Nether Scroll [Archive] - Wizards Community

Nether Scroll [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
FallenGrace
12-28-05, 03:49 PM Sorry if this is asked before.

What is Nether Scroll? is it a spell? if it is what does it do?
Kadasbrass
12-28-05, 07:13 PM The Nether Scrolls are set of 50 ancient scrolls (there were two known sets). They were records that detailed the very nature of magic. Those that read the scrolls were said to understand magic in a new found way and became much more powerful in the magical art.

The scrolls are made of sheets of gold and were writing in silver. The magical nature of the scrolls allowed anyone with an language to read the scrolls since the writing changed per user and would move on its own as the reader read the scrolls (i.e. one scroll could have much more ‘written’ on it then normal).
erasmus1634
12-30-05, 09:57 AM If you pick up the Lost Empires book it will have a more detailed description, location of a set, and game rules for them.
Blackheart
12-31-05, 01:25 AM Serpent Kingdoms mentioned them at least a dozen times, too, so you might want to give that read to piece some of the story of the scrolls together.
And it's just a good book, in general.
Agent_of_the_Crown
12-31-05, 11:53 PM I read in a post somewhere on this board that stated that the Nether Scrolls each grant 1 spellcasting level. So that if you read all 50 you are a 50th level spellcaster. Is this true, and if so where does it say this. I don't own a copy of Lost Empires, but I could get access to it easily enough. Does it actually tell you that you get 1 level per scroll?
Kadasbrass
01-01-06, 12:30 AM It says if you read one you get a level. The rest is left up to the DM. Richard Baker (one of the authors for LEoF) said that the rules have no clear answer on this, each scroll granting an level would be too powerful and a max of one level no matter how many scrolls you read would be... (Can't remember how he worded it or what he said)....
MaskedOne
01-01-06, 12:30 AM It states that study of one scroll grants one level in a spellcasting class. I believe it must be an arcane spellcasting class and I do not believe there is any specific mention of whether the effect is a one shot only deal or if it applies again with every scroll that is read. I'm inclined to believe the former but an argument can be made for either position unless errata that I don't know of has come out or a game designer has already commented on the subject.
MaskedOne
01-01-06, 12:35 AM It says if you read one you get a level. The rest is left up to the DM. Richard Baker (one of the authors for LEoF) said that the rules have no clear answer on this, each scroll granting an level would be too powerful and a max of one level no matter how many scrolls you read would be... (Can't remember how he worded it or what he said)....

Posted my earlier comment at the same time.

Perhaps, one level for the first scroll read and one additional level for each full subset of I believe 10. I don't remember precisely how they were divided but an extra level for each segment as well as the one for the first scroll might be a suitable compromise.
CuttinCurt
01-01-06, 12:39 AM To answer the last posters question, Yes. If you find one of the scrolls, it has so much useful information in it that your character, should he decide to decifer the scroll, (I know there is a dc check on this but can not remember the check... DC40 I think), then you can use that information to your advantage and gain a level in one of your arcane spellcasting classes for your character.

It actually brings you up to midppoint of the next level. So it is an experience bonus. Quite a good one too.

Anyhow, that is what I remember off the top of my head. I just read it the other day, so I am sure it is not out of date.

I think I read it in Lost empires, so that is the way to go. But for more history, read the 2nd ed. suppliment called Nethril Age of magic.

CC
Agent_of_the_Crown
01-01-06, 02:34 AM I certainly hope that there isn't a set of scrolls, no matter how rare and informative that could take a novice from 1st level to 50th, or simply add 50 levels to any existing mage of any level for that matter. That would just plain be silly. Perhaps one every 10 would be OK (with a max of 5), but even that would seem to be pushing it in my opinion. Thanks for the info, I will have to look it up in Lost Empires and see for myself.
Blackheart
01-01-06, 04:46 PM I don't see how a 1st level mage would come into contact with an artifact anyway, as most are in places that are either naturally difficult/dangerous to go to, or are guarded by powerful creatures/magics. (i.e., Bad form, DM, bad form.)
As to mechanics, there are two sets of fifty scrolls, which are then broke down into 5 chapters of 10 scrolls each.
Reading just one scroll gives the player a level in the arcane spellcasting class of their choice, taking them to the midpoint of xp of their next level.
Reading all 10 scrolls of a chapter grants an additional bonus.
erasmus1634
01-02-06, 02:22 PM I certainly hope that there isn't a set of scrolls, no matter how rare and informative that could take a novice from 1st level to 50th, or simply add 50 levels to any existing mage of any level for that matter. That would just plain be silly. Perhaps one every 10 would be OK (with a max of 5), but even that would seem to be pushing it in my opinion. Thanks for the info, I will have to look it up in Lost Empires and see for myself.

It should never happen. The one complete set (that I remember) is in one of the most feared places in all of Faerun; Myth Drannor. Add to that they they are very well hidden (in plainn sight) AND to use them you do need a DC 40 to decifer them makes it more than impossible for a lower level person to take advantage of their power.
Ripe
01-02-06, 04:33 PM And to that you must add that it takes one full month of doing nothing except studying scroll to read a single scroll.

The way I understand it is that reading a single scroll give put you at midpoint to next level [say you're 9th level when you read a scroll, that put you at exactly 50.000 XP which is modpoint to 11th level]. At that point you have a choice to:
1. Take a level in arcane spellcasting class or prestige class
2. Spend that XP on item creation or spell reaserch

The point is that if you don't level up and choose to spend XP on item creation, next scroll you read would put you back to that same midpoint.

Now there are 5 Chapters (each containing 10 scrolls) and reading complete chapter give you following bonus:
Chapter One: +30 to Spellcraft, +1 to save DC when casting Arcane spells
Chapter Two: 3 bonus Item creation feats, XP cost for Item creation drop to 75%
Chapter Three: Craft Construct as a bonus feat, any constuct you make have max HP
Chapter Four: plane shift 1/day, ignore hostile & debitating planar environmental effects
Chapter Five: ability to create Artifacts [scrolls from this chapter require additional key to be read]

As you can see most of the bonuses are geared towards Item creation, and ancient Netherese who studied them used most of the XP gained from reading those scrolls for Item Creation [which could explain why is Iolaum only Wizard 31/Archmage 5/Netherese Arcanist 5 even after reading entire set of 50 scrolls].

So yes, your average PC would gain 40 levels from reading all the scrolls he could decipher (it's your decision as a DM if you'll allow him to read scrolls from Chapter Five), but that is only because your average PC don't take Item creation feats [I was actually called bully in another discusion on this board when I suggested that PC should use Item creation feats]. Then again, with huge XP gain those scrolls offer any PC would be tempted to make himself powerfull magical items (especially if he read entire 2nd Chapter).
Blackheart
01-03-06, 03:02 PM Maybe I misread the Nether Scroll writeup (multiple times), but I'm not seeing the DC40 Decipher Script check, is it somewhere else in Lost Empires or another source?
Also, Ripe...you can't spend those xp on Item Creation as the effects are instantaneous, placing the character at the midpoint of their next level, and thus giving them the level before they have time to craft anything. Unless they happen to be a deity with the ability to craft items freely.
Ripe
01-03-06, 03:32 PM ...Also, Ripe...you can't spend those xp on Item Creation as the effects are instantaneous, placing the character at the midpoint of their next level, and thus giving them the level before they have time to craft anything. Unless they happen to be a deity with the ability to craft items freely.
You're right. The description does say that. Even better it said CLASS not class or prestige class.

So how :censored: can Iolaum be only 41st level (and Wizard 31/Archmage 5/Netherese Arcanist 5) when he read ENTIRE set of 50 scrolls????? And that Scrolls cannot give him levels in either Archmage or Netherise Arcanist?????

If I ever used them in my campaign [and that is a very big IF], they are going to work the way I presented in my post.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FallenGrace 12-28-05, 03:49 PM	Sorry if this is asked before. What is Nether Scroll? is it a spell? if it is what does it do?
Kadasbrass 12-28-05, 07:13 PM	The Nether Scrolls are set of 50 ancient scrolls (there were two known sets). They were records that detailed the very nature of magic. Those that read the scrolls were said to understand magic in a new found way and became much more powerful in the magical art. The scrolls are made of sheets of gold and were writing in silver. The magical nature of the scrolls allowed anyone with an language to read the scrolls since the writing changed per user and would move on its own as the reader read the scrolls (i.e. one scroll could have much more ‘written’ on it then normal).
erasmus1634 12-30-05, 09:57 AM	If you pick up the Lost Empires book it will have a more detailed description, location of a set, and game rules for them.
Blackheart 12-31-05, 01:25 AM	Serpent Kingdoms mentioned them at least a dozen times, too, so you might want to give that read to piece some of the story of the scrolls together. And it's just a good book, in general.
Agent_of_the_Crown 12-31-05, 11:53 PM	I read in a post somewhere on this board that stated that the Nether Scrolls each grant 1 spellcasting level. So that if you read all 50 you are a 50th level spellcaster. Is this true, and if so where does it say this. I don't own a copy of Lost Empires, but I could get access to it easily enough. Does it actually tell you that you get 1 level per scroll?
Kadasbrass 01-01-06, 12:30 AM	It says if you read one you get a level. The rest is left up to the DM. Richard Baker (one of the authors for LEoF) said that the rules have no clear answer on this, each scroll granting an level would be too powerful and a max of one level no matter how many scrolls you read would be... (Can't remember how he worded it or what he said)....
MaskedOne 01-01-06, 12:30 AM	It states that study of one scroll grants one level in a spellcasting class. I believe it must be an arcane spellcasting class and I do not believe there is any specific mention of whether the effect is a one shot only deal or if it applies again with every scroll that is read. I'm inclined to believe the former but an argument can be made for either position unless errata that I don't know of has come out or a game designer has already commented on the subject.
MaskedOne 01-01-06, 12:35 AM	It says if you read one you get a level. The rest is left up to the DM. Richard Baker (one of the authors for LEoF) said that the rules have no clear answer on this, each scroll granting an level would be too powerful and a max of one level no matter how many scrolls you read would be... (Can't remember how he worded it or what he said).... Posted my earlier comment at the same time. Perhaps, one level for the first scroll read and one additional level for each full subset of I believe 10. I don't remember precisely how they were divided but an extra level for each segment as well as the one for the first scroll might be a suitable compromise.
CuttinCurt 01-01-06, 12:39 AM	To answer the last posters question, Yes. If you find one of the scrolls, it has so much useful information in it that your character, should he decide to decifer the scroll, (I know there is a dc check on this but can not remember the check... DC40 I think), then you can use that information to your advantage and gain a level in one of your arcane spellcasting classes for your character. It actually brings you up to midppoint of the next level. So it is an experience bonus. Quite a good one too. Anyhow, that is what I remember off the top of my head. I just read it the other day, so I am sure it is not out of date. I think I read it in Lost empires, so that is the way to go. But for more history, read the 2nd ed. suppliment called Nethril Age of magic. CC
Agent_of_the_Crown 01-01-06, 02:34 AM	I certainly hope that there isn't a set of scrolls, no matter how rare and informative that could take a novice from 1st level to 50th, or simply add 50 levels to any existing mage of any level for that matter. That would just plain be silly. Perhaps one every 10 would be OK (with a max of 5), but even that would seem to be pushing it in my opinion. Thanks for the info, I will have to look it up in Lost Empires and see for myself.
Blackheart 01-01-06, 04:46 PM	I don't see how a 1st level mage would come into contact with an artifact anyway, as most are in places that are either naturally difficult/dangerous to go to, or are guarded by powerful creatures/magics. (i.e., Bad form, DM, bad form.) As to mechanics, there are two sets of fifty scrolls, which are then broke down into 5 chapters of 10 scrolls each. Reading just one scroll gives the player a level in the arcane spellcasting class of their choice, taking them to the midpoint of xp of their next level. Reading all 10 scrolls of a chapter grants an additional bonus.
erasmus1634 01-02-06, 02:22 PM	I certainly hope that there isn't a set of scrolls, no matter how rare and informative that could take a novice from 1st level to 50th, or simply add 50 levels to any existing mage of any level for that matter. That would just plain be silly. Perhaps one every 10 would be OK (with a max of 5), but even that would seem to be pushing it in my opinion. Thanks for the info, I will have to look it up in Lost Empires and see for myself. It should never happen. The one complete set (that I remember) is in one of the most feared places in all of Faerun; Myth Drannor. Add to that they they are very well hidden (in plainn sight) AND to use them you do need a DC 40 to decifer them makes it more than impossible for a lower level person to take advantage of their power.
Ripe 01-02-06, 04:33 PM	And to that you must add that it takes one full month of doing nothing except studying scroll to read a single scroll. The way I understand it is that reading a single scroll give put you at midpoint to next level [say you're 9th level when you read a scroll, that put you at exactly 50.000 XP which is modpoint to 11th level]. At that point you have a choice to: 1. Take a level in arcane spellcasting class or prestige class 2. Spend that XP on item creation or spell reaserch The point is that if you don't level up and choose to spend XP on item creation, next scroll you read would put you back to that same midpoint. Now there are 5 Chapters (each containing 10 scrolls) and reading complete chapter give you following bonus: Chapter One: +30 to Spellcraft, +1 to save DC when casting Arcane spells Chapter Two: 3 bonus Item creation feats, XP cost for Item creation drop to 75% Chapter Three: Craft Construct as a bonus feat, any constuct you make have max HP Chapter Four: plane shift 1/day, ignore hostile & debitating planar environmental effects Chapter Five: ability to create Artifacts [scrolls from this chapter require additional key to be read] As you can see most of the bonuses are geared towards Item creation, and ancient Netherese who studied them used most of the XP gained from reading those scrolls for Item Creation [which could explain why is Iolaum only Wizard 31/Archmage 5/Netherese Arcanist 5 even after reading entire set of 50 scrolls]. So yes, your average PC would gain 40 levels from reading all the scrolls he could decipher (it's your decision as a DM if you'll allow him to read scrolls from Chapter Five), but that is only because your average PC don't take Item creation feats [I was actually called bully in another discusion on this board when I suggested that PC should use Item creation feats]. Then again, with huge XP gain those scrolls offer any PC would be tempted to make himself powerfull magical items (especially if he read entire 2nd Chapter).
Blackheart 01-03-06, 03:02 PM	Maybe I misread the Nether Scroll writeup (multiple times), but I'm not seeing the DC40 Decipher Script check, is it somewhere else in Lost Empires or another source? Also, Ripe...you can't spend those xp on Item Creation as the effects are instantaneous, placing the character at the midpoint of their next level, and thus giving them the level before they have time to craft anything. Unless they happen to be a deity with the ability to craft items freely.
Ripe 01-03-06, 03:32 PM	...Also, Ripe...you can't spend those xp on Item Creation as the effects are instantaneous, placing the character at the midpoint of their next level, and thus giving them the level before they have time to craft anything. Unless they happen to be a deity with the ability to craft items freely. You're right. The description does say that. Even better it said CLASS not class or prestige class. So how :censored: can Iolaum be only 41st level (and Wizard 31/Archmage 5/Netherese Arcanist 5) when he read ENTIRE set of 50 scrolls????? And that Scrolls cannot give him levels in either Archmage or Netherise Arcanist????? If I ever used them in my campaign [and that is a very big IF], they are going to work the way I presented in my post.