Libraries fill multiple mechanical roles in Pathfinder 2e. Both the Otari Gazateer and the Kingmaker adventure path ascribe mechanical benefits to player characters for visiting libraries; The Gamemastery guide adds an interesting dimension to libraries as part of the research subsystem.
The research subsystem outlines a mechanical system that ludologically powers your lore drops by enabling a game master to meter out relevant information through an array of skill checks and incremental successes and failures. Below I have collected the iterations of the library in Pathfinder's second edition. My goal is to present as a consistent mechanical element with mechanical benefits for characters and a skill challenge with narrative rewards. I have also proposed a generalized library template to enable research encounters in libraries built by player characters using Kingdom building rules.
Library Structure 2
A library contains collections of books, scrolls, writings, and records conducive to research. Some libraries specialize in certain topics, but it's best to assume these libraries are well-rounded in what books they cover
Lots 1; Cost 6 Production, 4 Lumber, 2 Stone
Construction Scholarship (trained) DC 16
Upgrade To Academy
Structure Bonus +1 Structure bonus to Rest and Relax using Scholarship checks
Effects While in a settlement with a library, Scholarly, arcane, or occult characters can retrain more efficiently; Retraining that would normally require a week takes only five days at this location, and retraining that would normally require a month takes only three weeks, and retraining is generally free. Liked characters and citizens gain a +1 Structure bonus to Create Forgery, Decipher Writing, Learn a Spell, Recall Knowledge, and Research checks.
Sample Library Section A Generic recommendation on how to run research out of a player-made library. Maximum Knowledge 15
Research Checks DC 14 National Lore, DC 16 Society, DC 18 Religion
5 Research Points The PCs learn about a lingering threat to their settlement or a powerful MacGuffin.
10 Research Points The PCs learn the location of an ancient, vault where the MacGuffin was kept, or of an organization of scholars that may help them against their enemy.
15 Research Points The PCs learn a dangerous force that also pursues the MacGuffin or threatens their settlement; They discover traits or weaknesses of this threat that will grant them a +1 Circumstance bonus to track or avoid being tracked by this threat.
Sources Gamemastery Guide Pg. 157, Kingmaker Adventure Path pg. 547, Ruins of Gauntlight pg. 67
I have made some adjustments to rules as written in the settlement building and research subsystems. Primarily several optional systems for Pathfinder 2e use their own unique resource used to power these systems. several of them call this resource RP. Each use refers to a different resource. I replaced RP in the Kingdom building rules with Production, an abstraction of the production ability of a kingdom during a kingdom turn. I also replaced RP in the research system with knowledge, a measure of the amount of knowledge the party has acquired from their research during the encounter.
Libraries of the Sundered Cosmos
Second Level
- Wisdom of the Wild- A collection of handwritten occult missives compiled by a Gripilli cult. Traits: Gripilli, Occult
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