Magic Scrolls PF

Selling Magic Scrolls

The alchemist is one of the few people in the world who can turn a spell invocation (not a ritual) into a magic scroll.

A "spell scroll," commonly referred to simply as a "magic scroll," is a sheet of rolled (never folded) parchment with 1 -3 different spells converted for use as a magic scroll.

Anybody who can read the language in which it is written (can be any but usually Elf) can read and activate the spell(s) contained on the scroll.

The moment the scroll is read, the magic is activated and the spell cast. The P.P.E. necessary to cast the spell scroll is magically implanted and stored in the written words. Thus, as the scroll is read, the words vanish and the spell is cast. If the reader stops at any point for more than three seconds, the spell is ruined and writing on the scroll vanishes without casting its magic.

Only the name of the spell will remain after a reading, so it is safe to only read the heading on a scroll; not unravelling it beyond that point to avoid accidentally glancing at the magic words and reading them (it's human nature to take a peek).

If two or more spells are placed on the same parchment, the creator of the scroll will list them at the very top, one under the other, as well as providing a space and an individual heading between each.

Note: Placing a silver rune on a magic scroll will not preserve the spell, writing or parchment (the two different magicks simply can't work on the same magic parchment; it's one or the other. See the Diabolist O.C.C. about silver runes).

Limitations

Can be used only once, and written in only one language. Once activated/read, the spell vanishes from the scroll.

If a person cannot read or cannot read the language the scroll is written in, he cannot use it (unrolling it and pretending or trying to read it may cause the magic to fade without the spell being cast).

Guarantee

Whatever the alchemist claims the magic scroll is (6th level, saving throw 1 4, specific spell, etc.) will be absolutely true and is guaranteed to work or money back.

Save vs Scroll Magic

Typically a 13 or 14 is needed to save.

Power of the Spell Scroll

The potency, duration, range and damage can be as high as the alchemist's own personal level of experience as a spell caster (typically 6th-12th level). However, most spells placed on scrolls are cast at the equivalent of being performed by a 4th, 5th or 6th level wizard; the alchemist can indicate exactly what equivalent experience level the magic should be (roll 1D4+3 for random determination).

A scroll spell that is the equivalent experience level of an 8-10th level wizards is a rarity and typically costs 1D6x 1000 more gold regardless of the spell level; i.e. a second level scroll spell that is the equivalent of being cast by a 1 0th level wizard will cost the normal 800-1200 gold plus another 1000-6000 gold because of its high power (10th level)

Cost by Spell Levels

Any level spell (not rituals) can be turned into a magic scroll spell. However, spells under Eighth level are the most common, spells that are higher tend to be prohibitively expensive..

Levels 1-2: 800-1200 gold each

Levels 3-5: 2000-2500 gold each; note that armor of Ithan, shadow meld, escape, and eyes of Thoth will always sell for top dollar (3000 gold) and by as much as 10-50% more.

Levels 6-7: 3000-4000 gold each; sometimes 10-50% more.

Levels 8-9: 5000-7000 gold each; sometimes 20-50% more.

Levels 10-12: 10,000-15,000 gold each; sometimes 20-50% more.

Levels 13 -15: 20,000-30,000 gold each; sometimes 30-100% more.

Spells of Legend: 50,000-100,000 gold each. Rarely available and can cost two or three times the list price depending on the situation, the buyer and the seller.

Cost Note

The cost of a scroll can vary by as much as 20% less and 100% more than the average prices listed above. Much will depend on the availability of scrolls in the region, the desperateness of the purchaser and the generosity of the seller.

Unfortunately, most alchemists are of selfish and evil alignments and notorious for taking advantage of a situation to their benefit. Alchemists are often temperamental, judgmental, and quirky. Get on his or her good-side and you are likely to be treated fairly (most of the time), but get on the character's bad-side and expect to pay through the nose, or to be treated rudely.

Furthermore, racial, class and occupational prejudices may also see prices raised or lowered, or the range of available scrolls and magic items increased or decreased. That is to say that an alchemist who hates dwarves (wolfen, humans, nobility, etc.) may tell a dwarven customer that he has only a small handful of scrolls available (when in reality he has 10 times as many) and the prices are likely to be at least 20-50% higher than normal. By contrast, when a fellow elf or practitioner of magic inquires, the elven alchemist has a vast range of available items at average, or below, prices. This is true of anything sold at any magic shop.

Availability

The prices listed previously are for scrolls that are already made and ready for resale. This limits the availability to the most popular for that area and the occasional odd ball or rare spell scroll. Most alchemists will usually have 1D4 each of the following commonly requested scrolls: healing, negate poison, tongues, see the invisible, invisibility (lesser), sense magic, and fire ball.

The odds that the alchemist will have exactly what the character(s) needs is a total crap shoot. An easy rule of thumb is roll percentile dice for every request, with the possible exception of the items listed above (but even they can be sold out).

For scroll spells levels from 1-7, there is a 01-40% chance that one or two scrolls are available with that spell.

For scroll spells from levels 8-12 there is only a 01-25% chance, and levels 13 and higher, only a 01-12% chance of being available.

Remember, ultimately the Game Master controls availability, so if he or she doesn't want it available, it's not.

Custom-Made Scrolls

If an alchemist has the time and inclination, he can create just about any scroll the character( s) might desire. To custom make a scroll with 1-3 spells of the purchaser's choosing, the mage needs a minimum of 24 hours (most request 48 hours to a week) and will charge the character(s) 50-100% above the normal top price for each spell placed on the scroll. Spells above 10th level are not available. The custom-made scroll can be written in any language requested by the purchaser.

Other means of acquiring spell scrolls

Some high priests can also create scrolls which may be sold to help support the church, or given to church defenders or Champions of Light as a reward or means of defense. Scrolls can also be awarded by royalty, priests or gods, as well as captured, stolen or found in dungeons, ancient ruins, temples, and the lairs of evil practitioners of magic, dragons and evildoers.