Protection Scrolls

[delta]

My (excellent, much younger) players picked up a scroll of protection for the first time this week and were completely bamboozled at the idea that they could be used by any class of character.

I sort of agree, and I appreciate the fresh take to let me remember how weird this is. In the AD&D DMG it gets to the point where, "Note that even a map will appear magical until the proper spell [read magic] is used" (p. 127), and simultaneously, "Protection scrolls can be read by any class or race of character even without a magic spell" (p. 128). So that's pretty hard to see as making sense.

Anyone know the standard rationalization for that? Is there some pulp literary source that inspired that distinction in readability?

[talysman]

Mar 30, 2019 22:52:44 GMT -6 delta said:

My (excellent, much younger) players picked up a scroll of protection for the first time this week and were completely bamboozled at the idea that they could be used by any class of character.

I sort of agree, and I appreciate the fresh take to let me remember how weird this is. In the AD&D DMG it gets to the point where, "Note that even a map will appear magical until the proper spell [read magic] is used" (p. 127), and simultaneously, "Protection scrolls can be read by any class or race of character even without a magic spell" (p. 128). So that's pretty hard to see as making sense.

Anyone know the standard rationalization for that? Is there some pulp literary source that inspired that distinction in readability?

I think it's just because it's too d**ned useful. Also, scrolls or talismans meant to ward off evil were pretty d**ned common in the real world, and it wouldn't make much sense if only rare gifted individuals could use them.

I like Nethack's solution to the difference: You don't read a scroll of protection, you stand on it. Of course, anyone can use a scroll in Nethack, so it's not as big a deal. But it's not too crazy an idea for D&D as well.

[tetramorph]

delta, I agree with talysman on this one.

It is like a talisman or charm. It is not written IN magic, but it is scribed out USING magic.

So claiming its power is all that is needed.

Something like that.

[Deleted]

Don't overthink it.

[delta]

Probably just going to ignore this rule if there's no coherent in-game reason for it.

[Zenopus]

If it makes more sense you could just change them to a less confusing form. Since it's temporary, a potion would be the obvious choice, but you could also use a powder that you spread in a ring, etc.

I like the idiosyncrasies of the original rules. It is gives them their flavor. If we make everything too logical it loses some of the mystique or "wow" factor for newer players.

[Deleted]

Mar 31, 2019 20:35:24 GMT -6 delta said:

Probably just going to ignore this rule if there's no coherent in-game reason for it.

You are looking at it exactly backwards from the viewpoint of the game's creators. The game came first and the world was made to fit the game.

[retrorob]

I always used protection scrolls as described, they work fine for me and my group. Players crave for protection from the undead or magic. I don't need any rationalization for it. Talisman, charm? Sacred texts? Lost wisdom from the old world when high technology & science (magic) were omnipresent, like in Dying Earth? Maybe, but that's not important.

[aldarron]

Mar 31, 2019 16:21:16 GMT -6 tetramorph said:

delta, I agree with talysman on this one.

It is like a talisman or charm. It is not written IN magic, but it is scribed out USING magic.

So claiming its power is all that is needed.

Something like that.

Agreeing with that. Just because it is a "scroll" doesn't mean anything. A scroll could be nothing more than the cooks grocery list. Protection scrolls are specific magic items made for protection against various evils. MU's make them and sell them to the public, along with potions and such.

In OD&D map "scrolls" can be just maps or they can be magical (25% chance IIRC). I don't see any inconsistency in the OD&D rules, only a conflict in your players preconceptions.

[Zakharan]

IMC I accidentally forgot this particular rule, so all scrolls are the purview of Magic-Users.

To address any upcoming oddities with Cleric-only scrolls, one player used spell research to create a Clerical Read Magic ("Sanctify Script," perhaps?). So hopefully my misinterpretations are behind me!