Spell casting in Vearth
888 Words
# SPELLCASTING IN VEARTH
## MAGICAL TRADITIONS
The world of Vearth features several distinct magical traditions, each drawing power from different sources and following unique principles.
### WHITE STAR SORCERY
White Star Sorcerers channel cosmic energy focused on creation and harmony. Their power flows from celestial sources and the fundamental creative forces of the universe.
- **Power Source**: Universal harmony and celestial energies
- **Focus**: Creation, balance, and healing
- **Manifestation**: Radiant energy, often appearing as white or golden light
- **Limitations**: Cannot use metal armor or edged weapons, must maintain spiritual equilibrium
- **Companions**: Black Celestial Clydesdales (alicorns)
### BLACK STAR SORCERY
Black Star Sorcerers harness shadow energy focused on enhancement and knowledge acquisition. Their power derives from the deeper mysteries of existence and personal mastery.
- **Power Source**: Shadow realms and knowledge accumulation
- **Focus**: Enhancement, refinement, and self-improvement
- **Manifestation**: Shadow energy, often appearing as deep purple or black
- **Limitations**: Must continuously seek new knowledge, weakened in areas of extreme light
- **Companions**: White Void Tigers
### TRADITIONAL MAGIC
Traditional spell-casters such as Wizards, Clerics, and Druids also exist in Vearth, though they are distinct from Star Sorcerers.
**Wizards/Magic-Users**:
- Study arcane formulas and magical theory
- Draw power from the weave of magic that permeates Vearth
- Cast spells through precise incantations and gestures
- Require spellbooks to prepare daily magic
**Clerics**:
- Channel divine power from specific deities
- Focus on healing, protection, and combating unnatural forces
- Cast spells through prayers and display of holy symbols
- Power affected by alignment with deity's principles
**Druids**:
- Draw power from nature itself
- Focus on weather, animals, plants, and elemental forces
- Cast spells through natural components and rituals
- Power strongest in wilderness areas
## SPIRITUAL POINTS VS. SPELL SLOTS
### STAR SORCERY SYSTEM
Unlike traditional spellcasting with fixed spell slots per day, Star Sorcerers use a resource-based system:
**White Star Sorcerers**:
- Accumulate Spiritual Points (SP) through meditation and aligned actions
- Spend SP to cast techniques of varying power levels
- Regain SP through meditation, significant aligned actions, and rest
- Begin each day with SP equal to level + Wisdom modifier
**Black Star Sorcerers**:
- Accumulate Shadow Points (ShP) through study and knowledge acquisition
- Spend ShP to cast techniques of varying power levels
- Regain ShP through meditation, learning new knowledge, and rest
- Begin each day with ShP equal to level + Intelligence modifier
### TRADITIONAL SPELLCASTING
Traditional spellcasters in Vearth follow the standard D&D spell slot system:
- Fixed number of spell slots by level
- Prepare spells in advance (Wizards, Clerics, Druids)
- Cast spontaneously from known spells (Bards, Sorcerers)
- Regain all spell slots after a long rest
## LEARNING NEW MAGIC
### WHITE STAR TECHNIQUES
White Star Sorcerers learn new techniques through:
- Meditation at places of cosmic significance
- Direct communion with their Celestial Clydesdale
- Revelation during significant spiritual experiences
- Training with higher-level White Star Sorcerers
- Discovery of ancient celestial knowledge
### BLACK STAR TECHNIQUES
Black Star Sorcerers learn new techniques through:
- Study of forbidden or hidden knowledge
- Personal experimentation and discovery
- Communion with their Void Tiger
- Extraction of secrets from powerful entities
- Discovery of ancient shadow texts
### TRADITIONAL SPELLS
Traditional spellcasters learn new spells through:
- **Wizards**: Adding spells to spellbooks through scrolls or other spellbooks
- **Clerics/Druids**: Gaining spells through prayer and devotion
- **Bards**: Learning new magical songs and tales
- **Traditional Sorcerers**: Developing innate magical abilities
## MAGIC ITEMS AND ENCHANTMENT
### CREATING MAGICAL ITEMS
The process of creating magical items in Vearth follows special rules:
**White Star Enchantment**:
- Focuses on imbuing items with celestial energy
- Requires meditation and harmonizing with the item
- Best performed during celestial events
- Often incorporates mythril as a conducting material
- Creates items that enhance harmony and protection
**Black Star Enchantment**:
- Focuses on enhancing an item's existing properties
- Requires deep understanding of the item's nature
- Best performed in shadow-rich environments
- Often incorporates void-touched materials
- Creates items that enhance knowledge and personal power
**Traditional Enchantment**:
- Follows standard D&D enchantment rules
- Requires specific spells, components, and time
- Process varies by item type and desired enchantment
- Costs experience points for permanent items
### MYTHRIL'S MAGICAL PROPERTIES
Mythril plays a special role in Vearth's magic:
- Natural conductor of magical energies
- Can be attuned to specific magical traditions
- Holds enchantments more readily than mundane materials
- Sometimes develops semi-sentience when heavily enchanted
- Found primarily in Mythril Mountain but small deposits exist elsewhere
## MAGICAL RESEARCH
### DEVELOPING NEW TECHNIQUES
Players can work with the Dungeon Lord to develop new techniques:
1. **Concept**: Player describes the desired technique
2. **Research**: Character gathers knowledge and components
3. **Testing**: Several skill checks determine progress
4. **Refinement**: Adjusting the technique's power and cost
5. **Mastery**: Final check to complete the technique
### MAGICAL EXPERIMENTATION
Characters can experiment with existing magic:
- Combining techniques or spells for new effects
- Adapting magic to new circumstances or targets
- Discovering more efficient casting methods
- Creating variants with different energy types
- Developing counter-spells or defenses
## MAGICAL CONFLICTS
### WHITE STAR VS. BLACK STAR
When these traditions clash:
- Neither has inherent advantage over the other
- Writer
