HYPERBOREA / AS&SH 2nd edition Prayer Books

**Posted by rhialto** 12/06/2017 4:32 pm

So I've been slowly reading the hardback and came across the passage Jeff hinted at in this thread about Clerics appropriating prayer books of other Clerics (p.137 of 2e). I like the rule, and have been using something similar for all Sorcerers in my game. Just curious if others have been using this very loosely-described rule?

**Posted by Grimmshade** 12/06/2017 7:14 pm

Great idea to use that rule for other sorcerers. I'll be using it for one school to learn spells from another. Running a Hyborian Age campaign, I sometimes need someone to learn spells across schools to better line up with what we see in the Conan stories.

**Posted by foxroe** 12/06/2017 8:59 pm

Absolutely. Clerics (and the sub-classes) gaining their eldritch powers from studying the secret scriptures and rites of their order/cult/etc. is very much a S&S element (to me at least). The "D&D-ish" method of spells being granted through prayer is not. It also emphasizes the distant and aloof nature of the Gods in the game, IMO.

**Posted by Thrasaric** 12/07/2017 11:46 am

I have been using this concept for awhile and love that it has become standard fare in AS&SH. Do you only have them use "Ancient texts" or do you allow them to create their own prayer books and require them to create special inks and pens?

Last edited by Thrasaric (12/07/2017 11:48 am)

**Posted by Brock Savage** 12/07/2017 6:58 pm

I really like how AS&SH handles cleric spells. It's one of many elements that distinguish Hyperborea from the glut of fantasy settings on the market.

**Posted by rhialto** 12/07/2017 7:06 pm

I have broadly re-interpreted the rule as: any sorcerer can study any sorcerous script (magician, cleric or any of the sorcerous subclasses) and attempt to learn its secrets, with some attendant risk. The chance to learn is based on the Magician/Cleric Chance to Learn New Spell (d% vs. Int or Wis, as per Tables 4 & 5), the risk of some misfortune striking is a Non-Standard Task resolution (throw of x-in-6, as per p.137) and then avoiding the misfortune triggers a Sorcery Saving Throw.

This is part of my general "Yes, but..." attitude when it comes to rules: you can try just about anything, but there's usually risk.

**Posted by Master Magician Rennalds** 10/15/2025 7:40 pm

I dig that take on cross class spells actually.