Scrollcaster (3.5e Class)

Scrollcaster
The wizard's spellbook is iconic, but no spellcaster keeps their spellbook with them. Except for the scrollcaster...

Making a Scrollcaster
Abilities: Intelligence is needed for their spellcasting abilities, while Dexterity keeps them alive with high AC, and Constitution for things they can't dodge. Strength, Wisdom, and Charisma aren't as important, but its important not to become too weak to hold your equipment or take penalties on important skill checks.

Races: Any.

Alignment: Any.

Starting Gold: 5d4&times;10 gp (125 gp).

Starting Age: As wizard.

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Scrollcaster.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Scrollcasters are proficient with the battle book, club, dagger, light and heavy mace, heavy crossbow, light crossbow, and quarterstaff, but not with any type of armor or shield. Armor of any type interferes with a scrollcaster's movements, which can cause their spells with somatic components to fail.

The scrollbook is a special form of battle book which is even more important than a wizard's spellbook, for a scrollcaster needs his scrollbook in order to cast spells. The scrollbook is empty, but it can attach scrolls to its spine which become the scrollbook's pages. A scroll transforms into a number of pages equal to the spell level (cantrips count as 1/2 a page).

When a scroll is cast from the scrollbook, the letters of the scroll jumble and fade but do not entirely vanish. The scroll becomes functional again after the scrollcaster has rested for 8 hours. Thus a scrollcaster's spell selection, as well as the number of times they may cast per day, is entirely based on which scrolls they hold within their scrollbook and how many pages they possess. They can dedicate the entire thing to nothing but 1st level spells but have plenty of casts per day, or choose to have only a few but powerful 9th level spells per day. Scrolls may be swapped out for new or different scrolls at the beginning of the day, and remain that way until the scrollcaster rests again.

Unlike normal scrolls, scrolls cast from the scrollbook are the same casting time as the spell they are duplicating, as well as needing material components, focii, or xp. In addition the scrollcaster must take a move action to find the correct page. They can attempt to find the correct page without the move action, but they suffer a 50% arcane spell failure if they do (failing does not expend the spell, but does waste the action). The one exception is immediate action spells which can be cast without needing to find the correct page. In addition scrolls cast via the scrollbook use the scrollcaster's Intelligence modifier for spell DCs, and the scrollcaster's class level as their caster level. A scroll can be torn out of the book as a move action and used as a normal scroll, though this consumes the scroll in the process as normal.

Unlike wizards, Intelligence does not grant the scrollcaster any extra scrollbook pages per day. However they do receive free scrolls as they level, which most choose to place in their scrollbook or keep on the side for later use. A scrollcaster starts with 3+Int modifier scrolls of 1st level or lower they can cast, and gain an additional 2 scrolls each level. Scrolls gained this way can't be a higher level than you can currently cast from your scrollbook. They may also add scrolls they gain later on into their scrollbook, provided they have enough pages.

If the scrollbook is lost or destroyed, the scrollbook can be re-created from memory. However it costs 200xp per caster level to restore the book, and 24 hours to re-create the book in a new scrollbook.

Scrollcasters cast from the sorcerer/wizard spell list, and are considered both spontaneous and prepared spellcasters. They act as prepared spellcasters for the purpose of metamagic use, placing the higher level metamagic version of the scroll in their scrollbook for as long as it remains in there.

They may still use higher level scrolls as normal, but cannot use scrollbook spells higher than the listed level.



 : The scrollcaster's scrollbook is more durable than normal. It has hardness 10 and 20 hp, with an additional +1 hardness and +5 hp per class level. The scrollbook is resistant to the elements and the scrolls are not ruined by water nor can they catch on fire (though they can still take fire damage as normal).

' :' The scrollcaster gains read magic'' as a spell-like ability at will.



' :' The scrollcaster gains summon writing tool'' as a spell-like ability at will. This functions like summon instrument, but summons a mundane writing tool such as a pen, pencil, or piece of chalk.

' :''' The scrollcaster can weaponize text, briefly transforming it into gateways to call up fonts of power and magical creatures. While it manifests as blasts of flame or a giant demonic claw jumping forth from the text and striking the enemy, the result is the same. The scrollcaster makes a ranged touch attack out to 30 ft and deals 1d6 damage plus +1 per caster level of untyped magic damage. He uses any text as a focus for this ability, including the contents of his scrollbook, but using this does not expend or damage the text in any way. If the focus has an enhancement bonus (such as being a battle book) it functions with this ability, if applicable.

Choose one of the abilities shown below. Abilities can only be taken once unless noted otherwise.

They must qualify for the feat as normal.

 : You can fire a ray out to 60 ft as a standard action, and hit them with an arcane mark which you can make visible or invisible (though it is always visible to you). You can write up to a single sentence in the mark, and have it float over the creature's head revealing their location even if they go invisible or are wearing a disguise (though they may still hide it by physically hiding). Arcane tagging can be removed the same way arcane mark can. You can also remove it with a second casting of arcane tagging.

You must have quick search to take this ability, and may take it multiple times.

 : The range of your symbol of sudden summoning extends to 60 ft, and now deals 1d10 + 2 points per caster level.

 : With a touch you can read the contents of an entire book as a standard action. Magical traps are not set off reading books this way, but they are not detected either, nor are illustrations. They are registered as blank pages.

You can take this twice, the second time gaining the Improved Familiar feat.

 : You gain maximum ranks in Speak Language for free. When you reach level 10, you are able to speak all languages including languages that don't exist and secret languages as if using tongues.

This bonus stacks for consecutive rounds to a maximum of +6 at the forth casting.

You still need to search pages as normal. You can choose to have your spells originate from the book instead of yourself, such as casting a touch spell on a creature who has stolen your book and is still in range.

The scrollcaster can write in their universal language, which will appear to be written in the reader's native language.

 : A 2nd level scrollcaster has to be careful not to lose his scrollbook. He can detect the position and direction of his scrollbook as long as it is within 1 mile, and can teleport it to his hand as a standard action as long as it is within 30 ft.

 : Once per day at 4th level and an additional time every four levels beyond, the scrollcaster can turn to the exact page he needs as a non-action instead of a move action.

 : At 5th level a scrollcaster now uses his caster level and spell DCs on normal scrolls, just as he does with his scrollbook. They are expended as normal.

 : A 7th level scrollcaster is immune to all symbol spells, glyphs, and magic traps which rely on reading or viewing an image such as explosive runes. They can read them but not trigger these traps, but are they affected as normal if or when they are triggered.

 : At 11th level, a scrollcaster now can use scrolls of spells not on his spell list as if he had maximum ranks in Use Magic Device. This only applies to scrolls. These scrolls do not benefit from Scroll Mastery, nor can they be used in the scrollbook.

 : At 13th level the words of your name resonate with power. You become aware of anyone who speaks your name on your current plane. It only picks up names actually referring to you specifically, and not the word in general. In spite of the vast amount of information streaming at you this does not distract you, though you can concentrate (a standard action) to determine the direction and general image of the creature speaking your name. This is a divination effect.

Anyone with at least 5 ranks in Truenaming or Spellcraft can determine that speaking the name will bring your attention.

 : A 17th level scrollcaster can now use scrolls from any other list without any check needed. These scrolls do not benefit from Scroll Mastery, nor can they be used in the scrollbook.

 : At 19th level, you can use greater teleport to teleport to the location of anyone who triggers your speak my name ability, so long as you do it within 1 round of being spoken. You have to find your own way back.

 : At 20th level you will live on in your words, literally. You may make a Written Phylactery over the course of 1 week. If you die, and then any creature reads your Written Phylactery you re-appear as if it was the contents of a read in my voice spell. This only occurs if you were dead. If you are immortal (and at this level, such is within your grasp) you could potentially live forever so long as your Written Phylactery is safe and someone reads it. Once the Written Phylactery has been used, it cannot be read again for 1 week (the pages appear blank). You may only have one Written Phylactery at one time.

Epic Scrollcaster
Glyph Power: You continue to gain new Glyph powers, and may select "Bonus Feat" as an option multiple times.

Quick Search: You continue to gain additional uses of Quick Search per day.

Halfling Scrollcaster Starting Package
Weapons: Battle Book.

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Feat: Improved Initiative.

Bonus Feats: Scribe Scroll.

Gear: Backpack.

Gold: 123 gp.

Playing a Scrollcaster
Religion: Scrollcasters don't have any need for religion, at least no more than your typical wizard.

Other Classes: Most classes simply assume scrollcaster are a type of wizard. In a sense they are, though their focus on scrolls means they often have the right answer to a task at any time.

Combat: As a spellcaster, and a squishy one, you stay in the background. Besides offering battlefield control

Advancement: Any spellcasting advancing classes work on the scrollcaster, and he counts as both a prepared and spontaneous arcane spellcaster.

Scrollcasters in the World
"Alright, who replaced my scrollbook with a copy of 50 Shades of Grey. Not funny guys, I could have summoned something terrible from it."

Daily Life: Scrollcasters are bookworms supreme, and perfer a quiet library to a loud tavern.

Organizations: Scrollcasters can be found in wizardly ranks, usually in charge of their libraries or creating scrolls for other spellcasters.

NPC Reactions: The common man doesn't know the difference between a wizard and a scrollcaster.

Scrollcaster Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge Arcana can research Scrollcasters to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Scrollcasters in the Game
Adaptation: By lowering the number of pages in their scrollbook per level, one may be able to drop the balance level of the class (though it is always restricted by the fact it can access high level spellcasting).

Sample Encounter: A scrollcaster has read something forbidden and has gone mad. He's stealing all of the books, looking for something dreadful.