Scroll question

[DizzyKungFu]

Suppose that a character fails to cast a spell from a scroll because the spell is higher level than them, and they fail their caster level check. If they avoid the mishap, I've always assumed that nothing bad happens, but the magic spell on the scroll is lost. However the DMG never says that the writing disappears on a failed check. Does this mean that someone could keep trying to cast a spell from a scroll until they suceed or get a mishap. How do other DMs run this?

 

[Mr Fidgit]

the DMG specifies that an activated spell disappears from the scroll (DMG pg 203). the spell has to be activated to cast or miscast it

 

[kreynolds]

What Mr Fidgit said. Also, this is from the Sage...

When a caster attempts to use a scroll, if he fails his caster level check but avoids a mishap, is the scroll used up?

Yes.

 

[DizzyKungFu]

the DMG specifies that an activated spell disappears from the scroll (DMG pg 203). the spell has to be activated to cast or miscast it

Yes, but I'm confused. Isn't the caster level check to see if you can activate it? So if you fail... failure to activate is neither casting the spell nor a mishap (necessarily).

 

[Mr Fidgit]

the caster level check is to cast the spell successfully

edit - no matter what, you've started the casting when you make that check. there's no way to determine success beforehand

 

[AuraSeer]

Yes, but I'm confused. Isn't the caster level check to see if you can activate it? So if you fail... failure to activate is neither casting the spell nor a mishap (necessarily).

You "activate" the scroll when you start reading it. If you fail the caster level check, that activation doesn't accomplish much, but it still happened (and therefore the scroll goes blank).