Friday, September 16, 2016

1000 Books Appendix III

Ablution, Liquifaction, Calcination, Humectation, Elixiration, Mortification, Impastation, Sublimation, Transmutation
Author: Rexim Cyrigaps
Description: The oversized book measures 15" × 20" (38 cm × 51 cm) and contains 1054 pages. The silver paper pages are sewn into the covers with leather cord, with a cover of pressed leaves over thin wood. It is written in Common, with red ink. The title is displayed on the grey cover in blue ink and the book bears a small sterling silver lock (which is broken).
Age: The book is antiquated (220 years).
History: The contents of this book caused a feud between competing alchemists' guilds.
Contents: "the invention of pure distillation, sublimation, filtration, to the discovery of alcohol, of nitric and sulfuric acids (the only acid known to the ancients was vinegar), of the alkalis, of the salts of mercury, of antimony and bismuth"
Writing Quality: Covers the subject well enough for the serious.
Accuracy: 74%
Availability: The book is infrequently distributed, fifty-five copies are available.
Value: Certain alchemists will pay 3780 x base currency to get their hands on this document.


Adamant Forge
Author: Norathic Nobeard
Description: The sizable manuscript measures 7" x 12" (18 cm x 30 cm) and contains 117 pages. It is written in Dwarven, with phosphorescent ink. Covered in marble stone, the etched steel pages are bound with seven metal rings. In addition, the covers have scorch marks on them and three electrum clasps safeguard this book.
Age: The book is antique (168 years).
History: Dwarves jealously guard the secrets within this book.
Contents: (Dwarven alchemy, primarily concerned with metals, ores, and properties thereof)
Writing Quality: The definitive resource, no better work on the subject.
Accuracy: 83%
Availability: The book is infrequently distributed, thirty copies are available.
Value: Human smiths will pay 5994 x base currency to acquire this document.


Aetheric Astrolabe
Author: Kokabiel Kagliostro
Description: This brass astrolabe measures 7" x 8" (18 cm x 20 cm). It is inscribed in Alchemist Symbols, with the twelve primary alchemical processes replacing the zodiac constellations, and alchemical substances replacing the star positions.
Age: The astrolabe is very old (620 years).
History: Highly valuable to collectors.
Contents: (this astrolabe curiously makes use of alchemical symbols in place on the normal astronomical or astrological symbols, and, rather than being usable to "locating and predicting the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars; determining local time given local latitude and vice-versa" is rather used to display precise alchemical formulas)
Writing Quality: Considered a breakthrough work.
Accuracy: 95% when correctly aligned.
Availability: This device is unique.
Value: A certain alchemist is known to be looking to pay 58,900 x base currency for this document.


Aggregate Dissociation Tables
Author: Gevork Pawer
Description: A booklet-sized, narrow incunabulum measuring 3" x 6" (8 cm x 15 cm) and containing 14 pages. The olde white vellum pages are glued into the spine and the cowhide cover. It is printed in Common, with brown ink. In addition, iodine stains part of the book and three metal clasps safeguard this book.
Age: The book is current (9 years).
History: The author is more commonly known for his twelve volume work On Metals.
Contents: (seperating rocks into component minerals);
Writing Quality: The pages are written in a shaky hand.
Accuracy: 53%, however due to the rarity of several minerals, only 46% of the information is regularly used.
Availability: The book has wide circulation, 10,000 copies are available.
Value: Occassionally purchased for 468 x base currency.


Alkahest Arcanum
Author: Sharif Razi al-Ghazal
Description: This substantial volume measures 5” × 8” (13 cm x 20 cm) and contains 196 pages. Covered in verdigrised brass, the papyrus pages are bound to the covers with metal staples. Written in red ink in the common alphabet of the Western Kingdom. In addition, there is a picture of a mortar & pestle on the brass cover and spilled sauce covers a section of the book.
Age: The book is classical (390 years).
History: The book was stolen from the original author.
Contents: medical apothecary; compounding, storing, & preserving reagents; opium as an anaesthetic; precise formula (both amounts & mixing processes) for common cures)
Writing Quality: The writing appears to be that of a madman.
Accuracy: 84%
Availability: This book is believed to be lost, two copies might be available.
Value: The author will pay 5040 x base currency for the return of this document.


Appliances of Al-Kimia
Author: Suelasta Abdul Fadahl
Description: A codex-sized, outsized block book measuring 7" x 12" (18 cm x 30 cm) and containing 948 pages, 754 illustrations. It is printed in Alchemical Symbols, with gold ink. The papyrus pages are bound with five metal rings to the amber with a wood backing cover. In addition, dye marks can be found on some of the illustrated pages. Has many well rendered sketches which contribute to the quality of the writing.
Age: The book is classical (317 years).
History: This book has been annoted by previous owners.
Contents: (Alembic, Athanor, Crucible, Mortar & Pestle, Retort, Sand Bath, Calcinator)
Writing Quality: The organization and accompanying illustrations make for an excellent reference.
Accuracy: 86% for the text, while the illustrations are 81% accurate.
Availability: The book is commonly copied, 800 copies are available.
Value: Anybody could guess the document's worth to be about 1728 x base currency.


Aqua Lacrima Apocrypha
Author: Agrippa Varius Sentius
Description: This big incunabulum measures 12" x 24" (30 cm x 61 cm) and contains 555 pages, most of which are blank. Printed in brown ink in Trade Tongue. The aged lamb parchment pages are sewn into the covers with leather cord, with a cover of verdigrised bronze. An odd, geometric pattern in indigo ink is featured on the bronze cover. This work has been translated into Dwarven. There is a colophon at the end of the book giving the name of the work, and place of composition.
Age: The book is hoary (557 years).
History: This book has suffered a lot of wear and tear.
Contents: Primarily a record of experiments concerning tears
Writing Quality: Not entirely accurate.
Accuracy: 54%
Availability: This is a rare book, nine copies are available.
Value: Sporadically purchased at 735 x base currency.


Bluestone Book
Author: Agsar Hornwhite
Description: This manual-sized tome measures 15" × 20" (38 cm × 51 cm) and contains 180 pages. It is written in Common, with blue ink. Covered in ivory on a wood backing, the yellow paper pages are sewn into the covers with twisted gut. The ivory cover displays the title and author's name in blue ink. In addition, a small key lock is used to safeguard this book. Translations of this work exist in Dwarven, the logographs of the Mysterious East, Gnomish, the pictographs of the Utter South, and Orcish.
Age: The book is timeworn (20 years).
History: The authenticity of this work is in question.
Contents: (spicing manual, harvesting, processing, & storage of 117 herbs & spices)
Writing Quality: A decent, light read.
Accuracy: 79%
Availability: The book is frequently disseminated, 5,000 copies are available.
Value: Sporadically purchased at 948 x base currency.


Chemical Properties of a Plethora of Panaceas
Author: Armaros Rasputnik
Description: A bulky incunabulum measuring 11" x 17" (28 cm x 43 cm) and containing 692 pages. Covered in tooled deerhide, the aged goat parchment pages are sewn into leather thongs which are laced together. The silver cover is blank. It is printed in an upper-class dialect of Common, with silver ink. In addition, a list of elven names can be found near the end of the book. This work has been translated into Elven and Dwarven.
Age: The book is antique (169 years).
History: Highly valuable to healers.
Contents: poison antidotes, healing balms & medicines, animal medications
Writing Quality: Well-written but difficult to understand for non-experts.
Accuracy: 69%, annotated versions can be found with minor corrections raising the accuracy to 79%.
Availability: The book is infrequently distributed, seventy-five copies are available.
Value: Rarely sold for 4300 x base currency.


Concordance of Alkindus
Author: Alkindus
Description: This guide-sized incunabulum measures 4" x 8" (10 cm x 20 cm) and contains 291 pages. Printed in gold ink in a guild cipher. Covered in amber with a wood backing, the paper pages are sewn into the covers with hemp cord. Decorating the cover is an odd, geometric pattern in white ink. This work has been translated into the common alphabet of the Western Kingdom and Elven. Additionally, the book is wrapped in a slate grey dirty cloth and a list of nobles can be found near the end of the book.
Age: The book is old (299 years).
History: This work has been proscribed by authorities.
Contents: (cryptography and code breaking; Islamic philosopher, scientist, astrologer, astronomer, cosmologist, chemist, logician, mathematician, musician, physician, physicist, psychologist, and meteorologist)
Writing Quality: Covers the subject well enough for the serious.
Accuracy: 73%
Availability: This is a rare book, six copies are available.
Value: Commonly valued at 4599 x base currency.


Delirium Herbal
Author: Cattiah Manpoison
Description: This letter-sized incunabulum measures 8½” × 11” (22 cm x 28 cm) and contains 179 pages. Printed in violet ink in the common alphabet of the Western Kingdom. Silver paper pages are sewn into the covers with hemp cord to the oyster shells glued to thin wood cover. The rune for "Medicine" is carved into the spine.
Age: The book is historic (64 years).
History: This book wasn't discovered until after the original author's death.
Contents: (medicine, midwivery, abortion, love potions & powders, poisons)
Writing Quality: Covers the subject well enough for the idly curious.
Accuracy: 40%
Availability: The book is infrequently distributed, twenty-five copies are available.
Value: Sporadically purchased at 990 x base currency.


Detonation Notebook
Author: Kaboomicus the Crazed
Description: A folio-sized incunabulum measuring 7” × 10” (18 cm x 25 cm) and containing 52 pages. Covered in pitted brass, the cream-colored sheep parchment pages are bound to the covers with metal staples. On the red cover is a picture of a starburst. Printed in violet ink in a guild code.
Age: The book is contemporary (12 years).
History: A copy of the original work.
Contents: (stories of explosive alchemical experiments that are the result of a (possibly) faulty translation of the book "Fun with Fire Flowers" by Ulterion Motif)
Writing Quality: Relies on propaganda to slant the information presented.
Accuracy: 20%, however due to the explosive nature of the alchemical forumalae, only 10% of the information is regularly used.
Availability: The book is infrequently distributed, thirty copies are available.
Value: Any scholar will pay 400 x base currency for this document.


Directorium of Quicksilver
Author: Vitik Deathdreamer
Description: A large illuminated manuscript measuring 15" × 20" (38 cm × 51 cm) and containing 828 pages, 1642 illustrations. It is written in Alchemical Symbols, with white ink. The dried skin pages are bound to the covers with twine, with a cover of papier-mâché. Decorating the violet cover is the initials V.D. in white ink. Is filled with compelling dragons decorating the lower outside corners that are presented along with tables and charts. Translations of this work exist in Common, and the logographs of the Mysterious East.
Age: The book is aged (31 years).
History: This document has changed hands many times, never staying with one owner too long.
Contents: a listing of the properties of various minerals, all of which are toxic
Writing Quality: A collection of notes rather than a cohesive work.
Accuracy: 70%
Availability: The book is uncommon, sixteen copies are available.
Value: Anybody could guess the document's worth to be about 2940 x base currency.


Experiments with Vitriol
Author: Edko Dexter
Description: A codex-sized block book measuring 8" x 10" (20 cm x 25 cm) and containing 188 pages, 181 illustrations. The paper pages are sewn into the spine and covers with twine, with a cover of amber glued to thin wood. The title and author's name in pink ink adorns the silver cover. It is printed in Trade Tongue, with green ink. There are multiple horrendous illustrations that contribute nothing to the quality of the writing. This work has been translated into the common alphabet of the Western Kingdom.
Age: The book is dated (51 years).
History: Highly valuable to scholars.
Contents: dyer & cabalist "chemical industries as dyeing, tanning, soap-making, glass and cement... By the sixth century the Hindus were far ahead of Europe in industrial chemistry; they were masters of calcinations, distillation, sublimation, steaming, fixation, the production of light without heat, the mixing of anesthetic and soporific powders, and the preparation of metallic salts, compounds and alloys. "
Writing Quality: Adds nothing to the field, but its organization makes for an excellent reference.
Accuracy: 41% with regards to the primary topic, however dyers will find it 63% accurate.
Availability: This is a rare book, ten copies are available.
Value: Sporadically purchased at 1392 x base currency.


Exposition of Xanthotic Figures
Author: Nikhil Vampyrellium
Description: This thin monograph measures 5” × 8” (13 cm x 20 cm) and contains 21 pages, 40 illustrations. Written in blue ink in alchemical symbols and an arcane alphabet. The beige rag paper paper pages are bound with metal chains, with a cover of scorched heavy pine wood. The cover is blank. Has numerous strangely compelling illustrations which contain hidden clues. There is a colophon at the end of the book giving the name of the work, its author, date and place of composition.
Age: The book is historic (93 years).
History: Most of the content has really been stolen from The Grimoire of Abra-Merlin the Mage.
Contents: "Exposition of the Hieroglyphical Figures" the mysterious book of 21 pages filled with encoded alchemical symbols and arcane writing, believed to hold the formulas for the philosopher's stone & elixir of life; based on the Book of Abraham the Mage
Writing Quality: The writing appears to be that of a madman.
Accuracy: 78%, however due to the eldritch nature of the writing, only 45% of the information is regularly used.
Availability: This book is believed to be lost, two copies might be available.
Value: Only worth 14,040 x base currency.


Lapidary Almagamation
Author: Bevan Silvanus
Description: The slim illuminated manuscript measures 12" x 15" (30 cm x 38 cm) and contains 30 pages, 44 illustrations. It is written in a guild code, with violet ink. Spring green-colored lamb parchment pages are sewn into the covers with silk cord to the precious stones glued to ivory cover. A picture of a Scourge adorns the pink cover. Is full of painstakingly colored illustrations that are inked in blood. Additionally, the text is rubricated (words or sections of the text are printed in red ink in order to highlight them).
Age: The book is antique (172 years).
History: This book was recently discovered among a bard's private collection.
Contents: (see lapidary)[by ] apothecary & ivory carver, a collector of fossils, curios, books and paintings and a keen gardener.
Writing Quality: Covers the subject well enough for the idly curious.
Accuracy: 62% with regards to ivory carving, however apothecaries will find it 85% accurate.
Availability: The book is uncommon, sixteen copies are available.
Value: Collectors will pay 6048 x base currency for this document.


Liber Quattuor et Duodecim
Author: Jahnick Trymath
Description: A index-sized incunabulum measuring 12" x 24" (30 cm x 61 cm) and containing 199 pages. The aged calf parchment pages are unbound, but wrapped with a hemp cord, with a cover of tooled and gilded deer hide. Adorning the tan cover is the title and author's name in gold ink. Printed in phosphorescent ink in a complex cipher.
Age: The book is old (233 years).
History: This book wasn't discovered until after the original author's death.
Contents: (book of 4 & 12) (cryptographer, & steganography; tabula recta, invisible inks, micro-encoded watermarks & similar symbology (i.e. coat of arms, signet rings))
Writing Quality: Presents many new and original ideas.
Accuracy: 67%, however due to the esoteric nature of the writing, only 46% of the information is regularly used.
Availability: The book is infrequently distributed, thirty-five copies are available.
Value: Generally sells for 4355 x base currency.


Lunar Rubedo Rituals
Author: Gyles of Dais
Description: A outsized incunabulum measuring 7” × 10” (18 cm x 25 cm) and containing 943 pages, 189 of which are blank. Covered in humanoid skin stretched over bone, the paper pages are sewn into the covers with twisted gut. A picture of a sickle is displayed on the indigo cover. It is printed in Elven, with brown ink. Additionally, the covers are stained with unidentifiable stains.
Age: The book is recent (18 years).
History: The book was stolen from the original author.
Contents: (alchemical sacrificial experiments)
Writing Quality: The writing is blocky.
Accuracy: 51%
Availability: This is a rare book, four copies are available.
Value: Rumors suggest that the owner would pay 6720 x base currency for the return of this document.


Manual of Reagents for the Western Kingdom
Author: Hagalayth Whitered
Description: This bulky work measures 8½” × 11” (22 cm x 28 cm) and contains 685 pages. The blue-colored cervine parchment pages are unbound, but wrapped with a hemp cord, with a cover of scorched thin hemlock wood. The grey cover is blank. Written in silver ink in a guild code. This work has been translated into the common alphabet of the Western Kingdom.
Age: The book is historic (58 years).
History: Excerpts from this book commonly appear in other works.
Contents: A listing of ### reagents for alchemical experiments; divided into three classes (vegetable, animal, mineral) with heavy focus on animal reagents (vegetable reagents are primarily from the list of those which minerals can be extracted from)
Writing Quality: Well-researched but very dry and dense.
Accuracy: 65%
Availability: The book is commonly copied, 700 copies are available.
Value: Commonly sells for a standard 770 x base currency.


Natrium and Kalium
Author: Tanya Al-Daris
Description: The thick manuscript measures 25" x 38" (64 cm x 173 cm) and contains 446 pages. Written in cream-colored ink in Trade Tongue. Covered in tarnished silver, the paper pages are sewn into the spine and covers with twine. The green cover displays the image of a Porcupine and an Ape fighting. This work has been translated into the Common Alphabet of the Western Kingdom and the pictographs of the Utter South. There is a colophon at the end of the book giving the name of the work, and date of composition and the covers have scorch marks on them.
Age: The book is quite old (423 years).
History: This book was critisized by heralds.
Contents: "a number of key chemical discoveries, such as the technique of distillation (the words alembic and alcohol are of Arabic origin), the muriatic (hydrochloric acid), sulfuric and nitric acids, soda, potash, and more. (From the Arabic names of the last two substances, al-natrun and al-qaliy, Latinized into Natrium and Kalium, come the modern symbols for sodium and potassium.) The discovery that aqua regia, a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids, could dissolve the noblest metal; gold, was to fuel the imagination of alchemists for the next millennium."
Writing Quality: Rip the covers off page turner.
Accuracy: 75% however, only 64% is regularly used.
Availability: The book is uncommon, fourteen copies are available.
Value: Rarely bought for 1824 x base currency.


Nigredo Codex
Author: Konnor the Accursed
Description: The sizable illuminated manuscript measures 18" x 36" (48 cm x 91 cm) and contains 187 pages, 340 illustrations. Written in black ink in technical jargon. Antique goat parchment pages are bound to the covers with metal staples to the carved heavy apple wood cover. The cover displays a picture of a skull. Is filled with beautiful pictures which contain hidden clues. In addition, three metal clasps safeguard this book.
Age: The book is aged (30 years).
History: This book was recently discovered among a temple's collection.
Contents: (black alchemy)
Writing Quality: The writing inside is hurried and sloppy.
Accuracy: 53%, annotated versions can be found with minor corrections raising the accuracy to 67%.
Availability: The book is uncommon, fourteen copies are available.
Value: 2226 x base currency.
Ockham's Lancet
Author: Faustus Grattius Furius
Description: A modest illuminated manuscript measuring 8½" x 14" (22 cm x 36 cm) and containing 26 pages, 36 illustrations. Covered in rusted iron, the cream-colored goat parchment pages are sewn into the covers with twisted gut. A picture of an alembic is depicted on the white cover. Written in blue ink in Trade Tongue. In addition, the book is held shut by twine and a small key lock is used to safeguard this book. There are a profusion of colored illustrations that are presented along with tables and charts.
Age: The book is antique (195 years).
History: This book has suffered a lot of wear and tear.
Contents: describes several minor alchemical tools, mostly surgical instruments
Writing Quality: The book is carefully written with numerous notes covering the margins.
Accuracy: 52%, however due to the roughness of the translation, only 41% of the information is regularly used.
Availability: The book is infrequently distributed, sixty-five copies are available.
Value: Sporadically sells for a standard 3380 x base currency.


Realgar Incunabulum
Author: Fulvia Avidius (female)
Description: The codex-sized block book measures 8" x 10" (20 cm x 25 cm) and contains 52 pages, 32 illustrations. Printed in ichor instead of ink in High Elven. The paper pages are unbound, but wrapped with a leather cord, with a cover of dwarf skin stretched over bone. The title and author's name in grey ink is displayed on the indigo cover. Has various colored wood block prints which form a comic flip-book. This work has been translated into the common alphabet of the Western Kingdom.
Age: The book is dated (57 years).
History: This is an abridged version of the original work.
Contents: concerning the extraction, purification, and mixing of realgar & orpiment, as well as uses for the finished products (poisons, medicines, pigments, etc.)
Writing Quality: This book has just enough right information to hold up the wrong parts.
Accuracy: 68% for the primary portion of the text, while the secondary portions are 60% accurate.
Availability: The book has wide circulation, 5,500 copies are available.
Value: Commonly bought for 1176 x base currency.


Spagyric Primer, volume 11: Secrets of the Virtues of Herbs, Stones and Certain Beasts
Author: Titus Inventius Longinius Corvus Magnus
Description: The moderate illuminated manuscript measures 8½" x 14" (22 cm x 36 cm) and contains 54 pages, 50 illustrations. Written in green ink in a complex cipher. Covered in tooled cowhide, the papyrus pages are sewn into the covers with hemp cord. A cuneiform in black ink on the blue cover. Several beautiful illustrations which form a comic flip-book.
Age: The book is classical (326 years).
History: The eleventh volume of a twelve volume series on various sciences
Contents: {12 volumes in all, the others cover--see below} logic, theology, botany, geography, astronomy, astrology, mineralogy, chemistry, zoology, physiology, phrenology
Writing Quality: Considered a breakthrough work.
Accuracy: 89%, however due to the cryptic nature of the writing, only 74% of the information is regularly used.
Availability: The book is uncommon, ten copies are available.
Value: A powerful amazonian sisterhood is hunting this document and will pay 7452 x base currency for proof of it's destruction.


The Arte of Distillation
Author: Comes Gyorgy Rakoczy
Contents: (rogue's guide to alchemy; a distillation manual for various distillates...i.e. booze)


The Emerald Journal of Trimagistus
Author: Trimagistus the Magister
Contents: experiments with various crystals and gemstones


The Esoteric Key of Chemia Discoveries
Author: Machas de Astraeos
Contents: "the Saracens introduced precise observation, controlled experiment, and careful records. They invented and named the alembic (al-anbiq), chemically analyzed innumerable substances, composed lapidaries, distinguished alkalis and acids, investigated their affinities, studied and manufactured hundreds of drugs."

The Flower Garden of Paracelsus
Author: Jafar ibn Hamid
Contents: (mineral studies of various mineral flowers, bioluminescent properties of minerals


Treatise on Cinnabar in the Creation of Jade Essence
Author: Zhu Yu
Contents: (alchemy of the Mysterious East)

Ultima Materia
Author: Throola Ruabrarrae
Contents: (elven plant alchemy; primarily making balms, astringents, creams, poultices, salves, tisanes, infusions, anesthetic and soporific powders, etc.)

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