A new magic item type: Spell Tome [Archive] - Wizards Community

A new magic item type: Spell Tome [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
CryoSilver
01-26-06, 09:35 PM New Magic Item: The Spell Tome

Many mages are familiar with scrolls: spells scribed onto parchment by another mage that contain all the power needed if they can be comprehended. However, scrolls have their drawbacks: if the mage isn't powerful enough, the scroll might not work, and in any case, it only works once. However, the rare lucky spellslinger comes across an item of greater power: the spell tome.

Spell tomes are thick books containing a spell in written form and infused with a reservoir of regenerating power that supplements the caster's own. In effect, they grant the caster access to the spells they contain so long as the tome can be read.

Rules

Deciphering a spell tome generally requires a Comprehend Languages spell if the caster does not read Draconic, the language in which most spell tomes are written. Spell tomes in other languages, such as Aquan or Ignan, even Infernal, are not unknown, often containing spells related to the language: water spell,s fire spells, summoning spells and the like. The caster must have the spell on his spell list, and have the proper version (arcane/divine).

In any case, once the tome is deciphered, it must be studied. This requires a Spellcraft check with a DC of 20+3 times the spell's level; the caster may take 10 on this check, but not 20. If he fails, he can not attempt again until he has gained at least 1 rank in Spellcraft. It takes one week to study a spell tome.

After studying the tome, the caster can cast the spell contained in it. If this spell is of a level higher than that which the caster can normally cast, he must read from the book when casting the spell, increasing the casting time to one minute if its casting time is normally shorter than that; spells with casting times longer than one minute are not affected in this capacity. If it is a spell of a level that the caster can normally cast, he adds it to his spellbook or spells known permanently and no longer requires the tome.

The spell's caster level is the caster's, or the minimum required to cast the spell, whichever higher if being cast from the tome; use the caster's CL if the spell has been added to his spells known/spellbook, just as if the spell had been normally acquired. The caster must still provide any necessary foci and components, including XP.

Creating Spell Tomes

Craft Spell Tome (item creation)
Requirements: Caster level 10+, Scribe Scroll
Benefits: You can craft spell tomes. Spell tomes cost 5,000*spell level*minimum caster level gp, and half that much plus the XP cost to craft. In addition, if the spell being placed in the tome has expensive material components, foci or XP costs, the caster must provide them on the final day of crafting; they are subsumed into the tome.

Comments?
SilentOne
01-26-06, 09:50 PM So let me get this straight. I can pay 5000 gp for the ability to cast magic missile at will with a 1st level CL through a tome...OR I can pay 4000 and just get a brick (magic brick mind you) to do it instead? Or 2000 and have it be an infinite wand? I'm missing the point of these tomes...

That being said, it's a very cool idea, and I hope you get it refined through critique to the point where it's usable.
CryoSilver
01-26-06, 10:11 PM You're right of course. It's been edited to reflect that.

Now, if you can actually learn the spell, it just becomes a normal spell you know, at your caster level: the min.caster level only applies when casting higher level spells from the tome.
CryoSilver
01-28-06, 08:24 PM No other comments? If not, then I'll post this item type on my website.
Kyuketsukiouji
01-28-06, 08:45 PM I'm not sure what the point of this is. For a wizard, a spell tome is basically useless, unless it's used with a tome of a spell that's of a higher level than yours. As soon as you reach the tome's level, it's worthless.

For a sorcerer, it's much cheaper to get a knowstone (spell level ^2 & 1000gp) and get the exact same effect.

An item that allowed you to learn and cast a single spell at will might be good, but that's not what your descriptions makes it out to me.
elven warriorXX
01-28-06, 08:52 PM I like this idea :) I Would get it instead of a magic brick. I am trying to make a Sorcerous(sp?) caster that has to read from the book but can cast any spell he knows with the needed spell slot. This makes some problems but I think by giving him Class abilities that make his spell tome more protected would fix that. I will be calling him the Bookmage. This is a great magical item that will be needed for them.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
CryoSilver 01-26-06, 09:35 PM	New Magic Item: The Spell Tome Many mages are familiar with scrolls: spells scribed onto parchment by another mage that contain all the power needed if they can be comprehended. However, scrolls have their drawbacks: if the mage isn't powerful enough, the scroll might not work, and in any case, it only works once. However, the rare lucky spellslinger comes across an item of greater power: the spell tome. Spell tomes are thick books containing a spell in written form and infused with a reservoir of regenerating power that supplements the caster's own. In effect, they grant the caster access to the spells they contain so long as the tome can be read. Rules Deciphering a spell tome generally requires a Comprehend Languages spell if the caster does not read Draconic, the language in which most spell tomes are written. Spell tomes in other languages, such as Aquan or Ignan, even Infernal, are not unknown, often containing spells related to the language: water spell,s fire spells, summoning spells and the like. The caster must have the spell on his spell list, and have the proper version (arcane/divine). In any case, once the tome is deciphered, it must be studied. This requires a Spellcraft check with a DC of 20+3 times the spell's level; the caster may take 10 on this check, but not 20. If he fails, he can not attempt again until he has gained at least 1 rank in Spellcraft. It takes one week to study a spell tome. After studying the tome, the caster can cast the spell contained in it. If this spell is of a level higher than that which the caster can normally cast, he must read from the book when casting the spell, increasing the casting time to one minute if its casting time is normally shorter than that; spells with casting times longer than one minute are not affected in this capacity. If it is a spell of a level that the caster can normally cast, he adds it to his spellbook or spells known permanently and no longer requires the tome. The spell's caster level is the caster's, or the minimum required to cast the spell, whichever higher if being cast from the tome; use the caster's CL if the spell has been added to his spells known/spellbook, just as if the spell had been normally acquired. The caster must still provide any necessary foci and components, including XP. Creating Spell Tomes Craft Spell Tome (item creation) Requirements: Caster level 10+, Scribe Scroll Benefits: You can craft spell tomes. Spell tomes cost 5,000spell levelminimum caster level gp, and half that much plus the XP cost to craft. In addition, if the spell being placed in the tome has expensive material components, foci or XP costs, the caster must provide them on the final day of crafting; they are subsumed into the tome. Comments?
SilentOne 01-26-06, 09:50 PM	So let me get this straight. I can pay 5000 gp for the ability to cast magic missile at will with a 1st level CL through a tome...OR I can pay 4000 and just get a brick (magic brick mind you) to do it instead? Or 2000 and have it be an infinite wand? I'm missing the point of these tomes... That being said, it's a very cool idea, and I hope you get it refined through critique to the point where it's usable.
CryoSilver 01-26-06, 10:11 PM	You're right of course. It's been edited to reflect that. Now, if you can actually learn the spell, it just becomes a normal spell you know, at your caster level: the min.caster level only applies when casting higher level spells from the tome.
CryoSilver 01-28-06, 08:24 PM	No other comments? If not, then I'll post this item type on my website.
Kyuketsukiouji 01-28-06, 08:45 PM	I'm not sure what the point of this is. For a wizard, a spell tome is basically useless, unless it's used with a tome of a spell that's of a higher level than yours. As soon as you reach the tome's level, it's worthless. For a sorcerer, it's much cheaper to get a knowstone (spell level ^2 & 1000gp) and get the exact same effect. An item that allowed you to learn and cast a single spell at will might be good, but that's not what your descriptions makes it out to me.
elven warriorXX 01-28-06, 08:52 PM	I like this idea :) I Would get it instead of a magic brick. I am trying to make a Sorcerous(sp?) caster that has to read from the book but can cast any spell he knows with the needed spell slot. This makes some problems but I think by giving him Class abilities that make his spell tome more protected would fix that. I will be calling him the Bookmage. This is a great magical item that will be needed for them.