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I've been going over this with a player recently and am starting to wonder what the point of scroll cases are. Not scroll boxes, those are obviously meant to be waterproof. I'm just talking generic scroll cases.
First, it sounds like it takes an extra move action to get a scroll out of either? One move action to "retrieve the stored item" (box or case), and another to get it out?
If it does take two move actions, that's already pretty harsh. Why not just keep them loose in your backpack? Then it's a single move action to retrieve it out of your pack, with a similar amount of protection.
If it doesn't take the extra move action, and the scroll case is fairly equal to a backpack in terms of accessing it (I can see that), then why carry it at all? It still takes up extra weight and cost.
Is this like the adventurer's sash, where there's no real point, just for flavor?
Curious about two things:
1. How many move actions in total?
2. Why use it?
1 move action. Scroll cases can go on your belt. The case has to be destroyed to damage the scrolls.
They can store up to four scrolls. More scrolls will result in "cramming", requiring a full round action to retrieve them.
A scroll box has to be held.
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1 move action. Scroll cases can go on your belt. The case has to be destroyed to damage the scrolls.
They can store up to four scrolls. More scrolls will result in "cramming", requiring a full round action to retrieve them.
A scroll box has to be held.
I get all of that from the linked description, sure. Are you saying that a scroll *box* would take two move actions then, whereas the case is only one? Personally, I'd think either both are two or both are one. I can see arguments either way.
I guess the argument is still: why? Get a backpack, or a handy haversack, dump all the scrolls in there. What benefit does the case carry over them? Presumably you'd have to destroy either of those containers to get at the scrolls as well.
Scroll case tucked in your belt = 1 move action (provokes an AOO)
Scroll box held in your hand = 1 move action (provokes an AOO)
Scroll box kept in your backpack = 2 move actions (provokes)
Scroll retrieved from Handy Haversack = 1 move action (does NOT provoke) - may be covered in jam due to not being kept in a scroll case
If a player were to keep his scrolls loose in a backpack, I would make him roleplay "quickly" getting one out when combat goes down, as it's hard to imagine. Also, I would give each scroll a 25% chance of being unreadable due to having jam on them. (Just kidding, but it does beg the question, doesn't it?)
It's s piece if mundane equipment. You're seriously overthinking this.
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Retrieving a stored item = move action.
You generally don't put the scroll case in another container like a backpack, a reasonable number of scroll cases can be at your belt, or on a bandoleer or in some other easily accessible location, so you can rapidly retrieve the scroll.
So retrieving a item stored in a scroll case is a move action unless you overload it, as by the item description.
If the scroll is somewhere in your backpack (instead of on top of it or a easily accessible lateral pooch), a good percentage of the GM would rule that it is not easily accessible when needed but you instead have to remove your backpack and rummage in it to find the scroll, so 1 one action to remove the backpack if nothing impede your movement (like a shield strapped to your arm, and one or more move actions to find the scroll (try loading a backpack and fishing out of it the right item while wearing it. Unless it is in one of the lateral pouches or on top it is almost impossible.)
While non watertight a scroll case will protect the content from the elements for a brief time.
You catch fire? 1d6 damage per round until it is snuffed out. An exposed scroll will be destroyed, one in a scroll case will almost certainly survive (hardness 2 or 5, half energy damage at least for the leather scroll case
Light rain or a drizzle? a cloak and a scroll case will protect the scroll.
It will not protect it is you are thrown in the water, but ti will protect it against casual exposure.
BTW, having some knowledge of medieval paper, water damage isn't so terrible, molds are be way worse. The problem will be the inks, but with the cost of making scrolls I think that the creator will use water resistant inks.
After the Arno flood the medieval manuscripts that were in the flooded rooms where kept in
distilled water until they could be treated. Drying them without using an appropriate procedure would have been more destructive than leaving them in the water.
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Scroll case tucked in your belt = 1 move action (provokes an AOO)
Scroll box held in your hand = 1 move action (provokes an AOO)
Scroll box kept in your backpack = 2 move actions (provokes)
Scroll retrieved from Handy Haversack = 1 move action (does NOT provoke) - may be covered in jam due to not being kept in a scroll caseIf a player were to keep his scrolls loose in a backpack, I would make him roleplay "quickly" getting one out when combat goes down, as it's hard to imagine. Also, I would give each scroll a 25% chance of being unreadable due to having jam on them. (Just kidding, but it does beg the question, doesn't it?)
Why would you keep your scrolls and jam in the same place?
Your scrolls go in ine pocket of the HH while your jam goes into the scroll case on your belt so it's always in reach while your making breakfast