scrolls and on cast alterations

[Shinoskay]

This is kind of a RAI question.

So, someone is trying to craft scrolls and alter them using on cast alterations.

Now, this doesnt seem like it should work but the more I think about it the more it makes sense.

You write a scroll based on your understanding of the spell.... theoretically. this is how you can add metamagics, right?

so if you have the ability to, say, extend a spell while in a specific terrain (sorcerer thing). then you have a specific understanding of a spell and how to make it work in a specific way in a specific terrain... no?

if yes, couldnt they write that into the spell when making a scroll?

Quote:

Elf (Horror Adventures pg. 39): Choose a terrain type from the ranger’s favored terrain list. When casting sorcerer spells in the chosen terrain, add 1/3 to the effective caster level of the spell, for the purpose of determining the spells’ duration.

[Mark Hoover 330]

Metamagic can be used when scribing a scroll, it just makes them more expensive. I would assume the same here. An Elf Sorcerer 3 that chooses Forest as their favored terrain and takes 2 hours to Scribe Scroll in the midst of a forest could craft a scroll of Mage Armor with an extended duration. However the question becomes cost.

I don't know the RAW on this. Only part of the spell has it's level increased. If I were GMing the game, I would say that the scroll is written as if it was Spell Level 1, Caster Level 2 for the purpose of determining cost, since the Duration is considered CL 2 instead of CL 1.

[Quixote]

Shinoskay wrote:

...so if you have the ability to, say, extend a spell while in a specific terrain (sorcerer thing). then you have a specific understanding of a spell and how to make it work in a specific way in a specific terrain...

That's one way to look at it.

Another would be that, since you're casting most of the spell ahead of time, you're not...drawing power from the land to boost your magics or whatever.

I don't think it would make much of a difference either way, though. So then I tend to favor the player and dial up the difficulty a bit if need be.

[avr]

Scrolls don't include all features of your spellcasting. A bloodline arcana doesn't apply whether you're the maker or the user of the scroll I think. I'd probably apply the same here.