Aimate dead scroll question

[Ariddrake]

I have a 2nd lvl Wizard Necromancer as the antagonist against a 1st lvl group. She has an animate dead scroll would her DC to cast the scroll be 8 (Scroll created by 7lvl Wiz) and would she be able to animate 2, 1HD skeletons and 1, 2HD zombie. Thanks

 

[lukelightning]

Animate dead is a 4th level Wizard spell, the minimum caster level of the creator is 7, so the scroll is at least caster level 7, up to whatever level you think the original creator was and wanted to spend on it (the higher the caster level, the more expensive the scroll).

That being said, I think the caster reading the scroll can only control twice his/her level in undead HD....they could make more but wouldn't be in control of them.

 

[ElectricDragon]

We've always played that a single casting of animate dead could only animate zombies or skeletons, not both (but that is a house rule AFAIK). The spell is activated as if the caster level were the level set by the caster who put the spell on the scroll, though (in this case minimum 7th level). A fireball scroll from a 5th level caster does 5d6 damage even if the reader is only 1st level; so the animate dead scroll could animate up to 14 HD of undead from one casting. Unfortunately the reader can only control up to his level times 4 HD (or 8HD in your case) so up to 6HD would be uncontrolled (reader's choice of which are controlled). A Caster Level check DC8 (d20+2) is required, as is an Intelligence of 14.

So yes, you could animate 2 1HD skeletons and 1 2HD zombie with one casting, in fact you could double that and still be in control of all of them. You could also make the maximum amount of skeletons and zombies (14 HD) and choose which ones you control. This is all assuming that there are enough dead bodies around. The spell does not provide the dead bodies; the reader must do that.

Ciao
Dave

 

[frankthedm]

Don't forget the componenet for animate dead works a little differently than most other spell componenets.

Animate Dead
Necromancy [Evil]
Level: Clr 3, Death 3, Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Targets: One or more corpses touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This spell turns the bones or bodies of dead creatures into undead skeletons or zombies that follow your spoken commands.

The undead can follow you, or they can remain in an area and attack any creature (or just a specific kind of creature) entering the place. They remain animated until they are destroyed. (A destroyed skeleton or zombie can’t be animated again.)

Regardless of the type of undead you create with this spell, you can’t create more HD of undead than twice your caster level with a single casting of animate dead. (The desecrate spell doubles this limit)

The undead you create remain under your control indefinitely. No matter how many times you use this spell, however, you can control only 4 HD worth of undead creatures per caster level. If you exceed this number, all the newly created creatures fall under your control, and any excess undead from previous castings become uncontrolled. (You choose which creatures are released.) If you are a cleric, any undead you might command by virtue of your power to command or rebuke undead do not count toward the limit.

Skeletons
A skeleton can be created only from a mostly intact corpse or skeleton. The corpse must have bones. If a skeleton is made from a corpse, the flesh falls off the bones.

Zombies
A zombie can be created only from a mostly intact corpse. The corpse must be that of a creature with a true anatomy.

Material Component
You must place a black onyx gem worth at least 25 gp per Hit Die of the undead into the mouth or eye socket of each corpse you intend to animate. The magic of the spell turns these gems into worthless, burned-out shells.

 

[Ariddrake]

Thankyou. This was an attempt to come up with a plausible way for a low lvl enemy to gain control of a small band of superstitious goblins ( by animating their rescently dead chief and skeletons in the crypt they live in.

 

[Ariddrake]

If you are casting this spell from a scroll you don't have to use the spell component do you? (was the spell component used to create the scroll) Thanks

 

[mvincent]

If you are casting this spell from a scroll you don't have to use the spell component do you? (was the spell component used to create the scroll) Thanks

Yes. The scroll costs an extra 350gp because of this (covering up to 14 HD). This would not meet the maximum (28 HD) for the spell being done in a desecrated area though.

 

[frankthedm]

Yes. The scroll costs an extra 350gp because of this (covering up to 14 HD). This would not meet the maximum (28 HD) for the spell being done in a desecrated area though.

Hehe, that is good to know.

01-02 animate dead 1,050 gp

 

[mvincent]

that is good to know.

I figure anyone trying to animate a 15+ HD skeleton either a) knows better b) can afford a mistake or c) deserves for it to fail.

The animate dead spell can be grossly overpowered. It could technically allow your 2nd level character to control a Titan skeleton for a mere 1,200 gp (just find a desecrated spot, and a titan grave). In fact, it's still powerful even if you nerf it to 1/4th the normal individual HD maximum.

 

[frankthedm]

The animate dead spell can be grossly overpowered. It could technically allow your 2nd level character to control a Titan skeleton for a mere 1,200 gp (just find a desecrated spot, and a titan grave). In fact, it's still powerful even if you nerf it to 1/4th the normal individual HD maximum.

Uhm... Titans have more than 8 HD, that is one dead caster.

No matter how many times you use this spell, however, you can control only 4 HD worth of undead creatures per caster level.

1700 GP would be the scroll cost on that monster. Desecrated area oes not affect the cost of animation, just the amount you can animate.

Titan Skeleton
Size/Type: Huge Undead (Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 20d12 130 HP
Initiative: +6
Speed: base speed 60 ft.
Armor Class: 13 (-2 size, +3 natural, +2 dex), touch 10, flat-footed
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+34
Attack: Gargantuan warhammer +22 melee (4d6+24/×3) or javelin +10 ranged (2d6+16) or slam +24 melee (1d8+16)
Full Attack: Gargantuan warhammer +22 /+17 melee (4d6+24/×3) or javelin +10 ranged (2d6+16) or 2 slams +24 melee (1d8+16) or 2 claws +24 melee (1d8+16)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.
Special Qualities: damage reduction 5/bludgeoning, darkvision 60 ft., immune cold
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +8, Will +12
Abilities: Str 43, Dex 14, Con 0, Int 0, Wis 10, Cha 1