Scribe Abilities (SNS)

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﻿Scribes possess a number of abilities similar to rogues and a few which are unique to their own class. The following section details these abilities.
==Reading Languages==
Scribes have a chance to read languages they do not normally know. 1st-level scribes have a 5% chance to read a document in an unfamiliar language. This chance increases by 5 percentage points each time they advance in level. Thus, a 9th-level scribe has a 45% chance of puzzling out the meaning of such foreign writing. This ability cannot rise above 90% regardless of the scribe's level of experience.
The scribe's percentage chance to read the document also represents the total portion of the document he can decipher. If a 9th-level scribe rolls under 45 on percentile dice when trying to read a document penned in a foreign language, he would understand about 45% of the document's contents. This ability can never rise above 90%.
==Reading Magic==
Scribes can use their read languages ability to translate documents that are magical in nature (scrolls and spell books). Their percentage chance for this magical translation is equal to their read languages percentage. A 9th-level scribe, then, would have a 45% chance to translate a magical scroll.
If a scribe successfully translates a magical document, he can then make a copy of the document (see below). However, the scribe has no real understanding of the document and cannot cast any spell contained in the document.
==Copying Documents==
To copy a document, the scribe must make a successful Reading/Writing proficiency check for each page. If the scribe fails the check, the document contains a flaw. The DM should always make this check secretly. The scribe can only detect these flaws if he takes the time to proofread the document when he's done. A scribe can copy up to five pages per day per level-up to a maximum of 80 pages. Proofreading Documents
Despite their skill and training, scribes can make mistakes when copying documents. Many scribes proofread important copying jobs to ensure that the copies are accurate.
To proofread a document, a scribe must make a successful Reading/Writing proficiency check for each page. The scribe can check each page as often as he wishes.
Most scribes will note corrections directly on the page unless the nature of the job is such that he must recopy the entire document. Scribes receive a +1 bonus on their proficiency checks when recopying a proofread
document.
==Forging Documents==
Scribes spend much of their time making detailed copies-forgeries, if you will-of documents. These truly detailed forgeries are almost impossible to distinguish from their originals. To create an indistinguishable copy, a scribe must make a successful Forgery check. Failure means that the forgery is easily detectable. Scribes can forge only one page per level per day.
For the most part, scribes do not make these forgeries with the intent of deceiving someone; the documents are entirely legal. Of course, a dishonest scribe can easily turn his skills toward crime and make a living by cleverly forging documents. Occasionally, a disreputable scribe may freelance with a local thieves' guild.
==Identifying Forged Documents==
The scribe performs this process as outlined in the description of the Forgery proficiency in the Player's Handbook. However, the following additional rules apply:
* A scribe cannot detect a signature forgery if he has never seen the original signature. He must have something to reference the forgery against.
* If the scribe has seen the original signature but does not have a copy of it when attempting to detect a forgery, he suffers a -3 penalty to his proficiency check.
==Translating Documents==
There is always a big demand for written translation especially in areas where several different races live close to each other. Multi-lingual scribes can often make large amounts of money by translating texts, messages, and maps into different languages.
To translate a document, the scribe must know both the original language of the document and the proposed language of the translation. The scribe must then make a Language proficiency check for each language that is not the scribe's native tongue. This means that a scribe might have to make two separate proficiency checks (one for the original document and one for the proposed translation) if the languages were not his native tongue.
If the scribe fails his check of the original, he cannot proceed with the translation and must wait at least 1 day before making another attempt. If, however, the scribe fails his proficiency check on the proposed translation, his failure is not complete. The DM should subtract the scribe's Language proficiency score from his roll and multiply the result by five. This number represents the percentage of the document that the scribe could not translate.
For example, Matrou the scribe is proficient in common (no score or need for a check), dwarvish (15), and elvish (15). He needs to translate a one-page document from common into elven and checks against his elven Language proficiency. He rolls a 17 and fails the check by 2. This means that he﻿ could not translate 10% (2×5) of the page. If the scribe rolls a 20 on a language proficiency check, he has made a mistake in the translation. However, he is unaware of this error.
Scribes primarily work with the written word, so they prefer to make a written copy when working on a translation. However, they can translate an entire document and simply read it aloud if they can speak the language in question.
==Reading Documents==
In a mostly illiterate society, the ability to read a document aloud is a marketable skill. With such reading service available, some illiterate persons actually manage to get around their handicap. Of course, scribes charge money for this service, which effectively prevents the lower classes from utilizing it.
A scribe's reputation is of the utmost importance when dealing with illiterate clients, as few people can afford to have a document double-checked for errors. These prospective clients prefer to deal with trustworthy scribes.
Normally, a scribe does not need to make a Reading/Writing proficiency roll when reading a document-even if it is not in his native language. However, certain circumstances such as faded ink, poor handwriting, or a partially destroyed parchment-require the scribe to make a successful proficiency check. This check is made secretly by the DM. If the roll fails, the scribe is not aware that he has made a mistake.
==Dictation==
Scribes are available to create documents for those who need them. For the most part, a scribe does not need to make a Reading/Writing proficiency check when taking dictation. However, certain factors-such as client with a thick accent, or a document full of complex instructions on a topic not known by the scribe-require the scribe to make a proficiency check.
Again, the DM should make the check secretly. The scribe should not be aware that any mistakes (if any) were made. Errors can be found by successful proofreading the document in question.
==Illuminating Documents==
In medieval society, documents were more than a collection of words on a page. Rather, they were adorned with tiny pictures, intricate titles, and decorative calligraphy. In addition, many documents were inlaid with gold leaf. The process of creating these decorated manuscripts was called Illuminating.
Illuminating manuscripts for rich and noble patrons is one of the chief functions of the scribe. In effect, the scribe turns a simple page into a work of art. Scribes must possess the Artistic Ability proficiency in order to illuminate documents.
The scribe must make an Artistic Ability check for every page he illuminates. If the scribe fails the roll, he has made some error. However, the scribe can easily correct this mistake. All he has to do is work on the same page and try it again.
Unfortunately, a roll of 20 on an Artistic Ability check means that the scribe accidentally destroys the page in question. The scribe must recopy or reforge the page before he can try to illuminate it again. A scribe can illuminate up to one page per level each day. Scribes can never illuminate more than eight pages in a single day.
==Duplicating Scrolls==
A scribe can duplicate a scroll much in the same way as a wizard or priest (see the DUNGEON MASTER Guide for full details). However, there are a few elements in the copying process that are unique to scribes. To duplicate a scroll, the scribe must have a copy of the scroll. He cannot create scrolls by copying directly from a spell book, nor can he receive the spell as a gift from a deity. Only wizards or priests have the power to perform such tasks.
In addition, the scribe must have all of the proper materials available in order to copy the scroll. If the client does not supply these materials, the scribe includes their cost into his copying fee.
Finally, the scribe must successfully read the spell off of the original scroll before he can copy it. Once he succeeds in reading the original, the scribe can make copies of it as often as he likes. However, if the same spell comes up again on a different scroll, the scribe must make a separate attempt to understand that spell.
If the scribe fails in his attempt to read a spell, he cannot attempt to read it again until he reaches the next level of experience. Also, the scribe must make a separate attempt to read each spell on a scroll. Failure to read one spell does not affect an attempt to read another.
==Copying Spells==
A scribe can copy spells from one spell book to another, just like a wizard can (see the DUNGEON MASTER Guide for full details). Of course, the scribe must first read the spell before copying it. This is handled just as if the scribe were trying to read a spell off a scroll.