D&D (2024) The Magic Market and Spell Scrolls

[Ashrym]

So the basic equipment list does include spell scrolls. Characters have the option to purchase cantrip spell scrolls for 30 gp and 1st level spell scrolls for 50 gp.

A Spell Scroll (Cantrip) or Spell Scroll (Level 1) is a magic item that bears the words of a cantrip or level 1 spell, respectively, determined by the scroll’s creator. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast the spell using its normal casting time and without providing any Material components.

If the spell requires a saving throw or an attack roll, the spell save DC is 13, and the attack bonus is +5. The scroll disintegrates when the casting is completed.

It's always the DM's prerogative to decide what the availability of adventuring gear is available in a shop, but I foresee this could be a potential abuse. Or we might consider it WAI; that might be debatable.

As treasure accumulates through levels this potentially opens up a lot more low level magic to artificers, bards, clerics, druids, fighters (eldritch knight), rangers, rogues (arcane trickster, thief), paladins, sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards.

In the case of the wizard the option to purchase and scribe those spells into the spellbook adds more value to swapping spells and using cantrips from the spellbook earlier outside of the spells added through leveling.

With bards, fighters (eldritch knight), rogues (arcane trickster), sorcerers, and warlocks the different spell preparation limits becomes less restrictive.

With all cases the spell slot limitations become less restrictive.

When it comes to crafting scrolls the spell needs to be prepared during the process. This favors classes that can easily change preparation on a long rest; artificers, clerics, druids, rangers, paladins, and wizards.

I'm curious what we'll see in impact and ramifications, and opinions on it if anyone wants to give it some thought.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Plaguescarred]

It personally won't change much how i handle magic items sales in my campaigns except to establish market price for those. Depending on the level of magic in my campaign, availability will differ;

If i run high magic campaign, magic items are common place and thus can easily be purchased in most cities and even some smaller market village or travelling merchant.

If i run a medium one, magic items are mostly sold in larger cities and very rarely in smaller market village or travelling merchant.

If i run a low magic campaign, magic items are so rare they're usually given or found, not available for purshase anywhere.

 

[Mistwell]

Rogue Thieves will want lots of spell scrolls, including cantrips. They can use a bonus action to take the Magic action to use a magic item. So cast a spell with a bonus action even if it normally requires an action, and then take a regular action. If they're multiclassed as a spellcaster they could cast a scroll as a bonus action, then cast a spell as an action.

 

[aco175]

The DM does control the amount of access and number of scrolls available to purchase. If a PC wants to buy 10 magic missile scrolls to take on adventure and I see a some sort of gaming the system going on, then I can just say there are none available, or only 1d4, or something.

Same thing with casters wanting spells not on their list.

I also see one of the limits is that the scroll DC is 13 and +5 to hit. This makes high level monsters more able to brush off attacks or makes saves. This does not get around using utility spells or defense spells though.

 

[Charlaquin]

I kinda like that this gives wizards an easy way to access low-level spells for their spellbook and thief rogues easy access to scrolls for use magic device. As a DM, I would probably roll randomly for what scrolls are currently available for purchase within a given settlement, rather than leaving all spells available any time.

 

[Charlaquin]

On a related note, I noticed that there’s a standard rate for spellcasting services now, and that it’s different than the standard I had reverse-engineered from Adventurer’s League’s spell service prices. They’re actually quite a bit more expensive now, which I suppose makes sense, but I kinda preferred the AL pricing model.

 

[Ashrym]

So if experienced DM's aren't going to have any issues, what's the impact with new or inexperienced DM's?

 

[cbwjm]

I'm not sure of the actual impacts (not necessarily negatives), since I'm not playing with new/inexperienced DMs but I guess some of the impacts might be:

• Party wanting to buy scrolls when the DM has a specific lower magic setting in mind.
• Party expecting that scrolls are available everywhere, including your run-of-the-mill dirt poor village.
• Party spends more of the money they receive from quests leading to a slightly higher use of magic.
  • Combat spells affecting the balance of power (good defensive spells might impact things)
  • A 1st level utility spell for every occasion. This could be positive or negative depending on how the DM wants to challenge the players. An increase in utility scrolls means more combat spells can be prepared.

I'm not sure if any of these will really be an issue, I can see some DMs perhaps being a little more permissive if they're unsure or perhaps feel like they can't say no to scrolls being available because it's in the book.

 

[Maxperson]

So if experienced DM's aren't going to have any issues, what's the impact with new or inexperienced DM's?

Mixed I would think. Some will like it and embrace it, others will not like it and eventually get rid of it. I don't think cantrips and 1st level spells being available is game breaking or even that unbalancing. Most of the good utility is in higher level spells, which aren't available freely.

 

[kigmatzomat]

One thing 3e did right was have a system for determining what PC- & NPC-class people are likely in any community. "high magic" and "low magic" settings weren't unbounded terms, it was relative to the RAW.

This established a baseline for the availability mechanics. A village with 30 people is unlikely to have any casters, so no magic for sale. (Although for plot reasons, Gandalf or Obi Wan could live there.) You go to the barony with 500 people and there's a low level cleric and a wizard. And in 3e you needed specific feats to make scrolls, so not all casters could do it. Same for potions. Which meant saying "Not available" was very easy.

Personally, I always had 90% of magic items as being commissioned, aside from some healing items you can't wait on. Having a lot of magic items lying around is asking for thieves.

The "found loot" depends on there being bad guys with loot that were defeated by other adventurers who are either still hanging around or that found an NPC with hundreds or thousands of GP of disposable wealth.
This creates setting questions. How common bandit-kings and adventurers are in a region? Who has all the money? Why did they buy those magic items? H9w do they keep them safe?

I tended to have the potion/scroll makers act as brokers, who know who in the region has items they are willing to sell and who can let other brokers in other towns know who is interested in buying.

"Sorry, aside from the one healing potion, I don't keep stock. Too easy for a month's wages to go walking off, don'cha know. If you want to put down a deposit, I can have you three more potions next week. As for scrolls, you check with Aciel, lives in the blue house around the corner, but he doesn't keep scrolls lying around either. I'd plan on getting rooms at the inn.
Magic weapons? I wish I had the money to afford magic weapons! If I could make and sell a magic weapon I'd be retired! And no one around here has that kind of money lying around to tie up for months or years at a time in random speculation.
No, you'll need to try Biggington, its the seat of the duchy. Find Garcivel the archivist, he'll know whats for sale or who might tale a commission."