Roll on the following tables for unique scrolls!
Impossibly Long (when unrolled)
Magically Suspended Cloud
Magically Suspended Water
Frozen Water (case keeps it magically frozen)
Magically Invisible Material
Wrapped in Colored Ribbon
Hollowed Weapon Hilt/Haft
Complex geometric patterns
Concentric geometry with arcane symbols between
Incantation written in an obscure language. It must be translated to be used
Instructions detailing the spell’s formula
Incantation written in code that requires a cipher key. It must be decoded with an Intelligence check to be used
Animated imagery of the spellcasting process
Symbols that gain meaning only when certain conditions are met
Calligraphic manuscript with illuminated margins
Animated geometry, symbols, and patterns
Lines detailing the specifics of the weave of magic used in its creation
Animated advertisement for the scroll’s scribe and print shop
Repeating pattern whose shapes change colors seemingly at random
Incantation written in Common for the lay man to understand. Anyone can use this scroll if they can read it
Words that only appear under running water
The scroll is incomplete and requires an Intelligence (Arcana) check to finish it
A musical composition with lyrics that comprise the incantation
Floating text that hovers an inch above the page
Text that flies out to spiral around your head at eye level to read it
Text that tries to fly away if the scroll is opened for too long. Lost text must be recaptured with successful Dexterity checks.
Text that can only be read when the reader is blinded or has their eyes closed
How to Use the Scroll (d12)
Read the incantation detailed in the scroll
Trace the text or patterns with your finger
Charge magical energy into the scroll
Simply laying eyes on the scroll for a few seconds causes it to go off
Follow the scroll’s complex instructions for incantations and body movements.
Trace the text or patterns in arcane energy suspended in the air before you
Use magic to create music detailed by the scroll
Invoke deities that were involved in the scroll’s creation
Expose the scroll to a certain element (fire, water, air, earth) to release its power
Present the scroll to the spell’s target and speak the spell’s name with confidence
You use a material component required by the scroll’s text
Throw the scroll at the spell’s target
Scrolls can take many forms other than a simple slip of parchment. All a scroll really needs to do to work is be a one-time-use consumable spell. Try making your scrolls unique, so they might not even look like a scroll. Perhaps your character could create scrolls as these sorts of items.
Art. Carefully crafted artwork, whether a painting, sculpture, sketch, or piece of jewelry, that serves as the scroll. The materials are made from arcane reagents and the scroll can be read using the art’s depiction or perhaps patterns hidden within.
Cloth. The scroll is a woven textile that can be worn, with precious metal threads and rhinestones serving as the costly arcane components. The patterns in the cloth help you read the scroll.
Fetish. A scroll made with various natural and manufactured spell components and artistic reagents all carefully pulled into a totem or fetish. For instance, a staff’s crown, a dreamcatcher, a headdress, a decorated skull, or other such assemblage could serve as the scroll. Interpreting the meaning of the items’ arrangement and choice reads the scroll.
Gemstones. I once had a city of dwarves that didn’t use scrolls but instead stored spells in crystals and gemstones. The gem can be read by observing the arcane energy refracting within. They shine brightly in a flare of radiant light when they cast their spell before disappearing.
Plants. Tended plants that have been grown and infused with the scroll’s magic. It can be read by the patterns in the leaves or petals.
Tattoo/Henna. The scroll is tattooed or drawn onto the body of the user. It could either be the literal scroll or artistic interpretation using arcane geometric patterns.
