Glossary:Spell Preparation

Part of the spellcasting process for wizards, clerics, paladins, rangers, and druids. Preparing a spell requires careful reading from a spellbook (for wizards) or devout prayers or meditation (for divine spellcasters). The character actually casts the first and lengthiest part of the spell during the preparation phase, leaving only the very end for completion at another time. To use a prepared spell, the character finishes the casting with the appropriate spell components—a few special words, some complex gestures, a specific item, or a combination of the three. The number of spells a character can have prepared at any time is determined by that character's class and level. To prepare spells, first go a tavern or rest at a shrine. Then click on the spells tab of the character sheet and select the desired spell level page (L1-L9). Click and drag the desired spell icons into the preparation slots at the bottom of the spell page. Then drag those icons from the preparation slots into one of your shortcut bars so you can use the spells. Sorcerers and bards need not prepare their spells in the spellbook. They only need to drag the icons into their shortcut bars.