Spells

Beginning Spells

At the start of play, every Magic-User’s spellbook contains Read Magic plus three other randomly-determined first level spells. An Elf begins play with only Read Magic in the spellbook. Upon attaining a new level, a Magic-User can add one random spell to his book free of charge from his choice of spell levels he is already able to cast, but the time for researching or transcribing the spell remains as standard.

Magic-Users' minds are often above using a simple book to store their knowledge, so, depending on their learning origin, they might use clay tablets, inscribed weapons or their own body parts to write down spells. At the start of play, Magic-User has to define the exact form of their spellbook, and it cannot be changed later.

Preparing Spells Each Day

A Magic-User prepares spells by memorizing them from a spellbook. The Magic-User must rest for six continuous hours before preparing spells. After resting, the Magic-User must study using a spellbook for a number of hours equal to the highest level spell being prepared. This process is sometimes called memorizing spells.

Spells remain in memory until they are cast, and once they are cast, they fade from the mind like a dream upon waking. However, the same spell can be prepared multiple times. The Magic-User’s spell charts give the maximum number of spells of each spell level that can be memorized at once, and the Magic-User can never have more than this number prepared at one time. Spells cannot be simply dismissed from the mind; they must be cast to clear the “spell slot.”

Reversible spells are effectively two different spells: the “normal” version and the “reversed” version. They must be researched, transcribed, and prepared as different spells. A Magic-User can only safely prepare spells once every twenty-four hours. The mind simply cannot handle any more. Magic-Users can only prepare spells which are written in their spellbooks.

Casting Spells

Spells are cast by a combination of mental effort, gesticulation, and incantations. In order to cast a spell, a Magic-User must be able to recite the incantation freely and gesture with at least one hand. A character that is gagged, silenced, bound or otherwise unable to speak or gesture cannot cast spells. Casting a spell cannot be done secretly, stealthily or disguised as another activity if otherwise not stated. The actions necessary to cast a spell will be obvious to all. Magic-Users cannot cast spells if they are more than Lightly encumbered if otherwise not stated.

A Magic-User can only cast a spell that is currently prepared. Casting the spell expends it: the spell is wiped from memory and cannot be cast again until it is prepared anew. There is no roll to cast — a prepared spell works without fail — but the magic does not take hold the instant it is loosed. Casting takes the Magic-User’s whole action for the Round, and the spell only takes effect at the beginning of the next Round, before Initiative is rolled. In the meantime the caster is left helpless and exposed: if they take any damage after they begin casting and before the spell resolves, their concentration breaks and the spell is lost with no effect — the action is wasted and the prepared spell is spent all the same.

• For any spell that harms a target or produces a direct effect, the target is allowed a saving throw, negating the effect or halving the damage the spell produces.

• Spells of 3rd and lower level that search and reveal anything cannot penetrate 3 ft of dirt or debris, 1 ft of stone, 1’’ of metal or a thin sheet of lead. Detection by spells of 4th and higher level can only be prevented by special magical defence.