Changes to the 3.5 edition rules - Spells


Spell changes

Time required to scribe new spells

Arcane spellcasters require 1 hour per spell level not one day. This applies to divine spellcasters as well, in the rare situation they actually need to learn a new spell.

Preparing spells from anothers spellbook

If the spellcaster is familiar with the work or the script the book is written, the DC of the check required is reduced.
Typical DCs:

Calling and summoning outsiders

Some powerful outsiders are actually of immortal status, and are not effected by some spells. In particular, shapechange may not be used to assume their shape. They are under no compulsion to arrive when a gate spell is cast. They are not affected by a (greater|lesser) planar (ally|binding) spell, unless they wish to be.

Creation spells

Many spells which create something will have a duration of permanent rather than instantaneous. This means they can be dispelled, and are thus unsuitable for creating building materials with.

Awaken (Clarification)

The ability scores granted by awaken may not be affected by metamagics. No 27 int T-rex.

Continual flame

The standard Continual flame is renamed continual light. The visual effect is that of a light spell with permanent duration. Note that the daylight spell is superior in some respects to the light spell, as it illuminates a greater area.

Polymorph (and similar spells)

When using alter self, polymorph self, shape change or similar magic, the recipient receives a number of negative levels equal to the ECL of the creature they turn into. The recipient receives the racial hit dice of the assumed form. Creatures without a listed ECL may not be assumed without prior arrangement. The standard effects of negative levels apply (-5 hp per negative level, -1 to attacks, etc) except saving throws are both unaffected by the negative level and by the assumed form.

Some powerful outsiders are actually of immortal status, and shapechange may not be used to assume their form. This includes solars.

Disjunction

Modenkainen's disjunction can be used in one of two ways.

Firstly, as an area effect spell which temporarily disrupts magic items in the area. It functions as per the PHB, except that items are not permanently destroyed, but disprupted for 1 minute/caster level. Also, artifacts are unaffected, but if the caster fails the normal artifact procedure, they lose their spellcasting power for 1 minute per level.

Secondly, it can be focused on a single item. This functions as per the PHB, but affects one item only.

Shambler

You may only have one set of permanent shamblers and one set of temporary shamblers at any one time.

All resurrection type spells

A negative level is gained on being resurrected, even by true resurrection. Priests of Hades are not subject to this effect, but they charge more. The negative level dissappears on the next level gain, and the level is still gained.

Gate, teleport circle and similar spells

Teleport circle, gate and any other spell which transport groups of people only transport a maximum of 10 people and/or 2500 lb for free, even if made permanent. Additional creatures cost 50gp per size category in material components and can carry a maximum of 250 lb per size category, additional weight costs 1gp per 10 pounds.

Given the costs of a permanent teleport circle, why aren't cities linked by them? One can argue that mages are reclusive and just don't do that (tm) but it only takes a single mage, some time in history, to do this. I don't object to it being possible, just not that cheap. It would be an interesting campaign world, but it wouldn't be a normal campaign world.

Permanent portals (generally naturally occuring wormholes) are still free.


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