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Magic

In FateCORE how is magic different from other skills or other effects? What is the difference between an something throwing a oil lamp, a wizard casting fire, and an dragon breathing fire? They all involve attacking a target in a different zone with fire.

In terms of mechanics they are quite different. Throwing an oil lamp will use the athletics or shooting skills. A dragon's fire breathing will also using shooting - it is just projecting its natural abilities, like a human punching with a fist. Of course the dragon may have a stunt that gives is Weapon damage to reflect the powerful nature of its fire - but it is still a natural part of its being.

Magic is a bit different. Magic in Miranda is defined as a supernatural occurrence that not everyone has access to. It could be limited by birthright, training, or simple genetics - for all of these reasons a person has the ability to pull power from a source outside of themselves.

Mechanically, magic will use the FateCORE Extras rules. Each of the major styles of magic in use upon the world will be described below.

This list is not meant to limit any character strictly to these forms of magic. Magic is as different as the myriad of sources available. If you want a type of magic that you have not seen before then bring it up during character generation or advancement and the GM will work with you to work things into the story.

Spellcraft

See also: Spellcraft Lore

In the FateCORE system a practitioner of Spellcraft uses mnemonics to focus their will and safely draw power from the Shadow Realms before shaping it into the form that they desire.

Rules

You must use one of your aspects to define your magic. Typically this is your High Concept, but it not required. Examples include Fire Wizard, Member of the Circle of Eight, or Black Tower Initiate. This aspect defines your personal method to summon forth and control magic.

You must select one or more Power Skills. These skills represent the very specific nature of the Shadow Realms that you can control. The following are the common Power Skills available:

Spellcraft is difficult to use properly in the presence of metal. The presence of metal can be used as a compel against their magic. Anything on the Periodic Table of Elements listed as a metal in sufficient quantity near a caster can be used as a compel. The exception to this rule is that Noble metals (silver, platinum, gold, and mercury) never cause problems.

Spellcraft involves gestures, incantations, and concentration to properly work. Physical discomfort, tiredness, and extreme stress can all be compelled against Spellcraft. A caster must keep their mind ordered and focused or the power they draw into them will be life-threatening.

Brizanthimus is a wanderer that has picked up small bits of magic from various people, so Jackie decides that his magic is central enough to him to make it part of his High Concept. She calls it Wandering Magician Storyteller. To go along with his story-telling she decides that he will have the Glamour power skill so that he can dazzle the senses.

Jackie also wants Briz to have some inherent understanding to the magical ley lines that crisscross the world. She works with the GM to create a new Power Skill called Magical Conduit with an appropriate description and actions.

In Practice

The Power Skills selected by a caster are used just as non-magic skills are used, to accomplish actions (Overcome, Create an Advantage, Attack, and Defend). Each of the skills explain fully how to accomplish each action using that skill. Not all of the power skills are equally useful to each type of action.

Briz needs to slip by some orcs that have captured prisoners. The orcs represent a Good(+3) opposition because although they are not watchful - there are quite a few wandering around the camp. She rolls a +1 on the dice, combined with Briz's Good(+3) Glamour check means that she overcomes the obstacle. She narrates the effect of creating lights and sounds in the woods, causing the orcs to investigate.

Elementalism

See also: Elemental Lore

An elementalist binds a single entity from one of the Elemental Planes to their own body. The stronger the elementalist becomes the more the elemental can safely merge with their own body. Eventually a powerful elementalist can completely merge the two bodies making them indistinguishable.

An elementalist is different from a simple caster that uses Spellcraft to make fire, earth, water, lightning, etc. The caster is using the power of the Shadow Realms and manipulating that power into a recognizable form, while an elementalist's body contains the raw power of the elemental itself.

Rules

You must use your high concept to indicate which storm you have bound yourself. Any change to this must be the result of a story element or extreme consequence.

You must purchase the Power Skill Conjuration. This is the skill that you will use to manipulate the power of the Elemental to which you have been bound.

You are no longer a native of this dominion and are subject to any rules associated with being an outsider. These include the ability to be bound within a circle and being unable to cross a threshold without suffering.

In Practice

You may partially manifest your elemental outside of your body

Outsiders

Common called priests, clerics, diaboloists, agents, or avatars. Regardless of the name these people have their magic sponsored by some external entity. They do not draw upon the magic of the Shadow Realms, Divine Realms, or Infernal Realms for power, instead they are given power from a sentient being that can choose if and when to grant that power.

Rules

You must have an aspect dedicated to the entity that you serve. Examples include Warrior of Taur, Avatar of the Dark Lord, and Priest of the Temple of Light.

You must have a single skill that is named after the entity granting you the power. This is the skill that you will use access the power and it can only do what the entity is capable of doing. If draw your power from a powerful Fire Lord then you cannot make water or dominate minds.

In Practice

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