Spell Casting

Magic can be worked in three ways: from memory, from a scroll, or through an enchanted item or device. From memory, a caster may use any two known spells a day plus one more per level of ability gained, whatever the level of the spells. Nothing is prepared in advance and a spell is never forgotten once cast. Unless stated otherwise every spell needs speech and gesture, so a caster who cannot talk clearly or move freely cannot cast; material components are needed only where a spell says so. Casting takes a full round, though first level spells are quick enough for most fights.

A scroll also takes a round, plus a round to unroll and ready it, and needs light to read by. Its stored energy removes the gestures but not the words. Unlearned spells can be read from a scroll at a risk: 5% failure if the spell is within the caster's reach, otherwise 5% per level of ability it lies beyond. A failure has an even chance of working in reverse, with the Game Judge ruling on the result, and any use, even a backfire, spends the scroll.

Magic items need only the command word while held or worn, act almost instantly, and still work only once per round; non-casters who can Read Magic may use them. Anyone carrying or wearing more than seven magic items finds they all cancel out, though scrolls, spell books and weapons are not counted.