Magic 3.0
Magic 3.0 is a huge magic system overhaul intended to bring all magics, and eventually, all character abilities into balance with each other. This system update is one part of the larger so-called DragonRealms 3.0 update.
Costs
Spells cost between 0 or more spell slots depending on the power or usefullness of the spell.
Spell slots are accorded base on the placement of the magic skillset.
| ! Level Range | Primary | Secondary | Tertiary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-19 | Every Level | Every 2 Levels | |
| 20-50 | Every Level | Every 2 Levels | |
| 50-100 | Every 2 Levels | ||
| 101-150 | Every 3 Levels | ||
| 151-200 | Every 10 Levels | ||
Spell slots can also be used to purchase magic feats, which change the way groups of spells are cast, such as by making it easier to hide one's spells from others. A list can be found at Magic Feats.
Analagous Patterns
Spellcasters will no longer get free Analagous Pattern spells, though they can be temporarily or permanently learned from an artificer.
Casting
Harness Regeneration
Unlike currently in which harness recovers faster the more is left, the new system is the inverse. The more you have used, the faster it returns. One of the functional differences is that large casts are now far less problematic to harness level. This dovetails well with the increased benefits of one large cast over several smaller, also a new addition to the system.
Training
Larger casts of spells are rewarded by a net increase in experience over several smaller casts. The intended best way to train is to cast a spell at the highest amount the caster is capable. In addition, finding ways to handicap casting, such as by acquiring nerve damage, no longer will benefit training. The amounts of experience are calculated solely by the base ranks of the caster.
Skills
Primary magic is being parcelled out into several new skills: Augmentation, Debilitation, Warding, Utility. Normal spells will use one of these in place of what was previously Primary Magic, though some spells may use two or more, in which case the lowest of the applicable skills will be used.
Though the Targeted Magic skill has previously existed, it will instead take the place of Primary Magic for targeted spells.
Primary Magic will still exist as a skill, and play a part in the casting of all guild spells, though it is of lesser importance compared to the appropriate skill.
The sorcery skill has been introduced to take the place of Primary Magic when casting spells that were designed for a different mana type. In addition, it will act as a limiter for other skills. If a non-guild augmentation spell is cast, if the Augmentation skill higher than the Sorcery skill, it will effectively be lowered to the Sorcery level for the purposes of that cast.
Spell Types
Magic 3.0 introduces several new types of spells.
Metaspells
Metaspells are an optional pseudo-spell, that, rather than being cast, modifies one or more already learned spells. An example would be the addition of the Returns Thoughts metaspell, which when learned by someone with the spell Thoughcast, allows the target of Thoughcast to send a reply message.
Battle Spells
Battle spells are quicker to cast, but at the price of having shorter durations than standard spells. As the name implies, their intended purpose is to allow fast casting in combat.
Cyclic Spells
Cyclic spells take the place of held magic spells and enchantes in Magic 3.0. They periodically will drain held mana from the caster to continue to function. Unlike held mana spells, they actually subtract mana from the harnessed amount. It is also possible to use cambrinth to power them.
With the proper magic feats, cyclic spells can drain mana directly from the caster without need to harness it.
The amount that the spell is prepped at controls how much mana is pulled per pulse of the spell.
Only one cyclic spell can be active at a time.
Ritual Spells
Ritual spells are powerful spells that require enormous amounts of mana to power and typical both the most powerful and most difficult spells a caster will know. They can begin at 150 or so mana and can cap as high as 600.
To combat this, ritual foci are available which effectively reduce the mana costs of ritual spells, though each focus typically has limited uses and normally will only function for a specific spellbook's spells.
Targetted Spells
Targeted spells do not require preparing at all, to the point of having syntax available to skip the preparation step entirely ( TARGET {<SPELL>} {<MANA>} AT {<TARGET>} ).
Magical Devices
Existing spell scrolls largely continue to function. However, if the spell that the scroll contains no longer exists, it will crumble away. Runestones and wand-like devices also continue to work automatically. Most magic items continue to work, but some may no longer be compatible.
A greater variety of scrolls can be dropped - Most spells that are not iconic spells for a guild will be available on scrolls.
Dispellation
Dispelling of duration spells is now possible, with all magic guilds having at least minimal access via the analagous pattern spell Dispel. Other guilds, such as the Clerics or Bararians, have guild specific means of doing so.
Spells
Most, if not nearly all spells have undergone revisions, and some have been removed entirely. Details can be found at Spell List 3.0.
It is not a final list of spells, as more may be finished over time.
Stat vs Stat Spells
In addition to specific spell revisions, the contested spell system has been reworked, with the attacker's and defender's stat contest being divorced from each other.
| Attack Class | Primary Stat | Secondary Stat | Tertiary Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| Mind | Intelligence | Discipline | Wisdom |
| Magic | Wisdom | Intelligence | Discipline |
| Spirit | Wisdom | Charisma | Intelligence |
| Charm | Charisma | Discipline | Intelligence |
| Fear | Charisma | Strength | Discipline |
| Power | Strength | Stamina | Discipline |
| Defense Class | Primary Stat | Secondary Stat | Tertiary Stat |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Reflexes | Reflex | Agility | Intelligence. Also affected by incapacitating conditions (prone, webbed, etc). |
| Fortitude | Stamina | Discipline | Strength. Also affected by vitality, spirit, and fatigue. |
| Willpower | Discipline | Wisdom | Intelligence. Also affected by nerve damage, stuns/unconsciousness, and Khri Serenity, Calm, and Cunning. |
Magical Attack Styles
- Mind Attacks - The user is bringing the force of his own mind to bear on the target. Examples: Mental Blast, Halt.
- Magic Attacks - The user is creating an effect that acts on its own accord as opposed to directly contesting themselves with the target. Examples: Energy Manacles, Branch Break.
- Spirit Attacks - The user is clashing their spirit or soul against the target, trying to bring down its weight against them. Examples: Soul Sickness, Stun Foe.
- Charm Attacks - The user is trying to lure or befuddle the target in a subtler attack, or instead awe the target through sheer presence. Examples: Siren's Call, Chorus of Madmen.
Non-Magical Attack Styles
- Fear Attacks - The user is trying to intimidate the target in order to evoke a desired effect. Examples: Barbarian Roars.
- Power Attacks - The user is bringing forth sheer physical brutality in order to cause an effect. Example: War Stomp.
There aren't as many non-magical attack styles because there aren't really any abilities for them outside of Barbarians. It's easy to add more in the future though.
- Reflexes - The user is attempting to avoid something attacking them, keep their balance, or otherwise make agile or dexterous motions. Examples: Branch Break, Dazzle.
- Fortitude - The user is trying to endure an effect or curse that cannot be avoided. Examples: Stun Foe, Heighten Pain.
- Willpower - The user is attempting to actively fight off or shield themselves from an attempt to meddle with their state of being. Examples: Mental Blast, Petrifying Visions.
As you may notice, Spirit has been removed as a defense and moved to an offensive type instead. It was decided that attacks against a character fundamentally reduce to three things: You avoid it, you endure it, or you repel it. This new system still provides many more potential types of contests, given the input side of things.
Spheres of Influence
All spells are now equal in their potential enhancement, regardless of guild or number of prerequisites. This is a marked departure from previous systems in which spell tier and guild could result in spells being markedly more or less powerful from a similar spell in a different guild or tier.
To maintain guild differences, spheres of influence have been added. These are skills and stats that the guild is intimately familiar with and thus have a higher cap when enhancing.
It's important to note that this is not inherent to the spell, but to the caster. The difference is that if a caster uses a spell to enhance something within their sphere of influence, the cap is higher, even if the spell is from another guild which does not have it in their sphere. Likewise, if a mage casts a spell from a guild that has the skill in their sphere of influence, but is from a guild that does not, the cap is lower.
Another note is that it is entirely acceptable to have a spell that enhances something outside a guild's sphere of influence. All it denotes is that the spell will not have as much effect as one from a guild that is more specialized in the area.
Alternate Preparations
Using custom or special spell preparations requires a magical feat to use, as does attempts to hide casting entirely.
See Magical Feats for more details.
Spell Stances
When a spell is cast it has three variable characteristics: Potency, Duration, and Integrity. Potency covers the outright power of the spell, how well it accomplishes the intended purpose. Duration is how long the effect will last. Integrity is the ability to resist dispellation.
Using the SPELL STANCE command, it is possible to change the proportions of the power allocated to the different facets of the spell. Any area can be raised as high as 130% and reduced to as low as 70%.
If one characteristic does not apply, such as duration for an instant effect spell, then only the ratio between the two remaining facets is used. For instance, if you have a Duration 130%, Integrity of 85%, and Potency of 85% and you cast a TM spell, the ratio between your Integrity and Potency (1:1) is to distribute your mana and equal power is put between them.
New Commands
- RELEASE CYCLIC - Releases your cyclic spell
- RELEASE {SPELL} - End a spell that you've cast on yourself
- TARGET {SPELL} {MANA} AT {TARGET} - Automatically prepare and then target your target.
Experience
Training magic in the new system is different than before. The amount of experience awarded depends on how difficult the spell is relative to your base ranks. The difficulty is derived from the base difficulty of the spell, how difficult it is to add mana to the spell, and how much mana is added.
As the mana caps on spells are higher than previously, many times the most efficient way to train is to cast a spell at the highest mana the caster can manage. Experienced casters will eventually master combinations of mana, harnessing, and cambrinth power to maximize efficiency.