The return of a mechanic from Season of Discovery: books are scattered across Azeroth; a necklace at 10 books, a ring at 20. Mages get a bonus ability, "Study," and scrolls.

What's returning

In Season of Discovery, mages had to collect books across Azeroth and bring them to a librarian in Stormwind or Undercity to earn the "Icy Blood" rune. In World of Warcraft: Forever, this collection is back — but it's now available to all classes, and the rewards are different.

For 10 books turned in, you receive a necklace; for 20 — a ring. Books are scattered across the open world: some in safe places, others in spots that aren't easy to reach.

How it works

Books must be turned in to your faction's librarian:

• Alliance — Garion Wendell, Stormwind, Mage Tower (49.0, 86.4).
• Horde — Owen Thadd, Undercity, Magic Quarter (74.0, 32.4).

At 10 books you pick up the quest "Friend of the Library" and pick a necklace. At 20 — the quest "Great Friend of the Library" and a ring. Even at the current level-20 cap, collecting twenty books is doable — an Alliance paladin managed it on test; though with a couple of "trips for a book" to the other side.

Mage bonus

When a mage turns in their first book, they get the ability "Study". It links to the new spell "Scroll Decryption" (learned from a trainer at level 6). Standing next to the librarian, the mage uses "Study" (consumes a light quill) — once per day the librarian hands over a bundle of scrolls.

On test, the bundles so far have included:

• Scroll of Minor Power Surge
• Scroll of Rat Familiar
• Scroll of Enchanting — Minor Fire
• Scroll of Understanding
• Scroll of Enchanting — Frost Blade

As the mage's level rises, the list of available scrolls should grow.

What was found on beta

The mechanic still has rough edges. For one tester, "Study" first opened the cooking profession, then crashed the client. After relogging, the ability was gone and didn't come back. The ring for 20 books, "Field Researcher's Band" (Item Level 40, +7 to Strength, Agility, and Stamina), is currently flagged for rogues only — looks like a bug, but Blizzard hasn't commented.

Players on the forums are already asking: at the 60+ cap on release, will collecting twenty books just be a pastime for level 19 and 29 alts? One popular suggestion is to introduce "soft" caps at 20, 30, and so on at launch, so gear sets and books stay relevant in the first weeks after launch. That's just community wishlist for now — no official promises.

What this means for you

• If you played Season of Discovery — a familiar mechanic, only now any class can collect books, and the reward is a piece of jewelry rather than a rune.
• If you play mage — there's a reason to start collecting early: "Study" gives free scrolls once a day, and the list should grow over time.
• If you're planning alts at levels 19 and 29 — Forever already has something for them too: at low caps, collecting 20 books is very doable, and the rewards are designed for that level range.
• If you're waiting for release — for now this all lives on beta and may still change: the class restriction on the ring, "Study" behavior, and the scroll list are all up in the air.