File Name: alternatepvarism.html
Article Title: An Alternate Pvarism
Written By: Christopher Kobar
Edited By: R. Downey(layout)
First Appearance: HarnList 1997-03-03
The following is an alternate system for HMM that assumes spontaneous casting is the norm and memorized, rote spells are a special case. Any ideas or further fleshing out of other convocational abilities would be appreciated (I've only done Fyvria as a starting point and thrown in a few ideas about Lyhavi). Thanks!

Pvaric Dynamism | The Pregame | Spell Complexity Level | Convocational Complexity Charts | Other Uses of Spell Potential

Pvaric Dynamism

The following system allows for the effective replacement of the normally static HarnMaster Magic System with one that is instead dynamic and spontaneous. While written and rote spells may still be used and do have certain advantages, dynamic magickal effects become the norm and are heavily promoted.

Assume that unless otherwise stated, the HMM2 system is still the model and should be consulted for anything missing from the below alternative mechanics.

Pvaric Dynamism | The Pregame | Spell Complexity Level | Convocational Complexity Charts | Other Uses of Spell Potential

The Pregame

Beginning Satia-Mavari open their respective Convocational Skill at SB5 and the Neutral Skill at SB3. Other Convocational Skills may not be bought in the pregame, but must be opened at SB1 during the course of the campaign. In addition to these magickal skills, beginning mages are awarded a number of Option Points equal to the sum of Intelligence and Aura. With these they may buy the following:

Options Option Points

Open an Occupational Skill appropriate to Convocation at normal OML 2
Increase the ML of an open Automatic or Occupational Skill by SB (1/skill limit) 2
Open a rote spell of own Convocation with a Complexity Level < III 1
Open a rote spell of own Convocation with a Complexity Level < V 2
Open a Neutral spell with a CL < III 2
Open a Neutral spell with a CL < V 3

While dynamic, off-the-cuff spells are considered the norm in this system, there are advantages to a mage specializing in (and therefore keeping track of) particularly useful rote spells. Such spells cannot be implicitly altered, however; any such change effectively creates a new spell. Those spells that are used in such a rote fashion should be separately recorded and each use grants the mage a new development roll. Instead of a separte ML being maintained for each, the amount by which it exceeds the normal CML is sufficient and reduces record keeping.

Pvaric Dynamism | The Pregame | Spell Complexity Level | Convocational Complexity Charts | xOther Uses of Spell Potential

Spell Complexity Level

To determine the Complexity Level (CL) of a spell, one simply consults the appropriate Convocational Complexity chart below and then applies any appropriate implicit modifiers based on Casting Time, Range and Duration. This final CL is used to determine the mages EML for the particular spell, which may be further modified by explicit conditions of the casting itself (incantation, foci, aural envirnment, etc.) as desired by the GM.

Note: If the final Complexity Level of a particular spell results in the reduction of the mages CML to zero or below, there is no chance (not even the usual 5%) for such a spell to be cast. Explicit modifiers for foci, environment, etc. will not affect this implicit inability to cast the spell; the mage simply has not yet achieved the requisite mastery in the particular convocation to produce the desired effect.

Implicit Complexity Level Modifiers (CI = Convocational Index)

Parameter +0 CL +1 CL +2 CL
Casting Time 15 minutes - CI 15 turns - CI 15 seconds - CI
Range Self/Touch Immediate Vicinity Perceivable Vicinity
Duration Temporary/CI minutes Indefinite Permanent

The above modifiers to the Complexity Level are cumulative. So a spell with a base CL of III that one wished to cast in a few seconds, at a target about 20 feet away, with a normal temporary duration, would be modified by +3, for a final CL of VI. This would reduce the mages CML by -30.

Pvaric Dynamism | The Pregame | Spell Complexity Level | Convocational Complexity Charts | Other Uses of Spell Potential

Convocational Complexity Charts

Note that any effects listed under Critical Success can be performed at the next CL with a Marginal Success. A Critical Success at that point would simply reduce fatigue, though an additional degree of qualitative victory could also be assigned.

Lyhavi

This convocation deals in the elements of air, light, sound and the principles of illusion and insubstantiality.

Base CL Marginal Success Critical Success
I Simple manipulation of sound (audibility, aimed) Complete manipulation of sound (silence, etc.)
II Enhancement/suppression of lighting phenomena Precise control over the same
III Redirect and amplify/diminish lighting phenomena Results can result in debilitation
IV Mastery over visual phenomena Witnesses perceive extra-visual aspects
V Light/sound/gas can be rendered damaging (1d6) Damage becomes more extreme (2d6)
VI Clairvoyance/clairaudience Extremely clear and audible
VII Transform inanimate material ethereal Animate material
VIII &nsp; &nsp;
IX &nsp; &nsp;

Peleahn

This convocation deals in the elements of fire, heat and smoke and focuses on the principles of destruction, action and energy.

Base CL Marginal Success Critical Success
I &nsp; &nsp;
II &nsp; &nsp;
III &nsp; &nsp;
IV &nsp; &nsp;
V &nsp; &nsp;
VI &nsp; &nsp;
VII &nsp; &nsp;
VIII &nsp; &nsp;
IX &nsp; &nsp;

Jmorvi

This convocation deals with the elements of mineral and metals and employs the principles of artifice and mechanism.

Base CL Marginal Success Critical Success
I &nsp; &nsp;
II &nsp; &nsp;
III &nsp; &nsp;
IV &nsp; &nsp;
V &nsp; &nsp;
VI &nsp; &nsp;
VII &nsp; &nsp;
VIII &nsp; &nsp;
IX &nsp; &nsp;

Fyvria

This convocation deals with living organisms and focuses on the principles of growth, decay, mutation and life cycles.

Base CL Marginal Success Critical Success
I Perceive lifeforms (general type, number, location) Determine specifics
II Analyze lifeforms (general health, fatigue, age) Determine specif
III Damage simple tissues (1d6 damage) More serious (2d6 damage)
IV Heal living tissue (1 Injury Level) More serious (2 Injury Levels)
V Damage complex tissues (3d6 damage) More serious (4d6 damage)
VI Command simple organic system (a limb/plant) Command entire organic system
VII Accelerate/Decelerate growth/decay (by 10%) Increase/decrease factor by 25%
VIII Mutate/alter simple (invertebrate) life forms Affect vertebrate life forms
IX Increase/decrease fertility (by 50%) Increase/decrease factor by 100%

Odivshe

This convocation deals in the elements of water, cold and darkness, as well as the principles of inertia and entropy.

Base CL Marginal Success Critical Success
I &nsp; &nsp;
II &nsp; &nsp;
III &nsp; &nsp;
IV &nsp; &nsp;
V &nsp; &nsp;
VI &nsp; &nsp;
VII &nsp; &nsp;
VIII &nsp; &nsp;
IX &nsp; &nsp;

Savorya

This convocation explores the psyche and the spiritual, dealing in the principles of thought, cognition and the esoteric aura of all things.

Base CL Marginal Success Critical Success
I &nsp; &nsp;
II &nsp; &nsp;
III &nsp; &nsp;
IV &nsp; &nsp;
V &nsp; &nsp;
VI &nsp; &nsp;
VII &nsp; &nsp;
VIII &nsp; &nsp;
IX &nsp; &nsp;

Neutral Magick

Seen as the hub of the Pvaric Wheel, this extra-convocational realm focuses on magick itself; what it is, how it works and what its limits are. Of great importance is the concept of Wyk, or quantifiable magickal potential energy. This is what powers all magick and is able to be stored in artifacts in order to charge them. Wyk is rarely said to be neutral, but is usually attuned to a particular convocation, its resonance.

Not only can Wyk be cached in an artifact either, but it can be literally stored in a mages own being (limit = aura) from which it can later be spent in order to make spellcasting easier (each point of Wyk reducing the ECML by 5). Wyk is measured in jorums. Wyk can normally be found in appropriate convocational substances located at a place of power associated with that convocation. For example, a particularly magickal mountain peak might be found to be strewn with shimmering crystals infused with Lyhavian Wyk, or a molten cavern beneath a volcano might contain minerals containing Peleahn Wyk.

Base CL Marginal Success Critical Success
I &nsp; &nsp;
II &nsp; &nsp;
III &nsp; &nsp;
IV &nsp; &nsp;
V &nsp; &nsp;
VI &nsp; &nsp;
VII &nsp; &nsp;
VIII &nsp; &nsp;
IX &nsp; &nsp;

Pvaric Dynamism | The Pregame | Spell Complexity Level | Convocational Complexity Charts | Other Uses of Spell Potential

xOther Uses of Spell Potential

In addition to the possible spells outlined above, there are other ways to use ones magickal potential that cannot appropriately be considered the casting of spells. The following are some of these other uses:

Attune

One of the most useful applications of magick, Attune is required before a mage can hope to activate most artifacts and many enchantments. This only works for targets of similar convocation.

Feel Magick

This casting allows a mage to actively seek out the presence and source of magick of any convocation (including Wyk). The convocational nature of the detected magick can only be accurately determined on a Critical Success, though if of the casters primary convocation, it is always recognized.

Merge

Sometimes a mage wishes to combine the effects of two or more possible spells in order to achieve a desired result. To do so, the mage simply uses the highest CL and increases it by half the CL of the other spell. This works only for spells of the same or the Neutral Convocation. For Merges of different convocations, add the full CLs of both spells! This kind of magick should only be done when time is the most crucial element in the casting.

Abort

This is no more than countermagick, allowing a mage to neutralize anothers spell. To disrupt a spell in progress, the mage casts an Abort whose CL must be greater than the target spells. In addition, the Abort attempt is considered to be the same convocation of the target spell, and therefore requires some mastery in that convocation to be effective. Only a similar or greater degree of success will disrupt the target spell.

Dispell

Similar to Abort, this form of countermagick removes a temporary enchantment placed upon a target object. Again, the attempt to Dispell must be of greater CL than the original casting and of the same convocation. Whats more, a number of Fatigue Levels are accrued equal to the original spells CL on a Marginal Success, half of that for a Critical Success.

Anti-Magick

This casting creates a zone around the mage that extends CI/Cix2 yards (MS/CS). Within this zone, no magicks (of any convocation) of lower CL may take place (including the mages own) and any such enchantments already laid are similarly neutralized. The mage gains one FP/turn on a Marginal Success (one FP/minute on CS). The duration depends entirely upon the mages desire/exhaustion.

Redirection

Similar to Abort, this casting enables a mage to literally choose a new target for anothers incoming spell. The mage can redirect spells of the same convocation and this casting is considered to be of a CL equal to the target spells +2.

Sanctum

Casting magick from within ones attuned sanctum provides a clear advantage. Each sanctum is rated according to its unique convocation and its bonus to the mages CML for that convocation. This bonus is equal to the CL of the Sanctum casting + CI, divided in half. A Critical Success provides twice the bonus. Note that this can make diametric magick very difficult. A full, multi-convocational sanctum can only be created by a Gray Mage. Note: the casting time for this is measured in days (15-CI) and is unable to be reduced any further.

Further Notes

Some of the spells that might have previously been seen as Neutral are now classified as belonging to a particular convocation, in particular spells which related to perception, comprehension, shapechanging and creation of personality. While this may be seen to unbalance the convocations unfairly in some ways, I believe it more realistically and coherently reflects a true pvaric magickal schema.

Pvaric Dynamism | The Pregame | Spell Complexity Level | Convocational Complexity Charts | Other Uses of Spell Potential

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