Scrolls (III.B.)

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.

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.

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

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 Scrolls

Spell Level of Scroll Spells

All scroll spells are assumed to be written so as to make it as easy and quick as possible far 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:

Magic 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.

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.

Protection from Demons

Reading time: This scroll requires 1 full round to read if it is to protect against all sorts of demons, including demon princes, 7 segments to protect against demons of Type VI or lower, and only 3 segments to protect against Type III or lower. The circle of protection generated springs outwards from the scroll reader in a 10 ft. radius. No demon protected against can penetrate the circle physically or magically or in any way, but the person(s) within can launch attacks, if otherwise possible, upon demons. The protection moves with the reader of the scroll. Its effect lasts far 5-20 (5d4) rounds. Note that the protection radius is not an actual physical globe, and if the user forces a demon into a place from which further retreat is impossible (e.g., a corner), and then continues forward until the demon would be within the radius of the circle, the demon is not harmed, and the protection is considered voluntarily broken and disappears. There is no way in which this can be used as an offensive weapon.

Protection from Devils

This scroll is nearly identical to the protection from demons scroll. It requires 1 round to read if it is to protect against all kinds of devils, including arch-devils, 7 segments to protect against greater devils or lower, and 3 segments to protect against lesser devils or lower.

Protection from Elementals

Reading time: 6 segments. There are 5 varieties of this scroll:

The magic protects the reader and all within 10 ft. of him or her from the kind of elemental noted, as well as elemental creatures of the same, or all, planes. The circle of protection affects a maximum of 24 hit dice of elemental creatures if the scroll is of a specific elemental type, 16 hit dice if it is against all sorts of elementals. The spell lasts for 5-40 (5d8) rounds. Attack out of the circle is possible, as is attack into it by any elemental creature with more hit dice than are protected against or by several elemental creatures - those in excess of the protected number of hit dice being able to enter and attack.

Protection from Lycanthropes

Reading time: 4 segments. There are 7 types of this scroll:

The magic circle from the reading of the scroll extends in a 10 ft. radius. It moves with the person who read the scroll. Each scroll protects against 49 hit dice of lycanthrope(s), rounding all hit points pluses downwards unless they exceed +2. The protection is otherwise similar to that against elementals. The protection from shape-changers scroll protects against monsters (except gods and god-like creatures) able to change their form to that of man; i.e. dopplegangers, certain dragons, druids, jackalwere, and those under the influence of polymorph spells, as well as all actual lycanthropes. The magic lasts for 5-30 rounds.

Protection from Magic

Reading time: 8 segments. This scroll invokes a very powerful and invisible globe of anti-magic in a 5 ft. radius from the reader. It prevents any form of magic from passing into or out of its confines, but normal things are not restricted by it. As with other protections, the globe of anti-magic moves with its invoker. Any magical item which touches the globe must be saved far with a 50% likelihood of the object being drained of all magic from the power of the globe, i.e. save equals 11 or better with d20. The protection lasts for 5-30 (5d6) rounds. If multiple magic items encounter the globe simultaneously, the leading item (a magic sword held in advance· of its holder, for instance) is the first affected, then the others are checked in order of decreasing power until the first item fails its save, at which time the globe is canceled and the item is drained of its magic.

Protection from Petrification

Reading time: 5 segments. A 10 ft. radius circle of protection extends from, and moves with, the reader of this scroll. All within its confines are absolutely immune to any attack forms, magical or otherwise, which cause flesh to turn to stone. The protection lasts for 5-20 (5d4) rounds.

Protection from Possession

Reading time: 1 round. This scroll generates a magic circle of 10 ft. radius which extends from, and moves with, the reader. All creatures within its confines are protected from possession by magical spell attacks such as magic jar; attack forms aimed at possession or mental control or psychic energy drain which are psionically-based or magically-based; or demon, devil, night hag, or similar creature possession (obsession). This protects even dead bodies if they are within the magic circle. The protection lasts for 10 to 60 rounds in 90% of these scrolls; 10% have power which lasts 10 to 60 turns, but the protection is stationary.

Protection from Undead

Reading time: 4 segments. When this scroll is read, a 5 ft. radius circle of protection extends from, and moves with, the reader. It protects all within its circumference from all physical attacks from undead (ghasts, ghosts, ghouls, shadows, skeletons, spectres, wights, wraiths, vampires, zombies) but not magic spells or other attack forms. If a creature leaves the protected area, it is then subject to physical attack as well. The protection will restrain up to 35 hit dice/levels of undead; excess hit dice/levels can pass through the circle. It remains in effect for 10-80 (10d8) rounds. Note: some protection scrolls of this nature will protect only against certain types of undead (one or more) rather than all undead, at the DM’s option. (Cf. Potions, Undead Control for a die roll table.)