Scribe Scrolls is a is a High-level class ability available to the Thief and bard classes.
Prerequisite: Use Any Item
High-level class abilities were added as a new feature to the BG game with the release of the Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal expansion and are also included in the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition as well.
Description[]
| “ | This ability allows a rogue to create low- and mid-level spell scrolls. The scrolls that the rogue can create are randomly chosen from the following list: | ” |
- Magic Missile
- Haste
- Fireball
- Dispel Magic
- Dire Charm
- Invisibility
- Cone of Cold
- Monster Summoning II
- Monster Summoning III
Gameplay[]
This ability is accessed from the character's "Special Abilities" button, select the button icon with the cursor (or F12 on a keyboard) to open the menu - use the cursor again and click on the desired ability icon or use one of the designated F-keys if playing with a keyboard interface.
When the ability is selected and activated, a brief 3D graphics effect renders over the rogue, and a random wizard's spell scroll will appear in the characters inventory - if the inventory is full, the scroll appears on the ground at the character's feet.
The scroll created is randomly selected from the above list but works just like any other spell scroll and remains in the party's inventory indefinitely - until used, sold or thrown away. Therefore, the player can have as many of those scrolls as they choose (or as many as their patience allows).
Due to the fact spells used via scrolls are cast at level 10 (or higher, if the spell has a higher minimum level), the spells listed above work as following:
- Magic Missile is cast at maximum potency
- Haste works as normal, but lasts 13 rounds
- Fireball is cast at maximum potency
- Dispel Magic is cast at level 10 (making it very unlikely to dispel anything)
- Dire Charm doesn't scale, so it's cast as normal
- Invisibility doesn't scale, so it's cast as normal
- Cone of Cold deals 10d4+10 cold damage, save vs spells for half (on average, slightly stronger than a Cone of Cold produced by a Wand of Frost, but using save vs spells instead of save vs wands)
- Monster Summoning II works as normal, but lasts 13 rounds
- Monster Summoning III works as normal, but lasts 14 rounds
Although not necessarily powerful, this ability does have some niche uses, as it, for example:
- Essentially provides some free spellcasting capabilities for Thieves and Bards who might be unable to use their regular spells (e.g. a Bard using Tenser's Transformation or shapeshifted into the Slayer)
- Allows a bard to avoid memorizing any of the above spells, in favor of other spells
- Grants multiclass Cleric/Thieves unlimited access to Haste, a spell that's very useful for summoner-focused playstyles
Trivia[]
The Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition ruleset doesn't provide any High-level class abilities as implemented by the BG video game - the HLA's seen in the game are a creation by the developers for the video game series only - however some inspiration was provided to the BG developers from the following sourcebook material:
In 1995 under the Advanced D&D 2.5 ruleset the Dungeon Master Option: High Level Campaigns sourcebook was released. In chapter 7, High-Level Characters and Skills for High-Level Characters is sectioned for Warriors, Wizards, Priests, and Rogues.
It is from these rules and optional suggestions that the developers crafted their own High-Level Skills - or "abilities" as they are called in the game.
In terms of Scribe Scrolls - the sourcebook has no such skill mentioned.
Mod content[]
This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Installation of the Rogue Rebalancing mod makes some changes to this HLA, and it now only available to Bards, not Thieves. In addition, the ability is revised as to what it does and how it works.
Scribe Scrolls (revised ability)
This ability allows an experienced spellcaster to scribe a spell from his spellbook onto a scroll. Only a spell that is currently memorized may be scribed in this manner. Furthermore, the cost of any raw materials that are used in the process must be covered in full. Finally, inscribing a scroll removes one instance of the spell in question from the caster's memory.
Note: scribing scrolls is a delicate task which can only be undertaken in safe (non-hostile) areas.
The mod allows the Swashbuckler kit thief to select a special ability only for them:
Insightful Strike (replaces Scribe Scrolls, Swashbuckler only)
An experienced Swashbuckler can use the knowledge of his opponent's weak spots to gain an advantage in combat. During the round when this ability is activated, the Swashbuckler receives a +5 bonus to his critical hit rolls and deals maximum damage with each attack.
With this mod, the thief class will now be able select the following ability instead of Scribe Scrolls:
Crippling Strike (replaces Scribe Scrolls)
An experienced Thief can use the knowledge of his opponent's weak spots to gain an advantage in combat. During the round when this ability is activated, every attack of the Thief deals maximum damage and may weaken his target. On each successful hit the victim must make a saving throw vs. death (with a -4 penalty) or have its strength score lowered to 10 for the next five rounds. Note: Constructs, Elementals, Slimes and Undead creatures are completely unaffected by this ability.
Requires: Assassination