Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition merit
Library
Library is a merit in Vampire V5: you a well-stocked collection of books for research.
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Overview
Library means you own or have reliable access to a collection of books, archives, or databases covering one or more fields. Decades of collecting, an inherited estate, or a mortal position at a university can all justify it. The collection helps with mundane research: history, law, medicine, science. For occult matters, see the separate Occult Library merit.
How it works
Effect: Bonus dice or reduced research time when investigating a topic your collection covers. The Storyteller may allow you to find an answer without leaving your haven. Scope: Define the fields your library covers when you take it (for example, city history and property records). Cost: A single merit on the RPG Stack sheet; expand it after creation at the new dot times 3 XP rate. Synergies: Academics, Investigation, and Science rolls, plus the Haven background, since a library needs a secure home.
Tips and playstyle
Character concepts: Retired professor, genealogist, archivist, lawyer with a private legal library, obsessive collector. When to take: Ideal for the coterie's researcher, especially in investigation-heavy chronicles.
Frequently asked questions
Can my library be destroyed?
Yes. If your haven burns or is raided, the merit can be lost or reduced until you rebuild the collection.
Does Library cover digital archives?
Yes, if the Storyteller agrees. A subscription to specialist databases or a hard drive of scanned records works the same way.