Thought I’d sneak this in before Paladin Week takes over 😉
Here are a couple of moves intended for my Ars Magica hack. I’d love to hear what you think.
Spells recorded in a spellbook are often referred to as formulaic spells (as opposed to spontaneous spells). By their nature, formulaic spells are less flexible, but they are also safer and more consistent.
When you spend a few weeks researching a specific magical effect, come up with a cool name for the spell and roll+Book. On a hit, record it in your spellbook and on a 10+ choose 2, on a 7-9 choose 1.
*The spell is slightly better than you anticipated. Work with the GM to add a bonus effect or tag.
*Research takes less time than you were expecting.
*You learn something new about the nature of magic. Mark experience.
On a miss, you either fail to develop a viable spell, or record it in your spellbook but choose 2.
*Your research attracts unwanted attention. The GM will let you know what kind.
*Your research takes twice as long.
*The spell is weaker than you intended.
*The spell has a nasty side-effect.
*You gain +1 Warping.
When you speak the name of a spell from your spellbook and channel the corresponding technique and form, roll+Casting. On 10+ the spell works exactly as written. On a 7-9 the spell works and/or choose one. On a 6- choose two.
*You let the spell energy diffuse with no effect.
*You draw unwanted attention. The GM will explain how.
*The casting takes longer than you hoped, exposing you to a threat of the GM’s choosing.
*Take -1 forward to Casting or Book (which ever comes first).
*You gain +1 Warping.
*The magic does 1 harm to you.
I’m a fan of leaving the 6- result to the GM. He needs it to make moves.
Me too, Mert Torun, and almost all of the other moves in the hack leave 6- completely up to the GM. The reason I specify them for these particular moves is to provide the player with a feeling of consistency. That’s the trade-off between more free-form uses of magic and casting from your spellbook.
I feel like the unwanted attention, weaker than intended, side-effect, and exposure to a threat options still allow room for the GM to make moves, but the player has to ask for it – which seems appropriate for a DW hack. 😉