Library Research

[bento]

HOWEVER, BTT: I'd say to meaningfully dig through a large, Library that is without a systematic organization (For example, the one at the university where I waste my days ) you'd need at the size we're talking about at least a week, probably more.

Take it from a librarian, there is ALWAYS a system in place. Just because you can't understand how it's organized doesn't mean it isn't. Which is why a library isn't a library without a librarian. You can't have laws without lawyers, you can't practice medicine without a doctor, and you can't run a library without a librarian.

 

[Infernal Teddy]

Take it from a librarian, there is ALWAYS a system in place. Just because you can't understand how it's organized doesn't mean it isn't. Which is why a library isn't a library without a librarian. You can't have laws without lawyers, you can't practice medicine without a doctor, and you can't run a library without a librarian.

I know But on the other hand, a system I don't understand might even make the task even more difficult, wouldn't you agree?

 

[awayfarer]

I'd just throw in an orangutan that knows where everything is.

 

[Infernal Teddy]

I'd just throw in an orangutan that knows where everything is.

*Insane giggle*

 

[billd91]

Really? That short of time? I was thinking that a specific question might take months to find because of the lack of (as Lemur pointed out) any kind of organization that may or may not be knownst to the PCs.

I was thinking along the lines of asking a fairly short single question - rather like consulting a reference library. Far more involved research should be far longer.
Just remember that if you allow them to take 20 you need to multiply the base time taken by 20.

 

[Thunderfoot]

A library with 100,000 Items? Wow. Actually, this would be too big for anything that would have been middle ages or ancient times... Tell me more

Oddly enough, everything I've ever read says that the number of scholars 'employed' by the library and based on its believed foundation cuttings would put a storage and copying facility that may rival the Library of Congress. And since the law stated that ALL documents must be turned over to the library as they entered Alexandria, and the amount of traffic that traveled to a city that rivaled Rome during its heyday, I would say more than 100,000 would be easy to accomplish, even when using handwritten scribing techniques.

 

[Slife]

There's a first level spell called Scholar's Touch.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20041210b&page=2

You can read a book in 1 round, the spell lasts 1 round/level.

 

[diaglo]

well their was one, but it was burned to the ground. The library of Alexandria. Makes me cry thinking about it.

qfmft

 

[bento]

I know But on the other hand, a system I don't understand might even make the task even more difficult, wouldn't you agree?

Exactly. That's why its important for the players to find some kind of key. If you look in most libraries there are card catalog / computer, shelf labels, signs and other sorts of indicators to direct patrons.

Now this might be the case where the only key to the library is in the minds of those that ran the library. Apprentices trained for years to learn the intricacies of the collection and ultimately rose to become a section librarian. Governing the entire collection might be one master librarian, who is responsible for making sure every section is staffed with enough people to be able to effectively "mine" the data.

The fantasy novel, The Rover, does a pretty good job of describing something like this.

Maybe your players could find the last remaining librarian. Or use a spell that allows them to speak with the dead. THis could be the "key" to the collection.

 

[Infernal Teddy]

Oddly enough, everything I've ever read says that the number of scholars 'employed' by the library and based on its believed foundation cuttings would put a storage and copying facility that may rival the Library of Congress. And since the law stated that ALL documents must be turned over to the library as they entered Alexandria, and the amount of traffic that traveled to a city that rivaled Rome during its heyday, I would say more than 100,000 would be easy to accomplish, even when using handwritten scribing techniques.

Well, I've seen claims (And backing prove for each) going from 5000 to 1 million items. At the moment theory says 8000, but until we have that damn time machine working, we'll never know...