I had a question regarding Scribe Scroll. I am a level 3 Witch with some downtime currently. I would like to scribe a few scrolls of Ray of Sickening. Could I use my current caster level and the DC (which would be 16) for the scroll? And if so how would I calculate that cost? Thank you for your help.
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You can use you caster level, but you cannot use your DC, which is always calculated on the minimum stat value necessary to cast the spell. Since Ray of Sickening is a 1st level spell, it needs at least Int 11, so DC will be 10 + caster level (1) + stat modifier (0) = 11.
The cost of a scroll is 25 x spell level x caster level [gp]. So, if you want to scribe a scroll of Cure Light Wounds at caster level 3, its market price will be 25 x 1 x 3 = 75gp, and you'll have to pay 37.5gp. However, if you cast it on an undead, the DC to halve the damage will be only 11, regardless of your Int score.
Ahh so basically it isn't a good idea to have scrolls of offensive spells such as ray of sickening since the save is so low?
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Exactly.
You usually want to scribe scrolls of utility spells that do not depend on the DC and on the caster level, and that you might want to be able to cast when needed (for example, Remove X). If such spells are used instead quite frequently, then you might want to buy a wand instead (like a wand of Cure Light Wound).
For offensive spells, either you find a way to use your caster level and your stats on the fly with some specific class feature, or you better wait for when you'll be able to afford staves.
Yup, the scrolls are most cost-effective with utility and no save spells, particularly the spells where caster level has lesser impact on their effectiveness (e.g. endure elements).
Ahh so basically it isn't a good idea to have scrolls of offensive spells such as ray of sickening since the save is so low?
Yup.
Have a library of utility scrolls which you wouldn't spend a slot on but are life savers in that 1% of scenarios you play or long duration. Water-breathing, Communal Whatever, Erase, Identify, Heroism, Spider Climb, See Invisible, Mirror Image...My wizard now carries around a couple of Gust of Wind scrolls because we kept bumping into dretch. Just waiting to ruin a GM's Mind Fog.
Ahh very insightful, my GM did say if I'm carrying 15+ scrolls I should have a place to store them. I guess he's saying my backpack wouldn't suffice. I apologize I know this should probably be asked in the Advice forum, any suggestions how I could store all these scrolls on my person?
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Handy Haversack. 2000gp
Remove items as a move action which doesn't provoke AoO.
Is there something more affordable for a low level character?
Versatile Vest 1000gp
Bandolier move action to remove scroll which provokes.
8 scrolls/bandolier and you can wear two.
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Is there something more affordable for a low level character?
The cheapest is the scroll case, at just 1gp. Fits 4 scrolls retrieving any of them as move action (generates an AoO); or you can cram more scrolls inside retrieving any as a full action.
As said, scrolls are best left for utility spells that are not dependant on saving throws. Essentially, you want to scribe "cheap spells" (mostly lv1-2 spells) you don't want to memorize everyday since they're situational, but can save your party when the need arises.
Some ideas:
- Comprehend Languages (lv1)
- Endure elements (lv1)
- Protection from XXX (lv1) - pick your most common oppossed alignments.
- Align Weapon (lv2)
- Delay Poison (lv2)
- Gentle Repose (lv2) - critical if your campaign is prone to player deaths.
Lesser Rejuvenation (lv2) - Early on is not very important, later on you'll want several of these, trust me.
- Resist energy (lv2)
- Dispel Magic (lv3) - Keeping a couple of these becomes important later.
- Water Breathing (lv3) - Deopening on what modules you're allowed to play with, you can get earlier variations, like Abboleth's Lung or Air Bubble.
There are many others, think of situational spells you might be able to use in your specific campaign but that normally are dead weight to give you ideas.
or you better wait for when you'll be able to afford staves.
Staves have their own problems, and require copious amounts of downtime (generally 1 week off between every adventuring day) to be worth their cost.
I once saw a half-joking build that optimized its crafting speed so it could craft a new stave faster than recharging the old one. Since an item can be sold for the same price it costs to craft it new, and depleted staves still have full market value, there's no net gold loss in the process.
Is there something more affordable for a low level character?
A scroll case costs 1 gp, and while it's not great for fast access it will keep loose scrolls safe from damage. It's a decent storage option prior to affording magical containers.
Thanks all, appreciate it.
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Is there something more affordable for a low level character?A scroll case costs 1 gp, and while it's not great for fast access it will keep loose scrolls safe from damage. It's a decent storage option prior to affording magical containers.
Beware, scroll cases don't protect against water damage...The Waterproof Bag can work for scrolls, but it only protects them against 10 rounds of submersion. In general, scrolls aren't good for swimming with...
Several good suggestions have already been made for keeping scrolls tucked away. Another good thing to keep in mind is that scrolls can hold more than one spell on them! So, you can fit a couple onto a single scroll, and store the lower number of scrolls to keep the clutter down.
Source on that comes from the Scrolls description.
"A scroll is a spell (or collection of spells) that has been stored in written form...A scroll is a heavy sheet of fine vellum or high-quality paper. An area about 8-1/2 inches wide and 11 inches long is sufficient to hold one spell...A scroll holding more than one spell has the same width (about 8-1/2 inches) but is an extra foot or so long for each additional spell. Scrolls that hold three or more spells are usually fitted with reinforcing rods at each end rather than simple strips of leather."
Several good suggestions have already been made for keeping scrolls tucked away. Another good thing to keep in mind is that scrolls can hold more than one spell on them! So, you can fit a couple onto a single scroll, and store the lower number of scrolls to keep the clutter down.
Source on that comes from the Scrolls description.
"A scroll is a spell (or collection of spells) that has been stored in written form...A scroll is a heavy sheet of fine vellum or high-quality paper. An area about 8-1/2 inches wide and 11 inches long is sufficient to hold one spell...A scroll holding more than one spell has the same width (about 8-1/2 inches) but is an extra foot or so long for each additional spell. Scrolls that hold three or more spells are usually fitted with reinforcing rods at each end rather than simple strips of leather."
Well, I'd say those XXL scrolls (the 3+ spell ones, with reinforcing rods) won't fit most scroll cases, magical or not. The ones holding two spells would still fit, taking double space.
You ought to be able to fit a four-spell scroll in a scroll case, given the description, but it's really up to the GM. The rods don't have to be bigger than the leather strip, just more durable.
As far as I can tell there's no size restrictions on the scroll cases, just the number of scrolls, so like most things it'd just come down to GM discretion. Though it's certainly not unreasonable to assume that the extra length takes up extra space and such.
But either way, it would often be more efficient to retrieve one longer scroll with multiple spells than multiple scrolls with single spells apiece (assuming it's not one of the XXL scrolls, of course).
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You ought to be able to fit a four-spell scroll in a scroll case, given the description, but it's really up to the GM. The rods don't have to be bigger than the leather strip, just more durable.
No clue with scrolls, but I think the roads do have a specific size. I recall a recent FAQ where rods were ruled too large for spring loaded wrist sheaths.
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I meant the rods that reinforce longer scrolls (mentioned in the above scroll case description), not magical rods. ; )
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I meant the rods that reinforce longer scrolls (mentioned in the above scroll case description), not magical rods. ; )Ah, my mistake.
Yeah, by "reinforcing rods" they mean aomething like this:
Reinforced Scrolls vs Normal scrolls
You sure can tightly roll up the right one, but no chance of cramming the left one anywhere.
25 GP; 2d4 +2 unerring force damage. Not a bad use of the money!50GP, actually. 25×SL×CL. Since you're scribing it at CL2, it's 50GP.
Since that character is the one scribing it, only the cost to create it matters and not the market value, so it's only 25 gp for that specific character.
Something that I think is better than scrolls and scrollcases: Take a spellbook (100 pages of parchment, which are explicitly large enough for a magical scroll) and turn each page of that codex into a magical "scroll". Not only does it place all (a bunch?) of your "scrolls" in one place but it's also really cool thematically, I think.
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Since that character is the one scribing it, only the cost to create it matters and not the market value, so it's only 25 gp for that specific character.25 GP; 2d4 +2 unerring force damage. Not a bad use of the money!50GP, actually. 25×SL×CL. Since you're scribing it at CL2, it's 50GP.
Oooh, right you are.