Books as Consumable Items (WIP/PEACH) - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Books as Consumable Items (WIP/PEACH)

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
evilkobra
Jan 27, 2009 9:00:45 A while back in my campaign I introduced the concept of "consumable books", and it has worked well so far. It's mostly fluff, but it has kept some of my players engaged (especially the wizard, who now feels she has something useful to do while the more Charismatic members of the party are out in town gathering information). Here's the summary:

Any literate PC can attempt to read books, at a rate of 1 to 3 reading checks per day. A character with half of more of his surges left can make a reading check during an extended rest. A character who spends the day reading may make one additional check in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Most books have the following characteristics:
-Subject (what the book is about) determines the relevant skill(s) of reading checks.
-Length (based on the page count or, more generally, the time required to read through it) determines the number of required reading checks. Normally between 5 and 15.
-Complexity (how difficult it is to read, whether because of the subject-matter or the clarity of writing, diagrams, etc) determines the DC of reading checks. Normally between 10 and 20, but varies according to level and reward.
-Usefulness (author's insight, originality, etc) determines the reward for completing all the checks. Usually a one-time bonus of between +1 and +5 to a single skill check related to the subject. Other possible rewards include granting the players access to otherwise forbidden material (e.g. monster stat blocks).

The subject and length of a book are usually immediately obvious, but a character may not know the complexity and usefulness of a book until he has made at least one reading check.

As an example, the wizard in my party read "The History of High Magics", requiring 3 successful History and 4 Arcana checks, each of DC 15. After 10 attempts, she received a +3 bonus to a single roll related to the subject of the book. Two sessions later, she decided to spend it when making a Bluff check against a Mages' Guild librarian, to convince him to part with an old tome.

Later, the cleric borrowed the Draconomicon from a wealthy patron. Being a long and difficult book, it required 10 Nature and 10 Arcana checks, each of DC 18, but completing it would grant her access to the 4th Edition Draconomicon book, which for us is a "DM only" book. Not being trained in either of the relevant skills, however, she realised that she was not making much progress and gave up. She is now reading comedies and theatre plays, which give her bonuses in social situations: "I ask the mayor if he's read the latest Dullemonde, his wife would probably enjoy it" --> +2 to a Diplomacy check.

I'm mostly using the random book generator at Seventh Sanctum (http://www.seventhsanctum.com/generate.php?Genname=bookspinner) with the Quality Information option turned on. I printed a few dozen books in each category, and when a character browses a library or finds a stash of books, I just read him a few random titles from my list. If any of them catches his attention, then I'll make up a more detailed description, with reading stats if necessary.

What I'd like to have, though, is a Level system which helps me pick appropriate stats for a book with some degree of balance, but without losing too much diversity (I still want long, complex, useless books, and short, easy, useful ones - they just need to be rated somehow). Any ideas?

Also, one of my players showed interest in adapting this system to combat training. The example he gave me was practicing grapples and throws with an instructor, in order to get one-time bonuses to Grab and Bull Rush attempts. It doesn't seem terribly unbalanced, and it rewards perseverance and discipline, but I'm wondering whether exploring that path will be more trouble than it is worth...

For the record, all these things cost gold: the Wizard has to pay a hefty annual fee to be able to borrow books from the Guild library. Combat instructors charge per session (and a number of successful checks is required before the fighter has learned enough to practice on his own). And rare books such as the Draconomicon can be part of treasure parcels or quest rewards.
#2
Shiftkitty
Jan 27, 2009 14:43:45 When I first saw the title I thought "DON'T EAT THE PAGES!"

I really like this idea. It'd be nice to see a more permanent bonus to reading, like in "Morrowind" where you can increase skills just by reading the right books, although it only works once. You can't read the same book over and over to get more boosts!

I like the skill checks system you've got set up. Length of book alone has nothing to do with the quality, so that wouldn't be a good measure of the Level, (heh-heh, compare the length of "Mein Kampf" to the length of "Common Sense"...) Dang. I'm drawing a blank at the moment. Hopefully someone else will pitch in?
#3
Novacat
Jan 27, 2009 15:45:20 This is an interesting idea. I would personally be opposed to making this a system, preferring to handle it in a case-by-case basis. However, if you want a system to help you with the math, why reinvent the wheel? There's already a balanced level-to-bonus set of guidelines set up in the weapons and armor enhancement system. Also, I think that adding skill checks is needless tedium. Perhaps simply require the reader to be trained in certain skills in order to benefit from the book. That said, you could always refer to the Almighty Page 42, and set up the books like a skill challenge.
#4
rickiel
Jan 27, 2009 16:30:08 I like the general concept you have going here.

Perhaps, if one is disenclined towards a number of skill checks, instead a number of hours to 'master' the book as if one is mastering a ritual?
#5
caul
Jan 27, 2009 17:40:21 I love this idea, and this is how I will do it.

Rather than be bonuses to whole skills, books will offer bonuses to specified uses of skills, or more rare, certain powers and attacks against certain types of creatures. The bonuses will be permanent as long as the character keeps the book and references it from time to time to keep the bonus fresh. Each character (or monster or NPC for that matter) may maintain a number of this type of bonuses equal to 1 + Intelligence or Wisdom modifier. Gaining a bonus will be a Skill Challenge, taking the form of the character having down time and using it to read and understand the text, and the first time that a particular book is comprehended the character may gain experience as they would with any Skill Challenge (refreshing a bonus that had either lapsed or been replaced by another does not require another Skill Challenge nor does it grant experience). Here is an example of a book that will grant a skill bonus.

#6
nazralte
Jan 27, 2009 22:16:16
Each character (or monster or NPC for that matter) may maintain a number of this type of bonuses equal to 1 + Intelligence or Wisdom modifier.

So your saying they can have a total bonus from all books combined of 1 + int or wis (whatever is higher I assume?) ?

If thats what you mean, then I like it. Sounds like a cool fluff way to get a small bonus to skills.
#7
caul
Jan 28, 2009 9:21:22
So your saying they can have a total bonus from all books combined of 1 + int or wis (whatever is higher I assume?) ?

If thats what you mean, then I like it. Sounds like a cool fluff way to get a small bonus to skills.

No, I meant more that they could have a number of total bonuses (thus, from a number of books) equal to 1 + Int or Wis, which I don't find unbalancing, but you can certainly run it as you understood it as well.
#8
nazralte
Jan 28, 2009 13:48:06 Gotcha. Still sounds good then.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 evilkobra Jan 27, 2009 9:00:45	A while back in my campaign I introduced the concept of "consumable books", and it has worked well so far. It's mostly fluff, but it has kept some of my players engaged (especially the wizard, who now feels she has something useful to do while the more Charismatic members of the party are out in town gathering information). Here's the summary: Any literate PC can attempt to read books, at a rate of 1 to 3 reading checks per day. A character with half of more of his surges left can make a reading check during an extended rest. A character who spends the day reading may make one additional check in the morning and one in the afternoon. Most books have the following characteristics: -Subject (what the book is about) determines the relevant skill(s) of reading checks. -Length (based on the page count or, more generally, the time required to read through it) determines the number of required reading checks. Normally between 5 and 15. -Complexity (how difficult it is to read, whether because of the subject-matter or the clarity of writing, diagrams, etc) determines the DC of reading checks. Normally between 10 and 20, but varies according to level and reward. -Usefulness (author's insight, originality, etc) determines the reward for completing all the checks. Usually a one-time bonus of between +1 and +5 to a single skill check related to the subject. Other possible rewards include granting the players access to otherwise forbidden material (e.g. monster stat blocks). The subject and length of a book are usually immediately obvious, but a character may not know the complexity and usefulness of a book until he has made at least one reading check. As an example, the wizard in my party read "The History of High Magics", requiring 3 successful History and 4 Arcana checks, each of DC 15. After 10 attempts, she received a +3 bonus to a single roll related to the subject of the book. Two sessions later, she decided to spend it when making a Bluff check against a Mages' Guild librarian, to convince him to part with an old tome. Later, the cleric borrowed the Draconomicon from a wealthy patron. Being a long and difficult book, it required 10 Nature and 10 Arcana checks, each of DC 18, but completing it would grant her access to the 4th Edition Draconomicon book, which for us is a "DM only" book. Not being trained in either of the relevant skills, however, she realised that she was not making much progress and gave up. She is now reading comedies and theatre plays, which give her bonuses in social situations: "I ask the mayor if he's read the latest Dullemonde, his wife would probably enjoy it" --> +2 to a Diplomacy check. I'm mostly using the random book generator at Seventh Sanctum (http://www.seventhsanctum.com/generate.php?Genname=bookspinner) with the Quality Information option turned on. I printed a few dozen books in each category, and when a character browses a library or finds a stash of books, I just read him a few random titles from my list. If any of them catches his attention, then I'll make up a more detailed description, with reading stats if necessary. What I'd like to have, though, is a Level system which helps me pick appropriate stats for a book with some degree of balance, but without losing too much diversity (I still want long, complex, useless books, and short, easy, useful ones - they just need to be rated somehow). Any ideas? Also, one of my players showed interest in adapting this system to combat training. The example he gave me was practicing grapples and throws with an instructor, in order to get one-time bonuses to Grab and Bull Rush attempts. It doesn't seem terribly unbalanced, and it rewards perseverance and discipline, but I'm wondering whether exploring that path will be more trouble than it is worth... For the record, all these things cost gold: the Wizard has to pay a hefty annual fee to be able to borrow books from the Guild library. Combat instructors charge per session (and a number of successful checks is required before the fighter has learned enough to practice on his own). And rare books such as the Draconomicon can be part of treasure parcels or quest rewards.
#2 Shiftkitty Jan 27, 2009 14:43:45	When I first saw the title I thought "DON'T EAT THE PAGES!" I really like this idea. It'd be nice to see a more permanent bonus to reading, like in "Morrowind" where you can increase skills just by reading the right books, although it only works once. You can't read the same book over and over to get more boosts! I like the skill checks system you've got set up. Length of book alone has nothing to do with the quality, so that wouldn't be a good measure of the Level, (heh-heh, compare the length of "Mein Kampf" to the length of "Common Sense"...) Dang. I'm drawing a blank at the moment. Hopefully someone else will pitch in?
#3 Novacat Jan 27, 2009 15:45:20	This is an interesting idea. I would personally be opposed to making this a system, preferring to handle it in a case-by-case basis. However, if you want a system to help you with the math, why reinvent the wheel? There's already a balanced level-to-bonus set of guidelines set up in the weapons and armor enhancement system. Also, I think that adding skill checks is needless tedium. Perhaps simply require the reader to be trained in certain skills in order to benefit from the book. That said, you could always refer to the Almighty Page 42, and set up the books like a skill challenge.
#4 rickiel Jan 27, 2009 16:30:08	I like the general concept you have going here. Perhaps, if one is disenclined towards a number of skill checks, instead a number of hours to 'master' the book as if one is mastering a ritual?
#5 caul Jan 27, 2009 17:40:21	I love this idea, and this is how I will do it. Rather than be bonuses to whole skills, books will offer bonuses to specified uses of skills, or more rare, certain powers and attacks against certain types of creatures. The bonuses will be permanent as long as the character keeps the book and references it from time to time to keep the bonus fresh. Each character (or monster or NPC for that matter) may maintain a number of this type of bonuses equal to 1 + Intelligence or Wisdom modifier. Gaining a bonus will be a Skill Challenge, taking the form of the character having down time and using it to read and understand the text, and the first time that a particular book is comprehended the character may gain experience as they would with any Skill Challenge (refreshing a bonus that had either lapsed or been replaced by another does not require another Skill Challenge nor does it grant experience). Here is an example of a book that will grant a skill bonus.
#6 nazralte Jan 27, 2009 22:16:16	Each character (or monster or NPC for that matter) may maintain a number of this type of bonuses equal to 1 + Intelligence or Wisdom modifier. So your saying they can have a total bonus from all books combined of 1 + int or wis (whatever is higher I assume?) ? If thats what you mean, then I like it. Sounds like a cool fluff way to get a small bonus to skills.
#7 caul Jan 28, 2009 9:21:22	So your saying they can have a total bonus from all books combined of 1 + int or wis (whatever is higher I assume?) ? If thats what you mean, then I like it. Sounds like a cool fluff way to get a small bonus to skills. No, I meant more that they could have a number of total bonuses (thus, from a number of books) equal to 1 + Int or Wis, which I don't find unbalancing, but you can certainly run it as you understood it as well.
#8 nazralte Jan 28, 2009 13:48:06	Gotcha. Still sounds good then.