Xuln Magic System - Revision history

Riley at 19:00, 20 October 2018

2018-10-20T19:00:05Z

Garth: /* Casting Time */

2017-12-13T20:00:19Z

Casting Time

Garth: /* Casting a Spell */

2017-12-13T19:56:39Z

Casting a Spell

Garth: /* Duration */

2017-12-13T19:54:54Z

Duration

Garth: /* Duration of a Spell */

2017-12-13T19:51:30Z

Duration of a Spell

Garth: /* Casting a Spell */

2017-12-13T19:51:08Z

Casting a Spell

Garth: /* Steps to Creating a Magical Spell */

2017-12-13T19:14:58Z

Steps to Creating a Magical Spell

Garth: /* Cost */

2017-12-13T13:36:00Z

Cost

Garth: /* Active Defense Spells */

2017-12-06T23:48:02Z

Active Defense Spells

Garth: /* Active Defense Spells */

2017-12-06T23:45:36Z

Active Defense Spells

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:00, 20 October 2018
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−	Using Advantages to create whatever magic effect is desired has proven to be the favorite way to "do magic" in our campaigns.	+	Using Advantages to create whatever magic effect is desired has proven to be the favorite way to "do magic" in our campaigns. '
		+
		+	'''NOW WE USE GURPS: THAUMATOLOGY SORCERY sourcebook.'''

	= Steps to Creating a Magical Spell =		= Steps to Creating a Magical Spell =

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 ==Casting Time==
-By default, the activation of an ability for a single "use" is a "free action". However, the effects of the ability might take longer to become active, per the details of the Advantage. For the Innate Attack ability with an instant effect, the caster can opt to "hold" the spell for purposes of Aiming or Waiting; if the spell has a signature, the magic will shows as an orb of energy held in the hand.
+By default, the activation of an ability for a single "use" is a "free action". The effects of the ability might take longer to become active, per the details of the Advantage. For the Innate Attack ability with an instant effect, the caster can opt to "hold" the spell for purposes of Aiming or Waiting; if the spell has a signature, the magic will shows as an orb of energy held in the hand.
 When designing the spell, there is a limitation which can be added to increase the time needed to cast the spell. In this case, the ability is not active until the end of turn after the required number of Ready actions are taken. In the case of Innate Attack, the ability is not actually "used" until the next turn after.

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 *'''Takes Extra Time''' [B115], -10%/level (each level doubles the time needed to cast the spell, i.e. 1 sec, 2 sec, 4 sec, 8 sec, etc.)
-===Skill Roll===
+==Skill Roll==
 Every spell also has an associated skill, requiring a successful skill roll to activate the ability for a "use". This is always a Hard skill based on the controlling attribute of the ability, defaulting to that attribute at -6.

@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 == Duration ==
-By default, when an ability is activated for a "use", this provides access to the ability for 1 minute of time, or 1 second for abilities which are instant effects (such as Innate Attack). The duration of one "use" can be extended by use of "Costs Fatigue" to "maintain" the ability, or to use one of the of the following options:
+By default, when an ability is activated for a "use", this provides access to the ability for 1 minute of time, or 1 second for abilities which are instant effects (such as Innate Attack). The duration of one "use" can be extended by use of "Costs Fatigue" to "maintain" the ability, or to include one of the of the following options:
 * '''Extended Duration''': can be added to increase the duration of "use" of an ability.
 * '''Persistent''': for Area Effects attacks, increase duration to 10 seconds.
 = Magical Signature =

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 * '''Extended Duration''': can be added to increase the duration of "use" of an ability.
 * '''Persistent''': for Area Effects attacks, increase duration to 10 seconds.
 = Magical Signature =

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 = Casting a Spell =
-== Base Requirements ==
+With the concept of "Abilities as Magic", a caster either learns, earns or is granted access to an ability (Advantage), however, by default the ability remains inactive until an action is taken to activate the ability for a single "use". This activation of the ability is achieved by "casting the spell".
-===Time===
+== Activation Requirements ==
-Unless the description of the advantages states otherwise, by default a spell takes one second (an action) to cast the spell. The effects of the spell occur at the end of the caster's turn. If the spell is a combat spell, the attack is made immediately unless the spell is "held" for the purposes of Aiming or Waiting--if the power has a signature, the cast power will be visible as a ball of light held in one hand.
+Every spell (with exception of Active Defense Spells), require at least one of the following limitations which are associated with the activation of an ability for "use".
-Some powers may take longer to activate, perhaps representing a longer ritual, additional manipulation of components or a greater time gathering the mana.
+* Costs Fatigue: each "use" requires a sacrifice of FP. This is the only limitation that allows for "maintaining" to extend the duration of the "use".
-*'''Takes Extra Time''' [B115], -10%/level (each level doubles the time needed to cast the spell, i.e. 2 sec, 4 sec, 8 sec, etc.)
+* Trigger: each "use" requires a substance ("component") to be held/ready in a hand; the substance is consumed when the spell is cast.
-===Skill===
+==Casting Time==
-Every spell also has an associated skill, used to activate the ability. This is always a Hard skill based on the controlling attribute of the ability, defaulting to that attribute-6.
+By default, the activation of an ability for a single "use" is a "free action". However, the effects of the ability might take longer to become active, per the details of the Advantage. For the Innate Attack ability with an instant effect, the caster can opt to "hold" the spell for purposes of Aiming or Waiting; if the spell has a signature, the magic will shows as an orb of energy held in the hand.
-*Roll against Ability
+When designing the spell, there is a limitation which can be added to increase the time needed to cast the spell. In this case, the ability is not active until the end of turn after the required number of Ready actions are taken. In the case of Innate Attack, the ability is not actually "used" until the next turn after.
-**Roll against Will or Per, -5%
+*'''Takes Extra Time''' [B115], -10%/level (each level doubles the time needed to cast the spell, i.e. 1 sec, 2 sec, 4 sec, 8 sec, etc.)
-In addition to the energy cost, casting time and skill to cast, there are other factors which a spell may require in order to be successfully cast, such as the use of rituals or components.
+===Skill Roll===
-== Ritual Requirements ==
+* '''Roll Against Ability''', for Will or Per, -5%; for DX, IQ, or HT, -10%.
 == Components ==
@@ Line 59: / Line 51: @@
 *'''Requires Power Focus (Holy Symbol, Magical Staff, Wand, etc)''' One special form of component is an object that serves as a focus for manifestation of the power, such as a cleric's holy symbol or a wizard's wand for example. These objects have a rarity of ''Occasional'', being very expense and hard to find, however, they are not consumed in use as with Trigger substances. This limitation is comprised of the following:
 ** Can Be Lost or Stolen, -5%; Accessibility (requires condition, not expended, Occasional) -15%; Nuisance Effect: One Hand Free During Activation, -2% : -22%
 = Duration of a Spell =

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 #Imagine, or recreate, the concept for an ability or magical effect ("Spell")
 #Identify which Advantage most closely matches the effects of the spell
-#Add Enhancements & Limitations [B104, P107] to modify the base Advantage
+#Add base Limitations which are required
 #Get approval from GM

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 == Base Requirements ==
 ===Cost===
-The manifestation and use of magic requires an expenditure of energy to create the magical effects.
+There is no cost associated with actual casting of a spell, however the use of the ability may require an expenditure of one's energy.
 *'''Costs Fatigue''', -5%/level (1 FP per level)

@@ Line 132: / Line 132: @@
 |'''Phaseshift'''
 |dodge
-|With a successful defense check, the caster (not including gear) becomes insubstantial for an instant, allowing the attack to pass through with no effect (unless the attack can affect insubstantial).<BR>Insubstantiality [80] (Active Defense, -40%; Emergencies Only, -30%)
+|With a successful defense check, the caster (not including gear) becomes insubstantial for an instant, allowing the attack to pass through with no effect (unless the attack can affect insubstantial).<BR>Insubstantiality [80] (Active Defense, -40%; Can Carry Objects: Light, +20%; Limited: physical attacks, -20%, Emergencies Only, -30%)
 |24
 |}

@@ Line 101: / Line 101: @@
 = Active Defense Spells =
-Following is a list of specialized spells which a caster can only use as an Active Defense while in combat. No customization may be made to these spells. Due to the "Takes Recharge" limitation, an Active Defense Spell may only be used once per turn.
+Following is a list of specialized spells which a caster can only use as an Active Defense while in combat. Each requires a check roll (DX/2 +3, +1 for Combat Reflexes) as well as a cumulative -4 for each additional attempt per turn; all suffer -4 penalty if currently ''Stunned''. No customization may be made to these spells.
 {| cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0 border=1
@@ Line 112: / Line 112: @@
 |'''Blink'''
 |dodge
-|With a successful defense check, followed by an IQ-2 roll, the caster (plus gear up to Light encumbrance) instantly vanishes and reappears at location the caster can see within a 10 yard radius.<BR>Warp [100] (Active Defense, -40%; Range Limit: 10 yards; -50%; Reliable: 8; +40%; Emergencies Only, -30%; Extra Carrying Capacity: Light, +10%; Takes Recharge: 1 sec, -10%)
+|With a successful defense check, followed by an IQ-4 roll, the caster (plus gear up to Light encumbrance) instantly vanishes and reappears at location the caster can see within a 10 yard radius; a failed IQ-4 roll results in warping to unexpected location.<BR>Warp [100] (Active Defense, -40%; Range Limit: 10 yards; -50%; Reliable: 6; +30%; Emergencies Only, -30%; Extra Carrying Capacity: Light, +10%)
 |20
 |-
 |'''Force Shield'''
 |block
-|With a successful defense check, a magical shield appears momentarily in front of the caster to deflect a physical attack.<BR>Damage Resistance 10 [50] (Active Defense, -40%; Roll Against Ability: DX, -10%; Force Field, +20%; Hardened: 1, +20%; Directional: front, -20%; Limited: physical attacks, -20%; Emergencies Only, -30%; Takes Recharge: 1 sec, -10%)
+|With a successful defense check, a magical shield appears momentarily in front of the caster to deflect a physical attack.<BR>Damage Resistance 10 [50] (Active Defense, -40%; Force Field, +20%; Directional: front, -20%; Limited: physical attacks, -20%; Emergencies Only, -30%)
 |10
 |-
 |'''Hidden Fist'''
 |parry
-|With a successful defense check, a magical force appears momentarily to parry an attack; can also parry ranged weapons if foe is visible and within 10 yards of the caster. <BR>Telekinesis 10 [50] (Active Defense, -40%; Visible -20%; Roll Against Ability: DX, -10%; Emergencies Only, -30%; Takes Recharge: 1 sec, -10%)
+|With a successful defense check, a magical force appears momentarily to parry an attack; can also parry ranged weapons if foe is visible and within 10 yards of the caster. <BR>Telekinesis 10 [50] (Active Defense, -40%; Visible -20%; Emergencies Only, -30%)
 |10
 |-
 |'''Mana Shield'''
 |block
-|With a successful defense check, an anti-magic barrier appears momentarily in front of the caster to block a magical attack which specifically targets the caster. <BR>Magic Resistance 25 [50] (Active Defense, -40%; Roll Against Ability: IQ, -10%; Directional: front, -20%; Emergencies Only, -30%; Takes Recharge: 1 sec, -10%)
+|With a successful defense check, an anti-magic barrier appears momentarily in front of the caster to block a magical attack which specifically targets the caster. <BR>Magic Resistance 25 [50] (Active Defense, -40%; Directional: front, -20%; Emergencies Only, -30%; )
 |10
 |-
 |'''Phaseshift'''
 |dodge
-|With a successful defense check, the caster (plus gear up to Light encumbrance) becomes insubstantial for an instant, allowing the attack to pass through with no effect (unless the attack can affect insubstantial).<BR>Insubstantiality [80] (Active Defense, -40%; Can Carry Objects: Light, +20%; Roll Against Ability: IQ, -10%; Emergencies Only, -30%; Takes Recharge: 1 sec, -10%)
+|With a successful defense check, the caster (not including gear) becomes insubstantial for an instant, allowing the attack to pass through with no effect (unless the attack can affect insubstantial).<BR>Insubstantiality [80] (Active Defense, -40%; Emergencies Only, -30%)
 |24
 |}
 = Sample Spells =