Magic is performed by consuming mana points of different varieties. At each level, a magic user gains three additional mana points, which can be permanently assigned to any category. Spells have a number of mana points required to cast them, from one or more category. Some spells will require a number of spell slots which can come from any category. Rules for up-casting (spending additional mana to make the spell more potent) are defined uniquely for each spell. However, many spells do follow similar conventions, for example, “Every additional X mana of type Y add one damage die, up to a limit of 3.”
Mana Categories
- Amalgam: Deals with the combining of different components.
- Clairvoyance: The ability to see and interact with far away places and things.
- Conjuration: Producing/creating items, creatures or monsters.
- Divination: Seeing the future.
- Elemental: Control over the basic elements.
- Illusion: The production of sounds, imagery and other effects to fool the senses.
- Spirit: Control and effecting of spirits.
- Transformation: The conversion of items, creatures or monsters from one state to another.
- Vitality: Control and aid of the life force of creatures and monsters.
- Metamagic: Effecting the production of magical effects.
The following categories exist, buy cannot typically be accessed by player characters:
- Primordial: Used by gods.
- Horological: Controls time.
- Eldritch: Used by beings older than gods.
- Cosmic: Used by beings as powerful as gods.
Charms
Charms are spell that do not require mana to cast. They can be cast at will and an unlimited number of times. These spells often have rather minor effects.
At first level, you begin with 3 charms. You gain an additional charm at the following levels: 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 30.
Joint Casting
Joint casting allows two or more creatures to cast a spell together, with each creature contributing at least one mana point. Joint casting takes at least one minute per mana point contributed to the spell. If joint casting is interrupted, for every minute taken (rounded up) for all parties to return to casting, one mana point already contributed is lost. If one member involved is unable to return to casting, another magic user can take their place by burning one Metamagic point and then contributing at least one of their own mana points to the jointly cast spell. Only one creature involved needs to know the spell, and at least one creature who knows the spell must remain involved.