When making a character skilled in the arcane, it can be daunting choosing which spells your young sorcerer can use. DnD spells can be far too complicated and many in number, and an RPer who just needs basic spells can have a heck of a time choosing which spells to use, or making up their own spells.

My guide is for the Magic-User who just wants magic that is simple and easy to use, so they can just go straight to RPing, instead of wasting time with decisions and descriptions. Spells listed in this guide are detailed and "make sense" so nobody has to complain how your fireballs "just happen". There's even set levels of power for each spell, which could be used for something such as a level-up-system, for use in a true RPG.

Anyone can use the spells in the guide for any of their characters. In fact, you could probably just put a link to this guide in your character description, if you so choose.

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The Spells (Attack Elements): Every spell stems from a basic element. Each Attack Element has 3 different spells: a basic attack, a general-use spell, and an upgraded attack.

Note I don't specify how to conjure these spells. In fact, I've left it pretty open to customization, and up to you, the RPer, how to use these magic spells.
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Element: Fire
Fire spells revolve around heating up particles in the air to the point of combustion.

Basic Attack: Fireball
Using a Fire Element Spell for a basic attack will cause three or more red-hot orbs of air to form in front of the user. When commanded, the orbs will fly in a straight line towards a target. On contact, the orbs will burn skin, heat metal, and light flammable materials on fire.

General: Combustion
Combustion is simple. Air around a flammable material will heat up the material until it catches flame. Useful for lighting things such as torches and campfires.

Upgraded Attack: Explosion
Explosion is a grand attack which surrounds a large area in a dome of swirling, hot air. The air quickly swirls and heats before lighting everything inside aflame and burning everything else.

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Element: Ice
The element of Ice cools the air and freezes water vapor into solid ice.

Basic Attack: Icicle
Icicle freezes the air in front of the user, collecting and freezing water vapor to form three or more razor-sharp cones of solid ice, similar to Fireball and its hot air orbs. The icicles are flung in a straight line toward the desired target, and can pierce certain types of armor.

General: Freeze
Freeze simply freezes small pools of liquid, which can be used to cross water, etc.

Upgraded Attack: Blizzard
Blizzard will cool all the air in the area. Afterward, Icicles and large balls of hail will begin rapidly forming around target(s), and shoot at the targets from all directions, Icicles pierce and hail creates large dents in just about everything it hits.

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Element: Elec
Elec is centered around static electricity, which forms in the air and congregates for shocking effects.

Basic Attack: Lightning Bolt
Static in front of the user forms a potent bolt of electricity. The Lightning Bolt zips in one direction and shocks the target (assuming it hits). This bolt travels very fast, much faster than the Fireball and Icicle spells.

General: Charge
Charge uses electricity to power machines and such (assuming there ARE machines that run on electricity in your RP) Could have other uses, but I can't think of any.

Upgraded Attack: Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm is awe-inspiring. No matter where battle is taking place, dark clouds WILL form and gather above the area. The clouds will rain down Lightning Bolts upon the hapless targets.

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Element: Air
Air is centered around moving air and air pressure in general.

Basic Attack: Compression Shot.
Compression Shot compresses air into spheres which are solid like mass but invisible air. These spheres can be shot at a target in a straight line, and pack a real wallop when they hit, depending on the strength of the sphere(s) and size/sturdiness of the target it may knock it down. Again, Compression Shots are transparent, making them very hard to see coming and dodge.

General: Air Bubble
Air Bubble puts a sphere of fresh air around the head of the target, allowing them to breathe underwater, in poison gas or other un-breathable air, in a vacuum, etc.

Upgraded Attack: Tornado
A classic force of nature, the Tornado ravages everything in it's path. A cone of swirling air will descend from the heavens, razing everything close to it. It will pick up all but the largest and heaviest of objects and hurl them hundreds of feet away, and tear all but the hardest of things into shreds. A truly terrifying force to behold.

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Tables
These tables show statistics for the Basic Attack spells of all three elements. Levels indicate either Level of Skill, which improves by level-up, or by Charge Level, which means that the longer you take the cast the spell, the more powerful it will be.
Whichever you use depends on the RP you're playing, or preference. You don't even have use Level of Skill or Charge Level. Invent your own way of powering spells if you choose. Customization is key.

Really, though, these tables are just suggestions on how to use it. It's up to you if you want to use the magic differently, like say, if you wanted to use fireball as just one large orb of air, instead of three, it's up to you.

<Name>
Level / Power (scale of 1-10) / # of Projectiles / Homing: Homing is the ability for projectiles to turn and "chase" the target

Fireball
Level 1 / 2 / 3 / No
Level 2 / 2 / 4 / No
Level 3 / 2 / 5 / No
Level 4 / 2 / 5 / Yes
Level 5 / 3 / 5 / Yes

Icicle
Level 1 / 2 / 3 / No
Level 2 / 2 / 4 / No
Level 3 / 2 / 5 / No
Level 4 / 2 / 5 / Yes
Level 5 / 3 / 5 / Yes

Lightning Bolt
Level 1 / 5 / 1 / No
Level 2 / 7 / 1 / No
Level 3 / 9 / 1 / No
Level 4 / 9 / 1 / Yes
Level 5 / 7 / 2 / Yes

Compression Shot
Level 1 / 2 / 3 / No
Level 2 / 2 / 4 / No
Level 3 / 2 / 5 / No
Level 4 / 2 / 5 / Yes
Level 5 / 3 / 5 / Yes

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Support/Healing Spells

Like Attack spells, these all stem from an element. However, Support/Healing Spells have 2 useful spells and 1 Upgraded spell.
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Element: Regen
Regen promotes better cellular growth and activity. Used for healing.

Heal
Heal hastens cell regeneration in a single target, causing wounds to be healed and other damage to be undone.

Cure
Cure spurns the immune systems in a target to function better and more efficiently, hastening the neutrality of a poison, curing of a disease, etc.

Upgrade: Mega Heal/Revive
Mega Heal is a much more potent version of Heal. It either can be used exactly like Heal, except on multiple targets, or on a single target, healing the target completely and even regenerating severed body parts.
Revive is another option for Regen's Upgraded Spell. It works on dead targets, promoting cellular activity and restoring vital signs. The dead character must be present to be Revived. Revive cannot regenerate body parts, so a character who had had a vital organ/body part severed or removed could not be Revived.

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Element: Shield
Shield spells allow you to manipulate the density of air around you. Used for defense buffing and lowering.

Protect
Protect allows you to create a "shield" of dense air around you or an ally. The "shield" will surround one quarter of area around a target (the front, back, or sides), and is controlled by the person the spell surrounds, or by the spell caster if the target us unable or is an inanimate object. The "shield" is really a layer of densified air. This densified air allows other air to pass through it, but when a physical object, such as a weapon or projectile, tries to pass through it, the object will have to "cut" through the "shield" and it's speed will significantly reduce, causing less damage to the target of the attack.

Expose
Expose is the exact opposite of Protect. Expose creates an "anti-shield" of low-density air around a foe. Expose also covers a quarter of the foe, and always directs itself to where the most attacks are. The low density air, exactly opposite of protect, allows physical objects to travel through it faster, and lets it do more damage.

Special: Invincible
Around one target is made a spherical barrier of air so dense, that no physical thing can pass enter or leave. This barrier totally surrounds the target, and requires full concentration from the caster to keep erect. The spell caster may only walk while concentrating and may not attack, defend, cast a spell, or do anything else. The spell caster must also have the barrier within view at all times. Attacks or other interruptions will break concentration of the spell caster.
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(There are no tables for support spells. Higher levels of support spells are simply more effective, with no other added effects, so tables are not really needed)
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Thank you for reading my Magic System for Beginners. Remember, everyone is free to use this Magic System for your Magic-Using characters. Simply copy and paste this link in your character's description, and you too, can use this simple Magic System.

Also note that this guide WILL be updated with more spells, so don't forget to check this guide for updates.

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Update History

Version 1.0
Dec 4, 2009
Created Guide with Fire, Ice, Elec, and Regen Elements.

Version 1.1
Dec 11
Added Shield Element.

Version 1.2
Added Air Element
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Legal Stuffs

I don't really know how the whole "copyright" thing works, or even if it's permitted on this site, but please, don't claim this as your own. Also, I'd like this guide to stay here, on <roleplaygateway.com>.
I of course have the right to move it wherever the heck I want, so if you see my name in the post, King Yoshi, King Yoshi42, or any variation therof, then don't bother PMing me that I stole it.
Please give credit to me, King Yoshi42, when appropriate, if you plan to use it.
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Well, I think I have everything. PM me or post if I'm forgetting something. Someone else to help me proofread (incase I missed something) would be nice, I appreciate C+C, and suggestions.

EDIT: Something I forgot to add, if you plan on using my Magic System for your character(s), I'd appreciate you posting so, or PMing me. I'd like to keep track of who actually want's to use this, so I can know if it was really worth it to think up/devise/post here.

how about non elemental magic? like perhaps, pure power directed like a ranged physical attack?

Hum. Pretty nice. It'll take a bit of work to make it cover every aspect of magic, but nice. I like the system.

Few suggestions, if you can call them that. More like types of magic..

Earth magic: Manipulation of rocks or earth. First spell could be rocks, or spikes from the ground. Second, Passive manipulation to make any kind of ground under the user stable footing, like mud. It'd harden to rock as they passed over. Third could be a ton of spikes up from the ground or a huge bolder thrown.

Plant magic: Manipulation of water inside of a plant's cells to control it, as well as chemicals controlling growth, decay, etc. Only idea I have for this one is the second. Ability to grow or wither any plant. EX: Apple growth on a tree, growing a seed into a plant, withering a section of very dense hedge...

Air magic: The compression of gasses surrounding the user. 1st is either a ball of air thrown at the enemy or something like an air explosion for throwing people away from the user. Not directly harmful, but can fling enemy into objects to hurt them. General can be being able to breathe in any environment, since they can condense a bubble of oxygen around their head. Also could be used to start fires in oxygen rich environments. Advanced could be a tornado or being able to make it so the opponent can't breathe at all....

Whee. It's a few more, anyway... ^-^

Wow. Those are all very neat ideas, for more Attack Magic. Originally, I was only planning to have those three types. Fire, Ice, and Electricity seem pretty staple in most RPGs and videogames. They don't directly interact with eachother, and they work well as a triangle, since none of them are weak to eachother.

I may consider a non-element attack, but there isn't a way I could logically explain such a phenomenon. As for adding more elements, I have to be very picky, because I don't want to start adding elements that the current elements are weak or strong aganst, which would complicate things VERY quickly. And seeing as I'm trying to keep this simple and easy, it wouldn't help. Air spells seem to be the most addable at the moment, since it would be very easy to explain how it works, and I don't see any conflicts with other elements.

Now, more non-attack spell ideas would be a big help. I'm currently thinking up attack (not really sure how to explain) and defence (making air extremely dense to slow down objects) buffing spells, and possibly invisibility spells (bending light), but it isn't as easy to come up with ideas as it was for these first 4 elements.

Interesting. I never really thought about magic in this way, I always envision it as a wide-open field where pretty much my limitations are self-imposed and the sky is the limit to what I can and cannot achieve, effects-wsie.

Hah. You can't uncomplicate magic dude. It's gonna drive you nuts. As far as creating a spell list... I won't be contributing. My magic spells are apprentice learned only. Secondly, I think that someone should start a magic class. Not me of course, I'm far too busy. No, seriously I am. I will say this though. Arcane spells are merely a variation of a form of spell casting. Basically, non component or vocalized spells. So you might want to figure that in. Most don't use materials, but they should.

I guess I'm saying that this helps but it needs improved upon. Not so much the spell list, but detailed descriptions of ways to actually execute spells. A simple fireball has many variations, and a mage can control the actual spell and vary it. It's why it's hard to sit in stone. If none of this makes sense, I'll comment later on when I'm not late for class.

Teh Wing
"OH, Sh*t I'm late!"

I didn't set these limits in stone. In fact:

Really, though, these tables are just suggestions on how to use it. It's up to you if you want to use the magic differently, like say, if you wanted to use fireball as just one large orb of air, instead of three, it's up to you.

Really, I tried to set as few limitations as possible. I didn't leave a vocal or component requirement either.

That's the beauty of this system! I leave it open for anyone to use and edit to their liking, so they can personalize it when they use it in their RP! It's not set in stone, because I DID realize that every magic user is different, and I respect the originality needs of members.

Also, this isn't a requirement of every member on the site to use either. I'm just putting it here so people without the time to think up their own spells can use this, and people without the creativity and experience to make their own spells can also use this. That's why I leave it pretty simple, so that people don't have to look down a long list of spells and choose one they think might be appropriate, or leave a large numbers of details concerning range, casting time, etc. etc.

So yes, I have effectively uncomplicated magic. And if you don't like it, then feel free to think up spells of your own, with strict limitations of power, range, casting time, recharge time, effect length, vocal and component requirements, skill level needed to actually use the spell, how many spells you can actually remember at one time (unless you carry around a book), and whatever you need to satisfy YOUR RPing needs.

If you WOULD like to use it, then be my guest! Change it up as you feel necessary, or don't change it at all! Then make sure to post or PM me, so that I know that I did a good job. I would not have posted it here if I wanted nobody to use it.

I think you misunderstood me, or rather I mislead you. I think you have a good starter system, but you might want clarify how exactly to use magic in battles. Add to it, I guess. The class comment meant like a small forum based class on magic execution, if you had time.

I guess I was just kind of confusing. What I meant is, that you might want to add information about the different types of magic execution as a part of your guide. Not that you need to set a system in stone. I guess like some examples of how to execute it. I'll try to give an example, just bear with me.I need to learn the current forms of IC actions(Like whether it's T1 or some other weird thing.)

So again, bear with me.

Arcane spellcasting - A verbal or mental form of casting spells using certain vocal pitches or key words. Some people also use no other form of conjuring spell effects other than mental process(Thinking or willpower.)

<Wing flicks his fingers open, his hand consumed by a bright light.>

or

<As Wing yells, "Firestorm" the sky turns red as it is filled with brimstone and flame.>

Spellbooks - Using spells from a book by either using the page as a consumable component or merely channelling the spell through the book.

<Holding up his spell book, Wing uses it to emit a spire of lightning that travels forwards at the group of soldiers.>

<Ripping a page from his spellbook, Wing casts Blackwind Typhoon, conjuring a growing funnel of water and mud from the torn page.>

These work for all components, like wands and anything else. I hope it helps, and not just make things worse.

There are probably alot more that I haven't touched on, but again I'm late for class...

Teh Wing
"God bless this one." - I mean seriously...I need it.

(Sorry it took awhile to reply. The reply I had was too short, so I decided to wait till I had other things to add.)

Oh, so that's what you meant. So you think, as part of the guide, I should add examples of how to cast magic? I suppose it helps explain things, and further benefit people to are learning to RP as a Magic-User. It wouldn't hurt the whole "leaving it open" aspect, either. In fact, it would definitely help people to be more creative in executing magic spells in the guide.

I'll come up with stuff based on your examples, and I will probably add a section later.

In the mean time, I'm still improving upon the spell content of the magic system. Speaking of which...

I'll be updating the guide today by adding the newest element, Shield. (Alright, so I could have used a better name, but this is the best fit I could think of)
Shield will focus on buffing defense and and lowering the defensive capabilities of your foes. Enjoy!

Next up, as suggested earlier by Halador, I think I will implement another Attack Element, Air.

You're really into this huh? Well, I'll give you a few fields of magic to look into adding spells for then.

Fire - You've done it.
Water(Ice) - Ice and water are really just the same, Ice is just water with no moving molecules...thus creating a solid state of being.
Wind - You're adding it.
Electricity - You have it.
Sonic - Spells using noise or high frequencies.
Earth - Rocks, dirt, and that sort of stuff.
Flora - Stuff using plant type magic.
Healing - Obvious.
Stealth - Things such as invisiblity and other deception based buffs and debuffs.
Transfiguration - Changing the physical make up or structure of an object. Teleportation spells generally fall under this class.
Physical Modification Magic(No fancy name here) - Standard buffs and debuffs. Like making you bigger and stronger, faster, what not.
Dark - Magic using the shadows to attack.
Light - Magic using the brilliance of light to repel and blind.
Astral - Using spacial magic, such as asteroids and comets.
Psionics - Using base energy to do damage or affect things.
Summoning - Bringing forth another being to do your bidding.
Necromancy - Traversing in the world of the undead.
Charm Magic - Using magic to influence a person or objects feelings.

Now let me touch on something. There are other magic types...but the actual amount you'll see them negates putting time into them. These are some spell classes for you to spend time. Hope it helps because I won't be putting my actual spells on here.

Teh Wing

"Get down with your bad self...WHO SAID YOU COULD CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT!"(He smashes the blacksmiths door down.) - Insano the Dwarf (DND)

King Yoshi42 wrote:Wow. Those are all very neat ideas. Originally, I was only planning to have those three attack types. Fire, Ice, and Electricity seem pretty staple in most RPGs and video games. They don't directly interact with eachother, and they work well as a triangle, since none of them are weak to each other.

I may consider a non-element attack, but there isn't a way I could logically explain such a phenomenon. As for adding more elements, I have to be very picky, because I don't want to start adding elements that the current elements are weak or strong against, which would complicate things VERY quickly. And seeing as I'm trying to keep this simple and easy, it wouldn't help. Air spells seem to be the most addable at the moment, since it would be very easy to explain how it works, and I don't see any conflicts with other elements.

Now, more non-attack spell ideas would be a big help. I'm currently thinking up attack (not really sure how to explain) and defence (making air extremely dense to slow down objects) buffing spells, and possibly invisibility spells (bending light), but it isn't as easy to come up with ideas as it was for these first 4 elements.

I'd like to quote this, as it pretty much sums it all up...again. But that REALLY helps.

Code: Select all

Element: Air
Air is centered around moving air and air pressure in general.

Basic Attack: Compression Shot
Cool name thanks to Blux.
Compression Shot compresses air into spheres which are solid like mass but invisible air. These spheres can be shot at a target in a straight line, and pack a real wallop when they hit, and depending on the strength of the sphere(s) and size/sturdiness of the target it may knock it down. Again, Compression Shots are transparent, making them very hard to see coming and dodge.

General: Air Bubble
Air Bubble puts a sphere of fresh air around the head of the target, allowing them to breathe underwater, in poison gas or other un-breathable air, in a vacuum, etc.

Upgraded Attack: Tornado
A classic force of nature, the Tornado ravages everything in it's path. A cone of swirling air will descend from the heavens, razing everything close to it. It will pick up all but the largest and heaviest of objects and hurl them hundreds of feet away, and tear all but the hardest of things into shreds. A truly terrifying force to behold.


Compression Shot
Level 1 / 2 / 3 / No
Level 2 / 2 / 4 / No
Level 3 / 2 / 5 / No
Level 4 / 2 / 5 / Yes
Level 5 / 3 / 5 / Yes

I haven't been online here in some time. Frankly, this has been the last of my priorities, and such, I forget about it from time to time and never visit.

But fear not! I still lurk around here occasionally, and I want you all to know I'm still alive. So I made a new element.

Did they ban post editing or something? I can't remember how to edit posts, since I can't find the button. Oh well, I'll worry about that later.

Top right area of the post is where you should be able to edit your post.

I would have to say that magic systems can easily become very complicated with little to no effort. I say this cause of all the non damaging and healing spells that could be made up. Something like Stealth or invisibility would fall under Dark/Shadow Element very easily and even anything dealing with healing through plants could be considered a Earth based spell. Straight up healing is generally viewed as some kind of Light/Holy spell.

There are also spells that don't really follow any kind of school or category of magic. So magic systems aren't exactly basic by nature and making a basic spell system is no easy feat. Looks good though Yoshi.

Thanks for your opinions. Unfortunately, I have to disagree.

My Magic System works well enough, and isn't all too complicated. I've left it open for huge customization, but also left enough information so that an uncreative person or a person who needs a magic system in a pinch can get a nice, well thought out system ready to use.

I can see how you think it could become complicated, but my additions are only added when I'm sure it will not upset the balance of the system or conflict with other elements. It also manages to completely avoid "type advantages" that makes other magic oh so complicated.

No I will not change my elements to the cliche norms that you see in games like "Final Fantasy". The Regen element will continue to stay the Regen element.
I don't plan to improve upon the Basic system any more, but I DO plan to make an Advanced Magic System, which will use the Basic Magic System as a base and make "combined elements" for different and more powerful spells. Also will introduce slight "type advantages" in which "combined elements" will have an advantage over the basic elements the combined one is made up of.
Ex: Smoke, a combination of Fire and Air, will be able to defeat more easily any beings of Fire or Air type.

Could any of you help me with the use of the force, as its hard to RP it sometimes...
Ive got some basics.

Heya, another Support Element will be up soon. Adding Light to the mix, with the classic Ball o Light and with the Invisibility spell to add something new. Also instead of an Upgrade Spell I have Invisibility's reverse.

Tomorrow I'll get a mod to do some post editing.

Code: Select all

Element: Light
Light spells manipulate light, simply put.

Light
Light pops up wherever you want. It can be attached to an object or just sit there in the air. Lasts until it wears out or until the commanded it to end.
How long the light lasts and brightness are dependent on level.


Light Ball (Brightness is comparable to below objects)
Level 1 / Candle / Hour
Level 2 / Flashlight / 3 Hours
Level 3 / Lantern / 6 Hours
Level 4 / Bright Light Bulb / 12 hours
Level 5 / Searchlight / Permanent until dispelled

Invisibility
Invisibility makes you invisible. Light bends around you to cause you to disappear from all vision.
This has limitations, though. If you attack a creature while invisible, you automatically become visible. If you get hurt, you become visible, although things attempting to hit you will find your very hard to hit.
Invisibility does NOT make you silent. Smart monsters, alert monsters, or monsters with good hearing will be able to notice and attack you. Also, note your allies cannot see you either, and you can't even see yourself! So be smart about being invisible.
Lasts until dispelled, commanded to end by caster or invisible guy, or when you attack someone/are hit.

Visibility
The reverse of invisibility. The caster and see and make visible anything he sees that is invisible. The latter function ends the spell, but if you end the invisibility by other means (ie attacking it) the spell will not end. Note that not all Invisible objects will become visible by attacking it, some objects are naturally invisible and must have the latter function of the spell used to make it visible to everyone.

The report involving editing the front page was made but for some reason all the words are compressed together without any spacing which makes it appear as nothing more than a giant wall of text. So, if you want this to be taken care of, I will need you to please personally message me with the revised front page - using the code tags. After you have done this, I will handle the report and close it.

In other words, the issue will be handled as soon as – you – King Yoshi42 gets back to me.

- Thank You

~ Maestro ~