Chapter 2 - Magic Items

Scrolls

Scrolls come in two varieties: spell scrolls and protection scrolls. Spell scrolls are exactly what the name implies—scrolls that store spells that can be cast simply by being read. Protection scrolls are special single use magical items that provide defense against a number of threats.

While any character may read a protection scroll without the benefit of a read magic spell, wizard spells cannot be cast from a scroll or transcribed into a spell book until a read magic spell or effect has been employed by the reader. This can be done at the time of the scroll’s use, or the reader can prepare ahead of time by using read magic in advance; once magically read, a scroll remains intelligible for the character who reads it. Note that only wizards, thieves, and bards may read wizard spells from spell scrolls; thieves and bards can bypass the normal requirement to read magic by using their special class abilities.

Priest spells do not require a read magic spell in order to be used from a scroll. Priests, thieves, and bards may read priest spells from spell scrolls.

Low level wizards and priests may be able to read spells from scrolls that are normally beyond their abilities; even a 1st level wizard has a chance to pronounce the incantation for a fireball or lightning bolt correctly. Refer to Scrolls, in Appendix 3 of the Dungeon Master® Guide.

The common material required is the paper, parchment, or papyrus as detailed in Chapter 10 of the Dungeon Master Guide. Paper provides a +5% bonus to the success roll, while papyrus inflicts a –5% penalty. All scrolls require a rare quill of some kind. A new quill must be used for each spell written on the scroll.

Blending the ink is the most important process. Ink for spells of levels 1–3 require a rare ingredient, spells of levels 4–6 require an exotic ingredient, and spells of levels 7+ require one rare and one exotic ingredient. (Use the spell level equivalents for protection scrolls.) Blending the ink takes one day, and the ink must be used within two weeks.

There is no research required for spell scrolls or for protection scrolls that mirror spells available to the character. For example, if a wizard knows how to cast antimagic shell, he can write a scroll of protection from magic without performing any kind of research. If the scroll has no spell equivalent known to the character, he must research the scroll using the normal spell research rules. To figure out a scroll’s effective spell level, divide the experience point value by 500 and then add 2 (Level = XP/500+2). For example, scrolls worth 1,000 experience points are considered 4th level spells.

Protection scrolls that have spell equivalents include the following scrolls:

No spells are actually cast when writing a scroll, but the character must know the relevant spell and have any required material components on hand. If normally consumed in the casting, the material components are consumed in writing the scroll. If casting the spell normally imposes a penalty on the caster, such as magical aging, creating the scroll carries the same penalty. Inscribing a spell onto a scroll takes one day per spell level, while creating a protection scroll takes one full week of uninterrupted work.

The chance to successfully write a scroll is 80%, +1% for every level of the creator, and –1% for each level of the written spell level (or equivalent spell level, in the case of protection scrolls). There are additional adjustments for the materials used (see DMG, Chapter 10). The DM must roll for success separately for each spell on a scroll. A scroll can hold 1d6 spells, determined secretly by the DM. The character only knows when the scroll is full. A failed attempt to write a spell fills the scroll and he may not add any more spells to that scroll; but any spells previously placed on the scroll remain intact and may still be used. The DM should make the check in secret, since a natural 96 or higher on the success check creates a cursed scroll. The creator of the scroll has no idea that his work is flawed until he tries to use that particular spell.

Geometers

Geometers have the special advantage of requiring nothing except common paper or parchment and a rare quill (which can only be used once); the ink is not important for the geometer’s scrolls. Geometers have the same time requirements, but must pay 100 gp per spell level for their materials for spell scrolls, or 300 to 1,800 gp (3d6x100) for protection scrolls. Geometers use a learn spells check instead of the normal success check if they produce the scroll without any magical ingredients or processes. If a Geometer creates a scroll using the usual methods described above, he gains a +5% bonus to his success check due to his familiarity with scrolls.

Example of Scroll Creation

Milana, an 8th level priestess, decides to create a scroll of protection from poison. Because Milana is capable of casting the spell neutralize poison, she does not need to do any research. Because the spell equivalent is 4th level, the scroll requires an exotic material for the ink (nightshade harvested during the dark of the moon). The quill must be a feather steeped in the venom of an adder. Fortunately, Milana’s temple is near a good sized town, and she can also procure paper.

After gathering the necessary materials, Milana begins scribing. This requires one full week, at no particular cost—although the patriarch of her temple suggests that an offering for the use of the altar would be appreciated. Milana’s chance of success is 80%, +8% for her level, –4% for the equivalent level of the scroll. The use of paper gives her a +5% bonus, for a total of 89%.

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