New Magic Rules

Preparing Spells: Usually a magician reaches out for the astral energies to power a spell, and they beckon to his call with the speed only magic can muster. Before, magicians saw no other way to handle these energies than to match their speed. In the merest of moments a magician would channel the astral energies into his aura, twist them and shape them so that they form the pattern of the spell, and then release the completed magic towards its target.

However, this haste made the process of shaping the energies more dangerous and painful, unless the magician was skillful and strong of will. Just as a blade cuts deeper the faster the strike, so it is with the astral energies. But now magicians are learning to call these energies more slowly, to mould them more gently, and by doing so they lessen the risk to their minds and bodies.

System: For every extra action the magician uses casting a spell, the Drain TN is reduced by 1, to a final minimum of 2. The Spell test and Drain resistance are all made in the action the spell is actually released. Whilst preparing a spell in this manner the magician suffers a universal +2 TN, similar to the modifier for sustaining a spell, and if injured or severely distracted (e.g. is knocked prone) a Willpower: 2 test must be made or the spell energies break loose -without direction they disperse harmlessly into astral space.

Holding Spells: If a caster has the strength of mind, he may draw forth the energies from astral space, shape them to form the spell; but not actually direct the energies immediately, instead holding them back for a time. Such a readied spell is held in check till the magician chooses to release it. If the magician afterwards decides he does not wish to use the spell, the astral energies can be safely released back into their native plane.

A readied spell with a high force may carry a physical echo of the astral energies straining for release. For example a Fire Bolt spell may be seen as small flames leaping up from the caster's palm. A Spark spell may be seen as electrical sparks crackling between the magician's fingertips. None of these effects can harm a physical object.

System: Only a Simple action is required to ready a spell, within this action the player allocates magic pool to drain, and the drain test is made. The spell is then considered readied, and may be held indefinitely by the magician. However, whilst holding the spell he suffers a universal +2 TN.

To finally cast the spell, a further Simple action is required. At this point the spell test is made, and if the magician's magic pool has refreshed he can use as much as he likes (up to his Magic attribute), having already resisted drain. However, TN modifiers received when resisting the drain do affect the spell test.

If injured or severely distracted (e.g. is knocked prone) a Willpower: 2 test must be made or the spell energies break loose -without direction they disperse harmlessly into astral space.