Runequest Thursday #154 - Three More Spells from Advanced Wizard!
I cannot seem to get over how good a magic system Advanced Wizard (part of The Fantasy Trip) possesses. The fact that the game was created in the early days of RPGs (1980ish) makes it even more impressive.
Since I am always thinking about new spells for my own Sorcery System for Runequest, I have tapped Advanced Wizard a number of times previously for spell ideas. Without further ado, here are three more:
Geas [Mastery, Man, Beast] Range – 5 Yards POW Check - Yes
Duration – 1 Day
The Caster makes a single command of a subject within range and hearing, and who is able to comprehend the command (it must be a language that the subject can understand). The subject must be overcome in a POW vs. POW contest, and gains a bonus of 20% if the Geas goes directly against an established code of action (Humakti Honor, for example). Once the subject has been Geased, he may go far beyond the listed range and remain affected by it. He need not attempt to accomplish the Geas immediately or single-mindedly unless that was part of the Geas, but if the Geased situation occurs, he will act according to the Geas. The Geas can only command a single action, one time, so once the action is completed, the Geas is done, regardless of any remaining duration of the spell.
The command must be something that can be acted upon (“Challenge the next Humakti Runelord you meet”), or completed through a certain inaction (“do nothing to stop the next person to past your guard post”), and must provide clear parameters to be effective, since the subject can interpret the Geas to his advantage in such cases.
Levels may be spent to increase the duration or the number of identical incidences for which the Geas remains in effect, to refine the Geas to include a personal name or allow an alternate response for the Geased (using and “If/ Then” format, for example: If the Humakti Runelord declines, then attack).
Calling [Man, Beast, Mastery] Range – 1000 yards POW Check – No
Duration – 10 Rounds
The caster issues a magical summons for a particular creature, type of creature or name individual, up to the range of the spell. For the duration of the spell, the closest subject that qualifies for the summons and fails a POWx3% roll, is compelled to move as quickly as it is able to the issuer of the summons. The subject of a Calling must be on the same plane as the summoner. If it is restrained or unable to move, it will make every attempt to get free to obey. Note that Calling does nothing to alter the reaction of the summoned to being summoned. The summons is immediately dispelled if the summoned is moved beyond the maximaum range, or when the duration ends. At which point the summoned is free to act as it sees fit.
Levels may be spent to Increase the range or duration according to their tracks. Additional levels may be spent to add another subject (the 2nd to fail its POW check,etc), or to refine the summons, for example to call a particular person, or only male deer. For each qualifier placed on the summons, another level is required.
Stone Flesh [Earth] Range – Touch POW Check - No
Duration – 10 Rounds
The caster touches a nearby stone or one that he has kept as a focus for the spell, and takes on some of the resilience of the material. For the duration, the caster or a willing subject gains 1 AP and1 HP per level of the spell devoted to Magnitude (improving both its total HP and its HP per location). In addition, attacks that do no damage, but rely on injecting posion or some other substance, cannot penetrate the stony flesh of the subject. Because the subject is transmuted into something like stone, they are at -1 Move per Magnitude.
Levels may be spent Increase the range or duration according to their tracks..
