Do you prefer a big book of spells or an arcane library (details inside)

[Senko]

I've been mucking around with trying to create an arcane library with books of the various spell levels and functions e.g. 1st level utility spells, 3rd level offensive spells or 7th level defensive spells. During which it became apparent even if I pad the books with descriptions of spell effects, pictures and arcane lore on the use of magic at that level the books will be mostly empty especially at lower levels as I simply don't have anywhere near enough spells to fill them out if I take that approach.

Which got me wondering do people prefer a lot of magic books split up like this or do you prefer a single big arcane tome (say a blessed book) filled with all your spells or both?

Personally I prefer both the big blessed book master copy with all my spells kept under lock and ward in a hidden place and the library in my sanctum with books divided by level/function (offensive, defensive and utility). What about you?

[Klorox]

I prefer to have several copies of all my spells, with some kept in safe places... in a game I'm currently playing a wizard did not have the funds to do that, and his book was stolen by a footpad that we have no hope to track down (we were attacked by a force of more than 25 bandits who came all over the place and mucked all the tracks before we could start pursuit)...

[shaventalz]

My knowledge-based Wizard has a smallish library of spellbooks in his tower. One per spell level per school, for ease of use. He then copies from there into his adventuring spellbooks.

Granted, he's not really going to be able to use a lot of what he's got scribed, but it's really more of a public service (slash vanity purchase.) And that way, if he gets... say... thrown into a pocket of dioxygen difluoride on the Plane of Air, he's still got access to all his spells if they manage to find enough of his body to raise him.

[Azothath]

both, and more.

Creating magical tomes for NPCs and players is part and parcel of the GMs job.
Mid to high level PCs create various things to reduce the risk of power loss or loss of options.

[Goth Guru]

My blessed book is my traveling spellbook. If you find a portable hole you can take your library with you. If you find a tattoo artist, you can have them copy spells onto your friends backs. Exact copying will work for spell book pages because they are not magical in of themselves.

Use whatever resources you can get to provide backup.

[Senko]

That's a lot of tattoo's. Me its blessed books in one pocket dimension, seperate books in another pocket dimension and a few books of lower level spells (1st to 3rd) in the prime material.

[Tusk the Half-Orc]

Secluded Grimoire is your friend here. It’s a good spot for an emergency spellbook or a blessed book, since you’re limited to a single volume.

[Zhayne]

I prefer sorcerers. ;)

[shaventalz]

Zhayne wrote:

I prefer sorcerers. ;)

But they get so angry when you put them on the shelves.

[Senko]

Zhayne wrote:

I prefer sorcerers. ;)

I like arcanists can swap out for any spell you learn but once memorized you just cast off spell slots like a sorcerer. Add in mythic perfect preparation and you don't even need a book. Of course I still keep the books around as they have other uses such as for apprentices.