Scribe scrolls at lower power? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Scribe scrolls at lower power? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Nightbrother
09-10-07, 03:20 PM Hello all,

I've just searched quite a bit through older posts on the forums, and have not yet found any that specifically concern this perhaps slightly pedantic issue; however, it is now a real issue for my 3rd lvl cleric in the D&D campaign we are currently playing.

My question is this:
How stand you all regarding scribing scrolls of a lower power (caster level) than what the scriber currently has. I'm a lvl 3 cleric scribing quite a lot of spells, and yesterday we got into a discussion about whether of not it was possible for me to scribe 'Cure Light Wounds' at caster lvl 1, or if was only possible to do at my current lvl. The reason we discussed it, was the possibility of understanding if we were perhaps exploiting the system. 'Cure Light Wounds' doesn't scale very well as lvl's are gained, and so it would be preferable to scribe, if possible, three lvl 1 Cure Light Wounds, at 12.5gp cost in materials for each, instead of making ONE lvl 3 Cure Light Wounds, at a 37.5gp cost. Is that just how it is, or do you see how my DM feels it could be exploiting the system?

We also discussed the possible exploitation of other spells in this regard. How do you stand on the issue? We also talked about whether it could be reasonably explained in roleplay mechanics how a cleric would lessen the favor from his deity when creating scrolls that are less than his maximum power.

I know this question might sound pedantic and silly, but I can see both sides of the issue. However, it does mean the scribing of scrolls can become a rather rigid process with no possibility of versatility, in a way.

I'm still quite confused about the issue.

Thanks for any and all input! :)

EDIT:
Aha, I found an answer (well, I think so) on page 238 of the DM Guide. Would you all agree that what is described in the right column there represents a good answer to the question?
BugHunter
09-10-07, 03:45 PM IMO, when scrolls are scribed the person making the scroll can use as much or as little power needed above the minimum level needed to cast the spell.
Merestil Haye
09-10-07, 04:03 PM The SRD (and the DMG as errataed) say :For potions, scrolls, and wands, the creator can set the caster level of an item at any number high enough to cast the stored spell and not higher than her own caster level. For other magic items, the caster level is determined by the creator. The minimum caster level is that which is needed to meet the prerequisites given.It is perfectly legitimate to decide to scribe the scroll at 1st level instead of 3rd, or whatever your caster level is. Provided it is the minimum CL that would allow you to cast that spell.
Nightbrother
09-10-07, 04:47 PM Fantastic, thanks for the quick replies. Good news to my ears also! You made an old dwarf happy. ;)
Someone
09-11-07, 12:37 PM Note that the higher CL you make the scroll at, the more it will cost to make.

And you're generally better off making two scrolls of CLW at CL 1 than one at CL 2.
Einvaldurinn_mikli
09-11-07, 12:45 PM Note that the higher CL you make the scroll at, the more it will cost to make.

And you're generally better off making two scrolls of CLW at CL 1 than one at CL 2.

This is why he asked the question. Read the OP man.
Someone
09-12-07, 02:27 AM This is why he asked the question. Read the OP man.Anytime CL and cure wounds are mentioned together, I would point out that the d8s are more important/valuable than CL or metamagic based bonus hp.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nightbrother 09-10-07, 03:20 PM	Hello all, I've just searched quite a bit through older posts on the forums, and have not yet found any that specifically concern this perhaps slightly pedantic issue; however, it is now a real issue for my 3rd lvl cleric in the D&D campaign we are currently playing. My question is this: How stand you all regarding scribing scrolls of a lower power (caster level) than what the scriber currently has. I'm a lvl 3 cleric scribing quite a lot of spells, and yesterday we got into a discussion about whether of not it was possible for me to scribe 'Cure Light Wounds' at caster lvl 1, or if was only possible to do at my current lvl. The reason we discussed it, was the possibility of understanding if we were perhaps exploiting the system. 'Cure Light Wounds' doesn't scale very well as lvl's are gained, and so it would be preferable to scribe, if possible, three lvl 1 Cure Light Wounds, at 12.5gp cost in materials for each, instead of making ONE lvl 3 Cure Light Wounds, at a 37.5gp cost. Is that just how it is, or do you see how my DM feels it could be exploiting the system? We also discussed the possible exploitation of other spells in this regard. How do you stand on the issue? We also talked about whether it could be reasonably explained in roleplay mechanics how a cleric would lessen the favor from his deity when creating scrolls that are less than his maximum power. I know this question might sound pedantic and silly, but I can see both sides of the issue. However, it does mean the scribing of scrolls can become a rather rigid process with no possibility of versatility, in a way. I'm still quite confused about the issue. Thanks for any and all input! :) EDIT: Aha, I found an answer (well, I think so) on page 238 of the DM Guide. Would you all agree that what is described in the right column there represents a good answer to the question?
BugHunter 09-10-07, 03:45 PM	IMO, when scrolls are scribed the person making the scroll can use as much or as little power needed above the minimum level needed to cast the spell.
Merestil Haye 09-10-07, 04:03 PM	The SRD (and the DMG as errataed) say :For potions, scrolls, and wands, the creator can set the caster level of an item at any number high enough to cast the stored spell and not higher than her own caster level. For other magic items, the caster level is determined by the creator. The minimum caster level is that which is needed to meet the prerequisites given.It is perfectly legitimate to decide to scribe the scroll at 1st level instead of 3rd, or whatever your caster level is. Provided it is the minimum CL that would allow you to cast that spell.
Nightbrother 09-10-07, 04:47 PM	Fantastic, thanks for the quick replies. Good news to my ears also! You made an old dwarf happy. ;)
Someone 09-11-07, 12:37 PM	Note that the higher CL you make the scroll at, the more it will cost to make. And you're generally better off making two scrolls of CLW at CL 1 than one at CL 2.
Einvaldurinn_mikli 09-11-07, 12:45 PM	Note that the higher CL you make the scroll at, the more it will cost to make. And you're generally better off making two scrolls of CLW at CL 1 than one at CL 2. This is why he asked the question. Read the OP man.
Someone 09-12-07, 02:27 AM	This is why he asked the question. Read the OP man.Anytime CL and cure wounds are mentioned together, I would point out that the d8s are more important/valuable than CL or metamagic based bonus hp.