Word of Recall Scroll

[Li Shenron]

"Word of recall teleports you instantly back to your sanctuary when the word is uttered. You must designate the sanctuary when you prepare the spell, and it must be a very familiar place. The actual point of arrival is a designated area no larger than 10 feet by 10 feet." - The Hypertext d20 SRD (v3.5 d20 System Reference Document) :: d20srd.org

WOR is an example of a magical effect cast at one time/place then suspended until the trigger word is uttered at another time/place. Accordingly, it seems like the reader would specify the destination point when read with the caveat a successful spellcraft check might be required to recognize the original destination word needing changed.

I'm sorry... "accordingly"? How do you make that reasoning? If you like the idea of playing it this way, you're free to do so, but "changing" a spell's parameters AFAIK never happens. You either make those decisions when you prepare the spells or when you cast it (and in this spell's case the book clearly says the first).

The the RAW says that "using a scroll is basically like casting a spell".

What we need to find, is a RAW reference saying if scribing a scroll (or creating any magic item) requires to have the required spells prepared. I cannot find it right now... but somewhow I seem to remember this is the case. It's possible it was not RAW but only FAQ / Sage Advice. But if that's the case, then the destination of Word of Recall is certainly determined when the scroll is scribed.

 

[jefgorbach]

Let me clarify.
I agree the destination must be included when the scroll is scribed. My point is it can be changed prior to activation.

WOR states the destination is specified when cast and the effect (the actual recall) is then suspended until the final trigger word is uttered. Since scrolls require all variables to be included when written, this obviously includes the destination intended by the writer.

However RAW states "activating a scroll requires reading the spell from the scroll" and "The writing on a scroll must be deciphered before a character can use it or know exactly what spell it contains. This requires a read magic spell or a successful Spellcraft check (DC 20 + spell level)." (under Scrolls) and a mage learns a spell from a scroll on a DC 15+spell level (under spellcraft).

I believe its generally accepted that someone successfully making a higher DC check automatically gains all lower DC effects for the same skill use. Therefore someone who sucessfully deciphered a scroll (DC20+) automatically learned the spell it contains (DC15+) and thus knows the intended destination so could revise it when reading it aloud by substituting his preferred destination.

 

[HoboGod]

In our group, it tends to be used so that players can teleport to places they've never been. When I DM, merchants don't regularly sell these scrolls and most cities outright prohibit the sale of these scrolls as a precaution against smugglers. They're pretty common on the black market, but it's not a reliable way to get where you need to go as the likelihood of finding exactly the scroll you need can vary drastically.

 

[Ashtagon]

I believe its generally accepted that someone successfully making a higher DC check automatically gains all lower DC effects for the same skill use. Therefore someone who sucessfully deciphered a scroll (DC20+) automatically learned the spell it contains (DC15+) and thus knows the intended destination so could revise it when reading it aloud by substituting his preferred destination.

I agree with the statement that you can learn the intended destination, although this may be cryptic, most usually in the form of "My bedroom. Sincerely, Bigby".

I see nothing in Spellcraft that lets you revise portions of the contents of a scroll by examining it. Spellcraft is all about obtaining information, not changing information.

 

[tlantl]

This is my take on the matter. The word of recall on the scroll is an uncast version you have to use to set up the word of recall on yourself. Having a word of recall spell that is a pre-cast spell is impossible.


The succor device is the proper way in which you give another person the means of returning to a specified place, not a scroll of word of recall

The sale price of the scroll makes perfect sense since the spell hasn't yet been cast, if it were the scroll would be blank, and therefore worthless.