{"id":183,"date":"2026-01-02T15:31:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T15:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stygianrealms.com\/?page_id=183"},"modified":"2026-01-02T15:32:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T15:32:26","slug":"magic-and-rituals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stygianrealms.com\/?page_id=183","title":{"rendered":"Magic and Rituals"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Magic & Rituals<\/h1>\r\n

How spells work, casting checks, cantrips, and ritual casting in Stygian Depths.<\/p>\r\n <\/header>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Magic Basics<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

Spells Per Day (Not Spell Slots!)<\/h3>\r\n
    \r\n
  • You don\u2019t have traditional spell slots.<\/li>\r\n
  • When you successfully cast a spell, you can cast it repeatedly until you fail the casting roll.<\/li>\r\n
  • When you fail to cast a spell, you lose that spell for the day.<\/li>\r\n
  • Each spell you know can be cast multiple times per day as long as you keep succeeding on your casting checks.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/section>\r\n\r\n
    \r\n

    Casting a Spell<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

    Standard Casting<\/h3>\r\n
      \r\n
    1. Choose a memorized spell you know.<\/li>\r\n
    2. Declare you\u2019re casting it (uses your action in combat).<\/li>\r\n
    3. Roll 1d20 + INT or WIS modifier<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n <\/ol>\r\n\r\n
      \r\n Example:<\/strong>\r\n You\u2019re a level 3 Arcanist casting Elemental Sphere<\/em> (Journeyman level = spell level 1) with one fire rune attached.\r\n You need to roll 1d20 + INT<\/strong> vs. DC 12<\/strong> (10 + 1 for spell level + 1 for rune).\r\n You roll a 9 + 3 (INT) = 12. Success! The spell works, and you can cast it again later.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/section>\r\n\r\n
      \r\n

      Spell Attack Rolls<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

      If your spell requires hitting a target (not an area effect):<\/p>\r\n

        \r\n
      1. First, make your casting check to successfully cast the spell.<\/li>\r\n
      2. If successful, THEN make an attack roll to see if you hit the target.<\/li>\r\n
      3. Roll 1d20 + INT\/WIS modifier<\/strong> vs. the target\u2019s AC<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n <\/ol>\r\n\r\n
        \r\n Note:<\/strong> Area effect spells don\u2019t require attack rolls \u2014 they just affect everything in the area.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/section>\r\n\r\n
        \r\n

        Cantrips<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

        \r\n You can create minor magical effects related to your known spells at the DM\u2019s discretion,\r\n without rolling or losing the spell.\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n

          \r\n
        • These are for utility and flavor, not combat-level power.<\/li>\r\n
        • Your DM decides what\u2019s reasonable.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n\r\n
          \r\n Examples (based on actual spell descriptions):<\/strong>\r\n
            \r\n
          • Mage with Elemental Sphere<\/em>: Can create tiny flames or sparks.<\/li>\r\n
          • Shaman with Cure<\/em>: Can diagnose minor ailments by touch.<\/li>\r\n
          • Arcanist with Detect Magic<\/em>: Can make small objects glow faintly.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/section>\r\n\r\n
            \r\n

            Ritual Casting<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

            Any character who knows a spell can cast a more powerful ritual version.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

            Standard Ritual<\/h3>\r\n
              \r\n
            • Takes 10 minutes per spell level<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n
            • Try to meet DC 10 + spell level<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n
            • Each metamagic rune attached adds +1<\/strong> to DC.<\/li>\r\n
            • Success:<\/strong> Spell works as described; you can cast it again later.<\/li>\r\n
            • Failure:<\/strong> Spell fizzles; you lose that spell for the day.<\/li>\r\n
            • Natural 1:<\/strong> Miscast! Roll on the miscast table.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n\r\n

              Open-Ended Ritual<\/h3>\r\n
                \r\n
              • GM adjudicates time, DC, materials needed, and requirements.<\/li>\r\n
              • Allows creative magical effects related to spells you know.<\/li>\r\n
              • Example: A mage with Fireball<\/em> performs a ritual to burn down a building.<\/li>\r\n
              • Success depends on the DM\u2019s judgment of the situation.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/section>\r\n\r\n
                \r\n

                Spell Schools<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

                \r\n There are 8 spell schools, each with different themes.\r\n You must spend 3 talent points<\/strong> to open a school before you can learn any spells from it:\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n

                  \r\n
                • Warding: Protection, healing, dispelling<\/li>\r\n
                • Destruction: Damage and smiting<\/li>\r\n
                • Creation: Making objects and creatures<\/li>\r\n
                • Perception: Detection and divination<\/li>\r\n
                • Manipulation: Mind control and commands<\/li>\r\n
                • Transmutation: Changing forms and properties<\/li>\r\n
                • Temporal: Teleportation and time effects<\/li>\r\n
                • Malady: Curses, diseases, and afflictions<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/section>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Magic & Rituals How spells work, casting checks, cantrips, and ritual casting in Stygian Depths. Magic Basics Spells Per Day (Not Spell Slots!) You don\u2019t have traditional spell slots. When you successfully cast a spell, you can cast it repeatedly until you fail the casting roll. When you fail to cast a spell, you lose […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-183","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t