Library Books

[Clain MacFaileas]

LIBRARY BOOK
Masterfully bound in brightly colored leather, each of these magical tomes has an engraved image on its cover depicting a scene related to one of the ten Knowledge skills. Within the book's covers can be found the pages of literally hundreds of written works on one particular subject. A library book magically aids its reader when searching for particular subject matter, so finding pertinent information takes only a standard action. Readers with access to the appropriate library book gain a +6 circumstance bonus to Knowledge skill checks regarding the book's subject.
All library books appear in their user's native language, and a character must be literate in order to use them.
Faint transmutation; CL 5th; Craft Wondrous Item, comprehend languages, secret page; Price 3,600 gp; Weight 1 lb.

Questions? Comments? Desperate buyers?

[Thanks for the comprehend languages idea, guys.]

 

[Crothian]

What language are they written in? I'd guess one has to be literate to use it. How long does it take to use in game termss: Full round, standard action, etc?

I like the idea.

 

[Ferret]

I'd have the player roll: if it really does have loads of works in it thye are going to be differetn languages, or if you added in Comprehend language to the spell list anyone could read it (could an illiterate person benefit from That spell?)

 

[Arkhandus]

I'd add Comprehend Languages to the spells required to make the item, and say that the text appears to be whatever written language the reader is most familiar with. It likely wouldn't work for illiterate folks.

 

[Altalazar]

Heh - is this the fantasy equivalent of google?

 

[Cheiromancer]

Heh - is this the fantasy equivalent of google?

No. When you use the book, finding pertinent information only takes a standard action.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

LIBRARY BOOK
....
Questions? Comments? Desperate buyers?

Great idea. Seems a little cheap for something that will give you +6 to any Knowledge roll. I'd think it would be better at a +4. Does it add to Bardic Knowledge or not?

Somehow I have visions of one of my powergamer player's PC acquiring this item. His PC would be flipping through it constantly for info on monsters. That wouldn't stop me. The part that I like is the expository nature of it, where it can give lots of hints and details about the world.

 

[CRGreathouse]

No. When you use the book, finding pertinent information only takes a standard action.

Oh, and just a move action for Google?


--Charles, who has Skill Focus (Google-fu)

 

[AeroDm]

Great idea. Seems a little cheap for something that will give you +6 to any Knowledge roll. I'd think it would be better at a +4. Does it add to Bardic Knowledge or not?

The costs are in line with the DMG costs of [bonus]^2 * 100 IIRC

 

[Mista Collins]

<snatches all the books> Thanks.. I'm taking these and using them.

I love the idea. A nice item for anyone interested in Knowledge skills and the such.