Chimera
First Post
There are no Spell Books, as defined in the Core Rules. Instead, “Spell Books” are something completely different, as defined below.
There are no Material Components, except for specific spells, usually ‘creation’ type spells.
Wizards simply know spells. They still need to prepare them each day, but they do so from their own memory. Wizards may know a number of spells of each level equal to their Intelligence minus twice the spell level.
(Examples; Wally the Wizard has an Intelligence of 16. He may know 14 first level spells, 12 second, 10 third, 8 fourth, 6 fifth and 4 sixth level spells; Wanda the Wizard has an Intelligence of 20. She may know 18 first level spells, but only two spells of ninth level.)
Wizards do NOT automatically gain spells at each level. They must purchase them from other Wizards or find them on scrolls or in Spell Books. Or research them.
Learning a spell from a Scroll or Book requires 1 day per spell level. A success check is made after the first day. A Spellcraft check of DC 10+(2xspell level) is required to successfully learn the spell. Regardless of success or failure, the scroll is discharged. Spell Books are never discharged.
Learning a spell from an Instructor requires 1 day plus 1 day per spell level. The Instructor is required full time, and will charge the equivalent price of the spell level plus one for his/her time. Some Wizards make their living this way, some cannot be bothered. Likewise, prices may vary.
A success check is made after the first day. A Spellcraft check of DC 10+(2xspell level) is required to learn the spell. In most cases, failure means the loss of only one day’s fee. The DC of the success check is reduced by the Instructor’s Profession(Teacher) Skill. An Int Bonus of +5 or greater subtracts a further synergy bonus of +2.
As per the PHB, failure means that the Wizard may not make another attempt at learning the spell until gaining at least one point in Spellcraft.
The Spell Mastery Feat is changed as follows; The specialist Wizard chooses six School spells. S/he may then spontaneously cast these spells within the appropriate school bonus spell slots. This feat is useless to non-specialist Wizards, but may still be a requirement for other classes, feats or abilities.
The Arcane Mastery Feat now allows all school spells to be spontaneously cast within the appropriate school bonus slot.
Spell Books
Spell Books are special magic books created using the Write Books Feat, which is available to Spellcasters of at least 11th level.
Spells in spell books may be cast by any Spellcaster of the appropriate class (for the Book in question), using any spell slot of the same level.
(Example; Wally is a 5th level Wizard with Fireball memorized. Needing a Dispel Magic, he pulls out his trusty Spell Book and casts the spell from the book, expending his Fireball spell slot in the process.)
Spells may be learned from Books without being discharged. Powerful Wizards may find this an excellent way to teach their apprentices without having to waste their time on such mundane tasks.
Using Alter Reality, Limited Wish, Miracle or Wish, specific spells in a Spell Book may be enchanted to allow anyone to cast the spell from the book. The spell used to achieve this must be at least four levels higher than the subject spell. The costs of doing so are fairly high in terms of money and experience. (I haven’t worked this out yet.)
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Questions, Comments, Improvements, Problems?
There are no Material Components, except for specific spells, usually ‘creation’ type spells.
Wizards simply know spells. They still need to prepare them each day, but they do so from their own memory. Wizards may know a number of spells of each level equal to their Intelligence minus twice the spell level.
(Examples; Wally the Wizard has an Intelligence of 16. He may know 14 first level spells, 12 second, 10 third, 8 fourth, 6 fifth and 4 sixth level spells; Wanda the Wizard has an Intelligence of 20. She may know 18 first level spells, but only two spells of ninth level.)
Wizards do NOT automatically gain spells at each level. They must purchase them from other Wizards or find them on scrolls or in Spell Books. Or research them.
Learning a spell from a Scroll or Book requires 1 day per spell level. A success check is made after the first day. A Spellcraft check of DC 10+(2xspell level) is required to successfully learn the spell. Regardless of success or failure, the scroll is discharged. Spell Books are never discharged.
Learning a spell from an Instructor requires 1 day plus 1 day per spell level. The Instructor is required full time, and will charge the equivalent price of the spell level plus one for his/her time. Some Wizards make their living this way, some cannot be bothered. Likewise, prices may vary.
A success check is made after the first day. A Spellcraft check of DC 10+(2xspell level) is required to learn the spell. In most cases, failure means the loss of only one day’s fee. The DC of the success check is reduced by the Instructor’s Profession(Teacher) Skill. An Int Bonus of +5 or greater subtracts a further synergy bonus of +2.
As per the PHB, failure means that the Wizard may not make another attempt at learning the spell until gaining at least one point in Spellcraft.
The Spell Mastery Feat is changed as follows; The specialist Wizard chooses six School spells. S/he may then spontaneously cast these spells within the appropriate school bonus spell slots. This feat is useless to non-specialist Wizards, but may still be a requirement for other classes, feats or abilities.
The Arcane Mastery Feat now allows all school spells to be spontaneously cast within the appropriate school bonus slot.
Spell Books
Spell Books are special magic books created using the Write Books Feat, which is available to Spellcasters of at least 11th level.
Spells in spell books may be cast by any Spellcaster of the appropriate class (for the Book in question), using any spell slot of the same level.
(Example; Wally is a 5th level Wizard with Fireball memorized. Needing a Dispel Magic, he pulls out his trusty Spell Book and casts the spell from the book, expending his Fireball spell slot in the process.)
Spells may be learned from Books without being discharged. Powerful Wizards may find this an excellent way to teach their apprentices without having to waste their time on such mundane tasks.
Using Alter Reality, Limited Wish, Miracle or Wish, specific spells in a Spell Book may be enchanted to allow anyone to cast the spell from the book. The spell used to achieve this must be at least four levels higher than the subject spell. The costs of doing so are fairly high in terms of money and experience. (I haven’t worked this out yet.)
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Questions, Comments, Improvements, Problems?