Scrolls and how they actually work

[mojom]

Just out of an RP view of intrest. How are scrolls considered to work? Tried looking it up but had no luck so far.

Do the parchments burn up once the spell on it is recited ?
Does the text magically dissappear upon reciting ?
Does the scroll itself become the spell ?
Can one read and study the scrolls without actual scribing it ?

I'm no D&D expert so if anyone could help me out on this one I'd be gratefull.

[Supreme Taco]

Scrolls supposedly burn up as you read and activate them -- That way you're not left with a blank scroll that you can reuse.

Scrolls can obviously be read before scribing, and even studied. But remembering them is an entirely different thing. Wizards must 'scribe' the scrolls into their spell book so they can remember them, studying their spell book every time they rest so they can cast spells.

[Urithrand]

As far as I am aware, a mage can only read a scroll by casting Read Magic in PnP and this is not always possible to do without activating the scroll, particularly in the case of cursed scrolls.

[c2k]

The need of Read Magic in PnP is dependant on the script the scroll is written in. If a caster wants to hide it or encrypt the script, then you need Read Magic. If not, as long as you are adept at the power held within the scroll, you can use it and it burns up.

[Supreme Taco]

Some more solid information.

Activation:

To activate a scroll, a spellcaster must read the spell written on it. Doing so involves several steps and conditions.



Deciphering:
The writing on a scroll must be deciphered before a character can use it or know exactly what spell it contains. This requires a read magic spell or a successful Spellcraft check (DC 20 + spell level)


Deciphering a scroll to determine its contents does not activate its magic unless it is a specially prepared cursed scroll. A character can decipher the writing on a scroll in advance so that he or she can proceed directly to the next step when the time comes to use the scroll.

[mojom]

Deciphering:
The writing on a scroll must be deciphered before a character can use it or know exactly what spell it contains. This requires a read magic spell or a successful Spellcraft check (DC 20 + spell level)

Thank you for the quick answers, especially the part of Deciphering I found very informative for my character. So basically identifying a scroll through identify skill is a nwn mechanic ? Also, I assume Decipher script as skill is meant for ancient languages, hidden messages etc.

[c2k]

I don't know about custom scripts in Sundren, but the NWN mechanic just scribes them in in default rules. I think if you raise the game difficulty, it forces spellcraft checks like Baldur's Gate did, but I really never looked for that.

Ultimately, it depends if Sundren has custom scripts for the action or not, because that overrides basic NWN mechanics.


Asfor Decipher Script, you are right. Its like deciphering hieroglyphics or ancient text.

[Product of Void]

MAGIC... :P

I figure it turns to ash, scribing it to the spell book for wizards you basically are being lazy and magically transfering it which semi triggers the spell turning the scroll to ash.

I thought this would be a topic on what custom spells are scribe able or craft able....now that would be intresting to know seeing only trail and error will show.

[Thief Of Navarre]

Darkvision doesnt work, I know that much

[DurinRustbeard]

Odd, In all the FR realms books I've read (and that's a crapton) The words simply disappeared off the scroll and left blank parchment that was always discarded after the caster used the scroll (since parchment is so cheap I would assume.) But if a DM says it burns up, then I guess it burns up.

[Handsomeman]

maybe they discarded it because it was about to burst into flames! it wouldnt be very wise to hold on to a burning piece of paper.

okay, now that everyone knows how arcane scrolls works. does divine scrolls work the same way? say my paladin becomes fallen paladin, would he still be able to activate the scrolls(rp wise)? do you need divine favor from the gods to actually activate it? or does he just simply read it and say "bless weapon!" and his weapon magically becomes blessed?

[Mattachine]

scrolls

You folks missed a bit of SRD rules for scrolls:

Determine Effect

A spell successfully activated from a scroll works exactly like a spell prepared and cast the normal way. Assume the scroll spell’s caster level is always the minimum level required to cast the spell for the character who scribed the scroll (usually twice the spell’s level, minus 1), unless the caster specifically desires otherwise.


The writing for an activated spell disappears from the scroll.



The emphasis was mine. In PnP, scrolls might contain multiple spells.