Codex Arcana - Draft 02

26 Pages·2009·3.53 MB·English

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Author: Phillip Jones
Layout and Editing: Ian Plumb
Proofreaders: Patricia Plumb,
Playtesters and Beta Testers:
Ed and Christin Phelps, Keith Roberts, Joey O’Donnell, Emre Can Sezer, and Ken Lacy.
With special thanks to Jake Norwood, creator of “The Riddle of Steel”.
Codex Arcana copyright © 2009 Phillip Jones
“And five times, for my honour, I have had to fight in unfamiliar places without relatives and
without friends, not trusting anyone but God and my art and myself, Fiore, and my sword. And
by the grace of God, I, Fiore, kept my honour and I did not injure myself.”
--Maestro Fiore dei Liberi, from the introduction to the Flos Duellatorum,1409 AD
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Credits ...................................................................................................3 Arcane Combat Options .....................................................22
Bibliography .........................................................................................3 Arcane Toughness: ...........................................................22
Quotations ............................................................................................3 Arcane Strength: ..............................................................22
Table of Contents .................................................................................4 Arcane Maneuvers ...............................................................22
Book One ..............................................................................................7 Attack (1) ..........................................................................22
The Nature of the World ................................................................7 Parry (1) ............................................................................22
The Nature of the Elements ...........................................................7 Evade (2) ...........................................................................22
Elemental Nodes .............................................................................7 Feint (2) .............................................................................22
Contacting Elemental Nodes .........................................................7 Beat (3) ..............................................................................23
Containing Elemental Nodes ........................................................8 Counter (4) .......................................................................23
Using Unaligned Elemental Nodes ...............................................9 Stop Short (5) ...................................................................23
Aligning Elemental Nodes To Spells ............................................9 Bind and Strike (6) ...........................................................23
Protecting And Locking Elemental Nodes ..................................9 Simultaneous Block/Strike (7) .......................................23
Stealing Elemental Nodes ..............................................................9 Support (9) ........................................................................23
Book Two ............................................................................................11 Drain (11) .........................................................................23
Overview ........................................................................................11 Arcane Combat Proficiency: The Benefits of being level
Elemental Enchantments .............................................................11 10+ ..........................................................................................23
Types of Enchantments .......................................................11 Surge: .................................................................................23
Enchantment Objects ..........................................................11 Fortify: ...............................................................................23
Enchantment Procedure ..............................................................11
Enchanting Objects ..............................................................11
Nodal Power Requirements ................................................11
Making Potions .....................................................................11
Enchanted Nodes and Objects ....................................................12
Enchanted Nodes .................................................................12
Enchanted Objects ...............................................................12
Bound Objects ......................................................................13
Node Stones ..........................................................................13
Book Three .........................................................................................15
Overview ........................................................................................15
Spiritual Humors ...........................................................................15
Living Spirit Nodes ......................................................................15
Using Living Spirit Nodes ............................................................15
Loss of Living Spirit Nodes ..........................................................15
Lack of Spirit ..................................................................................16
Death of a Character .....................................................................16
Dead Spirit Nodes .........................................................................16
Identifying Spirits ..........................................................................16
Contacting Dead Nodes ...............................................................16
Containing Dead Nodes ...............................................................16
Casting With Dead Nodes ...........................................................17
Binding Dead Nodes .....................................................................17
Book Four ...........................................................................................19
Overview ........................................................................................19
Minor Magic ..................................................................................19
Greater Magic ................................................................................19
Major Magic ...................................................................................19
Spell Duration ................................................................................19
Adding Variables ...........................................................................20
Chain Casting ...............................................................................20
Casting Through Empty Elemental and Spiritual Nodes 20
Node Discovery Skill ....................................................................20
Arcane Awareness Spell ................................................................20
Spiritual Awareness Spell .............................................................20
Arcane Combat System (ACS) ....................................................21
Arcane Combat System (ACS) Overview .........................21
Round 1 Arcane Combat: ....................................................22
Round 2 Arcane Combat: ....................................................22
Round 3 Arcane Combat: ....................................................22
Round 4 Arcane Combat: ....................................................22
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Note that dominance applies only to the next element in the circle.
the nAture of the world
For example, water dominates wood, and water is dominated by
On the many planes of existence, throughout all the realms, sages
crystal. Crystal and wood have no special relationships to one
and philosophers have come to agree that the world is composed
another.
of seven basic elements. These are fire, metal, crystals, water, wood,
wind and light (darkness is the opposite of light and considered
part of that element).
Scholars have demonstrated that all other natural “elements”
are actually composed of these essences in combination. Any
material object can be explained as a mixture of these basic
elements, although in many cases the exact mixture has yet to be
discovered.
Each of these seven basic elements has magic properties. Sorcerers
who learn to identify those pure elements, when they occur, can
use their magic properties.
Actually, many other types of magic exist, but the basic form rooted
in the nature of the world itself is this elemental magic.
In practical terms, to use elemental magic a character must possess
the pure essence of that element and harness its magic power for
use in spells. This pure essence is called a “node”. Some nodes are
more powerful than others and are called double nodes, triple
Light and darkness (Sundrops and Pitchblacks) are both forms of
nodes, ect. The more powerful nodes cannot be split apart into
the same element. They cannot exist together, but instead cancel
separate smaller nodes, but the power can be used in increments,
each other equally. Thus a single node of Sundrop put with a single
for various spells at various times.
node of Pitchblack will instantly destroy both. However, a PC could
The process of harnessing a node has four basic steps:
have both nodes (in separate containers), and use either for any
One) The sorcerer must locate the node. purpose that uses either light or darkness. Some characters will
Two) The sorcerer must then use his mind to make contact with have a preference toward light or darkness, usually based on their
the node. living habits (day or night).
Three) Once contact is achieved he may then contain the node in a elementAl nodes
proper device or material to transport and preserve it.
All characters will come across a naturally visible elemental node
Four) The node may then be either used,“aligned”, or “locked”. from time to time. The flames in a fireplace might seem to acquire
the nAture of the elements a life of their own, or rays of sunlight may seem to dance in the air,
or ice might shine with unearthly light, ect.
The seven basic elements take eight forms (light and darkness
are two forms of the same element). A node will contain the pure These are simply nodes that have become especially obvious.
essence of one element. Originally, the first sorcerers were simply people who noticed these
Each element has a common name, a specific name for the pure nodes, guessed their importance, and learned to use them by trial
essence, and natural material that is the reflection of the pure and error. While some nodes may be stumbled upon and tapped
element. Reflections are mainly used to control and store pure into, the vast majority can only be exploited by a character equipped
nodes. with the arcane ability to use them.
Once per game day dawn, a character may declare that a particular
Common nAme nAme of Pure refleCtion of elemental node is being sought. The player must then make a Per/
of element essenCe (node) thAt element
Node Discovery skill check.
fire lAChel flAme of A Pure If the check fails then no active node of the desired type is available
beeswAx CAndle in the surrounding 100 foot radius (that day, nodes do drift).
metAl mithril silver If the skill check is successful, then the desired elemental node exists
(it is the most powerful node of that element in the area that day)
CrystAl silimA diAmond
and the GM must roll 1d10 to determine the power level of the node.
wAter verAquA sPringwAter If the dice roll yields a “10” then one additional d10 may be rolled
and the total of the two dice is the node’s adjusted power level. The
wood druidheArt oAk
GM should keep in mind that the player must only have knowledge
wind mAgzul west wind of the success or failure of their skill check while the GM secretly
notates the node’s power level for future reference.
light sundroP sunlight
The node now located, the character may then contact the node by
dArkness PitChblACk deeP shAdow the successful casting of an Arcane Awareness spell.
Dominance: Each element dominates one other element, and is ContACting elementAl nodes
dominated by one element. This relationship forms a “chain”, Once a character finds a node he can either ignore it or attempt to
termed the “Circle of Dominance” by scholars, illustrated below. contact it. If the node is ignored, it will disappear (sooner or later),
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since pure elements are never static, but instead seem to move about
ContAining elementAl nodes
(philosophers have theorized that it is the world moving, while
Any node can be retained in the reflection of any node. For example,
nodes remain in place).
silver is the reflection of Mithrill (metal) and could contain a
Contact requires a character to “tune in” his mind to the essential
Mithrill node.
nature of the pure element, manifested by the node. Contact does
A silver box could also contain a Lachel node, or a Veraqua node,
not mean physical contact. Instead a mental rapport is established
or any other element. The same container can be used for two or
between the character and the element by a casting of the Arcane
more nodes of the same type if desired. Different elemental nodes
Awareness spell. This contact attempt may be made only once
are allowed in the same container only if one dominates another.
per given node. A player is required to declare (before the roll is
For example, crystal and water could be in the same container, or
attempted) his decision to “Use” or “Lock” the newly discovered
metal and crystal. A container could even have metal, crystal and
node. Once a node is locked (See Protecting and Locking Elemental
water, but could not have just metal and water alone, since neither
Nodes for more information) it may never be used. If a character
metal nor water dominates the other. An exception is Sundrop and
attempts contact and fails, the node is destroyed. In addition, if
Pitchblack which can never be held in the same container.
the spell is also “botched” (no successes and two “ones” rolled)
Containment process: The actual method of containment is simple.
the sorcerer receives one wound level of energy damage per power
Once contact is made, the container is maneuvered to the location
level of the node.
of the node and placed next to it. The node, being magical, can
The process of establishing this mental contact takes varying
pass through the material provided the mental contact is holding
amounts of time, depending on the situation:
it. Contact is then released and the element is now within the
First contact: The first time a character attempts to contact a node
reflection.
of an element, it takes 1d10x10 minutes. The first contact time
Example: To contain a Veraqua (water) node found
represents the need for the character to find the proper state of
in the eddy of a waterfall, a character could pass a
mental awareness to attune completely to the node.
diamond ring into the eddy, and move the diamond
Subsequent contact: If a character has already contacted a specific
to the node, then drop contact. The node is now within
node before, making contact with exactly the same node again
the diamond, and upon lifting the ring from the water
only takes one second. Complete and total attention is needed to
the glimmering of Veraqua can be seen within the
make and maintain contact, so no character may cast more than
diamond.
one spell at a time. Contact may be maintained as long as the
character wishes, or until his attention is distracted. In high stress Obviously some containers are more useful than others. When in
or combat situations, contact will fail without a successful WP/ contact with a node, the node itself can be “nudged” mentally a few
Meditation roll. inches to a container, but this requires extra mental concentration
for 1d10 minutes of time, and is mainly useful for complex
Proximity: Once contact is made, a character acquires a mental
containment, such as maneuvering a node from spring water to
“picture” of the node. As long as the character knows exactly
a candle flame (since normal superimposition would put out the
where the node is (remembers how it was contained, and where the
candle).
containment was put), he can contact the node again, regardless
of distance. Typical containers: The player is responsible for imagining and
describing the type of container used to hold each node (or nodes),
Example: Sorcerers often store nodes at home, in their and these must be approved by the GM. Containers can be small
workshop, and then contact them mentally when a and designed for the purpose, or everyday items can be pressed
spell is needed (eliminating the need for bulky or into service where appropriate.
complex containers while traveling). However, if an
Containers in common use include a beeswax candle or similar
over-zealous servant should move the container or
clean-burning fire – provided it remains lit; a box of silver or oak;
a natural disaster affects the workshop (earthquake,
any container to hold pure spring water; a bag or box opened and
flood, ect.) then the node will no longer be in the proper
closed only into a west wind; a bag or box only opened and closed
place, and the mage will be unable to contact or use
in bright sunshine or total darkness; a cut and polished diamond,
it until he returns home and discovers the current
such as one in a pendant or ring; ect.
location of the node.
If a container is broken or destroyed, any node within is released.
However, if the node has moved at all, even a short distance, the It can be held only if immediately contacted. Otherwise the node is
character will be unable to achieve contact because the memory lost, even if aligned (it becomes unaligned). Examples of breakage
is now incorrect. or destruction include opening a bag or box of west wind, sunlight
or deep shadow at the wrong time, breaking open a silver or oaken
If some nodes can still be contacted, the character might use a spell
box, fractures on a cut diamond, putting out a flame, ect.
to see the new location without actually travelling back there. To
reduce dangers and risks, sorcerers often have many secret hiding Avoiding containment: As long as a character remains “in contact”
places scattered about the countryside, even in far distant locations, with a node, no containment is needed to keep control. While the
where they have hidden nodes in special containers. character can perform mindless “rote” actions while in contact
(such as walking home on a familiar path), any distraction at all
Evaluating a node: Having made contact with a node, a sorcerer
will call for a WP/Meditation roll. If contact is lost, the node is lost
may still have not have been successful enough to have determined
unless already contained.
the elemental node’s total strength. A sorcerer can always perceive
a node’s power up to the highest power of that element that he using unAligned elementAl nodes
currently has aligned. However, if the node is more powerful Once an elemental node has been contained it may be freely used
than the aligned, the character won’t know by how much until he when contacted. A single node can cast any spell of its respective
experiments while using the new node. element provided the elemental power demands of the spell are
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Note: A character in contact may immediately levels are shielded by order of elemental dominance. Thus, a Lachel
begin alignment or perhaps cast spells, provided he node’s commited power levels would be protected before one of
is continuously in contact, without a break. Also Mithrill.
note that any hit in combat, even if no wound levels Two) When an elemental node is first contacted it may be “locked”
are inflicted, is sufficient to break concentration and if the player so desires. This simple ritual is accomplished through
thus break contact. use of the Arcane Awareness spell. Once locked, the elemental
no greater than the node’s ability to fuel it. Any cast spell that is node is no longer available for normal use. However, the process
botched will cause cause all participating unaligned nodes to be of locking a node has the resulting effect of making the node
destroyed. extremely durable and stable, impervious to the dangerous effects
of a spell’s magic backlash.
Aligning elementAl nodes to sPells
Canny sorcerers use such resiliance to their advantage by utilizing
Sorcerer characters may align a node to a spell whenever the
those locked nodes to redirect spell backlash effects away from their
required node is contacted. The aligning of a spell to an elemental
valuable active nodes. For each locked node a character possesses,
node replaces the standard spell formalization rules in the Core
one elemental power level used in the casting of a spell will be
rules book.
protected from harm. A sorcerer may maintain a pool of locked
When an elemental node (or a portion of a node) is aligned with
nodes no greater than his FORM attribute.
a spell, that node/node portion is now dedicated to the casting of
that particular spell. From that point forward, no other use may be steAling elementAl nodes
applied to that reserved energy. If multiple nodes are used in the ll sorcerers can detect the use of elemental magic in their vicinity.
construction of a spell, then all participating nodes (or portions of Whenever a spell is cast, there is a “flux” in the elements of nature
nodes) supplying power for the spell must be aligned. Any node in around the node and the caster. This occurs in the instant of casting
the spell’s “chain” that is lost or destroyed (such as from a botched and afterward seemingly disappears, but may in fact linger in the
spell role) must be replaced for the spell to again function. area for up to several days.
While aligning a node to a spell may on the surface appear to limit Unintelligent animals feel this flux and become very nervous and
a sorcerer’s options when using a particular node, one benefit that excited. Intelligent characters also feel the flux, and will know
is gained is when the aligned spell’s CTN is calculated: that magic is in use. If the character is a sorcerer, they can identify
the direction of the flux, and if within 100 feet of the caster, may
For an aligned spell using one power level from one
attempt to steal one of the elemental nodes used in the casting of
to three nodes, reduce overall CTN cost for the spell
the spell.
by one.
While in range, one sorcerer may attempt to wrest a node away
For an aligned spell using two or more power levels
from another by executing a mental assault. This attack comes in
from one or more nodes, reduce overall CTN cost for
the form of an aggressive use of the Arcane Awareness spell.
the spell by two.
The possessing character will be aware of the theft attempt and may
Aligning a spell also makes any participating elemental node resist with a roll of Art, plus any available SP dice, spent against a
inherently more stable, allowing for an ART check per node (adding TN equal to the recently cast spell’s CTN. The nullification of the
any available SP dice, if desired) against a TN (equal to the spell’s attacker’s spell success total constitutes a resisted theft.
CTN) verses the total of dice failures from a botched spell’s role. An elemental node may only be stolen if unaligned.
ProteCting And l oCking e lementAl
nodes
The casting of elemental or spiritual magic does not carry with it
the same potential for magical aging as does the more science based
system described in the Core Rules book.
Instead, when casting elemental magic, a sorcerer must defend
against a potent arcane backlash attacking those nodes used
to power his spell. When a node’s power levels are completely
destroyed, it is considered an “empty node” and may only be “cast
through” from that point forward. Living nodes may also be “cast
through” in a separate process known as “chain casting” (see Book
Four – Elemental and Spiritual Casting, for more information
about both methods).
As a general rule, any power level from an elemental node used to
power a spell will be destroyed by the resulting arcane backlash.
There are two exceptions to this rule:
One) Using any available dice from his Spell Pool, a player may
attempt a “backlash” roll to divert this wave of energy instead to
the surrounding area. The TN for this roll is the CTN of the spell
that was cast. For every success rolled, one participating node’s
power level is protected. If the total of successes is less than the
spell’s elemental power levels, the difference between the two
totals is the number of levels destroyed. A spell’s elemental power
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