Important Books (Tomes in UniSystem RPG)

Magical Tomes

There is a large library of books that require special consideration. These will be presented in small batches with this being the foundational effort, as it includes primary tomes like The Holy Book. Nothing here (or elsewhere) is final; this is the beginning efforts and the base-level entries for these particular books: The Golden Bough, The Holy Book, Oneirocritica, and the Compendium of Dreams. Though these books are not necessarily magical in nature, they do have an effect on Magic in the game, and are quite important to the foundations of Magic and how it operates throughout the multiverse, providing glimpses into the Unseen.

Golden Bough

PL 2
+1 Science (Anthro/Archae), +1 Lore (History), Unlock Magic Factor
After reading this book, character subtracts the area's Magic Factor (MF) from all spells and items' PL. This privilege is usually limited to those that have attened the Lyceum Arcanum, the only actual magic college. The Golden Bough is on their curriculum.

Holy Book

PL 4
+1 Lore (Theology), +1 Lore (History), +1 DP (Buffy)
+25 Comparative Religion, +1 Faith (Chill)

Despite its ubiquity, reading the Holy Book is not something most people can say they have done. Requires 3 SL vs. Comparative Religion/Theology. I added several sub-skills to Occult Lore in order to make the Magic expansion work, including Theology. You might also just go with Occult Lore (+1 Theological) or make it a Wildcard.

Oneirocritica

PL 3
+1 Occult (Phantasmagorical [Dreams])
The reader needs 5 SL vs. Greek (DV 13) to read. Can enter Land of Nod at will after reading (High Lucid Dreaming). This book can be found in several libraries, including at least one in Vincent and one on The Islands. Phantasmagorical is another category under Occult Lore that you could make a Wildcard.

Compendium of Dreams

PL 4
+1 Occultism: Phantasmagorical (Dreams)
The reader can enter the Land of Nod at will after reading this book (High Lucid Dreaming). Assuming the Land of Nod and Astral Plane are one in the same, High Lucid Dreaming is Astral Travel (PL 6/1). If they are different Realms or Planes of Existence in your world, then they are different spells/abilities. After reading either of these Phantasmagorical books, the PC may enter the Land of Nod without ritual, even while awake in our own, real world. He still leaves his body behind and the spell continues as written, but he is also "travelling" through the Astral Plane (Dreamworld). His real-world self continues on auto-pilot, almost like an Unseen Servant while his conscious identity traipses about Dreamland. Unseen Servant.

---
Recent acquisitions mean I will revisit this subject and  probably this post.

© The Weirding, 2024