Scrolls

Scrolls are rolls of parchment, vellum or paper, on which are inscribed spells which can be cast by reading them aloud. Unlike the spells themselves, which can only be cast by characters in classes which permit the use of magic, scrolls can be read by anyone, and so have are very useful to characters from other classes.

When unidentified, potions will be described by reference to some of the words that begin the scroll. These descriptions are consistent (within one game; they are randomly assigned for each new game), so, for example, if you find a scroll titled 'ais ditor' it will be the same as any other with the same title.

As they mimic spells, scrolls have a wide variety of types of effect. Among the bigger categories are scrolls of detection, scrolls of protection, and scrolls that can enchant (or curse) weapons and armour.

Reading a scroll and activating the spell on it causes the dissipating of the magical power locked into the spell; it becomes an ordinary piece of paper, and cannot be reused. To read a scroll, you must have light, and cannot be blind or confused; if suffering from amnesia, there is a 50% chance of failure, but the scroll can be used after failure. Scrolls can be destroyed by acid or fire.

Although some of the harmful scrolls can be potentially lethal, particularly on early levels, once you have played Angband for a while you should have gained enough knowledge to decide how to minimise the risks by when and where you choose to read an unidentified scroll.

Scrolls can be found at any level of Angband from level 1 downwards.

Using a Scroll

To read a potion, use the 'r' command (for 'read'). If you have more than one scroll available to choose from, you will need to select the correct one. The effects of unknown scrolls will normally be immediately apparent, but in some cases, if there is nothing nearby to activate it (e.g. you read a Scroll of Trap Destruction when not by a a trap or door), you will not receive any information, and other copies of the scroll be still be unidentified.

Noteworthy scrolls

There are three scrolls that are of particular note: Identify, * Identify *, and Word of Recall

Scroll of Identify

Reading this scroll will then allow you to choose an item in your character's equipment or inventory, and gain knowledge of any magical qualities of that item. For example, discover what a potion does, how many charges a wand has, or what bonuses an enchanted weapon has.

Scroll of * Identify *

This is a more powerful scroll that will tell you everything about a magical item or item of magical equipment - abilities that can be activated, special protective wards that will surround the wielder, and so on. This is particularly important when trying to find out what powers an artifact has. Such a scroll should not be wasted on merely finding out what a staff or wand does.

Scroll of Word of Recall

When read while in the dungeons of Angband, this scroll will (after a short delay) return your character to the town. Conversely, when read while in the town, this scroll will return your character to the deepest level he or she has so far reached. This is a useful scroll for shortening journeys once your character has penetrated beyond the first levels of Angband.

Full list of Scrolls