Xuln Magic System

Using advantages to create whatever magic effect desired has proven to be the favorite way to "do magic" in our campaigns.

Steps to Creating a Magical Power

1. Imagine Power
2. Select Advantage
3. Add Enhancements & Limitations [B104, P107]
4. Get approval from GM

Source of Power

Most powers have a source which can be effected in game positively or negatively. For example, if your power if magical in nature, it can be dispelled. On the other hand, a magical power may be amplified if in a powerful magic zone.

Power Modifiers [P25]

• Chi, -10% [P26] - emanates from own life force, meditate daily, requires 10-point disadvantage
• Divine, 10% [P26] - diety grants power, certain behavior is expected in return, requires 10-point disadvantage
• Magic, -10% [P27] - channels mana, varying level of mana zones, anti-magic powers can thwart powers
• Nature, -20% [P28] - channels vital energy of living things, civilization interferes
• Spirit, -25% [P28] - commanding fickle spirits, requires 5-point disadvantage
• ...and others

Ritual, Cost, and Signature

All magical abilities should consider 1) Ritual Required, 2) FP Cost, and 3) Magical Signature.

Ritual Requirements / Nuisance Effects [B112]

• No ritual required (-0%) - "caster simply wishes the spell to take effect"
• -4 Stealth (-5%) or No Stealth (-10%) - "caster must speak quite words or words of power"
• One Hand Free (-5%) or Two Hands Free (-10%) - "caster must gesture with hand(s)"
  • Requires Wand (-5%) - "caster requires wand in addition to one or two hands free"
• Must be Standing and Not Held (-5%) - "caster must be standing and feet free"

Costs FP [B111]

We have a (soft) rule that magic costs FP to cast.

• 1 FP per casting (-5% per)

Magical Signature [B106]

• Normal Signature (+0%) - all magical effects are obviously magical and easily observed.
• Low Signature (+10%) - no more easily identifiable than a champagne cork popping
• No Signature (+20%) - almost completely unnoticeable as in a blowgun dart; or undetectable by normal means but leaves a magical trace

Other Common Enhancement & Limitations

Limitations

Accessibility [B110]

• Environmental Accessibility - can only be cast in certain environments
  • Very Common (-5%) - in the presence of air, on a planet, in a gravity field
  • Common (-10%) - in contact with dust, in the presence of microbes
  • Occasional (-20%) - in a city, in the wilderness, outdoors, touching the ground
  • Rare (-40%) - in a storm, dense vegetation, desert, underground
  • Very Rare (-80%) - in lava, quicksand, vacuum