Users of Magick

All living beings can feel the flow of the Eldritch moving through and around them. All beings have the innate capability to bend these energies to their will, affecting changes in reality both subtle, gross, and all levels between.

The Eldritch is a natural force and is omnipresent in all regions of Anár. From place to place, the strength of the flow can change, enhancing or detracting from mystic workings in their area. Likewise, some areas have a resonance that can alter the flavor of the workings that take place within their bounds.

To one degree or another, all living things can feel the flow of the Eldritch around them, although most believe these moments of awareness to be spiritual or biological phenomena and incorporate them into their world view. Others can sense the Eldritch for what it really is and, by focusing their will, they can alter and mold its flow. The means by which this focus is gained varies greatly, generally taking on the imprint of the culture that spawned the esotericist.

Some cultures promote the use of magick as an intellectual pursuit practiced by only the most erudite of minds. Others view the use of magick in spiritual terms practiced by only the most devout. Some view themselves as channels for the divine will, and work magick by performing miracles from and for their chosen Incarna. All viewpoints are valid and all channel the energies of the Eldritch in the same scope and breadth.

In the following sections, a discussion of the mechanics behind the use of magick is presented. These rules apply to both the Cultural and Innate Practitioners presented in other sections.

Mechanics of the Eldritch (top)

This section describes the details of practicing magick in the Primeval Setting. These details are provided using the Hero System, 5th Edition Revised, game system and outline the mechanics of casting spells and character creation.

Magick Skill (top)

In order for a character in the World of Primeval to practice magick, he or she must purchase the Power Skill, defined as "Magick." This Power Skill can come in the following flavors, each with its own drawbacks:

Magecraft: The Magick skill is Int-Based (i.e, initial score is 9+(Int/5) for 3pts, with +1 to the roll per +2 character points). If this option is chosen, then the character's ability to utilize magick is a function of erudite, esoteric thinking and intellectual or philosophic flexibility of mind, backed by one's will power.
Faithcraft: The Magick skill is Ego-Based (i.e., initial score is 9+(Ego/5) for 3pts, with +1 to the roll per +2 character points). If this option is chosen, then the character's ability to utilize magick is a function of their belief either in themselves, in a higher power or Incarna, or in any force larger or greater than oneself.
Bodycraft: The Magick skill is Con-Based (i.e., initial score is 9+(Con/5) for 3pts, with a +1 to the roll for +2 character points). If this option is chosen, then the character's ability to utilize magick is a function of their biology and how in tune that character is with their physiology.

In order to cast a spell, an appropriate "Craft" roll must be made at -1 per 10 Active Points of the spell being cast. Additional penalties can be taken to affect minor alterations in the spell effect or to perform tricks with the casting itself.

Esotericists fuel their workings using their connection to the Eldritch and doing so causes fatigue, but not on a physical basis. This mystic fatigue is represented by the requirement of the esotericist to purchase an Endurance Reserve through which all his workings are fueled. The size of the pool is voluntary. Esotericists who deplete their Endurance Reserve can continue casting using a characteristic determined by the type of Craft skill they originally purchased: Int for Magecraft, Ego for Faithcraft; and Body for Bodycraft. Despite this requirement, it is possible for a spell or mystic ability to have the "Reduced Endurance" or "Charges" advantage.

Spells and Workings (top)

An esotericist must purchase the spells, workings, rituals, etc. that he performs with character points. Such spells are built as Powers and are required to have at least -1 worth of limitations. An esotericist uses these limitations to give the spells they purchase a continuity and all such spells must have a common special effect (i.e., fire magicks, spirit magicks, etc.).

When designing esoteric abilities, the culture in which a practitioner was taught impacts not only the limitations chosen for the abilities, but also the special effects of the ability. Generally, a cultural practitioner is also restricted to the special effects the culture endorses. For a discussion of the special effects available in the milieu, see Arcane Forces.

An esotericist may purchase spells from more than one brand of magick, but, to do so, he must purchase a distinct "Craft" skill to cover its use. For instance, a mage who specializes in the use of Fire may also be a devout priest, or may pursue the study of another elemental force.

Requirements (top)

All spells must be purchased with at least -1 worth of Limitations. One of said limitations must be "Required Skill Roll (-1/2)" to represent the power's dependence on the "Craft" skill listed above. Said rolls are made at -1 per 10 Active Points of the spell being cast. Other available limitations are "Incantations," "Gestures," "Extra Time," etc. More than -1 in Limitations may be taken as the character desires.

The limitations (and advantages) placed on a spell tend to suggest the overall flavor of the cultural in which it is created. In the presentation of the Cultural Esotericists, suggested sets of limitations are provided that help capture the feel of the workings.

Scope and Breadth (top)

The scope and breadth of any spell is measured by its Active Point cost. Given that the "Craft" checks are modified by the Active Point cost, it takes a higher investment of character points to create mystic effects that have a large scope. For starting characters, a limit of 40 Active Points is placed on mystic powers. As a character grows, he or she may purchase spells of higher power and scope.

In the Hero System, 5th Edition Revised, core rulebook, there are powers, advantages, and limitations marked with an "Exclamation Point" and powers marked with a "Stop Sign." Characters may not purchase Exclamation or Stop powers freely, as these abilities have far-reaching effects. Learning such abilities represent closely guarded secrets, phenomenal acts of reverence, or yogic levels of personal attunement. Access to them are granted through the purchasing of either of the following Perks:

Master (5 pts): Having attained a level of mastery in their respective field, an esotericist is opened to new levels of knowledge and ability. A character with this Perk may purchase Exclamation powers, advantages, and limitations. This Perk also gives the character a level of status within their esotericist culture (if one exists); it also requires of the character levels of responsibility within that culture.
Arch (10 pts): Having attained a level of skill, awareness, and attunement even beyond the Master level, the character with this Perk may purchase Stop powers, advantages, and limitations. This Perk may be purchased as an "upgraded" to Master, i.e., if a character has already purchased the Master Perk, it only takes another +5 pts to become an "Arch." This Perk also gives the character a status within their esotericist culture that makes them nearly legendary in their command of their field.

Power Frameworks (top)

The Hero System, 5th Edition Revised, core rulebook and the Fantasy Hero supplement allow spells to be purchased in a number of ways. Following is a list of possibilities and their prerequisites:

Individual Spells: The standard means of purchasing a spell is to build it as a standard power, apply chosen advantages and limitations to derive a Real Cost. This Real Cost is then divided by 3 to determine the purchase price. All esotericists who have not purchased the Master or Arch Perks listed above should purchase their spells using the Individual Spell method.
Spell Suites: If an esotericist purchases the Master Perk, he has access to the Multipower Framework in order to build spells. Using this framework implies that the spell in question is still a single spell, no matter what slots are within the multipower. The slots represent alternate applications of the same power or reasonable extensions of effect on the base spell idea.
Arch-Casting: As implied by the method's name, an esotericist can only utilize this method if they have previously purchased the Arch Perk. The character may then purchase a Variable Power Pool from which to draw his mystical effects. This pool must still maintain the limits based on his esoteric cultural practice and represents a level of mastery so complete, that the esotericist need not purchase individual spells as he has command over all of them in a given field.
Innate Abilities: With a GM's permission, a character may purchase their mystical abilities within an Elemental Control if these abilities represent innate mystical abilities tied to their biology or race. This purchase option is intended for the creation of mystical beings or creatures.

Innate Mystic Abilities (top)

There are some creatures or beings in the World of Primeval that have innately mystical abilities based on their heritage or the unique quality of their origins. These creatures do not necessarily purchase their mystical abilities in the same fashion as mortals, as they are not required to purchase a "Craft" skill in order to activate their mystic powers.

Innate practitioners may purchase singular powers or may utilize an Elemental Control power framework, with GM's permission. The Elemental Control framework is appropriate based on the central theme of the special effects of the powers within that must be created. If many disparate powers are desired, then the creature must follows the systems created for Spells and Workings. An Innate practitioner may choose Exclamation or Stop powers (with GM's permission) without requiring the Master or Arch Perk.

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