library of non-magical books (frpg supplement)

8/7/2019 Library of Non-Magical Books (FRPG supplement)

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The Library of Nonmagical Books

by Algathar Grimm

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How many times has your character gone into a library to research a spell, magic item, or adventure lead? OK,now what were the names of the books in which s/he found the answer? Don't know? Read on...______________________________________________________________________________

Introduction

Though plenty of attention has been given to magical books and scrolls, very little has been done to describethe myriad of nonmagical writings that have been written through the ages. Nearly every large city has at least

one small library -- not to mention the private libraries of scholars, temples, and wizards -- but what books arethere?

This article will attempt to answer that question.

It should go without saying that the writings detailed here are by far not the only written works that exist. Mostwritten records are unique -- journals, diaries, notebooks, etc. -- and this particular article will detail only themost common (or interesting) writings.

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New Rules Regarding Books

Several new optional rules are provided, regarding the learning or raising of NWPs from studying books, andthe time needed to read one.

Learning Nonweapon Proficiencies:

As previously stated, many of the books described in this article will grant certain NWPs to the person readingit, as long as that person has an NWP slot available. This is not granted by merely reading the book once, butrather by studyingthe book over the course of several months. Having a tutor is not necessary, though it willreduce the time needed to gain the proficiency by 50%.

The number of months of study time needed to gain an NWP is equal to 20 months minus one month per point

of the reader's Intelligence (INT) score. At the end of that time, the reader makes an INT check. If the check issuccessful, the NWP is learned. If unsuccessful, the NWP is not learned and the reader must study the bookagain for the NWP to be granted. S/he will, however, be granted a +4 bonus to any subsequent checks due tohis/her greater understanding of the subject.

Improving Nonweapon Proficiencies:

If the reader already possesses the NWP taught by the book, the score may be improved by one point bystudying the book one time. After studying the book, the reader makes an INT check. If the check is successful,


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the reader's NWP score is improved. If not, the book must be studied again. Optionally, if the INT check rolledwas 19 or 20, the book has no new information to offer the reader, and no improvements may be gained bystudying it.

Only one point per book may be gained in this manner, though if the reader finds a different text covering thesame NWP s/he may attempt to raise his/her score by studying that text.

Reading and Studying Times:

In this article, readingand studyingare treated as two different things. Readingis considered just that --reading through the text. Studyingis more in-depth -- the text being read, reread, analyzed, practiced, andmeditated upon.

Assuming s/he does nothing else during the day (other than normal, everyday activity), a character can read anumber of pages equal to their INTx10. Studying is done at a much slower rate, equal to INTx2.

Copying Times:

Text can be copied at a rate of one page per a character's INT score x5 per day, assuming that the characterdoes nothing else that day. Illustrations take longer (and requires Artistic Ability: Drawing NWP), the time ofwhich is subject to the DM's decision.

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Welcome to the Library

Each book is given in the following format:

Name of the book

Freq.: The frequency of the book: Common, Uncommon, Rare, or Very Rare. All books in general areconsidered to be fairly rare, due to the lack of printing presses and the general illiteracy of the population.Pages: The approximate number of pages in the book. This will vary according to the handwriting style of theperson who copied the text. Variations would be within 15%, more or less.Size: The dimensions of the book: height x width x thickness.Weight: The approximate weight of the book. This will vary by the same percentage as the number ofpages.Value: The average value of the book, given in gold pieces.

A short description of the book, with a description of any benefits that might come from reading and/or studyingit. Many books will teach specific nonweapon proficiencies (NWPs) through study, though it should be noted thatthey will only do so if the reader has an NWP slot available.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ages Past

Freq.: CommonPages: 1,300Size: 1' x 9" x 6"Weight: 10 lbsValue: 5,000 gp


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A dry history textbook whose subject ranges from the beginning of recorded history to the present (or the timeat which a particular copy was written). A particular copy found will be 1-100 years old.

Reading the book grants a working familiarity with world history, and the local history of the area in which thatcopy was written (determined by the DM as s/he sees fit). Studying the book grants/improves the AncientHistory and Local History NWPs.

The Alchemist's Cookbook

Freq.: RarePages: 250Size: 10" x 8" x 2.5"Weight: 3 lbsValue: 1,000 gp

A "how-to" book on alchemy which contains a listing of all materials needed for a complete laboratory, as wellas instructions on how to use it. The book details the basics of alchemy -- chemical reactions and counter-reactions, a listing of all known elements, the properties of the four humors of the human body, etc. -- enablingthose engaged in the creation of magical potions to cut their research time by 25%, and also add 10% to theirsuccess rate.

In addition, each copy contains 20 blank pages at the end, 1d20 of which have recipes for potions (determinedrandomly or by the DM) written on them. Each recipe adds 500 gp to the books value.

Allazir's Guide to Discreet Wizardry

Freq.: RarePages: 50Size: 8" x 6" x .25"Weight: .3 lbValue: 500 gp

This slim book is more like a hardbound pamphlet, and deals with the Somatic Concealment NWP (detailed inthe Dark Sun rules -- basically, the ability to disguise somatic components as meaningless gestures.

This book originally comes from arabian-style lands, and if found in a different setting it will probably be atranslation. Since its original language does not translate well, all attempts to learn or improve SomaticConceament from the text will receive a -2 penalty.

Artifice and The Art

Freq.: Very RarePages: 550Size: 10" x 8" x 3.5"Weight: 5 lbs

Value: 20,000 gp

An extremely technical textbook -- incomprehensible to non-wizards, and only slightly less so to wizards below9th level -- this tome details the inner workings of magic items. As such, this work is fantastically rare -- hiddenaway by those who own it, and coveted by those who do not.A minimum of one full year of careful study is required to use this book, plus one month for each level of thewizard below 10th. Study time may be broken up into one-week periods, during which the wizard may take noother actions. Thus, it may actually take several years for the book to be studied.

After the book is studied, the wizard will have a working familiarity with the ways in which magic items arecreated, the materials which may be needed, and the types of spells needed to enchant them (though s/he willnot know how to create specific items). Using the book as a reference during the creation process (assuming


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that the wizard has completed studying it) reduces the creation time of the item by 20% and adds 10% to thesuccess rate.The book does not say how to create potions and scrolls, nor does it cover spell research.

Banners and Standards of the World as We Know It

Freq.: CommonPages: 300Size: 15" x 10" x 3"Weight: 8 lbsValue: 2,000 gp

This large, lavishly-illustrated book is found in nearly every royal, noble, and public library. Careful study grantsthe Heraldry NWP.

All known banners, standards, and family crests -- past and present -- are included, though many entriesconsist simply of an illustration of the standard, captioned with the name of the group to which it is associated.However, well-known groups are detailed with text ranging from short articles, to full-blown family histories.

Note that any particular copy found will be from 1-100 years old, and may not have entries for newer heraldricstandards.

The Binding of the Soul

Freq.: Very RarePages: 450Size: 10" x 8" x 3"Weight: 5 lbsValue: 25,000 gp

This dark tome is always bound with black-dyed human skin, with human blood used for ink. It is a profoundlyevil work which details the steps taken to produce Skeletal Warriors. The book is extremely rare, as good-aligned characters will be compelled to destroy any copy they find -- as will all warriors, regardless of alignment.

Details of the materials, spells, and rituals needed to create Skeletal warriors are left up to the DM, though itshould be difficult, dangerous, and exact a heavy toll upon the wizard (a permanent disfigurement, etc.).

The Black Book

Freq.: RarePages: 1,200Size: 10" x 8" x 7"Weight: 10 lbsValue: 8,000 gp

Despite it's fell name, this book is not considered particularly evil (at least not by wizards). Alternately known asthe "Mage's Guide to Revenge", this book details the creation of five magical nasties designed to eliminate -- orsimply annoy -- a wizard's rivals.

The DM must determine specfically which creatures may be created (in my old Forgotten Realms campaignthe creatures were Crawling Claws, Dopplegangers, Palimpsests, Peltast, and Ringworms), as well as the cost,time, and method of creation.

The Book of Secrets


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Freq.: UncommonPages: 1,100Size: 12" x 9" x 6.5"Weight: 10 lbsValue: 2,000 gp

Quite possibly the most boring textbook in existence, this tome is required reading for most apprentice magi,for it describes the inner workings of magic in torturous, painstaking detail. Nearly all wizards will be intimately

familiar with this book, and most will groan when they see it (in fact, a few have seen it and run awayscreaming).

Note that the book itself cannot teach non-wizards to cast spells. Optionally, studying the book will teach theSpellcraft NWP.

Crafting Thine Own Works of The Art

Freq.: RarePages: 1,000Size: 10" x 8" x 6"Weight: 9 lbs

Value: 5,000 gp

This tome is a long essay on the methods of spell research. The text is long-winded and seems to wander attimes, and upon casual reading appears to contradict itself in many ways. Careful study, however, shows thatthere is a sort of logic to the madness.

If a wizard studies this book, and later uses it as a reference during spell research, the research time will bereduced by 20%.

The EncyclopaediaNOTE: The following statistics are for each volume.

Freq.: CommonPages: 500 (average)Size: 10" x 8" x 4"Weight: 5 lbsValue: volume: 600 gp; complete set: 20,000 gp

Not a single book, but rather a set of thirty, this work is a collection of general knowledge -- science, art, magic,people, places, etc. -- but does not go into enough detail on any subject to teach nonweapon proficiencies. Still,it is an invaluable fount of information, and no self-respecting scholar will be without access to a set.

Any set found will be from 1-100 years old, with the number of years of age also being the percentage chancethat the set will be missing 1d6 volumes (or that those volumes will be unreadable due to wear, damage, etc.).The Encyclopaedia's accuracy is up to the DM, who must keep in mind that the information therein wascompiled by scribes, rather than by sages with specialized knowledge.

Fauna Morphica

Freq.: RarePages: 950Size: 10" x 8" x 6"Weight: 8 lbsValue: 10,000 gp

This manual is an in-depth study on the transmutation of animals. To gain full use of this tome, a wizard must


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study it three times: the first time grants the reader a basic understanding of the processes involved, andenables him/her to create giant animals (and insects, etc.) and Minimals. A second study allows the wizard tocreate combination animals (such as Owlbears); and the third study allows the wizard to create animals withspecial abilities, such as Blink Dogs.

From Psyche to Parchment

Freq.: RarePages: ScrollSize: 12" wide x 6' longWeight: **Value: 500 gp

This scroll is an essay on spell scroll creation. It provides guidelines for ink ingredients, and describes themethod by which the ink and parchment are prepared to receive spells.

The Gold-Cave Scroll

Freq.: CommonPages: ScrollSize: 12" wide x 3' longWeight: **Value: 50 gp

Originally written in a book, this work is now written in scroll form due to it's brevity. The scroll takes he form ofseveral entries from a journal written by an adventuring company calling itself the Whispering Wanderers.According to the entries, the Whispering Wanderers were returning from an expedition when they stumbledacross a cave whose walls were made of pure gold. Unfortunately, the Wanderers had to make haste back tocivilization, being weakened by wounds from monster attacks.

According to the entries on the scroll, the Whispering Wanderers suffered repeated attacks on the way to thenearest town, until only one survivor remained -- his final entry written as he lay dying in the wilderness,lamenting that he will not live to claim the greatest treasure ever found.

The accuracy and integrity of the scroll is entirely up to the DM. (AUTHOR'S NOTE: In my own campaign, theGold-Cave Scroll is a hoax. It was written over a century ago by an adventuring company who wanted to get ridof a rival band. They wrote the journal, then arranged for it to be found by their rivals. The plan worked all toowell.)

Grimwald's Guide to Herbal Lore

Freq.: CommonPages: 550Size: 10" x 8" x 4"

Weight: 5 lbsValue: 700 gp

A lavishly-illustrated manuscript detailing nearly every beneficial herb known. Each entry shows a color drawingof the herb, a written description, and instructions for use. Studying the book grants the Herbalism NWP.

Grimwald's Guide to Natural Recovery

Freq.: Common


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Mandrake's Guide to the Creation of Artificial Servants

Freq.: RarePages: 1,500Size: 10" x 8" x 7"Weight: 10 lbsValue: 12,000

This dry, boring textbook deals with the magical creation of life. Included are instructions for creating severalmagical constructs. (AUTHOR'S NOTE: In my campaign, the creatures detailed are Gargoyles, Helmed Horrors,Homonculi, Lock Lurkers, and Mimics.)

Each creature is detailed in it's own chapter, and each chapter must be studied seperately. Materials,enchantments, cost, and creation times are up to the DM to decide.

Metamagic: Spells Affecting Spells

Freq.: UncommonPages: ScrollSize: 10" wide x 3' long

Weight: **Value: 300 gp

This work is an essay on metamagical spells (as per the Tome of Magic) -- that is, spells which affect therange, duration, etc. of other spells. The work includes a short description of all known metamagical spells,though the spells themselves are not provided.

The Natural Arts: An Alternative View of Spellcraft

Freq.: RarePages: 150

Size: 10" x 8" x .75"Weight: 1 lbValue: 500 gp

This short book deals with the concept and history of elemental wizardry. Anyone reading this book for the firsttime will be surprised at just how ancient the art really is (AUTHOR'S NOTE: In my campaign, all wizard magicevolved from elemental wizardry).

After studying this book, any wizard can then elect to become an elemental mage by sacrificing half theircharacter levels (to a minimum of 1st), rather than starting over again at 1st level.

The Notebooks of Symm the Demented

Freq.: Very Rare to UniquePages: 500 (average)Size: 10" x 8" x 4"Weight: 5 lbsValue: 10,000 gp to priceless

Symm the Demented lived over a thousand years ago, and created many of the monsters which plague theworld today. His sanity lessened as his power grew, until -- according to legend -- he was destroyed by a bandof heroes. Other legends differ, saying that he achieved lichdom, in which case he would probably be a demilichby now if he still exists.

What is known, is that many of his notebooks were recovered. Most were destroyed on the spot, but many


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were spirited away by rivals. Each notebook details how to create one certain type of creature, but unlike otherbooks, these must be studied for a certain number of years in order to be used.

A few examples known to exist are: Gigantic Monstrosities (Gargantua. Must be studied for 20 years);Guardians of Bone (Bone Golems); Guardians of Dead Flesh (Flesh Golems); Skeletal Serpents (Bone Naga.Must be studied for two years); Undying Interrogators (Inquisitors. Must be studied for ten years); VampiricMists (Vampiric Mists. Must be studied for ten years); and Walls of Flesh and Bone (Living Walls. Must bestudied for two years).

In order to work, the manuscript must be copied in exacting detail from the original. As such, the work contains

cryptic margin notes, nonsense words, and psychotic ravings which seem to have no bearing on the subject.The text is so dark, so evil, and so insane that the reader must save vs. INT once per month of study or besubjected to the effects of a Feeblemind spell.25% of all manuscripts found will not work, as they are not perfect copies of the original.

Powers of the Psyche

Freq.: RarePages: 50Size: 8" x 6" x .25Weight: .5 lb

Value: 75 gp

A thin volume which attempts to describe psionics and all known psionic powers. It is accurate, more-or-less, ina lot of ways, but any psionicist who reads it will be helpless to avoid being sent into fits of hysterical laughterupon reading many of the passages.

It is, in fact, considered humor among psionic circles.

The Runescroll

Freq.: CommonPages: ScrollSize: 10" x 3'Weight: **Value: 5 gp

By far the most common (and least expensive) written work, the Runescroll has its origins in days of old, whenscholars around the known world sought to create both a common trade language and a system of universalsymbols (runes).

The runescroll contains an illustration and definition of every known rune used by humans, including many nolonger in use.

Secrets of the Heavens

Freq.: RarePages: 500Size: 10" x 8" x 4"Weight: 5 lbsValue: 750 gp

A large, technical manual dealing with the movements of all known heavenly bodies, along with the formulaeneeded to divine the future based on their relative positions.

Studying the book grants the Astrology NWP.


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The Silent Death

Freq.: Very RarePages: 1,100Size: 10" x 8" x 7"Weight: 11 lbsValue: 4,000 gp

Banned in every Good nation, this book is a textbook on assassination by poison. Within its pages are recipesfor literally hundreds of poisonous substances, their properties, their effects and side effects, and instructions onhow best to administer them.

Understanding Animal Behavior

Freq.: UncommonPages: 750Size: 10" x 8" x 5.5"Weight: 6 lbs

Value: 1,000 gp

This book attempts to explain the behavior of various animals. It deals with those animals normally found inEuropean-type climates, and is of little use to those living in other climes.

Studying the book grants the Animal Lore NWP, though in many ways the information therein is inaccurate.

Vitalis Infiniti

Freq.: Very RarePages: 800Size: 10" x 8" x 6"

Weight: 6 lbsValue: 45,000 gp

Known in wizardly circles as a manual for achieving lichdom, this book is, in fact, a sick joke written by theancient lich Therra-Sith. Aside from describing a long, expensive process (during which no less than fifteenpermanent magic items must be destroyed) that -- it is claimed -- turns the wizard into a lich ("being as sound ofmind, and the body as vital and healthy as in life...."),it also describes the creation of a magical salve whichkeeps the skin from deteriorating.

In truth, the process causes the wizard's body to begin decomposition while s/he is still alive. In order tosurvive, the wizard must constantly apply the salve (which takes one week to create, at a cost of no less than500 gp). While so afflicted, the body will not heal damage, but all other bodily functions remain intact (ie. thewizard must still eat, breathe, sleep, etc.)

The cure for this, if any, is entirely up to the DM -- but it will not be easy....or inexpensive....

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FINAL NOTES

This version probably has quite a few errors it it, and I'm sure that the stats for the different books areinconsistant with each other (I made those up on the fly...), but I wanted to hurry up and get it done so that mysite would have more than just one tiny little thing on it.

Later on, I'll go through it again and change things around, but for now -- here it is.

Until then, if you have questions, comments, suggestions -- whatever -- send me an email (I like email...email is


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good...)

[email protected]

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This file and others like it can be found at "Grimm's Sack o' Spoils" -- Claim Your Share !!

www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/3957/______________________________________________________________________________

Copyright Stuff: Forgotten Realms and Dark Sun are trademarks of TSR, Inc. Tome of Magicis copyrighted byTSR, Inc.

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