Libram (EM)

See also Table G: Books (EM).

Books, Librams, Manuals. Spellbooks, and Tomes-in the AD&D game system, each of these terms has a unique definition:

Books may be used only by priests and sometimes raise a specific character statistic.
Librams are books used only by wizards, and occasionally boost stats.
Manuals may be used by both fighters and thieves, and some include boosts to stats.
Spellbooks contain spells and surprises. Most are restricted to priests and wizards, but a few may be used by any class.
Tomes may be used by all classes and some grant boosts to stats.

All magical books, librams, manuals, and tomes appear to be normal works of arcane lore. Each is indistinguishable from others by visual examination or by magical detection.

A wish spell can identify or classify a magical work. Other spells, notably alter reality, commune, contact higher planes, limited wish, and true seeing are useless. A wish reveals the general contents of a book, telling what classes or characteristics are most affected (not necessarily benefitted) by the work. A second wish is required to learn the book’s exact contents.

After being studied by a character, most magical works vanish forever. However, one that is not beneficial to the reader may become attached to the character, and he or she is unable to get rid of it. If the work benefits another character alignment, the owner is geased to conceal and guard it. As DM, you should use your judgment and imagination as to exactly how these items are to be treated, use the rules in this section as parameters.

A libram is a large book with a heavy wood and leather cover, high-quality pages of heavy parchment, and ornate decorations on both cover and pages. Magical librams may be of any size, from a mere 2 feet square to 20 feet across. The larger types require assistants for proper use and may be suspended by a heavy chain in a large room.

Libram (EM)

Magic Libram List[]