Spellcasting mechanics
How's a spell to be cast without a system to do so?
To cast spells, there are a few principles one must follow for success. Any and all spells are comprised of three or more components. An element, manifestation, and magnitude.
Element
The Flavor Matter
All spells need an element as a key ingredient. Without it, you're just casting magical slop. Additional elements can be applied to the spell in order to alter the element further. One example of such would be: "Force and Shock to creat a magnetized effect".
A few things to note. Every additional element added to the spell will increase the cost of the spell.
Eventually, someone is going to add mana costs to elements. Until then, don't go too crazy.
Manifestation
It's gotta take shape somehow
Your spell won't function without a function or form to it. Manifestations are your cookie-cutters to allowing spells to manifest and take on shape.
You can use multiple manifestations in order to further improve a spell, but each added manifestation will further increase the cost of your spell.
Eventually, mana costs will be embedded on top of the manifestations. For now, don't go too crazy.
Magnitude
This one is self Explanatory, but-
Magnitute is the component of how the spell outputs.
The greater the magnitude, the greater the cost.
Magnitude ranges between 1-10.
A table should be placed here at some point to talk about the mana cost for Magnitudes.
The Flavor Matter
All spells need an element as a key ingredient. Without it, you're just casting magical slop. Additional elements can be applied to the spell in order to alter the element further. One example of such would be: "Force and Shock to creat a magnetized effect".A few things to note. Every additional element added to the spell will increase the cost of the spell.
Eventually, someone is going to add mana costs to elements. Until then, don't go too crazy.
It's gotta take shape somehow
Your spell won't function without a function or form to it. Manifestations are your cookie-cutters to allowing spells to manifest and take on shape. You can use multiple manifestations in order to further improve a spell, but each added manifestation will further increase the cost of your spell.
Eventually, mana costs will be embedded on top of the manifestations. For now, don't go too crazy.
This one is self Explanatory, but-
Magnitute is the component of how the spell outputs. The greater the magnitude, the greater the cost. Magnitude ranges between 1-10. A table should be placed here at some point to talk about the mana cost for Magnitudes.What now?
Now that we know how a spell is built, we next need to know what mediums we can use to cast them.One method is the tried and true simple method of learning the spell and remembering components required in order to cast it. This method is effective for simpler spells with limited components.
But for those who wish for more, the other method is through a written structure. Enter Runic magics. The spellcasting method that allows friends and family to get all the magic spellcasting done in a convenient and "easy" manner.
What are Runic Magics?
Magical spells in the forms of writings, or rituals. These magics cannot be cast with just simple somatic or verbal components. They require a medium of activation, in the form of written magic.There are three forms of Runic Magics, each of an increasing size and potency.
Inscriptions, Lexica-Arcana, and Magic Circles.
Just as regular spells require mana and produce mana waste, so too does this variety of the arcane. Runes come in a variety of levels, based on spell complexity and size. The more mana you put into your rune, the more complex and even larger your spell can become. Let us talk about the types of runes available for casting:
Inscriptions
What are Inscriptions?
These are the smallest variety of Runic Magics, commonly found as Paper talismans and Stone Glyphs. They can hold up to one spell, and all you must do is channel mana into the rune to activate it.
The desired function comes in the form of the spell cast, which is decided by the calligraphy of the inscription.
For apparent and obvious reasons. Inscriptions are quite small, and they have a size limit of 15 Pips at most. Any larger than 15 Pips results in the spell fizzling, and the mana wasting.
Lexica-Arcana
What are Lexica Arcana?
The Lexica-Arcana (AKA Magic lexicon) is spellbook magic. This would be utilized for magics that are just too large and complex to cast as standalone or through a simple Inscription.
Many Casters would carry upon them a spell-tome, or grimoire. Effectively allowing them to take a small library of spells wherever they go, so that they may wiz up the place.
However, not all is so simple. Every caster wants to protect their secrets, and so there have been devised many safeguards and unique language structures for writing secretive words. Can't be having Joe-Shmoe stealing your book and hitting you with a fire-ball, now can he.
Just like with Inscriptions, Lexica-Arcana also has a size limitation, up to 50 Pips. Anything more and the spell will fizzle, wasting mana.
Magic Circles
What are Magic Circles?
Also known as Ritual Circles
Magic circles are the largest form of runic magic available. These things are designed for magic that is considered "The Real Deal". We're talking BIG spells that require set-up to commence great feats.
Magic circles have a minimum cost of 50 pips to begin with, but- there is no upper limit as to how much mana you can pour into one. Thankfully, these things have a pretty simple rule of thumb. The larger or complex the spell, the larger and more complex the circle.
One thing to note is that the usual spell for a magic circle comes in the form of a multi-page recipe. That's just how large the spell usually is. Like a combination of many inscriptions and other spells put together to create one... mega spell.
What are Inscriptions?
These are the smallest variety of Runic Magics, commonly found as Paper talismans and Stone Glyphs. They can hold up to one spell, and all you must do is channel mana into the rune to activate it.The desired function comes in the form of the spell cast, which is decided by the calligraphy of the inscription.
For apparent and obvious reasons. Inscriptions are quite small, and they have a size limit of 15 Pips at most. Any larger than 15 Pips results in the spell fizzling, and the mana wasting.
What are Lexica Arcana?
The Lexica-Arcana (AKA Magic lexicon) is spellbook magic. This would be utilized for magics that are just too large and complex to cast as standalone or through a simple Inscription.Many Casters would carry upon them a spell-tome, or grimoire. Effectively allowing them to take a small library of spells wherever they go, so that they may wiz up the place.
However, not all is so simple. Every caster wants to protect their secrets, and so there have been devised many safeguards and unique language structures for writing secretive words. Can't be having Joe-Shmoe stealing your book and hitting you with a fire-ball, now can he.
Just like with Inscriptions, Lexica-Arcana also has a size limitation, up to 50 Pips. Anything more and the spell will fizzle, wasting mana.
What are Magic Circles?
Also known as Ritual CirclesMagic circles are the largest form of runic magic available. These things are designed for magic that is considered "The Real Deal". We're talking BIG spells that require set-up to commence great feats.
Magic circles have a minimum cost of 50 pips to begin with, but- there is no upper limit as to how much mana you can pour into one. Thankfully, these things have a pretty simple rule of thumb. The larger or complex the spell, the larger and more complex the circle.
One thing to note is that the usual spell for a magic circle comes in the form of a multi-page recipe. That's just how large the spell usually is. Like a combination of many inscriptions and other spells put together to create one... mega spell.
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This article is still under construction!
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