House Rule #3: Reading Scrolls
Added 2022-03-21 19:01:32 +0000 UTCContext for this house rule
The scrolls you're providing as loot just aren't being read. Spell casters would prefer casting their own spells than relying on scrolls and no-one else can read them anyway. Why even bother dishing them out as treasure! This house rule allows others to cast spell scrolls, at a risk of course, dependent on their experience with magic - which is all part of the fun!
The house rule
SPELLCASTERS
I know this... ✅
If the spell is on the character class's spell list, and it is of a spell level they can cast, they can read the scroll with no problems. The scroll is used up as normal.
I will know this... 🎲 ❎
If the spell is on a character class's spell list, but is a higher level than they can currently cast, they can attempt to cast it by making an Spellcasting ability score check vs a DC of 10 + the spell's level. If the roll fails, the scroll is used up - but no mishap occurs.
I know something like this... 🎲 💥
If the character is a spell caster, but the spell is not on any of their class spell lists, they can attempt to cast the spell by making an Spellcasting ability score check vs DC 10 + the spells level. If the check fails, the spell fails, the scroll is spent and they must make a Scroll Mishap check (DC 10 Int Save) as per the variant rule in the DMG. On a failed save they roll on the mishap table in the DMG.
NON SPELLCASTERS
So I just read this out aloud? ⚠️🎲 ⚠️💥
If the character is not a spell caster, they can attempt to cast the spell from the scroll with an Charisma ability score check vs DC 10 + the spell's level with disadvantage. If the check fails, the spell fails, the scroll is spent and they must make a Scroll Mishap check (DC 10 Int Save with disadvantage) as per the variant rule in the DMG. On a failed save they roll on the mishap table in the DMG.
