Penning Spells to Scrolls

[Scharlata]

Hello, friendly scroll scribes and scholars around the boards!

If it doesn't take too long I'd like to know from ye, how do you handle the procedure of scribing scrolls with the Scribe Scroll feat from 3.5.

I thought that you are limited scribing a scroll only by your available XP, your repertoire of spells, your financial resources and your precious time.

A fellow DM made my proto-mystic theurge follow a guideline to scribe scrolls with the following restrictions:

1.) You must not scribe spells of arcane and divine origin together onto one single scroll. You must make different scrolls for "different kinds" of magic.

2.) You are able to pen only so much spells onto a scroll as you have spell slots per day. You can pen an "undercasted" spell if you want. You may scribe domain spells if you are able.

3.) You must not vary your caster level. A scroll has to have the same caster level for all of your penned spells.

IMHO that makes the scribe scroll feat (even if free for a wizard) less valuable than I expected (as a DM).

If you may find the time for your response to this question, I'll be glad to read what you think or know.

 

[dcollins]

I would say that those are all supported by the rules. From the SRD:

The spell must be of the correct type (arcane or divine). Arcane spellcasters (wizards, sorcerers, and bards) can only use scrolls containing arcane spells, and divine spellcasters (clerics, druids, paladins, and rangers) can only use scrolls containing divine spells. (The type of scroll a character creates is also determined by his or her class.)...

The act of writing triggers the prepared spell, making it unavailable for casting until the character has rested and regained spells. (That is, that spell slot is expended from her currently prepared spells, just as if it had been cast.)...

Caster Level: The next item in a notational entry gives the caster level of the item, indicating its relative power. The caster level determines the item’s saving throw bonus, as well as range or other level-dependent aspects of the powers of the item (if variable). It also determines the level that must be contended with should the item come under the effect of a dispel magic spell or similar situation. This information is given in the form “CL x,” where “CL” is an abbreviation for caster level and “x” is an ordinal number representing the caster level itself.

I think those suppport issues #1, #2, and #3:
(1) A scroll is in its entirety categorized as either "arcane" or "divine".
(2) Each scribed spell expends a spell slot for the day.
(3) Any magic item has one caster level for the entire item.

If anything is arguable it might be #3, but the precedent is heavily in favor of each magic item having a single caster level in its entirety.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Yeah... just put them on different pieces of paper.

-Hyp.

 

[Scharlata]

I'll rest my case

Thanx!

I only wonder why I always find scrolls in modules that "violate" these guidelines/rules?

 

[the Jester]

I only wonder why I always find scrolls in modules that "violate" these guidelines/rules?

Not all designers know all the rules, and not all editors... um... edit?

 

[Saeviomagy]

I think the best ones I've seen are ones where they mix druid only/cleric only spells on a scroll.

I mean sure it's legal, but what's the point?

 

[Crothian]

Laziness mostly, but I'm really not sure that writing devine and arcane spells on the same scroll really matter.

 

[Pax]

Nor does it truly matter, IMO at least, that all spells on a single scroll have the same caster level. *shrug* I always just note caster level with each spell.

 

[Li Shenron]

Laziness mostly, but I'm really not sure that writing devine and arcane spells on the same scroll really matter.

I can only think of saving time (1 day instead of two if it's below 1000gp) and having to draw only one scroll with all the spells you need.

I think your DM's ruling is very good, although ruling otherwise wouldn't be a serious problem IMO.

 

[Scharlata]

...not sure that writing devine and arcane spells on the same scroll really matter.

That is the point to where I'd like to get to.

.....because this is relevant for a multiclass character with wizard/cleric levels. This character could write his divine and arcane spells on the same scroll saving precious time!

Scribing a scroll takes, as we learn in the description of the relevant feat, one day for each 1,000 gp in its base price.

How often do you create a scroll that costs 1,000 gp?
Yes, ....... me neither.

If someone were playing a mystic theurge that could scribe his divine and his arcane spells on the same scroll at the same day he would play a much more happier mystic theurge.

Kind regards