I've just been re-reading the Covenants books rules, and I was curious if we're using them. The reason I was asking is that the bonuses to Quality (esp. the automatic +3 to books on non-magical subjects) and the Correspondence rules would affect not only the library but character creation (and it annoys me when add-on rules do that. 
).
Scott
I think you've misread it slightly. Non-magical books get no bonus over what they had before. It used to be Com+6. Now it's Com+3+1+1+1, assuming you have good enough binders, scribes, and illuminators. Books on magic, however, can get a bonus via resonances. They used to be Com+6, but now they're Com+3+1+1+1+(up to 3 from resonances). (See the errata.) For their price I have found 1-pt resonances seem to be reasonably common, but anything beyond that gets extremely rare.
As for Correspondence, we use it in all my pen-and-paper games. It hadn't looked like anyone was using it here, so I just assumed we weren't. I'm happy with it being included, too. My rule of thumb would be you have to sketch out any magi with whom you correspond regularly. That way you are being rewarded for adding to the detail of the stories and the world.
Chris
I've not been explicitly using the Covenants rules when creating books for the library (Which I am still working on, despite the paucity of material currently posted. I'll try to get another block posted in a day or two). I'm afraid my levels of creatively have been struggling at creating dozens of different titles and magi names; trying to come up with resonances as well isn't seeming worth it. I've just been listing the books as quality X; if people later decide we're using the Covenants rules, then presumably some of that X is from the covenants bonuses.
Yes, at first I thought that was a possible interpretation, but have a look at the sidebar on the page in question (I'd be more specific, but I think I left the book in another room, and I have two sleeping animals in my lap).
I agree it's appealing, and its effect on total XP's per season is pretty minimal, but we'll only do it if everyone is OK with going back adding those XP's to their characters. (It's pretty hard to believe a magus would not do it, barring constant travel or extreme anti-social tendencies.)
Scott
You want me to email you lists from old libraries I've used?
As long as the books have fairly high Qualities, you can just assume some of that is due to resonances, yes, but resonances also raise the average Quality of books, which is the real problem.
Scott
Put me in charge of a section of it. Just let me know how many points to use in what areas. I'll add to the creativity.
Chris
I know exactly what you're referring to. I was part of the original group that brought the questions to David. Here's the important part:
That shouldn't be too hard. It's flexible enough that you could roughly just add 1 pt per season wherever is reasonable.
Chris
Oh, OK. I guess I forgot to ever check the errata on Covenants. I'm still though trouble by the bonsues for resonance, but I suppose it's true that anything over a +1 here is rare (as it requires a story).
Yeah, exactly.
Scott
I can also contribute a little after I finish grading next Monday.
Scott
OT:
Oh, you teach, too, huh? I teach physics in a private secondary school.
Chris
Oh, you teach, too, huh? I teach physics in a private secondary school.
[/quote]
Political science in a small liberal arts college.
Scott
Thanks - I'll try and see what I can get up over the weekend, and then think about where to go from there. For the meantime, I've produced some Tractatus on the Arts:
Arts Tractatus
Upon the Disappearence of the Created, by Polycarpus Criamonis. Creo Tractatus, Quality 6. 6bp.
The Effects of Magical Sustenence, by Polycarpus Criamonis. Creo Tractatus, Quality 6. 6bp.
The Influence of the World of Forms Upon Creation, by Plinius Bonisagi. Creo Tractatus, Quality 11. 11bp.
The Creation of Unnatural Objects in the Absence of an Ideal Form, by Plinius Bonisagi. Creo Tractatus, Quality 11. 11bp.
Aging to Maturity, by Venetia Jerbitonis. Creo Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
Detecting the Power of Hermes, by Horatius Bonisagi. Intellego Tractatus, Quality 7. 7bp.
Viewing the Threads of Magic, by Erastus Guernici. Intellego Tractatus, Quality 10. 10bp.
Magical Senses, by Arista Guernici. Intellego Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
Magical Conversations, by Arista Guernici. Intellego Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
Scrying, by Branwen Merinitae. Intellego Tractatus, Quality 7. 7bp.
Unnatural Livestock, by Amal Ex Miscellanea. Muto Tractatus, Quality 7. 7bp.
Taking on the Shapes of the Seas, by Claricia Mercandi. Muto Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
Taking on the Shapes of the Skies, by Claricia Mercandi. Muto Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
Taking on the Shapes of the Forests, by Claricia Mercandi. Muto Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
The Permanence of Destruction, by Polycarpus Criamonis. Perdo Tractatus, Quality 6. 6bp.
Aging Past Maturity, by Venetia Jerbitonis. Perdo Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
The Destruction of Natural Properties, by Stathis Bonisagi. Perdo Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
Warding against the Realms, by Leandra Tremendi. Rego Tractatus, Quality 8. 8bp.
Natural Transformations, by Ramirus Tremendi. Rego Tractatus, Quality 10. 10bp.
Binding Spirits with the Art of Rego, by Perome Tytali. Rego Tractatus, Quality 11. 11bp.
Living Puppets, by Rhea Tytali. Rego Tractatus, Quality 5. 5bp.
Some Methods of Warding Against Common Assaults, by Eleftherois Guernici. Rego Tractatus, Quality 8. 8bp.
The Lance of the Heavens, by Mencus Tytali. Auram Tractatus, Quality 6. 6bp.
Coastal Winds, by Greywing Bjornaeris. Auram Tracatus, Quality 11. 11bp.
The Following Breeze, by Greywing Bjornaeris. Auram Tractatus, Quality 11. 11bp.
The Baltic Sea, by Greywing Bjornaeris. Aquam Tractatus, Quality 11. 11bp.
The Falconer's Art, by Vivianne Jerbitonis. Animal Tractatus, Quality 10. (Also serves as a Tracatus on Animal Handling and Etiquette, accounted for separately). 10bp.
The Brotherhood of Wolves, by Ambrosius Tremendi. Animal Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
The Rapacity of Wolves, by Kronetis Tytali. Animal Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
Migration, by Juliasta Criamonis. Animal Tractatus, Quality 6. 6bp.
A Study on the Apple Tree, by Abelia Bonisagi. Herbam Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
Healing Herbs for Wounds, by Alexandra ex Miscellanea. Herbam Tractatus, Quality 8. 8bp.
The Peril of Phoebus, by Perpauca Bonisagi. Ignem Tractatus, Quality 11. 11bp
Communication via Fire, Ranulf Flambonis. Ignem Tractatus, Quality 6. 6bp
Cold and Chill: The School of Boreas, by Fulvius Flambonis. Ignem, Quality 8. 8bp.
The Species of Sight, by Clunia Jerbitonis. Imaginem Tractatus, Quality 10. 10bp.
The Species of Sound, by Clunia Jerbitonis. Imaginem Tractatus, Quality 10. 10bp.
Manipulating the Estimation, by Clunia Jerbitonis. Mentem Tractatus, Quality 10. 10bp.
Manipulating the Common Sense, by Clunia Jerbitonis. Mentem Tractatus, Quality 10. 10bp.
Your Mind, My Mind, by Okeanos Tytali. Mentem Tractatus, Quality 5. 5bp.
The Magical Properties of Sapphires, by Bertrando Verditii. Terram Tractatus, Quality 8. 8bp.
The Magical Properties of Emeralds, by Bertrando Verditii. Terram Tractatus, Quality 8. 8bp.
The Magical Properties of Rubies, by Bertrando Verditii. Terram Tractatus, Quality 8. 8bp.
Vallation, by Adrastia Tremendi. Terram Tractatus, Quality 10. 10bp.
Analysing Vis, by Patricius Bonisagi. Vim Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
Fluid and Spun Vis, by Patricius Bonisagi. Vim Tractatus, Quality 9. 9bp.
Wards Against Magical Beings, by Paramonus Tremendi. Vim Tractatus, Quality 7. 7bp.
The Essence of Magic, by Cletis Bonisagi. Vim Tractatus, Quality 8. 8bp.
This is slightly over 400bp (412bp), so is going to need to be pruned a bit. Thoughts on how best to do so?
The Techniques will be more useful than the Forms, and so I'd cut it down to about two per Form (preferably the better works) and see where that gets you.
Scott
I would tend to agree. At the same time I would note that a specialist will typically want lots in one Form and one Technique. So I wouldn't cut it to 5 per Technique and 2 per form. I would probably go closer to 3-4 per Technique and 2-3 per Form.
However, we need build point left over for non-Arts, too, right? If so, dropping to 3 per Technique and 2 per Form might provide the needed points.
Chris
Let me throw in my a munchkin opinion and note that books on mundane subjects, provided they're reasonably common, can, under the Covenants rules, be bought for one pound apiece. Therefore, I'd suggest focusing on Arcane subjects, except maybe for a few exceptional works on mundane subjects (but I suspect that, for mundane books, the best ones are going to be the easiest to find in most cases).
Scott
Yes, by all means. I was thinking of Parma Magica, Finesse, Penetration, etc.
Chris
Summary of books other magi are bringing (ignoring any that will be restricted from the main library):
Total bp: 158.
Aetos - 105bp
Winged Creatures by unknown (L15Q8) THE Summa on Animal. 23bp.
A collection of Tracatatus by his parens (incomplete, she'd love to get the missing one)
Sanguine Beasts Q11. 11bp
Choleric Beasts Q11. 11bp
Phlegmatic Beasts Q11. 11bp
Magic Animals by Gyrgos the Familiar (L6Q8): Summa on Magic Lore(animal specialty is automatically acquired by the reader), an excellent book, but much too detailed. 26bp.
The Travels of Igor Igorowich Q10 Tractatus on Area Lore Ukraine. 10bp.
Herbal remedies by Hildegard ex Jerbiton Q13 A superb Tractatus on Herbam. 13bp.
Viola - 8bp
Covenants of the Tribunal of Thebes (Poseidon of Guernicus), Tractatus on Order of Hermes Lore (Q8). 8bp.
Tasia - 45bp.
Insights into Insight (Q12 Intellego tractatus). 12bp.
Domination of the Magi (Q 10 Rego tractatus). 10bp.
Seven-League Stride [ReCo30]. 6bp.
Leap of Homecoming [ReCo35]. 7bp.
Maintaining the Demanding Spell [ReVi50]. 10bp.
Portia - 0bp
Principia Fabricata, by Portia Verditii. Magic Theory Tractatus, Quality 12. 0bp.
In Memoriam de Meus Discipulus Athan, by Portia Verditii. Magic Theory Tractatus, Quality 12. 0bp.
Gregorius - 0bp
Am I missing anything (especially from Portia)? Gregorius hasn't had time to acquire any books of his own yet. He'll be bringing a book on loan with him (probably a Rego or Mentem summa, but I'm a bit undecided still), but that won't be part of the covenant library proper.
The other thing is that there's a very uneven distribution of bp between magi - are people happy with this?
Summary of magi's priorities for the library, as I understand them:
Tasia
Healing lab texts (e.g. Bind Wound [CrCo10], Purification of the Festering Wounds [CrCo20], The Chirurgeon's Gentle Touch (spells wiki) [CrCo20, ritual], The Severed Limb Made Whole [CrCo25, ritual], The Physician's Circle (spells wiki) [CrCo45, ritual])
Viola
Arts books (all the Techniques except Perdo, and Animal, Herbam, Imaginem, and maybe Vim for Forms), and also would really like some Magic Theory books useful for someone who already has a score of 7 in MT.
Portia
Lots of tractatus on theory, and at least one or two texts on artes liberales, and philosophiae. No primers.
Aetos
Herbam and Auram, Area Lore books, and regional magic lore books, Animal tractatus.
Gregorius
Enough MT texts to get him up to level 5/6, books for pretty much all of the arts eventually, something basic in concentration, tractatus in finesse.
Is everyone happy with that? The general consensus seems to be lots of Tractatus on Magic Theory, and then various arts with a slight concentration of interest on Animal and Herbam.
People aren't going to get everything they want (in particular, I'll be following the caps on level and quality for a medium power covenant, and plan to stick to standard spells), but I'll try and roughly take note of magi's desires.
Lab texts - 136 build points in total:
Spell Lab texts - 116bp
Doublet of Impenetrable Silk (MuAn 15) 3
Incantation of Lightening (CrAu 35) 7
Bind Wound (CrCo 10) 2
The Chirugeon's Healing Touch (CrCo 20) 4
Purification of the Festering Wound (CrCo 20) 4
Disguise of the New Visage (MuCo 15) 2
Cloak of Black Feathers (MuCo(An) 30) 6
Doublet of Impenetrable Silk (MuAn 15) 3
Incantation of Lightening (CrAu 35) 7
Pilum of Fire (CrIg 20) 4
Ball of Abysmal flame (CrIg 35) 7
Quench the Raging Conflagation (PeIg 20, HoH:S 37) 4
Ward Against Heat and Flames (ReIg 25) 5
Aura of Enobled Presence (MuIm 10) 2
Veil of Invisibility (PeIm 20) 4
Wizard's Sidestep (ReIm 10) 2
Memory of the Distant Dream (CrMe 20) 4
Frosty Breath of the Spoken Lie (InMe 20) 4
Posing the Silent Question (InMe 20) 4
Thoughts within Babble (InMe 25) 5
Trust of Childlike Faith (PeMe 10) 2
The Call to Slumber (ReMe 10) 2
Aura of Rightful Authority (ReMe 20) 4
Conjuring the Mystic Tower (CrTe 35) 7
Piercing the Faerie Veil (InVi 20) 4
Wizard's Communion (MuVi 20) 4
Demon's Eternal Oblivion (PeVi 10) 2
Aegis of the Hearth (ReVi 20) 4
Maintaining the Demanding Spell (ReVi 20) 4
Item Creation Lab Texts - 20bp
Warmth of Stone - CrIg(Te) 24 lesser enchanted device. When placed inside a stone structure, this disc keeps the building warm throughout the winter. Taking the disc out of the building during summer is advised. Base 2 + 1 Touch +3 structure +2 sun +3lvls environmental trigger, +1lvl two uses per day. Requisite free? (Based on Stone Disk of Warmth of Wood in Magi of Hermes (pg 40), although that lists but doesn't include in the calculated level a Herbam requisite). 5bp.
Frost Stone - PeIg(Te) 34 lesser enchanted device. When placed inside a stone structure, this disc keeps the building cool throughout the summer. Taking the disc out of the building during winter is advised. Base 4 + 1 Touch +3 structure +2 sun +3lvls environmental trigger, +1lvl two uses per day. Requisite free? (Based on Stone disk of Frosted timber in Magi of Hermes (pg 40), although that lists a Herbam requisite which I'm not convinced is necessary, given spells like Wizard's Icy Grip don't require one). 7bp.
Bed of Rapid Convalescence - CrCo 29 lesser enchanted device. Anyone resting in this bed receives a +15 bonus to recovery rolls, as long as they remain in the bed for the whole of the recovery period (but note no penetration). (MoH pg 23). (Base 10 +1 touch +2 sun +1 level 2 uses per day, +3 levels environmental trigger.) 6bp.
The Binding Bandages CrCo 10 charged item. This lab text gives instructions for how to enchant a group of bandages, each with one charge of Bind Wound. (Base 3 + 1 Touch + 2 sun). 2bp.
Ability Summae - 178bp
Insights from Twilight, by Perpauca Bonisagi. Summa on Magic Theory, Level 6, Quality 11. 29bp
Ultor ("The Avenger"), by Elaine filia Flambeau. Summa on Penetration, Level 5 Quality 11. 26bp.
The Intent Mind. Summa on Concentration. Level 4, Quality 10. 22bp.
Elementa, by Euclid. Summa on Artes Liberales, translated into Latin. Level 4, Quality 8. 20bp
Decem Libri Histrorium by Gregory of Tours. Summa on Magic Lore Level 3, Quality 12, Divine Lore Level 2 Quality 14, Intrigue Level 2 Quality 10 57bp.
The Order's Shield, by Octavian Tremendi. Parma Magica Summa, Level 5, Quality 9. 24bp.
I'm thinking about removing Elementa and Decem Libri Histrorium. What do people reckon?