SCROLLS

Scrolls will generally be found in cylinders - tubes of ivory, jade, leather, metal, or wood. You may require that players read certain magic runes/writings inscribed on tubes in order to open the container in some cases. 

This enables you to have read magic (or comprehend languages) spells taken and used, as well as giving the possibility for traps (symbols, explosive runes) and curses along with a powerful scroll.

Each scroll is written in its own magical cypher, so to understand what sort of scroll has been found the ability to read magic must be available. 

Once a scroll is read to determine its contents, a read magic will not be needed at a subsequent time to invoke the magic. 

Note that even a map will appear magical until the proper spell is used. 

The scriber of the [scroll] does not need a read magic spell to use his or her own scroll spells, just as clerics and druids never need the aid of magic to read appropriate scroll spells.

Reading a scroll to find its contents does not invoke its magic unless it is a specially triggered curse. The latter scroll appears to be a scroll of any sort. It radiates no evil or special aura beyond the magical.

When scrolls are examined, the following table can be used to find their nature:

Scrolls not read to determine contents immediately are from 5% to 30% likely to fade; it is your option to set the percentage or use a d6 to randomly determine it for each scroll.

01-70 Magic-user then roll another d% (01-10 = Illusionist)

71-00 Cleric then roll another d% (01-25 = Druid)

Only the indicated class of character can use the scroll, except thieves.

Protection scrolls can be read by any class or race of character even without a magic spell.

SPELL LEVEL OF SCROLL SPELLS

All scroll spells are assumed to be written so as to make it as easy and quick as possible for the writer. 

Thus, the level of the spell, its characteristics with respect to range, duration, area of effect, etc., where level is a factor, is typically but 1 level higher than that required to actually use the spell, but never below 6th level of experience.

Thus, a sixth level magic-user spell is written at 13th level of ability, a seventh at 15th level, etc. 

A scroll fireball or lightning bolt spell is of 6 dice (6d6) in most cases, but as DM, you may decide to make certain scroll spells more powerful by increasing the level at which they are written; however, this will certainly affect the chance of spell failure as given below:

MAGICAL SPELL FAILURE

If a spell-user acquires a scroll with a spell(s) of a level(s) not yet usable by the character, the spell-user may still attempt to use the spell; the chance of failure, or other bad effect, is 5% per level difference between the character’s present level and the level of magic use at which the spell could be used. 

For example, a 1st level magic-user finds a scroll with a wish spell inscribed upon it. The chance of failure is 85%, as wish is a spell of 9th level magic attained at 18th level of magic use - 18-1 = 17 x 5% = 85%. Dice are rolled, and any score of 85 or less indicates failure of some sort, and the following table is consulted:

USE OF SCROLL SPELLS

When any given scroll is read for purposes of copying the spell’s formula (so as to be able to “know” it) or to release its magic, the writing completely and permanently disappears from the scroll. The magic content of the spell is bound up in the writing, and use releases and erases it. 

Thus, reading a spell from a scroll of 7 spells makes the thing a scroll of 6 spells. No matter what a player may attempt, a scroll spell is usable but once and once only. No exceptions should be made save in the case where you have a special magic item in mind—perhaps a scroll which can be read from once per week or whatever—and always only in rare finds.

Use of scroll spells is similar to the casting of normal (memorized) spells. They too disappear when read off the scroll, for their magical properties and energies are bound up in the characters, runes, signs, sigils, and words written for the particular spell. 

Being written, the scroll spell requires no somatic or material components. 

The time required to cast (read) a scroll spell is exactly that shown for the memorized spell. 

Of course, this assumes the scroll is in hand and ready to read. 

In general, scroll spells will be 12th level as regards range and duration and area of effect. Notable variations occur in projectile attack spells (magic missile, fireball, and lightning bolt) which have variable strength.

Note Regarding Use Of Scroll Spells. Those characters able to read and employ scroll spells may do so regardless of other restrictions, and once the spell is known, it is not necessary to use a special read magic in order to effect its powers. Reading of such scrolls is possible even to magic-users who are otherwise unable to employ such a spell for any reason whatsoever, be it inability to learn or above level of use—although in the latter case there is a chance of spell failure (q.v.). Ability to use scroll spells does not permit a cleric to use a druid spell, a magic-user spell, or a magic-user to use a cleric spell. Likewise, it does not extend the ability of spell use to non-spell-using characters except with respect to protection scrolls.

SPELL LEVEL RANGE (Table III.B.)

This gives the parameters for random determination of spell level far those scrolls you do not set beforehand. When spell level is determined it is a simple matter to randomly find which particular spell it is by consulting the appropriate Spell Lists.

PROTECTION SCROLLS

Special Note. All protection scrolls are cumulative in effect but not in duration.