Mages & Sorcerers

This chapter describes the rules for casting spells.

Requirements

In order to use a spell against a person or object, the user must be able to sense the subject in some way. This usually means being able to see or touch the target.

Casting a spell takes at least a full round. The caster must stand relatively still (moving no more than 1 free space) and concentrate. This does not affect his defense.

Skill

Supernatural ability is divided into two camps: the Mage, and the Sorcerer. Mages cast spells affecting the physical world, while Sorcerers weave spells involving the mind. Though the powers differ, the mechanics are similar.

The Mage rolls his Intellect trait to determine if a spell succeeds. If aimed at a space, the challenge level is 4 plus any range penalties. If aimed at a person, the Mage must roll against the target's Dodge or Parry. If the target is a Mage, they may deflect the spell; substitute their Intellect (+7) for Dodge or Parry.

The Sorcerer rolls his Presence trait to determine if a spell succeeds. He must roll against the Defiance of the target (Intellect or Intuition +7). If the target is a Sorcerer, they may deflect the spell; substitute their Presence (+7) for Defiance.

To make an offensive spell work, the caster must make a trait check as above. The caster makes only one roll, even if there are multiple targets. Subjects are affected once per round for the duration of the spell.

Power and Energy

Every magic user has a power level that represents the base amount of supernatural energy he can channel in a single round. This is based on Willpower.

Every spell has an energy level. One can cast spells of energy greater than their power level in a number of ways.

One point of Fortune is worth 1 point of energy.

A mage can sacrifice his health for power: 1 point of energy per wound inflicted on himself.

A sorcerer can sacrifice her sanity for power: 1 point of energy per shock inflicted on herself.

Either can cast spells beyond their power level by taking extra time. Each +3 energy requires roughly a doubling of the time required to cast the spell. A concentrating spellcaster may do nothing else except move 1 space per round.

Channeling too much power can be dangerous. One who concentrates for an hour or longer must make a Fortitude roll versus the hour +7 - 8 at hour 1, 9 at hour 2, etc. Failing this roll makes the spell backfire. For Mages, this means taking an energy blast equal in power to the extra energy summoned so far - 28 at hour 1, 31 at hour 2, etc. For Sorcerers, it means taking a horrify attack of the same magnitude. Normal defenses apply.

It is possible for multiple magic-users to cooperate in the casting of a single spell. One caster (generally the most powerful) acts as the leader; he receives +3 to his power level for each doubling in the number of followers - one follower gives +3, two followers gives +6, four followers gives +9, etc. Followers must possess the same form of supernatural ability (Mage or Sorcerer) as the leader.

There may be objects or locations that give mages or sorcerers a bonus to their power level. The Adversary should be creative.

Attacks

The damage from an attack spell is based on its intensity.

Impact attacks subtract the victim's Protection from the damage. The result is the number of wounds inflicted.

Energy blasts subtract the victim's Fortitude from the damage. The result is the number of wounds inflicted.

Horrify and Torment spells subtract the victim's Willpower from the damage. The result is the number of shocks or wounds inflicted.

Holds

The power of a Disorient spell, a Telekinetic grapple, a Daze, or a Delusion is based on its intensity. If the spell roll is successful, the victim is held fast. For TK holds, this makes the target immobile, incapable of and vulnerable to physical attacks, but does not affect the target's ability to cast spells, deflect Mage spells, or defend against mental attacks. For Daze or Delude spells, the target is senseless and defenseless; he can do nothing except attempt to break free. Disoriented or deluded entities can move and act, but can't sense their surroundings.

To escape a telekinetic hold, the subject rolls his Brawn vs 7 + the intensity of the spell. For Daze or Delude spells, the subject rolls Willpower. For Disorient spells, the subject rolls Perception.

The victim gets a free chance to escape the moment the spell is cast. After that, the victim can attempt to escape once per action (twice per round). If the roll succeeds, the character is free and can act normally on their next action.

Nullify

Spellcasters may attempt to nullify hostile spells with their own. The nullifier must concentrate for a full round and make a trait check versus the Intellect (mage) or Presence (sorcerer) of the caster. If successful, the nullifier must expend an amount of energy equal to the energy of the spell he wishes to destroy. This can be used in response to instantaneous spells if the caster has not used up his actions for the round.

Mages and Sorcerers can only nullify spells of their own kind.