From: mooney@plains.NoDak.edu (Timothy Mooney)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Scrolls and spells
Date: 14 Sep 92 02:46:31 GMT
Article-I.D.: plains.20308
Organization: North Dakota Higher Education Computing Network

scythe@byron.u.washington.edu (The Grim Reaper) writes:
) jackson@ess43.Berkeley.EDU (Jeff Jackson) writes:
)>|> 
)>|> 	I have to agree with this. Scroll spells are specifically made for 
)>|>casting, not learning. The scroll spell is basically a 'compiled' version of 
)>|> the spell, ready to run and with a fixed effect. 
)>|> 
)>|> Brandon Cope
)>
)>
)>   That's a very interesting concept.  I think I'll use it.  If someone
)>   wants to copy spells, he'll have to find them in a spellbook, not on
)>   a scroll.
)>
)>   Now then, assuming that scrolls are "load-and-go" spells, here's a
)>   question:  Can a MU use it if it's a spell from an opposition school?
)>   For example, can an Illusionist cast a Fireball from a scroll?
)>
)>   The "pro" I see in the docs is that scrolls can be used even with
)>   spells the MU cannot learn.  The "con" is that a MU is prevented from
)>   using magical items that duplicate spells from an oppostion school
)>   (meaning, for example, that an Illusionist cannot use a Wand of Fire).
)>
)>
)>  - JWJ                |  DM:  "You see a brass dragon."      |

)IMNSHO, specialists are unable to use scrolls from opposing schools.
)This is because they cannot understand the basic principle behind
)opposing schools, and how the magic of opposing schools is created.
)Thus they are unable to "execute" the scroll properly.

If I remember correctly, the "Official Opinion" is that mages *can* use
scroll-spells from opposing schools.  I don't have my stuff here with
me, but I think that I read that in either the DMG magic section for
scrolls or in a Sage Advice.

The DMGv2 does state that components for a spell are incorporated into
the scroll during its creation, while a spellbook contains notes and
directions for casting the spell.  This leads me to believe that you
can't memorize a spell from a scroll.

Now I have a question along similar lines.  The PHBv2 states clearly
that a Druid can't use any written magical items that aren't Druidic
in nature (no pun intended). This would seem to include scrolls.  My
question is, how does one tell if a scroll is useable by a Druid or
not?  I mean, if my Druid finds a scroll with Cure Serious Wounds and
Air Walk on it, can he use it?  Druids have access to both of those spells
(once they're of appropriate level), but is that enough?

My DM has ruled that it's not, and I've accepted that ruling.  My
Druid was already mid-level by the time my DM noticed this rule and
applied his interpretation, so I had gotten used to using cleric-type
scrolls, but oh well... :)

I would be interested to hear what others think of this interpretation,
so I know how to handle it for my campaign (which is currently on hold).
 
)--------------------+-------------------------+
)HIC IACET ARTVRVS   + The Grim Reaper         + 
)IN INSVLA AVALONIA  + SCYTHE@U.WASHINGTON.EDU +
)REX QVONDAM REXQVE  + ----------------------- +
)FVTVRVS             +                         +
)--------------------+-------------------------+

Tim Mooney

-- 
In 'Real' Life:                      aka Tim the Enchanter, MPtQftHG 
Timothy Mooney                       -----------------------------------------  
mooney@plains.nodak.edu              +    "I'm DISAPPOINTED!" - Otto
NDSU Fargo ND.                       +     		A Fish Called Wanda
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xref: sparky rec.games.frp.dnd:3599 rec.games.frp.misc:5275