Very rarely, mages will make a spell permanent, effectively making the magic a natural part of reality. Thus, when used with different Magical Styles, a spell might last for hours, days, or even months.
The Magical Style Duration determines the time scale by which the life span of spells cast with that Magical Style is measured. Many are flashes of power that are over in an instant, others last effectively forever. Spells vary greatly in the amount of time that they persist. However, this does not preclude scrying or other effects that extend the mage’s senses.Įxamples: constructing mental fortifications, shifting one’s chi or humors, body control Self: The mage is incapable of affecting a Pattern other than themselves with the focus. Thus the target might be able to dodge and otherwise evade the caster’s attempt.Įxamples: tattoos, flagellation, surgery, vats or chambers, potions, herbs or roots Like conventional range weapons, Armor and Defense may apply, and the effect might be blocked by a suitably strong barrier.Įxamples: lightning strike, ray gun, poisoned blow dart, thrown vialsĬontact: The focus must touch or hold the subject of the spell for an extended moment. Such spells are hard to avoid, though an individual who recognizes the magic and its medium might be able to look away, cover their ears, etc.Įxamples: airborne diseases, dancing, locking eyes, music, paintings, perfumesĪimed: The effect shoots or is thrown at the target as a visible ray, ball, or other manifestation. Sensed: The focus is something that must seen, heard, or smelt. Remote: The effect strikes a Pattern, regardless of protection or physical barriers, so long as the target’s location can be sensed and they are within the general vicinity of the mage.Įxamples: telepathy, pyrokinetics, curses, oathbinding, true names, wave frequencies The delivery method places limits on who or what can be affected by an spell and determines whether Armor and Defense values apply. There are a variety of ways a spell might reach its target, whether through a bolt of mystic energy, by drinking a magic elixir, or even exploding from within them. A Magical Style cannot have a power level greater than 3 or less than 0 types with a negative modifier must be countered by those with a positive modifier. The cumulative power level is added as bonus dice to spells used with the Magical Style. Choose a type for each property each has an associated power modifier.
These determine the characteristics of spells performed using that Magical Style. There are four properties of a Magical Style: delivery, duration, focus, and speed. Different Magical Styles will be better suited for different effects, and most mages seek to diversify their training so that they will be prepared for a variety of situations. When casting a spell, a mage determines the Spheres necessary and then selects the Magical Style they will use, which determines factors such as the spell’s duration and the components necessary. The power of a focus and Magical Style has as much to do with the mage’s perspective and personality traits as it does with a Tradition’s metaphysical explanations for how it works.Īny mage who has received some rudimentary training or practiced willworking knows a couple different Magical Styles, and as they grow in experience they will learn new ones and refine those they know. Magic is an Art not all come to it the same way, and not all souls can speak through the same tools. It is the shared theories and principles behind a Tradition’s paradigm that enables its members to exchange Magical Styles relatively easily it’s like being taught to use a new tool in one’s profession, and most within a Tradition will use a given focus in much the same ways that’s how it makes sense in their paradigm.Īt the same time, paradigm and Magical Styles are very personal to mages. The Traditions all have their own Magical Styles, some of which that have been passed down from mentor to apprentice for centuries. Each revolves around a focus, some instrument or technique, and describes how the mage uses it to aid their magic. A mage’s Magical Styles are the expression of their paradigm and training in their magic.