Troll Lord Games

The following first draft is an attempt at a magic-using class that replicates the feel of “real” medieval and Renaissance magic, as expressed both in legend, and the actual grimoires. It has not been play-tested yet, so feedback is very welcome. Such things as the Magician's ability to Encipher were inspired by the works and exploits of such notables as John Dee and Johannes Trithemius. The Magician is much more versatile than the standard C&C Wizard, but has certain unique limitations that create role-playing challenges.


MAGICIAN
One who works wonders with strange incantations, bizarre ceremonies, enchanted talismans, and secret pacts.

Standing aloof from the mundane crowd, the mighty Magician twists reality itself to suit his will. Wielding strange powers gained by stranger means, he is alternately a figure of admiration, fear, wonder, and disgust to ordinary men. Through his arcane arts, the Magician can do such things as kill his enemies; gain wealth, power, and love; destroy armies; cure and cause wounds and diseases; create illusions; divine hidden knowledge; and transform into other shapes. Some Magicians work to improve the world through arcane means. Many more, however, pursue private schemes that range from merely insane, to terrifyingly malevolent.

An ordinary person cannot simply decide to become a Magician. Rather, the aspiring Magician must be initiated, either by another Magician, or by an extra-planer entity. Often, the aspirant enters into an Apprentice-Master relationship with a single, experienced Magician. Other times, the neophyte becomes a member of one of the existing Magical Orders, secret organizations generally characterized by strange rites, hierarchical structures, and secret agendas. If the Magician was Initiated by an extra-planer being (such as a Devil, Demon, Angel, or Fairy), he or she must have located and performed a summoning Ritual that attracted the attention of the initiating entity. Some such Rituals are well known and relatively simple (such as that which attracts a Black Man of the Crossroads), while others are far rarer and more complex (such as that which contacts a holy Guardian Angel). Some Magical Orders actually summon extra-planer entities to their induction ceremonies, to serve as the actual initiators of new magicians. Under no circumstances can an Initiation ever be coerced – in order to be efficacious, it must be voluntarily conferred.

Some tension exists between those Magicians who are members of Magical Orders, or have mortal Masters, and those who answer only to extra-planer entities. Many Magical orders are not above attacking, or causing legal trouble for, those renegade Magicians who refuse to submit to the orders' authority.

The term “spells” refers both to the effects created by Magicians, and the techniques used to create them. The acquisition of new spells is a constant concern of the Magician. These can be gained in a number of ways. Those Magicians who have personal Masters, or are members of Magical Orders, are usually taught such spells as their superiors deem fit. Spells can also be learned from the Spirits themselves, who are generally able to teach the ones that correspond to their own magical powers. Magicians also constantly experiment with magic, often creating new spells through their own research. Finally, spells can be gleaned from ancient texts, or even stolen from other Magicians!

Magicians are usually Humans, Elves, or Gnomes. Humans often focus on Ceremonial Magic, while Elves prefer Incantations, and Gnomes are masters of Talismans. Halflings are often afraid of true magic, while Dwarves suffer both from a lack of aptitude, and severe social sanctions against extra-religious magic. There are few Half-Orcs Magicians, but they are not unknown.

Magicians often have a complicated relationship with society at large. Secular nobility often look to Magicians to counter the temporal power of the Clergy. Many human nobles will employ a court Magician, asking occasional magical favors in return for a generous stipend, and ignoring any unsavory habits the Magician may posses. Human Clerics, of course, almost always despise Magicians, and may endeavor to eliminate them. Magicians generally despise Rogues and Assassins, except for those the Magicians employ against their rivals. Many Magicians in fact come to prefer the company of ensorcelled monsters to any human society.

Due to their love of secrets, ability to uncover information by strange means, and facility with codes and ciphers, Magicians are often involved in espionage. Many a court Magician is actually a spy for some other power, and many are even triple and quadruple agents!

Magicians may actually be of any Alignment. Those who were Initiated by extra-planer beings usually share those beings' Alignment. Most magical orders have agendas that correspond to a particular Alignment, and their members will usually have Alignments close to that of the organization as a whole. When an Apprentice and their Master differ radically in Alignment, it almost always eventually ends in a magical duel of some kind. Whatever a Magician's Alignment, however, frequent contact with arcane forces and strange entities eventually serve to disconnect her from the concerns of ordinary people. Even Good Magicians of long years may seem unsympathetic and inscrutable.


ABILITES

INCANTATIONS: An Incantation is a spell effected by means of magically potent words of power, or else spontaneous poetry that states the desired effect. Typically, they are used to do such things as Charm victims, cast invisible Magic Missiles, throw Fireballs, and cast Lightning Bolts. Incantations do not utilize hard-to acquire materials, and can be used at any time. They require the use of the Magician's Magical Implement, however, and are physically exhausting.

Every time a Magician uses an Incantation, he suffers Subdual Damage equal to the Level of the Spell. As usual, every 5 points of Subdual damage inflicts a point of real damage. 0 Level Incantations can thus be used freely, but all others represent a potentially dangerous mental and physical strain.

A Magician can use any Incantation he knows, at any time. Of course, overuse of Incantations will cause the Magician to fall unconscious.

Magicians who rely heavily on Incantations are called Incanters, Conjurors, or Sorcerers .


CEREMONIAL MAGIC : A magical Ceremony is an intricate series of symbolic actions that create a magical effect. It differs from a Ritual in that anyone can attempt a Ritual, but only a true Magician can use spells of Ceremonial Magic. Many Magicians begin their careers with a Ritual that summons an Initiating entity, but thereafter turn to the practice of actual Ceremonial Magic.

Ceremonial Magic is typically used for such things as summoning entities, gaining lovers, changing a social situation, or creating permanently enchanted items. Ceremonial Magic takes a long time to perform, require expensive materials, and is limited in the times and places it can be successfully used. Unlike the use of Incantations, it is not dangerously exhausting. Typically, Ceremonial Magic creates much more powerful effects than other types of magic. It also allows effects to occur outside of direct sensory range, as long as the magician has a piece of the person or place that will serve as the point of origination for the spell's effect. Thus, Ceremonial Magic can be used to attack enemies that are halfway around the world.

Often, a Ceremony's effects can be held “in reserve” until the Magician wants them to occur. In such cases, the player should write the Ceremony's effect on an index card, and present the card to the CK at the time when he wants the effect to happen.

Assume that there is a 1 in 6 chance that a particular Ceremony can be performed on a desired day, and in a certain location. (This roll can be made in advance to determine where and when a Ritual can actually be performed.) Failure represents that the stars are wrong, it's the wrong moon phase, the weather is inappropriate, etc. Magical Ceremonies require half an hour per spell level to perform, and require materials with a worth in gold piece equal to 10 times the spell's level squared. 0 Level rituals cost nothing, and take a mere 10 minutes.

For purposes of determining the ability to perform a Ceremony, a “location” is an area of approximately 20 miles square, or 1 day's journey across. It is therefore common for Magicians to undertake long journeys, in order to be in a place where they will be able to perform a certain magical Ceremony.

Alternately, the CK may specify an exact time and place where a Ceremony must be performed, as well as the specific items that must be acquired. Such items should be strange, hard-to-obtain, and deeply symbolic in nature. It is suggested that the CK insist upon explicit terms for Ceremonies that create permanently enchanted items, while allowing the more abstract method for ordinary works of Ceremonial Magic.

The total Levels of Ceremonial spell effects a magician can keep “in reserve” is equal to their own character Level.

Magicians who specialize in Ceremonial magic are naturally called Ceremonial Magicians. The terms Evoker and Invoker are also common.


TALISMANS : A Talisman is a spell bound into an object, which when put in contact with a subject confers an effect constantly. For instance, a "Shield" Talisman provides the constant protection of the Shield spell, for as long as it is worn or carried. Other Talismans may do such things as make the wearer smarter, protect him from arrows, or provide constant warmth. Typically, a Talisman will be made as a pendant or small disk to be kept in a pocket. It is possible, however to create other types of Talismans (such as rings, daggers, etc).

A Talisman must be made for a particular person, object or place, and will have absolutely no effect on anybody or anything else. A Magician can make a Talisman for a friend, for example.

A magician can only have one Talisman active at a time. Every time a magician charges a new Talisman, all other Talismans created by that magician are discharged and deactivated.

A Talisman can only be charged at certain times and in certain places. In game terms, there is only a 1 in 6 chance that a certain Talisman can be made and charged on a particular day, and in a particular location. This roll can be made in advance to determine when and where a Talisman can be created. Failure means the planets are (or will be) in the wrong positions, the day desired is inauspicious, etc. As with magical Ceremonies, a “location” is an area of approximately 20 miles square, or 1 day's journey across. Therefore, Magicians will often relocate, in order to successfully charge a desired Talisman.

Creating the physical basis of a Talisman requires rare materials worth 100 times the square of the spell's Level, in either gold pieces, or XP value of creatures.. Charging a Talisman takes 1 hour per spell Level. For example, the Talisman of a 6th level spell requires materials with a total value of 2,400, in terms of gold pieces and/or the experience point value of needed monsters. It require 6 hours to charge. A 0 Level Talisman is made from common materials, has no real cost, and takes just 10 minutes to create.

The physical basis of a Talisman that has been discharged can be later recharged and reused. If anyone other than the Talisman's maker or its subject touches a Talisman, it is instantly discharged. Likewise, a Dispel Magic spell instantly discharges a Talisman. A Talisman can also be discharged at will by its maker, from any distance away. A Talisman's charge lasts only 28 days (1 moon), after which is must be recharged.

Those magicians who become known for their Talismans are often called Enchanters.


PACTS : A Pact is an agreement with an extra-planer creature, who will cause a specific magical effect to occur, but demand a particular payment each time The terms of payment demanded differ from creature to creature, but usually involve the gradual degradation of the Magician's abilities and resources. The player of a Magician character must record the terms of each Pact that the character can employ.

A typical pact might require the sacrifice of specific creatures with a total HD approximately equal to the Level of the spell, the permanent loss of wealth equal to 100 gp per spell level, the loss of a point of Constitution (or other Ability) per spell Level for a day, or cause 1d4 hit points of actual (not subdual) damage per spell Level to the Magician. Sometimes the spiritual powers will demand that the magician perform a specific act in order to activate the spell's power, or specify that the spell can only be cast for certain uses. 0 Level pacts generally require the sacrifice of a small animal of less than 1 HD, the loss of 1 hp, or the destruction of materials worth only 1 gp. The CK should design each pact to reflect both the nature of the spirit granting the power, and the overall impact for the Campaign.

Pacts of Levels 0 - 3 are often implicit, working without requiring an explicit prior agreement between the Magician and the empowering entity. They can be learned like any other spell. For example, the Magician knows that if he properly sacrifices a dog to the demon princess Gyzarath, he will be temporarily transformed into a dog himself, even if he has never actually spoken to Gyzarath. Pacts of Level 4 and above are always explicit, however, and must be granted directly by extra-planer creatures. Generally, an extra-planer creature will grant Pacts that allow a Magician to replicate the entity's own abilities.

A magician can use a Pact spell as often as they like, provided they are willing to pay the price each time. Almost any effect could be created through a Pact, but miracles of healing and restoration are particularly likely to be granted in this way.

A Magician who primarily employs Pacts is often called a Witch (if female), or a Warlock (if male). Magicians who serve the will of the Devils are furthermore differentiated by the term Diabolists, while those whose Pacts are Demonic in origin are called Demonolaters. Those who have many Pacts with the Fairy Folk are often called Fairy Doctors, while those who receive their powers from Angels are often called White Witches, or Theurgists.


ENCIPHER (Intelligence) : Magicians love codes, since they serve to further distinguish the learned Magician from from the ignorant masses. Furthermore, the threat of persecution from religious authorities often forces Magicians to conceal their knowledge. With a successful Intelligence Check, the Magician is able to encode information (such as a written text) in a baffling way. Unless the Magician reveals the the cipher's key, information so encrypted requires an Intelligence Check (with a CL equal to the Level of the Magician who encoded it) to be deciphered. Alternately such codes can become in-game puzzles to be solved by players, at the CK's discretion. Magicians often encipher the written forms of their spells, or sometimes even play elaborate jokes by passing off meaningless texts as encoded works of magical power.


ESOTERIC KNOWLEDGE (Intelligence) : In the course of their arcane studies Magicians learn much strange and occult lore. Whenever the Magician is presented with another Magician's cipher, a bizarre symbol, a fragment of a dead language, magical runes, or another bit of esoterica, they are entitled to an Intelligence check to see whether or not they have some idea of it's meaning. At the CK's discretion, a Magician could use this ability to read any glyphs inscribed on an enchanted item, thus identifying it.


INITIATE : Starting at 3rd Level, a Magician is able to begin others on the magical path. This simply allows the person initiated to become a 1st Level Magician – the new initiate must still learn or be taught actual spells in order to create magical effects. As previously stated, no person can become a Magician without being Initiated by an existing magician, or else by an extra-planer entity.


WEAKNESSES

MAGICAL IMPLEMENT: A Magician must employ a special implement in order to use their Incantations. This implement is separate from any object(s) required to perform specific magical Ceremonies. The Magician can choose their Magical Implement, and each choice has certain advantages and drawbacks.

Typical Magical Implements include:
Staff: A staff's advantages are that it can be used offensively, and can be carried as a walking stick without arousing undue suspicion. It's drawback is its size and awkwardness in tight situations.
Wand: A wand has the advantage of small size, making it concealable. Its drawback is its fragility.
Sword: A sword has the advantage of also being extremely effective in hand-to-hand combat, if needed. Its big drawback it that it is an obvious offensive weapon, and the Magician may not be able to carry it in certain social situations.
Dagger: A dagger can also be used in combat, like a sword, but it is smaller, concealable, and less likely to be banned from social situations.
Book: The advantage of using a small book of arcane writings as a Magical Implement is that it can easily be carried without suspicion (provided nobody else can read it), and, easily concealed (up a wide sleeve, for example). It's disadvantage is that it can be easily destroyed, and has no other use (except perhaps as a coaster for the Magician's ale).
Pantacle: The Pantacle is an arcane design painted or engraved on a flat object, typically circular. Its big advantage is that it can take the form of a buckler or small shield, adding to the Magician's defensive capability. Its disadvantage is that a Pantacle is the most obvious form of Magical Implement, and thus an easy target for the Magician's enemies.

A Magician character starts play with an appropriate Magical Implement of the player's choice. Replacing a lost Magical Implement generally costs 100 gp per Level of the Magician.


POWER OBJECT: Every Magician possesses an object that embodies their magical power. Sometimes, this object is identical with the Magician's Magical Implement. Other times, it take the form of a separate ring, pendant, crown, or other article of clothing or jewelry. Often, the Power Object is a large book that contains the written forms of all of the Magician's spells. The Power Object could even be a tattoo. In cases where the magician received their power by means of a contract with a Devil, the Magician will often have a copy of the contract as their Power Object.

If a Magician does not have their Power Object on their person, they use magic as if they were one Level lower. In the case of a first Level Magician, this means they would lose all ability to use magic at all, until they are back in contact with their Power Object. If any Magician's Power Object is ever actually destroyed, the character will likewise lose the use of all their spells, until they can recreate the object exactly as it was. In cases where the object cannot be replaced or recreated, (such as in the case of a Diabolical contract), the character will lose all magical abilities permanently. Thus, many Magicians will leave their Power Object in a secure place when adventuring, accepting a reduction in abilities in return for peace of mind.

Replacing a Power Object will cost 1,000 gp per Level of the Magician.


PRIME ATTRIBUTE: Intelligence
HIT DICE: d4
ALIGNMENT: Any
WEAPONS: Blowpipe, Cat-O-Nine-Tails, Club, Dagger, Dart, Dirk, Katar, Knife, Light Crossbow, Longsword, Pistol (if used), Poniard, Scimitar, Scythe, Shortsword, Sickle, Sling, Staff, Trident, Whip
ARMOR: Breastplate (Bronze or Steel), Buckler, Helmet (any), Leather Coat, Mail Shirt, Small Shield
ABILITES: Incantations, Ceremonial Magic, Talismans, Pacts, Encipher, Esoteric Knowledge, Initiate
WEAKNESSES: Magical Implement, Power Object


Level | Hit Dice | Basic To-Hit Bonus | Maximum Spell Level | Experience Points
1 | d4 | +0 | 1 | 0
2 | d4 | +1 | 1 | 2,251
3 | d4 | +1 | 2 | 5,001
4 | d4 | +1 | 2 | 9,001
5 | d4 | +1 | 3 | 18,001
6 | d4 | +2 | 3 | 35,001
7 | d4 | +2 | 4 | 70,001
8 | d4 | +2 | 4 | 140,001
9 | d4 | +2 | 5 | 300,001
10 | d4 | +3 | 5 | 425,001
11 | +1 HP | +3 | 6 | 650,001
12 | +1 HP | +3 | 6 | 900,001
13+ | | | 7, and so on. | +250,000 per level

MAGICIAN STARTING SPELLS:
A Magician character starts play knowing four 0 Level Spells, and two 1st level Spells. These spells can represent any mix of Incantations, Ceremonies, Talismans, or Pacts the player desires. The Magician is assumed to automatically gain 1 new spell per Level gained, which can also be of any kind the player desires (Incantation, Ceremony, Talisman, or Pact), and any Level the Magician can currently employ. All other spells learned must be gained in the course of regular game play.

The player of a Magician character must keep a current list of all the spells that her PC knows, broken down by Incantations, Ceremonies, Talismans, and Pacts. The same spell may in fact be found as a Incantation, Ceremony, Talisman, or Pact, but each version must be learned separately.

The strongest level of spell that the Magician is able to use is equal to one half his Level, rounded up.

Note: Extra-planer sources who teach spells can choose to impart the spell as an Incantation, Ritual, Talisman, or Pact.


Typical titles for Magicians:
Level 1-2: Apprentice, Neophyte, Tyro
Level 3-8 : Journeyman, Fellow, Adept
Level 9+: Wizard, Magus, Magister, Thaumaturge


0 & 1st LEVEL MAGICIAN SPELLS
Magician's spells are identical in most respects to the versions in the Player's Handbook, except the casting times and costs (if applicable) are uniform for each type of spell (as stated above). Also, the spell components listed in the Player's Handbook do not apply.


INCANTATIONS
Magical Implement required to cast.
Suffer Subdual damage equal to spell's Level.

0 LEVEL - Cast Freely
Dancing Lights
Endure Elements
First Aid
Ghost Sound
Influence
Know Direction
Light
Mage Hand
Mending
Message
Open/Close
Prestidigitation
Purify Food and Drink

1st LEVEL - Suffer 1 point of Subdual damage per use.
Alter Size
Burning Hands
Cause Fear
Change Self
Charm Person
Color Spray
Comprehend Languages
Create Water
Detect Chaos/Evil/Good/Law/Neutrality
Detect Illusion
Detect Magic
Detect Poison
Detect Secret Doors
Detect Undead
Erase
Feather Fall
Hold Portal
Hypnotism
Invisibility To Undead
Jump
Magic Missile
Obscuring Mist
Protection From Chaos/Evil/Good/Law
Read Magic
Remove Fear
Shield
Shocking Grasp
Silent Image
Spider Climb
Unseen Servant
Ventriloquism


MAGICAL CEREMONIES
1 in 6 chance that a Ceremony can be held on a given day in a desired 20 mile square area.
Can take effect at a distance, if the Magician has an item belonging to the subject.
* Indicates that an effect that can be held “in reserve” until the Magician wants it to take effect. The total Levels of Ceremonial spell effects a Magician can keep “in reserve” is equal to their own character Level.

0 LEVEL - No cost, 10 minutes to perform.
Arcane Mark
Feather Fall*
Ghost Sound
Influence*
Magical Aura
Mending
Message
Purify Food and Water*

1st LEVEL - Require 10 gp worth of materials, 30 minutes to perform.
Cause Light Wounds
Charm Person*
Cure Light Wounds
Identify*
Summon Familiar
Unseen Servant


TALISMANS
Constant effect for the intended possessor of Talisman.
1 in 6 chance that a Talisman can be charged on a given day in a desired location.
Discharged if touched by anyone other than Magician and intended possessor.
No more than 1 Talisman active at a time.
Talismans last 28 days before needing to be recharged.

0 LEVEL - Requires 1 gp of materials, 10 minutes to charge.
First Aid
Know Direction
Prestidigitation

1st LEVEL - Requires 100 gp, or the body parts of 100 xp worth of creatures. 1 hour to charge.
Detect Chaos/Evil/Good/Law
Detect Magic
Detect Poison
Endure Elements
Light
Mage Hand
Purify Food And Drink (personal effect)


PACTS
The following list is not exhaustive, since extra-planer beings can potentially grant Pacts that replicate any of their spell-like abilities, but represents suggested Pacts the Magician might possibly know at First Level, or gain by an increase in Levels.
The terms of each Pact must be defined, using the guidelines given in the Magician class description, and bearing in mind the character of the entity that fulfills the Pact.

0 LEVEL
Aid
Create Water
Endure Elements
First Aid
Influence
Light
Mending
Purify Food & Drink

1st LEVEL
Alter Size
Animal Friendship
Bane
Bless
Cause Light Wounds
Cure Light Wounds
Darkness
Identify
Invisibility to Undead
Protection From Chaos/Evil/Good/Law
Resist Elements
Sanctuary
Shield
Shillelagh
Sleep
Spider Climb
Summon Familiar
Unseen Servant

I like this very much! You always come up with really fascinating stuff, and this is no exception.

Thank you.
Now here's the 2nd and 3rd Level spells:

2nd & 3rd LEVEL MAGICIAN SPELLS


INCANTATIONS

2nd LEVEL - Suffer 2 points of Subdual damage per use.
Acid Arrow
Alter Self
Blur
Darkness
Detect Thoughts
Fog Cloud
Hide Thoughts
Hypnotic Pattern
Knock
Levitate
Lock
Minor Image
Mirror Image
Pyrotechnics
Ray of Enfeeblement
Rope Trick
Scare
See Invisibility
Shatter
Sleep
Web

3rd LEVEL - Suffer 3 points of Subdual damage per use.
Blink
Fireball
Fly
Gaseous Form
Gust of Wind
Haste
Hold Person
Invisibility
Lightning Bolt
Locate Object
Major Image
Polymorph (into a single specific creature)
Slow
Stinking Cloud
Suggestion
Tongues
Wall of Wind
Water Breathing


CEREMONIES
* Indicates that an effect that can be held “in reserve” until the Magician wants it to take effect. The total Levels of Ceremonial spell effects a Magician can keep “in reserve” is equal to their own character Level.

2nd LEVEL - Require 40 gp worth of materials, 60 minutes to perform.
Augury
Continual Flame
Enhance Attribute*
Diminish Attribute*
False Trap
Fire Trap
Lesser Restoration
Locate Object
Magic Mouth
Polymorph (each form is a separate spell)*
Speak With Dead
Summon Swarm*

3rd LEVEL - Require 90 gp worth of materials, 90 minutes to perform.
Bestow Curse
Clairaudience/Clairvoyance
Continual Flame
Cause Serious Wounds*
Cure Serious Wounds*
Explosive Runes
Magic Circle
Nondetection
Remove Curse
Remove Disease
Summon Lesser Monster*
Tiny Hut*


TALISMANS

2nd LEVEL - Requires 400 gp, or the body parts of 400 xp worth of creatures. 2 hours to charge.
Darkness
Detect Illusion
Feather Fall
Pass Without Trace
Resist Elements
Shield
Unseen Servant

3rd LEVEL - Requires 900 gp, or the body parts of 900 xp worth of creatures. 3 hours to charge.
Calm Animals
Comprehend Languages
Detect Secret Doors
Detect Snares & Pits
Enhance Attribute
Protection From Chaos/Evil/Good/Law
Read Magic


PACTS

2nd LEVEL
Aid
Alter Self
Augury
Delay Poison
Lesser Restoration
Protection From Arrows
Remove Paralysis
Speak With Dead
Summon Swarm

3rd LEVEL
Animate Dead
Bestow Curse
Bestow Disease
Blind/Deafen
Call Lightning
Cause Serious Wounds
Create Food and Water
Cure Serious Wounds
Dispel Magic
Fly
Haste
Nondetection
Polymorph (into a single specific creature)
Prayer
Remove Blindness/Deafness
Remove Curse
Remove Disease
Slow
Stinking Cloud
Summon Lesser Monster
Water Breathing

4th LEVEL MAGICIAN SPELLS

4th LEVEL INVOCATIONS - Suffer 4 points of Subdual damage per use.
Air/Water Walk
Arcane Eye
Charm Monster
Confusion
Control Plants
Detect Skrying
Dimension Door
Discern Lies
Dismissal
Divination
Emotion
Fear
Fire Shield
Hallucinatory Terrain
Hide Lies
Ice Storm
Illusory Wall
Invisibility Sphere
Minor Creation
Minor Globe of Invulnerability
Neutralize Poison
Quench
Rainbow Pattern
Repel Vermin
Resilient Sphere
Seeming
Shadow Conjuration
Shout
Sleet Storm
Solid Fog
Suggestion
Wall of Fire
Wall of Ice

4th LEVEL CEREMONIES - Require 160 gp worth of materials, 2 hours to perform.
Animate Dead
Charm Monster*
Divination*
Fire Trap
Hallucinatory Terrain
Healing Circle
Ice Storm
Locate Creature*
Minor Creation*
Mirage Arcane
Phantasmal Killer
Polymorph (any form)
Reincarnate
Remove Curse
Restoration
Scrying
Secure Shelter*
Seeming
Sending
Summon Animals*

4th LEVEL TALISMANS - Requires 1,600 gp, or the body parts of 1,600 xp worth of creatures. 4 hours to charge.
Charm Person (constant effect)
Detect Traps
Invisibility To Animals
Misdirection
Plant Growth (Talisman is usually buried)
See Invisibility

4th LEVEL PACTS
Antiplant Shell
Control Water
Cure Serious Wounds
Dismissal
Dispel Magic
Divination
Fear
Fire Shield
Healing Circle
Healing Circle
Minor Creation
Neutralize Poison
Phantasmal Killer
Polymorph
Repel Vermin
Restoration
Secure Shelter
Seeming
Shadow Conjuration
Summon Animals
Wall of Fire
Wall of Ice

5th LEVEL MAGICIAN SPELLS

5th LEVEL INVOCATIONS - Suffer 5 points of Subdual damage, & 1 point of regular damage, per use.
Animate Dead
Bind Elemental
Cloudkill
Cone of Cold
Control Winds
Dispel Evil/Chaos/Good/Law
Dispel Magic
Faithful Hound
Feeblemind
Flame Strike
Greater Shadow Conjuration
Hold Monster
Ice Storm
Insect Plague
Locate Creature
Mass Suggestion
Mirage Arcane
Passwall
Persistent Image
Polymorph (any form)
Project Image
Shadow Evocation
Telekinesis
Telepathic Bond
Transmute Rock and Mud
True Seeing
Wall of Force
Wall of Iron
Wall of Stone
Wall of Thorns

5th LEVEL CEREMONIES - Require 250 gp worth of materials, 150 minutes (2.5 hours) to perform.
Awaken*
Commune With Nature*
Commune*
Contact Other Plane
Cure Critical Wounds
Dream
Ethereal Jaunt
Faithful Hound*
False Vision*
Flame Strike
Guards and Wards*
Insect Plague*
Major Creation*
Nightmare
Permanency
Plane Shift
Secret Chest
Summon Beasts or Plants*
Summon Monster *
Teleport*

5th LEVEL TALISMANS - Requires 2,500 gp, or the body parts of 2,500 xp worth of creatures. 5 hours to charge.
Detect Scrying
Freedom of Movement
Neutralize Poison (effective immunity)
Protection From Arrows
Remove Curse (effective immunity)
Remove Disease (effective immunity)
Speak With Plants
Tongues
Water Breathing

5th LEVEL PACTS
Awaken
Commune
Commune With Nature
Contact Other Plane
Cure Critical Wounds
Death Ward
Dispel Chaos/Evil/Good/Law
Ethereal Jaunt
Faithful Hound
Feeblemind
Flame Strike
Guards and Wards
Hold Monster
Ice Storm
Insect Plague
Major Creation
Permanency
Plane Shift
Raise Dead
Scrying
Summon Beasts or Plants
Summon Monster

6th LEVEL MAGICIAN SPELLS

6th LEVEL INVOCATIONS - Suffer 6 points of Subdual damage, & 1 point of regular damage, per use.
Banishment
Blade Barrier
Chain Lightning
Delayed Blast Fireball
Disintegrate
Feeblemind
Find The Path
Fire Seeds
Geas
Globe of Invulnerability
Greater Shadow Evocation
Instant Summons
Ironwood
Mass Suggestion
Mislead
Move Earth
Permanent Image
Phase Door
Power Word, Stun
Programmed Image
Project Image
Repel Wood
Shades
Transmute Flesh and Stone
Transport Via Plants
Veil
Wind Walk
Word of Recall

6th LEVEL CEREMONIES - Require 360 gp worth of materials, 180 minutes (3 hours) to perform.
Control Weather
Create Undead
Geas*
Globe of Invulnerability*
Harm*
Heal*
Legend Lore
Move Earth
Raise Dead
Stone Tell*
Summon Elemental*
Transmute Flesh and Stone
Word of Recall*

6th LEVEL TALISMANS - Requires 3,600 gp, or the body parts of 3,600 xp worth of creatures. 6 hours to charge.
Commune With Nature
Discern Lies
False Vision
Hide Lies
Minor Globe of Invulnerability
Protection From Elements
Telekinesis

6th LEVEL PACTS
Anti-illusion Shield
Antilife Shell
Antimagic Shell
Blade Barrier
Control Weather
Create Undead
Disintegrate
Globe of Invulnerability
Guards and Wards
Harm
Heal
Ironwood
Legend Lore
Move Earth
Permanent Image
Programmed Image
Shades
Stone Tell
Summon Elemental
Transmute Flesh and Stone
Veil
Wall of Stone
Wind Walk

I also like the class very much. As I'm digesting the material, the first thing that catches my eye is that according to the RAW, subdual damage heals at a rate of 1 per 10 minutes of R/R. Do you think that casting could be too prolific considering how fast subdual heals up?

~O

Omote wrote:I also like the class very much. As I'm digesting the material, the first thing that catches my eye is that according to the RAW, subdual damage heals at a rate of 1 per 10 minutes of R/R. Do you think that casting could be too prolific considering how fast subdual heals up?

~O

That's precisely why I'm seeking other people's opinions on the class. As I see it, the Magician could indeed cast Incantations all day long, as long as he wisely confines himself to low-level spells, spaces out his spell use, and stays out of combat. 10 minutes is indeed a relatively short time, out of combat. It represents 60 combat rounds, however. I think it would be very easy for an impulsive Magician to severely deplete himself to the point where it will take hours to recover.

An average Tenth Level Magician might have only 30 hit points. A single successful attack could easily deplete half, or more, of his real hit points. Also, don't forget that the Magician is also taking some real damage along with the Subdual. As the Magician loses real hit points, the loss severely affects his ability to continue casting Incantations. A Magician who was casting powerful magic could suddenly find himself losing conscious when an attack lowers his actual hit points below his current amount of Subdual damage. So, I see using Incantations as either an exercise in restraint, or a real gamble on the Magician's part.

I'd like to hear how the idea works out for others in play. Once concern I have myself is the appearance of the infamous "15-minute adventuring day", as a Magician character cast Incantations until she is nearly unconscious, and then her player demands that the party rests until the character recovers. Of course, the threat of wandering monsters ought to keep such players in line...

I see one possible problem that I would abuse... access to healing spells can lead to an infinite caster, even with just the cure light wounds from a weak pact. However, loss of this would greatly reduce the iconography of the class and should not be discarded. It does tend to get worse as higher level healing spells become, potentially, available.

I would probably implement some kind of "loyalty" aspect so that the pact can fail unexpectedly, or suddenly increase in the demand. Not really sure exactly about the specific, but it sounds OK at this second.

Otherwise, I like the concept and think you did a good job defining the options.

serleran wrote:I see one possible problem that I would abuse... access to healing spells can lead to an infinite caster, even with just the cure light wounds from a weak pact. However, loss of this would greatly reduce the iconography of the class and should not be discarded. It does tend to get worse as higher level healing spells become, potentially, available.

You're right. One way to stop that kind of abuse might be for the CK to say that all healing-type Pacts are the nasty kind that require the temporary loss of Ability points, or even actually do damage to the caster. The problem is that using blood sacrifice for curative purposes is extremely common in legend and mythology, so it must be an option.

serleran wrote:I would probably implement some kind of "loyalty" aspect so that the pact can fail unexpectedly, or suddenly increase in the demand. Not really sure exactly about the specific, but it sounds OK at this second.

A Charisma check of some kind wouldn't be out-of-line, to see if the entity granting the Pact approves of the Magician's use of the power. Maybe the simplest way would be to limit the use of any specific Pact to once a day, since the spirits have other things to do than just constantly create magical effects for mortals.

serleran wrote:Otherwise, I like the concept and think you did a good job defining the options.

Thank you. I'm trying to both keep the class true to the lore, but also balanced rules-wise. Obviously, not easy!

A Charisma check could work, but I have been leaning away from using SIEGE checks for interpersonal interactions. This is something I would likely default to my "any-man" system. Or, perhaps a good old fashioned percentage.

But, yes... any variant on how magic works brings up little problems. Even the current "Vancian" magic has its pitfalls.

7th LEVEL MAGICIAN SPELLS

7th LEVEL INCANTATIONS - Suffer 7 points of Subdual damage, & 1 point of regular damage, per use.
Changestaff
Control Weather
Control Weather
Creeping Doom
Finger of Death
Fire Storm
Insanity
Mass Invisibility
Power Word, Stun
Prismatic Spray
Repulsion
Sequester
Shadow Walk
Summon Elemental
Transmute Metal To Wood
Vanish
Vision

7th LEVEL CEREMONIES - Require 490 gp worth of materials, 210 minutes (3.5 hours) to perform.
Creeping Doom
Finger of Death*
Fire Storm
Greater Restoration
Greater Scrying
Instant Summons*
Limited Wish
Refuge*
Regenerate
Resurrection
Simulacrum
Summon Greater Monster*
Summon Magical Beasts or Fey*
Teleport Without Error*
Transmute Metal To Wood*

7th LEVEL TALISMANS - Requires 4,900 gp, or the body parts of 4,900 xp worth of creatures. 7 hours to charge.
Air/Water Walk
Antiplant Shell
Control Plants
Death Ward
Emotion (inflicted upon wearer)
False Vision
Insanity (inflicted upon wearer)
Invisibility
Nondetection
Prayer
Repel Vermin
Word of Recall

7th LEVEL PACTS
Control Weather
Creeping Doom
Finger of Death
Fire Storm
Greater Restoration
Insanity
Limited Wish (Note that entities will only grant Limited Wishes that ultimately further their own agendas, and under no circumstance will grant any Limited Wishes to do away with the payment terms of Pacts!)
Mass Invisibility
Regenerate
Resurrection
Sequester
Summon Greater Monster
Summon Magical Beasts or Fey
Teleport Without Error
Vision


8th LEVEL MAGICIAN SPELLS

8th LEVEL INCANTATIONS - Suffer 8 points of Subdual damage, & 1 point of regular damage, per use.
Animal Shapes
Binding
Command Plants
Discern Location
Find The Path
Incendiary Cloud
Mass Charm
Maze
Mind Blank
Polymorph Any Object
Power Word, Blind
Prismatic Wall
Repel Metal or Stone
Screen
Sunburst
Symbol
Whirlwind

8th LEVEL CEREMONIES - Require 640 gp worth of materials, 240 minutes (4 hours) to perform.
Antipathy
Binding
Clone
Create Greater Undead
Discern Location*
Disjunction
Distort Reality*
Earthquake
Mass Heal
Mind Blank*
Screen*
Sympathy
Teleportation Circle
Trap the Soul*

8th LEVEL TALISMANS - Requires 6,400 gp, or the body parts of 6,400 xp worth of creatures. 8 hours to charge.
Anti-Illusion Shield
Ethereal Jaunt
Feeblemind (inflicted on wearer)
Find The Path
Globe of Invulnerability
True Seeing
Repulsion

8th LEVEL PACTS
Animal Shapes
Antipathy
Clone
Command Plants
Create Greater Undead
Discern Location
Distort Reality
Earthquake
Mass Charm
Mass Heal
Mind Blank
Polymorph Any Object
Summon Planer Ally
Sunburst
Sympathy


9th LEVEL MAGICIAN SPELLS

9th LEVEL INCANTATIONS - Suffer 9 points of Subdual damage, & 1 point of regular damage, per use.
Astral Projection
Distort Reality
Earthquake
Energy Drain
Freedom
Meteor Swarm
Power Word, Kill
Prismatic Sphere
Shapechange
Storm of Vengeance
Weird

9th LEVEL CEREMONIES - Require 890 gp worth of materials, 270 minutes (4.5 hours) to perform.
Astral Projection
Gate
Soul Bind
Summon Elemental Swarm*
True Resurrection
Wish
Imprisonment*
Time Stop*
Temporal Stasis*

9th LEVEL TALISMANS - Requires 8,900 gp, or the body parts of 8,900 xp worth of creatures. 9 hours to charge.
Anti-Life Shell
Anti-Magic Shell
Astral Projection
Improved Invisibility
Mind Blank
Regenerate
Shadow Walk

9th LEVEL PACTS
Astral Projection
Disjunction
Energy Drain
Freedom
Gate
Imprisonment
Meteor Swarm
Shapechange
Storm of Vengeance
Summon Elemental Swarm
Temporal Stasis
Time Stop
True Resurrection
Weird
Wish (Note that entities will only grant Wishes that ultimately further their own agendas, and under no circumstance will grant any Wishes to do away with the payment terms of Pacts!)

this is one of the most useful - and impressive - home-brewed classes that I've come across. Many, many thanks.

Thank you. I've long wanted to make a class that would really replicate the magic of medieval lore. It's actually difficult to do in SRD-derived systems. My understanding is that the original game's Magic User was conceived primarily as as a kind of artillery piece, not as someone who summoned spirits or manipulated peoples' love lives (like real world occultists claimed to do). It also seems like Gygax & Arneson may have intentionally tried to make their magic as unlike real-world occultism as they could, maybe so nobody would be insane enough to try to link RPGs and Satanism. Well, those of us who gamed in the 80s know how well that turned out!
There are still some little bugs to be worked out. Serl had a good point about the potential to abuse healing Pacts. I'm leaning on limiting Pacts to one use a day (per Pact), and/or instituting a progressive chance that the spirits will decide to demand additional "services" to continue granting magical power. Of course, the whole class is predicated on CK's enforcing the terms of the magic, through strict time keeping and tracking of wealth and hit points. Magic should be a drain on resources of every kind. Without the player's constant awareness that their character is constantly losing health, wealth, time, and possibly their soul, the Magician would be too powerful a class.

I'm toying with using it my soon-to-start campaign. Have you used it in play, and if so did it replace wizards/illusionists, or did it coexist with them?

I recognize that your concept was place- and period-specific (western european middle ages), and that this fact may shape how you use it.

BTW your knowledge of medieval lore is impressive.

One thing I did not see, but I may have skimmed too quickly:

Is it possible for the magician to perform a spell effect beyond their ability? For example, a 4th level character producing a 9th level ceremony? I imagine with the proper grimoire or agrippa it would be possible, much like scroll use, but I was curious how that classic element might be worked into the class.

Geleg wrote:I'm toying with using it my soon-to-start campaign. Have you used it in play, and if so did it replace wizards/illusionists, or did it coexist with them?

I recognize that your concept was place- and period-specific (western european middle ages), and that this fact may shape how you use it.

BTW your knowledge of medieval lore is impressive.

The class hasn't been used in "live" play yet, which is why I'm seeking the others' opinions. I've run simulations with it, using a 3-man party (Fighter, Rogue, Magician). The first ended in a TPK, and that was with the 1st Level Magician possessing a Cure Light Wounds Pact that drained 1 point of Wisdom per use. The other simulated encounters resulted in victories for the party. I think I'm going to make some tweaks based on the simulations, including the idea of limiting Pacts to one use per day. Also, I think I need to specify that only one instance of a Ceremonial spell effect can be kept "in reserve" (i.e. you can't keep 15 Feather Falls in reserve).

My intention is for this class to replace the Wizard and Illusionist class. In my Campaign there is a specific set of events that has destroyed the old Wizard orders, so my plan is to present the Magician class as the "new" face of magic.

I think the class could be easily tweaked to represent many different cultures of magicians. Islamic-style magicians would be simple, beacuse the magical practices of medieval Europe and the Islamic world were intertwined. Arabic magcial books are basically identical with European grimoires, although they sometimes disguise themselves as books on "medicine".

As for other cultures, the magical practices of India are actually extremely similar to medieval European ceremonial magic. Just re-flavor the Power Object to a personal Vow or Taboo that can never be broken, rename Incantations to "Mantras", turn the "Magical Implement" to a "Yantra", and Pacts to "Sacrifices", and you've got an Indian Tantrika.

African Diaspora traditions of magic rely heavily on "Pacts" with various spiritual powers, but also employ many Talismans (mojo "hands" or bags, Saint John the Conqueror root, etc), as well as Ceremonies and Incantations. Typical Power Objects might be the specially beaded necklaces that are given to initiates in certain traditions, for example.

I believe similar re-flavoring should allow one to portray Chinese Taoist magicians, or most other historical practitioners of the occult.

serleran wrote:One thing I did not see, but I may have skimmed too quickly:

Is it possible for the magician to perform a spell effect beyond their ability? For example, a 4th level character producing a 9th level ceremony? I imagine with the proper grimoire or agrippa it would be possible, much like scroll use, but I was curious how that classic element might be worked into the class.

I'd like to include that in the 2nd Draft of the Class, but strictly as an option subject to Ck approval. Such a system would definitely allow replication of the classic trope of the sorcerer's apprentice calling up spirits they cannot banish. It would also add additional complexity, and must include the real chance that the PC dies in a grisly and irrevocable manner.

thanks for the design and playtest notes, Clavis.

I was thinking similar thoughts about the magician as the one, default magic-using class (replacing wizard/illusionist). I find the magician incredibly interesting and would love to play one, but i could see munchkin-y types not being willing to grapple with the limitations of the class if they were still able to be a generic wizard.

i also agree that your ideas model real-world legends of spellcasters better than does the standard wizard.

I'm not sure I'm actually going to use the class in my new campaign, but I may show it to a few players and see what they think. [confession: I've nerfed the wizard and added a sorceror to make them attractive to my guys. I love my players, but I've concluded that it is me, and not them, who is/would be attracted to the magician!]

In case you haven't seen this before, something that might be of interest: http://akraticwizardry.blogspot.com/200 ... magic.html

@jaguar - thanks! that's a pretty nice system as well. If you follow the links to Akrasia's other houserules, I like his HP/CON system a lot, too.

jaguar451 wrote:In case you haven't seen this before, something that might be of interest: http://akraticwizardry.blogspot.com/200 ... magic.html

Thanks for the link. I see the author's approach was similar to the way I've handled Incantations, which doesn't surprise me. After all, much of the source material describes Magicians becoming physically exhausted by overuse of magic. The depiction on the blog seems oriented towards replicating Pulp-style sorcerers, and it does a good job. I wanted to skew towards a broader and more historical approach, however. Thus my inclusion of Talisman making (a vital part of all historic magical practices), and emphasis on the use of Ceremonial magic. Also, I wanted to somehow depict the real-world connection between occultism and cryptography.

Here are some options for Magicians. The last two were suggested by comments made by Serleran. Enjoy!

OPTIONAL RULES FOR MAGICIANS
The following optional rules would allow CKs and players to tailor the Magician to their own Campaigns. Some create role-playing challenges, some replicate the qualities of Magicians from cultures other than medieval Europe, and some greatly increase the power of Magicians.

POETIC INCANTATIONS: Instead of the Magician using a Magical Implement, she would create her Incantations through Poetry. Every time such a Magician wants to use an Incantation she knows, the player must spontaneously create a rhyming couplet that indicate the spell effect desired, and its target. The player must create a new couplet each time she wants to use an Incantation. This option would replicate much of the magic of Celtic legend, where people could actually be slain through poetic satires!

MULTIPLE TALISMANS: Instead of having only one Talisman active at a time, the Magician could keep many charged at the same time. The total Levels of active Talismans would be equal to the Magician's own Level. Therefore, an 8th Level Magician would be able to keep 8 total levels of spell effects constantly bound in Talismans. This option would more faithfully replicate the historical employment of Talismans, but also increase the power of the Magician class. It is only recommended if the CK is somewhat stringent in his placement of magic items in treasure. The Magician might also pay for this power with a 20% penalty to earned Experience Points.

PERSISTENT TALISMANS: Instead of Talismans only lasting 28 days, they could persist until the Magician either discharges them, or dies. By itself, this option would increase the power of the Magician slightly. If combined with the Multiple Talismans options, Magicians would become much more powerful than any other character class. The CK is advised to decrease the availability of magic items severely if both the Multiple Talismans and Persistent Talismans options are employed in the Campaign. The CK might also decide to inflict a 10% penalty on the Magician's earned experience points to pay for the power to make Talismans persistent.

EMPOWERING ACT: Instead of having a Power Object, the Magician could draw her strength from a obsessive daily ritual. Typically, this would mean a period of silent meditation, but acts of a more illicit nature have also been used by the Magicians of legend. The Magician character would have to perform her Empowering Act every day, for a number of minutes equal to her character Level times 15. For example, a 10th level Magician would have to perform their Empowering Act for at least two and a half hours each day. Failure to perform the Empowering Act would deprive the Magician of the ability to use magic until the next day.

EMPOWERING BANS: Instead of a Power Object, the Magician might be inflicted with mysterious Bans, or Taboos. This option would replicate the taboos of shamans, as well as the geasa of the Irish Druids. The Magician would acquire a new Ban every Level. Bans might include never wearing a certain color, not eating a certain kind of common meat, never saying a certain word, never refusing a request from a certain kind of person, etc. For every Ban broken, the Magician would lose one Level for the remainder of the day. Naturally, CKs should try to create situations where the Magician might break his Bans!

GRASPING AT POWER: Using this option, a Magician could attempt to cast a spell that he knows, but is normally above his Level. The player would roll a d20, and add their character's Intelligence modifier. The result would be compared to the chart below, to find the result of the Magician's Grasping At Power.

Effect of Grasping At Power:
1-2 - Magician is slain, body and soul. Resurrection is impossible.
3-4 – Magician is killed from physical strain. Can possibly be Raised or Resurrected with appropriate magic.
5-6 - Magician is bodily transported to another plane of existence and imprisoned there.
7-8 - Spell occurs, but backfires. If it was an offensive spell, it affects the caster. If the spell was a Summoning, the Summoned creature is extremely hostile, and can ignore any of the Magician's spells intended to hinder or harm it. If the spell was intended to help the caster, it instead harms him. Ability increases become penalties, healing spells inflict damage, and protection spells that backfire inflict total vulnerability (i.e arrows always hit, etc.)
9-10 - Spell occurs and assumes a life of its own, becoming permanent until someone dispels it. The Magician has no control over the spell. If it is a offensive spell, it continues perpetually in its original area of effect, but not necessarily against its intended target. If the spell was a Summoning, it continues to Summon its intended subject (which is under no kind of control) once every day in a perpetual loop. Spells like Telekinesis or Unseen Servant can create an effect similar to a Poltergeist haunting. A Spell like Teleport could cause the caster to randomly and constantly disappear and re-appear in strange locations. Spells that are personally beneficial will inevitably become twisted curses, such as a perpetual increase in Intelligence eventually causing the Magician's brain to swell and explode. A creature inflicted with perpetual healing may turn into a regenerating freak covered with bizarre growths. A perpetual Wish might trap the Magician in an alternate reality where everything he says becomes literally (and horribly) true.
11-13 - Spell simply fails, with no side effects.
14-15 – Spell is cast, but the Magician is reduced to 1 hp, and falls into a deep slumber from which they cannot be roused for a number of days equal to the Level of the spell they attempted.
16-17 – Spell works, but the Grasping At Power attracts the notice of an extraplaner creature inimical to the Magician, who will thereafter become a constant annoyance.
18-19 – Spell works, but is only minimally effective (minimum damage, etc.).
20+ – Spell works as normal, with no side effects.

If the player rolls a natural 20, the Magician also attains new insight into magic, and gains Experience Points equal to 1,000 x the Level of the spell.

TEST OF ALLEGIANCE: If this option is used, every time time the Magician uses a Pact there would be a percentage chance, equal to the Pact's Level, that the granting Power will demand an appropriate service from the Magician for the right to continue using the Pact. Tests of Allegiance appropriate to specific powers might include:
Angels: Rescue an orphan from a pack of werewolves. Anonymously deliver food and money to a starving family.
Demons: Throw a rotting dog down a local well to poison it. Unseal the terrestrial prison of a Demon.
Devils: Seduce a local beauty studying to enter a chaste religious order. Falsely accuse an innocent woman of being a witch.
Fairy Folk: Help a Fairy gain a human lover. Secretly replace all the holy hymnals at a temple with bawdy songs.

This is getting very badass. (a compliment) I love it.
My quick read, like a week ago, was that the talismans seem expensive for the amount of power they grant, I much prefer the optional rule of allowing a number of spell levels = caster level. (that's just me)
I can't think of any problems, and love the esoteric knowledge skill.

Relaxo wrote:This is getting very badass. (a compliment) I love it.
My quick read, like a week ago, was that the talismans seem expensive for the amount of power they grant, I much prefer the optional rule of allowing a number of spell levels = caster level. (that's just me)
I can't think of any problems, and love the esoteric knowledge skill.

Thank you. Of course, CKs should vary any costs to reflect the situation in their Campaigns. I made Talismans very expensive for two reasons:
1) It helps solve the "endless wealth" problem of continuing Campaigns, and forces the Magician to constantly go adventuring to get enough funds for his magic.
2) It replicates the usually precarious financial situation of historical occultists.
The idea is that, just like many historical occultists, the Magician will be tempted to resort to some combination of extortion and grifting to fund his magic.
Of course, the cost for the Talisman is for the material basis (a diamond ring, jeweled pendant, etc.), which can be recharged. So, its actually only a one-time cost.

If there's any interest, it might be fun to post stats for famous Magicians of legend and history, folks like Apollonius of Tyana, Merlin, Morgan Le Fey, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, John Dee, Count de St. Germain, Cagliostro, and Aleister Crowley. Any of them might have somehow found their way into your Campaign world for an evening of high jinks!

clavis123 wrote:... I made Talismans very expensive for two reasons:
1) It helps solve the "endless wealth" problem of continuing Campaigns, and forces the Magician to constantly go adventuring to get enough funds for his magic.
2) It replicates the usually precarious financial situation of historical occultists.
The idea is that, just like many historical occultists, the Magician will be tempted to resort to some combination of extortion and grifting to fund his magic.
Of course, the cost for the Talisman is for the material basis (a diamond ring, jeweled pendant, etc.), which can be recharged. So, its actually only a one-time cost.

That makes a lot of sense, actually, and I didn't catch that they can be reused, so they're more manageable that way.

This is a really great idea. I feel the spells per day system has always been weak. I remember playing D&D in the late 70's early 80's before AD&D. People played what they called "Variant D&D", which was D&D with home brew rules. The Arduin books were popular. I remember several people playing with Spell Point systems. I always felt this was a better idea.

I'm a little leery of the potential for abuse. As it seems a first level Magician could cast sleep 5 times before taking a point of damage, taking out 2 to 8 HD of creatures each shot! At sixth level you could fire off 5 Fireballs (6d6 each) for three hit points and 15 subdual damage.

nudnic wrote:I'm a little leery of the potential for abuse. As it seems a first level Magician could cast sleep 5 times before taking a point of damage, taking out 2 to 8 HD of creatures each shot! At sixth level you could fire off 5 Fireballs (6d6 each) for three hit points and 15 subdual damage.

The Incantations could definitely seem like they would be easy to abuse. The limiting factor is the Magician's low hit points. A First Level Magician will probably only have 3 hit points. If he uses just 3 1st-Level Incantations without resting, that character will fall unconscious. If he takes any damage, his use of Incantations is severely curtailed. Similarly for the example of a 6th Level Magician. He probably only has 18 hit points or so. Bringing himself down to the point where a minor attack will completely incapacitate him is not a smart survival strategy. The 15 points of subdual damage from casting 5 Fireballs will take 150 minutes to heal. A lot of very nasty things can happen in a dungeon in two and a half hours!

The Sleep spell (for example), often thought of as the low-level spellcaster's "nuke", isn't actually very versatile. It can be nasty against Kobolds, but it's useless against the Undead. It won't save anyone from a trap, either. Likewise, Fireballs aren't always a good idea. A 6 Die Fireball only does an average of 18 points of damage, and just 9 if targets save. Take into account the very real possibility of burning your allies with them (which IMHO should always be enforced), and suddenly just casting Fireballs repeatedly doesn't seem like a perfect approach to every combat.

Of course, I meant for even First Level Magicians to be objects of fear. They're Magicians! If they've got time to prepare, they are going to win any fight. If they are surprised and forced into melee combat, however, they are no match for a common thug.