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Books are items craftable by Wickerbottom. They can be read several times at the cost of sanity to trigger several type of events. The durability can be regenerated by storing the books in Bookcases Don't Starve Together icon. Only Wickerbottom and MaxwellDon't Starve Together icon can use the books, although Maxwell has to pay a higher sanity penalty. WurtDon't Starve Together icon can read the books to either gain or lose sanity but won't trigger their effects.

Player can continue reading the books even at 0 sanity without paying any additional sanity cost. Players may use any of the standard ways to regain Sanity, consign themselves to fighting shadow creatures, or wear a Bone HelmDon't Starve Together icon to make the Shadow Creatures neutral. Books can also be safely read on Lunar IslandDon't Starve Together icon or the Lunar Grotto due to Enlightenment. Sanity considerations are especially important with repeated book readings, such as when summoning Grumble Bees, growing Lureplant farms, or building Tentacle pits.

Birds of the World

Wilba Portrait
TIS NAUGHT BUT SCRIBBLERY!

Wilba

Birds of the World calls 20 to 30 Birds to land between 6m and 12m. It does not work during Hurricane Season in the Shipwrecked DLC. The type of spawned Birds depends on the season and turf the birds land on.

Birds of the World may need to be combined with Sleepytime Stories, ideally right before the night so the birds remain asleep for the duration of the night and not just duration of the book. The birds may also be frozen with Ice Flingomatics. There are also other sleepless way of killing, such as Winona's catapults.

This book is good for farming Krampus and Feathers when a proper farm is made on the Lunar Island.

In 'Don't Starve Together, when used, it summons 10 to 20 birds. If there are already 20 birds, then the book will not spawn anymore. Wurt can also read it to increase her Sanity by 50 points but will not activate the Book's effect, Maxwell loses 125 Sanity on cast.

Don't Starve icon Applied Horticulture

Walani Portrait
Hmm. Sounds suspiciously like work.

Walani

Applied Horticulture grows crops and plants within 30m instantly, while trees grow one stage every use. It does not work on unfertilized or withered crops or plants. Some plants, such as grass, do not grow in Winter.

Applied Horticulture can no longer be crafted in Don't Starve Together, but it can still be spawned through the Console.

Sleepytime Stories

Winona Portrait
I already know how to sleep, thanks.

Winona

Sleepytime Stories causes Mobs within 30m to fall asleep about 2 seconds after reading. The duration of sleep depends on the target and the effect is broken when it is attacked.

Sleepytime Stories can be used instead of the Pan Flute, for example for shaving Beefalos during the day and during mating season, calming Dragonfly, stopping Bee Queen's attacks and beetles, stopping Depths Worm and Hound attacks, slowing down or completely stopping most boss and giants attacks or stealing guarded items from set pieces.

In Don't Starve Together, it's able to put other players to sleep if PvP is enabled on the server.

On Tentacles

Wormwood Portrait
About Scary Arms

Wormwood

On Tentacles creates up to 3 Tentacles between 3m to 8m. Less tentacles are created when there are more obstructions in the spawning zone. Burnt structure, stump of a wall, tree or a boulder or another tentacle are examples of obstructions.

Tentacles from On Tentacles generally produces more Tentacle Spots than it consumes. They are also a source of Tentacle Spikes, a great melee weapon.

The book can be used to build defenses or traps, as the Tentacles are hostile to most Mobs in the game. Tentacle pit can be built by having a ring of wall stumps and safely reading 15-21 times of On Tentacles in that ring.

The End is Nigh!

Wickerbottom Portrait
What could possibly go wrong?

Wickerbottom

The End is Nigh! generates 16 consecutive Lightning strikes between 3m and 15m.

The main use is charging up allied WX-78 in Don't Starve Together.

In the Reign of Giants (RoG) and Shipwrecked (SW) DLCs, any bolt of lightning from The End is Nigh! can strike Wickerbottom when used. Wickerbottom should consider wearing lightning insulated clothing, such as the Eyebrella (RoG), Snakeskin Jacket/Hat (SW), or the Dumbrella (SW).

Shipwrecked icon Joy of Volcanology

Wheeler Portrait
Who comes up with this stuff?

Wheeler

Joy of Volcanology creates 4 Dragoon Eggs falling at the player's location. It replaces "On Tentacles" in the Don't Starve: Shipwrecked DLC. Joy of Volcanology has the same functionality as the Volcano Staff, except it is less precise.

Fallen Dragoon Eggs sometimes create Lava Pools on the ground. When Lava pools burn out they leave behind Rocks , Ash and Charcoal. Lava Pools can be extinguished directly with Ice, which leaves behind a single Obsidian instead. This allows Wickerbottom to easily farm Rocks, Charcoal and Obsidian.

Don't Starve Together icon Horticulture, Abridged

Wormwood Portrait
This one's nice

Wormwood

Horticulture, Abridged is a unique book by Wickerbottom added to Don't Starve Together. When cast, it causes nearby food plants to instantly grow. Only affects garden plants, berry bushes, banana bushes and stone fruit bushes, while only affecting 10 plants within a 7.5 turf cell radius. Spends 20% durability per use and takes 33 points of sanity from Wickerbottom and Wurt, and 82,5 points from Maxwell.

Garden plants affected by the book's begin to grow rapidly, going through each stage in about one second. At the same time, they consume water and use and release nutrients into the soil during the transition to each stage just like during normal growth. Due to the high growth rate, it is difficult to add water or the right fertilizers, as well as talk to plants after using the book. Therefore, it's recommended to use the book on combinations of plants that feed each other, equip a One-man Band, and after using the book, switch to a Watering Can, and add water for the best result. However, even under perfect conditions, it is impossible to grow giant plants.

Don't Starve Together icon Horticulture, Expanded

Wolfgang Portrait
Will thicker book grow thicker vegetables?

Wolfgang

Horticulture, Expanded is an improved version of the "Horticulture, Abridged". It has a more complex recipe, but allows you to grow up to 15 plants instead of 10 and tends to the plants.

When cast, spends 33% durability and takes 33 sanity from Wickerbottom. Maxwell loses 82.5 Sanity per use. Wurt loses 50 sanity when cast.

Don't Starve Together icon Applied Silviculture

Waxwell Portrait
It's not wise to toy with forces beyond your comprehension.

Maxwell

Applied Silviculture is a book by Wickerbottom added to Don't Starve Together in the "Reap What You Sow" update. Crafted in a unique character filter from two units of papyrus and one living log.

Allows you to instantly grow Grass Tufts, Saplings and Trees within a 7,5 turf cell radius. Upon use consumes extra harvest cycle (for example transplanted grass tuft allows for 20 harvest before needed fertilization but if book was used for each harvest it will only allow for 10 harvests) Also calms down Tree Guards when used. When used, it takes away 33 points of sanity from Wickerbottom and Wurt, and takes away 82,5 points from Maxwell.

Don't Starve Together icon The Angler's Survival Guide

Waxwell Portrait
I suppose I'll eat for a lifetime, then? Somehow I doubt it.

Maxwell

The Angler's Survival Guide is a unique book by Wickerbottom added to Don't Starve Together. Crafted with 2 Papyrus and 2 Wooden Floats.

When cast, this book summons a school of Ocean Fish that can appear in the ocean type at which it was read. Spends 33% durability per use and takes away 33 points of sanity. Wurt gains 50 sanity for reading. Maxwell will lose 82.5 Sanity.

Don't Starve Together icon Pyrokinetics Explained

Wolfgang Portrait
Wolfgang hopes is not explained in more big words...

Wolfgang

Pyrokinetics Explained is a unique Book by Wickerbottom added to Don't Starve Together. To create, you need the book The End Is Nigh, as well as a Feather Pencil and two units of Papyrus.

When cast, it extinguishes all burning or smoldering objects within a 3 turf cell radius, including Campfires, Fire Pits, and their endothermic variants. The Book creates a Fiery Pen with 10 % durability for each extinguished burning object and 5 % for each smoldering object, up to 100 %. If a Fiery Pen with less than 100 % durability is in the inventory, it will be recharged when extinguishing additional fires with Pyrokinetics Explained. Otherwise, a new Fiery Pen will be given.

Don't Starve Together icon Fiery Pen

WX-78 Portrait
IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IN THE WRONG HANDS. I WILL TAKE IT

WX-78

The Fiery Pen is an item added in Don't Starve Together. It can be created by reading Wickerbottom's Book Pyrokinesis Explained. It can be used like a regular Fire Staff.

Don't Starve Together icon Overcoming Arachnophobia

WX-78 Portrait
I DO NOT FEAR SPIDERS, THE SPIDERS SHOULD FEAR ME

WX-78

The Overcoming Arachnophobia is a unique Book by Wickerbottom added to Don't Starve Together. Crafted with 2 Papyrus and 8 Silk.

When cast, creates a 3 by 3 turf area Spider web under the player. The web slows all creatures except other players and flying creatures by 25%, Spiders are also slowed. The web disappears after 2 minutes (4 clock segments). Using the book costs 20% of durability and reduces Sanity by 33 for Wickerbottom, and 82.5 for Maxwell.

Don't Starve Together icon Tempering Temperatures

Wormwood Portrait
Warm? Cool? Hmm...

Wormwood

Tempering Temperatures is a unique Book by Wickerbottom added to Don't Starve Together. It can be crafted with 2 Papyrus and 1 Thermal Stone.

When cast it removes wetness from characters within 4 squares of turf and dries items in their inventory. In addition, the Book sets the temperature of the characters to 35 degrees. Reduces 20% durability per use and takes away 33 points of Sanity. Maxwell loses 82.5 Sanity. Wurt restores 33 Sanity when cast.

Don't Starve Together icon Lux Aeterna

Willow Portrait
Wow, another book I'll never read!

Willow

Lux Aeterna is a unique Wickerbottom Book added to Don't Starve Together. It can be crafted from 2 units of Papyrus and 2 Light Bulbs.

When used, the book creates a beam of light above the character, similar to surface lights in caves. The beam lights up a small area for half a day. Reading in the caves triggers an Earthquake. Reading a book takes 33% of her durability and 33 points of sanity for Wickerbottom, and 82.5 for Maxwell. Wurt gains 33 Sanity for using the book.

Farm Plants will continue to grow at night if inside the light granted by this book. (In radius of around 3 tiles)

Don't Starve Together icon Lux Aeterna Redux

Wolfgang Portrait
Wolfgang is starting to find liking for books.

Wolfgang

Lux Aeterna Redux is an improved version of the "Lux Aeterna". Crafted with Lux Aeterna, a Feather Pencil, and 2 Papyrus. When cast, summons an empowered beam of light that illuminates the area for two in-game days. Reading in the caves triggers an Earthquake.

Spends 20% durability on cast and takes 33 Sanity for Wickerbottom and 82.5 Sanity for Maxwell. Wurt gains 50 Sanity when cast.

Farm Plants will continue to grow at night if inside the light granted by this book. (In radius of around 3 tiles)

Don't Starve Together icon Practical Rain Rituals

WX-78 Portrait
HOW HATEFUL

WX-78

Practical Rain Rituals is a unique book by Wickerbottom added to Don't Starve Together. Crafting requires 2 Papyrus and 2 Down Feathers.

When read, this book has the ability to toggle rain. Also, during the call of rain, it increases the humidity of nearby Farm Soil. After reading the book, Wickerbottom spends 20% of its durability and loses 33 points of Sanity, and Maxwell will lose 82.5 points. Wurt, on the contrary, increases her Sanity by 33 units after using the book. Works in caves as well which allows to manage Acid Rain if Rifts are active.

Don't Starve Together icon Lunar Grimoire

Walter Portrait
Aww, it doesn't even mention aliens!

Walter

Lunar Grimoire is a unique Wickerbottom book added to Don't Starve Together. Crafting requires 2 Papyrus, 1 Iridescent Gem and 2 Moon Moth Wings.

When read, the current day turns into a full moon, causing the lunar cycle to continue from that point. Spends 33% durability per use and drains 50, 125, and 33 Sanity from Wickerbottom, Maxwell, and Wurt respectively when cast.

Don't Starve Together icon Apicultural Notes

Willow Portrait
"Rule one: don't set beehives on fire"? This book's stupid!

Willow

Apicultural Notes is a unique Book by Wickerbottom added to Don't Starve Together. To craft you need 2 Papyrus, 8 Stingers and 4 Honey.

This summons two friendly Grumble Bees when cast. They are passive like other followers and will follow the summoner, protecting them from other aggressive creatures. A maximum of sixteen drones can be summoned. Spends 33% durability per use and takes away 33 points of sanity. Wurt also loses 33 sanity per reading. Maxwell loses 82.5 Sanity. Should a player attempt to fight Bee Queen with summoned Grumble Bees, she'll screech and assume control over them. Therefore, it's ill advised to have any summoned before fighting her.

Don't Starve Together icon The Everything Encyclopedia

Webber Portrait
Seeing someone pick up a heavy book makes us nervous, somehow...

Webber

The Everything Encyclopedia is a unique Book by Wickerbottom added to Don't Starve Together. Crafted with 2 units of Papyrus and 1 Electrical Doodad in the Survivor Items Filter.

When used, it lowers requirement for prototyping items from science, magic and think tank tiers (for more information, check Crafting/Don't Starve Together). Items from both science tiers, tier 1 of magic and think tank can be crafted anywhere, while tier 2 magic items require any science or magic station.

Single read gives one 'charge' to any player within a 4-cell radius of the turf, including the caster. Charges stack up, which allows player to read book multiple times in a row, and later use stored charges to prototype items with decreased requirements. If player prototypes item while not standing next to normally required research station, charge count is lowered by one, otherwise it is not consumed.

If lowered prototyping requirements do not demand crafting station, player won't gain bonus 15 sanity points from learning it.

After reading the book loses 33% durability. Wickerbottom loses 33 Sanity and Maxwell 82.5 Sanity. At the same time, Wurt restores 33 sanity.

Prototype Tips

Placeholder Trivia

  • The text "Ia! Ia!" in the description for The End is Nigh! refers to the phrase "Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn!", a chant from the Cthulhu Mythos of H. P. Lovecraft.
  • The sanity reduction from reading possibly could suggest that these books contain knowledge which humans were never meant to know, similar to the Necronomicon and Pnakotic Manuscripts from the writings of H.P. Lovecraft. Although Wurt can gain sanity by reading some of the books, this is likely because she reads them for personal enjoyment rather than to utilize possibly forbidden magic.
  • According to Wilson in Don't Starve Together, Sleepytime Stories is "just 500 pages of telegraph codes". This implies that the book bores those affected to sleep.
  • Sleepytime Stories and The End is Nigh! were originally named Bedtime Stories and Conflagration respectively.[1]
  • Previously, Don't Starve Together also featured the book "Applied Horticulture", but with the Reap What You Sow update, which redesigned the farming system, it was replaced by the book "Horticulture, Abridged".
  • When Wickerbottom inspects "Birds of the World", she mentions the Western Screech Owl. This is a reference to the mod the developers made titled The Screecher.
  • Several characters introduced with the Hamlet DLC have unimplemented quotes for Wickerbottom's books:
    • Wagstaff: Birds of the World ("I cannot access the knowledge within it. How frustrating!"), Applied Horticulture ("Much more than a collection of facts."), Sleepytime Stories ("Is this ink imbued with dark fuel?! Fascinating!"), On Tentacles ("What prevents me from using this?"), The End is Nigh! ("Oh, I do wish I could access its power.").
    • Wheeler: Birds of the World ("Will it help me get back in the air?"), Applied Horticulture ("I'm not digging this one."), Sleepytime Stories ("A sleeper hit."), On Tentacles ("I'm guessing it's not a children's book."), The End is Nigh! ("Feel good story of the year.").
    • Wormwood and Wilba however do not have any quotes for books.
  • Webber's comment on "Practical Rain Rituals" may be a reference to the superstition that killing a spider will make it rain. Less likely it references the Aztecs ritually sacrificing children to The Rain God, hoping for rain. Few other characters reference the use of a ritual.

Blueprint Gallery

References

  1. (Archive) Character Rebalance Discussion Thread. Posted on June 12, 2013.
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