A question about players researching new spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

A question about players researching new spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kolyana
08-07-07, 09:15 PM So I have a player who - at the tender level of 4th - has decided that he wants to design and research a whole new spell.

Now, granted, this is the sort of player who roils at 90% of the RAW and loves to suggest new rules quite a bit. I suspect, therefore, that his proposed 'new spell' is actually a way to get around said rules and the annoyances of copying and understanding spells from someone else's spell book.

Now, I don't want to penalize someone unfairly, but nor do I have extensive experience in allowing players to create spells, so I'd like a little guidance on how this one should be adjudicated:

I want the spell to convert another wizards arcane writing method to my own. It would rearrange the arcane symbols on the page as appropriate. I would figure this would be a combination of read magic a 0th level spell and erase 1st lvl with some write and decryption type element. I am thinking it should be a level 3 spell of some sort, maybe level 4. It would be handy to convert a spell book to your arcane method without having ot rewrite the whole thing. It doesnt solve the problem of having another spellbook to carry.

Was thinking it would be permanent but require multiple castings for multiple spells in a book. Nothing horribly powerful, just handy and not costly.

The request seems fairly innocuous, but what are your feelings?

Are there any spells in other books that already do this?
weasel0
08-07-07, 10:01 PM I have no idea if there is a spell already for this, but here's my thoughts.

Such creation takes both time and proper facilities.... much gp and downtime.
Unless you want to gloss the downtime and just take the money. Up to you.

Maybe a 5th Lv spell that makes a CL check vs. the spell they're trying to convert. If successful, it begins the slow and arduous process of converting it into they're own... recipe of arcane writing. The spell has a concentration check once/hr, every hour/spell level converting. DC 15 +1 spell lv.

Translate Arcane
Transmutation
Level: Wiz/Sor 5
Components: V,S,M
Casting Time: 2min
Range: Short(Self)
Target: 1 pre-determined spell in targeted spell book
Duration: 1 hour per spell Lv
Saving Throw: Will negates (object)
Spell Resistance: Yes (object)

This spell can convert a spell to it's casters own mental form in another wizard’s spellbook. The wizard makes a CL check vs opposing wizard's CL. A wizard who has specialized in a school of spells gains a +2 bonus on the Spellcraft check if the new spell is from her specialty school. She cannot, however, learn any spells from her prohibited schools. If the check succeeds, the spell can convert it into her spellbook. Every hour, the wizard must make a concentration check at DC 15+ spell lv. Each check thereafter adds +1 per hour. The process takes 1 hour per spell level.*

If the check fails, the spell cannot copy that spell.*

*Completely ripped off of the SRD and modified.
Marcus Majarra
08-08-07, 01:43 AM The problem is: copying another wizard's spells requires two things:

1) Time
2) Gold

My guess is that he's subtly trying to get you to disregard either or both of these. If he wants to cut down on time, increase the cost of the translation by imposing expensive material components (more than would be otherwise necessary to normally transcribe the spells into your own spellbook).
Dazzer
08-08-07, 02:37 AM It takes him

1 week per level of the spell being researched.

1000 gold pieces per week of research.

At the end of the time he must make a spellcraft check (the DC is in the players handbook, or DMG I believe...unsure of it). If he fails, he learns nothing, but only one half the money is spent. If he succeeds, he learns whether or not the spell is viable. Make him do this REGARDLESS of whether or not you agree with the spell, and simply tell him "you find out that magic cannot be used in such a way, it's not really viable" or "It works, and you now have this spell!"

These are the rules as written in the SRD.

It would have a GP component
20gp per page of the book (used page)
(Make it interesting though, maybe he needs crushed Sapphires, or a vial of ink, or some other such component, don't just say "throw 20gp at it and it's good!)

It would have a focus: The spell-book in question.

It would take 1 hour to cast.

It would likely be a 3rd or 4th level spell.

Thus, a 10th level wizard casting this spell on a book with 20 pages used would need to do the following

Take Said book, and go to a quiet room.

Have 400 gold pieces of crushed sapphires at the ready.

Spend 1 un-interrupted hour of casting, and expend the material component.
He also expends the spell-slot for the day. The book when then translate itself into his own magical scripture.
________________________________________ _____________________
As an added effect, he may need to make a spellcraft check, but only make it ONE check. A good way of doing this would be the following.

Make a spellcraft check DC 20 + Spell Level
Use the HIGHEST level spell in the book as the DC.
For example, a book with a 7th level spell, and 8 6th level spells, would be DC 27.

If this check fails, you cannot try to cast this spell on that book again for 1 week. Also, one half of the material component is wasted.

Only use this spellcraft check if you feel that the material component, hour long casting time, and 3-4th level spell-slot is not enough to simply change another guys spellbook into your own.

I believe you normally have to make a DC 20 + spell level check to decipher a spell (day one); then 15 + level check to learn the spell (day two) then spend 24 hours rescribing the spell.

Essentially, with this one check, he'd be cutting his time down ALOT. It would also cost him ALOT less money. However, this isn't really too much of a problem. Consider that he could also buy a spellshard (eberron) or a boccobs blessed book, and never have to worry about the monetary problem of scribing again (just the checks and the time).

Really, this spell is a lesser version of a boccobs book, so it isn't THAT powerful. I congratulate your player for this thinking. You may even require a quest for him to find a certain component he needs to complete his research; or maybe he needs to go to a proper library and research some vital thing, or perhaps he does it without a hitch, and another wizard learns of his discovery and seeks him out (maybe to steal it? or forcefully take it? Or converse with him and trade with him for the knowledge).

Make your player feel important. Allow him to call the spell

"Character Names Quick Transcribing" or whatever.

Perhaps award the entire party (or just him if you play that way) some experience points for thinking it up, he has to make checks and spend gold and time on it...it's an encounter.
Sarella Starshine
08-08-07, 05:52 PM Or, take a look at the rules for mastering foriegn spellbooks in Complete Arcane (pg 140). You make 1 spellcraft check, spend some downtime, and vola, no need to rescribe the book. It is cirtianly a lot cheeper than trying to research the spell that would do basicly the same thing.

Though, I do not see any reason to disallow a spell that does it though.
DrMorganes
08-08-07, 06:39 PM The problem is: copying another wizard's spells requires two things:

1) Time
2) Gold

My guess is that he's subtly trying to get you to disregard either or both of these. If he wants to cut down on time, increase the cost of the translation by imposing expensive material components (more than would be otherwise necessary to normally transcribe the spells into your own spellbook).

Agreed.

Others have noted that this is rather like a lesser version of a Blessed Book. While this may be true, such a book accounts for nearly half the total wealth of a Level 8 PC. Your player is definitely trying to shortcut.

However, there's no reason to deny the spell based on this. Just be sure to enforce the time and gold required to research the spell. If he tries to research a 5th level spell at Wizard Level 4, let him. He expends weeks of time and thousands of gold pieces only to discover that this magic is beyond him at this time. Don't tell him what level you've decided the final spell will be. Just tell him, "This magic is beyond your ability at this time. You can try again when you gain more power." Eventually he'll get it, but only if he keeps trying.

As for the spell itself, I'd say it falls somewhere between Identify and Analyze Dweomer. An expensive focus or material component (or both) is certainly in order, along with a long casting time and a Spellcraft Check similar to that required by manually copying a spell.

So how's this sound:

(Name of PC)'s Lesser Arcane Translation
Transmutation
Level: Wiz/Sor 3
Components: V,S,M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Short(Self)
Target: A number of spells in 1 spellbook
Duration: 1 hour / level
Saving Throw: NA
Spell Resistance: Yes (object)

Though use of this spell a wizard magically translates another wizard's arcane writing to match that of the caster, effectively eliminating the need to copy spells from captured spellbooks.

Prior to casting this spell, the wizard must first have deciphered all the writing in the captured spellbook either through use of Spellcraft or via Read Magic. Once this process is complete the wizard may cast Lesser Arcane Translation.

Once cast, the wizard must select one spell in the targeted spellbook and make a Spellcraft Check (DC = 15+Spell's Level). Specialist wizards gain a +2 bonus to this check if the spell is in their specialty school. Specialist wizards cannot use Lesser Arcane Translation on spells in prohibited schools. If the check fails the spell ends and the spell is not translated. Otherwise the writing changes to the wizard's own arcane writing over a number of hours equal to the spell's level. The wizard must maintain concentration during the time of the translation. If the wizard's concentration interrupted at any time, the wizard may make a Concentration Check per normal rules to maintain concentration. Failure means the spell ends and the target spell is erased from the spellbook!

If time remains in the spell's duration the wizard may select another spell to translate. Another Spellcraft Check is required (DC = 15+new spell's level). If this check fails, the spell ends and the target spell is not translated. The wizard may continue translating spells this way until the spell's duration expires. If the duration ends before the current spell is fully transcribed, the spell is erased from the spellbook!

While under the effect of this spell the wizard may undertake no strenuous action and must remain in the general vicinity of the target spellbook. The wizard suffers no penalties for fatigue as long as the spell is in effect. However, if the spell is maintained for more than 8 hours the wizard will be fatigued as soon as the spell ends. If the spell is maintained for more than 12 hours the wizard will be exhausted when the spell ends. The duration of this spell is not considered rest for purposes of regaining spells.

Casting Lesser Arcane Translation requires a sapphire worth at least 500gp be powdered and sprinkled on the target spellbook.

(Name of PC)'s Greater Arcane Translation
Transmutation
Level: Wiz/Sor 6
Components: V,S,M,F
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Short(Self)
Target: 1 spellbook
Duration: 8 hours
Saving Throw: NA
Spell Resistance: Yes (object)

Though use of this spell a wizard magically translates another wizard's arcane writing to match that of the caster, effectively eliminating the need to copy spells from captured spellbooks. Greater Arcane Translation translates all the spells in the target spellbook.

Prior to casting this spell, the wizard must first have deciphered all the writing in the captured spellbook either through use of Spellcraft or via Read Magic. Once this process is complete the wizard may cast Lesser Arcane Translation.

Once cast, the wizard must make a Spellcraft Check (DC = 15+Highest Spell's Level). Specialist wizards gain a +2 bonus to this check if the highest level spell is in their specialty school. Specialist wizards cannot use Greater Arcane Translation on spells in prohibited schools; spells from prohibited schools are simply not translated. If the check fails the spell ends and the spell is not translated. Otherwise the writing changes to the wizard's own arcane writing over the duration of the spell. The wizard must maintain concentration during the time of the translation. If the wizard's concentration interrupted at any time, the wizard may make a Concentration Check per normal rules to maintain concentration. Failure means the spell ends and no spells are translated.

While under the effect of this spell the wizard may undertake no strenuous action and must remain in the general vicinity of the target spellbook. The wizard suffers no ill effects once the spell ends. However, the duration of this spell does not count as rest for purposes of regaining spells.

Casting Greater Arcane Translation requires a sapphire worth at least 1000gp be powdered and sprinkled on the target spellbook. The spell requires a finely-crafted gold and gem-encrusted quill worth at least 5,000gp as a focus.

I'm not sure about the value of the material components and focus.

Heck, I'm not sure about any of it :D
DrMorganes
08-08-07, 06:40 PM Or, take a look at the rules for mastering foriegn spellbooks in Complete Arcane (pg 140). You make 1 spellcraft check, spend some downtime, and vola, no need to rescribe the book. It is cirtianly a lot cheeper than trying to research the spell that would do basicly the same thing.

Though, I do not see any reason to disallow a spell that does it though.

Only if the player asks to use those rules. There's no reason NOT to make him work for things ;)
StevenO
08-08-07, 07:43 PM Or, take a look at the rules for mastering foriegn spellbooks in Complete Arcane (pg 140). You make 1 spellcraft check, spend some downtime, and vola, no need to rescribe the book. It is cirtianly a lot cheeper than trying to research the spell that would do basicly the same thing.

Though, I do not see any reason to disallow a spell that does it though.
What he want is already covered in nonspell form. Doesn't Read Magic already allow him to easily use others spellbooks?

As for new spells in general, allow them but they are still subject to your ruling.
Mock26
08-08-07, 10:11 PM One of the guidelines I use when creating a new spell is that if it is a combination of two or more different spells I make it one level higher than the highest level spell being duplicated.
Mock26
08-08-07, 10:12 PM What he want is already covered in nonspell form. Doesn't Read Magic already allow him to easily use others spellbooks?

As for new spells in general, allow them but they are still subject to your ruling.I get the impression that he doesn't just want to be able to read magic, he wants the spell to automatically and permanently rearragne the text in the book to be that of his own personal magical text so he wouldn't have to cast read magic in order to read these other spell books.
Sarella Starshine
08-09-07, 03:43 PM I get the impression that he doesn't just want to be able to read magic, he wants the spell to automatically and permanently rearragne the text in the book to be that of his own personal magical text so he wouldn't have to cast read magic in order to read these other spell books.

Exactly. What the Complete Arcane mastery does is lets you become so familiar with that person's notation that it essentially becomes yours. It is cheeper and faster than researching a spell that does basicly the same thing. But if that person is so keen on the spell, there is no reason to deny it to him.
Phrennzy
08-10-07, 10:02 AM I don't like the idea of a 4th level caster creating a spell of a level he cannot cast. How could he be sure it works?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kolyana 08-07-07, 09:15 PM	So I have a player who - at the tender level of 4th - has decided that he wants to design and research a whole new spell. Now, granted, this is the sort of player who roils at 90% of the RAW and loves to suggest new rules quite a bit. I suspect, therefore, that his proposed 'new spell' is actually a way to get around said rules and the annoyances of copying and understanding spells from someone else's spell book. Now, I don't want to penalize someone unfairly, but nor do I have extensive experience in allowing players to create spells, so I'd like a little guidance on how this one should be adjudicated: I want the spell to convert another wizards arcane writing method to my own. It would rearrange the arcane symbols on the page as appropriate. I would figure this would be a combination of read magic a 0th level spell and erase 1st lvl with some write and decryption type element. I am thinking it should be a level 3 spell of some sort, maybe level 4. It would be handy to convert a spell book to your arcane method without having ot rewrite the whole thing. It doesnt solve the problem of having another spellbook to carry. Was thinking it would be permanent but require multiple castings for multiple spells in a book. Nothing horribly powerful, just handy and not costly. The request seems fairly innocuous, but what are your feelings? Are there any spells in other books that already do this?
weasel0 08-07-07, 10:01 PM	I have no idea if there is a spell already for this, but here's my thoughts. Such creation takes both time and proper facilities.... much gp and downtime. Unless you want to gloss the downtime and just take the money. Up to you. Maybe a 5th Lv spell that makes a CL check vs. the spell they're trying to convert. If successful, it begins the slow and arduous process of converting it into they're own... recipe of arcane writing. The spell has a concentration check once/hr, every hour/spell level converting. DC 15 +1 spell lv. Translate Arcane Transmutation Level: Wiz/Sor 5 Components: V,S,M Casting Time: 2min Range: Short(Self) Target: 1 pre-determined spell in targeted spell book Duration: 1 hour per spell Lv Saving Throw: Will negates (object) Spell Resistance: Yes (object) This spell can convert a spell to it's casters own mental form in another wizard’s spellbook. The wizard makes a CL check vs opposing wizard's CL. A wizard who has specialized in a school of spells gains a +2 bonus on the Spellcraft check if the new spell is from her specialty school. She cannot, however, learn any spells from her prohibited schools. If the check succeeds, the spell can convert it into her spellbook. Every hour, the wizard must make a concentration check at DC 15+ spell lv. Each check thereafter adds +1 per hour. The process takes 1 hour per spell level.* If the check fails, the spell cannot copy that spell.* *Completely ripped off of the SRD and modified.
Marcus Majarra 08-08-07, 01:43 AM	The problem is: copying another wizard's spells requires two things: 1) Time 2) Gold My guess is that he's subtly trying to get you to disregard either or both of these. If he wants to cut down on time, increase the cost of the translation by imposing expensive material components (more than would be otherwise necessary to normally transcribe the spells into your own spellbook).
Dazzer 08-08-07, 02:37 AM	It takes him 1 week per level of the spell being researched. 1000 gold pieces per week of research. At the end of the time he must make a spellcraft check (the DC is in the players handbook, or DMG I believe...unsure of it). If he fails, he learns nothing, but only one half the money is spent. If he succeeds, he learns whether or not the spell is viable. Make him do this REGARDLESS of whether or not you agree with the spell, and simply tell him "you find out that magic cannot be used in such a way, it's not really viable" or "It works, and you now have this spell!" These are the rules as written in the SRD. It would have a GP component 20gp per page of the book (used page) (Make it interesting though, maybe he needs crushed Sapphires, or a vial of ink, or some other such component, don't just say "throw 20gp at it and it's good!) It would have a focus: The spell-book in question. It would take 1 hour to cast. It would likely be a 3rd or 4th level spell. Thus, a 10th level wizard casting this spell on a book with 20 pages used would need to do the following Take Said book, and go to a quiet room. Have 400 gold pieces of crushed sapphires at the ready. Spend 1 un-interrupted hour of casting, and expend the material component. He also expends the spell-slot for the day. The book when then translate itself into his own magical scripture. ________________________________________ _____________________ As an added effect, he may need to make a spellcraft check, but only make it ONE check. A good way of doing this would be the following. Make a spellcraft check DC 20 + Spell Level Use the HIGHEST level spell in the book as the DC. For example, a book with a 7th level spell, and 8 6th level spells, would be DC 27. If this check fails, you cannot try to cast this spell on that book again for 1 week. Also, one half of the material component is wasted. Only use this spellcraft check if you feel that the material component, hour long casting time, and 3-4th level spell-slot is not enough to simply change another guys spellbook into your own. I believe you normally have to make a DC 20 + spell level check to decipher a spell (day one); then 15 + level check to learn the spell (day two) then spend 24 hours rescribing the spell. Essentially, with this one check, he'd be cutting his time down ALOT. It would also cost him ALOT less money. However, this isn't really too much of a problem. Consider that he could also buy a spellshard (eberron) or a boccobs blessed book, and never have to worry about the monetary problem of scribing again (just the checks and the time). Really, this spell is a lesser version of a boccobs book, so it isn't THAT powerful. I congratulate your player for this thinking. You may even require a quest for him to find a certain component he needs to complete his research; or maybe he needs to go to a proper library and research some vital thing, or perhaps he does it without a hitch, and another wizard learns of his discovery and seeks him out (maybe to steal it? or forcefully take it? Or converse with him and trade with him for the knowledge). Make your player feel important. Allow him to call the spell "Character Names Quick Transcribing" or whatever. Perhaps award the entire party (or just him if you play that way) some experience points for thinking it up, he has to make checks and spend gold and time on it...it's an encounter.
Sarella Starshine 08-08-07, 05:52 PM	Or, take a look at the rules for mastering foriegn spellbooks in Complete Arcane (pg 140). You make 1 spellcraft check, spend some downtime, and vola, no need to rescribe the book. It is cirtianly a lot cheeper than trying to research the spell that would do basicly the same thing. Though, I do not see any reason to disallow a spell that does it though.
DrMorganes 08-08-07, 06:39 PM	The problem is: copying another wizard's spells requires two things: 1) Time 2) Gold My guess is that he's subtly trying to get you to disregard either or both of these. If he wants to cut down on time, increase the cost of the translation by imposing expensive material components (more than would be otherwise necessary to normally transcribe the spells into your own spellbook). Agreed. Others have noted that this is rather like a lesser version of a Blessed Book. While this may be true, such a book accounts for nearly half the total wealth of a Level 8 PC. Your player is definitely trying to shortcut. However, there's no reason to deny the spell based on this. Just be sure to enforce the time and gold required to research the spell. If he tries to research a 5th level spell at Wizard Level 4, let him. He expends weeks of time and thousands of gold pieces only to discover that this magic is beyond him at this time. Don't tell him what level you've decided the final spell will be. Just tell him, "This magic is beyond your ability at this time. You can try again when you gain more power." Eventually he'll get it, but only if he keeps trying. As for the spell itself, I'd say it falls somewhere between Identify and Analyze Dweomer. An expensive focus or material component (or both) is certainly in order, along with a long casting time and a Spellcraft Check similar to that required by manually copying a spell. So how's this sound: (Name of PC)'s Lesser Arcane Translation Transmutation Level: Wiz/Sor 3 Components: V,S,M Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Short(Self) Target: A number of spells in 1 spellbook Duration: 1 hour / level Saving Throw: NA Spell Resistance: Yes (object) Though use of this spell a wizard magically translates another wizard's arcane writing to match that of the caster, effectively eliminating the need to copy spells from captured spellbooks. Prior to casting this spell, the wizard must first have deciphered all the writing in the captured spellbook either through use of Spellcraft or via Read Magic. Once this process is complete the wizard may cast Lesser Arcane Translation. Once cast, the wizard must select one spell in the targeted spellbook and make a Spellcraft Check (DC = 15+Spell's Level). Specialist wizards gain a +2 bonus to this check if the spell is in their specialty school. Specialist wizards cannot use Lesser Arcane Translation on spells in prohibited schools. If the check fails the spell ends and the spell is not translated. Otherwise the writing changes to the wizard's own arcane writing over a number of hours equal to the spell's level. The wizard must maintain concentration during the time of the translation. If the wizard's concentration interrupted at any time, the wizard may make a Concentration Check per normal rules to maintain concentration. Failure means the spell ends and the target spell is erased from the spellbook! If time remains in the spell's duration the wizard may select another spell to translate. Another Spellcraft Check is required (DC = 15+new spell's level). If this check fails, the spell ends and the target spell is not translated. The wizard may continue translating spells this way until the spell's duration expires. If the duration ends before the current spell is fully transcribed, the spell is erased from the spellbook! While under the effect of this spell the wizard may undertake no strenuous action and must remain in the general vicinity of the target spellbook. The wizard suffers no penalties for fatigue as long as the spell is in effect. However, if the spell is maintained for more than 8 hours the wizard will be fatigued as soon as the spell ends. If the spell is maintained for more than 12 hours the wizard will be exhausted when the spell ends. The duration of this spell is not considered rest for purposes of regaining spells. Casting Lesser Arcane Translation requires a sapphire worth at least 500gp be powdered and sprinkled on the target spellbook. (Name of PC)'s Greater Arcane Translation Transmutation Level: Wiz/Sor 6 Components: V,S,M,F Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Short(Self) Target: 1 spellbook Duration: 8 hours Saving Throw: NA Spell Resistance: Yes (object) Though use of this spell a wizard magically translates another wizard's arcane writing to match that of the caster, effectively eliminating the need to copy spells from captured spellbooks. Greater Arcane Translation translates all the spells in the target spellbook. Prior to casting this spell, the wizard must first have deciphered all the writing in the captured spellbook either through use of Spellcraft or via Read Magic. Once this process is complete the wizard may cast Lesser Arcane Translation. Once cast, the wizard must make a Spellcraft Check (DC = 15+Highest Spell's Level). Specialist wizards gain a +2 bonus to this check if the highest level spell is in their specialty school. Specialist wizards cannot use Greater Arcane Translation on spells in prohibited schools; spells from prohibited schools are simply not translated. If the check fails the spell ends and the spell is not translated. Otherwise the writing changes to the wizard's own arcane writing over the duration of the spell. The wizard must maintain concentration during the time of the translation. If the wizard's concentration interrupted at any time, the wizard may make a Concentration Check per normal rules to maintain concentration. Failure means the spell ends and no spells are translated. While under the effect of this spell the wizard may undertake no strenuous action and must remain in the general vicinity of the target spellbook. The wizard suffers no ill effects once the spell ends. However, the duration of this spell does not count as rest for purposes of regaining spells. Casting Greater Arcane Translation requires a sapphire worth at least 1000gp be powdered and sprinkled on the target spellbook. The spell requires a finely-crafted gold and gem-encrusted quill worth at least 5,000gp as a focus. I'm not sure about the value of the material components and focus. Heck, I'm not sure about any of it :D
DrMorganes 08-08-07, 06:40 PM	Or, take a look at the rules for mastering foriegn spellbooks in Complete Arcane (pg 140). You make 1 spellcraft check, spend some downtime, and vola, no need to rescribe the book. It is cirtianly a lot cheeper than trying to research the spell that would do basicly the same thing. Though, I do not see any reason to disallow a spell that does it though. Only if the player asks to use those rules. There's no reason NOT to make him work for things ;)
StevenO 08-08-07, 07:43 PM	Or, take a look at the rules for mastering foriegn spellbooks in Complete Arcane (pg 140). You make 1 spellcraft check, spend some downtime, and vola, no need to rescribe the book. It is cirtianly a lot cheeper than trying to research the spell that would do basicly the same thing. Though, I do not see any reason to disallow a spell that does it though. What he want is already covered in nonspell form. Doesn't Read Magic already allow him to easily use others spellbooks? As for new spells in general, allow them but they are still subject to your ruling.
Mock26 08-08-07, 10:11 PM	One of the guidelines I use when creating a new spell is that if it is a combination of two or more different spells I make it one level higher than the highest level spell being duplicated.
Mock26 08-08-07, 10:12 PM	What he want is already covered in nonspell form. Doesn't Read Magic already allow him to easily use others spellbooks? As for new spells in general, allow them but they are still subject to your ruling.I get the impression that he doesn't just want to be able to read magic, he wants the spell to automatically and permanently rearragne the text in the book to be that of his own personal magical text so he wouldn't have to cast read magic in order to read these other spell books.
Sarella Starshine 08-09-07, 03:43 PM	I get the impression that he doesn't just want to be able to read magic, he wants the spell to automatically and permanently rearragne the text in the book to be that of his own personal magical text so he wouldn't have to cast read magic in order to read these other spell books. Exactly. What the Complete Arcane mastery does is lets you become so familiar with that person's notation that it essentially becomes yours. It is cheeper and faster than researching a spell that does basicly the same thing. But if that person is so keen on the spell, there is no reason to deny it to him.
Phrennzy 08-10-07, 10:02 AM	I don't like the idea of a 4th level caster creating a spell of a level he cannot cast. How could he be sure it works?