Levitate

Tier 2 Spell (Average(d d) difficulty)

"Mind over Matter"

— Everyone who has ever used this spell, ever.

Wizards are renowned for many things, but upper body strength is not one of them. To counter this, they figured out long ago how to use magic for their heavy lifting, transferring the strain from their physical bodies to their minds. While this appears easier on the surface, it does have its drawbacks. Levitating too many items, even several dozen small ones, can take a heavy toll on the caster, and trying to lift too heavy an object runs the risk of knocking them out. This also cannot be used on the one casting the spell.
When lifting objects using Levitate, the caster has a magical encumbrance value of 5 plus their Intellect. Trying to lift objects with a higher encumbrance value adds d for each encumbrance point above their threshold. When lifting characters, things are calculated differently. If the character is unwilling, the caster must make an opposed Arcane vs. Discipline check. If they are willing, the spell is checked as normal. When moving anything during combat, it can only be moved one range band as an action.
It is possible for two mages to lift an object together. First, you must pick the main caster, then you add the secondary caster's Intellect to the main caster's encumbrance threshold.

Effect

Moves an object of the caster's choice one range band in any direction.

Manifestation

Levitate appears as several twisting lines of energy coming out of the caster's hands and wrapping around the object.

Gestures & Ritual

To cast Levitate, the user must stretch out their arm and focus on the object, and move their arm in accordance to where they want the object to be moved to. To move heavier objects, sometimes the caster needs to use both of their arms to help reduce the strain.

Related Discipline

Arcane Magic

Effect Duration

Until the caster ceases concentration

Effect Casting Time

1 Combat Action (instant)

Range

short (range band)

Level

Characters need at least 1 rank in Arcana to cast this spell.

Applied Restriction

Levitate requires at least one arm free in order to be cast, and both if the object is particularly heavy. If at least one arm is not free, this spell cannot be cast.