Rules for Magic

Concentration
Although not a magical skill per se, Concentration is one of the most necessary skills for any aspiring magic-user. Other persons can learn it and make use of it, and in fact it can be used untrained; but it is essential if you wish to make your living through magic. Concentration allows you to focus and fix your will upon a particular target. The base TN for Concentrating is 11; if in battle or other highly distracting situation, this rises to 16 or higher. Concentration can be lost if struck or distracted. If injured, the character must add their damage to the TN to achieve Concentration. Concentrating is an action; any type may be used for it. Each attempt to Concentrate on a particular target requires 1 Ka. Each round of maintaining Concentration costs 1 Stamina and 1 Action. If the character is not in a stressful situation, and Concentrating on an easy task, the GM may reduce this to a per minute cost. If a character shifts his Concentration, or must actually do something with it (such as issuing mental commands) he must spend an action and 1 Ka. Characters receive a penalty to their Perception checks and Passive Defense while they are Concentrating; this begins at -4. Characters also receive a -4 to most actions while Concentrating, including attacks, active defenses, etc, that do not directly deal with the target of the Concentration. As the character gains rank, certain specifics change:

• Novice: the character automatically loses Concentration if struck. Anything which causes the character to be Distracted also ends his Concentration. The character may make only one attempt at Concentrating per round. The character may attempt to focus on a single task to improve his chances of success. The character Concentrates on the task at hand, and may then expend Ka up to his rank. Every point spent equates to a +1 for that specific task. Note that the character must Concentrate for a number of rounds equal to the bonus he wishes to gain. This may be used a number of times per day equal to rank.
• Apprentice: the character may attempt to keep Concentrating if injured; they must re-roll against their original TN plus the damage they just suffered. This costs an action, as soon as they can spend one. The Perception check/ PD penalty is -3.
• Journeyman: the character need not spend an action to attempt to keep Concentrating when damaged or distracted. The character may make up to two attempts per round to Concentrate (each is still an action). The Perception check/ PD penalty is -2.
• Master: The character may make as many attempts to Concentrate as he has actions. The Perception check/ PD penalty is -1.
• Grandmaster: The character only counts half of his damage toward increasing his TN. The character has no penalty on Perception checks or Passive Defense while Concentrating. The character only receives a -2 to active defenses while Concentrating.

Initiating and Maintaining Magical Effects
Many magical effects may be maintained after beginning them. Unless the descripton specifically states otherwise, all abilities require an action in addition to Concentration to activate. They may not require an action to maintain, other than maintaining Concentration. If a mental command or other shift in Concentration is to be performed, the maintenence action may be used to do this in most cases. Characters may attempt to Concentrate on a second target while maintaining Concentration on a first; all costs, including actions, must be paid separately for each instance of Concentration, and the TN for the Concentration is raised by three. In some cases, the GM may rule that two episodes of Concentration are similar enough that the same action may be used to maintain both; for example, if the same creature is the target of both attempts.

Resisting Magical Effects

Magic Circles
A magic circle, or circle of power, is a region designated by a mage or other magic-user that has a Spiritual and Mental existence beyond the world's base. Magic circles (which can also be drawn as rings) are most commonly used to constrain beings or forces on either the inside or outside of the circle. They are also used to establish a particular, isolated magical enviroment. The Arcane Lore skill is used to draw basic magic circles, but other skills can be used to modify these circles.
Creating a basic magic circle: The character must have some means of physically creating the circle. He must make it as nearly circular as possible, must physically draw it himself, and must remain within it. Drawing a circle for one human (about 2 feet in diameter) takes 2 rounds; a 10 foot diameter circle takes one minute (10 rounds). The TN for a basic circle (use Dexterity and Arcane Lore) is a 7. For each round the character desires to shave off the draw time, add +4 to the TN (minimum of one round to draw). Both of these, of course, assume drawing with chalk, dust or ash, or a stick in the dirt (or similar). If the character is creating the circle out of some other substance (such as forging a metal ring) use the appropriate skill and time requirements for that medium. Once drawn, the character must actually provide an enchantment to the circle. This requires Concentration and 2 Stability, and a roll using Intelligence and Arcane Lore against an 11. At this point, the circle will remain until: it is broken, or the creator ceases to be aware of it (which includes if he sleeps or is rendered unconcious)or leaves it, or the next sunrise or sunset.
Drawing Options: The character may draw another circle within the first, creating a ring. Also, the mage may create a circle from the outside, so that it does not end if he leaves it. This requires the expenditure of 1 Stability each minute to keep the circle in existence.
Creating a Permanent Circle: It is possible to create a permanent circle. The circle should, of course, be made of a durable material, since physically breaking it will still end its power. The mage does not have to create this himself, but he must be present and involved in the process. He must permanently sacrifice a point of Mind to the circle when it is complete. In addition, if he wishes it to have additional powers he may also need to make additional Trait sacrifices. (see below).
Using Runes with a Magic Circle: A Runed circle can be drawn. A phrase can be connected to the circle, such that it is made the target of the Runes. Wholeness must be used in this case.
Uses of a Magic Circle: A basic circle provides a slight resistance to certain Mental and Spiritual effects. This adds +1 to the TN for the affected powers, which include most magics that do not have a physical component. This resistance can be strengthened by the creator spending additional Stability when he creates it (2 for each additional +1, to a max of his Arcane Lore levels). A circle can also be made as a physical barrier to certain types of beings or forces. This requires knowledge (i.e. sufficient Arcane Lore rank), special materials, and possibly personal expenditures and sacrifices.

• Against Spirit: The circle must be composed of some elemental material, such as powdered iron, a silver ring, fire, etc. The more pure this is, the better; the more mixed or artificial, the less likely it is to work. The character must expend 1 Ka and at least 1 additional Stability, and may spend Stability up to his Arcane Lore level. The more spent, the stronger the circle. The final strength is: the amount by which the roll to create the circle succeeded, plus the additional Stability spent, plus any modifiers for material or situation.
• Against the Elemental: This is considerably more difficult to create. The circle must be composed of the least elemental material possible; preferably, it will be made of something that had a great deal of Spirit. Even so, since it must be something physical, it is unlikely that much of a strength bonus will be had from the material. The process and final strength of the circle are otherwise the same as for rings against Spirit, but the TN for enchanting it is a 16.
• Against Life:
• Against Anti-Forces:

Using Music to Work Magic
Music allows a powerful expression of the Mind of the world, due to its composition of the Balance. Those who have the proper skills and inclination can therefore call up powerful magics out of their songs. In particular, faeries and the humans of Norheim are known for this. See Song Magic for more information.

Working with Spirit
The realm of Spirit has different rules than the Physical, and so those who are able to use this realm can accomplish seemingly magical effects. Most of these are uses of the Spirit Sense skill and the focused skills that come from it, but it also frequently overlaps with other forms of magic. It needs to be stressed again that Spirit refers to the trait and realm of Spirit, not "spirits" in the sense of non-physical beings. Many of these creatures do have an impact on or a role in this type of magic, but they are not necessary for it. See also Spirit and Faerie Magic for more information.

Dealing with Spiritual Beings
This encompasses both summoning beings of Spirit and dealing with those beings, either after summoning or in other situations. The chief difficulty involved in summoning these creatures is the Barrier, which prohibits such life from simply traveling here; this increases in strength against stronger beings, so the more powerful the individual being summoned, the less likely it is to work. On the other hand, more powerful beings are more apt to notice the attempt to summon them, and may be able to respond in a less direct fashion; by sending a minion, for example.

Elemental Magic
Elemental magic involves calling upon or conjuring physical power from the pure elements. It uses more basic magical techniques - such as names of power - to achieve these effects. There are, of course, actually four or more distinct types of elemental magic - one for each element - but they all follow similar rules. Each requires the appropriate Elemental Lore skill, which contains the basic knowledge for working with that element. Separate magical traditions may use different techniques, but the skill is functionally equivalent, for the most part. More effects are possible by combining elements, or by using techniques learned with the focused skill Elemental Mastery. See Elemental Magic for more information.

Dealing with Elemental Beings
As with spiritual creatures, it is possible to summon elemental life to this world, and some of these creatures may also find their own way. It is generally more difficult to summon these beings: they tend to notice the names they have been given less, and the nature of their realm weakens uses of Spirit against them. On the other hand, it is generally safer to work with them, as they are more predictable and less willful than beings of Spirit.

Rune Magic
The mages of Rhe have kept the Great Runes - and their lesser forms - since they first arrived on Rhean. Legend says that these Runes were first carved by the gods when they walked the world. These symbols are therefore graven in the Mind of the world, and can be used with great effect. See Rune Magic for more information and rules.

Divination
Divination is the reading of various signs and events in an attempt to foretell the future. This can be done due to the Spirit and Mind of the world connecting situations, objects, and events, even if they have no physical connection. There are several Methods of Divination; some of these are better at predicting certain types of events than others. Characters with the Divining skill select 2 Methods at each Rank, and may thereafter use whichever of their known methods seems most applicable, available, or impressive to their audience. Many diviners are more concerned with the last, the impressiveness, than with accuracy; after all, their patrons may not really like to know what the future may hold, but would instead show the diviner greater favor if they predict success or benefit for that patron. The future in Rhean is never set; diviners predict trends and generalities. Even if they do predict a specific event, it has at least the potential to be altered.

There are other ways of predicitng the future in Rhean, such as through conversing with powerful creatures, communing with the gods, or consulting oracles. These are available through the specific arts which deal with those powers, or to anyone who seeks them out (for certain creatures and oracles). Naturally, some fortune-tellers and seers learn multiple methods of prediction.

Divination Methods
Each type has a description of how the divination is performed (in general terms) as well as what it can be used to predict. In many cases, the exact process is not particularly important, although the player may certainly specify their procedure.

• Aeromancy: Divination based upon atmospheric phenomena.
• Astrology: Divination based upon the positions and movements of stars, the moons, and similar phenomena, including comets and shooting stars.
• Anthropomancy: Divination through the reading of human (or humanoid) entrails. This can foretell conflict with a member of the species, or to examine the likely outcome of such a conflict. It can also help to discern motives and allegiances, including separating the guilty from the innocent.
• Bone or Dice Reading: Divination through the reading of anything which can be tossed with various symbols; the various symbols, as well as the physical orientation of the markers can be read. This is a very broad form of divination, able to give information about virtually any future event tied to the one who throws the dice, or someone in their presence. Only in rare instances does this method reveal information about the larger world.
• Ceremancy: Divination through the dripping of wax into water.
• Geomancy: Divination through the influence of earth; most commonly by dropping objects and examining how they lay.
• Haruspicy: Divination through the examination of the internal organs of a slaughtered animal. Much like anthropomancy, this can be used to look for a threat from that species, or from one which it represents (such as using a serpent to predict conflict with dragons).
• Hydromancy: Divination through the influence of water; common ways include examining rings formed when certain objects are dropped into water, or by observing phenomena such as waves and tides.
• Libanomancy: Divination through the behavior of incense or other special smoke.
• Omens: This refers to the natural, coincidental signs that can be interpreted as warnings for future events. This includes the action of animals, certain weather signs, and events around a person. Often these are what we would describe as superstitions. Omens can refer to virtually any future event, but cannot be called up; rather, they are simply observed. Thus, they are highly unpredictable.
• Oneiromancy: Divination through dream interpretation. Much like Omns, dreams tend to come when they will. However, a number of people can be polled for their dreams, and the results examined for overall trends. This method is tied to psionics and Dreamwalking. Please note that the GM may provide the character with a dream, but the character can also attempt to have dreams about a specific topic; in some cases various drugs or meditative techniques are used to attain the dream state. Thus, this method cna be used in either of the ways described below.
• Palmistry: Palm reading. This can also refer to other types of Divination based upon body shape or markings. This refers specifically to the long-term future of the person examined.
• Pyromancy: Flame Reading.
• Tarot: Card Reading. Although Rhean does not have a true Tarot, the idea of revealing cards with various numerical and symbolic significance is a popular means of Divination. This method has much the same scope as Dice Tossing.
• Tasseomancy: Tea-leaf or other herb reading.
• Tephramancy: Divination by reading the ashes of sacrificial fires. This method is highly variable based upon the procedure used. If a specific deity is invoked, and the form of the sacrifice pleases that deity, he may grant an answer to a specific question, or share some unsolicited information on virtually anything within his sphere of influence. On the other hand, no information, or possibly even false information, will be gained if the god is displeased. The fire can also be built without reference to a specific deity, in which case the result is based upon what is burned. In this case, any result has to have some connection with the sacrifice.

Divination Rules
There are two ways for characters to attempt to divine the future. The first is to carry out a ritual associated with a Method they know and to then examine the results. The second is to look for similar, but accidental, signs in the world around them. Please note that Omens only allows the second possibility. In most cases, each Method may only be used once per day in a ritualistic fashion. Incidental signs may be observed as often as the come about, although the GM determines if these have any meaning.

In the first case, the PC carries out a ritual in a precise, controlled fashion. This enables him to ask a specific question and possibly receive an answer. There are two parts to this: conducting the ritual, and interpreting the results. Both rolls must be successful to get meaningful information from the Divination. The GM may make the interpretation roll for the PC and supply false information if it fails. The ritual is conducted with the character's Divining skill unless the GM feels another skill is more appropriate. The character may ask for different amounts of information, based upon their rank:

• Novice: A specific question, with an easy answer, such as "yes/no/maybe". For example, a character could ask if opening a sealed door would be dangerous.
• Apprentice: A general question, still with an easy answer. For example, a character could ask if his life will be threatened in the next 24 hours.
• Journeyman: A specific question, but with a more forthcoming answer. For example, a character might ask what dangers lurk in an abandoned mine and receive a result of "the scaled ones await" - still vague, but certainly more informative than simply knowing that there is danger.
• Master: A general question with an involved answer.
• Grandmaster: The character may examine different possibilities arising from a certain situation.

The second way to divine the future is to look for incidental or coincidental methods. For example, a Tephramancer might examine the ashes of a fire left by some travelers, or a Haruspex might examine the entrails of a creature just killed by his party. In this case, the character (or the GM) rolls the interpretation roll only, and the character receives information relevant to the situation. The character does not ask a question in this case, but instead lets the signs tell him what they will (determined by the GM). He can state that he is looking for something in particular, but this is only to give the GM some guidance. Please note that the Omens skill always follows this route. The GM may make unsolicited Omens rolls for the character in addition to the PC making a specific call to look for an Omen.

Additional Divination Abilities
It is possible in some cases for diviners to provide specific warning of events, or to use their knowledge to shape events. This provides the following benefits:

• At Apprentice rank, the character may use a ritual to predict their next conflict. Assuming that the ritual is appropriate for the type of conflict, the character (and anyone he warns who is with him) gains a +2 on any checks to notice his opponents, any Reaction checks, and the first round Initiative rolls. This only applies to the next such combat, and different Methods may well point to the same conflict (in which case they do not stack in most cases). In some cases, this may not refer to combat, but instead to stealth type or social situations.
• At Journeyman rank, the character may specifically look ahead to the next time he would be wounded, and recognize this when it comes up due to other signs. Because of this, he can receive a +4 to any active defense the next time he is struck, as well as a +4 to any Soak roll made at that time. He may also perform this reading for another character, although their bonus is only +2 due to their receiving the information second hand.
• Also at Journeyman, the character may perfom a reading telling him the results of his next attack. Because of this foreknowledge, he may receive a +4 to both his roll to hit and his damage roll on that attack. As above, he may provide a similar, but +2 bonus, to anyone else he does the reading for.
• Journeyman rank also allows the character to look ahead to a particular skill use associated with the Method of choice, and obtain a +4 on any rolls associated with that use of the skill. As with the above, other characters may receive a +2 on such uses.
• At Master rank, the character may gain information on a series of related actions and use this to prepare for them. For example, he might look ahead to a proposed break-in to a jail, and learn that the characters will be detected. Because of this, he advises them to be extra careful. If the character and GM agree, instead of receiving advice that the characters might act upon through roleplaying, the party can instead simply receive a +1 to all rolls associated with that activity. In the above example, this would apply to any stealth-type rolls the characters made, and also possibly to Perception checks, but not to any combat rolls made if they were detected.

Familiars
A familiar is a small animal or magical creature which can be bound to certain spellcasters. The creature called is always exceptional for its type, often possessing magical characteristics, and it gains certain abilities from the bond.