Scroll Questions?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

From the SRD:

Activating a scroll spell requires no material components or focus. (The creator of the scroll provided these when scribing the scroll.) Note that some spells are effective only when cast on an item or items. In such a case, the scroll user must provide the item when activating the spell. Activating a scroll spell is subject to disruption just as casting a normally prepared spell would be. Using a scroll is like casting a spell for purposes of arcane spell failure chance.

Does activating a scroll require any verbal/somatic components? It seems like you just need to read it, which could be a silent activity. Is this true?

 

[javcs]

Given that it says it's subject to ASF as though casting a spell, I'd say it has a somatic component.
Unless of course, it was a Stilled spell that was inscribed on the scroll, or the original spell didn't have a somatic component.

 

[Animal]

DMG p.213 on spell completion items:
"All that's left to do is perform the short, simple, finishing parts of the spellcasting (the final gestures, words, and so on)"

i think it clearly states that verbal and somatic components are still intact.

 

[frankthedm]

Which means some folks will read it to mean you need a free hand for the gestures while you read the scroll.

 

[Storme]

Which means some folks will read it to mean you need a free hand for the gestures while you read the scroll.

I don't agree with that. A wizard carrying his Staff of Power and reading a scroll doesn't have to drop the staff. Complicating scrolls in this way diminish them. They are a spell completion items that someone pumped xp into. It should work as intended.

Scrolls are simple. Keep them simple. Assume its all covered in the scroll. If you normally can't use somatic components for some reason, you sure can't cast a scroll since you would also be prevented from taking it out, and opening it.

 

[frankthedm]

I don't agree with that. A wizard carrying his Staff of Power and reading a scroll doesn't have to drop the staff. Complicating scrolls in this way diminish them. They are a spell completion items that someone pumped xp into. It should work as intended.

And it is intended the scroll be read to activate it. You need to be holding it, or have it held by something to do that.