The Bardic Wordsmith

There are two general types of literature at this point in history: poetry and novels.  Cervantes' Don Quixote, published in 1605 and 1615, mark the beginning of the modern idea of a novel - a long form narrative with central themes and characters.  There were several different genres of novel - pastoral, romance, history, and the picaresque, but at this point in history, the genres begin to blend together.  Epic poetry, evinced by Milton's Paradise Lost, was published a little later in the century, and of course we have Shakespeare's sonnets from the end of the 16th century as well.

Unlike the other forms of art discussed in this series, prose works and poetry can only really affect folks who can read - while some of the effects mentioned in the list come from reading texts aloud, their true power is reserved for those who have studied the written word.  As such, their sphere of influence is limited and it takes a great deal more time for the magic to take effect; even if a poem is only 14 lines long, its meaning has to be teased out in a process that might take hours of thought and discussion.  Consequently, the duration of much of these magical effects is longer than the other art forms.

Roll	Poetry or Prose
1	The text inspires the reader to question a specific local institution (the Catholic church, the local lord) and forments dissatisfaction.  The ideas spread like wildfire through the literate population.
2	The text glorifies a specific local institution, improving public confidence among the literate population.
3	The text enflames the passions, making those who read it more susceptible to persuasion/seduction by someone who presents themselves as a cunning rogue or rake.
4	The story is inspirational, motivating the literate population to greater efforts and improving workmanship by 25%.
5	The text presents an appealing distortion of historical events.  Those who read it, and did not directly experience them, will remember the text's version rather than the actual one.
6	Embedded within the text are the basics of magical study.  For the next 20 years, there will be 10% more arcane spellcasters produced in the region.
7	The work whispers of the mysteries hidden away within the local religious order.  For the next 20 years, there will be 10% more priests/clerics produced in the region.
8	The text is a pastoral, extolling the virtues of the simple life.  For the next 20 years, there will be 10% more literate rangers/druids, and crop yield will increase by 20% due to the nobility spending more coin upon their farms.
9	The text depicts criminals sympathetically. While the populace at large will revile the author, underworld types will respond positively to them.  Small chance that a criminally-minded noble will seek the bard as well.
10	The text is filled with whimsy - fabricated words, wilfull ignorance of grammatical conventions, etc. - to the point where the reader's mind is destabilized.  Unless they succeed a saving throw, their mind becomes trapped in the work's fantasy world.
11	The text appears to contain a spell within it.  However, the 'spell' is one that eats other prepared spells.  If written in a spellbook, other spells in it will gradually be replaced by copies of this 'spell', and if prepared, casting a different spell has a 50% chance of casting a cantrip instead and losing the prepared spell.
12	The text discusses infinite labyrinths and grapples with inestimable constructs.  Spellcasters who have read it can prepare 1 additional spell per day, of any level they can cast.
13	When read aloud, the word sounds are innately charming, calming the emotions and soothing the soul of those who listen.  Herbivores are attracted to the sound as well.
14	Can be read aloud to counterspell a spell with an incantation.
15	Reading the work makes one contemplation.  By taking 10 to 20 minutes after earning experience to reflect, experience earns are increased by 15%.
16	The exploits of the work's heroes are too numerous to fully recall.  However, one or two might come to mind when one is in a similarly perilous situation, granting a +2 bonus to escape it.
17	The text is salacious and does not scrimp on the details.  Those who read it (or hear it read) must save or be driven to quickly find satisfaction.
18	The work draws upon local culture and folklore, evoking a keenly nostalgic feeling when read.  Local patriotism flourishes, and morale, when acting in the interests of the area, is increased.
19	The text's emphasis on things close-to-home and parochial close the minds of those who read it, improving their resistance to magic and persuasion.
20	Portions of the text act as a low-level cantrip: when read aloud, nearby magic glows an ethereal blue.