Spellbook - Revision history

Tao alexis at 01:33, 14 April 2026

2026-04-14T01:33:02Z

Tao alexis at 01:29, 14 April 2026

2026-04-14T01:29:46Z

Tao alexis at 01:18, 14 April 2026

2026-04-14T01:18:46Z

Tao alexis: /* How Spells are Written */

2022-04-23T03:07:15Z

How Spells are Written

Tao alexis at 03:07, 23 April 2022

2022-04-23T03:07:03Z

Tao alexis at 02:01, 24 March 2021

2021-03-24T02:01:34Z

Tao alexis at 17:25, 26 August 2020

2020-08-26T17:25:35Z

Tao alexis at 22:23, 23 August 2020

2020-08-23T22:23:00Z

Tao alexis: /* How Spells are Written */

2020-08-23T22:22:48Z

How Spells are Written

Tao alexis at 22:19, 23 August 2020

2020-08-23T22:19:42Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:Spellbook.jpg|right|490px]]
+[[File:Spellbook.jpg|right|525px|thumb]]
 '''Spellbooks''' are used by [[Illusionist (class)|illusionists]] and [[Mage (class)|mages]] to store spells, allowing the daily study of symbols and diagrams too complex to be memorized or retained once a [[Spellcasting|spell]] has been cleared from the caster's mind. Illusionists and mages must therefore have access to a written form of their spells in order to use them again, making a spellbook their most important possession. Its loss can greatly reduce a caster's power for a time.
 __TOC__

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Spellbook.jpg|right|490px]]
-'''Spellbooks''' are used by [[Illusionist (class)|illusionists]] and [[Mage (class)|mages]] to store spells, allowing the daily study of symbols and diagrams too complex to be memorized or retained once a spell has been cleared from the caster's mind. Illusionists and mages must therefore have access to a written form of their spells in order to use them again, making a spellbook their most important possession. Its loss can greatly reduce a caster's power for a time.
+'''Spellbooks''' are used by [[Illusionist (class)|illusionists]] and [[Mage (class)|mages]] to store spells, allowing the daily study of symbols and diagrams too complex to be memorized or retained once a [[Spellcasting|spell]] has been cleared from the caster's mind. Illusionists and mages must therefore have access to a written form of their spells in order to use them again, making a spellbook their most important possession. Its loss can greatly reduce a caster's power for a time.
 __TOC__
-It is common for illusionists and mages to possess more than one spellbook, including copies kept hidden in secure locations in case of loss. Spellbooks are often stored in sealed metal containers to protect against fire and similar dangers. At minimum, a spellbook should have a leather cover, which must fail its save before the pages within are affected. As an alternative, spells may be stored on scrolls kept in strong cases and carried on the caster's person. Some consider this safer than carrying books in a pack.
+It is common for illusionists and mages to possess more than one spellbook, including copies kept hidden in secure locations in case of loss. Spellbooks are often stored in sealed metal containers to protect against [[Normal Fire|fire]] and similar dangers. At minimum, a spellbook should have a leather cover, which must fail its [[Saving Throws for Items|save]] before the pages within are affected. As an alternative, spells may be stored on [[Scroll|scrolls]] kept in strong cases and carried on the caster's person. Some consider this safer than carrying books in a pack.
 == Composition ==
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 == How Spells are Written ==
-When a caster gains a level and first understands a new spell, it may be argued that the spell should not be used until it is written into a spellbook. This would require access to a suitable [[Town|town]], a supply of [[Magical Ink|magical ink]] (one 2 oz. pot writes two spell levels), a prior copy of the spell in ordinary ink and six hours per level to complete the work.
+When a caster gains a [[Experience Level|level]] and first understands a new spell, it could be argued that the spell should not be used until it is written into a spellbook — however, at present this rule is considered suspended. Rewriting a spell anew that the character already has, however, requires locating a suitable [[Town|town]], an apothecary and a supply of one 2 fl.oz. ink pot of [[Magical Ink|magical ink]] per two spell levels to be written. A prior copy of the spell, which need be written in merely ordinary ink, as well as six hours per spell level, is also necessary. These things can be obtained from another mage, or more typically a [[Mage Guild|mage guild]], which are small associations whose purpose is support and enablement of other mages. If the character is not a member of the guild, a nominal fee of 20 g.p. is sufficient to become a "member."
-This requirement is not enforced. It is assumed that such work has been completed outside the campaign. The presence of the spell in the caster's book is accepted without tracking the process. It may be assumed that the caster maintains a small reserve of magical ink for this purpose, without the need to record it.
+Otherwise, the initial presence of a spell in the caster's book is accepted as a matter of course, handwaved if it were, without tracking the process. It may be assumed that the caster maintains a small reserve of magical ink for this purpose, without the need to record it.
-However, when copying spells into additional books, the process must be carried out in play. The caster must acquire the materials and spend the time to complete the work. This allows the creation of reserve copies stored in safe locations. Without such preparation, replacing a lost spellbook requires copying from the books of other casters, which is possible but inconvenient and sometimes difficult.
+However, when copying spells into additional books, the process must be carried out in play. The caster must acquire the materials and spend the time to complete the work. This discourages foolishness on the part of spellcasters and acts as a hedge against their power, while assuming the creation of reserve copies stored in safe locations. Without such guilds, replacing a lost spellbook requires copying from the books of other casters, which is possible but inconvenient and sometimes difficult.
@@ Line 25: / Line 23: @@
 [[Magical Spell Acquisition]]<br>
 [[Player Characters]]<br>
 [[Category: Reviewed]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Spellbook.jpg|right|490px]]
-A '''spellbook''' is used by [[Illusionist (class)|illusionists]] and [[Mage (class)|mages]] to "store spells," which allows the daily studying of symbols and diagrams that are far too complex and mystic to be memorized or retained once the spell has been "cleared."  That is, cast outwards from the caster's mind.  Illusionists and mages must, therefore, have access to a written version of these spells in order to re-use them, making a spellbook the most treasured single possession that these spellcasters can possess. Its loss can severely cripple a caster’s power for some time.
+'''Spellbooks''' are used by [[Illusionist (class)|illusionists]] and [[Mage (class)|mages]] to store spells, allowing the daily study of symbols and diagrams too complex to be memorized or retained once a spell has been cleared from the caster's mind. Illusionists and mages must therefore have access to a written form of their spells in order to use them again, making a spellbook their most important possession. Its loss can greatly reduce a caster's power for a time.
+__TOC__
-It is not uncommon for illusionists and mages to have more than one spellbook, and even copied spellbooks that are kept hidden in protected locations, in case a book is lost. As well, spellbooks may be stored in carefully sealed metal boxes, to protect them from fire and other like attacks; in the very least, it is important that a spellbook has a leather cover, which must fail save before the inner pages must need to save in their turn. As an alternative to spellbooks, casters may choose to store their spells on scrolls, which can be placed inside tight, strong scroll cases and slung around the caster’s body. Some consider this more secure than carrying books in a backpack.
+It is common for illusionists and mages to possess more than one spellbook, including copies kept hidden in secure locations in case of loss. Spellbooks are often stored in sealed metal containers to protect against fire and similar dangers. At minimum, a spellbook should have a leather cover, which must fail its save before the pages within are affected. As an alternative, spells may be stored on scrolls kept in strong cases and carried on the caster's person. Some consider this safer than carrying books in a pack.
 == Composition ==
-Spellbooks and scrolls are measured in "quires," which are four sheets of paper folded to create eight "leaves." Each leaf then has a front and a back "page." Therefore, a quire equals 16 pages. Twenty quires form a "ream," which is equal to 320 pages. A page is considered to be 108 square inches, or 9 x 12 inches in space.
+Spellbooks and scrolls are measured in "quires," consisting of four sheets folded to create eight leaves. Each leaf has a front and back page, so that a quire equals 16 pages. Twenty quires form a "ream," equal to 320 pages. A page is defined as 108 square inches, or 9 by 12 inches. A cantrip requires one half page, so that 32 cantrips fill one quire. A spell requires one page per spell level, so that 16 spell levels fill one quire. Because book sizes vary, spellbooks are described by the number of quires they contain rather than by page size. Larger pages are still measured in standard quires, so that only total capacity matters. Quires also provide a consistent measure of weight.
-A written cantrip requires ½ a page; 32 cantrips would fill an entire quire. A spell requires 1 page per spell level, so that 16 spell levels will also fill a quire.  Because actual book sizes can vary, spellbooks are always described by how many quires the book actually possesses in terms of square inches, and not in page size.  A book with large leaves and pages would still be measure in standard quires, so that players need only know the total space inside the book to determine how much capacity it has.  Additionally, quires are a constant measure of book weight.
+When a spellbook is filled, the caster must obtain another. As a caster gains [[Experience Level|levels]], multiple books become necessary, since powerful spells consume large portions of a quire. The caster knows which spells are in each book, but should identify them clearly if any are at risk. Spells gained early in a career will not be found in later volumes.
-Once a spellbook is full, the caster must purchase another empty book. In time, a high [[Experience Level|level]] caster will need multiple books to keep their additional spells, particularly as two or three powerful spells take up a single quire.  The caster will always know which spells are in which book, but should specify in case any book is threatened or lost.  Obviously, the spells that a character gained at the start of adventuring won't be found in a more recent book.
+If scrolls are used, more must be acquired as spells increase. A typical scroll is 9 inches wide and long enough to equal one quire, though smaller pieces may be used if desired.
 == How Spells are Written ==
-When a caster obtains a new level, and comprehends for the first time how to use a new spell, it has been proposed that they should forego the use of that spell until it is added to their spellbook. This would require access to a fair-sized [[Town|town]], a supply of [[Magical Ink|magical ink]] (one 2 oz. pot will write two spell levels), a scratched copy of the spell in ordinary ink from their school days, and time to carefully copy the spell — a time period of six hours per level.
+When a caster gains a level and first understands a new spell, it may be argued that the spell should not be used until it is written into a spellbook. This would require access to a suitable [[Town|town]], a supply of [[Magical Ink|magical ink]] (one 2 oz. pot writes two spell levels), a prior copy of the spell in ordinary ink and six hours per level to complete the work.
-I have never asked a player to do this.  I do not wish to specifically punish illusionists and mages with sush a policy. I prefer to hand wave the issue, choosing to presume that the above has been accomplished at some point, out of campaign.  I am unconcerned that this strains the believability of my campaign. I have never had a player call me out on it — nor even seem to realize the irrationality of the spell simply appearing in the caster's spellbook when the time is right. It could be argued that the caster has somehow found a way to keep a small supply of magical ink for the time when it is needed; and that this supply does not need to be tracked, as it is incidental.
+This requirement is not enforced. It is assumed that such work has been completed outside the campaign. The presence of the spell in the caster's book is accepted without tracking the process. It may be assumed that the caster maintains a small reserve of magical ink for this purpose, without the need to record it.
-However, if a character wishes to copy a spell into a second or third spellbook, in order to have a reserve copy that is perhaps kept at home or safely with a friend, then the necessity of going through the process of purchasing the book, the magical ink and writing the spell should take place in the campaign.  Doing so wisely would then leave the caster with a copy they can simply go collect, without having to assemble these spells from '''other casters'''' spellbooks, which is entirely possible if not bothersome and perhaps aggravating as one or two originals prove very difficult to find.
+However, when copying spells into additional books, the process must be carried out in play. The caster must acquire the materials and spend the time to complete the work. This allows the creation of reserve copies stored in safe locations. Without such preparation, replacing a lost spellbook requires copying from the books of other casters, which is possible but inconvenient and sometimes difficult.
-Therefore it is difficult, but not impossible for a caster to replace a spellbook.  It might be reasoned that the caster could return to their hometown, look up their old master and re-obtain all the spells they learned while in training.  However, the destruction of a spellbook does not permit the caster to "choose new spells."  They are still bound by the knowledge of spells they had before the spellbook was lost.
+A spellbook can be replaced, though not easily. A caster may return to a former master to recover spells learned in training. However, the loss of a spellbook does not allow the caster to choose new spells. The caster remains limited to the spells previously known.
@@ Line 27: / Line 25: @@
 [[Magical Spell Acquisition]]<br>
 [[Player Characters]]<br>
-[[Spellcasting |Spellcasting]]
+[[Spellcasting|Spellcasting]]

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
-See Also,<br>
+See also,<br>
 [[Illusionary Spell Acquisition |Illusionary Spell Acquisition]]<br>
 [[Magical Spell Acquisition]]<br>
 [[Player Characters]]<br>
 [[Spellcasting |Spellcasting]]

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 See Also,<br>
-Illusionary Spell Acquisition<br>
+[[Illusionary Spell Acquisition |Illusionary Spell Acquisition]]<br>
-Magical Spell Acquisition<br>
+[[Magical Spell Acquisition]]<br>
-Player Characters<br>
+[[Player Characters]]<br>
-Spellcasting
+[[Spellcasting |Spellcasting]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:23, 23 August 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	[[File:Spellbook.jpg\|right\|~~350px~~]]	+	[[File:Spellbook.jpg\|right\|490px]]
	A '''spellbook''' is used by [[Illusionist (class)\|illusionists]] and [[Mage (class)\|mages]] to "store spells," which allows the daily studying of symbols and diagrams that are far too complex and mystic to be memorized or retained once the spell has been "cleared." That is, cast outwards from the caster's mind. Illusionists and mages must, therefore, have access to a written version of these spells in order to re-use them, making a spellbook the most treasured single possession that these spellcasters can possess. Its loss can severely cripple a caster’s power for some time.		A '''spellbook''' is used by [[Illusionist (class)\|illusionists]] and [[Mage (class)\|mages]] to "store spells," which allows the daily studying of symbols and diagrams that are far too complex and mystic to be memorized or retained once the spell has been "cleared." That is, cast outwards from the caster's mind. Illusionists and mages must, therefore, have access to a written version of these spells in order to re-use them, making a spellbook the most treasured single possession that these spellcasters can possess. Its loss can severely cripple a caster’s power for some time.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:22, 23 August 2020
Line 19:		Line 19:

	However, if a character wishes to copy a spell into a second or third spellbook, in order to have a reserve copy that is perhaps kept at home or safely with a friend, then the necessity of going through the process of purchasing the book, the magical ink and writing the spell should take place in the campaign. Doing so wisely would then leave the caster with a copy they can simply go collect, without having to assemble these spells from '''other casters'''' spellbooks, which is entirely possible if not bothersome and perhaps aggravating as one or two originals prove very difficult to find.		However, if a character wishes to copy a spell into a second or third spellbook, in order to have a reserve copy that is perhaps kept at home or safely with a friend, then the necessity of going through the process of purchasing the book, the magical ink and writing the spell should take place in the campaign. Doing so wisely would then leave the caster with a copy they can simply go collect, without having to assemble these spells from '''other casters'''' spellbooks, which is entirely possible if not bothersome and perhaps aggravating as one or two originals prove very difficult to find.
		+
		+	Therefore it is difficult, but not impossible for a caster to replace a spellbook. It might be reasoned that the caster could return to their hometown, look up their old master and re-obtain all the spells they learned while in training. However, the destruction of a spellbook does not permit the caster to "choose new spells." They are still bound by the knowledge of spells they had before the spellbook was lost.
		+
		+
		+	See Also,<br>
		+	Illusionary Spell Acquisition<br>
		+	Magical Spell Acquisition<br>
		+	Player Characters<br>
		+	Spellcasting

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:19, 23 August 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Spellbook.jpg\|right\|350px]]		[[File:Spellbook.jpg\|right\|350px]]
		+	A '''spellbook''' is used by [[Illusionist (class)\|illusionists]] and [[Mage (class)\|mages]] to "store spells," which allows the daily studying of symbols and diagrams that are far too complex and mystic to be memorized or retained once the spell has been "cleared." That is, cast outwards from the caster's mind. Illusionists and mages must, therefore, have access to a written version of these spells in order to re-use them, making a spellbook the most treasured single possession that these spellcasters can possess. Its loss can severely cripple a caster’s power for some time.
		+
		+	It is not uncommon for illusionists and mages to have more than one spellbook, and even copied spellbooks that are kept hidden in protected locations, in case a book is lost. As well, spellbooks may be stored in carefully sealed metal boxes, to protect them from fire and other like attacks; in the very least, it is important that a spellbook has a leather cover, which must fail save before the inner pages must need to save in their turn. As an alternative to spellbooks, casters may choose to store their spells on scrolls, which can be placed inside tight, strong scroll cases and slung around the caster’s body. Some consider this more secure than carrying books in a backpack.
		+
		+	== Composition ==
		+	Spellbooks and [[Scroll (magic item)\|scrolls]] are measured in "quires," which are four sheets of paper folded to create eight "leaves." Each leaf then has a front and a back "page." Therefore, a quire equals 16 pages. Twenty quires form a "ream," which is equal to 320 pages. A page is considered to be 108 square inches, or 9 x 12 inches in space.
		+
		+	A written cantrip requires ½ a page; 32 cantrips would fill an entire quire. A spell requires 1 page per spell level, so that 16 spell levels will also fill a quire. Because actual book sizes can vary, spellbooks are always described by how many quires the book actually possesses in terms of square inches, and not in page size. A book with large leaves and pages would still be measure in standard quires, so that players need only know the total space inside the book to determine how much capacity it has. Additionally, quires are a constant measure of book weight.
		+
		+	Once a spellbook is full, the caster must purchase another empty book. In time, a high [[Experience Level\|level]] caster will need multiple books to keep their additional spells, particularly as two or three powerful spells take up a single quire. The caster will always know which spells are in which book, but should specify in case any book is threatened or lost. Obviously, the spells that a character gained at the start of adventuring won't be found in a more recent book.
		+
		+	If scrolls are used, then additional scrolls must be purchased as spells and cantrips are accumulated. Scrolls are typically 9 inches wide and long enough to be equal to one quire — but the caster may employ scraps of paper if this is desirable.
		+
		+	== How Spells are Written ==
		+	When a caster obtains a new level, and comprehends for the first time how to use a new spell, it has been proposed that they should forego the use of that spell until it is added to their spellbook. This would require access to a fair-sized town, a supply of [[Magical Ink\|magical ink]] (one 2 oz. pot will write two spell levels), a scratched copy of the spell in ordinary ink from their school days, and time to carefully copy the spell — a time period of six hours per level.
		+
		+	I have never asked a player to do this. I do not wish to specifically punish illusionists and mages with sush a policy. I prefer to hand wave the issue, choosing to presume that the above has been accomplished at some point, out of campaign. I am unconcerned that this strains the believability of my campaign. I have never had a player call me out on it — nor even seem to realize the irrationality of the spell simply appearing in the caster's spellbook when the time is right. It could be argued that the caster has somehow found a way to keep a small supply of magical ink for the time when it is needed; and that this supply does not need to be tracked, as it is incidental.
		+
		+	However, if a character wishes to copy a spell into a second or third spellbook, in order to have a reserve copy that is perhaps kept at home or safely with a friend, then the necessity of going through the process of purchasing the book, the magical ink and writing the spell should take place in the campaign. Doing so wisely would then leave the caster with a copy they can simply go collect, without having to assemble these spells from '''other casters'''' spellbooks, which is entirely possible if not bothersome and perhaps aggravating as one or two originals prove very difficult to find.