RPG: Random Fantasy Books
Here’s a list of 30 books that can be added randomly to a treasure horde, found in a library, looted, etc. Some of the books will give a skill bonus if they’ve been studied long enough, length of time to study determined by GM and number of levels the character already has in that skill.
Book #20 is a special item, it gives information about the Wand of Belfal, which was created by the Wizard Belfal of the Shining Sands to destroy the Lich Sidifi. (a recurring NPC in one of my campaigns.)
1-Unexpected Similarities in the Sensory Systems of the Ogre and the Pegasus
• This book is reasonably easy to understand. Perusing it will show that it has no useful information. Though flawed, one can definitely see that the ideas within are very insightful.
2-Examining the Military History of the Dutchies: Knowledge:History +1
• This book is muddled beyond belief due to terrible diagrams. A talented person may be able to derive some understanding from the book and find it is reasonably useful. After a quick examination, one will find that the contents contain some original thought.
3-Peacetime Use of Longswords
• This book is all but impossible to understand mostly due to a complete lack of any kind of useful references. If someone somehow manages to make sense of it, they will find it has little useful information. The suffering reader will discover, with time, that the contents are derivative.
4-The Acolytes of the Awe-Inspiring Fertility Gods
• This book is muddled thanks to the bad illustrations. After some effort to read the book, one can find it has no useful information. To make things worse, one will eventually discover that the contents are derivative.
5-A Criticism of the Frontier’s Minor Inventors: Knowledge: Invention +1
• This book is easily understandable thanks to wonderful organization. It’s easy to determine that it has little useful information. Though flawed, one can definitely see that the ideas within are very insightful.
• Examining the book, one will find: Bookmarks marking pages that seem to have some errors in them. Pieces of paper with notes, in incoherent writing, that comment on errors in the book.
6-The Well-Known Invocation to the Revenge God
• This book is not very clear. After some effort to read the book, one can find it has little useful information. To make things worse, one will eventually discover that that the majority contents were obviously taken from a few other works
7-The All-Knowing Wine Goddess’ Legend
• This book is muddled because of a meandering writing style. With time, intellect, or both, one can make sense of the book, and it will reveal it is extremely informative. Unfortunately, the contents are original.
8-The History of Remedial Magic – Allows first and second level mages to level up without needing a teacher.
• This book is easy to understand because of the well-done illustrations. It’s easy to determine that it is reasonably useful. After a quick examination, one will find that the concepts in the book do show a lot of original thought.
9-The Great Animal Goddess’ Facts
• This book is quite clear thanks to the well-done illustrations. A short look at the book will show that it has a lot useful information. Despite it’s good traits, the contents are not very original.
10-Maintenance of the Sling and Crossbow
• This book is easy to understand. This clarity allows one to determine that it has a lot useful information. Despite its good traits, the contents were probably taken from several works.
• Examining the book, one will find: Folded-down pages marking pages with similar information. Written notes, in an archaic tongue, commenting on informative information in the book. Some document listing supplies in a recognizable, but foreign language can be found in a hidden compartment.
11-The Migration Patterns of Ettins: Current Fallacies
• This book is of above-average clarity. It doesnt take much effort to determine that it is extremely informative. Delighftully, the ideas within are very original.
12-The Book of Magical Art – Mages will be able to cast one (random) spell in their spellbook without need of components, but that spell has a 1% catastrophic failure chance
• This book is reasonably easy to understand thanks to the good diagrams. A small study will show it has little useful information. Though flawed, one can definitely see that the contents contain some original thought.
13-Dissimilarities in the Social Heirarchies of the Roc and the Minotaur
• This book is easy to understand. It doesnt take much effort to determine that it is reasonably useful. Perusing the book reveals that the ideas within make you see things differently.
14-The Social Heirarchies of The Jabberwock
• This book is impressively clear due to wonderful organization. The book’s well-done nature allows one to easily find that it is extremely informative.
15-A Peacetime Comparison of Daggers and Swords. Increases; Profession: Blacksmith by one skill point
• This book is of average clarity despite a meandering writing style. Perusing it will show that it is reasonably useful.
16-Unexpected Similarities in the Digestive System of the Dragon and the Drake
• This book is of average clarity thanks to the excellent, well-planned chapters. With a bit of reading, it will be revealed that it has little useful information. One may be deterred from reading it, but it is evident that the contents have a few areas of deep insight.
17-A Tome of Classic Conjuration – Teaches “Evard’s Black Tentacles” (pg. 228 PHB)
• This book is muddled thanks to a meandering writing style. After some effort to read the book, one can find it has a lot useful information. Unfortunately, the contents show some plagarism.
18-Defending Against of Ancient Illusions – Mages get a permanent +1 bonus for Will Power checks against Illusion spells targeted at themselves.
• This book is clear because of the well-done illustrations. With a bit of reading, it will be revealed that it is reasonably useful. After some reading, it is apparent that that the majority of the contents were obviously taken from someone else’s work
19-The Territory’s Ancient Organizations
• This book is hard to understand. With time, intellect, or both, one can make sense of the book, and it will reveal it has little useful information. The suffering reader will discover, with time, that the contents are original.
20-An Encyclopedia of the Recent Philosophical Wars of the Capitol – has information about the Wand of Belfal: The Wand of Belfal was created by the Wizard Belfal of the Shining Sands to destroy the Lich Sidifi
• This book is impressively clear mostly due to incredibly well-done and helpful illustrations. It’s easy to determine that it is reasonably useful. Perusing the book reveals that the contents are plagiarized.
21-Similarities in the Living Habits of the Phoenix and the Wyvern
• This book is easy to understand mostly due to the good references. It doesnt take much effort to determine that it has a lot useful information. Unfortunately, the contents are less than original.
22-The Domestic Use of Glamours
• This book is of average clarity despite the bad illustrations. Perusing it will show that it has no useful information.
23-The All-Powerful Justice Gods’ Rituals
• This book is all but impossible to understand because of a complete lack of any kind of useful references. If one miraculously managed to understand the book’s contents, that person will find it has a lot useful information. Despite its good traits, the contents are derivative.
24-The Agents of the All-Seeing Mystery God
• This book is muddled because of the poor diagrams. After some effort to read the book, one can find it has little useful information. To make things worse, one will eventually discover that the contents are not very original.
25-Similarities in the Uncommon Areas of Habitation of the Sea Serpent and the Tarasque
• This book is muddled. With effort, one will be able to understand the book, and will find it is extremely informative. Making it even more of a find, the contents have a few areas of deep insight.
26-An Examination of the Wartime Use of Crossbows and Longswords: Blacksmith+1 for those who have 3 or less points
• This book is of average clarity because of the good diagrams. With a bit of reading, it will be revealed that it has little useful information. To make things worse, one will eventually discover that the contents are plagarized.
27-A Study of the Legendary Clerics of the States: Adds Knowledge:Religion +1
• This book is clear despite a meandering writing style. Perusing it will show that it is reasonably useful. Perusing the book reveals that the contents were probably taken from several works.
28-Heretics Against the Fortune Goddess
• This book is muddled. With effort, one will be able to understand the book, and will find it is reasonably useful. After some reading, it is apparent that the contents seem to have been stolen from another work.
29-The Stiletto and Scimtar: An Extensive Legendary History
• This book is easily understandable due to extensive references. This clarity allows one to determine that it is reasonably useful. Perusing the book reveals that the contents are plagarized.
30-The Agriculture God’s Stories
• This book is muddled. With effort, one will be able to understand the book, and will find it is reasonably useful.
