Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lanefan" data-source="post: 6970047" data-attributes="member: 29398">Does 5e assume all spellbooks are written in the same language?  Can a Human (Greek) wizard automatically read an Elf's spellbook written in Elvish even if Elvish is a language the caster doesn't otherwise understand?I'd say that to use a spell from another book in a known language the wizard still has to go through the same "learning" process first (unless it's a spell she already knows, then it's just a spare copy) with the usual chance for failure, but doesn't need to then copy it again.As for cost - depending on your game's economy a simple answer is to simply assign a flat cost-per-spell-level (out of my hat: 200 g.p. / level to buy, half that to sell) for each spell, then add 'em up and add whatever the blank book would have cost (which in some cases can be significant on its own, for example if the book has dragonskin covers and is watertight when closed and sealed).  Thus, a book that itself is worth 75 g.p. with 5 first-level spells, 5 seconds and three thirds in it would sell in this case for 5 x 100 + 5 x 200 + 3 x 300 = 2475 g.p.Obviously, if a spell is very rare or previously unknown the value skyrockets; but you'd be likely dealing with this differently anyway.Lanefan</blockquote>