Anwyn
Novus 2nd Edition
Novus 1st Edition
There are many possible Schools of Magic. In this product we cover the six most common Schools found in many settings. We also provide you with a small list of Universal Spells. Universal Spells are known as such because they are the most common spells and are often learned by casters from many different schools. Universal Spells are also the only spells that a character who is not an Adept may ever attempt to learn.
The Schools are as follows:
Note: Some of the following School descriptions mention other planes. A slightly fuller explanation of how the planes relate to one another can be found in [Libram Novus #2.
Black Magic
Black magic is the study of the darker side of magic. It is often associated with hexes, curses, and evil in general. Many people believe that Black Magic is all about blood-letting and sacrifice, but that is not true. It is about focusing the darker aspects of the universe and making them bend to the caster’s will.
Mana Source: Those who practice Black Magic draw their mana from the energy of the Infernal Planes (see p. 96, p. 99, and p. 110).
Casting Style: Black Magic spells are often cast with the aid of a focus item, such as a dagger or a wand that is specially consecrated to the darker powers of the universe. If the caster is unable to cast his spells with his focus item, then he receives a -4 modifier to all of his Spellcasting rolls.
Divine Magic
Divine Magic isn’t so much a study of a specific field of magic as it is the collected disciplines and doctrines of Priests and Clerics that allows them to shape their mana into a number of similar results. Each Priest or Cleric is dedicated to the ideals and values of one or more gods, and the focus of the deity’s interests and powers will help, in the end, to shape how spells are cast and even what spells are actually available to be learned by their followers.
Mana Source: Clerics and Priests use the Holy Symbol of their deity as a focus for drawing mana from the Celestial Planes and in shaping it for the spells that they cast.
Casting Style: Holy Symbols come in many shapes, sizes and forms, but quite often the religious order to which the Cleric belongs will dictate the shape and physical composition (i.e. what it is made of) of the Holy Symbol. Practitioners of Divine Magic are required to either clasp their Holy Symbol, if it is worn as a brooch or amulet, or to hold it forth in front of them when they are casting spells. If the caster does not have his Holy Symbol, then he receives a -6 modifier to all Spellcasting rolls. If the caster is able to create a Holy Symbol out of lesser materials (such as weaving a Holy Symbol out of straw when it is supposed to be made from silver), then he only receives a -3 modifier to all spells cast with that improper Holy Symbol.
High Magic
High Magic is what most people think of when they think of magic. It encompasses all of the most iconic forms of magic, such as conjuration, illusions, etc. Practitioners of High Magic use words, gesture, and physical components to draw and focus and shape the mana into spells.
Mana Source: It is theorized that the astral planes are filled with raw mana and that the way that the planes interact, that mana bleeds over into the mortal realms. Some scholars still debate whether casters of this School are pulling mana directly from the astral or if they are tapping into the mana that bleeds over into the mortal world.
Casting Style: Casters of this School of Magic always carry with them a pouch of material components. The components within this pouch often seem to be chosen for their color and the caster’s affinity for that color. One caster may prefer items that are green and so collect leaves and moss and green-hued stones and bits of cloth, while another might prefer shades of red or yellow. More rarely, there are casters who have an affinity for two or even three colors. If the caster is unable to draw upon his material components when casting a spell, he suffers a -4 modifier to all of his Spellcasting rolls until he can collect new items to use as material components.
Mysticism
Mysticism is the study of the inner self. The caster focuses on utilizing his own inner strength and spirit, focusing it through his mind and through a crystal focus. Many who are not of this School often think that the caster creates spell effects through the manipulation of his chi energy. While the processes are similar, they are not the same and they are often mistaken for one another.
Mana Source: The caster taps into ambient mana in his own body and from nearby, and focuses it through his crystal to cast spells.
Casting Style: As mentioned, each practitioner of Mysticism has a special crystal to which he is attuned that serves as a focus for his casting. This crystal is often worn as the setting in a piece of jewelry and it will glow softly when a spell is being cast through it. Should the caster be without his focus crystal, he will have a -4 modifier to all Spellcasting rolls until he can reacquire it or attune to (Magecraft skill roll, TN 15) a new crystal. A caster of this School may only have one attuned crystal at a time, and if he attunes to a new crystal, the old will crumble to dust.
Natural Magic
Natural Magic encompasses the study of magic concerning plants, animals and the four basic elements; fire, earth, air and water. Natural Magic is all about living in harmony with these natural forces, and protecting nature from those who seek to destroy it for greedy purposes.
Mana Source: Those who practice Natural Magic believe that there is mana in all things, that it is the force of creation in the universe.
Casting Style: Practitioners of Natural Magic cast spells using material components. These components are natural objects that have an esoteric relationship to the effects of the spells that they cast. A practitioner of Natural Magic will always be gathering bits and pieces to add to his pouch of components. If attempting to cast spells without his pouch of components, the caster will receive a -4 modifier to all Spellcasting rolls until he can spend at least an hour collecting new components in the wild.
Wizardry
Words have power and Wizardry is the study of magical languages and their usage. Wizardry also focuses on spells of command and on spells cast using little more than those words and a wand or staff to focus their magical energy.
Mana Source: Practitioners of Wizardry tap into the mana of the astral, pulling on it as needed to cast their spells.
Casting Style: Those who study Wizardry cast spells using the power of the spoken word and the focus of a wand, rod, or staff. This focus device is what allows them to direct their spells properly. If attempting to cast a spell without his proper focus device, the caster receives a -4 modifier to all Spellcasting rolls.