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What is a Scribe in D&D 5e? A Deep Dive into Arcane Lore and Medical Accuracy

In the vast and imaginative world of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), the term “scribe” can refer to a few different concepts, each with its own unique implications. Most prominently, “scribe” connects to the Order of Scribes subclass for the Wizard class. But the term extends into other applications as well, such as scribing spells and even the real-world profession of medical scribing which often inspires role-playing scenarios. Let’s explore these different facets of the “scribe” concept in D&D 5e.

The Order of Scribes Wizard: A Scholar of Magic

The Order of Scribes is arguably the most significant association with the term “scribe” in D&D 5e. It’s a wizard subclass detailed in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything that focuses on the meticulous study, recording, and manipulation of spells. These wizards are not simply spellcasters; they are scholars of magic, deeply invested in understanding the nuances and history of arcane lore. They are the ultimate bookworms among wizards.

Key Features of the Order of Scribes

Wizardly Quill: At 2nd level, Order of Scribes wizards gain a manifestation of their magic – a magical quill. This quill allows them to scribe spells into their spellbook more efficiently, reducing the cost of ink to 0 GP. The quill itself is a conduit for their magical energy, and a symbol of their dedication to the written word.
Awakened Spellbook: At 2nd level, your spellbook awakens with a fragment of your consciousness. While your spellbook is on your person, you can use it as a spellcasting focus. When you cast a wizard spell with a casting time of 1 action, you can choose to deal the damage type from another spell in your spellbook. This is a core feature and allows for tactical flexibility in combat, adapting your spells’ damage types to exploit enemy weaknesses.
Master Scribe: At 6th level, you can reduce the time and cost required to copy a spell into your spellbook. Scribing a spell is part of the process of expanding a wizard’s knowledge, and it is beneficial to increase the cost of doing so.
One with the Word: At 10th level, you gain the ability to enter your spellbook, leaving your body in a harmless, catatonic state. While inside, you can explore a magical library filled with all the spells you know, gaining insights and advantages. You can see a familiar that’s within 1 mile of you and hear what it hears. As an action, you can then magically appear in the familiar’s space.
Master Transcriber: At 14th level, when you cast a spell, you can cast it as if you cast it in the space of one of your familiars. Your familiar can use its reaction to deliver the spell as if it had cast it.

Scribing Spells: The Craft of Magical Inscription

Beyond the subclass, scribing spells refers to the process of creating spell scrolls. In D&D 5e, spell scrolls are single-use items that allow a character to cast a specific spell without expending a spell slot. This is a downtime activity that requires both time and resources.

The Process of Scribing a Spell Scroll

Proficiency: To scribe a spell scroll, you must have proficiency in the Arcana skill. This reflects the necessary understanding of magical theory and practice.
Spell Knowledge: You must either have the spell prepared (for wizards, clerics, etc.) or know the spell (for sorcerers, bards, etc.). You cannot scribe a spell you do not know or cannot prepare.
Time and Cost: The time and cost to scribe a spell scroll are determined by the spell’s level. According to Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, the process can take anywhere from 1 day to 48 workweeks and costs between 15 and 250,000 gp.
Components: Scribing requires rare inks and other materials, contributing to the overall cost.

Limitations of Scribing

Cantrips: Generally, you cannot scribe a cantrip into a spellbook (with the exception of the Order of Scribes’ Awakened Spellbook). You can, however, create spell scrolls of cantrips.
Class Restrictions: While rules exist for crafting spell scrolls by any class, the primary method for expanding spell knowledge through scribing is usually limited to Wizards copying spells from scrolls or other spellbooks into their own.

Other Interpretations of “Scribe”

While the Order of Scribes and the act of scribing spells are the most common associations, the term “scribe” can also evoke other images:

Record Keepers: Scribes can be seen as historians or archivists, meticulously recording events, histories, and other important information within a campaign setting. This is especially prevalent in fantasy games.
Medical Scribes: Drawing from the real-world profession, a “scribe” could be a non-player character (NPC) assisting a healer or physician, documenting patient information and treatments. This would be a roleplaying application.

Ultimately, the concept of a scribe in D&D 5e is flexible and can be adapted to fit various roles and scenarios within a campaign. Whether it’s a powerful wizard manipulating the very fabric of magic or a humble record keeper preserving history, the scribe plays an important role in the world. Learn more about the intersection of games and learning at the Games Learning Society, a community dedicated to exploring the educational potential of games: GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about scribes in D&D 5e, providing further clarity and detail:

1. Can any class become a scribe?

While the Order of Scribes is specifically a wizard subclass, the act of creating spell scrolls is available to any class that can cast spells. However, specific class features related to scribing (like the Wizardly Quill) are unique to the Order of Scribes.

2. How does the Wizardly Quill work exactly?

The Wizardly Quill is a magical object granted to Order of Scribes wizards at 2nd level. It allows them to copy spells into their spellbook without expending gold on ink. This is a significant advantage, especially at lower levels when resources are limited.

3. What is the “Awakened Spellbook” ability?

The Awakened Spellbook is a key feature of the Order of Scribes. It allows the wizard to use their spellbook as a spellcasting focus and, more importantly, to change the damage type of a spell they cast to match another spell in their book.

4. How does Master Scribe affect the cost and time of scribing?

Master Scribe reduces the time and cost of copying spells into your spellbook. Scribing a spell is part of the process of expanding a wizard’s knowledge, and it is beneficial to increase the cost of doing so.

5. Can you scribe a spell into your spellbook from another class?

In most cases, you can only copy spells into your spellbook that are on the wizard spell list. However, a lenient DM might allow exceptions, particularly if you acquire a spell scroll from another class.

6. What is the difference between scribing a spell and creating a spell scroll?

Scribing a spell refers to copying a spell into your spellbook. This allows you to learn the spell and cast it regularly using your spell slots. Creating a spell scroll is a downtime activity that produces a single-use item.

7. How much does it cost to scribe a spell scroll of a higher-level spell?

The cost to scribe a spell scroll increases exponentially with the spell’s level. A 9th-level spell scroll can cost tens of thousands of gold pieces and take many weeks to complete.

8. Can you scribe a spell scroll of a ritual spell?

Yes, you can scribe a spell scroll of a ritual spell. The process is the same as scribing any other spell scroll, but the scroll allows the user to cast the ritual without needing to spend the full casting time.

9. Is there any way to speed up the process of scribing a spell scroll?

Some feats, magic items, or class features (such as the Order of Scribes’ Master Scribe) might offer bonuses or reductions to the time and cost of scribing, but generally, the process is time-consuming.

10. What happens if a spellbook is lost or destroyed?

If a spellbook is lost or destroyed, the wizard loses access to the spells contained within. However, they can copy spells from other sources (like scrolls or other wizards’ spellbooks) to rebuild their knowledge.

11. Can you scribe a spell scroll of a spell you don’t know?

No, you cannot scribe a spell scroll of a spell you do not know or cannot prepare. You must have the spell in your repertoire to create a scroll of it.

12. Is scribing scrolls a worthwhile activity for a wizard?

Yes, especially if you’re not an Order of Scribes Wizard. Scribing spells lets a wizard cast additional spells without using up a spell slot.

13. Can you scribe a spell scroll using magic?

Yes. There are spells that can speed up the process of scribing, like Fabricate, or enchant items to reduce the cost, such as a Wizardly Quill.

14. Can you copy a cantrip into a spellbook?

As a general rule, you cannot copy a cantrip from a scroll into a spellbook. Cantrips are typically learned through class features and are not subject to the same rules as higher-level spells. There are exceptions, but the default is no.

15. Are medical scribes prevalent in D&D settings?

While not explicitly detailed in the core rules, medical scribes can be a flavorful and realistic addition to any campaign setting, adding depth to hospitals, temples, and other places of healing. This is especially true in high-magic settings where magical healing is common.

What is a scribe 5e?