Spell Factors

Patterns (Targets)

Spells are targeted against one or more creatures or objects. The magic is woven directly into that target’s Pattern, bypassing any intervening obstacles. Two questions to consider are: How many targets are to be affected, and how big is each target?

Area-Affecting

Some spells apply to an area or radius rather than to one or more discrete targets. For example, spells that create light or darkness or that transform the properties of the air or ground are usually area-affecting spells. If the sole aim of a spell is to affect a lot of people or a large object, the caster should have to contend with multiple targets and/or increased target Size. The effect should determine whether the spell is Area-Affecting, regardless of the caster’s intent.^[1]

Instant Casting

Increasing basic spell factors is accomplished by assessing a penalty on the spellcasting roll. Extra successes enhance the primary factor only. To enhance the other factors, you must assign dice penalties before the roll is made. Note that only successes can increase the primary factor.^[2]

Extended Casting

Extra factors are gained by adding more successes to the target number. An extended casting spell is not activated until the required successes for all the stated factors are attained. Unlike an instant casting, no factor needs to be declared primary; successes are allocated as needed among all factors to achieve the target number for the spell.

• A mage might wish to quit early and accept a weaker spell, or keep going and make a stronger spell once he has attained enough successes. In either case, a Willpower point must be spent to alter the Imago or else lose all accumulated successes^[3].

Spell Factors