In 3.5 there was a specific rule that said "one free hand" to use a scroll, altho I can't find the same rule in PF.
So how many hands does it take? Before you say "just one, duh," does that mean that an EK can use a scroll while holding a sword in the other hand? Because that means that with just one hand, s/he has to retrieve the scroll, open it, read it, drop the used scroll, then make the somatic gestures. Right? And it also raises the question of what happens when the scroll has more than one spell, so the player wishes to keep it. How does s/he make the somatic gestures?
But if you say that takes two hands, then that puts a pretty big limitation on scroll use, especially for F/W types.
So what's the answer? One empty hand or two?
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You have to be able to read it. So whatever that means to you. One hand, two if there is a lot of wind, a friend/table/unseen servant, whatever.
I suppose don't know if gestures come into it. Are arcane scrolls subject to Arcane Spell Failure? If they are then you'd need to have at least one hand free for gesturing it'd seem like to me.
Post-it scrolls? Stick it to your opponent and read it off his chest... :)
You have to be able to read it. So whatever that means to you. One hand, two if there is a lot of wind, a friend/table/unseen servant, whatever.
I suppose don't know if gestures come into it. Are arcane scrolls subject to Arcane Spell Failure? If they are then you'd need to have at least one hand free for gesturing it'd seem like to me.
Yeah, scrolls are subject to ACF.
A scroll is an item, which requires a free hand to hold. Somatic components also require a free hand. So, to cast from a scroll, you need two free hands. One will hold the scroll and the other makes the gestures. Obviously, if a spell has no somatic components, you only need one hand to hold the scroll with.
As far as being a "big" limitation for weapon-using and spell-casting classes, it's probably an intended limitations. Right or not, because of the awesomeness of 2e fighter/wizards, WotC (and by extension Paizo) will over value "gishing".
Lesson of the story is: if you want to cast and hold a sword, make sure the spells you want to cast while holding the sword are on your list of known spells.
Lesson two of the story: for the afore mentioned gish, only keep scrolls of out-of-combat spells.
Just my two cents. I could be wrong, but you don't need to use the somatic components when casting a spell from a scroll. Just like you don't need the material components of a spell when you are casting it from a scroll. It was all done and/or used when you were making the scroll in the first place. At least that's the way we always played it. I can't find anything that says otherwise.
As far as one hand or two, I'd go with two. I almost never try to apply real world things to a fantasy game, but to make my point I will here.
Try this. Hold a broom in your off hand. With your good hand only, get your wallet out of your back pocket. Open it with only your good hand. Take out only one bill still using only your good hand. Now take the wallet and put it back in your pocket still trying to hold on to the bill with the same hand. Take the bill and read the serial numbers on it.
You have just retrieved a stored item(move action) and read a "scroll" (standard action). probably took you more than 6 sec. Now try it with two hands.
Lt. Stone
From D20PFSRD:
Activation: To activate a scroll, a spellcaster must read the spell written on it. This involves several steps and conditions.Decipher the Writing: 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 is a full-round action.
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 she can proceed directly to the next step when the time comes to use the scroll.
Activate the Spell: Activating a scroll requires reading the spell from the scroll. The character must be able to see and read the writing on the scroll. Activating a scroll spell requires no material components or focus. (The creator of the scroll provided these when scribing the scroll.) Note that some spells are effective only when cast on an item or items. In such a case, the scroll user must provide the item when activating the spell. Activating a scroll spell is subject to disruption just as casting a normally prepared spell would be. Using a scroll is like casting a spell for purposes of arcane spell failure chance.
Nothing in here about somatic components at all.
Using a scroll is like casting a spell for purposes of arcane spell failure chance.
Nothing in here about somatic components at all.
Spells with out somatic components are not subject to arcane spell failure. Thus if scroll spells do not use somatic components then the line you quoted is irrelevant and has no purpose in that paragraph.
Spells with out somatic components are not subject to arcane spell failure. Thus if scroll spells do not use somatic components then the line you quoted is irrelevant and has no purpose in that paragraph.
From D20PFSRD:
Casting an Arcane Spell in Armor: A character who casts an arcane spell while wearing armor must usually make an arcane spell failure check. The number in the Arcane Spell Failure Chance column on Table: Armor and Shields is the percentage chance that the spell fails and is ruined. If the spell lacks a somatic component, however, it can be cast with no chance of arcane spell failure.Looks like you nailed it.
Arcane Spell Failure is better explained in the equipment:armor section of the rules than anywhere else.