TFT Questions about books, scrolls, and magic items

[hcobb]

Originally Posted by cmcknight

1. When using a magic item does the ST cost still come into play or does the magic item have its own ST?

ITL 156 "A wizard may make an improved version of any item that normally costs ST each turn it is used. Such a “self-powered” item uses less ST, or none at all, each turn. It draws its ST from outside energy, rather than its wearer’s life-force."

Originally Posted by cmcknight

2. There is mention that working from a book/scroll is slower but is it fair to presume that the ST cost is the same regardless of whether the spell is memorized or cast using a spell book or scroll?

ITL 141 "A wizard cannot cast a spell (from a scroll, or any other way) requiring more ST than he has available."

Originally Posted by cmcknight

3. If the spell is written in a book or on a scroll, is a lack of literacy the reason that a non-wizard cannot cast a spell that he/she has not memorized or is it merely just being a non-wizard that prevents the use? Would it not be more reasonable to just assess the 3x cost penalty regardless?

I've got my own theory for why exactly non-wizards are so limited in spell casting. If you play far enough along in "Curse of the Necropus" you'll read it.