I'm toying with the idea of giving my group a book as part of a treasure hoard that would effectively give them advantage to Nature rolls in a very specific region and even then, only if they aren't pressed for time. Can't use it in the heat of combat, etc. Would this be overpowered? It doesn't feel like it is. But I'd like opinions.
Like, "If you spend an hour studying the Boy Scout's Manual, you have advantage on Nature checks until the next time you take a long rest"? That doesn't seem overpowered at all, particularly if it only gives advantage to one party member at a time.
That is a great idea. I am going to steal that idea. It makes perfect sense. A guide book makes it easier to reference stuff, and if you have time why not. As a dm I also like players to make their checks so I can give them information and flesh out the world.
That is a great idea. I am going to steal that idea. It makes perfect sense. A guide book makes it easier to reference stuff, and if you have time why not. As a dm I also like players to make their checks so I can give them information and flesh out the world.
Thank you for the simple but cool idea.
Glad I could offer an idea.
I'm going to allow only one person to use it at a time. And even then, only if they can dedicate time to it without being rushed. For example, they couldn't use it to gain advantage on a Nature roll while in combat. But say, if they were travelling through the region the covers and encountered some interesting flora or fauna I'd let them reference the book to get advantage on the Nature roll. I'f it goes well, I may introduce other books that allow advantage in similar situations. Religion, History, Arcana, etc. The religion book might only cover a specific church or pantheon. The History book might only cover a specific area, city, or kingdom, or a specific era of time.
That is what I was thinking. Basically if they had time to cast a ritual spell, they would have time to look into the nature book a druid from the area wrote and have advantage on the nature check to see if they should eat the red spotted berries with purple dots, or was it red spotted berries with orange dots.
I was going to apply the same idea to other books foe other skills. Obviously some books would give you the information, and no roll required, a book on the royal lineage would be accurate if you needed to know the kings grandpa's name. But having a cook book would give you advantage on a cooking tool check to make a blue berry pie.
That is what I was thinking. Basically if they had time to cast a ritual spell, they would have time to look into the nature book a druid from the area wrote and have advantage on the nature check to see if they should eat the red spotted berries with purple dots, or was it red spotted berries with orange dots.
I was going to apply the same idea to other books foe other skills. Obviously some books would give you the information, and no roll required, a book on the royal lineage would be accurate if you needed to know the kings grandpa's name. But having a cook book would give you advantage on a cooking tool check to make a blue berry pie.
Really like the idea. As books are cumbersome, as well as fragile, lugging around a lot of them will be an in-game problem that the DM can use to limit it, if need be.
On the on the note of limiting books you can carry, I wrote this a while back for a scenario:
RUNCIMANS FOLDABLE LIBRARY
Essentially a collapsible bag of holding, but for books and scrolls only. The great Theseodorus Archibalt Runciman solved the eternal problem of needing to research a number of tomes at the same time as his studies requires him to observe an occurrence in the real world. When folded it takes up no more space than a thick book (with sturdy covers), but unfolded it holds five full shelves of considerable height. The shelves will not carry anything but books, scrolls and papers. Anything else simply tumbles out of thin air onto the ground when the library is closed. The foldable library - just like the tinkerer Maltheus Crisplocket’s collapsible kitchen - serves one purpose only, but does so remarkably well. Once unfolded, the elements will affect the contents, so the user still needs to be wary of how and when the library is unfolded.
Rules: holds up to a few hundred books or scrolls. Once closed it’s impossible to damage the contents but opening it in poor conditions requires a wisdom roll (DC 10) or one item is irreparably damaged (two items on a critical fail).
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I'm toying with the idea of giving my group a book as part of a treasure hoard that would effectively give them advantage to Nature rolls in a very specific region and even then, only if they aren't pressed for time. Can't use it in the heat of combat, etc. Would this be overpowered? It doesn't feel like it is. But I'd like opinions.
Dungeonmastering since 1992!
Like, "If you spend an hour studying the Boy Scout's Manual, you have advantage on Nature checks until the next time you take a long rest"? That doesn't seem overpowered at all, particularly if it only gives advantage to one party member at a time.
That is a great idea. I am going to steal that idea. It makes perfect sense. A guide book makes it easier to reference stuff, and if you have time why not. As a dm I also like players to make their checks so I can give them information and flesh out the world.
Thank you for the simple but cool idea.
Glad I could offer an idea.
I'm going to allow only one person to use it at a time. And even then, only if they can dedicate time to it without being rushed. For example, they couldn't use it to gain advantage on a Nature roll while in combat. But say, if they were travelling through the region the covers and encountered some interesting flora or fauna I'd let them reference the book to get advantage on the Nature roll. I'f it goes well, I may introduce other books that allow advantage in similar situations. Religion, History, Arcana, etc. The religion book might only cover a specific church or pantheon. The History book might only cover a specific area, city, or kingdom, or a specific era of time.
Dungeonmastering since 1992!
That is what I was thinking. Basically if they had time to cast a ritual spell, they would have time to look into the nature book a druid from the area wrote and have advantage on the nature check to see if they should eat the red spotted berries with purple dots, or was it red spotted berries with orange dots.
I was going to apply the same idea to other books foe other skills. Obviously some books would give you the information, and no roll required, a book on the royal lineage would be accurate if you needed to know the kings grandpa's name. But having a cook book would give you advantage on a cooking tool check to make a blue berry pie.
I love it!
Dungeonmastering since 1992!
Really like the idea. As books are cumbersome, as well as fragile, lugging around a lot of them will be an in-game problem that the DM can use to limit it, if need be.
On the on the note of limiting books you can carry, I wrote this a while back for a scenario:
RUNCIMANS FOLDABLE LIBRARY
Essentially a collapsible bag of holding, but for books and scrolls only. The great Theseodorus Archibalt Runciman solved the eternal problem of needing to research a number of tomes at the same time as his studies requires him to observe an occurrence in the real world. When folded it takes up no more space than a thick book (with sturdy covers), but unfolded it holds five full shelves of considerable height. The shelves will not carry anything but books, scrolls and papers. Anything else simply tumbles out of thin air onto the ground when the library is closed. The foldable library - just like the tinkerer Maltheus Crisplocket’s collapsible kitchen - serves one purpose only, but does so remarkably well. Once unfolded, the elements will affect the contents, so the user still needs to be wary of how and when the library is unfolded.
Rules: holds up to a few hundred books or scrolls. Once closed it’s impossible to damage the contents but opening it in poor conditions requires a wisdom roll (DC 10) or one item is irreparably damaged (two items on a critical fail).