Random Spell Scroll List

2 min read 01-01-2025

So, you're a Dungeon Master prepping for your next D&D session? Creating a compelling and believable loot haul can be time-consuming. This article offers a quick-reference guide to generating a random list of spell scrolls, perfect for scattering throughout your dungeons, rewarding adventurers, or even just adding a touch of intrigue to your campaign.

Categorizing Your Scrolls

To make this process efficient, we'll categorize the scrolls by level. Remember, the rarity and power of a scroll increase with its spell level. Lower-level spells are more common, offering utility and tactical options, while higher-level spells represent powerful, game-changing effects.

Level 0 (Cantrips)

These are typically plentiful and less valuable individually, but collectively, they offer significant tactical advantage.

Guidance: Provides a small bonus to ability checks. Excellent for early-game exploration.
Light: A simple, yet invaluable spell for navigating dark environments.
Thaumaturgy: Creates minor magical effects for intimidation or subtle communication.
Minor Illusion: A useful tool for distraction or deception.
Spare the Dying: Crucial for maintaining party survivability.

Level 1

These spells begin to introduce more impactful effects, both offensively and defensively.

Cure Wounds: A staple healing spell.
Sleep: Powerful crowd control, particularly effective against weaker enemies.
Charm Person: A social manipulation spell with far-reaching possibilities.
Protection from Evil and Good: A defensive buff providing temporary protection against various threats.
Shield: Grants a significant boost to AC for a single turn.

Level 2

Level 2 spells offer more potent effects and specialized applications.

Hold Person: A powerful immobilization spell capable of incapacitating key enemies.
Invisibility: A highly versatile spell for scouting, stealth, or even tactical maneuvering.
Misty Step: Provides short-range teleportation, allowing for quick escapes or repositioning.
Silence: A game-changer in situations where enemies rely on vocal attacks or communication.
Augury: Provides divine guidance, offering valuable insight into the future.

Level 3 and Above

These scrolls are considerably rarer and should be treated as significant rewards.

Generating these requires a slightly different approach. Consider the overall campaign context. What kind of challenges are your players facing? What kind of spells would be most effective against those challenges? For example:

Fireball: A classic area-of-effect spell, devastating against clusters of enemies.
Counterspell: A powerful reaction spell, countering enemy spellcasting.
Dispel Magic: Useful for removing harmful magical effects or disrupting enemy enchantments.
Fly: Offers significant mobility advantages.
Greater Invisibility: An extended version of the Level 2 spell.

Rolling for Random Scrolls

To make the process truly random, you can use dice rolls to determine the number and level of scrolls found. Consider using a d6 (six-sided die) to determine the level, with each result corresponding to a different level range (1-6, representing levels 0-3+). The number of scrolls can be determined by the difficulty of the encounter or the importance of the location where they're found. For example:

Easy Encounter: 1-2 scrolls of low level.
Medium Encounter: 2-3 scrolls, varying levels.
Hard Encounter: 3-4 scrolls, potentially including higher-level spells.

Remember to adjust these guidelines to fit your campaign's specific needs and challenge your players! Happy adventuring!