Does a spellcaster that scribed their own scroll still have to decipher the writing, meaning either cast Read Magic or make a Spellcraft check, in order to activate the said scroll?
I would say that you wrote it, so you know what it says, and can cast it fine.
Technically, I guess. But since you wrote it yourself I assume you would understand the stuff you write instrinsically. Even if you somehow didn't, I would also assume a character would use read magic to comprehend the scroll as soon as it was finished.
*Note, you can use read magic or spellcraft in order to understand any scroll in advance of its use. It doesn't have to be done at the time the scroll is activated. It is generally presumed that if you purchase a scroll you probably take the time to understand it as soon as it's purchased.
Technically, I guess. But since you wrote it yourself I assume you would understand the stuff you write instrinsically. Even if you somehow didn't, I would also assume a character would use read magic to comprehend the scroll as soon as it was finished.
*Note, you can use read magic or spellcraft in order to understand any scroll in advance of its use. It doesn't have to be done at the time the scroll is activated. It is generally presumed that if you purchase a scroll you probably take the time to understand it as soon as it's purchased.
I did not find anything under Creating Magic Items, nor for activating a scroll that would suggest a spellcaster could or could not just easily activate his/her own scroll without the need for Read Magic or Spellcraft check. But I did miss the part for Read Magic that once you use it to decipher the writing, it does not need to be recast when actually activating the scroll. This is a good action to perform outside of combat.
Thanks for the input.
Yeah, after thinking about your question I realized you probably didn't know you could use read magic on the scroll well in advance of it's use.
I think ultimately not much time is devoted to it because using read magic to decipher a scroll will take 1 round and can be done at a user convenience. About the only time it would matter is if the party find some scrolls randomly and gets it combat immediately and wants to use the scroll they just found. Otherwise I would just assume the wizard reads it when he's got a spare moment.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
From Deciphering Magical Writing in Core Rule Book chapter 9:
To decipher an arcane magical writing (such as a single spell in another’s spellbook or on a scroll), a character must make a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + the spell’s level). If the skill check fails, the character cannot attempt to read that particular spell again until the next day. A read magic spell automatically deciphers magical writing without a skill check. If the person who created the magical writing is on hand to help the reader, success is also automatic.
(emphasis mine) I would take that to mean you can always decipher your own scrolls. That said, saying the character immediately uses Read Magic on their scroll works just as well for most character that can prepare any old spell.
Quick edit/addition - "Divine spells can be written and deciphered like arcane spells (see Arcane Magical Writings)." So Clerics can also decipher their own scrolls.