SCROLLS

Writings of various nature are commonly found as treasure or in the lairs of intelligent creatures. Some of these, mundane works (e.g. maps, codes, riddles), will require a sharp wit, understanding of various languages, or the use of a comprehend languages spell.

Magical writings come in various forms, but the most common are magical scrolls. There are three primary types of magical scrolls: spell scrolls, protection scrolls, and cursed scrolls.

SPELL SCROLLS

A spell scroll is a magic item that holds a written form of a spell, that, if read properly, by the appropriate type of spell caster, can be cast exactly like the spell as if you prepared the spell.

The scroll itself is the only spell component necessary during casting. Once cast, the writing (for that individual spell only) will fade from the scroll material, gone forever. While casting a spell from a spell scroll, you are immobile as if casting an actual spell. See also spell disruption below.

The type of scroll, if unknown, can be randomly determined:

Cleric Scrolls. The contents can be discerned by any cleric that scans the scroll as a complex activity. After this, the cleric can cast any spell contained on the scroll. Unless otherwise, specified, other classes cannot read cleric scrolls. A read magic spell cast by a non-cleric will give the caster knowledge of the contents of the scroll but will not allow it's use.

Druid Scrolls. The contents can be discerned by any druid that scans the scroll as a complex activity. After this, the druid can cast any spell contained on the scroll. A read magic spell cast by a non-druid will give the caster knowledge of the contents of the scroll but will not allow it's use.

Illusionist Scrolls. The contents can be discerned by any illusionist that scans the scroll as a complex activity. After this, the illusionist can cast any spell contained on the scroll. A read magic spell cast by a non-illusionist will not allow the caster to discern the scroll's contents. However, a comprehend languages spell cast by a non-illusionist will give the caster knowledge of the contents of the scroll but will not allow it's use.

Magic-user Scrolls. The contents of the scroll cannot be determined unless a read magic spell is used. Once cast, the caster can scan the scroll as a complex activity. After this, if the caster is a magic-user, the caster can cast any spell contained on the scroll.

Educated Checks. [complex] A magic-user can attempt a DC 15 educated check to determine the class type of any scroll by scanning it.

Caster Level. Each scroll will have spells written at a particular caster level. When cast, the spell operates at the level it was written, not the caster level of the one doing the reading.

If unknown, determine the caster by finding the highest level spell written on that scroll—the caster level will be the lowest level required to cast the spell plus one (minimum caster level is 6th).

Example. A magic-user scroll with the spells: magic missile, fireball, and ice storm is found. The caster level for all spells will be 8th level (ice storm requires a minimum caster level of 7th; Add one and caster level is 8th).

CASTING SPELLS FROM SCROLLS

Spell Scroll Invocation. [spells] (major, casting time of the written spell +2 segments if the scroll is not in hand) The caster must have the scroll in hand in order to cast a spell from it. If the scroll is not in hand, the caster is allowed to get the scroll from a readied spot (typically a readied scroll tube) which adds 2 segments to the casting time of the scroll. The caster then casts the spell from the scroll. When cast, the spell disappears from the scroll and if there are no other spells contained on the scroll, the scroll will crumble into ash. Stowing a scroll into an open/readied scroll tube is a major action. Accessing a scroll in a non-readied scroll tube is delaying activity (major action; so the spell on the scroll cannot be cast until the next round).

Spell Disruption. A caster reading a spell from a scroll can have the spell disrupted, however, if this occurs, the spell is not lost even though the attempt to invoke it fails. The spell is still contained on the scroll (assuming the scroll is undamaged) and can be cast at a later time.

The Spell is High Level than the Caster. If the spell being cast from a scroll is higher level than the caster (i.e. the caster cannot access that level of spells in the spell list), there is a chance of spell failure.

SPELL FAILURE

Even if the spell is read without interruption, if the caster level of the spell is higher than the caster level of the one reading the spell, there will be a chance of spell failure.

The chance is equal to 5% per level of difference in caster level.

Important Note: In this case, the caster level of the spell contained on the scroll is the MINIMUM caster level required to cast the spell in question—not the caster level at which the spell is written.

Thus, a 2nd level magic-user, attempting to cast an ice storm spell from the scroll in the example above will have a 25% chance of spell failure ([7th-2nd]=5 * 5%=25% chance). If a spell failure is indicated, use the provided table.

PROTECTION SCROLLS

A protection scroll typically creates an area of protection that hedges a type of creature or effect.

Any literate creature can discern the contents of a protection scroll if they scan the scroll as a complex activity. Once the scroll has been scanned, the creature can use the scroll (unless their character class restricts the use of such items).

USING A PROTECTION SCROLL

Protection Scroll Invocation. [spells] (major, casting time of the scroll +2 segments if the scroll is not in hand) The possessor must have the scroll in hand in order to cast a spell from it. If the scroll is not in hand, the possessor is allowed to get the scroll from a readied spot (typically a readied scroll tube) which adds 2 segments to the casting time of the scroll. The possessor then casts the protection "spell" from the scroll. When cast, the spell disappears from the scroll and the scroll will crumble into ash. Accessing a scroll in a non-readied scroll tube is delaying activity (major action; so the scroll cannot be cast until the next round).

Spell Disruption. A possessor reading a protection spell from a scroll can have the spell disrupted, however, if this occurs, the scroll is not consumed even though the attempt to invoke it's magic fails. The protection spell is still contained on the scroll (assuming the scroll is undamaged) and can be invoked at a later time.

There is otherwise no spell failure chance for using protection scrolls.

EFFECT OF A PROTECTION SCROLL

The scroll creates a globe-type of effect protecting the reader and others within the globe from the specified creature or effect. The globe moves with the reader—emanating from the reader for the duration.
Protection is typically absolute—specified creatures are hedged from entry and no spells or special abilities from those creatures will affect any within the globe. However, some scrolls differ and only offer protection from natural weapons (e.g. protection from undead).
Missile weapons are not hedged in any way.
Additionally, if the reader moves to a place where the globe overlaps with a space occupied by a hedged creature, the protection will be nullified immediately—this said, creatures affected will seek to move aside from the protection aura as they can feel it and will shun it.
All protection scrolls operate at caster level 12 and the type of magic is abjuration [warding].
While magic resistance can shatter a ward from a protection scroll, all checks for the ward are doubled against creatures it was designed to hedge (i.e. the ward gains a +120 to checks vs. magic resistance against such creatures).