Initial Magic User & Swordmage Spell Books

(note -- article re-written on May 3, 2010)

All starting Magic User characters will know eight spells (not that they can cast all of them yet). Swordmage characters will begin with one fewer at each level (thus knowing 5 spells and not initially knowing any third level spells). The standard starting mix will include:

5 x "first level spells" -- "Detect Magic", "Magic Missile" and "Read (Own Element) Magic" and two randomly selected spells.

2 x "second level spells" -- both randomly selected.

1 x "third level spell" -- you guessed it, randomly selected.

Thus, while a Magic User character will only have five spells that he can throw initially (and a Swordmage only four), he does have some that he knows when he progresses in level. Beyond this, there are only two ways in which he can gain new spells.

First, he can find another magic user of his element who can teach him new spells. Such study requires a base of ten (10) days per level (slightly modified by high or low intelligence) for spells he can throw. For the next higher spell level it will take twice as long; for two levels above, four times as long; and they cannot learn a spell three or more levels above them.

Secondly, should he acquire a "spell book" of a magic user or swordmage of his element, he may learn from that (presuming that he can read the language). However, such study will take twice as long (not having someone to watch and correct you). Please note that spells can not be learned from scrolls -- since these really only contain a "trigger".

Spells can not be learned from anyone with a different prime element . . . minds and senses just don't quite work the same way. Nor may they be learned from a spell book of someone with a different prime element (or of a language you do not know).


-- Jeff