Mongoose Publishing

[Raven Blackwell]

Hi all. Told you I'd do it- the below is the result of a few months of trial and error in my campaign in an alternate attempt to make a freer and easier to handle Sorcery system for the basic Conan game. Now this isn't meant as a slam on Mongoose [I'm doing that elsewhere ] but other people were interested in another way to run Sorcery. The below system is about 80% compatible with the existing system and by no means is an original effort, merely an adaptation. The notes are rough and I am no professional writer, so question about anything obvious I might have missed are fair game. I am also fully prepared for complaints ["It's not Howard"] Let's remember people- it's a game. It's meant to be enjoyed, not a dogmic ritual. Or as Mother Nature says, 'If you don't want to try something new, go extinct already."

P.S. The polished form will be posted in Thulsa's website. I'll post the address for it later. Those who want a WOrd copy, pm me with an address and I'll send it to you.

Raven, writing.
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Introduction

“What is magic? My son, no one can in truth understand the question, much less the answer. For the understanding of what magic is beyond us as the sky is beyond the salmon. But like the salmon we can rise up from the depths or ignorance we live within and peer unto that strange realm that touches us and ll things. But to know it, one might ask to lift a mountain on one’s back.”

“Bit I shall tell you what I know. In the beginning my son, there was nothing but magic. Before gods, angels, devils and world existed, there existed only magic, alone in the void and without knowledge of what it was.”

“Desiring to know itself, magic drew within itself. Born from it were the great and mighty forces that would shape the universe to come as wind, earth and sun shape the growing bud that will become a mighty tree. From these were born mighty spirits, older than we being we call gods. But they were not made well. They knew not each other for being children of the same source. They fought among and devoured each other, each seeking to become the only and greatest and to be the only to know the source they came from. Between their struggles many among those first worlds and creatures were consumed, never to exist again.”

“However, there came from their children those that remembered their source, their creator- magic itself. Together, they defeated the fallen spirits, casting those that could not be destroyed forever into slumbers that would last forever. These became the first gods, the first guardians of creation and its children.”

“And so it has continued- these beings strive to keep the balance necessary to keep the worlds and realms and peoples alive, that creation may strive to know itself better, to peer into the mirror of itself and see the possibilities to come.”

“We are not able to see the whole of magic and creation at once. To our minds, we must divide it into Spheres of Power, each with its own spirits. Those spirits that we speak with, that come to us known and unknown, they are but reflections, vessels of that Power they arise from, that it might speak with us and be known. They are to be respected. They are to be feared. They are not to be taken lightly. Those that do not know magic’s purpose, those who seek to bend magic to command the world as if they were gods themselves, they do not enough to fear those spirits. They seek to bind them to their will, to command the spheres themselves, thinking they have no limits. But magic learned from its earlier mistakes. No child of magic can rise above all others to blot out the Powers themselves. Those who seek to do do do not last long, torn about from the Power itself from within.”

“But here, let me speak of other things as well as this…..”
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Basic Rules

Sorcery v1.1 is a set of variant rules for the Conan Role Playing System owned by Mongoose Publishing Corporation. It is intended for private entertainment only.

Sorcery reflects the ability of a character, either of the Scholar class or one who has taken the Dabbler Feat [hereby referred to as the sorcerer] to manipulate the inherent Power within themselves and all things to produce an effect they desire.

All beings have the potential for magic. Those that have learned to tap this potential posses Base Power Points [BPP]- a in game reflection of the life force, mana, chi etc., that they can safely hold. Though it is possible to temporarily hold more than that, the body will slowly shed excess energy until it returns to its BPP at the rate of one an hour.

Most sorcerers learn to utilize these BPP for various effects they wish to produce from restoring barren fields into fertile ones to summoning spirits to do their bidding. While magic is in nature neither good nor evil, the manner in which it is used can cause dangers to the sorcerer himself. [see Corruption] Some uses of Power are so vile that the mere use of the spell can call for the need of a Corruption Check immediately, which will be indicated in the spell’s description.
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Magic Success Roll

There are two types of spell effects: unresisted and resisted. An unresisted spell effect is one cast upon inanimate matter or a willing subject and has a set DC to determine success of failure. A resisted spell effect is usually cast upon a resiting target.

When a spell is cast, a Magic Success Roll [previously referred as a ‘Magic Attack Roll’] must be made. The sorcerer’s player rolls d20 and adds the result to his Magic Attack Bonus and other modifiers as the GM sees fit to apply. If the roll beats the set DC [for an unresisted spell effect] or the appropriate saving throw of the target [for a resisted spell effect], the spell succeeds. If the result is below the necessary number, the spell fails or produces a diminished effect. In either case, the BPP are expended and must be regained normally through rest, meditation, herbal preparations or ritual sacrifice.
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Spheres of Power

Spells are organized into Spheres of Power, sometimes referred to as ‘schools’ by human sages. In the Hyborian Ages, the Spheres most familiar to human sorcerers are detailed below.

You will note that each Sphere has a Outsider class commonly associated with the Sphere. These are the entities that work toward that Sphere’s ideal- Angelic Spirits tends toward Guardian Spirits, Entropics tend toward Furies and Death Guides, etc. More on that later

Banishments and Summonings A dangerous Sphere devoted to bringing beings from other realties into this one, or more sanely, to bind them and/or drive them back to their point of origin. Rarely used alone, this sphere is usually used in conjunction with another Sphere to deal with Outsiders native to those Spheres. The Outsider class known as Openers is commonly associated with this Sphere. [Corresponds to the ‘Summoning’ school in core Conan rules]

Blights and Curses: The Sphere most sought after by unscrupulous practitioners of magic, this Sphere is concentrated to bring misery and misfortune upon the targets of its magic. Commonly associated with the Maelfic Outsider type. [Corresponds to the ‘Curses’ school in core Conan rules]

Blessings and Protections A Sphere known to almost every priest, witch and sorcerer in the Hyborian world. This Sphere concentrates on effects designed to protect from the baleful effects of sorcery and to grant favour and luck. This Sphere is commonly associated with the Angelic class of Outsiders. [Corresponds to the ‘Counterspells’ school in core Conan rules]

Body and Mind A Sphere devoted to maximizing the potential within the casters self as opposed to causing temporal effects without the caster. Spells of this Sphere tread the line between psychic and magical abilities. Not commonly found outside of eastern cultures, Commonly associated with Outsiders of the Eidonic class. [Corresponds to the ‘Oriental Magic’ school in Core Conan rules]

Communication and Divination A Sphere associated with the ability to discover and transmit information inherent in the world itself. While it lacks the raw power of many other spheres, knowledge is the ultimate power in many ways, as the ability to ferret out your enemy’s secrets and communicate with allies can be quite useful. Commonly associated with the Watcher class of Outsiders. [corresponds to the ‘Divination’ sphere in core Conan rules]

Death and Destruction Also known as Entropy. The most misunderstood and misused Sphere of Power, Death, it deals with the natural forces that wear away at the fabric of reality, destroying what is weak to create the potential for new life. These forces are of natural origin and not evil in of themselves, but most practitioners of this Sphere in Hyboria tend toward the more horrific, unnatural and twisted use of this Sphere’s. Used to cause harm to the living or to create bind or destroy the unliving. Commonly associated with the Entropic Outsider class. [Corresponds to the ‘Necromancy’ school in core Conan rules]

Enchantments and Illusions The Sphere’s power is centered on altering a unsuspecting person’s perceptions of the world about them. Commonly associated with the Fae Outsider class. [Corresponds to the ‘Hypnotism’ school in core Conan rules]

Elemental and Forces Also know as the Forces and Matter Sphere by the more scientifically minded, this Sphere focuses on the manipulation of the energies inherent in the very fabric of Creation itself. Commonly associated with the Elemental class of Outsider. [Corresponds to the ‘Prestidigitation’ school in core Conan rules]

Life and Nature Often overlooked as mere hedge witchery, the Life and Nature Sphere instead is a study into the deeper mysteries of the very Essence and source of all living things. Practitioners of this sphere are more common among barbaric tribes than civilized men. Commonly associated with the Spirit Outsider class. [Corresponds to the ‘Nature’ school in core Conan rules]
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Odovacar's Ghost]

It would have been nice if you put all of this info in a text file. Easier downloading.
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Flee from Picts? Never! Attack!

[Raven Blackwell]

Corruption

While magic in its purer state is without malice or unnatural, beings of both spirit and flesh can twist to unclean ends. This produces changes within the being itself as it departs from the natural order of things, usually driving it insane and physically deformed. Most such creatures live brief and pain filled lives, some survive in a limited fashion, becoming monsters either hiding from more natural beings or live in the decadent trappings of society, concealing their inhuman visages.

When exposed to Corrupting energies, characters must make a Corruption check, usually a Will save of DC 15, +1 for every point of Corruption he or she already possess. Faith, a Code of Honour and certain Feats give a bonus to this roll. Should a character fail this save, he or she gains a Corruption point, reflecting their own natural energies being affected by the fouled source of Power.

However, not all is lost. Characters adhering to a more ‘civilized’ deity such as Mitra, Bori or Ibis may use their priest’s ability to Atone to help remove their Corruption points. Also, simply removing themselves from the Corruption may a person's energies to recover. For every week removed from such conditions, the character may make a Will save of 15, +1 for every point of Corruption they posses. Success means the character loses one Corruption point. If character still pursues contact with Corrupt energies, he or she may not recover and will have to make additional Corruption saves to prevent firther degeneration.
_________________
"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Effects of Corruption

Corruption is by no one’s standards, a good thing. It refers to the gradual degeneration of a creature into a mindless savage beast, a reversal of the evolutionary process. People and animals feel uncomfortable in a Corrupt person’s presence. All Cha based skills save Intimidate are reduced by the character’s Corruption score. This penalty is doubled for characters with a Code of Honour. [The Deception of Set and Fair is Foul Feats can offset this penalty to a degree] In addition, Corruption makes concentration difficult as the forces inherent within the being, stirred to unnatural levels, begin to tear it apart. The Feat Meditation and Greater Meditation are reduced in effectiveness as per their description and the character's unsteady mind causes him or her to suffer a penalty equal to its Corruption score to all uses of the Concentration skill.
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Learning Spells

While advancement in Scholar class gains a character one Advanced Spell per level about second and a basic spell upon attaining a new Sphere of Power, this is unlikely to provide a sufficient number of spells for a player’s satisfaction. As such, these variant rules are offered.

A sorcerer may learn a spell they meet the requirements by paying a XP cost. The sorcerer must have access to the knowledge necessary to learn it, either from a teacher [enfleshed or spiritual] or in a written form or by attempting to research it themselves as an Independent Scholar. This reflects time they could have spent training in their abilities engrossed in studying the rituals and techniques to unlock the arcane abilities within themselves. The cost is 100 XP for a basic spell, 500 XP for advanced spells. The sorcerer still receives Basic and Advanced spells as described above- one free Basic spell upon learning a new sphere and one free Advanced every level from third onward.
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Dabblers

To reflect the change in the sorcery system, the following changes have been made in the Dabbler Feat.

Dabbler
Perquisites: Int 13, no access to any Spheres of Power
Description: The character gains access to a single Sphere of Power and gains knowledge of a single basic spell. The Dabbler’s Base Power Points are equal to 2 plus their Wisdom bonus [minimum 1]. All spells cast by the Dabbler are cast as if the Dabbler was a first level Scholar for purposes of range, duration and area of effect, regardless of the Dabbler’s level of experience.
Special: Should a Dabbler gain a level of Scholar, his or her Base Power Points raise to the usual 4 plus Wisdom modifier, but he does not gain access to a new Sphere of Power until second level- he or she already has his first Sphere of Power.
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Basic Spells

In an effort to expand the scope of magic in the Conan system while retaining its gritty and mysterious nature, an expanded spell list will be offered, To start, here is a list of basic spells available to a sorcerer beginning their journey into unlocking the mysteries of their chosen Spheres of Power. Note that some spells [such a raise corpse] have been transformed from basic spells into advanced spells. This is to reflect this system’s creator belief such spells are too powerful to be considered mere beginning spells. Note also some spells from the Conan system have been changed in a effort to provide game balance.

Advanced spells will be posted as time and my creative power allows. Anyone who wishes to post their own creations using this system please do so.
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Banishments and Summonings Basic Spells

Sign of the Voor
Power Point Cost: 1
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Evil Eye
Target: All area within Evil Eye range
Duration: Instant
Saving Throw: N/A
Perquisites: Two ranks Knowledge (arcana), Two ranks Knowledge (Outsiders)
Magic Success Roll: DC 10

The Sign of the Voor [named for the class of Opener spirits it is commonly associated with] is a spell designed to assist spirits and other Outsiders to manifest within the material realm. When cast, all disembodied spirits within the range of the spell manifest for a moment, showing their true nature to the caster and all others. The spirit’s manifestation is too brief to attack or use a spell like effect, but its appearance may cause an Awe, Terror of the Unknown or even a Corruption check for a truly vile spirit. If the spirit wishes to resist the effects of the spell for whatever reason, the sorcerer must make a contested Magic Success Roll against the spirit to force it to manifest.

Although the spell can be used alone, it is commonly used to assist a sorcerer in summoning, compelling or banishing a spirit. If it cast in conjunction with any spell with those effects, the caster gains a +2 to their Magic Success Roll.

Forbiddance
Power Point Cost: 1
Casting Time: One standard action
Range: Close [25 ft + 5 ft/level Scholar]
Target: An area of space equal to 10 square feet/level Scholar
Duration: One minute/level of Scholar
Saving Throw: Special
Perquisites: Four ranks Knowledge (arcana)
Magic Success Roll: DC 15

Forbiddance is a spell designed to prevent Outsiders, spirits and other supernatural beings not native to this reality from manifesting in this one. As opposed to a ward, which forms a protective barrier, forbiddance strengthens a section of this plane’s reality, resulting in an area where it is difficult for such creatures to exist. To enter a forbidden area, the Outsider must make an opposed Will save against a Magic Success Roll of the caster. If the spell is cast on an area where an Outsider resides, the Outsider must be able to leave the forbidden area within one Move action or be forced to lose its manifested form. Note that nothing prevents an Outsider from remanifesting outside the forbidden area if is has the power to do so.

As one can imagine, this spell requires careful planning. If Outsiders are aware of the source of the forbiddance and are able to reach the caster they will often do so in order to in order to remove a potential threat…
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Blight and Curses Basic Spells

Ill Fortune, lesser
Power Point Cost: 1
Casting Time: One minute
Range: Evil Eye
Target: One creature
Duration: One minute/level of Scholar
Saving Throw: Will
Perquisites: One rank Knowledge (arcana)
Magic Success Roll: Sets Will DC

Lesser Ill Fortune is a common spell much beloved by mischief makers. Usually used to inconvenience a person or as a small display of power, this spell inflicts a –1 morale check to all attack rolls, saving throws and skill checks for the duration of the spell.

Befoul
Power Point Cost: 2
Casting Time: Five minutes
Range: Close [25 ft + 5 ft/level of Scholar]
Target: One cubic foot/level of Scholar of perishable material
Saving Throw: None
Perquisites: Two levels Knowledge (arcana)
Magic Success Roll: DC 12

Another spell designed to annoy more than harm, befoul corrupts unliving organic tissue. Water is made brackish and undrinkable, food rots, clothing and tents decay, wooden petrifies and paper crumbles into dust. Though the spell causes no actual damage, it has the potential for causing a wide number of problems for a party. Enchanted items are immune to this simple spell as are inorganic materials such as stone and metal. If used against a structure, the affected area loses 1 Hardness and 1d6 hp.
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Blessings and Protections Basic Spells

Good Fortune, minor
Power Point Cost: 1
Casting Time: One minute
Range: Close [25 ft + 5ft/level of Scholar]
Target: One creature
Duration: One minute per level/Scholar
Saving Throw: N/A
Perquisites: Two ranks Knowledge (arcana)
Magic Success Roll: DC 5

Blessing, minor is a minor spell often used by priests and sorcerers to give a follower [or themselves] a small gift of fortune. For the duration of the spell, the target creature gains a +1 morale bonus to attack rolls, saving throws and skill checks.

Ward, personal
Power Point Cost: 1
Casting Time: One minute
Range: Self
Target: Self
Duration: One hour/level scholar
Saving Throw: special
Perquisites: Four ranks Knowledge (arcana)
Magic Success Roll: DC 10 and see below

Ward, personal is one of the first spell wise sorcerers learn. The spell creates a barrier of mystical force around the sorcerer to protect them from hostile magic or the failed effects of their own magic Upon casting, the sorcerer must make a DC 10 Magic Success Roll. While the spell is active, whenever the sorcerer is affected by hostile magic, the enemy sorcerer [or Outsider or whatever] and the caster make an opposed Magic Success Roll. If the caster wins or ties the enemy sorcerer, the spell fails to penetrate the ward and the caster is unaffected- although if the spell has targeted other individuals they are still affected normally. If the enemy sorcerer beats the caster, the spell affects the caster normally, though they may make a saving throw as normal if the spell allows.
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer

[Raven Blackwell]

Body and Mind Basic Spells

Focus
Power Point Cost: 1
Casting Time: One move action
Range: Self
Target: Self
Duration: One action
Saving Throw: None
Perquisites: Four ranks Concentration
Magic Success Roll: DC 10

Focus is a technique designed to draw the casters attention to a single action and bring the full weight of his awareness upon it. Upon casting the spell, the caster must then immediately perform a single action. For that single action, which may be an attack roll, a saving throw or a skill check, the caster may add +4 to the roll. However, the caster’s focus is grounded on that single action they lose awareness of all else around them. The caster is considered flat footed for the duration of the combat round and may not make any other action, even a free one for the rest of the round.

Mindshield
Power Point Cost: 2
Casting Time: Five minutes
Range: Self
Target: Self
Duration: One hour/level of Scholar
Saving Throw: None
Perquisites: Two ranks of Concentration, two ranks Knowledge (arcana)
Magic Success Roll: DC 12

Mindshield is a spell designed to prevent others from reading the thoughts s of the caster by spell or innate ability. Any person attempting to do so must make an opposed Magic Success roll against the caster to read their mind. Whether or not the attempt is successful, the caster is entitled to make a Sense Motive check against a Bluff check made by the individual attempting to read their mind. A success on the caster’s part means that they are aware of the attempt.
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"People think magic's a way of transforming reality- but in the end, you find that what you've really transformed is yourself."

-John Constantine, Hellblazer