Legacy:Books
Version 1
Date: 2008-04-07 11:18:25 GMT Author: Yair Comment: Initial version
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are several kinds of elements available through the [[Canon|canon]]: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Such a book might, for example, be read for a single [[Season]] to improve the reader's Hunt score, and alater for two more seasons to learn some Magic Lore. Each element is treated seperately, as if it was an independent book. In core [[ArM5]], a book is charactarized simply by the Qualities and Levels of its elements. The supplement [[Covenants]] introduced several new (optional) rules regarding books. In the post-''Covenants'' setting, a book is characterized in many ways. The level of artisanship is noted, as is the use of [[Resonant Materials|Resonance]] or a [[Palimpsest|palimpsest]]. If valuable, it is probably [[Gloss|glossed]]. It may belong to a special category of books, being a [[Commentary]], [[Folio]], [[Congregational]], or [[Florigelium]]. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, and Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' In addition, some kinds of books benefit from putting several works together. These include the * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). * [[Florigelium]], a carefully-chosen collection of Tractatus (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). ''Covenants'' also introduced new ways to categorize books, and new books types. * '''Commentaries''': Tractatus who refer to Summas. * '''Congregationals''': Massive books for communal reading. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''': A poor copy, typically by young magi.
Version 2
Date: 2008-04-07 11:19:33 GMT Author: Yair Comment: typo
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are several kinds of elements available through the [[Canon|canon]]: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Such a book might, for example, be read for a single [[Season]] to improve the reader's Hunt score, and ater for two more seasons to learn some Magic Lore. Each element is treated seperately, as if it was an independent book. In core [[ArM5]], a book is charactarized simply by the Qualities and Levels of its elements. The supplement [[Covenants]] introduced several new (optional) rules regarding books. In the post-''Covenants'' setting, a book is characterized in many ways. The level of artisanship is noted, as is the use of [[Resonant Materials|Resonance]] or a [[Palimpsest|palimpsest]]. If valuable, it is probably [[Gloss|glossed]]. It may belong to a special category of books, being a [[Commentary]], [[Folio]], [[Congregational]], or [[Florigelium]]. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, and Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' In addition, some kinds of books benefit from putting several works together. These include the * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). * [[Florigelium]], a carefully-chosen collection of Tractatus (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). ''Covenants'' also introduced new ways to categorize books, and new books types. * '''Commentaries''': Tractatus who refer to Summas. * '''Congregationals''': Massive books for communal reading. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''': A poor copy, typically by young magi.
Version 3
Date: 2008-04-07 11:33:07 GMT Author: Yair Comment: more sections, minor edits
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are several kinds of elements available through the [[Canon|canon]]: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Such a book might, for example, be read for a single [[Season]] to improve the reader's Hunt score, and later for two more seasons to learn some Magic Lore. Each element is treated seperately, as if it was an independent book. While such complicated, many-element books are in [[Canon|canon]], for simplicty many [[Saga|sagas]] may opt to maintain a one-book-one-element policy. While such complicated, many-element books are in [[Canon|canon]], for simplicty many [[Saga|sagas]] may opt to maintain a one-book-one-element policy. In core [[ArM5]], a book is charactarized simply by the Qualities and Levels of its elements. The supplement [[Covenants]] introduced several new (optional) rules regarding books. In the post-''Covenants'' setting, a book is characterized in many ways. The level of artisanship is noted, as is the use of [[Resonant Materials|Resonance]] or a [[Palimpsest|palimpsest]]. If valuable, it is probably [[Gloss|glossed]]. It may belong to a special category of books, being a [[Commentary]], [[Folio]], [[Congregational]], or [[Florigelium]]. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, and Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' In addition, some kinds of books benefit from putting several works together. These include the * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). * [[Florigelium]], a carorize books, and new books types. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''' =Things Which Work Like Books Many things may function effectively like a book. These include enchanted mirrors, the [[Final Transmision]] of a [[Criamon]] magus, and more. =Referneces * The core treatment of book is in [[ArM5]] [[??]]. * ''Covenants'' provides the expanded rules in [[Covenants]] [[??]]. =See Also * Books can also be used for [[Research]]. A related concept is [[Realia]]. * There are a number of books detailed in the [[Canon|canon]]. See [[??]].
Version 4
Date: 2008-04-07 11:49:55 GMT Author: Yair Comment: inserted specific books
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are several kinds of elements available through the [[Canon|canon]]: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Such a book might, for example, be read for a single [[Season]] to improve the reader's Hunt score, and later for two more seasons to learn some Magic Lore. Each element is treated seperately, as if it was an independent book. While such complicated, many-element books are in [[Canon|canon]], for simplicty many [[Saga|sagas]] may opt to maintain a one-book-one-element policy. In core [[ArM5]], a book is charactarized simply by the Qualities and Levels of its elements. The supplement [[Covenants]] introduced several new (optional) rules regarding books. In the post-''Covenants'' setting, a book is characterized in many ways. The level of artisanship is noted, as is the use of [[Resonant Materials|Resonance]] or a [[Palimpsest|palimpsest]]. If valuable, it is probably [[Gloss|glossed]]. It may belong to a special category of books, being a [[Commentary]], [[Folio]], [[Congregational]], or [[Florigelium]]. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, and Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' In addition, some kinds of books benefit from putting several works together. These include the * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). * [[Florigelium]], a carefully-chosen collection of Tractatus (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). ''Covenants'' also introduced new ways to categorize books, and new books types. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''': A poor copy, typically by young magi. =Things Which Work Like Books Many things may function effectively like a book. These include enchanted mirrors, the [[Final Transmision]] of a [[Criamon]] magus, and more. =Referneces * The core treatment of book is in [[ArM5]] [[??]]. * ''Covenants'' provides the expanded rules in [[Covenants]] [[??]]. =See Also * For related spells see [[Covenants]] 96-97, 99-100. For a discussion of magically copying books, see [[http://lonedm.googlepages.com/bookcraft|here]]. * For related spells see [[Covenants]] 96-97, 99-100. For a discussion of magiFor enchanting books, see [[TMRE]] 92. * There are a n books, see [[http://lonedm.googlepages.com/bookThese include ** t|The Travels of Fedoso|Travels of Fedosore, [[HoHMC]] 55] ** The works of [[Elaine of Flambeau]] (including works on [[Ignem]], [[Penetration]], [[Magic Theory]], and [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 9 ** The [[Analects of Tytalus]] (covering [[House Tytalus Lore]] and [[Order of Hermes Lore]], as well as [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 74 ** The legendary "Herbal of Crateuas" is mentioned on [[HoHS]] 124, a work on [[Medicine]], [[Apothecary]], and [[Mythic Herbalism]]. ** Principia Magica, the authority on [[Magic Theory]], on [[GotF]] 57.
Version 5
Date: 2008-04-07 11:56:38 GMT Author: Yair Comment: corrected book title
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are several kinds of elements available through the [[Canon|canon]]: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Such a book might, for example, be read for a single [[Season]] to improve the reader's Hunt score, and later for two more seasons to learn some Magic Lore. Each element is treated seperately, as if it was an independent book. While such complicated, many-element books are in [[Canon|canon]], for simplicty many [[Saga|sagas]] may opt to maintain a one-book-one-element policy. In core [[ArM5]], a book is charactarized simply by the Qualities and Levels of its elements. The supplement [[Covenants]] introduced several new (optional) rules regarding books. In the post-''Covenants'' setting, a book is characterized in many ways. The level of artisanship is noted, as is the use of [[Resonant Materials|Resonance]] or a [[Palimpsest|palimpsest]]. If valuable, it is probably [[Gloss|glossed]]. It may belong to a special category of books, being a [[Commentary]], [[Folio]], [[Congregational]], or [[Florigelium]]. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, and Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' In addition, some kinds of books benefit from putting several works together. These include the * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). * [[Florigelium]], a carefully-chosen collection of Tractatus (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). ''Covenants'' also introduced new ways to categorize books, and new books types. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''': A poor copy, typically by young magi. =Things Which Work Like Books Many things may function effectively like a book. These include enchanted mirrors, the [[Final Transmision]] of a [[Criamon]] magus, and more. =Referneces * The core treatment of book is in [[ArM5]] [[??]]. * ''Covenants'' provides the expanded rules in [[Covenants]] [[??]]. =See Also * For related spells see [[Covenants]] 96-97, 99-100. For a discussion of magically copying books, see [[http://lonedm.googlepages.com/bookcraft|here]]. * Books can also be used for [[Research]]. A related concept is [[Realia]]. * For enchanting books, see [[TMRE]] 92. * There are a number of books detailed in the [[Canon|canon]]. These include ** [[The Travels of Fedoso** The works of [[Elaine of Flambeau]] (including works on [[Ignem]], [[Penetration]], [[Magic Theory]], and [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 9 ** The [[Analects of Tytalus]] (covering [[House Tytalus Lore]] and [[Order of Hermes Lore]], as well as [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 74 ** The legendary "Herbal of Crateuas" is mentioned on [[HoHS]] 124, a work on [[Medicine]], [[Apothecary]], and [[Mythic Herbalism]]. ** Principia Magica, the authority on [[Magic Theory]], on [[GotF]] 57.
Version 6
Date: 2008-04-07 11:58:27 GMT Author: Yair Comment: Removed "Things that work like books"; added it to See Also
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are several kinds of elements available through the [[Canon|canon]]: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Such a book might, for example, be read for a single [[Season]] to improve the reader's Hunt score, and later for two more seasons to learn some Magic Lore. Each element is treated seperately, as if it was an independent book. While such complicated, many-element books are in [[Canon|canon]], for simplicty many [[Saga|sagas]] may opt to maintain a one-book-one-element policy. In core [[ArM5]], a book is charactarized simply by the Qualities and Levels of its elements. The supplement [[Covenants]] introduced several new (optional) rules regarding books. In the post-''Covenants'' setting, a book is characterized in many ways. The level of artisanship is noted, as is the use of [[Resonant Materials|Resonance]] or a [[Palimpsest|palimpsest]]. If valuable, it is probably [[Gloss|glossed]]. It may belong to a special category of books, being a [[Commentary]], [[Folio]], [[Congregational]], or [[Florigelium]]. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, and Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' In addition, some kinds of books benefit from putting several works together. These include the * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). * [[Florigelium]], a carefully-chosen collection of Tractatus (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). ''Covenants'' also introduced new ways to categorize books, and new books types. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''': A poor copy, typically by young magi. =Referneces * The core treatment of book is in [[ArM5]] [[??]]. * ''Covenants'' provides the expanded rules in [[Covenants]] [[??]]. =See Also * For related spells see [[Covenants]] 96-97, 99-100. For a discussion of magically copying books, see [[http://lonedm.googlepages.com/bookcraft|here]]. * Books can also be used for [[Research]]. A related concept is [[Realia]]. * For enchanting books, see [[TMRE]] 92. * Any number of things can function effectively like a book. These include supernaturally-flavored libraries like ghosts or reflacting mirrors, and the [[Final Transmission]] of a [[Criamon]] magus. * There are a number of books detailed in the [[Canon|canon]]. These include ** [[The Travels of Fedoso]], [[Travels of Fedoso]], [[HoHMC]] 55. ** The works of [[Elaine of Flambeau]] (including works on [[Ignem]], [[Penetration]], [[Magic Theory]], and [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 9 ** The [[Analects of Tytalus]] (covering [[House Tytalus Lore]] and [[Order of Hermes Lore]], as well as [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 74 ** The legendary "Herbal of Crateuas" is mentioned on [[HoHS]] 124, a work on [[Medicine]], [[Apothecary]], and [[Mythic Herbalism]]. ** Principia Magica, the authority on [[Magic Th
Version 7
Date: 2008-04-25 10:26:11 GMT Author: Yair Comment: added Elaine's titles
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are several kinds of elements available through the [[Canon|canon]]: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Such a book might, for example, be read for a single [[Season]] to improve the reader's Hunt score, and later for two more seasons to learn some Magic Lore. Each element is treated seperately, as if it was an independent book. While such complicated, many-element books are in [[Canon|canon]], for simplicty many [[Saga|sagas]] may opt to maintain a one-book-one-element policy. In core [[ArM5]], a book is charactarized simply by the Qualities and Levels of its elements. The supplement [[Covenants]] introduced several new (optional) rules regarding books. In the post-''Covenants'' setting, a book is characterized in many ways. The level of artisanship is noted, as is the use of [[Resonant Materials|Resonance]] or a [[Palimpsest|palimpsest]]. If valuable, it is probably [[Gloss|glossed]]. It may belong to a special category of books, being a [[Commentary]], [[Folio]], [[Congregational]], or [[Florigelium]]. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, and Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' In addition, some kinds of books benefit from putting several works together. These include the * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). * [[Florigelium]], a carefully-chosen collection of Tractatus (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). ''Covenants'' also introduced new ways to categorize books, and new books types. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''': A poor copy, typically by young magi. =Referneces * The core treatment of book is in [[ArM5]] [[??]]. * ''Covenants'' provides the expanded rules in [[Covenants]] [[??]]. =See Also * For related spells see [[Covenants]] 96-97, 99-100. For a discussion of magically copying books, see [[http://lonedm.googlepages.com/bookcraft|here]]. * Books can also be used for [[Research]]. A related concept is [[Realia]]. * For enchanting books, see [[TMRE]] 92. * Any number of things can function effectively like a book. These include supernaturally-flavored libraries like ghosts or reflecting mirrors, and the [[Final Transmission]] of a [[Criamon]] magus. * There are a number of books detailed in the [[Canon|canon]]. These include ** [[The Travels of Fedoso]], [[HoHMC]] 55. ** The works of [[Elaine of Flambeau]] (including works on [[Ignem]], [[Penetration]], [[Magic Theory]], and [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 9. These include the titles Ars Flambonis, Ultor, liber de Lumine, De Magica Sympathetica, and De Potestae et Obligatione. ** The [[Analects of Tytalus]] (covering [[House Tytalus Lore]] and [[Order of Hermes Lore]], as well as [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 74 ** The legendary "Herbal of Crateuas" is mentioned on [[HoHS]] 124, a work on [[Medicine]], [[Apothecary]], and [[Mythic Herbalism]]. ** Principia Magica, the authority on [[Magic Theory]], on [[GotF]] 57.
Version 8
Date: 2010-03-08 11:15:40 GMT Author: Yair Comment: minor changes
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. Books are usually written in Latin, and a basic competency with the alphabet (via [[Artes Liberales]]) and language (a score of 4 or 5) is expected to read or write a book. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are three basic kinds books in [[ArM5]], described in the core rulebook: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. Each element is then treated seperately, as if it was an independent book. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Using this book, a reader might peruse the Hunt tractatus within this book for one [[Season]], and later spend another season reading the Animal Handling summa.Note that it is impossible for another reader to read the book while the character is using it, even if he is using another element of it. While such complicated, many-element books are in [[Canon|canon]], for simplicity many [[Saga|sagas]] may opt to maintain a one-book-one-element policy. =Expanded Book Rules The supplement [[Covenants]] provides expanded book rules, introducing new book types and more options. The new types of works include, :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]), that function effectively as a tractatus. :[[Commentary]]: A tractatus written on the basis of an earlier work, usually an [[Authority|authority]]. Many tractatus would be written as commentaries, as this increases their Quality. In addition, several new options are presented for writing: :[[Congregational]]: A bombastically large book, often written for communal or public reading. :[[Craftmanship]]: Low levels of craftmanship can lower the effective quality of a work. Supposedly, well-established covenants use skilled craftesmen to fashion their books, while young Spring covenants use poorer-quality books. :[[Palimpsest]]: It is possible to write the book on a poor-quality, reused, parchment. :[[Resonant Materials]]: Incorporating exotic materials through magic can increase the Quality of the text. Supposedly, many valuable Hermetic works use resonant materials. :[[Gloss]]: It is possible to gloss a summa to increase its quality. Supposedly, most valuable summas have been glossed. * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :[[Florigelium]]: A carefully-chosen collection of Tractatus (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). In the post-''Covenants'' setting, then, a book is characterized in many ways. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, the summas are Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa (+1).) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundane) of Mythic Europe.'' ''Covenants'' also introduced new ways to categorize books, and new books types. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''': A poor copy, typically by young magi. The affect of all these expanded rules is that maximum, and therefore effective, Quality tends to increase slightly, as does the book-keeping complexity. However, this is balanced by a lower Quality for starting covenants and a richer, more flavorful, treatment of books. Many in the [[Fan Community]] saw the expanded book rules as somewhat excessive, and introduce them only partially or with modifications to their sagas. The craftmanship rules insert extra book-keeping for very little return, as do the mutually-excluding gloss/commentary/florigelium options. The use of resonant materials seems extravagant and exceedingly expensive to some, and too easy for others. Only the poorest covenants would have cause to produce or purchase books using the lower-quality options such as using a palimpsest, so that this detail too seems redundant. Despite this, the expanded book rules provide a rich mix of options and ideas for those who want to use them. =Canonic Books There are a number of books detailed in the [[Canon|canon]]. These include * [[The Travels of Fedoso]], [[HoHMC]] 55. * The works of [[Elaine of Flambeau]] (including works on [[Ignem]], [[Penetration]], [[Magic Theory]], and [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 9. These include the titles Ars Flambonis, Ultor, liber de Lumine, De Magica Sympathetica, and De Potestae et Obligatione. * The [[Analects of Tytalus]] (covering [[House Tytalus Lore]] and [[Order of Hermes Lore]], as well as [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 74 * The legendary "Herbal of Crateuas" is mentioned on [[HoHS]] 124, a work on [[Medicine]], [[Apothecary]], and [[Mythic Herbalism]]. * Principia Magica, the authority on [[Magic Theory]], on [[GotF]] 57. * A number of Christian books are described in [[Realms of Power: The Divine]] page 86. These include works on Theology, Church Lore, Dominion Lore, and Philosophiae. Titles include The Bible, Sentences (by Peter the Lombard), The City of God (by St. Augustine of Hippo), Consolations of Philosophy (by Boethius) and The Celestial Hierarchy (by Dionysius the Areopagite). =References * The core treatment of book is in [[ArM5]] [[??]]. * ''Covenants'' provides the expanded rules in [[Covenants]] [[??]]. =See Also * For related spells see [[Covenants]] 96-97, 99-100. For a discussion of magically copying books, see [[http://lonedm.googlepages.com/bookcraft|here]]. * Books can also be used for [[Research]]. A related concept is [[Realia]]. * For enchanting books, see [[TMRE]] 92. * Any number of things can function effectively like a book. These include supernaturally-flavored libraries like ghosts or reflecting mirrors, and the [[Final Transmission]] of a [[Criamon]] magus.
Version 9
Date: 2010-03-10 15:53:27 GMT Author: Yair Comment: added Vulgar Alchemy
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. Books are usually written in Latin, and a basic competency with the alphabet (via [[Artes Liberales]]) and language (a score of 4 or 5) is expected to read or write a book. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are three basic kinds books in [[ArM5]], described in the core rulebook: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. Each element is then treated seperately, as if it was an independent book. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Using this book, a reader might peruse the Hunt tractatus within this book for one [[Season]], and later spend another season reading the Animal Handling summa.Note that it is impossible for another reader to read the book while the character is using it, even if he is using another element of it. While such complicated, many-element books are in [[Canon|canon]], for simplicity many [[Saga|sagas]] may opt to maintain a one-book-one-element policy. =Expanded Book Rules The supplement [[Covenants]] provides expanded book rules, introducing new book types and more options. The new types of works include, :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]), that function effectively as a tractatus. :[[Commentary]]: A tractatus written on the basis of an earlier work, usually an [[Authority|authority]]. Many tractatus would be written as commentaries, as this increases their Quality. In addition, several new options are presented for writing: :[[Congregational]]: A bombastically large book, often written for communal or public reading. :[[Craftmanship]]: Low levels of craftmanship can lower the effective quality of a work. Supposedly, well-established covenants use skilled craftesmen to fashion their books, while young Spring covenants use poorer-quality books. :[[Palimpsest]]: It is possible to write the book on a poor-quality, reused, parchment. :[[Resonant Materials]]: Incorporating exotic materials through magic can increase the Quality of the text. Supposedly, many valuable Hermetic works use resonant materials. :[[Gloss]]: It is possible to gloss a summa to increase its quality. Supposedly, most valuable summas have been glossed. * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :[[Florigelium]]: A carefully-chosen collection of Tractatus (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). In the post-''Covenants'' setting, then, a book is characterized in many ways. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, the summas are Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa (+1).) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundane) of Mythic Europe.'' ''Covenants'' also introduced new ways to categorize books, and new books types. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''': A poor copy, typically by young magi. The affect of all these expanded rules is that maximum, and therefore effective, Quality tends to increase slightly, as does the book-keeping complexity. However, this is balanced by a lower Quality for starting covenants and a richer, more flavorful, treatment of books. Many in the [[Fan Community]] saw the expanded book rules as somewhat excessive, and introduce them only partially or with modifications to their sagas. The craftmanship rules insert extra book-keeping for very little return, as do the mutually-excluding gloss/commentary/florigelium options. The use of resonant materials seems extravagant and exceedingly expensive to some, and too easy for others. Only the poorest covenants would have cause to produce or purchase books using the lower-quality options such as using a palimpsest, so that this detail too seems redundant. Despite this, the expanded book rules provide a rich mix of options and ideas for those who want to use them. =Other Books and Options Certain other rules expand on books, adding more options to writing them and new categories of books. * [[Vulgar Alchemy]] allows magi to discover new [[Shape and Material Bonus|Shape and Material bonuses]]. When writing a tractatus on [[Magic Theory]], practitioners of this [[mystery]] may write about the new bonus, which allows other magi to read the tractatus and use it. =Canonic Books There are a number of books detailed in the [[Canon|canon]]. These include * [[The Travels of Fedoso]], [[HoHMC]] 55. * The works of [[Elaine of Flambeau]] (including works on [[Ignem]], [[Penetration]], [[Magic Theory]], and [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 9. These include the titles Ars Flambonis, Ultor, liber de Lumine, De Magica Sympathetica, and De Potestae et Obligatione. * The [[Analects of Tytalus]] (covering [[House Tytalus Lore]] and [[Order of Hermes Lore]], as well as [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 74 * The legendary "Herbal of Crateuas" is mentioned on [[HoHS]] 124, a work on [[Medicine]], [[Apothecary]], and [[Mythic Herbalism]]. * Principia Magica, the authority on [[Magic Theory]], on [[GotF]] 57. * A number of Christian books are described in [[Realms of Power: The Divine]] page 86. These include works on Theology, Church Lore, Dominion Lore, and Philosophiae. Titles include The Bible, Sentences (by Peter the Lombard), The City of God (by St. Augustine of Hippo), Consolations of Philosophy (by Boethius) and The Celestial Hierarchy (by Dionysius the Areopagite). =References * The core treatment of book is in [[ArM5]] [[??]]. * ''Covenants'' provides the expanded rules in [[Covenants]] [[??]]. =See Also * For related spells see [[Covenants]] 96-97, 99-100. For a discussion of magically copying books, see [[http://lonedm.googlepages.com/bookcraft|here]]. * Books can also be used for [[Research]]. A related concept is [[Realia]]. * For enchanting books, see [[TMRE]] 92. * Any number of things can function effectively like a book. These include supernaturally-flavored libraries like ghosts or reflecting mirrors, and the [[Final Transmission]] of a [[Criamon]] magus.
Version 10
Date: 2010-03-10 16:29:16 GMT Author: Yair Comment: added breakthrough-dissemination
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. Books are usually written in Latin, and a basic competency with the alphabet (via [[Artes Liberales]]) and language (a score of 4 or 5) is expected to read or write a book. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are three basic kinds books in [[ArM5]], described in the core rulebook: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. Each element is then treated seperately, as if it was an independent book. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Using this book, a reader might peruse the Hunt tractatus within this book for one [[Season]], and later spend another season reading the Animal Handling summa.Note that it is impossible for another reader to read the book while the character is using it, even if he is using another element of it. While such complicated, many-element books are in [[Canon|canon]], for simplicity many [[Saga|sagas]] may opt to maintain a one-book-one-element policy. =Expanded Book Rules The supplement [[Covenants]] provides expanded book rules, introducing new book types and more options. The new types of works include, :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]), that function effectively as a tractatus. :[[Commentary]]: A tractatus written on the basis of an earlier work, usually an [[Authority|authority]]. Many tractatus would be written as commentaries, as this increases their Quality. In addition, several new options are presented for writing: :[[Congregational]]: A bombastically large book, often written for communal or public reading. :[[Craftmanship]]: Low levels of craftmanship can lower the effective quality of a work. Supposedly, well-established covenants use skilled craftesmen to fashion their books, while young Spring covenants use poorer-quality books. :[[Palimpsest]]: It is possible to write the book on a poor-quality, reused, parchment. :[[Resonant Materials]]: Incorporating exotic materials through magic can increase the Quality of the text. Supposedly, many valuable Hermetic works use resonant materials. :[[Gloss]]: It is possible to gloss a summa to increase its quality. Supposedly, most valuable summas have been glossed. * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :[[Florigelium]]: A carefully-chosen collection of Tractatus (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). In the post-''Covenants'' setting, then, a book is characterized in many ways. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, the summas are Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa (+1).) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundane) of Mythic Europe.'' ''Covenants'' also introduced new ways to categorize books, and new books types. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''': A poor copy, typically by young magi. The affect of all these expanded rules is that maximum, and therefore effective, Quality tends to increase slightly, as does the book-keeping complexity. However, this is balanced by a lower Quality for starting covenants and a richer, more flavorful, treatment of books. Many in the [[Fan Community]] saw the expanded book rules as somewhat excessive, and introduce them only partially or with modifications to their sagas. The craftmanship rules insert extra book-keeping for very little return, as do the mutually-excluding gloss/commentary/florigelium options. The use of resonant materials seems extravagant and exceedingly expensive to some, and too easy for others. Only the poorest covenants would have cause to produce or purchase books using the lower-quality options such as using a palimpsest, so that this detail too seems redundant. Despite this, the expanded book rules provide a rich mix of options and ideas for those who want to use them. =Other Books and Options Certain other rules expand on books, adding more options to writing them and new categories of books. * [[Vulgar Alchemy]] allows magi to discover new [[Shape and Material Bonus|Shape and Material bonuses]]. When writing a tractatus on [[Magic Theory]], practitioners of this [[mystery]] may write about the new bonus, which allows other magi to read the tractatus and use it. * Books can be used to disseminate the integration of [[Original Research]], [[Ancient Magic]], or [[Hedge Magic]] into Hermetic magic. Lab texts incorporating new ranges and durations which are [[Minor Breakthrough|minor breakthroughs]], or fully integrated great breakthroughs, disseminate these discoveries to their readers. A new Ability due to a Major Breakthrough may be taught by a book on it. =Canonic Books There are a number of books detailed in the [[Canon|canon]]. These include * [[The Travels of Fedoso]], [[HoHMC]] 55. * The works of [[Elaine of Flambeau]] (including works on [[Ignem]], [[Penetration]], [[Magic Theory]], and [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 9. These include the titles Ars Flambonis, Ultor, liber de Lumine, De Magica Sympathetica, and De Potestae et Obligatione. * The [[Analects of Tytalus]] (covering [[House Tytalus Lore]] and [[Order of Hermes Lore]], as well as [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 74 * The legendary "Herbal of Crateuas" is mentioned on [[HoHS]] 124, a work on [[Medicine]], [[Apothecary]], and [[Mythic Herbalism]]. * Principia Magica, the authority on [[Magic Theory]], on [[GotF]] 57. * A number of Christian books are described in [[Realms of Power: The Divine]] page 86. These include works on Theology, Church Lore, Dominion Lore, and Philosophiae. Titles include The Bible, Sentences (by Peter the Lombard), The City of God (by St. Augustine of Hippo), Consolations of Philosophy (by Boethius) and The Celestial Hierarchy (by Dionysius the Areopagite). =References * The core treatment of book is in [[ArM5]] [[??]]. * ''Covenants'' provides the expanded rules in [[Covenants]] [[??]]. =See Also * For related spells see [[Covenants]] 96-97, 99-100. For a discussion of magically copying books, see [[http://lonedm.googlepages.com/bookcraft|here]]. * Books can also be used for [[Research]]. A related concept is [[Realia]]. * For enchanting books, see [[TMRE]] 92. * Any number of things can function effectively like a book. These include supernaturally-flavored libraries like ghosts or reflecting mirrors, and the [[Final Transmission]] of a [[Criamon]] magus.
Version 11
Date: 2010-03-10 16:36:24 GMT Author: Yair Comment: added HoHTL folio
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. Books are usually written in Latin, and a basic competency with the alphabet (via [[Artes Liberales]]) and language (a score of 4 or 5) is expected to read or write a book. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are three basic kinds books in [[ArM5]], described in the core rulebook: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. Each element is then treated seperately, as if it was an independent book. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Using this book, a reader might peruse the Hunt tractatus within this book for one [[Season]], and later spend another season reading the Animal Handling summa.Note that it is impossible for another reader to read the book while the character is using it, even if he is using another element of it. While such complicated, many-element books are in [[Canon|canon]], for simplicity many [[Saga|sagas]] may opt to maintain a one-book-one-element policy. =Expanded Book Rules The supplement [[Covenants]] provides expanded book rules, introducing new book types and more options. The new types of works include, :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]), that function effectively as a tractatus. :[[Commentary]]: A tractatus written on the basis of an earlier work, usually an [[Authority|authority]]. Many tractatus would be written as commentaries, as this increases their Quality. In addition, several new options are presented for writing: :[[Congregational]]: A bombastically large book, often written for communal or public reading. :[[Craftmanship]]: Low levels of craftmanship can lower the effective quality of a work. Supposedly, well-established covenants use skilled craftesmen to fashion their books, while young Spring covenants use poorer-quality books. :[[Palimpsest]]: It is possible to write the book on a poor-quality, reused, parchment. :[[Resonant Materials]]: Incorporating exotic materials through magic can increase the Quality of the text. Supposedly, many valuable Hermetic works use resonant materials. :[[Gloss]]: It is possible to gloss a summa to increase its quality. Supposedly, most valuable summas have been glossed. * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :[[Florigelium]]: A carefully-chosen collection of Tractatus (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). In the post-''Covenants'' setting, then, a book is characterized in many ways. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, the summas are Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa (+1).) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundane) of Mythic Europe.'' ''Covenants'' also introduced new ways to categorize books, and new books types. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''': A poor copy, typically by young magi. The affect of all these expanded rules is that maximum, and therefore effective, Quality tends to increase slightly, as does the book-keeping complexity. However, this is balanced by a lower Quality for starting covenants and a richer, more flavorful, treatment of books. Many in the [[Fan Community]] saw the expanded book rules as somewhat excessive, and introduce them only partially or with modifications to their sagas. The craftmanship rules insert extra book-keeping for very little return, as do the mutually-excluding gloss/commentary/florigelium options. The use of resonant materials seems extravagant and exceedingly expensive to some, and too easy for others. Only the poorest covenants would have cause to produce or purchase books using the lower-quality options such as using a palimpsest, so that this detail too seems redundant. Despite this, the expanded book rules provide a rich mix of options and ideas for those who want to use them. =Other Books and Options Certain other rules expand on books, adding more options to writing them and new categories of books. * [[Vulgar Alchemy]] allows magi to discover new [[Shape and Material Bonus|Shape and Material bonuses]]. When writing a tractatus on [[Magic Theory]], practitioners of this [[mystery]] may write about the new bonus, which allows other magi to read the tractatus and use it. * Books can be used to disseminate the integration of [[Original Research]], [[Ancient Magic]], or [[Hedge Magic]] into Hermetic magic. Lab texts incorporating new ranges and durations which are [[Minor Breakthrough|minor breakthroughs]], or fully integrated great breakthroughs, disseminate these discoveries to their readers. A new Ability due to a Major Breakthrough may be taught by a book on it. * [[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]] offers a new type of book, the [[Folio]]. This is a collection of Lab Texts and Tractatus, along with biographical notes and comments. Reading an element in the collection provides experience in [[Order of Hermes Lore]] as well the usual benefit. =Canonic Books There are a number of books detailed in the [[Canon|canon]]. These include * [[The Travels of Fedoso]], [[HoHMC]] 55. * The works of [[Elaine of Flambeau]] (including works on [[Ignem]], [[Penetration]], [[Magic Theory]], and [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 9. These include the titles Ars Flambonis, Ultor, liber de Lumine, De Magica Sympathetica, and De Potestae et Obligatione. * The [[Analects of Tytalus]] (covering [[House Tytalus Lore]] and [[Order of Hermes Lore]], as well as [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 74 * The legendary "Herbal of Crateuas" is mentioned on [[HoHS]] 124, a work on [[Medicine]], [[Apothecary]], and [[Mythic Herbalism]]. * Principia Magica, the authority on [[Magic Theory]], on [[GotF]] 57. * A number of Christian books are described in [[Realms of Power: The Divine]] page 86. These include works on Theology, Church Lore, Dominion Lore, and Philosophiae. Titles include The Bible, Sentences (by Peter the Lombard), The City of God (by St. Augustine of Hippo), Consolations of Philosophy (by Boethius) and The Celestial Hierarchy (by Dionysius the Areopagite). =References * The core treatment of book is in [[ArM5]] [[??]]. * ''Covenants'' provides the expanded rules in [[Covenants]] [[??]]. =See Also * For related spells see [[Covenants]] 96-97, 99-100. For a discussion of magically copying books, see [[http://lonedm.googlepages.com/bookcraft|here]]. * Books can also be used for [[Research]]. A related concept is [[Realia]]. * For enchanting books, see [[TMRE]] 92. * Any number of things can function effectively like a book. These include supernaturally-flavored libraries like ghosts or reflecting mirrors, and the [[Final Transmission]] of a [[Criamon]] magus.
Version 12
Date: 2010-03-11 08:38:41 GMT Author: Yair Comment: clarification on compound books
In Ars Magica, texts see heavy use in the communication and study between magi. Books are usually written in Latin, and a basic competency with the alphabet (via [[Artes Liberales]]) and language (a score of 4 or 5) is expected to read or write a book. A given book may be represented mechanically by any number of elements, each providing a benefit from reading it - typically experience points in a given topic. There are three basic kinds books in [[ArM5]], described in the core rulebook: :[[Tractatus]]: Allow the reader to gain their ''Quality'' as experience points in an Ability or Art. :[[Summa]]: Likewise, but only if the reader's level is lower than the Summa's ''Level''. :[[Laboratory Text]]: Aids in recreating the magical effect it describes. Most books probably contain only one element. However, it is possible for a book to contain many. Each element is then treated separately, as if it was an independent book. For example, a [[Troupe|troupe]] might include the following in the [[Covenant|covenant's]] library: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 9; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 9; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 9.) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundae) of Mythic Europe.'' Using this book, a reader might peruse the Hunt tractatus within this book for one [[Season]], and later spend another season reading the Animal Handling summa. Note that it is impossible for another reader to read the book while the character is using it, even if he is using another element of it. In-game, the book is usually a continuous whole, and the division into elements is only on the game-mechanics level, so that you can't rip-apart different sections of the book to serve as separate elements and stand-alone books. While such complicated, many-element books are in [[Canon|canon]], for simplicity many [[Saga|sagas]] may opt to maintain a one-book-one-element policy. =Expanded Book Rules The supplement [[Covenants]] provides expanded book rules, introducing new book types and more options. The new types of works include, :[[Casting Tablet]]: Allows the reader to cast a spell from the text (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :Correspondence: Letters between magi (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]), that function effectively as a tractatus. :[[Commentary]]: A tractatus written on the basis of an earlier work, usually an [[Authority|authority]]. Many tractatus would be written as commentaries, as this increases their Quality. In addition, several new options are presented for writing: :[[Congregational]]: A bombastically large book, often written for communal or public reading. :[[Craftmanship]]: Low levels of craftmanship can lower the effective quality of a work. Supposedly, well-established covenants use skilled craftesmen to fashion their books, while young Spring covenants use poorer-quality books. :[[Palimpsest]]: It is possible to write the book on a poor-quality, reused, parchment. :[[Resonant Materials]]: Incorporating exotic materials through magic can increase the Quality of the text. Supposedly, many valuable Hermetic works use resonant materials. :[[Gloss]]: It is possible to gloss a summa to increase its quality. Supposedly, most valuable summas have been glossed. * [[Folio]], collecting Laboratory Texts (see [[HoHTL]] 22, [[Covenants]] [[??]]). :[[Florigelium]]: A carefully-chosen collection of Tractatus (see [[Covenants]] [[??]]). In the post-''Covenants'' setting, then, a book is characterized in many ways. The above book, for example, might be written down as follows: : : '''De arte venandi cum avibus''' (Tractatus on [[Hunt]], Quality 10; Summa on [[Animal Handling]] Level 4, Quality 10; Summa on [[Magic Lore]] Level 2, Quality 10. This book is wonderfully crafted and illustated (+3). Written with (Com +3), in Latin, the summas are Glossed (to Com +4). The Hunt tractatus serves as a [[Commentary]] on the Animal Handling summa (+1).) ''Written by Frederic II von Hohenstaufen, this is a masterful treatise on falconry and the art of the hunt, and contains a rich illustrated encyclopedia of the beasts (magical and mundane) of Mythic Europe.'' ''Covenants'' also introduced new ways to categorize books, and new books types. * '''Branch''': A masterful high-level Summa. * '''Root''': A masterful low-level Summa. * '''Vain''': A book written to below accepted levels of Quality. * '''Fine''': A book written to accepted levels of Qualtiy. * '''Exemplar''': A book written to be copied from. * '''Juvenelia''': A poor copy, typically by young magi. The affect of all these expanded rules is that maximum, and therefore effective, Quality tends to increase slightly, as does the book-keeping complexity. However, this is balanced by a lower Quality for starting covenants and a richer, more flavorful, treatment of books. Many in the [[Fan Community]] saw the expanded book rules as somewhat excessive, and introduce them only partially or with modifications to their sagas. The craftmanship rules insert extra book-keeping for very little return, as do the mutually-excluding gloss/commentary/florigelium options. The use of resonant materials seems extravagant and exceedingly expensive to some, and too easy for others. Only the poorest covenants would have cause to produce or purchase books using the lower-quality options such as using a palimpsest, so that this detail too seems redundant. Despite this, the expanded book rules provide a rich mix of options and ideas for those who want to use them. =Other Books and Options Certain other rules expand on books, adding more options to writing them and new categories of books. * [[Vulgar Alchemy]] allows magi to discover new [[Shape and Material Bonus|Shape and Material bonuses]]. When writing a tractatus on [[Magic Theory]], practitioners of this [[mystery]] may write about the new bonus, which allows other magi to read the tractatus and use it. * Books can be used to disseminate the integration of [[Original Research]], [[Ancient Magic]], or [[Hedge Magic]] into Hermetic magic. Lab texts incorporating new ranges and durations which are [[Minor Breakthrough|minor breakthroughs]], or fully integrated great breakthroughs, disseminate these discoveries to their readers. A new Ability due to a Major Breakthrough may be taught by a book on it. * [[Houses of Hermes: True Lineages]] offers a new type of book, the [[Folio]]. This is a collection of Lab Texts and Tractatus, along with biographical notes and comments. Reading an element in the collection provides experience in [[Order of Hermes Lore]] as well the usual benefit. =Canonic Books There are a number of books detailed in the [[Canon|canon]]. These include * [[The Travels of Fedoso]], [[HoHMC]] 55. * The works of [[Elaine of Flambeau]] (including works on [[Ignem]], [[Penetration]], [[Magic Theory]], and [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 9. These include the titles Ars Flambonis, Ultor, liber de Lumine, De Magica Sympathetica, and De Potestae et Obligatione. * The [[Analects of Tytalus]] (covering [[House Tytalus Lore]] and [[Order of Hermes Lore]], as well as [[Philosophiae]]) on [[HoHS]] 74 * The legendary "Herbal of Crateuas" is mentioned on [[HoHS]] 124, a work on [[Medicine]], [[Apothecary]], and [[Mythic Herbalism]]. * Principia Magica, the authority on [[Magic Theory]], on [[GotF]] 57. * A number of Christian books are described in [[Realms of Power: The Divine]] page 86. These include works on Theology, Church Lore, Dominion Lore, and Philosophiae. Titles include The Bible, Sentences (by Peter the Lombard), The City of God (by St. Augustine of Hippo), Consolations of Philosophy (by Boethius) and The Celestial Hierarchy (by Dionysius the Areopagite). =References * The core treatment of book is in [[ArM5]] [[??]]. * ''Covenants'' provides the expanded rules in [[Covenants]] [[??]]. =See Also * For related spells see [[Covenants]] 96-97, 99-100. For a discussion of magically copying books, see [[http://lonedm.googlepages.com/bookcraft|here]]. * Books can also be used for [[Research]]. A related concept is [[Realia]]. * For enchanting books, see [[TMRE]] 92. * Any number of things can function effectively like a book. These include supernaturally-flavored libraries like ghosts or reflecting mirrors, and the [[Final Transmission]] of a [[Criamon]] magus.