Spells and Magic (3.0)
| Author | Sam Witt, with Joe Crow and Lee Hammock |
| Publisher | Dragonwing Games/Bastion Press |
| Publish date | 2002 |
| OGL Section 15 | s-m |
The material below is designated as Open Game Content.
Scroll of Safe Dispatch
This scroll is a reusable means of safe and reliable written communication, prized by rulers, spies, smugglers and just about anybody else who has something to hide and can afford to protect it thus. Every scroll of this sort possesses three command words. These are kept a closely guarded secret, or the benefits of the scroll are largely lost. The first word erases the contents of the scroll without leaving even the slightest trace of ink, scratches, folds, indentations, or any other marks. In effect, the scroll is restored to the condition it was in when it was first enchanted. Physical damage by fire, acid, tearing, or any other similar means is not repaired, but if the Scroll is not completely destroyed, it still functions as well as possible in undamaged sections.
The second command word can be used only after the scroll is made entirely blank with the first command word. This second command word allows one to write upon the scroll. Otherwise, any writing or marks made upon the scroll vanishes in one round. If the word is spoken, the scroll can be written upon for five minutes. If the command word is again spoken before this time elapses, the time is extended by another five minutes. A Scroll of Safe Dispatch can contain a maximum of 500 words, with each 100 words taking one minute to write. When the time elapses, the writing on the scroll is altered, leaving evidence of writing but making it completely unintelligible.
The third command word unscrambles the message for five minutes, allowing it to be read by any that see it. A second use of the third command word rescrambles the message. While the message on the scroll is confused, the meaning of the message cannot be divined through any magical means, for the magic of the scroll is designed to foil such attempts.
Antimagic areas only prevent the scroll from changing its state. Areas where magic is chaotic or unreliable are said to unscramble the message, but with a random, meaningless message. Reported examples include a treatise on migratory birds, a love letter between two fictional persons and the record of an ancient archery contest. Spells such as explosive runes, glyph of warding or sepia snake sigil may be placed upon the scroll while it is being inscribed. These protections are suppressed while the message is unscrambled and automatically dispelled if the page is erased.
Caster Level: 5th; Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, erase, secret page; Market Price: 45,000 gp; Weight: – .
