Spells & Magic - Orbis Terrarum RPG

eam Is, the cts usually rebound on the
bard comF i deleterious results
Wiza." ....tg ical ..CY. ,-J): A bard with h s ability
may make use of magcal items normally reserved for
use by wizards, mcluding wands, nngs, and miscellaneous
magcal items, but not rods or staves.
Optional LimitBtions f lard?
Awkward casting method (5,. LLW bard b spds reqwe
either loud smging or the strong playmg of an mstru-
ment of some kmd, mahg it impossible to cast spells
discretely or quietly He will almost never be able to cast
Spells Mnthout revealing a place of concealment or hp-
off an ambush.
tosition school (5+): The bard may not make use of
ayds from one philosoplucal school of magc or make
use of magical items that dupl~cate that school's effects.
(Schools that are m opposlhon to any spenalty schools of
the character can't be selected for this restrichon.) For
each opposmg school of plulosophy, the character may
take a 5-PO
Reduced 81
: Smce he is not a true wizard,
the bards speiis are or less power than a Mnzard's. For
purposes of all level-based characteristics (range, dura-
tion, m a of effect, damage, and so on), a bard of 2nd-5th
level effective castmg level is one level lower, a 6th-9th
level bard's effechve castmg level is two levels lower,
and a bard of 10th level or hgher casts spells as if he
were &e levels lower.
B
Chapter 3
..-duced spell progressio :The bard can cast one
less spell at each level than normal. For example, a 4th-
level bard may normally memorize two 1st-level and 01
2nd-level spell; with this restriction, he is reduced to
memorizing only one 1st-level spell.
Unreliable casting method (5): The bard's unorthodox
approach to magic results in occasional failures, with
spells just fizzling instead of taking effect. The chance for
failure is 10% per spell level, less 2% per experience
level. For example, a 6th-level bard casting a 2nd-level
spell would have an 8% chance (20 minus 12) of failure.
Minor spellcasters include those
Paladins, characters whose primary abilities
lie in other areas-paladins,
rangers. and anv other characters
whz gain mino; magical abilities i
and Minor higher levels. For these characters
spells are only a small part of thei
Spellcasters reuertoire of abilities, often
acquired late in their advfflturing careers.
In many campaigns, the magical powers of minor spellcasters
tend to be ignored. Since they have to wait longer
than the wizards and priests of a campaign to gain their
spell powers, minor spellcasters only have access to spells
that their enemies can easily counter. When a 10th-level pa
adin can cure 20 points of damage by laying on hands, his
cure fight wounds seems insignificant, and his bless spell onl
takes his adjusted THACO from a 5 or so to a 4. The oppo-