PCs who can copy spells from books or scrolls can meet up and swap spells in Downtime. The required gold and time must be accounted for. For wizards, it takes 50 gold and 2 hours per spell level. However, any class features, feats, etc. that affect copying times or costs apply as written.
Copying Example:
If Lolli, a Conjuration wizard, is copying a Conjuration spell into her spellbook, then it will take half as much time and gold.
Spell Level | Of Your Magical School Time | Cost | Not of Your Magical School Time | Cost |
Cantrip | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Level 1 | 1 | 25 | 2 | 50 |
Level 2 | 2 | 50 | 4 | 100 |
Level 3 | 3 | 75 | 6 | 150 |
Level 4 | 4 | 100 | 8 | 200 |
Level 5 | 5 | 125 | 10 | 250 |
Level 6 | 6 | 150 | 12 | 300 |
Level 7 | 7 | 175 | 14 | 350 |
Level 8 | 8 | 200 | 16 | 400 |
Level 9 | 9 | 225 | 18 | 450 |
A PC can copy spells up to a certain amount of time before DT slots will be required. Please see below for the breakdown by hours:
No Slots: 0-6 hours inclusive
Light Slot: 7-10 hours inclusive
Taxing Slot: 11+ hours
If a PC’s spellbook is already being used to copy a spell, that same spellbook cannot be used by the spellbook’s owner, nor can another PC copy from that book, until the first PC is done. Please keep track of how long it takes to copy spells from your fellow spellcasters when arranging spell swaps!
Copying spell scrolls into your Wizard’s spellbook is also possible, using the above rules. However, we would remind our players to follow the rules as stated in the Player’s Handbook:
When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 10 + the spell’s level. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
The DTDMs ask that you declare every Spell Swapping and/or Spell Scroll Copying you are doing when declaring your PCs downtime so you can make the appropriate roll publically. You do not have to do this when copying from another Wizard’s spellbook.
Spell swapping/copying only needs to be logged in the ledger if a Light or Taxing slot is used to do so.
Casting spells can be risky, but writing them down is usually quite safe for those who know their business. There is no need to roll for complications when copying spells.