Ars Magica Mystic Halls Campaign
Creating Texts

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Libraries, Texts, and Related Subjects
for the Covenant of the Mystic Halls

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Creating Texts

Changes

In the past in the campaign, paper, inks, plus the equipment and services necessary to create texts, books, and other written works have been readily available. This is not consistent with the situation for such items and services in Medieval England.

Equipment and Materials

Parchment and Paper

Parchment, or vellum, is the common material used for writing and any references to "paper" will be assumed to mean parchment unless otherwise specifically indicated. Other forms of writing materials, such as papyrus, linen paper, barkpaper, or clay tablets are not readily available at the Covenant of the Mystic Halls.

The covenant has a percamenarius (parchment maker) of limited skill. This individual and his assistants are able to produce sufficient common parchment to allow the covenant members to keep laboratory notes and grimoires, the primus to communicate with the outside world, and allow minor notes to be written. Any additional uses for parchment will require that the parchment be obtained from outside of the covenant, in local cities or through friendly merchants.

Uterine vellum is very rare, and very expensive. A few monasteries produce uterine vellum, but little of this is found outside of those monasteries.

Specialty writing surfaces, such as stone, wood, etc., which will be magically inscribed must be obtained and enchanted by the individual magus.

Ink

The covenant's scribe produces common black carbon ink for the general use of the magi in the covenant. The amount produced is sufficient to allow the covenant members to keep laboratory notes and grimoires plus allow minor notes to be written.

A small amount of better gall ink is also available at the covenant, but is reserved for use by the primus and council in preparing the covenant's communications with the outside world. The covenant does not stock colored inks or good black ink for general use. Any ink which a magus wishes to use, other than for laboratory notes and grimoires, must be acquired by the individual magus.

Common carbon ink, while adequate for laboratory notes and grimoires, is not normally considered acceptable for serious works.

Quills

Quills are readily available for all normal needs at the covenant. Any individual with a scribe skill in any language will have the ability to produce quills equal to their own common needs. Quills which will be enchanted must be from special birds, and must be obtained by the individual magus.

Scribing a Text

Writing a Text

Before starting a text, the author must decide on its type (see above). Once selected, and work started, the type of the text may not be changed, except that a bundle or folio made up entirely of gatherings may be made into a book at a later date (the use of gatherings must be declared when the work starts).

Prior to starting any form of text, the writer need not have sufficient paper. Sheets may be added to any work, except a bound book. Sheets may be added to a bound book only by having it bound again.

The writing of a text is otherwise done in accordance with the Ars Magic (3rd Edition) rules.

Illumination

Illumination is required for a book to achieve its full potential. Normal texts of the period were written with large margins and blanks for the insertion of pictures and embellished leading letters. The color illustrations and lettering helped to convey information and help the reader locate important parts of the text. Without these illustrations, the text is harder to read and comprehend.

Illumination is not expected or required for spell, potion, or laboratory texts. Illumination will not improve such works.

Illumination must be performed by a trained illuminator. Illumination is a skill which is relatively rare in general, and extremely rare at higher levels. Illumination may be done after a text has been finished, even years after the text has been completed. Also, whenever an illuminator is illuminating a copy of a text, the illuminator must have continuous access to the original in order to duplicate the illumination.

The Covenant of the Mystic Halls does not have an illuminator in residence. Covenant members must make their own arrangements to have their texts illuminated. Illuminators are sometimes available in Manchester, Chester, Lancaster, and York.

Binding and Finishing

Sheets - Sheets do not require any type of special binding.

Bundles - Bundles do not require any type of special binding.

Folios - Folios require protective covers somewhat similar to the covers of a book. Any carpenter or leather worker can make suitable covers fairly easily.

Books - Books require the greatest amount of finishing. A book will need a cover, which may be made of wood, leather, pasteboard, or a similar material. The creation of such a cover will require the work of an appropriate craftsman. A book must also be bound. A binder is needed to perform this operation.

Scrolls - Scrolls require a spindle and bag. The spindle will normally be made of wood, and the bag will be made of cloth or soft leather.

Rules for Writing Texts

The rules for writing texts deal primarily with determining the time required to complete the various operations in completing the text (scribing, illumination, and binding), and the quality of this work.

The results of all quality and other determinations must be recorded as part of the information about a text.

Text Flaws

Text flaws not detailed in the following rules may be found in The Wizard's Grimoire (1st Edition) on pages 160-161.

Basic Scribing Rules

Arcane Subjects

The primary rules (page 238) apply for scribing the magical arts. These rules shall apply to the writing of texts on Forms, Techniques, Magic Theory, Certamen, and Enigmatic Wisdom.

Mundane Subjects

The primary rules offer no guidance regarding the writing of mundane subjects. These subjects will include all subjects not specifically listed under the Arcane Subjects above.

When writing about mundane subjects, an author may write up to one level less than the author's current score in the subject. Magical instruments, abilities, or talents which provide an increase in writing abilities will not effect the writing of mundane subjects.

The number of levels which may be written per season about a mundane subject will be the same as for arcane subjects. Modifiers to the speed of writing will apply to mundane subjects, just as for arcane subjects.

Upper Level Limit

In no case, regardless of modifications, may the effect of all increases to the level of the text (aids in writing, magical enhancement, and the Superior Books options from The Wizard's Grimoire, page 161) cause the level of the text be increased above the knowledge level of the person who wrote the text. No amount of future improvements on the text will permit an increase above the level of the person who wrote the text (note that it becomes necessary to record the knowledge level of the author as part of the information about the text).

Exemplars

Exemplars are small versions of books intended to be used as sources from which copies are made. Exemplars are relatively easier to create than normal copies, and are somewhat easier to use as originals for new copies, but are very poor as study materials.

All exemplars have the attributes of Small Text, Cramped Text, Plain Text Only, and Unillustrated. All other checks for creating a text also apply.

Exemplars may only be created by copying an existing text. An original work may not be written as an exemplar.

Quality of the Writing

Basic Quality

Whenever the writing of a text is completed, the quality of the writing must be determined. Use the following table to determine if there is an adjustment to the level of the text due to the quality of the writing.

   Writing Quality
  Roll    Effect
  Botch   Text Ruined - During the final work to finish the text, an accident happened. The work is ruined and cannot be saved.
  <=4   Amateur Work - The work looks like that of a novice. It would be an embarrassment to allow anyone to see it. Halve the level. If the result is 1 or less, the work is useless.
  5-10   Flawed Writing - There is a problem with the text. Roll a simple D10. On a 1-4, apply the Small Text flaw. On a 5-8, apply the Cramped Text flaw. On a 9-10, the text is Normal Quality.
  11-17   Normal Quality - The work is adequate and no modifiers apply from this table.
  18+   Clear Script - Roll a simple D10. On a roll of 1-5, apply the Clear Script bonus. This may only apply if the text is a copy. Original texts cannot exceed Normal Quality. On a roll of 6-10, the work is Normal Quality.
  -   The roll is a stress die based on the author's Scribe (language) skill and Dexterity.
  -   Confidence may not be used.
  -   If the text is a copy, and the author oversees the copying work, add one-half (round down) of the author's score in the subject of the book to the roll.

Other Modifiers

Plain Text Only - Apply if only one color of ink (usually black) was used in writing the text.

Unillustrated - Apply if the text is not illustrated or until the text has been illustrated.

Other Texts

The Quality of Writing rule applies in a limited fashion to the writing of spell, potion, and laboratory texts. Whenever writing spell or potion texts, or copying spell, potion, or laboratory texts, a Writing Quality Roll must be made. On a result of Text Ruined or Amateur Work, the resulting document is unusable. On any other result, the document is of acceptable quality.

Quality of the Parchment

The quality of the parchment used in a text may be determined before or after the text is completed. If the determination is made before a text is written, the result will apply to all of the parchment acquired as part of a single purchase. If the determination is made after a text is written, the determination will apply only to the parchment used in the text itself.

Use the following table to determine the quality of the parchment used. This table assumes the material is standard parchment, not Uterine Vellum.

   Parchment Quality
Roll    Effect
  Botch   Garbage - The parchment is worthless except as scrap paper and laboratory notes.
  <=7   Poor Material - Apply this flaw.
  8-17   Normal Quality - No modifiers.
  18+   Superior Material - Roll a simple D10. On a result of 1-6, although it is not Uterine Vellum, the material receives the bonus as if it were. On a result of 7-10, the parchment is Normal Quality.
  -   Stress Die Roll based on the Parchment Making skill and Dexterity. Confidence may not be used.

Use the following table if the parchment used for a text is supposed to be, Uterine Vellum.

   Uterine Vellum Quality
  Roll    Effect
  Botch   Garbage - The parchment is worthless except as scrap paper and laboratory notes.
  <=5   Poor Material - The parchment is not only not Uterine Vellum, it is not good parchment at all. Apply this flaw.
  6-9   Not Adequate - The parchment is not quality work. Treat it as standard parchment with Normal Quality. Whenever used, no additional rolls are required to determine the quality of this material. If can never be worse than Normal Quality.
  10+   Uterine Vellum - It is what it is supposed to be. Any text written on this will receive the Uterine Vellum bonus.
  -   Stress Die Roll based on the Parchment Making skill and Dexterity. Confidence may not be used.

Quality of the Ink

The effect of the ink is determined after the text is completed.

Carbon Ink

Common carbon ink is not a quality ink. It tends to rub off relatively easily. Any text written in carbon ink will, after five years, have the Poor Ink flaw applied.

Well-Colored

If at least four colors of ink were used in the writing of the text, excluding illumination, use the following table to determine the effect of the colors.

   Coloring Quality
  Roll    Effect
  Botch   Silly Colors - Multiple colors were used, but not only do not enhance the text's readability, they make it look silly. Reduce the score by two.
  <=4   What are you doing on this table? At least four inks were required!
  5-10   Normal Work - The work looks fine, but is not anything special.
  11-14   Well-Colored - Apply this bonus.
  16+   Riot of Colors - Roll a simple D10. On a result of 1-3, too many colors were used. It looks more like a coloring book. Reduce the score by one. On a result of 4-7, the text is a Normal Work. On a result of 8-10, the text is very well done, increase the score by one.
  -   Simple Die Roll based on the number of inks used. Confidence may not be used.

Quality of the Illumination

When the illumination work is complete on a text, the quality of the illumination must be determined. Use the following table to determine this quality.

Illumination is not required for spell, potion, or laboratory texts, and does not improve such texts.

   Illumination Quality
  Roll    Effect
  Botch   Text Ruined - During the final work to finish the text, an accident happened. The work is ruined and cannot be saved.
  <=6   Poor Illustrations - Apply this flaw.
  7-10   Illustration Problems - There is a problem with the illumination. Roll a simple D10. On a 1-4, apply the Poor Illustrations flaw. On a 5-8, apply the Overly Embellished flaw. On a 9-10, there are Good Illustrations.
  11-17   Good Illustrations - No modifiers.
  18+   Superior Work - Roll a simple D10. On a 1-9, apply the Well Illustrated bonus. On a 0 (zero), apply the Absurdly Embellished flaw.
  -   Stress Die Roll based on the Illuminator skill and Dexterity. Confidence may not be used.
  -   If the author oversees the illumination work, add one-half (round down) of the author's score in the subject of the book to the roll.
  -   If the text is already bound into a book, apply -2 to the Stress Die Roll, due to the greater difficulty of illuminating a bound book.

Any text which is not illustrated will always have the Unillustrated flaw.

Quality of the Binding

Binding may be done before or after illumination. When the book is bound, the quality of the binding must be determined. Binding is required only if the text is to be a book. Use the following table to determine the quality.

   Binding Quality
  Roll    Effect
  Botch   Text Ruined - During the final work to finish the text, an accident happened. The work is ruined and cannot be saved.
  <=6   Pathetic Binding - The binding is totally inadequate. The book will fall apart after one season of use. The book may not be rebound until this happens (i.e., it has to be used to discover the bad binding).
  7-10   Poor Binding - Apply this flaw.
  11-17   Adequate Binding - No modifiers.
  18+   Superior Binding - Roll a simple D10. On a 1-5, apply the Well-Bound bonus. On a 6-10, the book has Adequate Binding.
  -   Stress Die Roll based on the Binder skill and Dexterity. Confidence may not be used.

Work Rates and Material's Capacity

Parchment

Parchment comes in three sizes; small, medium, and large. It also comes in sheet and gathering sizes. Gatherings are approximately twice the size of sheets, and come in groups of eight pages each. Only gatherings may be used in books. Also note that medieval authors only used one side of the parchment.

The following table lists the sizes of pages plus the number of Knowledge, Spell, and Laboratory Note Levels which a gathering may hold. This table is for gatherings. The table may be used for sheets by quartering the Knowledge, Spell, and Laboratory Note Levels per size.

Inks

The measurement for inks will be the "unit", which is approximately equal to the amount of black ink needed to write one knowledge level or twenty spell or laboratory note levels. This is very roughly equal to one-half ounce of ink.

Black ink will be tracked only in whole units. Colored inks may be tracked in quarters of a unit. The expenditure of any part of a unit of black ink, or a quarter unit of colored ink results in the effective use of the whole unit or quarter unit (i.e., round all usage up to the next whole unit for black ink or next quarter unit for colored inks).

When writing a text, each one knowledge level or twenty levels of spells, potions, or laboratory notes texts requires the use of one unit of black ink. If colored inks are used in the text, one-quarter unit of colored ink is required for each unit of black ink used.

Illumination

The time required to illuminate a text is equal to one-half of the time required to write the text.

Binding

For general campaign purposes, it requires one season for a binder to complete the binding of a book (i.e., regardless of the actual time required to bind the book, one full season must pass for the binding of a book to be completed). If the actual time spent by a book binder becomes an issue, use the following table.

Obtaining Materials and Services

Parchment

Parchment is available through the covenant for laboratory notes, grimoires, and common, every day needs. If more parchment than this is required, the individual must obtain the parchment themselves.

Common parchment is generally available in the larger cities (Manchester, Chester, York, etc.). Merchant friends of the covenant are also able to readily obtain parchment. The following table lists the availability of common parchment and its typical cost.

Inks

Common carbon ink is available at the covenant for laboratory notes and grimoires, and is readily available from almost any local city (Manchester, Chester, Lancaster, and York) plus many smaller towns. The merchant friends of the covenant are also able to readily obtain almost unlimited supplies of carbon ink.

Gall ink is also generally available in local cities and through the merchant friends.

Colored inks are available in limited quantities in the major cities (Chester, York, and London), and may be obtained through the merchant friends of the covenant. Due to limited supplies, it will almost always be necessary to place a standing order with a merchant to obtain any specific color of ink.

The following table indicates the availability and general cost of inks.

Quills

No special efforts are required to acquire standard quills. The feathers of common birds, which are not commonly used as quills may be obtained in any notable city.

The feathers of uncommon birds, mythical beasts, or magical beasts may only be obtained via campaign adventures.

Scrolls

Spindles

A wooden spindle may be made by a carpenter according to the following table. The cost of this work will depend on the local situation and availability of a carpenter. A spindle may be made of a material other than wood (stone or metal being the most likely). The specialty, ease factor, and time required to make such a spindle will depend on the material and detail desired, and the availability of an appropriately skilled craftsman.

Bags

A cloth or leather bag is normally made with each spindle to protect the scroll. The ease factor and time required to make basic bags are listed in the following table. In each case this assumes the basic material (the cloth or leather) is already available, as is the service of a seamstress or leather worker. Decorated bags, or more fancy detailed bags will require additional work, rolls, and time.

Illumination

Only a trained illuminator may illuminate a book. Illuminators are available in most major cities, and may also be found in monasteries. Illuminators in cities will perform a service for a fee, if they are available. Illuminators in a monastery may or may not work for the covenant.

A character is not obliged to use an illuminator found on the following table, however, once found, no additional roll may be made for the subject text in the same season in the same location (city, monastery, etc.).

When having a book illustrated, the author must be the one to spend the time required to find and hire an illustrator.

The typical cost for illumination will be 40 SP per season for a Master (level 5). See the Skill Level Cost Modifier Table (below) for modifiers to the skill level.

Binding

A book must be bound by a trained book binder. Book binders may be found in most major cities, and may also be found in monasteries. Book binders in cities will perform a service for a fee, if they are available. Book binders in a monastery may or may not work for the covenant.

A character is not obliged to use a binder found on the following table, however, once found, no additional roll may be made for the subject text in the same season.

When having a book bound, the author must be the one to spend the time required to find and hire a book binder.

The typical cost for binding for a Master (level 5) is listed in the following table. See the Skill Level Cost Modifier Table (below) for modifiers to the skill level.

Miscellaneous Book Finishings

Some additional enhancements may be provided for a book. The following is by no means an exhaustive list.

Clasp

A clasp is used to hold a book closed. Clasps were standard items on quality books. A book binder may fit a clasp with a Book Binding skill plus Dexterity stress roll of 7+. A simple iron clasp will have a typical cost of 10 SP installed. The installation of a clasp does not change the time required to complete the binding.

A book which does not have a clasp or sleeve will, after five years, suffer the Poor Materials flaw due to curling of the parchment.

Sleeve

A sleeve was a box or bag created to hold a book and protect it. A book binder may create a sleeve on a Book Binding skill plus Dexterity stress roll of 7+. A simple sleeve will have a typical cost equal to that of the cover of the book (see Binding above). The creation of a sleeve does not change the time required to complete the binding.

A book which does not have a clasp or sleeve will, after five years, suffer the Poor Materials flaw due to curling of the parchment.

Corner Guards

Corner guards protect the corners of a book from damage. A book binder may add corner guards to a book's cover on a Book Binding skill plus Dexterity stress roll of 4+. Simple iron corner guards will have a typical cost of 4 SP. The addition of corner guards does not change the time required to complete the binding.

Embossing and Inlays

A book's cover, and possibly its sleeve, may be decorated to suit the author. The time and cost required will depend on the extent of the decoration. Although decoration does not add to the knowledge content of a book, it does increase its beauty and value as a work of art.

Skill Level Cost Modifier Table

When typical costs are given for work performed by Masters (skill level 5), use the following table to determine the typical cost for workers with different skill levels. Round all results up to a full SP. All "typical costs" are recommendations to the campaign and game masters only.

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  Ars Updated: 21 November 2000