Runic Magic (Rituals) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Runic Magic (Rituals) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Confusion567
07-30-06, 12:52 AM I was glancing through the PHB and DMG while thinking about a campaign I'm writing, and it occurred to me that there was really no mention of magic symbols or runes, except Divine Focii.
It happened that in the first session I needed something arcane-looking to put on a table as the focus for a curse. Given the reagents for Curse Water (powdered silver), I elected to use a star made of silver fused to the table. The next session needed a more complex ritual to destroy a stone used as a focus for the curse. I expect more rituals in the future (a half-orc in the party aspires to become a full orc, the druid wants a deeper connection with his animal, the rogue wants a new eye installed...).

So I got to thinking about magical symbols that are easily manipulable. The first thing that came to mind was a five-pointed star, a pentagram. If that works, why not other stars? And so I present,

Confusion's Confusing Symbols n' Stars

Every star, from 3 points to 8 points, draws power into or away from a different source. The self, the material plane, the astral and ethereal planes, the inner and outer planes, and the outlands. They are used primarily in large rituals, but may also be inscribed on focii, drawn on the ground with the material components for a spell, or drawn in the air for somatic components; not every spell will use a star. But primarily, this magic system is just concept and flavor, with no real effect on gameplay.

Three-pointed stars, which look like triangles with the corners stretched out (<^>, connected at the bottom) are the power in the self, in a living being. Energy can be focused into the being, as in a buff or curse, or out of the being, as in astral projection or life draining spells. The energy may also be manipulated, as in the Alter Self or Polymorph spells. The subject typically stands in the center of the star, but not necessarily.

Four-pointed stars, essentially two diamonds perpendicular to each other and crossed in the center, are the power of the material plane, either spells which draw on natural energy or directly affect the world around. Most druid or ranger spells would use this, as would Curse Water or similar necromantic spells. When drawn on planes other than the Material, Ethereal, and Shadow planes, four-pointed stars use the energy of the plane on which they are drawn.

Five-pointed stars, pentagrams, draw on the power of the Ethereal, Shadow, and Astral planes. Spells used to summon or banish ghosts, as well as Etheral Jaunt and similar abilities, would utilise stars with five points.

Six-pointed stars use the energy of the Inner Planes; the planes of elements and energy. Summons, banishes, and transportations to and from those planes would use this. Stars with seven points are the same, for the Outer Planes, the planes of alignment.

Finally, eight-pointed stars are the power of the Concordant Domain of the Outlands, and of the great Spire at its center: anti-magical energy. An eight-pointed star is much less versatile than the other stars, but quite possibly much stronger as well, as it can theoretically cancel all of their effects. Dispel Magic and Anti-Magic Field would use octahedrons.

Energy is drawn in through the points and focused on the center, or out from the center through the points. Given that, a complex ritual can be created by sending energy from the center of one star, through its points, into the center of another star. Powerful spells or rituals will often use many stars to achieve its purpose. A resurrection spell might have a three-point in the center, with the body lying in the center of that. The three-point would be within a seven-point to call the soul back from whatever heaven it was cast to, with four-points on the edges to draw the additional energy necessary. Finally, the caster, if he is a cleric, may be standing on a seven-point to amplify his divine powers, and to assist in communication of the soul.
ThorGuy
07-30-06, 01:07 AM A great idea for enhancing the flavor of magic. Bravo.
Hochiu
07-31-06, 02:22 PM Hmm..

It's an interesting concept, and I think it would go pretty far. The problem is the time it takes to draw the appropriate figures necessary for the spell, or are you just intending on this flavour to be adapted for those spells that you wouldn't need to cast quickly, in a more ritualistic setting?

It's a little vague at what you feel the application of such arcane scripts could be.

And they're really not runes. Just thought I should point that out before you mislable them again.
Confusion567
08-01-06, 09:50 PM (I know they're not technically runes, but given the number of times I said "symbol" or "star", I figured I needed another almost-synonym)
The majority of spells can be used with a single star, if it uses any at all, drawn in the air with the index finger as a somatic component or (during spell preparation) sketched onto a focus. More complicated spells, like True Resurrection with a 10 min. cast time, can be said to use that time to draw out a ritual circle. Primarily, though, these symbols and stars are used for rituals, both so I (the DM) can explain what works where and why, and so if the PCs ever decide to create a ritual of their own, they can (and are therefore expected to) draw something more or less meaningful, rather than a collection of gobbledy-gook from googling "rune".
periscope
08-12-06, 01:46 AM That might be a good idea for a class, how like the bard always has to have a verbal component but instead always requires somatic or material components (instead of verbal). The only close that I can think of is the Geometer and the runesmith.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Confusion567 07-30-06, 12:52 AM	I was glancing through the PHB and DMG while thinking about a campaign I'm writing, and it occurred to me that there was really no mention of magic symbols or runes, except Divine Focii. It happened that in the first session I needed something arcane-looking to put on a table as the focus for a curse. Given the reagents for Curse Water (powdered silver), I elected to use a star made of silver fused to the table. The next session needed a more complex ritual to destroy a stone used as a focus for the curse. I expect more rituals in the future (a half-orc in the party aspires to become a full orc, the druid wants a deeper connection with his animal, the rogue wants a new eye installed...). So I got to thinking about magical symbols that are easily manipulable. The first thing that came to mind was a five-pointed star, a pentagram. If that works, why not other stars? And so I present, Confusion's Confusing Symbols n' Stars Every star, from 3 points to 8 points, draws power into or away from a different source. The self, the material plane, the astral and ethereal planes, the inner and outer planes, and the outlands. They are used primarily in large rituals, but may also be inscribed on focii, drawn on the ground with the material components for a spell, or drawn in the air for somatic components; not every spell will use a star. But primarily, this magic system is just concept and flavor, with no real effect on gameplay. Three-pointed stars, which look like triangles with the corners stretched out (<^>, connected at the bottom) are the power in the self, in a living being. Energy can be focused into the being, as in a buff or curse, or out of the being, as in astral projection or life draining spells. The energy may also be manipulated, as in the Alter Self or Polymorph spells. The subject typically stands in the center of the star, but not necessarily. Four-pointed stars, essentially two diamonds perpendicular to each other and crossed in the center, are the power of the material plane, either spells which draw on natural energy or directly affect the world around. Most druid or ranger spells would use this, as would Curse Water or similar necromantic spells. When drawn on planes other than the Material, Ethereal, and Shadow planes, four-pointed stars use the energy of the plane on which they are drawn. Five-pointed stars, pentagrams, draw on the power of the Ethereal, Shadow, and Astral planes. Spells used to summon or banish ghosts, as well as Etheral Jaunt and similar abilities, would utilise stars with five points. Six-pointed stars use the energy of the Inner Planes; the planes of elements and energy. Summons, banishes, and transportations to and from those planes would use this. Stars with seven points are the same, for the Outer Planes, the planes of alignment. Finally, eight-pointed stars are the power of the Concordant Domain of the Outlands, and of the great Spire at its center: anti-magical energy. An eight-pointed star is much less versatile than the other stars, but quite possibly much stronger as well, as it can theoretically cancel all of their effects. Dispel Magic and Anti-Magic Field would use octahedrons. Energy is drawn in through the points and focused on the center, or out from the center through the points. Given that, a complex ritual can be created by sending energy from the center of one star, through its points, into the center of another star. Powerful spells or rituals will often use many stars to achieve its purpose. A resurrection spell might have a three-point in the center, with the body lying in the center of that. The three-point would be within a seven-point to call the soul back from whatever heaven it was cast to, with four-points on the edges to draw the additional energy necessary. Finally, the caster, if he is a cleric, may be standing on a seven-point to amplify his divine powers, and to assist in communication of the soul.
ThorGuy 07-30-06, 01:07 AM	A great idea for enhancing the flavor of magic. Bravo.
Hochiu 07-31-06, 02:22 PM	Hmm.. It's an interesting concept, and I think it would go pretty far. The problem is the time it takes to draw the appropriate figures necessary for the spell, or are you just intending on this flavour to be adapted for those spells that you wouldn't need to cast quickly, in a more ritualistic setting? It's a little vague at what you feel the application of such arcane scripts could be. And they're really not runes. Just thought I should point that out before you mislable them again.
Confusion567 08-01-06, 09:50 PM	(I know they're not technically runes, but given the number of times I said "symbol" or "star", I figured I needed another almost-synonym) The majority of spells can be used with a single star, if it uses any at all, drawn in the air with the index finger as a somatic component or (during spell preparation) sketched onto a focus. More complicated spells, like True Resurrection with a 10 min. cast time, can be said to use that time to draw out a ritual circle. Primarily, though, these symbols and stars are used for rituals, both so I (the DM) can explain what works where and why, and so if the PCs ever decide to create a ritual of their own, they can (and are therefore expected to) draw something more or less meaningful, rather than a collection of gobbledy-gook from googling "rune".
periscope 08-12-06, 01:46 AM	That might be a good idea for a class, how like the bard always has to have a verbal component but instead always requires somatic or material components (instead of verbal). The only close that I can think of is the Geometer and the runesmith.