Scrolls

Scrolls are generally found in cylinders - tubes of ivory, jade, leather, metal, or wood. Some tubes are inscribed with magical runes or strange writing the PCs must read in order to open the container. This is up to the DM. Taking this approach encourages players to select and use the Read Magic or Comprehend Languages spells. It also makes it possible to protect power scrolls with traps (symbols, explosive runes) and curses.

Each scroll is written in its own magical cypher. To understand what type of scroll has been found, the ability to read magic must be available. Once a scroll is read to find its contents, a Read Magic spell is not needed after that to invoke its magic. Even a scroll map appears unreadable until the proper spell (Comprehend Languages) is used.

Reading a scroll to find its contents does not invoke its magic unless it has a specially triggered curse. A cursed scroll may appear to be a scroll of any sort. It radiates no evil or special aura beyond being magical.

A protection scroll can be read by any class of character even without a read magic spell. If a scroll isn't immediately read to learn its contents, there is a 5% to 30% chance it will fade. The DM sets the percentage or rolls d6 to determine it for each scroll.

When a spell scroll is examined, the following table can be used to find its nature:

Level of Scroll Spells

All scroll spells are written to make use as quick and easy as possible for the writer. The level of the spell and its characteristics (range, duration, area of effect, and so on) are typically one level higher than that required to cast the spell, but never below the 6th level of experience.

Thus, a 6th-level wizard spell is written at 13th level of ability, a 7th-level spell at 15th level, and so on. The DM can make scroll spells more powerful by increasing the level at which they are written. This will, however, affect the chance of spell failure.

Spell Failure

If any spellcaster acquires a scroll inscribed with a spell of a level too high to cast, he or she can still try to use the spell - the chance of failure, or other ill effects, are 5% per level difference between the character's present level and the level at which the spell could be used.

For example, a 1st-level wizard finds a scroll with a wish spell inscribed upon it. The chance of failure is 85%, as wish is a 9th-level spell, attained at 18th level: 18 -1 = 17; 17 x 5% = 85%. A percentile roll of 85 or less indicates failure of some sort, and the table below should be consulted. In this case, the spell is 30% likely to fail without effect, while the chance for a reverse or harmful effect is 70%.

Use of Scroll Spells

When a scroll is copied into a spell book or read to release its magic, the writing completely and permanently disappears from the scroll. The magical content of the spell, bound up in the writing, is released and erased. Thus, reading a spell from a scroll of seven spells makes the item a scroll of six spells. No matter what a player may try, each spell on a scroll is only usable once. Exceptions should be made very rarely and only when you have a very special magical item in mind - perhaps a scroll that can be read once per week - this would be potent magic indeed.

To use a scroll there must be enough light to read by and the scroll must be read aloud. A scroll can only be used once, for the words disappear as they are read aloud. Only wizards can use wizard spell scrolls, but only after a read magic spell has been cast to understand each scroll. Only priests may use priest spell scrolls. Anyone may use protection scrolls and treasure maps.

Casting Scroll Effects

The initiative modifier of a scroll is its reading time. For scroll spells, this is equal to the casting time of the spell. For protection scrolls, the reading time is given in the explanation of the scroll effects. The only requirements for using a scroll are sufficient light to read by and the actual verbalization of the writings. If the reading of a scroll is interrupted, the scroll effect is lost and that spell fades away and is lost. Spell components are unnecessary for a scroll reader, and no adverse effects associated with casting the spell are suffered - these requirements or penalties have been fulfilled or suffered by the creator of the scroll.

Protection Scroll Effects

If a PC has more than one protection scroll, the effects are cumulative, but not the duration. Scrolls that protect against creatures do not create an actual, physical globe. If the user forces the creature into a place from which further retreat is impossible (backs one into a comer, say), and then continues forward until the creature would be within the radius of the circle, the creature is not harmed, and the protection is considered voluntarily broken and disappears. There is no way in which a protection scroll can be used as an offensive weapon.

Who Can Use Scroll Spells

Ability to use scroll spells does not permit a priest to use a wizard spell, or a wizard to use a priest spell. Likewise, it does not extend the ability of spell use to nonspellusing characters except with respect to protection scrolls. Anyone can use a protection scroll. Paladins and rangers cannot use priest scrolls.

Those characters able to read and employ scroll spells can do so regardless of other restrictions. Once the spell is known, it is not necessary to use a read magic spell in order to invoke its powers. Scrolls can be read even by wizards who are unable to employ the spell copied because of an inability to learn it or because it is too high in level (although, in the latter case, there is a chance of spell failure).

Spell Level Range

The level range shown in Mixed Priest Spheres Scroll, Priest Scroll, Priest Scroll of Mixed Spheres, and Wizard Scroll gives the parameters for random determination of spell level for scrolls if you choose not to set this. With the spell level decided, find the particular spell by consulting the appropriate Spell Tables in the PHB.