Spells, Spellbooks and Scrolls

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Vetterix
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Spells, Spellbooks and Scrolls

Post by Vetterix »

Concerning learning spells from spellbooks and scrolls, there is some overlap between Wizard and Illusionist spells for example; invisibility, both a 2nd level Wizard and Illusionist spell. While the PHB4 describes both the Wizard and Illusionist as "arcane spellcasters" (PHB4 p51, Aquiring new spells), I did not see any mention of learning overlapping spells from the other caster's spellbook or scroll.

Is there anything explicit in the rules about say a Wizard learning such a spell from an Illusionists spellbook (or scroll) or vis versa ? If not, how do most of you rule about learning such "overlap" spells from another caster type's spell book ?

As to using scrolls, Monsters and Treasure (pp 102, M&T4) indicates "The spell itself is written on the surface in a magical script so that only a caster of the same spell type can read it, unless possessed some other means of reading magical writing." While there is some discussion of a Wizard or Illusionist casting read magic to "decipher a scroll with arcane magic spells on it", the text does not make a clear distinction to me that one could or could not use a scroll written by the other. What is the thought here ?
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Post by Treebore »

Page 22, 3rd printing:

"SPELLS: An illusionist casts arcane spells, though illusion magic is inherently

different from the wizards requiring a unique spell list."

Page 46:

ILLUSION MAGIC: The type of magic mastered by illusionists. Illusion

magic is a type of arcane magic, but is inherently different from a wizards

magic.

AND later on the same page:

"Wizards and illusionists, unlike clerics and druids, share very few spells in

common the two forms of arcane magic are quite distant from one another.

Wizards use their mystical knowledge to create and give form, or to enhance or physically alter form. Illusionists, on the other hand, alter ones perception of form and reality.

Even when the same spell appears on both the wizard and illusionist spell

lists, the casting and effect of the spell is different. Wizardly magic deals with the real and concrete. Even though a wizard may alter reality, that reality is typically perceived in the same way by everyone. Illusionists, however, alter each individuals perception of reality, sometimes to such effect that it allows those individuals to defy nature and its physical laws.

These differences affect game play in different ways, but at the least create a fundamental difference between each of the four spell casting classes.

Players, and more importantly Castle Keepers, need to keep these differences in mind."

AND in the last bit on page 46:

"Wizards and illusionists learn complex, arcane formulas to harness magic

and give it effect. Their spells are known as arcane spells, and both classes

inscribe them, in their own unique language, in a spell book."
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Post by CharlieRock »

Um, what he said.
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Vetterix
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Post by Vetterix »

Great,

thanks Treebore!
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Post by Treebore »

Your welcome!
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Post by Omote »

In particular to the fouth printing of the PHB, the seperation between Wizard magic ans Illusionist magic is even greater. On Page 49-50 of PHB1.4 describes this seperation in a rewritten form from the 3rd printing. Both wizards and illusionist still clearly use arcane magic, but they are different. Thus, the overlap between these spells, in my opinion is minimal. They are different insofar that an illusionist cannot read the Invisability spell of a Wizard, and also cannot teach the same spell to a wizard. They are different, though still both arcane in nature.

~O
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