Locked in the Fortress of Vasteel and in keeps across the land, Battle Scrolls are stored as a mighty deterrent to rival nations. These special scrolls give less skilled spellcasters the ability to cast powerful magic and greatly increase Vasteel’s arcane firepower.
To create a Battle Scroll, a scribe must precisely transcribe the desired spell from a master copy then infuse a small power reservoir attached to the parchment with the necessary magical components. If done correctly, the final product will hold a powerful version of the spell that can be cast without a huge amount of magical ability.
Battle Scrolls have a significant limitation. The magical power source used to infuse the writing only has a shelf life of about a six months. Once the energy fades, the writing quickly disappears and the scroll becomes a useless scrap of paper. It requires a legion of spellcasters to maintain the kingdoms stockpile. This shortcoming also makes traveling with Battle Scrolls impractical. They are mostly used as a defensive measure.
Mechanics
Using a Battle Scroll works in a similar way to using a standard spell scroll. You can read the Battle Scroll and cast its spell without providing any material Components. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal Casting Time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
If the level of the spell on the Battle Scroll is of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your Spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
Unlike standard spell scrolls, you can cast the spell even if it is not on your class’s spell list. Also, Battle Scrolls cannot be copied. Any attempt to copy one will fail, and it is immediately destroyed. Additionally, the writing on a Battle Scroll will fade 6 months after being created making casting the spell impossible.
Use the improved Battle Scroll table below to determine the spell’s saving throw DC and Attack bonus, as well as the scroll’s rarity. Spells greater than 6th level are nearly impossible to transcribe in the form of a Battle Scroll and are thus considered legendary.
Type: Scroll
Requires: Spellcasting
| Spell Level | Rarity | Save DC | Spell Attack Bonus |
| Cantrip | Uncommon | 14 | +6 |
| 1st | Uncommon | 14 | +6 |
| 2nd | Uncommon | 14 | +6 |
| 3rd | Rare | 16 | +8 |
| 4th | Rare | 16 | +8 |
| 5th | Very rare | 18 | +10 |
| 6th | Very rare | 18 | +10 |
| 7th | Legendary | 19 | +11 |
| 8th | Legendary | 19 | +11 |
| 9th | Legendary | 20 | +12 |