A recent catastrophe has left most of our group with an opportunity to create new characters.
I am making a witch and another is making a wizard. A question arose on how to deal with scrolls and spellbooks/familiars when starting past 1st level.
A witch has to pass a spellcraft check (DC 15+spell level) to feed the familiar a scroll.
So:
1) If you are starting out past 1st level how would you do it? How would you as DM handle it? Do the PC's wait and roll in front of you? Do you assume they got it the first time?
2) If you have them roll for each scroll- when do you assume they did it? At the max level they are?
if, for example, they are starting at 7th level (as we are). Do you have them roll some at 2nd and some at 5th and some at 7th- to account for the Spellcraft check disparity? or do you just- for the sake of simplicity- assume they made all the checks at the 7th level?
Your thoughts are appreciated.
-S
1) I'd make it dependable on how that character could have done it if he had been a part of that party from day one: If the pardy had had periods of downtime and shops where they could get the scrolls they want, the new characters can have a shot at extra stuff, too. If the whole campaign was rather hectic and usually somewhere without access to new spells, They would not get any extra spells, or only a few
2) That's a more interesting question. Does it make sense that the wizard stuck to his base reportoire until a few weeks ago and then got lots and lots of new spells?
I guess I'd make it dependable on how much extra magic they want. If they only want a few spells, I'll let them make the rolls at their current level. If they go crazy, they'll have to do some of the rolls earlier.
This issue is not much different from magic item availability, I guess. Do you let them buy whatever they want (well, within some general limits), or do you impose specific limitations on them (e.g. not let them get more than the most basic stuff because the party never passed a proper magic shoppe and their enemies only had the basic stuff.)
I think the best option is for the GM and players talk it over and finding a compromise everyone can live with. This could include "get whatever you want as long as you can afford it, make the rolls as if you only just bought the stuff, and take 10 on the rolls to make things easy" if nobody (neither GM nor players who aren't making new characters) have a problem with it.
I wouldn't make anyone roll. I'd give you the normal 2 spells per level, ask you to pay the normal price in gold for everything else, and assume you either made the rolls on the first try or kept trying until you did.
While I completely agree with KaeYoss' final advice that it's up the GM and players to decide as a group, I'll add my own logic to the mix:
1) If you are starting out past 1st level how would you do it? How would you as DM handle it? Do the PC's wait and roll in front of you? Do you assume they got it the first time?
No - but I assume that they have it. If your GM is allowing you to start with the Wealth-by-level guidelines (which I assume to be the case - then those guidelines assume that your PCs have already spent GPs on other stuff that isn't appreciable (IE, perhaps that PC was raised once, or had restoration needed to be cast or something.) Is your GM telling you to subtract 5,000 gp from your total wealth by level to cover these side expenses? No, because that would be ridiculous - these expenses are already covered by WBL, which is why treasure tables give slightly more treasure over time than WBL, so that it can be spent in one shot expendables which only serve the status quo, and not make the party more powerful.
Similarly, the WBL says that you have X amount of stuff. Unless the GM is making specific limitations (which some do, and that's their business), that means you can have Y amount of learned spells in your spellbook (Y being a factor of the cost of learning spells (S) and your total amount of GP (X), ie Y = X / S). This isn't meant to be "stuff they could theoretically have", since he's not making the 5th level fighter roll to see if he found that +1 longsword he wants - this is stuff the PCs have. Period, end of sentence.
So, no, I don't make my players roll to beef up their spellbooks, and I have known no DM/GM in my 15 years of gaming who does.
2) If you have them roll for each scroll- when do you assume they did it? At the max level they are?
I assume, much like Wealth By Level, that the PCs previous wealth fluctuated, such that they tried enough times so that the spells they wanted they finally got. Same as the fighter with the +1 longsword - he didn't buy that at the corner WalMart, he may have found it adventuring, or inherited it from his father, or something. But he's got it. 'Tis no different.
Thanks for the input guys. I already forwarded this thread on to the group.
-S
you either made the rolls on the first try or kept trying until you did.
You cannot repeat that check until you've gained another level in spellcraft.
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Lot's of Good advice
I assume, much like Wealth By Level, that the PCs previous wealth fluctuated, such that they tried enough times so that the spells they...
I am the GM of Selgard's game and I agree with A_A. No rolling is necessary. I assume that in the character's history he has come across the opportunities to purchase these spells and successfully learned them. If he hadn't, then he is most likely not alive right now and available to join the party.
At level 7, Fate has weeded out many unlucky or untalented adventurers.
If I had made this a low magic game (which I haven't) then the new character would have the same restrictions on spells as a character starting at level one.
Thanks for the input.
you either made the rolls on the first try or kept trying until you did.You cannot repeat that check until you've gained another level in spellcraft.
Yes, but for most spells you've had many levels at which to add a skill point and try again.
Yes, but for most spells you've had many levels at which to add a skill point and try again.you either made the rolls on the first try or kept trying until you did.You cannot repeat that check until you've gained another level in spellcraft.
Depends on what level we're talking about, really. I wouldn't sweat level 1 spells for a level 10 wizard, but level 2 for a level 5 sorcerer is a different matter.