Post/Author/DateTime

Post

sarlinspellweaver 10-08-06, 09:13 PM

I've been trying to come up with a method of making spellcasters check against fatigue after extensive spellcasting, without using either a points based system or a single check for every single spell (i.e. just as much chance of being fatigued with the first spell as the last). Ideally I want to come up with a scaling system that takes into account both the level of the character and the number of spells they've cast, without introducing so many things to keep track of that I need a new sheet! There are a few ideas floating round in my head, and I'd really appreciate other people's opinions. None have been playtested, or even finished, so they're embryonic at best. Apologies if something like this has been posted - I did do a pretty extensive read through the forums last night, but I couldn't see anything immediately that was identical to this. If there is something similar, I'd appreciate being pointed towards it! (I won't be offended if you say: 'These are rubbish and will never work because of X...' - I'd rather know tbh! :) ) Spell Fatigue System: [None of these rules are meant to be applied to 0 level spells, which really should be castable in any situation without wearying a caster] None of these rules should directly prevent the casting of a spell, but instead represent the cumulative tiredness that develops whilst using magic. The main aim of this system is to keep book-keeping and calculation to a minimum. Optional: Affects only the highest spell levels that the character can cast. Provisionally, this is equal to the top 9 spell levels minus their primary spellcasting ability modifier. So, a Wizard with Int 18 would suffer the fatigue rules on his top 5 spell levels; a Cleric with Wis 16 would suffer them on his top 6 spell levels. For most spellcasters, they will not be able to cast spells without any risk of fatigue until they had at least 5 or 6 spell levels. This method ensures that at the highest levels, spellcasters can easily cast the simplest spells. Fatigue Accumulation: Every time the character casts a spell, they must succeed on a Fortitude save to avoid the effects of Fatigue. The Save DC is dependent on the spell level of spells being cast, and the number of spells that have already been cast that day. Fort DC = 10 + 1/Spell Level of spell being cast + Total of all previous Spells Metamagic spells use the adjusted Spell Level of the spell as appropriate. Example: A 1st Level spell being cast for the first time that day would incur a DC 11 Fort Check vs Fatigue. The second 1st Level spell would have a DC of 12 (11 + 1 from previous check). If the same caster was then to cast a 2nd Level spell, the DC would be 14 - although if the same spell was the first spell he cast that day, the DC would only be 12. If a save is failed, the character is under the effects of Fatigue as described in the PHB. A failure does not prevent the character from casting that spell, or reduce its effect. Characters continue to keep track of their Fatigue check DC and continue making checks for every spell cast. A second failed check indicates that the character is under the effects of Exhaustion. Optional: A third failed check results in the character falling unconscious immediately after the spell is cast. Obviously, the cumulative DC would 'reset' upon a period of rest (ideally a maximum of 1 hour to prevent spellcasters from holding up the party). Potentially at higher levels the Fort DC for the last few spells in a character's repetoire could be collosally high - although this is balanced by the fact that most high level spellcasters have magical items contributing to saving scores anyway.