Magic

Presented here are rules for how to read, organize, and use Spell Effects. Spells are organized into 5 different Spell Lists: Adept, Arcane, Divine, Nature, and Psionics. Learning the Spell List requires the Character to have the Magic feat (meaning a feat named ____ Magic) corresponding to the desired Spell List. Such feats may have prerequisites or restrictions such as proper [Schooling] or [Magical Aptitude], while others Replace and may be substituted any time a Character would attain a Magic feat, Adept, or Psion (this includes Character Creation). The Adept Spell list is the most basic of all Spellcasting, it along with the Arcane, Nature, and Divine Spell Lists are all organized into eight different Schools of Magic which describe what aspects of Reality they interact with or change, each School having a Physical and Abstract counterpart:

Schools of Magic

Psionic Spells use a different method for understanding and implementing changes to Reality, being organized into six Disciplines. The Psionic Spell List is composed of the same Spells taken from the previous four lists, but is organized differently, learning three Spells per Discipline. More Spells for Psionic characters requires investing feats into learning all Spells associated with any one Discipline, which includes three more Spells reinterpreted from the Schools of Magic plus a unique Spell which is only accessible through Psionic Spellcasting.

Psionic Disciplines

Spellcasting relies on SQ, or the Caster’s Spell Quantity. This number is an abstraction which represents any Character’s capacity to Cast Spells every day, but the Character must Rest at least two uninterrupted Shifts (they need not be consecutive) in order to recover their total SQ every day. After Resting and recovering any amount of SQ (full or half) the Character may re-evaluate the Spell Repertoire. The Spell Repertoire represents which Spells from the Caster’s known Spell Lists are available to Cast with SQ on any given day, it numbers the Casting Modifier, meaning the Caster may cast, at any given time, any of the Spells in their Repertoire by spending SQ corresponding to the Spell Order, numbered 1-7. A Caster may only access Spell effects with Orders numbering up to their Spell Degree, which represents the highest Order of Spells that Caster is able to cast with SQ. Spells have a Spell Delivery, which determines how far away from the Caster the intended effect may resolve and in what ways it interacts with any Subjects or Objects. The Duration determines how long a Spell effect will last, but it sometimes may also represent the amount of time the Caster must spend casting the Spell before its effects are completed or fully realized. Spell Effects are unique to each Spell and vary in their Spell Delivery and Duration with each Spell Order.

Spell Delivery

Spell Lists

Domains

[Religious] Characters gain access to Domains, despite their known Spell List(s) (if any), they learn and add permanently to their Spell Repertoire one specific Spell regardless of other restrictions, according to whatever School or Psionic Discipline is appropriate for the Character gaining the Domain. Each Domain also grants a special Domain Power. Characters may only select Domains which are appropriate for their respective [Religious] feat, which often requires maintaining one of the Moral Values associated, if a Character’s Alignment changes or doesn’t have the correct Moral Values they lose access to the Domain, including the known Spell and Domain Power.

Spell Components

Each Material follows the pricing guidelines for Materials listed in the left column. Each specific entry will have a Spell Capacity, which is the highest Order Spell which can be cast with a 1 Material HD Object of that material. To cast spells of higher Orders, a single Object to be ignited as a Material Component must have enough Material HD for its Spell Capacity to meet or exceed the Order of the Spell (multiply Spell Capacity x HD). The Caster must have the Spell in their Repertoire, then present and magically ignite the Material Component with a [Magical Aptitude] check (requiring a Spellcasting Focus) against a DC numbering 13+ double the Spell Order. The Caster may only access a Spell Order up to their own Spell Degree, regardless of the Spell Capacity of the Material Component, and the Material Component must be associated with the correct Spell List and School. Characters with [Eschew Materials] can bypass the restrictions on the need for a Spellcasting Focus, Spell List, and/or School of Magic.

Characters who cast Psionic Spells may use any GEM as a Material Component for a Spell of any Psionic Discipline, this requires the character maintain Psionic Focus. They require [Eschew Materials] to ignite any other Material.

Spell Component Ignition DC= 15+ 2x(Spell Order)

Other Materials not listed here may be available depending on the Setting or Narrative. Materials which are least expensive should only include the Adept Spell List, where the more expensive should include at least one or two Spell Lists. For a Material to be Universal, it must be Precious. It is possible that some Settings may alter these rules, and instead of increasing the number of Spell Lists, it may include a number of [Metamagic] feats or a reduction on penalties for using certain [Metamagic] feats. Other types of GEMS not listed, different types of Plant Matter, FLESH or SKELETON from Magical Creatures, etc. may be appropriate Material Components. In any situation, these Materials will all follow the same base rules in requiring a [Magical Aptitude] check to magically ignite the Material and Cast the Spell, failure to ignite the Material does not consume it. Material Components will follow this pricing rubric:

Magic Writings

Magic Writings are like Magic Items, but they are always created with [Scribe]. All Magic Writings are activated with [Literacy] against the Magic Writing DC. When applicable, use the reader’s CL and the Writing DC for Effects.

Magic Circles

Magic Circles are permanent inscriptions either carved or scribed onto a horizontal flat surface. Base Magic Circles have a 5ft radius, the Base Price doubles for every 5ft increase to the radius. If a portion of the Circle is destroyed or erased, the Effect ends until repaired and reactivated. Inscribing a Magic Circle takes 1 Billing per 5ft radius.

Runes and Symbols

Runes are permanent inscriptions which affect any Subject within 60ft who reads it, meaning they must be able to see the Rune and have [Literacy]. Symbols work the same way, but Cost only 10%, and disappear after reading. Runes and Symbols can be made or Disarmed as Magical Traps.

Scrolls

Scrolls are written on STATIONERY with Magical Ink. Magic Components are ignited to enhance the Ink further and imbue a Spell Effect into the page. The [Scribe] makes any selections normally made at Casting, the exact Spell Effect is contained within the Scroll, and it requires a [Literacy] check to activate. [Metamagic] feats may be applied to Scrolls if appropriate, the penalty(ies) apply(ies) on the [Literacy] check to activate or scribe it and on the Spell Effect after activation. Pages of Scrolls may be compiled into Spellbooks. Activating a Scroll causes it to ignite and burn up instantly, failure to activate the Scroll does nothing.