Rulebook & Manual

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
====== 11. MAGIC ======

===== TWO TYPES OF MAGIC =====

There are two types of Magic in FANTASY WARLORD.
**Arcane Magic** which is practised by Magic-users and
those Priests blessed with the attribute //Wisdom//
and **Divine Magic** which is used solely by Priests and
Warrior Priests.

Arcane Magic involves the manipulation of the
unseen etheric energy that lies behind the creation,
to achieve dramatic results in the physical world.
Thus a fireball is energy drawn out of the-ether and
made manifest in the everyday world, with
devastating results. To do this, Arcane Magic
requires an individual who through natural ability
and long practice has learned how to sense, access,
shape and direct the etheric energy. In **FANTASY
WARLORD**, only Magic-users, Rune Smiths and some
Priests possess the ability to create and control
arcane magical forces.

Divine Magic takes the form
of miracles, wonders or curses and is used by Priests
and Warrior Priests. Divine magic also uses the
etheric energy that flows unseen through the
creation, but in the case of Divine Magic that energy
is accessed and controlled through the gods, and the
priest merely acts as a channel through which the
gods can direct the energy into the physical world.
Thus Divine Magic is safer than Arcane Magic, but it
is more limited in use.

===== RUNE SMITHS =====

Rune Smiths do not feature as characters in
**FANTASY WARLORD** because they are rarely
encountered on the battlefield. Most Rune Smiths
are of the Elf or Dwarf races, though a few humans
have achieved this status — but only after long
practice and help from the Dwarfs. The Rune Smiths
forge all magical weapons, armour and artifacts that
can be used by any character. So while they may not
be physically present on the battlefield, their power
and craft is felt far afield from their secret forges.

===== RUNE STONES, SHRINES AND GATEWAYS =====

The worlds of the multiverse are criss-crossed by
ley lines of magical power. Where these lines cross,
the ancients raised rune stones or sometimes
gateways. More recently various religious sects have
started to raise shrines on some crossing points.
Rune Stones are solitary standing stones, carved
with runes or magical patterns, that help to harness
magical energy. As a result if a Magic-user casts a
spell within 30 cm of such a stone, he will benefit
from its power, and increase his chance of
succeeding (see the Magic Modifiers on the Magic
Sheet). Shrines have a similar effect but only on
divine magic.


Gateways take many forms and may appear as
stone circles, henges (a circle surrounded by a bank
and ditch), pyramids or great trilithons. They act like
Rune Stones for the purposes of casting Arcane or
Divine Magic. In addition, gateways provide links
between the worlds through which characters,
soldiers and creatures can move, if they possess the
right rune magic. Gateways and Rune Stones will be
explained in more detail in future FANTASY WARLORD
supplements.

===== ARCANE MAGIC =====

[[arcane-magic-spell-lists|Arcane magic spells]] can only be cast by Magic-
users, those exceptional Priests blessed with the
attribute Wisdom and the sylphs, angels,
archangels, imps, demons and archdemons of the
powers. Other characters can only access arcane
powers through the possession and use of magical
artifacts. These artifacts and the special rules that
relate to them are covered in [[creating-an-army|Chapter 2: Creating an
Army]].

Magic-users and Priests who use Arcane Magic are
extremely powerful and capable of altering the
course of a battle, if they cast their spells effectively.
But because the energy involved in Arcane Magic is
so powerful, it is difficult to control and as a result,
dangerous to use. Whenever a spell is cast, there is a
risk it may backfire on the user! Arcane magic in
**FANTASY WARLORD** is a two-edged sword.

==== SELECTING SPELLS ====

Magic-users and Priests with the attribute
Wisdom, must pick their spells and record them
before a battle commences or any troops are placed
on the table. They are allowed to pick fresh spells
before each game, because the FANTASY WARLORD
rules presume they would only learn those spells
that actually had some potential application to the
circumstances their side is confronted with. The
number of spells Magic-users or wise Priests can
have, depends on how much Spell Energy they
possess and which spells they choose.

==== COST OF SPELLS ====

Each spell has an energy cost, which represents
the amount of energy a Magic-user must spend to
cast the spell. When selecting spells for a Magic-user,
the total energy cost of the spells selected must never
exceed the Spell Energy Level of the character.
Each spell selected is recorded on a piece of paper
under the relevant Magic-user's name. The same
spell can be picked more than once. Thus a Magic-
user could have six //Fireball// spells. Each spell on the
Magic-user's list can only be used once and as it is
cast or miscast is crossed off the list.

**The allegiance of a character may bar him from
selecting certain spells**. A Good Magic-user
cannot select any spells from Evil Magic Spell
List. An Evil Magic-user cannot select any spells
from the Good Magic Spell List. A Neutral Magic-user 
can select spells from any list but the
number of Evil or Good spells selected must never
exceed the total number of Neutral spells
selected. Both Good and Evil Magic-users may
select spells from the Neutral Magic Spell List.

==== HOW TO CAST SPELLS ====

Spells can be cast in any phase of a game turn. To
cast a spell the player controlling the Magic-user
simply states: "I wish to cast a spell". At that point the
normal action of the turn is suspended, until the
spell has been cast and its result determined.

A Magic-user may only cast one spell per game
turn. A Magic-user cannot cast a spell while he is in
base-to-base contact with the enemy or while a unit
he is directly leading is in base-to-base contact with
the enemy — as he needs to concentrate without
distraction for the spell to work.

If two Magic-users cast spells at the same time on
each other, or on the same third party, object or
locality — they will automatically fail. The spells
must be crossed off and cannot be used again. Worse,
the magic rebounds on the caster and each Magic-
user must roll on the [[failed-arcane-magic-table|Failed Magic Table]] to discover what happens to him!

Spells vary in complexity according to how
powerful they are. Every spell has a //Casting
Success//. The lower this percentage is the harder the
spell is to cast. Thus a spell with a 40% Casting
Success is harder to cast than one which enjoys a
75% chance.

To cast a spell the controlling player must follow
the following procedure:

  - The player states which character is casting the spell, what the spell is and the target if any.
  - The player rolls one D100. He then adds or subtracts any applicable modifiers listed on the Magic Sheet to the score rolled.
  - The final score is compared to the Casting Success of the named spell. If the result is equal to or under the Casting Success, then the magic-user has successfully cast his spell and its effect is immediately carried out. If the final percentage is greater than the Casting Success of the spell, then the caster has failed to cast it.
  - If the caster fails to cast a spell successfully, he must roll on the Failed Magic Table to discover what happens.
  - Any unit that has been successfully attacked by magic, unless it consists of elves, must take a Morale Test immediately after the attack.

==== RISKS OF FAILURE ====

When a Magic-user or wise Priest attempts to use
the etheric energy through the powers of Arcane
magic, he is taking a risk. If his concentration is
broken or he makes a mistake in the incantation, the
energy summoned may enter the physical world
without form or control. When such an event occurs
anything can happen! If a Magic-user fails to cast a
spell, he must immediately roll on the Failed Magic
Table to discover what has happened to the energy.
The Failed Magic Table can be found [[failed-arcane-magic-table|here]].

===== DIVINE MAGIC =====

[[divine-spells-list|Divine Magic]] can only be used by Priests and
Warrior Priests, who for convenience will from
hereon be called priests. Divine Magic is less flexible
but more powerful than Arcane Magic. Like Arcane
Magic, it deals with the invisible etheric forces that
fuel creation. The difference is that while Arcane
Magic is accessed and controlled by the Magic-user,
Divine Magic is controlled by the gods and may only
be used by appealing for their help.

The Divine Spells of Good are called miracles,
those of the Neutral alignment are known as wonders and
those of the Evil alignment are named curses. Access to the
Divine Spells is controlled by the gods. Priests are
granted access to a set number of spells. The higher
the level they attain, the more Divine Spells the gods
grant them.

Divine Spells do not always work. This is because
Divine Magic is subject to the co-operation of the
gods, and the gods can be fickle. If the gods are busy,
disinterested or displeased, a priest's appeal will fail.
If they are angry, the priest's life may be endangered!

To cast a Divine Spell, a priest must appeal to his
gods. The chance of his appeal being heard and
accepted is directly dependent on the priest's level
and allegiance. Should a priest's appeal fail, he must
roll on the [[failed-divine-magic-table|Failed Appeal Table]], and what happens
next is in the hands of the gods.

==== SELECTING DIVINE SPELLS ====

Priests select Divine Spells from the lists below
and record them before a battle commences. They
are allowed to pick new Divine spells before each
game, as it is presumed they possess the sense to
appeal to the gods for those spells which have the
most relevance to their circumstances.

The number of Divine Spells each Priest may have
depends on his level and attributes ([[creating-an-army|see Chapter 2:
Creating an Army]]). A Priest may only select the
number of Divine Spells he has been granted. Thus a
Major Priest who is devout, may only select four
Divine Spells (three for his level and an extra one
because he is devout).

Each miracle selected is recorded on a piece of
paper under the relevant Priest's name. The same
Divine Spell can be picked more than once. Thus a
Major Priest could have two Prayers for Bravery.
Each Divine spell on the Priest's list can only be used
once and as it is used it is crossed off his list.
The alignment of a character may bar him from
selecting certain Divine Spells. A follower of the
Good, cannot select any curses, but is free to select
miracles or wonders. Likewise a Evil follower cannot select any miracles, but is free to select curses
or wonders. A Neutral follower is free to
select any type of Divine Spell, but the number of
miracles and curses selected, must never exceed the
number of wonders selected.

==== HOW TO USE DIVINE SPELLS ====

Each Priest may only appeal for one Divine spell
per game turn. A Priest may not appeal while he is in
base-to-base contact with the enemy (except for the
Hand of Death). But he is free to appeal at any other
time.

Divine spells can be used in any phase of a game
turn. To use one the player controlling the Priest
simply states: "I appeal to the gods". At that point the
normal action of the phase is suspended, while the
Priest assesses the result of his appeal and effects any
result.

Should two Priests cast spells simultaneously on
each other, or on the same third party, object or
locality — they will automatically fail. The spells
must be crossed off and cannot be used again. Worse,
the magic rebounds on the caster and each Priest
must roll on the Failed Appeal Table (found on the
Magic Sheet) to discover what happens to him!
The higher a Priest's status, the better his chance
of appealing to the gods. But some Divine spells ask
more of the gods than others, and have a modifier
which will affect the Priest's chances. These
modifiers are listed under each spell.

When a Priest appeals, he must roll one D100 to assess if
the gods heed his call, adding or subtracting any
modifiers to his score listed on the Magic Sheet. To
succeed in the appeal, he must roll under his Call Heeded percentage. The chances of this are listed below:

^ Character Status          ^ Call Heeded ^
| Minor Warrior Priest      | 75%         |
| Minor Priest              | 80%         |
| Major Warrior Priest      | 80%         |
| Major Priest              | 85%         |
| Master Warrior Priest     | 85%         |
| Master Priest             | 90%         |

To use a Divine spell the controlling player must
follow this procedure:

  - The player states which character is appealing to the gods, what Divine spell he intends to use, and if applicable names his intended target.
  - The player rolls one D100 to see if his appeal is heeded by the gods and adds or subtracts any modifiers.
  - If the result is equal to or under the Priest's Call Heeded percentage the Divine spell is effected immediately. If the result is greater than the Priest's Call Heeded percentage, then the appeal fails, the spell does not occur and the priest must face the consequences of failure.
  - If the priest failed in his appeal he must roll on the Failed Appeal Table according to his allegiance to discover what happens. 
  - Any unit that has been successfully attacked by a Divine spell unless it consists of elves, must take an immediate Morale Test, as it has been attacked by magic.

==== THE PRICE OF FAILURE ====

When a Priest appeals to the gods he is attempting
to harness their assistance to draw down magical
energy. If the appeal fails, the Priest must
immediately roll one D100 and consult the [[failed-divine-magic-table|Failed
Appeal Table]], allowing for his allegiance to find out
what happens.

==== DIVINE AGENTS ====

Divine agents are spirits of the Good and Evil.
They may only enter the physical world at the
invitation of a mortal or immortal who actually
resides in that world. Information on Seraphs,
Angels and Archangels can be found on the relevant
Profile Sheet. Information on Imps, Demons and
Archdemons can be found on their relevant profile
sheets. The armour class of divine agents is magical
not metal and as such in no way impedes their ability
to cast magic.

=== SERAPHS AND IMPS (Demonic Servants) ===

These are the lesser servants of the Good and
Evil and as such can be summoned in large
numbers.

Seraphs are always armed with swords, always
count as if they are wearing chainmail, and have one
Arcane Light spell each, with an energy cost of 5 or
less. This spell may be cast at any time. However the
seraph is subject to the same rules as a magic-user,
and must still roll to see if the spell is cast
successfully. If the seraph fails to cast the spell, it is
immediately banished back to the Sphere of Light.
Imps are always armed with scimitars, always
count as if they are wearing chainmail and have one
Arcane Evil spell each, with an energy cost of 5 or
less. This spell may be cast at any time. However the
imp is subject to the same rules as a magic-user and
must roll to see if the spell is cast successfully. If the
imp fails to cast the spell, it is immediately banished
back to the Outer Darkness.

=== ANGELS AND DEMONS (Lesser Demons) ===

Angels and Demons are far more powerful than the
lesser servants of Good and Evil.
Angels always appear with a spear blessed with a
Blade of Sharpness, always count as if they were
wearing mail & plate and have two arcane spells
each. One of these spells must be a Good spell and the
other may be a Good or Neutral spell. Each spell
must have an energy cost of 8 or less. These spells
may be cast at any time. However the angel is subject
to the same rules as a magic-user, and must still roll
to see if the spell is cast successfully. If the angel fails
to cast the spell, it is immediately banished back to
the Sphere of Light.

Demons always appear with a trident cursed with a
Blade of Sharpness, always count as if they were
wearing mail & plate and have two arcane spells
each. Both of these spells must be selected from the
Dark spell list. Each spell must have an energy cost of
8 or less. These spells may be cast at any time.
However the demon is subject to the same rules as a
magic-user, and must still roll to see if the spell is cast
successfully. If the demon fails to cast the spell, it is
immediately banished back to the Outer Darkness.

=== ARCHANGELS AND ARCHDEMONS (Greater Demons) ===

Archangels and Archdemons are the commanders
of the angelic and demonic hosts and as such are
extremely powerful.

Archangels always appear with a double-handed
sword (which may be blessed with any one item of
Good or Neutral blade magic), always count as if
they were wearing plate armour and have four
arcane spells each. Two of these spells must be
chosen from the Good magic list and the other two
may be chosen from the Good or Neutral lists.
Each spell must have an energy cost of 10 or less.
However the archangel is subject to the same rules as
a magic-user and must roll to see if each spell is cast
successfully. If the archangel fails to cast a spell, it is
immediately banished back to the Sphere of Light.

Archdemons always appear with a double-handed
weapon or polearm (which may be cursed with any
one item of Evil or Neutral blade magic),
always count as if they were wearing plate armour
and have four arcane spells each. Three of these
spells must be chosen from the Evil magic list and
the other one may be chosen from the Evil or
Neutral lists. Each spell must have an energy
cost of 10 or less. However the archdemon is subject
to the same rules as a magic-user and must roll to see
if each spell is cast successfully. If the archdemon
fails to cast a spell, it is immediately banished back to
the Outer Darkness.


----
[[tactical-hints-and-terrain-generation|CHAPTER 12. TACTICAL HINTS AND TERRAIN GENERATION]]