Books of Nature [Archive] - Wizards Community

Books of Nature [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BelRex
05-24-05, 02:34 PM Ok, I've noticed that druids really aren't known for their powers of item creation..or minor or major artifacts. Probably because they would rather be wandering through some aspect of nature..etc. I am also considering making these exalted tombs, meaning the books are crafted using the Words of Creation(for those of you that believe that nature should be TN, you can exclude this). So here is an attempt, to show that druids can create wonderful items..just like wizards or clerics.

All these books are written in Ogham(aka..Druidic). I thought it would be nice to include entries similiar to normal scientific journals(see thread, Scientific Names of Monster Manual Monsters (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=379119&page=1&pp=50) ) I also have not chosen names like Libris this..or anything -nomican, so suggestions are welcome. All books are intelligent with the following powers: Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 19 Ego 24 NG, Speech, Telepathy, 120ft darkvision, hearing and blindsense. They have 10 Ranks in Knowledge (Nature) and Sense motive. They also activate hold person 3/day and major image 1/day. They are constantly surrounded by magic circle against evil, and can create a wall of fire 1/day to protect themselves. All books have a special purpose to protect the information with from evil hands..or anyone that would use the information within to harm the subject they are about. They can teleport themselves to a known safe location when they feel they are in danger. All books can rearrange their inner pages to help users find information quickly or use it as a deterant if they are captured.

Book of Animals:
Covered in the hide/skin/fur..etc of some animal. It contains information on all types of animals, fish, birds, dinosaurs..etc. Information including habitat, known variants, diagrams of the anatomy, different stages of life, behavior, etc. It takes the reader a month of solid reading to gain any benefits from the book.
Benefits: Lore* (Animal) +2, +2 on Handle Animal and Wild Empathy checks, +2 to Knowlege(nature), the knowledge contained also allows you to wildshape into any known animal(if you have the ability to wildshape), and Animal friend (BoED). You can now also cast any spells with animal in the name or has an animal target 1/day as a spell like ability. You have detect animals usable at will.

Book of Fey
The cover seems to be made of a pair of beautiful butterfly wings. The inner pages are conposed of some unknown material that sparkles in the light and gives off a faint glow of it's own. This book covers the nature of fey, the relationship between the fey and nature, the types of known fey, powers, location of the plane of the Faerie, means to travel there, dangers, the two courts, etc.
Benefits: Lore*(fey) +2, Nymph's Kiss(BoED), Perform** +2. You can also uses the following spells 1/day as a spell like ability: wood wose,invisibility, glitterdust. From reading you also gain the knowledge of how to construct your own fey instrument: satyr pipes or grig fiddle. You may use them as if you are a fey. ** Bonus applies to the instrument you chose to construct.

Lore[Type]
Benefits: The reader gains a +2 bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against creatures of this type. Likewise, he gets a +2 bonus on weapon damage rolls against such creatures.
tarkin
05-24-05, 02:48 PM I dislike those kinds of things - where the player gets a magic item that permanenlty improves them. It has balance issues which I will not go into.

However, I think your item does seem a reasonable Minor or Major Artifact.

(Major vs. Minor depends on what other powers you gave it.

As such, it needs no pricing.

I would treat it as studying the book for 30 days grants a single ability (choosen randomly for Minor, choosen by them for Major), to get them all they must spend many months reading the book.
BelRex
05-24-05, 11:01 PM I appreciate your honesty. You're probably also one of the people that refuses to allow the Tomes(+1-5 bonus to ability scores) in the DMG, which is fine for your game of course.

Back to the books. I was considering making them intelligent also, NG..with some powers.

Book of Fey. The cover seems to be made of a pair of beautiful butterfly wings. This book covers the nature of fey, the relationship between the fey and nature, the types of known fey, powers, location of the plane of the Faerie, means to travel there, dangers, the two courts, etc. From reading you gain: Favored enemy fey +2, Nymph's Kiss(BoED), faerie fire 1/day, charm person 1/day, and invisibility 1/day. Other ideas?

As for making them intelligent. All the books could have a base equal the max non epic abilities(as in two mental scores at 19, one at 10, 4 lesser powers, 3 greater, or one dedicated/special purpose..etc), all with ranks in Knowledge Nature, Sense Motive, and two others..perhaps bluff and diplomacy. Greater powers of magic circle vs evil, and detect thoughts? Special purpose..perhaps to teach all druids(or any class close to it..as in ranger, spirit shaman, clerics with nature domains) or to protect itself and it's knowledge. For the teaching aspect it would be nice to have the +2 luck bonus to all saves, attacks, checks or for the protection aspect..either dimension door..or maybe summon monster IX. Ideas or suggestions would be great.
Bloodtide_the_Red
05-24-05, 11:22 PM .....Ok, I've noticed that druids really aren't known for their powers of item creation..or minor or major artifacts..............

I don't think this is true. All of the natural magic items come from the druids. How do you think makes the amulets of natural armor that everyone wants and the oils of barkskin.

And as for Artifacts, just think 'StoneHenge'. Magic stone circles are 'big artifacts'. And all types of nature items, again.

BT
BelRex
05-25-05, 02:20 AM I didn't say they were unheard of..they are just not as widely known as say wizards or clerics. Another reason is probably because druids don't have access to wish or miracle..which is involved in some higher level item creation. A druid, for example, couldn't create any of the Tomes..it requires wish or miracle. Druids also cannot create constructs as easily as wizards..because some golem creation requires limited wish or wish. But anyway, I'm trying to create some objects created by druids..for druids. I do not plan on turning this thread into a 'druids can item create just as well as X'. I would like help fine tuning these books as I post them, so I can re-edit the original post with the finished artifact level books. The focus of this thread, I hope, is on the books. Not on other factors. So please, any further posts on this thread....lets focus on the powers of the books and the knowledge within them. I'm only planning on doing the main ones involved in a druid's life: animals, fey, plants, magical beasts, elementals, and vermin. Any suggestions will be welcome. Thanks for your time.
lordsloth
05-25-05, 07:00 AM I find it rather odd that a druid would have favoured enemy(animal). I understand where its comming from (you know how they work so you know better how to stop making them work) but it jut seems like poor druid roleplaying to have animals as a favoured enemy.
Jaid
05-25-05, 11:47 AM yeah, maybe call it favored ally or something =P

oh, and have it apply to diplomacy checks if it doesn't already...
Lord Schpungus
05-25-05, 12:38 PM I find it rather odd that a druid would have favoured enemy(animal). I understand where its comming from (you know how they work so you know better how to stop making them work) but it jut seems like poor druid roleplaying to have animals as a favoured enemy.

All things have a cycle. This deer has fallen so I may live. When I die, my body will return to and continue the cycle.

And so forth. Favored enemy means you're skilled at taking them down, not that you hate them. I think favored enemy (animal) is perfectly in character with a hunter.
BelRex
05-25-05, 01:48 PM Well, not all of the creatures I will be listing are going to be allies, so Favored Ally wouldn't work. And while Favored enemy does have a negative sound to it, it expresses the knowledge a person reading the book would gain. Plus the fact it's a phrase already in use that people are familiar with, it conveys the game mechanic I am aiming for. Perhaps if we called it Lore(animal), and you gain the same benefits of favored enemy and if you already have that type as a FE, it stacks. How is that?

Lore[Type]
Benefits: The reader gains a +2 bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against creatures of this type. Likewise, he gets a +2 bonus on weapon damage rolls against such creatures.
lordsloth
05-25-05, 02:35 PM All things have a cycle. This deer has fallen so I may live. When I die, my body will return to and continue the cycle.

And so forth. Favored enemy means you're skilled at taking them down, not that you hate them. I think favored enemy (animal) is perfectly in character with a hunter.

That depends on interpretation. Personally when something is called "favoured" enemy, I get the idea that those are the things that you like to fight. I know there are other interpretations, i just voiced my personal opinion on the concept, as this is what forums are supposed to be for.
BelRex
05-31-05, 11:14 AM Book of Plants
The cover of this book is composed of the bark of a darkwood tree. Each page is a seperate large leaf, which still looks as alive and green as the day it was plucked. It contains information on normal and animated plants. Listed within the book is the lifecycle of each plant from seedling to death, it's location, soil composition, if it's ediable, any medical uses, how each plant reproduces, known varients, etc. You gain a deep insight into the natural world.
Benefits: You can detect plants at will as well as naturewatch.(This detection helps you locate animated plants). Lore (Plants) +2. Any spell with plant in the name or with plants as a target can now be used 1/day(including tree stride..etc) as a spell-like ability. You can now also gain a masterwork staff from any tree of sufficient size without harming the tree. This staff is automatically considered the focus of any changestaff spell. It requires no additional effort to prepare. This benefits requires 10 minutes of concentration to perform.

What do you think? I was also considering some synergy bonuses between books you may have already read. Example: After reading the animal and plant book..you could gain the greenbound feat or after reading the fey and plant book..you gain the services of a dryad if you have the leadership feat.
BelRex
05-31-05, 01:06 PM Book of Magical Beasts
The book is covered in a fine white coat that glows with a soft white light. The spine of the book looks to be made of spiralled white horn, which glitters with magical energy. Information within the book covers all known magical beasts, even the elusive tarrasque. It's pages are full of information regarding the lifecycle, known varients, powers, vulnerabilties, origins of, etc of many beasts. Information is also provided on animals that are transformed into magical beasts through different methods (celestial, awakening, divine guardians).
Benefits: Lore (Magical Beasts) +2, Magical Beast Shape (BoED), Greater Spear of Valarian**1/day(BoED), Exalted Companion. You can also neutralize poison and greater teleport 1/day as a spell-like ability.
**New spell: Same as normal spell except: Duration is 1 min/level, becomes a +2 silvered spear, and becomes dread instead of the normal bane. Weapon also sheds light as a daylight spell.

Book of Elementals
The cover of this book is in constant flux. It's colors shifting through a spectrum of color. The inner pages seem to reflect the nature of the subject: pages of fire where the letters of seem to dance until you concentrate upon them, pages of stone on which the letters seem to be carved, pages of near nothing..where the letters lazily drift along as if floating on a summer's breeze, and pages of deepest blue where letters swim in schools. Information on the various elementals, their ranks and heirarchy, special powers, and abilities. It also contains information on paraelementals..the mixture the pure elements. It also has information necessary in barganing for the services of the various types.
Benefits: Lore (elementals) +2, you can use the elemental varients from UA, you can use summon elementals to serve you**, any weapon you wield has the energy aura ability.
**This is a varient of the call faithful servants from BoED. You can summon 1d4 small elementals to serve you as you wish for 1 year. You can only control up to 2HD/lvl of elementals in this way. You are able to locate more capable elementals than normal, and your small elementals have a +6 bonus to intelligence and a +4 to str and con as if with the augment summoning feat. You can mix and match the elementals as you wish..but you may not exceed the normal limit.

Book of Vermin
The cover of this book seems to be made of the exoskeleton of some type of insect. It has a rainbow hue to its chintinous outer covering. Sentences within the pages of this book seem to crawl around and squirm constantly..as if alive. If you concentrate long enough..you can discern information beginning with the smallest beetle..to the largest devastation vermin. You find information on the structure of hive societies, swarms, monsterous insects and their kin. Information is also available on some of the more advanced forms of these basic insects..such as thri-keen, formians, and abeils.
Benefits: Lore (vermin) +2, access to any spells with the word vermin or insects in it as a spell-like ability 1/day, you can now take the form of a swarm 1/day, you can also form a link within the minds of your companions and servants**, you can also now find and attract a new abeil queen***, she will set up her hive near your home, and help protect you and the surrounding area.
**See Mindlink, Psionic Power. Duration is Perm until severed.
***Treat as epic leadership to determine the size of the hive. Information for the abeil is in the MMII. Once the hive is established, the queen qualifies for the Legendary Commander feat.

I am considering doing a book of the sun and one of the moon. And using a suggestion from UA, allowing the druid to pick up a domain(Air, Animal, Earth, Fey, Fire, Moon, Plant, Sun, or Water)
NeueRegel
05-31-05, 02:05 PM You've done alot of really impressive work, here. However, the way you perceive things in game terms seems a little bit skewed to the mainstream player's concepts, I think. I'm sure it fits perfectly in your home campain. But I'm also with the thinking of why "favoured enemy" mindset at all (called whatever you like). It should be diplomacy, gather information, 'get invited to the gnoll sunday picnic' type of thing.

And I'm really distressed by the "good" alignment undertones. Druidry is neutral, in almost everyone's book, experience, and memory. 3.5 allows ya to stray along one axis a tad, but 'good' is but one axis of four!

Still though, very well thought out premise and ideas. Nice touch, knowing about Ogham. I'm wondering though if it should be adapted for a good-aligned nature-domain god or goddess instead. I think there used to be one called Obad-hai. (Total stretch of weak memory here, from 10 years ago and 2cnd edition!).

My two celt's worth,
NeueRegel
BelRex
05-31-05, 04:28 PM As for favored enemy, I rather view it as the knowledge you have gained from studying the subject so you can better understand it. I don't view it totally in a negative way that 'enemy' portrays it. That's one reason I switched it's name over to lore.

And with the good undertones, I said in my original post that you can eliminate the exalted feats and the use of the words of creation. You can make the books TN, and come up with something else to replace the magic circle vs evil. One reason I added that is because the creators of the books probably wouldn't want anyone to destroy the object of their study..since there is alot of indepth information about each.

And Obad Hai is the TN god of nature, Silvanus in Faerun :P If I was going to do it for a good god/dess of nature it would probably be Ehlonna/Melikkei, Eldath(though she probably wouldn't allow Lore to give a bonus to damage), Chaunta..etc. Actually, the book of the elements would probably of been a seperate effort of the Greater Elemental Gods. These volumes would probably be found with the Green Regent or some other guardian of nature..or even an Arch Druid.

Thanks for your comments.
BrainMole
06-01-05, 07:21 AM I dislike your idea greatly. Your idea would make the druids somesort of bookworms like wizards.

I solution would be to make the druid record their ages old knowledge in Ogham in great stone pilars in the the Natures groves guarded by ancient elementals were the knowledge is safe from all those who aren�t worthy of it. Young druids make pilgrimages to these sacred groves to learn the knowledge of Druid circle wisest members.
BelRex
06-01-05, 11:52 AM You're entitled to your opinion of course. Nothing is ever set in stone, so any DM could change items within a game to fit their view of things. Besides, druids can be whatever type of nature's ally they like, they can walk through a forest all the time, or spend time studying it's residents..it doesn't matter. Druids have a common theme..reverence of nature. If you don't like the book form..then by all means change it to your standing stones in a magical grove. It's up to you. Or would you perhaps like me to have the whole thread deleted for you? :P
BrainMole
06-01-05, 01:19 PM You're entitled to your opinion of course. Nothing is ever set in stone, so any DM could change items within a game to fit their view of things. Besides, druids can be whatever type of nature's ally they like, they can walk through a forest all the time, or spend time studying it's residents..it doesn't matter. Druids have a common theme..reverence of nature. If you don't like the book form..then by all means change it to your standing stones in a magical grove. It's up to you. Or would you perhaps like me to have the whole thread deleted for you? :P

yeah..., that would be great. Now, if you just move your stuff on the storage floor so we could pile up some boxes and stuff here, that would be great. Thanks.... :)

Nah, I just gived my 2 cents for the thing. The book idea just make me think more of a wizard. And the books are made of animals? I would thing a Druid wouldn�t do that. Sure, you have to get food somewhere and can kill animals but make them objects for everyone to see the downfall of natures gret beast seems to be quite the thing druids oppose. This is how I see it. Cool idea though.

I would think that druids would rely on the knowledge to be transferred to one generation to the next via oral stories told in Ogham. This way none can steal the wisdom of the nature without it's permission.

Druids have been my favorite characters since I had Netral Evil katana wielding Elven druid back in AD&D :D Sadly only thing he was able to do in the game was hit himself in the head with the katana :(

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BelRex 05-24-05, 02:34 PM	Ok, I've noticed that druids really aren't known for their powers of item creation..or minor or major artifacts. Probably because they would rather be wandering through some aspect of nature..etc. I am also considering making these exalted tombs, meaning the books are crafted using the Words of Creation(for those of you that believe that nature should be TN, you can exclude this). So here is an attempt, to show that druids can create wonderful items..just like wizards or clerics. All these books are written in Ogham(aka..Druidic). I thought it would be nice to include entries similiar to normal scientific journals(see thread, Scientific Names of Monster Manual Monsters (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=379119&page=1&pp=50) ) I also have not chosen names like Libris this..or anything -nomican, so suggestions are welcome. All books are intelligent with the following powers: Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 19 Ego 24 NG, Speech, Telepathy, 120ft darkvision, hearing and blindsense. They have 10 Ranks in Knowledge (Nature) and Sense motive. They also activate hold person 3/day and major image 1/day. They are constantly surrounded by magic circle against evil, and can create a wall of fire 1/day to protect themselves. All books have a special purpose to protect the information with from evil hands..or anyone that would use the information within to harm the subject they are about. They can teleport themselves to a known safe location when they feel they are in danger. All books can rearrange their inner pages to help users find information quickly or use it as a deterant if they are captured. Book of Animals: Covered in the hide/skin/fur..etc of some animal. It contains information on all types of animals, fish, birds, dinosaurs..etc. Information including habitat, known variants, diagrams of the anatomy, different stages of life, behavior, etc. It takes the reader a month of solid reading to gain any benefits from the book. Benefits: Lore* (Animal) +2, +2 on Handle Animal and Wild Empathy checks, +2 to Knowlege(nature), the knowledge contained also allows you to wildshape into any known animal(if you have the ability to wildshape), and Animal friend (BoED). You can now also cast any spells with animal in the name or has an animal target 1/day as a spell like ability. You have detect animals usable at will. Book of Fey The cover seems to be made of a pair of beautiful butterfly wings. The inner pages are conposed of some unknown material that sparkles in the light and gives off a faint glow of it's own. This book covers the nature of fey, the relationship between the fey and nature, the types of known fey, powers, location of the plane of the Faerie, means to travel there, dangers, the two courts, etc. Benefits: Lore(fey) +2, Nymph's Kiss(BoED), Perform* +2. You can also uses the following spells 1/day as a spell like ability: wood wose,invisibility, glitterdust. From reading you also gain the knowledge of how to construct your own fey instrument: satyr pipes or grig fiddle. You may use them as if you are a fey. ** Bonus applies to the instrument you chose to construct. Lore[Type] Benefits: The reader gains a +2 bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against creatures of this type. Likewise, he gets a +2 bonus on weapon damage rolls against such creatures.
tarkin 05-24-05, 02:48 PM	I dislike those kinds of things - where the player gets a magic item that permanenlty improves them. It has balance issues which I will not go into. However, I think your item does seem a reasonable Minor or Major Artifact. (Major vs. Minor depends on what other powers you gave it. As such, it needs no pricing. I would treat it as studying the book for 30 days grants a single ability (choosen randomly for Minor, choosen by them for Major), to get them all they must spend many months reading the book.
BelRex 05-24-05, 11:01 PM	I appreciate your honesty. You're probably also one of the people that refuses to allow the Tomes(+1-5 bonus to ability scores) in the DMG, which is fine for your game of course. Back to the books. I was considering making them intelligent also, NG..with some powers. Book of Fey. The cover seems to be made of a pair of beautiful butterfly wings. This book covers the nature of fey, the relationship between the fey and nature, the types of known fey, powers, location of the plane of the Faerie, means to travel there, dangers, the two courts, etc. From reading you gain: Favored enemy fey +2, Nymph's Kiss(BoED), faerie fire 1/day, charm person 1/day, and invisibility 1/day. Other ideas? As for making them intelligent. All the books could have a base equal the max non epic abilities(as in two mental scores at 19, one at 10, 4 lesser powers, 3 greater, or one dedicated/special purpose..etc), all with ranks in Knowledge Nature, Sense Motive, and two others..perhaps bluff and diplomacy. Greater powers of magic circle vs evil, and detect thoughts? Special purpose..perhaps to teach all druids(or any class close to it..as in ranger, spirit shaman, clerics with nature domains) or to protect itself and it's knowledge. For the teaching aspect it would be nice to have the +2 luck bonus to all saves, attacks, checks or for the protection aspect..either dimension door..or maybe summon monster IX. Ideas or suggestions would be great.
Bloodtide_the_Red 05-24-05, 11:22 PM	.....Ok, I've noticed that druids really aren't known for their powers of item creation..or minor or major artifacts.............. I don't think this is true. All of the natural magic items come from the druids. How do you think makes the amulets of natural armor that everyone wants and the oils of barkskin. And as for Artifacts, just think 'StoneHenge'. Magic stone circles are 'big artifacts'. And all types of nature items, again. BT
BelRex 05-25-05, 02:20 AM	I didn't say they were unheard of..they are just not as widely known as say wizards or clerics. Another reason is probably because druids don't have access to wish or miracle..which is involved in some higher level item creation. A druid, for example, couldn't create any of the Tomes..it requires wish or miracle. Druids also cannot create constructs as easily as wizards..because some golem creation requires limited wish or wish. But anyway, I'm trying to create some objects created by druids..for druids. I do not plan on turning this thread into a 'druids can item create just as well as X'. I would like help fine tuning these books as I post them, so I can re-edit the original post with the finished artifact level books. The focus of this thread, I hope, is on the books. Not on other factors. So please, any further posts on this thread....lets focus on the powers of the books and the knowledge within them. I'm only planning on doing the main ones involved in a druid's life: animals, fey, plants, magical beasts, elementals, and vermin. Any suggestions will be welcome. Thanks for your time.
lordsloth 05-25-05, 07:00 AM	I find it rather odd that a druid would have favoured enemy(animal). I understand where its comming from (you know how they work so you know better how to stop making them work) but it jut seems like poor druid roleplaying to have animals as a favoured enemy.
Jaid 05-25-05, 11:47 AM	yeah, maybe call it favored ally or something =P oh, and have it apply to diplomacy checks if it doesn't already...
Lord Schpungus 05-25-05, 12:38 PM	I find it rather odd that a druid would have favoured enemy(animal). I understand where its comming from (you know how they work so you know better how to stop making them work) but it jut seems like poor druid roleplaying to have animals as a favoured enemy. All things have a cycle. This deer has fallen so I may live. When I die, my body will return to and continue the cycle. And so forth. Favored enemy means you're skilled at taking them down, not that you hate them. I think favored enemy (animal) is perfectly in character with a hunter.
BelRex 05-25-05, 01:48 PM	Well, not all of the creatures I will be listing are going to be allies, so Favored Ally wouldn't work. And while Favored enemy does have a negative sound to it, it expresses the knowledge a person reading the book would gain. Plus the fact it's a phrase already in use that people are familiar with, it conveys the game mechanic I am aiming for. Perhaps if we called it Lore(animal), and you gain the same benefits of favored enemy and if you already have that type as a FE, it stacks. How is that? Lore[Type] Benefits: The reader gains a +2 bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against creatures of this type. Likewise, he gets a +2 bonus on weapon damage rolls against such creatures.
lordsloth 05-25-05, 02:35 PM	All things have a cycle. This deer has fallen so I may live. When I die, my body will return to and continue the cycle. And so forth. Favored enemy means you're skilled at taking them down, not that you hate them. I think favored enemy (animal) is perfectly in character with a hunter. That depends on interpretation. Personally when something is called "favoured" enemy, I get the idea that those are the things that you like to fight. I know there are other interpretations, i just voiced my personal opinion on the concept, as this is what forums are supposed to be for.
BelRex 05-31-05, 11:14 AM	Book of Plants The cover of this book is composed of the bark of a darkwood tree. Each page is a seperate large leaf, which still looks as alive and green as the day it was plucked. It contains information on normal and animated plants. Listed within the book is the lifecycle of each plant from seedling to death, it's location, soil composition, if it's ediable, any medical uses, how each plant reproduces, known varients, etc. You gain a deep insight into the natural world. Benefits: You can detect plants at will as well as naturewatch.(This detection helps you locate animated plants). Lore (Plants) +2. Any spell with plant in the name or with plants as a target can now be used 1/day(including tree stride..etc) as a spell-like ability. You can now also gain a masterwork staff from any tree of sufficient size without harming the tree. This staff is automatically considered the focus of any changestaff spell. It requires no additional effort to prepare. This benefits requires 10 minutes of concentration to perform. What do you think? I was also considering some synergy bonuses between books you may have already read. Example: After reading the animal and plant book..you could gain the greenbound feat or after reading the fey and plant book..you gain the services of a dryad if you have the leadership feat.
BelRex 05-31-05, 01:06 PM	Book of Magical Beasts The book is covered in a fine white coat that glows with a soft white light. The spine of the book looks to be made of spiralled white horn, which glitters with magical energy. Information within the book covers all known magical beasts, even the elusive tarrasque. It's pages are full of information regarding the lifecycle, known varients, powers, vulnerabilties, origins of, etc of many beasts. Information is also provided on animals that are transformed into magical beasts through different methods (celestial, awakening, divine guardians). Benefits: Lore (Magical Beasts) +2, Magical Beast Shape (BoED), Greater Spear of Valarian1/day(BoED), Exalted Companion. You can also neutralize poison and greater teleport 1/day as a spell-like ability. New spell: Same as normal spell except: Duration is 1 min/level, becomes a +2 silvered spear, and becomes dread instead of the normal bane. Weapon also sheds light as a daylight spell. Book of Elementals The cover of this book is in constant flux. It's colors shifting through a spectrum of color. The inner pages seem to reflect the nature of the subject: pages of fire where the letters of seem to dance until you concentrate upon them, pages of stone on which the letters seem to be carved, pages of near nothing..where the letters lazily drift along as if floating on a summer's breeze, and pages of deepest blue where letters swim in schools. Information on the various elementals, their ranks and heirarchy, special powers, and abilities. It also contains information on paraelementals..the mixture the pure elements. It also has information necessary in barganing for the services of the various types. Benefits: Lore (elementals) +2, you can use the elemental varients from UA, you can use summon elementals to serve you, any weapon you wield has the energy aura ability. This is a varient of the call faithful servants from BoED. You can summon 1d4 small elementals to serve you as you wish for 1 year. You can only control up to 2HD/lvl of elementals in this way. You are able to locate more capable elementals than normal, and your small elementals have a +6 bonus to intelligence and a +4 to str and con as if with the augment summoning feat. You can mix and match the elementals as you wish..but you may not exceed the normal limit. Book of Vermin The cover of this book seems to be made of the exoskeleton of some type of insect. It has a rainbow hue to its chintinous outer covering. Sentences within the pages of this book seem to crawl around and squirm constantly..as if alive. If you concentrate long enough..you can discern information beginning with the smallest beetle..to the largest devastation vermin. You find information on the structure of hive societies, swarms, monsterous insects and their kin. Information is also available on some of the more advanced forms of these basic insects..such as thri-keen, formians, and abeils. Benefits: Lore (vermin) +2, access to any spells with the word vermin or insects in it as a spell-like ability 1/day, you can now take the form of a swarm 1/day, you can also form a link within the minds of your companions and servants, you can also now find and attract a new abeil queen, she will set up her hive near your home, and help protect you and the surrounding area. See Mindlink, Psionic Power. Duration is Perm until severed. **Treat as epic leadership to determine the size of the hive. Information for the abeil is in the MMII. Once the hive is established, the queen qualifies for the Legendary Commander feat. I am considering doing a book of the sun and one of the moon. And using a suggestion from UA, allowing the druid to pick up a domain(Air, Animal, Earth, Fey, Fire, Moon, Plant, Sun, or Water)
NeueRegel 05-31-05, 02:05 PM	You've done alot of really impressive work, here. However, the way you perceive things in game terms seems a little bit skewed to the mainstream player's concepts, I think. I'm sure it fits perfectly in your home campain. But I'm also with the thinking of why "favoured enemy" mindset at all (called whatever you like). It should be diplomacy, gather information, 'get invited to the gnoll sunday picnic' type of thing. And I'm really distressed by the "good" alignment undertones. Druidry is neutral, in almost everyone's book, experience, and memory. 3.5 allows ya to stray along one axis a tad, but 'good' is but one axis of four! Still though, very well thought out premise and ideas. Nice touch, knowing about Ogham. I'm wondering though if it should be adapted for a good-aligned nature-domain god or goddess instead. I think there used to be one called Obad-hai. (Total stretch of weak memory here, from 10 years ago and 2cnd edition!). My two celt's worth, NeueRegel
BelRex 05-31-05, 04:28 PM	As for favored enemy, I rather view it as the knowledge you have gained from studying the subject so you can better understand it. I don't view it totally in a negative way that 'enemy' portrays it. That's one reason I switched it's name over to lore. And with the good undertones, I said in my original post that you can eliminate the exalted feats and the use of the words of creation. You can make the books TN, and come up with something else to replace the magic circle vs evil. One reason I added that is because the creators of the books probably wouldn't want anyone to destroy the object of their study..since there is alot of indepth information about each. And Obad Hai is the TN god of nature, Silvanus in Faerun :P If I was going to do it for a good god/dess of nature it would probably be Ehlonna/Melikkei, Eldath(though she probably wouldn't allow Lore to give a bonus to damage), Chaunta..etc. Actually, the book of the elements would probably of been a seperate effort of the Greater Elemental Gods. These volumes would probably be found with the Green Regent or some other guardian of nature..or even an Arch Druid. Thanks for your comments.
BrainMole 06-01-05, 07:21 AM	I dislike your idea greatly. Your idea would make the druids somesort of bookworms like wizards. I solution would be to make the druid record their ages old knowledge in Ogham in great stone pilars in the the Natures groves guarded by ancient elementals were the knowledge is safe from all those who aren�t worthy of it. Young druids make pilgrimages to these sacred groves to learn the knowledge of Druid circle wisest members.
BelRex 06-01-05, 11:52 AM	You're entitled to your opinion of course. Nothing is ever set in stone, so any DM could change items within a game to fit their view of things. Besides, druids can be whatever type of nature's ally they like, they can walk through a forest all the time, or spend time studying it's residents..it doesn't matter. Druids have a common theme..reverence of nature. If you don't like the book form..then by all means change it to your standing stones in a magical grove. It's up to you. Or would you perhaps like me to have the whole thread deleted for you? :P
BrainMole 06-01-05, 01:19 PM	You're entitled to your opinion of course. Nothing is ever set in stone, so any DM could change items within a game to fit their view of things. Besides, druids can be whatever type of nature's ally they like, they can walk through a forest all the time, or spend time studying it's residents..it doesn't matter. Druids have a common theme..reverence of nature. If you don't like the book form..then by all means change it to your standing stones in a magical grove. It's up to you. Or would you perhaps like me to have the whole thread deleted for you? :P yeah..., that would be great. Now, if you just move your stuff on the storage floor so we could pile up some boxes and stuff here, that would be great. Thanks.... :) Nah, I just gived my 2 cents for the thing. The book idea just make me think more of a wizard. And the books are made of animals? I would thing a Druid wouldn�t do that. Sure, you have to get food somewhere and can kill animals but make them objects for everyone to see the downfall of natures gret beast seems to be quite the thing druids oppose. This is how I see it. Cool idea though. I would think that druids would rely on the knowledge to be transferred to one generation to the next via oral stories told in Ogham. This way none can steal the wisdom of the nature without it's permission. Druids have been my favorite characters since I had Netral Evil katana wielding Elven druid back in AD&D :D Sadly only thing he was able to do in the game was hit himself in the head with the katana :(