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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG

Rules Index | GM Screen | Player's Guide
GM Core / Chapter 5: Treasure Trove

Scrolls

Source GM Core pg. 262 2.0
A scroll contains a single spell that you can cast without having to expend a spell slot. A scroll can be Crafted to contain nearly any spell. The exceptions are cantrips, focus spells, and rituals, none of which can be put on scrolls. The spell on a scroll can be cast only once, and the scroll is destroyed as part of the casting. The spell on the scroll is cast at a particular spell rank, as determined by the scroll. For instance, a scroll of force barrage (1st rank) can be used to cast the 1st-rank version of force barrage, but not a force barrage heightened to 2nd rank. If no rank is listed, the scroll can be used to cast the spell at its lowest rank.

If you find a scroll, you can try to figure out what spell it contains. If the spell is a common spell from your spell list or a spell you know, you can spend a single Recall Knowledge action and automatically succeed at identifying the scroll's spell. If it's not, you must Identify Magic.

Click here for the Scrolls category page.

Casting a Spell from a Scroll

Source GM Core pg. 262 2.0
Casting a Spell from a scroll requires holding the scroll in one hand and activating it with a Cast a Spell activity using the normal number of actions for that spell. The spell must appear on your spell list. Because you're the one Casting the Spell, use your spell attack modifier and spell DC. The spell also gains the appropriate trait for your tradition (arcane, divine, occult, or primal).

Any physical costs are provided when a scroll is created, so you don't need to provide them when casting from a scroll. If the spell requires a locus, you must have that locus to Cast the Spell from a scroll.

Scroll Statistics

Source GM Core pg. 262 2.0
All scrolls have the same base statistics unless noted otherwise. A scroll has light Bulk and must be held in one hand to be activated.

Varying Statistics

Source GM Core pg. 262 2.0
The magic scroll stat block indicates the item level and Price of a scroll, both of which are based on the rank of the spell in the scroll. Any costs to Cast the Spell are added to the scroll's Price when the scroll is crafted, so a scroll containing a spell with a Cost entry will have a higher Price than what's on the table. The scroll's rarity matches the spell's rarity.

The traits for a scroll vary based on the spell it contains. A scroll always has the consumable, magical, and scroll traits, plus any traits that might be relevant to identifying the item, such as illusion or fire. The GM determines the extra traits, if necessary.

Crafting a Scroll

Source GM Core pg. 262 2.0
The process to Craft a scroll is much like that to Craft any other magic item. When you begin the crafting process, choose a spell to put into the scroll. You must either Cast that Spell during the crafting process, or someone else must do so in your presence. Casting that Spell doesn't produce its normal effects; instead, the magic is trapped inside the scroll. The casting must come from a spellcaster expending a spell slot. You can't Craft a scroll from a spell produced from another magic item, for example. The caster must provide any cost of the spell. A scroll's rarity is the same as that of the spell it contains.

Like other consumables, scrolls can be crafted in batches of four. All scrolls of one batch must contain the same spell at the same rank, and you must provide one casting for each scroll that is crafted.

Magic Scroll

Source GM Core pg. 262 2.0
A scroll’s Price and level are based on the spell. The name is simply “scroll of,” followed by the spell’s name.

Example Magic Scroll

This example magic scroll contains a 1st-rank illusory disguise spell.

Scroll Of Illusory Disguise Item 1

Consumable Illusion Magical Scroll
Price 4 gp
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L
Activate [two-actions] Cast a Spell
You cast illusory disguise as a 1st-rank spell.
Craft Requirements Supply one casting of illusory disguise.