Difference between revisions of "Magic item"

Revision as of 20:21, 28 January 2012

There are several kinds of objects with innate magical power or that can act as a magic conduit.

Single-use

These items are "use and lose". Once activated, the effects of the contained spell occur and the item becomes useless. Often times it disintegrates when used. When a mage creates a single-use magic item, he makes a Casting Roll and spends the necessary MP for the desired spell Intensity. When the item is later activated, the stored Casting Roll is used along with the number of ranks the mage has in the spell to determine any variable effects (such as area and duration of the spell).

Inkantation

An inkantation is a temporary tattoo, scrawled by a mage on a creature's skin with a concoction of liquid mana and expensive ink. The runes written are specific to the spell. Typically, this is done on the back of the hand. These tattoos can contain beneficial spells with a target of self or creature. To activate the spell, a creature must run a single finger over the runes, which takes 1 AP. The tattoo can be activated at any time, but disappears upon release.

Pabula

A pabulum is a consumable item which can contain spells with a target of self or creature and cause effects but not damage. In liquid form, these are often marketed as potions or elixirs, but you could just as easily store a Poison spell in a cup of coffee. Pabula are also available in solid and edible form ranging from typical food items to pills. Sometimes pabula occur naturally as fruit on rare trees, or flowers with curative powers. When a creature consumes a pabulum with negative effects, it rolls its save as per usual. It takes 1 AP to consume a small pabulum such as a pill, but 3 AP to consume anything larger.

Runestones

Runestones are objects which can contain beneficial spells with a target of self or creature. They're typically smooth, glossy stones, marbles, or tiles, although they much less commonly appear as bones or sticks. They always have small runes etched into the surface. To activate the spell within a runestone, it must be crushed, snapped in half, or thrown to the ground and shattered. The creature doing this receives the effects of the contained spell for the appropriate duration. It takes 1 AP to activate a runestone.

Spellbombs

Spellbombs are objects that are activated by being thrown or launched. These can only contain spells with a target of area. Upon impact, the effects of the spell are released to the area surrounding the object. Projectiles are usually ball-shaped, but sometimes they're crafted from disposable ranged ammunition (e.g. rocks, arrows, crossbow bolts, cannonballs). They are rarely if ever crafted out of expensive weapons as the object disintegrates as the spell releases. If thrown, it takes 3 AP to attack with a Spellbomb. If the Spellbomb is crafted out of a piece of ammunition, use the normal AP cost of the firing weapon. See the Combat chapter for information on the use of thrown weaponry.

Talismans

Talismans are hand-sized scrolls, cards, or labels bearing specific artwork, runes, or writing. These can contain spells which target a creature and cause effects but not damage. When a talisman makes contact with its intended target, the target is automatically subject to the effects of the contained spell for the appropriate duration. To attack with a talisman, the character rolls an Attack Roll using ranks in the Hand-to-hand weapon skill. This attack takes 3 AP. The defending creature makes a Dodge/Parry Roll. The attack deals no damage. Once stuck with a talisman, it takes 2 AP and a Lift check of 18 to pry it off (it also takes a Gymnastics check of 12 to reach one on your back). Talismans are almost always spells from the Charm, Status, Ward, Dark, and Light schools, and they are rarely beneficial to the recipient.

User-powered

These items can be used multiple times, but each activation of the object requires the user to supply the necessary MP. When a mage creates a user-powered magic item, he chooses the spell to store, makes a Casting Roll, and chooses the desired spell Intensity. When the item is later activated, the stored Casting Roll is used along with the number of ranks the mage has in the spell to determine any variable effects (such as area and duration of the spell).

Runebrands

A runebrand is a permanent tattoo scrawled or burned into the flesh of a creature by a mage. It's a laborious process and very precise, so it calls for the recipient to make a DL 10 Vitality check to ignore the pain, or else flinch and risk ruining the pattern. The runes written are specific to the spell. These tattoos can contain beneficial spells with a target of self or creature. The tattoo can be inscribed anywhere on the creature's body, but to activate the spell, a creature must run a single finger over the runes, which takes 1 AP. The mage can also make the tattoo activate by vocal command (0 AP), but this is expensive and even more time-consuming. The tattoo can be activated at any time, and as often as the user has MP to supply it.

Glyphs

A glyph-bearing object is one which has engraved into it a specific magic symbol. These are typically worn or carried in hand. Glyphs can contain beneficial spells with a target of self or creature. The object typically is related to use of the spell which is stored in it. For instance, a suit of armor which activates an Attack Ward, a sword which activates Elemental Weaponry, a monocle which activates See Magic. A glyph can support several spells, but this greatly increases the cost, as does engraving a large object with several glyphs. Activating a glyph on an object takes 1 AP and is done mentally. A glyph can be activated at any time, and as often as the user has MP to supply it.