The Planar Vagabond's Guide to the Multiverse

Heroic Old-School Roleplaying
Core Rules: Magic

Magic & Spells

Spells are patterns of energy that can be manipulated and used by some characters to alter reality to their will.

When reality is altered this way, it’s called magic, and the characters who can do it are known as spellcasters.

Each spellcasting class has an associated type of magic: arcane, divine, eldritch, or psychic.

There’s an additional class of spells known as rituals, which have their own requirements, and (in many cases) may be performed by non-spellcasters.

Memorizing Spells

Takes one hour, can only be done once per day.

• A character’s level determines how many spells they can memorize at one time.
• The same spell may be memorized more than once, if the character can memorize more than one spell of that level.

Casting Spells

Memorized spells are cast by replicating necessary hand gestures and spoken words.

• When a spell is cast, it is erased from the caster’s mind.
• The caster must be able to speak and move their hands freely (ex: can’t be gagged, bound, or magically silenced).
• The target (a specific monster, character, object, or area of effect) must be visible to the caster (unless stated otherwise).
• The caster must have one hand free (or a magic item in one hand).
• If in combat, the caster cannot have been wounded by an attack this round.

Ritual spells may be cast by performing the ritual as described.

Spell Effects

• Some spells affect multiple targets, either by area or by Hit Dice total. If the spell doesn’t say how to select the targets, the referee decides.
• Some spells require concentration.
  • These spells require the caster’s focus to maintain the spell’s effect.
  • Performing any other action (moving or attacking) causes concentration to end.
  • When distracted (ex: damaged by a spell or weapon) while concentrating, the spellcaster must make a Willpower check (highest of CHA or CON), with a penalty of 1/2 the damage inflicted (to a max of -4), or the spell ends.
• Multiple spells cannot increase the same ability (e.g. bonuses to attack rolls, AC, damage rolls, saving throws, etc.).
  • Spells that affect different abilities can be combined.
  • Spells can also be combined with the effects of magical items.

Magical Research

New spells may be found and learned (or created) via research.

• Requires access to information (ex: library, other spellbooks, etc.) .
• Takes 2 weeks, and 1000 standard coins per spell level.
• All spell casters are assumed to be able to perform magical research.

Alchemy

Alchemical formulas (for brewing potions and such) can be learned and used by anyone with access to the proper equipment.

• Some arcane spellcasters store learned alchemical formulae within their spellbooks.
• The difficulty with most potions is not in the brewing, but in acquiring both the correct formula and ingredients.

Arcane Magic

Arcane magic comes from written spells, formulae, and procedures known to alter reality.

• Arcane spellcasters memorize spells from their spell books, which must be close at hand.
• If a spell can be reversed, its form must be selected when the spell is memorized
  • Both forms can be memorized if the character can memorize more than one spell of the given level.
• Spells may be learned from a higher-level mentor (1 week / spell), copied from a scroll or spellbook with the Read Magic spell, or from research.
• Lost spell books can be rebuilt spell-by-spell, with each spell taking 1 week of game time and 500 standard coins per spell level.
• Arcane spells written by other spellcasters can only be translated by the Read Magic spell.
• Arcane casters can use arcane magic items and scrolls.

• Starting Spells (SS): The number of starting spells in a new caster’s spell book.
• Copy Chance (CC): The chance to perfectly copy spells scrolls and other sources into spellbook. Referee rolls 1d100, result under score is success, failure means an interesting side effect occurs when the spell is cast (must wait until next XP level to try again).

Divine Magic

Divine magic comes from a spellcaster’s connection to one or more gods.

• Divine spellcasters memorize spells through prayer to their gods.
  • When praying for spells, they may choose any spells in their class’ spell list that they are of high enough level to cast.
• Divine casters must be faithful to the tenets of their alignment, clergy, and religion.
  • If they ever fall out of favor with their deity, penalties may be imposed (ex: -1 to attack, a reduction in spells, or being sent on a perilous quest).
  • To regain favor, they would need to perform a great deed for their deity (referee’s choice - ex: donating relics or gold, building a temple, converting others to the religion, etc.).
• Divine casters can cast reversed versions of spells (possibly gaining deity disfavor).
  • Lawful characters: Only use reversed spells in dire circumstances.
  • Chaotic characters: Usually use reversed spells, only using normal spell versions to benefit their allies.
  • Neutral characters: Usually favor either normal or reversed spells, depending on the deity.
• Divine casters can use divine magic items and scrolls.

Eldritch Magic

Eldritch magic comes from special pacts made between the spellcaster and one or more ancient, powerful beings.

• Eldritch spellcasters memorize spells through the use of ritual invocations to their patrons.
  • When memorizing spells, eldritch magicians may choose any spells in their class’ spell list that they are of high enough level to cast.
• Eldritch casters must be faithful to their patron.
  • If they ever fall out of favor with their patron, penalties may be imposed (ex: -1 to eldritch blast damage, a reduction in spells, or being sent on a perilous quest).
  • To regain favor, they would need to perform a great deed for their patron (referee’s choice - ex: collecting an artifact, constructing an altar, vanquishing a powerful enemy of the patron, etc.).
• Eldritch casters can cast reversed versions of spells.
• Eldritch casters can use arcane magic items and scrolls.

Psychic Magic (WIP)

Psychic magic comes from a spellcaster’s innate ability to alter reality, even if they can’t fully control it.

• Psychic spellcasters begin each day with each of their spells memorized.
• To cast a spell, a psychic caster must roll 1d20 + the highest of INT or CHA.
  • On a natural 1, the spell fizzles and is expended, backlash occurs, and the next casting of a psychic spell gets -2.
  • On a 2-6, the spell fizzles without being expended.
  • On a 7-15, the spell succeeds as per normal.
  • On a 16+, the spell succeeds in notable manner as determined by referee (ex: double duration, range, or targets).
  • On a 20+ (or a natural 20), the spell succeeds as well as possible (player chooses up to two effects from above, possibly without expending spell), and the next casting of a psychic spell gets +2.
• Psychic casters can cast reversed versions of spells.
• Psychic casters can use arcane magic items and scrolls.

Backlash

Roll 1d20 on the Backlash Table to see what effect occurs.

Ritual Magic

Ritual spells may be cast without being memorized / granted through prayer or supplication.

• Ritual spells are often complicated, taking several minutes (or turns) to cast.
• Rituals are many and varied - some can even be performed by non-spellcasters (with proper instruction).
• The power of the ritual is based on several factors, including:
  • The time spent casting the ritual (with longer rituals being more powerful),
  • Any sacrifices made as part of the ritual (with willing and/or virginal sacrifices yielding more power), and
  • Any components used during the ritual (with more powerful rituals requiring rarer or more difficult to obtain components).

All spellcasters know Read Magic as a ritual, taking 1 turn to cast.

Magic Saves

Saving throws versus magical effects get an additional modifier, based on the character’s Wisdom (WIS).

Magic Items

Identification

Most magic items can be identified via trial-and-error: using a weapon, wearing a ring, sipping a potion, etc.

• High-level NPC spellcasters may also identify magic items, typically for a fee or exchange of services.
  • This may take some time, based on the rituals required (and the spellcaster’s schedule).
• Some powerful magic items (ex: the Crystal Skull of Jund) are themselves capable of identifying (most) other magic items.

Use

Most magic items must be used, worn, or held in the normal way for an object of that type (attacking with a weapon, wearing a ring, etc).

• Some magic items have continuous magical effects, such as the bonuses on weapons and armor, or most rings.
• Unless an item’s magical effect is continuous, activating a magic item requires its user to spend an action concentrating, preventing them from performing another action during that round (except as noted).
  • An item’s effect can typically only be activated once per round (except as noted).

Usage Die

Some magic items have limited uses, tracked via a Usage Die.

• The item description will indicate the starting die type.
• After each use, roll the current die, and on a 1-2, the die drops one step (d20 -> d12 -> d10 -> d8 -> d6 -> d4 -> 1) as uses are consumed.
  • After dropping a die step from a d4, the magic item has only 1 use remaining.
• When no more uses are left, the item becomes inert.
• At the referee’s discretion, it may be possible to recharge some magic items, increasing the usage die via complex magic rituals.

Types

Armor and Shields

• Subject to normal class restrictions on armor and shield usage.

Miscellaneous Items

• May be used by any character (except as noted).
• May be used any number of times per day (except as noted).

Potions

• May be used by any character (except as noted).
• May be identified by sipping.
  • Identifying solely by taste, smell, or appearance can be misleading.
• Takes 1 round to drink a full dose.
• Effect of a full dose lasts 1d6+6 turns (except as noted).
  • Referee should roll and track duration in secret.
• Mixing potions (drinking two with ongoing effects) has the following effects:
  • The listed effects of both potions are cancelled.
  • Drinker becomes ill and is disabled for 1d6 turns due to sickness.
  • Note this doesn’t apply to potions with instant / permanent effects (ex: healing).

Rings

• May be used by any character (except as noted).
• Effect is activated while worn on a finger, thumb, or similar appendage, and is continuously active while worn (except as noted).
• If more than two rings are worn by a character, the effects of each cease to work (except as noted).
  • Cursed rings cannot be deactivated in this way.

Rods

3’ long, 1" diameter solid cylinders, occasionally decorated with runes, glyphs, or other magical accessories.

• May be used by any character class.
• Start with Usage Die at d8 (except as noted).

Scrolls

Aged sheets of paper or parchment with magical spells inscribed on them.

• May be read aloud to cast inscribed spell.
• In combat, reading a scroll aloud takes 1 round.
• When read aloud, the words on the scroll disappear.
• A light source is required to read a scroll aloud.

Staves

• 6’ long, 2" diameter pole-like items, occasionally decorated with runes, glyphs, or other magical accessories.
• May only be used by spellcasters (except as noted).
• Start with Usage Die at d12 (except as noted).

Wands

• 1.5’ long, thin rod-like items, occasionally decorated with runes, glyphs, or other magical accessories.
• May only be used by non-divine spellcasters (except as noted).
• Start with Usage Die at d10 (except as noted).

Weapons

Usage: Per normal class restrictions.

Sentient Items

A small number of magic items have intelligence and are considered to be sentient.

• Some sentient items are driven by a particular purpose.

Using a Sentient Item

• Sentient items are often exceedingly powerful, but can also be dangerous to wield.
• To activate a sentient item’s power:
  • The item must be in (or on) the wielder’s hand, and
  • The wielder must concentrate to activate the power.

Alignment

• The only way to determine a sentient item’s alignment is for someone to touch it.
• When a character comes in contact with a sentient item, if the character and item have different alignments, the character must Save vs Spells each round they’re in contact with the weapon or take damage (and possibly lose control to the item, see below).
  • Lawful items inflict 1d6 damage per round to neutral-aligned characters and 2d6 to chaotic-aligned ones.
  • Neutral items inflict 1d6 damage per round to lawful or chaotic-aligned characters.
  • Chaotic items inflict 1d6 damage per round to neutral-aligned characters and 2d6 to lawful-aligned ones.

Exerting Control

• A sentient item may try to exert control over its wielder at certain times:
  • Upon first contact with the wielder,
  • When the wielder is reduced to half hit points or less,
  • When the wielder gains another magic item,
  • If the wielder’s alignment differs from that of the item (with each use),
  • When in a situation involving the item’s Purpose.
• When the item attempts to exert control, the wielder must succeed on a Save vs Spells (-2, if wounded or acting in violation of the item’s purpose) to prevent it from gaining control.
• If the item takes control, the referee determines the behavior of the wielder, and may include:
  • Discarding (or ignoring) other magic items,
  • Seeking glory for the item by charging into battle,
  • Surrendering the item to someone it deems more worthy of carrying it (or more susceptible to its control), or
  • Making improvements to the item (mundane or magical).
• Once under the control of the item, it will only release the wielder when the circumstances that triggered the item have passed or the item is otherwise satisfied.

Sources

• Elvish magic items usually have words in elvish etched or carved on them, often the name of the item.
• Dwarvish magic items usually have runes etched or carved on them.
• Gnomish magic items usually have their names etched or carved on them in gnomish.

Legal Information

This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC and available at https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document. The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.

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1. If the caster was the target, effect rebounds onto another random target within range or 10’, whichever is greater. ↩︎