Spell Point System

About the Spell Point System

The standard, or traditional, method around spell casting for the magically-inclined is the "learned spell rules". In fact, this is centered around the "Wizard" or Mage class (aka "Gandalf") but over time had been expanded to cover bards, druids, rangers, clerics, and more with varying degrees of success or failure. It's cumbersome to say the least.

To adjust for this, in Elohey, magical characters use "spell points". This was inspired by such systems as GURPS, or the IFGS larping system, where a magical based character would have a daily pool of points and could spend them on spells during a given day. When the spell points are exhausted, the character must rest in some way to regain these points. Under normal circumstances, it requires a full night's rest. However, this is adjusted based on class.

In context of Elohey, spell points represent a character's own ability to channel magic (divine or otherwise) to shape reality and the world as they need at that moment. This sort of "will working" is difficult and taxing. This is why there is only a set number of points a character can cast a day. As the character gains experience, this ability to channel magic improves over time, which is why the character has more spell points to use.

Casting Spells and Spell Points

Now, when the character wants to cast a spell, the level of the spell being cast is the “cost”. So a first level spell costs 1 spell point. A second level spell costs 2 spell points and so on. The only exception to this is the 0th level spells. They do cost some power, but are comparatively easy for the caster. Up to three 0th level spells can be cast for a cost of 1 spell point.

When a spellcaster runs out of spell points, that's it. They have to take the time to recuperate before they get any back. Now, all characters need at least eight hours of rest but to regain spell points a power-channeller must meditate for 1 hour on their particular ethos, philosophy, their music, etc. It must be 1 full, uninterrupted hour of meditation.

On What Spells Can Be Cast!

What spells a spellcaster may spend their points on depends on two things: their current level and their class.

About Spell Levels
Most classes ( with some exceptions, like Sorcerer ) is allowed to cast spells between 0th level and their current level - 3 to a minimum of 1 so the spellcaster can always cast 0th or 1st level spells. For example, if the character is a 6th level druid, they are allowed to consider casting any spell from 0th level to 3th level. If they try to cast a 4th level spell or higher, the spell fails immediately.
About Class
The other condition is the character class. Certain classes have restrictions on what spells can be cast. For example, listing this by class...
Clerics and Druids...
They may cast any spell provided the spell does not conflict with their ethical belief (i.e. alignment).
What this means is that if a spell is not marked with an alignment ( chaotic, good, evil, neutral, etc ), they are allowed to consider casting it. If that spell is marked with an alignment, such as:

Chaos Hammer

School evocation (chaotic) ; Level cleric 4

That "(chaotic)" would be the "ethical" portion of the spell. In our example, that means such a spell like Chaos Hammer is available for a cleric that is "Chaotic good". Also, not banned by their deity of course!
The same goes for Druids! As they have to be Neutral good, Neutral, etc. They are allowed to consider casting any spell that does not contain an "ethical" indicator, or matches with their "ethical" belief (i.e. neutral good, neutral, etc).
Also! Clerics must have their holy symbol to cast any spell above 2nd level! Druids, likewise, must have a symbol of faith such as a sacred plant, etc. Without it, they are also limited to only 2nd level spells.
Sorcerers...
They may select any spell they have learned off their bloodline spell list.
Wizards...
They may select any spell they have learned and recorded in their spellbook.
Rangers, Bards, Paladins, and Skalds...
Similar to a Wizard, they may select any spell they have learned through their travels.
Further details, such as how each class gains their spells is contained under the information on each class.

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On Cantrips and Orisons

Cantrips and Orisons are a special type of low powered magical effect or spell. They are the 0th-level spells that all classes, except rangers and paladins, can access. As mentioned above, three 0th-level spells can be cast for the price of 1 spell point. If a character only casts 2 cantrips but fails to cast a third for that day, then the spell point is still expended.

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On Recovering Spell Points

All spell professions recover their ability to cast spells in the same way: they must meditate for 1 hour, once per day, and no more than 1 hour per day. After they have meditated to regain their spell points, they may not do so again until the next game day, which often means the character has had 8 hours of consecutive rest. This is determined by the Game Master during game. What a character meditates on and the details around that meditation are covered in the section for each class.

Now, remember that there are certain magic items that will allow a character to meditate more than once a day to regain spell points. However, these magic items are rare and not always easy to find!

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Differences by Class

Bard

Bards, by their very nature, have to find – or invent – their magical songs, poetry, and so on to use. So a starting bard would have 1d3 starting songs (spells). These can be selected or random rolled during character creation, drawn from the Core Rule Book list of Bard Spells for the appropriate level. In addition, a bard receives bonus spells if they have a high Charisma score as per the Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells. After that, Bards must find and discover other spell songs, poetry or other performance spells.

Bardic spells are as varied and unusual as bards themselves. Due to the nature of the bard, all bard spells always have a verbal (or audible) component. This may be reciting poetry, singing a song, or playing a tune on an instrument.

A bard learns their new spells in a manner similar to sorcerers and wizards. The bard must take 1 hour of time per day to study the new poem or song, learning the melody, the canter and understanding the meaning behind it. This 1 hour is not the same as the 1 hour of meditation per day to recover spell points. Bards often carry their version of a "spell book". It may be a book of poetry or a song book. But it acts in the same way as a spell book.

During the 1 hour of meditation, a bard is expected to practice their music, poetry or song to perfect their art. They must be focused on this and not performing any other action.

Details about the Bard

Profession : Bard

Scroll of Base Spell Points Per Level

Bard and Skald Base Spell Points Per Level

Here would be the base spell points a bard or a skald gets per level.

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Level	Spell Points
1	1
2	2
3	3
4	5
5	8
6	10
7	13
8	18
9	22
10	26
11	33
12	39
13	44
14	53
15	61
16	67
17	78
18	88
19	94
20	100

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Cleric

Clerics, being devout followers of a given deity, are granted spells at the whim of the deity itself. Because of that, clerics have access to all their possible spells that are within the given domain of their patron deity up to the level of the cleric. In addition, a cleric receives bonus spells if they have a high Wisdom score as per the Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells.

Now, it's also possible that the cleric may try to use these spells in a way their patron higher being wouldn't exactly approve of; as in not following the deity's ethos. In those situations, the spell will fail.

As part of their devotion, the cleric meditates for 1 hour per day on their patron deity's philosophy while holding or being near the holy symbol of their patron. At times, the cleric may receive a vision from their patron while meditating.

Clerics and Domains

A cleric's chooses two domains pertaining to their patron deity, which in turn grant specific domain powers and spell-like abilities. These powers and abilities do not cost spell points. They are in fact no different than a Sorcerer's bonus spells they can cast at will a certain number of times a day.

Details about the Cleric

Profession : Cleric

Scroll of Base Spell Points Per Level

Cleric, Druid, and Wizard Base Spell Points

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Level	Spell Points
1	1
2	2
3	4
4	7
5	10
6	15
7	20
8	27
9	34
10	43
11	52
12	63
13	74
14	87
15	100
16	115
17	130
18	147
19	163
20	180

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Druid

A druid is similar to a cleric, only their patron deity is nature itself! The great outdoors. As such, druids have access to all possible spells from the druidic spell list up to the level of that druid. In addition, a druid receives bonus spells if they have a high Wisdom score as per the Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells

As part of their 1 hour of meditation per day, the druid must meditate on the mysteries of nature, allowing the magical energies of nature flow through and around them.

Details about the Druid

Profession : Druid

Scroll of Base Spell Points Per Level

Cleric, Druid, and Wizard Base Spell Points

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Level	Spell Points
1	1
2	2
3	4
4	7
5	10
6	15
7	20
8	27
9	34
10	43
11	52
12	63
13	74
14	87
15	100
16	115
17	130
18	147
19	163
20	180

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Paladin

Paladins, being holy warriors and noble souls, are similar to clerics. When able to cast spells, they are granted full access to all potential spells up to the level of the paladin's caster level at that time. In addition, a paladin receives bonus spells if they have a high Charisma score as per the Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells

However, unlike other will workers, paladins are granted access to their patron deity's magics at 4th level. At that level and higher, a paladin's "caster level" is considered their current level minus 3.

A paladin meditating is a quiet, thoughtful affair. Paladins must spend 1 hour per day of quiet reflection, prayer, or even reciting a calming mantra to regain their spell points.

Details about the Paladin

Profession : Paladin

Scroll of Base Spell Points Per Level

Ranger, Misakuwo, and Paladin Base Spell Points

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Level	Spell Points
1	0
2	0
3	0
4	0
5	1
6	1
7	1
8	3
9	4
10	4
11	7
12	9
13	10
14	14
15	17
16	19
17	20
18	24
19	27
20	33

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Ranger

Rangers, like paladins, are guardians of the wild, scouts, trackers, bounty hunters and more. Their spells come from nature or even their chosen terrain. Once a ranger is able to cast spells, they are granted full access to all potential spells up to the ranger's caster level at that time. In addition, a ranger receives bonus spells if they have a high Wisdom score as per the Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells.

However, unlike other will workers, rangers are granted access to their magics at 4th level. At that level and higher, a ranger's "caster level" is considered their current level minus 3.

A Ranger, like all other spell casting classes, must meditate 1 hour per day to regain their spell points. During that time, they may say a silent prayer, chant a mantra, or pass the time with quiet reflection upon nature or the terrain they feel closest to, allowing the magic of that to flow through and around them to regain their spells

Details about the Ranger

Profession : Ranger

Scroll of Base Spell Points Per Level

Ranger, Misakuwo, and Paladin Base Spell Points

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Level	Spell Points
1	0
2	0
3	0
4	0
5	1
6	1
7	1
8	3
9	4
10	4
11	7
12	9
13	10
14	14
15	17
16	19
17	20
18	24
19	27
20	33

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Skald

Skalds study history, and even other arcane professions, to learn - or invent - their magical poems, speeches, songs and more. They are similar to the bard profession except where the Bard is more an entertainer, the skald is closer to a scholar or researcher or historian. On some occasions, they may even be a spy!

However, like the bard, a skald has 1d3 starting songs or poems (spells). These can be selected or random rolled during character creation, drawn from the Core Rule Book list of Bard Spells for the appropriate level. In addition, a skald receives bonus spells if they have a high Charisma score as per the Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells. After that, skalds must find and discover other spell songs, poetry or other spells. Due to the unusual nature of a skald, they may actually use their spell kenning to tap into even sorcerer spells!

Skaldic spells are as varied and unusual, dependent on what the skald has focused on in their studies. Due to the nature of the skald, all skald spells always have a verbal (or audible) component. This may be reciting poetry, singing a song, giving an inspiring speech, or playing a tune on an instrument.

It isn't uncommon for skalds to get into "skald duels" with competing poetic spells!

A skald learns their new spells in a manner similar to sorcerers and wizards. The bard must take 1 hour of time per day to study the new poem or song, learning the melody, the canter and understanding the meaning behind it. This 1 hour is not the same as the 1 hour of meditation per day to recover spell points. Skalds often carry their version of a "spell book". It may be a book of poetry, their journal notes, or a song book. But it acts in the same way as a spell book.

During the 1 hour of meditation, a skald is expected to practice their music, poetry or song to perfect their art. They must be focused on this and not performing any other action.

Details about the Skald

Profession : Skald

Scroll of Skald Spell Points Per Level

Bard and Skald Base Spell Points Per Level

Here would be the base spell points a bard or a skald gets per level.

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Level	Spell Points
1	1
2	2
3	3
4	5
5	8
6	10
7	13
8	18
9	22
10	26
11	33
12	39
13	44
14	53
15	61
16	67
17	78
18	88
19	94
20	100

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Sorcerer

Sorcerers have their power come from their bloodline. As they adventure, their connection to their bloodline grows and strengthens. As a result, when a sorcerer advances a level, they may either random roll or select a new spell to add to their collection. For example:

If a 1st level Sorcerer can cast 3 1st level spells a day, they can random roll (or select) 3 1st level spells. When they reach 2nd, and this become 4 1st level spells a day, that same Sorcerer may random roll (or select) another 1st level spell.

Now, if the sorcerer wants to change what spells they have picked for this spell collection, they may do so twice in the lifetime of the character. This is because their magic is in their blood. It's a part of them and so they are forcing a change upon their own blood. Once they have exhausted this "resetting" of what spells they know, their spell choices are permanent.

At the start, a sorcerer begins play with 4 0-level spells and two 1st-level spells of their choice. However, a sorcerer receives bonus spells if they have a high Charisma score as per the Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells.

In addition, a sorcerer may also learn spells by studying spell books or scrolls. However, the spell must be one that falls within their bloodline. To learn a spell through study, a sorcerer must spend 1 hour of uninterrupted meditation to learn the spell. Note, this is a separate hour from the 1 hour of meditation time to regain spell points.

Like all spellcasters, sorcerers must meditate for 1 hour per day to recover their lost spell points. During meditation, a sorcerer directs their thoughts inward. Their blood sings to them, whispering of mysteries and magics yet to see and know. During this meditation, the sorcerer 'communes' with this magic, which many sorcerers call 'their spirits'.

Details about the Sorcerer

Profession : Sorcerer

Scroll of Base Spell Points Per Level

Sorcerer Base Spell Points Per Level

Here would be the base spell points a sorcerer gets per level.

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Level	Spell Points
1	3
2	4
3	5
4	12
5	14
6	25
7	30
8	45
9	52
10	71
11	80
12	103
13	114
14	141
15	154
16	185
17	200
18	235
19	252
20	270

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Wizard

Less random than the Bard or Sorcerer, a Wizard’s spells are a result of magical study and research. As indicated for the Wizard class, a Wizard starts will full access to all 0th level spells and may select which 1st level spells they start with. In addition, a wizard receives bonus spells if they have a high Intelligence score as per the Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells. As they level, they may select more spells to reflect their research and study.

For example, if a 3rd Level Wizard (who knows four 0th level spells, two 1st level spells, and one 2nd level spell) now increases to 4th level. He may then select one new 1st level spell and one new 2nd level spell since his spells per day increased. However, this does not impact what he may have in his spellbook. Wizards are allowed to scribe as many spells as they encounter during play into their spellbook – provided they scribe them into their OWN spellbook.

To scribe or learn a new spell, a wizard must spend 1 hour of meditation with the new spell, studying it and copying it into their spell book. Like for sorcerers, this is a separate hour from the 1 hour of meditation time to regain spell points.

To regain their lost spell points, a wizard must meditate for 1 hour per day. A wizard meditates best with their spell book. For them it is an hour of intensive study over basic arcane principles and how magic interconnects with itself and the world around it.

Details about the Wizard

Profession : Wizard

Scroll of Base Spell Points Per Level

Cleric, Druid, and Wizard Base Spell Points

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Level	Spell Points
1	1
2	2
3	4
4	7
5	10
6	15
7	20
8	27
9	34
10	43
11	52
12	63
13	74
14	87
15	100
16	115
17	130
18	147
19	163
20	180

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How to Calculate Spell Points

Calculating spell points is the same for all classes.

The spellcaster determines their number of spells cast for a given level per day by looking up the guide for their class, and factoring in any bonuses they receive for a relevant attribute being at a high score. The spellcaster then multiplies {the number of spells per day they can cast at a specific level} by {the spell level in question}, and adds up the totals from each of these calculations to determine their total Spell Points Per Day.

For example: Say a 5th level Cleric with no Wisdom Bonus wants to determine their Spell Points per Day. The cleric can cast 4 0th level spells, 4 1st level spells, 3 2nd level spells, and 2 3rd level spells. The spellpoints would be calculated like so:

4 (level 0 spells) x 0 (the level of the spells) = 0
3 (level 1 spells) x 1 (the level of the spells) = 3
2 (level 2 spells) x 2 (the level of the spells) = 4
1 (level 3 spells) x 3 (the level of the spells) = 3

This gives a total of 10 spell points. This is the total number of spell points a spell caster – in our case the cleric – has per day to use on spells.

Now, as this is being used with Pathfinder First Edition, there is the topic of Bonus Spells per level. Bonus spells per level are added to the final total. So, if that 5th level cleric has a Wisdom score allowing a +1 bonus spell per level, then your calculation becomes:

4 (level 0 spells) x 0 (the level of the spells) = 0
3 (level 1 spells) x 1 (the level of the spells) = 3
2 (level 2 spells) x 2 (the level of the spells) = 4
1 (level 3 spells) x 3 (the level of the spells) = 3
1 ( Wisdom score bonus ) x 5 ( Level of the Caster) = 5

In this case, our cleric has 15 spell points per day to use!

Another example would be the Ranger who gets spells starting at 4th level, again this is from Pathfinder First Edition. In this case, for a 6th level ranger it would be:

1 (level 1 spell) x 1 (the level of the spells) = 1

Therefore a total of 1 spell point per day. Which may not seem like much but remember that a ranger can meditate for an hour to regain that spell point.

Note that for all classes, if a specific spell is awarded as a bonus ability at a certain level, this "extra" spell absolutely does not add to the number of Spell Points Per Day for that character. Chaliimriia, for example, gained one use per day of the Sanctuary spell when she reached 1st level as a cleric specializing in the Protection Domain; she does not have to pay for that single casting from her pool of Spell Points Per Day, but nor can she swap that single bonus spell for a chance to cast another 1st level spell or three 0th level Orisons.

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A Note on the Spell Point System

The system listed above was originally designed for Pathfinder First Edition. However, it works well for D&D 5e for those who want an alternative magic system!

The biggest difference is that the "Spell Point" tables listed above aren't the same. They would need to be recalculated using the formula listed under How to Calculate Spell Points and since 5e does not allow bonus spells, the reference to bonus spells would be ignored. Yet, aside from the bonus spell item, the rest of the system is compatible with D&D 5e for the classes tested so far.

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