…still waiting for a clever title…

Books and their use in WFRP

Introduction

How many times have you include a library in an adventure? And how many times have you had a player say they are looking at a book and want to know what it is about? The general response to give a player is too give the player a quick title and move along. Yet books can and should, be important. Books can offer the players a chance to learn a new skill, or offer a way to make a quick profit.

There are three types of books: common, uncommon and rare. Common books, are recent books that have been mass produced and widely available in bookshops throughout the Old World. Uncommon books are books that are 10 or more years old, or are printed in small numbers. Rare books are books that are one of a kind and generally are handwritten journals and such. Rare books also tend to be books that have been banned, destroyed, or generally publicly available.

Prices depend on the age and type of the book. A common book sells for 1d100 Crowns and can be bought in most books shops in major Old World cities. A uncommon book sells for 1d12 x100 Crowns, and are hard to come buy. These books are found in large libraries, and only the oldest bookstores have this type of book. Rare books can not be bought, and generally are only available in libraries or private collections. To get a rare book the PC will have to find one. Prices for a rare books are 1d12 x500 and generally only wealthy collectors will be interested in buy them. Generally most universities and temples will accept them as donations, and will not buy them.

Books should be used to give color and texture to the game world. Controversial books can be published and adventures can find themselves whether looking to arrest the author, or protecting him from a hoard of Witch Hunters. Books can also be used to start an new adventure. For example the PC’s discover the personal journal of Bregor Ironhead. In the journal Bregor writes about a ruined tower that contains a cache of hidden gems. By reading and studying the journal the PC’s could use it to find this treasure.

Yet beside a source of adventure seeds, books can be used to learn new skills. Generally by studying the books for 1d4 months, and spending 100 EPs a PC should be able to learn one skill. Typically most skills will be History, Art or a mundane one such as Cooking. Also most books will only be able to teach one skill.

When creating your own books, there are a few things to keep in mind. First all books need a title and a background. Use the rich history of the Warhammer world when creating books. As for background include a name of the author and a brief description of what the book deals with. Also describe the book. Most books are hardcover, and with the invention of movable type, most are printed. Finally include notes on what effect the book has on the game. Does it offer the player a chance to learn a new skill? Or does it give a bonus to a specific skill? You need to define this before you unleash the work into your game.

What follows are examples of some books you can introduce into your ongoing campaigns. You can also use these as examples when creating your own.

Ars Musica

Published in Tilea in 2483, Ars Musica was written by the singer, composer and conductor Maris Cirina (2443-2509). This is the first, and some argue the best, critical examination of musical theory. The work covers music in all forms and even includes well-researched chapters on elf and dwarf styles. Also included are numerous arrangements and scores ranging from operas to solo instrumentation. Yet the best section is the one that deals with Tilean musical styles.

Ars Musica is a 5-volume set and each volume numbers 1500 typeset pages. Scores and arrangements are included, and the entire 5th volume have nothing but them. The work is written in Tilean, and no known translation exists. The work was first published in 2473, and was revised one time before Marisa’s death. Currently her son, Leonardo is preparing a 2nd edition, and this will be published both in Tilean and Reikspiel. However when the work will be finished is unknown. It took Marisa 20 years to finish the 1st edition, and many speculate it will take Leonardo as long to compile the 2nd. Ars Musica is required reading for all students of musical theory and composition. Many others have tried to write a more comprehensive work, but Marisa’s theories and techniques are still valid.

Each volume measures 10″ x 8″ and numbers 1500 typeset pages. The binding is done in a simple brown leather and the title is tooled in the cover. The pages are sewn into the spine, and are known to fall out. The work has been reprinted a number of times, but no corrections have been made to the text. The work which, is published in Luccini by the publishing house of Bonetti & Seratto, has not been updated since 2496 when the revised version was printed.

Game Note: A number of skills can be gained from studying this work. A PC can learn: Art—Conducting, Art—Musical Composition, and Art—Tilean Music. In addition to the skills, a PC can learn a number of solo musical compositions (the work contains 500 of them). To learn a skill it will take 1d4 moths and 100 EPs. Only one skill can be learned at a time. To learn a musical piece it will take 1d4 weeks and a successful Intelligence test (+10 for the Musicianship skill). If successful the PC has memorized it, if the test is failed the PC will have to practice for another 1d4 weeks before it is memorized. This work is uncommon, due to it being published in Tilea. Generally this 5-volume set sells for 1000 Crowns in the Empire, but can be purchased in Tilea for a meager 400 Crowns. When the 2nd Edition is eventually published, it will be published in both Tilea and the Empire, and the price should be smaller.

The Battle of Praag

This is one of the many folios that exist of the Talabheim playwright, Whilhelm Spears (2429-2499). Whilhelm wrote a total of 40 plays during his lifetime, and this is his most famous.

The play is in five acts and deals with the events of fall of Praag to the forces of Chaos in 2302. With over 25 characters, this play gives a surprisingly accurate portrayal of the fall of Praag. At the time this play appeared (2476 in Talabheim) the audience was moved to tears over the tragedy and the bravery of the Kislev warriors plight. Many scholars consider “The Battle of Praag” to be Spears best work and the highlight of his career.

What sets this work off from many of Spears’ folios, is that this is the original script written by Spears. The folio is 120 pages and stage directions are included in the margins. The pages are kept between two wooden sheets and a simple red ribbon secures everything in place. Through the years numerous copies of Spears plays have been printed. In fact, he holds the distinction of being the most reprinted author of the day. Currently all 40 of his plays are available as well as two books of poetry that was published after his death.

Game Note: Like all of Spears’ works this play is written in Reikspiel. No skills can be gained from reading this work. Yet a PC can use this script to put on a production of the play. However here is the list of all Spears works, also included is the date of its publication. These can be used to provide background color. This play is considered rare, yet many reproductions with out the stage directions are available and these are considered to be common.

There may be more poems written by Spears, and a GM may want to have the players find a collection of them in their adventures. If a PC finds these lost works they can sell them to a scholar for 1d600 Crowns. However if the PCs decided to publish them themselves they could see profits of 1d1000 Crowns a year for 1d4 years.

Berger’s Law Dictionary

First published in 2402 by the lawyer and scholar Konard Berger (2362-2452), this work is the foremost authority on legal terms and definitions. Now in its 6th edition, Berger’s is the one source that lawyers and students can turn to for legal definitions.

Berger was a lawyer of great renown in Altdorf, and his clients could be found not only in the Empire, but Tilea as well. His dealings with the various laws lead him to define the terms and practices commonly found in the courtrooms at the time. Yet he went farther when he researched old laws and terms, and included their definitions as well. Through the years it has become the most authoritative source for lawyers to turn to when seeking a definition of a legal term.

With the 6th edition the publishers, The Witzenberg Group, have included Estalian, Bretonnian, and even Sea Elf terms. The work is found on every lawyers desk, and in every law school.

Measuring 10″ x 8 “, the work is cloth bound and the 500 type set pages are sewn into the spine. The binding is loose, and many copies are missing pages. Lawyers complain that every year or so a new copy must be bought due to the number of missing pages. A solid work, but really only useful for lawyers or students of the law.

Game Note: Like all the Witzenberg Group publication, this is written in Classical and is invaluable for lawyers. Any lawyer who uses this work gains a +10 to Law tests. This is a common work, but like all of the Witzenberg Groups books is very expensive. Generally this book sells for 1000 Crowns, but lately a black-market has been discovered. Many of the Witzenberg Groups warehouses have been robbed, and the books for sale at half the price. The publishers are angry, yet lawyers are looking the other way. After all, it is highway robbery what the publisher is doing.

Diaries of the Plague

This small tome is a work of the most vile. It is an handwritten diary by a unnamed priest of Nurgle. The book measures 5″ x 3″ and is bound in a sickly green leather. The 500 pages, which are made form human skin, are sewn into the binding. The work itself is written in Classical, and the writer though debased, writes elegantly. These are not the rantings of a made man, but of a well-educated, though evil, genius.

The work describes the rites and rituals for the faithful of Nurgle. Though the author is unknown, it appears that this diary was written between the years of 2300 and 2304. This is due to first person accounts of the Incursion of Chaos in Kislev. These passages possess too much detail, and describe events that only the foremost scholars know.

There are no spells included in this work, however there are many descriptions of the rituals and practices of this cult. The passages are horrific to read, but offer a clear view of the beliefs of this group. Yet still the most fascinating reading are the accounts of the war in Kislev, and the siege and sacking of Praag. Also included are sections dealing with the demons that serve Nurgle. These section are filled with so much first hand knowledge, that many feel the author was a high-ranking priest in the cult.

A few of the librarians that have handled this work have contracted Nurgle Rot. Great care must be used, and currently the work is rests in a lead box in the deepest vault of the Unseen Library.

Game Note: The work is written in the Dark Tongue. If a PC reads this work they will gain 1d4 Insanity Points. However after 1d4 months of study and 100 EPs, they will gain the skill Theology—Nurgle. This is a rare work.

Reading the work will give the PC Nurgle Rot (WFRP, pg. 318) . Every month of study the GM should secretly make a Willpower test. Failure indicates that the PC contracts it.

Giovanni’s Notebook

Composed over the years of 2420 to 2425, this is the personal notebook of Giovanni Vitti a Tilean inventor. Gio, as his friends called him, was a man of science, art, music, botany, engineering, alchemy, and magick.

The pages revile the ideas of man whose interests were everything. There is no order to the entries. Giovanni apparently wrote in the book at random, but fortunately dated all entrees. A reader will find designs for “water walking shoes,” sketches of flowers, half finished musical compositions, thoughts on the forces of magick, numerous inventions, and a recipe for pizza(?). What is remarkable about this work is the sheer brilliance of the man. His ideas and theories were before his times. The few spells that are contained in the work (only four can be deciphered) are amazing in their power and simplicity.

There is also a rather lengthy essay on the effects of magick on the human body. Giovanni gives medical evidence that prolonged use of magick cause, damage to the body. He also hypothesizes that the seduction of Chaos can be attributed to weak-minded people working with the forces of magick. Interesting reading, but how accurate this is, is unknown.

The work measures 15″ x 10″ and has 500 hand written pages. Two thin wood covers protect these pages. This is a fragile book due to the fact the covers and pages are drilled, and three wooden rings are all that keeps the pages together. The cover is simple, and Giovanni’s name is carved in the wood. Also carved is: “2420-24. #14.” It is thought that this note book part of a larger set, but the exact number is unknown.

Game Note: The work is written in Tilean and the PC will have to be able to read that language to use the book. There is enough information contained in this journal that a PC could learn the Herb Lore skill. This requires 1d4 weeks of study, and 100 EPs. This is a rare book.

There are a total of twelve inventions in this notebook and players may choose to have their character build one. To do so a PC will have to have the following skills: Carpentry, Engineer, Numismatics, and Read/Write—Tilean. It will take 1d4 months to build on invention and a skill test will have to be made in the following order: Read/Write, Numismatics, Engineer, and Carpentry. A failure on any of the rolls means that the invention does not work.

As for what inventions are included use your imagination, but keep it practical. All inventions are designed to help a person with day to day life. Water walking shoes, and a self-propelled coach is just two examples.

Greta’s Cookbook

This large book was the personal cookbook of the halfling chef, Greta Potstuffer (2430-2510). Like the chef this is a large work which shows the culinary arts of one of the greatest chef to have come from Mootland.

Greta is best known for opening a chain of restaurants called “The Halflings Pantry.” These restaurants were known for their inventive menus and for one of the few places to serve an authentic halfling dinner (13 courses and took 4 hours to finish). The success of her restaurants lead Greta to publish the first publicly available cookbook for people to buy (published by Reitz & Reitz, Talabheim, 2489). This was a controversy among her fellow halfling chefs, because they felt that the recipes should have been kept a secret.

Greta’s answer to this was: “I am not including the kitchen sink. If someone wants my recipe for my quail egg soup they can have. I am not giving away all my secrets.”

Unlike the mass produced cookbook of the same name, this is the chef’s original handwritten book. The volume measures 20″ x 15″ and numbers over 400 pages. Besides recipes this volume contains Greta notes on spices and herbs. What is also surprising is a section dealing with poisons and how to mask their use in cooking. All of this is written in Greta’s own hand, and raises serious questions about Greta’s past.

Game Note: Both versions of this work is written in Reikspiel. PC’s who use this work or one of the widely published ones will gain a +10 to all Cooking tests. If the original work is studied the PC will gain after 1d3 weeks and 100 EPs the Prepare Poisons skill as well. The original work is considered rare, yet the widely available work without the notes on poison, are considered common.

The Journey of Lommel & Cloos

Published in 2479 in the city of Marienburg by the noted biographer Alfons van der Steen this two volume work details the overland journey of the explores Marius Lommel and Wilhelm Cloos. Unlike the other works of van der Steen, this work is very accurate and primary sources were used in its writing.

Marius Lommel(2325-2401) and Wilhelm Cloos (2331-2392) were explorers and adventures who lived in Nuln. In 2364 Lommel and Cloos left Nuln with a crew of fifteen and embarked on a ten-year journey to the Far East. The group arrived in Cathy and Nippon and took part in the war between the two countries. The group was captured in Cathy in 2366 and managed to escape after six months of imprisonment. With only seven of the crew still alive the group managed to make their way to Nippon. In Nippon the crew were treated well, but viewed as oddities. They helped the armies of the shogun defeat a Cathian invasion. This act of bravery propelled the group to fame, and they were viewed as heroes. Lommel, because of his rescue of the Shoguns daughter, became close friends with Shogun Hito.

The group arrived in Nuln in 2374 ill, malnourished and close to death. Once recovered both Lommel and Cloos began to describe what they saw. They also displayed many of the trinkets they brought with them. Alfons meet the two explores when they arrived in Marienburg in 2377 and began working on an account of their expedition. He was provided access to maps, journals and any information that he needed to compose the work.

The original printing is a two volume set that numbers 2000 typeset pages. Each book measures 14″ x 10″ and is covered in a green tooled leather. The pages are sewn to the spine; and are secure. Also included in the work are a number of colored plates, which are tipped in. The plates depict drawings and scenes of Cathy and Nippon. Also included are numerous maps that the group drew of their expedition. Only 1000 copies of this work was published, and a few copies can still be found in antique bookshops and in University libraries.

Game Note: A PC reading this work and studying it for 1d3 months will be very familiar of the voyage. Upon spending 100 EPs they will gain the skill, History–Journey of Lommel & Cloos. This will be important if the PC decided to retrace the voyage on their own. The book is written in Reikspiel and is easy to read.

The Journals of Otto Nightbane

These 20 volumes are the personal journals of the Witch Hunter known as Otto Nightbane(2353-2402). Otto was once a cleric to Morr, but left the clergy to carry on his personal war against the undead and Chaos. These journals kept from his first day in the clergy to the day before he died, paint a picture of a dedicated, if not obsessed man.

The reader is in for a surprise when reading this work. Because not only do you read Nightbane’s personal thoughts, but are treated to a wealth of information on topics better left unknown. Detailed information on all manner of undead are presented here, as well as accounts of a number of necromancers and cultist who Nightbane brought to justice. More shocking is the journal dealing with the years of 2398 and 2399.

Nightbane writes about his crusade against a cult of Kháine worshipers who had infiltrated a number of the temples of Ranald. His first hand accounts are chilling and surprising. Otto wonders in these passages how the Kháinites managed to infiltrate the Ranald cult. What is shocking is that Otto speculates that the two faiths are more linked then they know.

Otto was killed in 2402 in a dark alley of Marienburg. How he died no one knows. The journals arrived to the Unseen Library last year (2512), and they were accompanied by a note that read: “Add to your knowledge.”

The books are all 9″ x 6″ and are bound with a soft leather cover and the pages glued to the binding. Each book numbers 150 pages, and they each have a small leather strap that keeps the work securely closed. The entire collection is handwritten and dated. The journal is also written in both Classical and in Reikspiel, but the majority of the entries are done in the Classical.

Game Notes: This work has enough information that if the work is studied for 1d6 months and 100 EPs are spent, the PC would gain the skill Undead Lore (new skill, see below). The book is written in Reikspiel, but due to the handwriting, a PC will have to make a Read/Write—Reikspiel test with a -10 penalty to read this work. This work is considered rare.

New Skill: Undead Lore —Characters who have this skill can recognize a form of Undead and are aware of their weaknesses and disposition. A character is also sensitive to the small and can tell when they are within 30 yards of them. When confronted by the Undead, a GM secretly tests against the PC’s Intelligence and if successful the PC will know about the undead. Anytime the PC comes into contact with that Undead type again they will automatically know the details.

Langenburg’s Cyclopediea

Published in 2489 in Nuln, the Cyclopediea is a bestiary written and conceived by Lou Langenburg. Though he possessed no University ties, Lou was an explorer and hunter who tracked all manner of animals and beast in the southern part of the Empire.

The work lists over 400 types of animals, plants and monsters. Each entry is accompanied by sketches and factual information dealing with the subject. The information on the numerous animals and plants is accurate, but the monster entries are quiet comical. The fact that halflings, gnomes and dwarves are listed as monsters, caused an outcry by the respective communities.

A minor work, and can be found among many private collections. University libraries have pulled this work from their shelves on account of the many errors that have been discovered. The book measures 15″ x 12″, and the binding is a simple thick paper one. The front and back covers are made from paperboard, and the pages are glued to the spine. It is a cheap binding, and many argue the binding suits the work.

Game Notes: This work is not significant in any way. There is so much wrong in this book, that any PC who tries to use it will suffer a -10 to all Intelligent rolls. This work is common, and inexpensive to buy at 10 Crowns.

The Log of the Sea Sprit (2466-2499)

This large tome is the three-year log of the Estalian ship The Sea Spirit.The log was written by the ship’s captain, Jose Jimenez, and is a good example of the life of a merchant ship and the voyages it takes. Normally a ship’s log would be of interest for the weather and astronomical data it contains, however this one is different due to the voyage the ship took. The entire log deals with the ships voyage to and back from Lustria.

This lively account is fascinating reading. In it you learn he was hired by the merchant house Dominguez & Vergara to voyage to Lustria and attempt to obtain anything that could be sold abroad in the Old World. The log contains notes on the preparations and a complete roll call of the crew. Also included are star charts and navigational aids used to arrive at Lustria. The cartographer’s skills are quiet good. The map of the northeastern coast of Lustria that is included is detailed and fairly accurate.

Also found in the log are a number of accounts of clashes with the natives. Description of frog like creatures are included, and a city that teamed with these creatures. Also is an account of a run in with a group of pirates who attempted to seize The Sea Spirit’scargo. In all it took Jose and his crew three years to complete this journey.

The journal is a large tome measuring 20″ x 14″, and the log is covered with a deep rich red leather. The binding is good, and the 1000 pages are glued and sewed to the spine. The work is written in a flowing script and is written in Estalian. There is an intricate sliver clasp on the front cover, which locks.

Historical Note: Jose voyaged to Lustria a second time, and he was last seen in 2472 sailing out of the harbor of Los Cabos. Jose and the Sea Spirit was never seen again.

Game Notes: This log will offer the PC’s enough information to voyage to Lustria. The charts and maps are accurate, and a navigator will gain a +10 to all navigation tests. As for accuracy, Jose and his crew only saw a little of Lustria and there will be many surprises for the PC’s. The work is written in Tilean, and in order to read the passages the PC will need to be able to read Tilean. The work is still usable with out knowing the language, and this is due to the accuracy of the navigational aids. Yet the PC’s will have no idea what they are about to face, or read Jose’s advice. This work is considered rare.

Ramblings from the Edge

Written in 2013 this book is one that is surrounded in controversy. It was written by the seer and wizard Pascal Varennes, of Bretonnia who stated that these are predictions and his visions of the future. Many has taken this to mean that Varennes knew what would happen and have tried to link these predictions to current events.

Each passage is a small four to five line statement. The statements are so vague that any meaning can be given to them. For example here is passage #93:

The city on the hill will dwindle.
Rot will rise and destroy life.
The raven rises in the East.
Its’ flight will take it to the corpse.
A feast will be had on the dead.

In all there are over 200 passages similar to this. Many have said that Varennes predicated the exact date of the end of the world. Yet 500 years after the alleged date, the world is still here, and no end has arrived.

The book measure 7″ x 3″ and the cover is a brown leather. The 100 hand written pages are sewn to the spine. The work is written in an older version of Breton, and translations to modern Reikspiel or Breton is possible, but time consuming. There is no markings on the cover and the spine simply states Varennes. The title given to the book was given by the publisher Albrecht Mack, who recently published a version last year (2512) in Nuln. The new version was based on the copy of the original work, which resides in Vault 24, Floor 2, Isle 24, Case 123, shelf 6 in the Unseen Library. Surprisingly the new version is accurate to the original hand written one. How Mack got a copy is unknown.

Historical note: Pascal Varennes, was rumored to be mad. He rambled that he could hear voices, and that “spirits” haunted him. There are royal accounts of Varennes petitioning the King to look into this. Many considered him mad, but no threat. Varennes was found dead in his study in 2017, hanging from the rafters. It was thought to be a suicide, but there is one report that written claims a written message was found. The message was written in blood and stated: “He knew the truth.”

Game Note: This book can be used by a GM to give players cryptic descriptions of things to come. The accuracy is up to the GM, but one way to use these is let the players draw their own conclusions. To read the work the PC will have to be able to Read/Write—Breton, but due to the age of the language all tests will be at a -10. This is a rare book, however PC’s can purchase the new translated edition. The book is of the same title, yet written in Reikspiel, and is commonly available.

Theories on Pre-Sigmar Tribal Religion Practices

A recent work published in 2513 in Marienburg, Theories was written by the reputed theologian and scholar Henrick von Bresburk. Though recently banded in the Empire the work is available in Marienburg, Estalia and Tilea. The work is a critical examination of many of the myths and fables surrounding the deity of Sigmar. Yet Sigmar is only part of a larger work that deals with deification of other tribal leaders.

With archaeological evidence including cave paintings and sculpture, von Bresburk describes three chieftains that predate Sigmar by 500 years. These chieftains were worshipped as Gods, and if the evidence is to be believed shamans were able to perform feats in their name. What has caused the book to be banded and von Bresburk to live in hiding is the following statement:

“Thus it was through political connections, and strong arm
tactics that Sigmar slowly was placed to the position it
enjoys today. Unlike with other cults, where members and
the faithful are converted, the Sigmar faithful used fear
and intimidation to prop up a collection of fables and legends.”

Needless to say this work made the Sigmar faithful unhappy. However the Ulrich leaders, though publicly have denounced the work, are secretly pleased and are looking for ways to use the work in their continued battle with the Sigmar faithful. Sigmar faithful have loudly denounced the work, and some have gone as far as to suggest that von Bresburk has been tainted by Chaos.

The work measures 8″ x 6″ and is bound by a simple black leather cover. The pages are glued to the spine, and the 300 pages are typeset and easy to read. Though it has recently been published, no copies are known to exists in the Empire. A few copies have been found in bookshops in Tilea and Estalia. However many of the bookshops in Marienburg have the book for sale.

Game Notes: This work adds nothing but background color to a campaign. However PC’s could be contacted by von Bresburk to protect him from a pack of Witch Hunters. This work is considered uncommon outside of the Empire, and rare inside the boarder of the Empire.