild-Master/Mistress – Alestra Silvyn. A regal, imposing sorceress, Alestra has deep black hair, with a brilliant silver streak running back from one temple. She usually dresses in deep blue robes (though the traditional guild-master colours are crimson and gold), and has her raven familiar, Hericles, with her at all times. She is adept at enchantment magic, and is a subtle opponent politically and magically. She has a strong influence on the Council of Houses, as indeed the guild usually has, but exercises it with restraint. (Sor 8, LN, Cha 19, Feats include Craft Wondrous Item.)

Keeper of the Scrolls – The librarian. This position ensures the safety of the spell-books, arcane texts, magical codexes, and wizard-manuals found in the library. Currently held by Reginald Oakheart, a very large, burly, blond-haired man. Very athletic and fit, he is the strongest wizard by far, physically if not magically. He keeps himself in very good shape, through a disciplined regime he learned from his father, and dresses in the robes of his office (purple and black with silver trim) most of the time. He is also very intelligent, though rather thoughtful and reserved. He keeps order in the library, enforcing the rule of silence rather stringently.
(Wiz 5, CG, Str 17, Int 17, Con 14, possible levels of monk)

Keeper of the Gates – Jointly held by Lady Alibeth and Palorn Leviticus. See Guildhouse for more details. The office colours are dark green and golden.
Alibeth – (Sor 4, N, Cha 18) Palorn (Wiz 2, NG, Cha 14, Int 16)

Justicar – Responsible for the use of magic and the punishment of mis-use, this office is held by Simon Arentinos, an old, pleasant man, with iron-gray hair, a slight stoop, and a grandfatherly disposition. The most powerful wizard in Mor’s End, Simon enforces the use of magic. Violation of guild laws (see below) allows him to use lethal force to bring criminals down. He often works closely with Sebastian Palmora, especially in the recent murders in the Beggar’s Market.
Simon Arentinos (Wiz 9, LG, Int 19, wand of hold person, other magical gear.)
[/B]

I had already suggested prior to that that we should have a reclusive elven mage living on the smaller island downstream for the Citadel, because this allow an easy tool to scale the amount of magic present in the city. With that in mind, here's my overview of the mages hierarchy in Mor's End, including some of the other NPCs already suggested:

Cor Mahael reclusive elven wizard, Wiz 9-17: This would make a great topic for an NPC contest: create a Wiz9, Wiz13 and Wiz17 version that can be plugged in as desired.

Alestra Silvyn Guild Mistress, Sor8

Simon Arentinos Justicar, Sor6/Ftr3: biggest change - I figured a Sor/Ftr would be much more formidable as a "peacekeeper" role

??????? Lore Master, Wiz7/Lor1: Just because we need at least *one* NPC with the only Wiz PrC in the SRD . Elderly absent-minded mage with no interest in politics. May have a line of communication with Cor Mahael (but would keep this very quiet).

Thora unaffiliated Witch outside the wall, Witch7 (Sor7): reluctantly tolerated by the Guild, so long as she doesn't cause too much trouble.

??????? political upstart, Wiz5: Conniving, heavily political, looks down upon Sorcerors because of their lack of learning. Secretly lobbies to have the Lore Master appointed head of the guild. Even more secretly, aims to be head of the guild himself.

Feshel Creek Gnome Toymaker, Wiz5 (illusionist): Guild member, although the Guild doesn't know about his true purpose.

Reginald Oakheart Keeper of the Scrolls, Wiz4/Mnk1 or Wiz3/Mnk2: I like the burly monk-wizard idea, but we need someone to make an effective build for him...

Obviously, I can use some suggestions for good names for these guys. We also have room for another Sor5 or so.

Comments? All these still need fleshing out...