GURPS - Magic.pdf

Detailed GMing of the effect of a large whirlwind is difficult. In
general, assume it causes massive disruption over everything in its path,
and go from there.
Duration: 1 minute after reaching full strength.
Base Cost: 4; half to maintain.
Time to cast: Same as Windstorm.
Prerequisite: Windstorm.
Lightning
Missile
Lets spellcaster shoot a bolt of lightning from his fingertip. A good
missile spell (see p. 11); not as destructive as Fireball, but accurate at
longer ranges. It has SS 13, Acc +3, ½D 50, Max 100. Tends to short out
electronic equipment when used in a high-tech environment. However, a
lightning bolt cannot be fired through a metal grid, between bars, from
within a car, etc. - it will jump to the metal and be lost. Metal armor will
not protect well against this spell - treat any metal armor as PD 0, DR 1.
Lightning can have unpredictable effects. The GM may, for instance,
allow a wizard to shoot a lightning bolt into a metal floor. This would not
electrocute a whole group of people - but it could certainly shock them all,
injuring concentration and doing slight (perhaps 1 hit?) damage. The GM
may encourage creative uses of lightning until they become a nuisance . . .
Cost: Any amount from 1 to 3; the bolt does (1d-1 damage for each
energy point spent in casting it.
Time to cast: 1 to 3 seconds (the caster’s fingers will be seen to
sparkle as the spell builds up).
Prerequisites: At least 6 other Air spells.
Item: Staff or wand - bolt is fired from end of item. Cost to create: 800
energy, $1,200 for platinum decorations. Can be used only by a mage.
Summon Air Elemental, Control Air Elemental,
Create Air Elemental - see p. 33.
FIRE SPELLS
These are spells for use and control of the element Fire. Any time a
“hex” of fire is mentioned, it is assumed that the whole hex is filled with
fire (see Flame, p. B129.). If the volume of an area of flame is important,
assume a hex of flame shoots 6 feet high.
Burning Clothes: Clothes being worn are not easy to ignite. In general,
4 hits of fire injury at once, or “Ignite Fire” at its third level of effect, will
set fire to part of the victim’s clothing. This is very distracting (-2 to DX)
and does 1d-4 damage each turn. Anyone may put out the fire by beating it
with their hands (takes l turn if a DX roll is made).
10 hits of fire damage at once will ignite all the victim’s clothes,
producing a human torch and doing 1d-1 damage per turn. This can only
be put out if the victim rolls on the ground for 3 seconds or jumps in the
water. Victim can do nothing else until fire is out, unless he is protected
(e.g., by Resist Fire). If a wooden shield takes 10 or more fire hits in one
turn, the bearer is at -2 DX and 1d-5 damage per turn until he gets rid of it.
These guidelines assume ordinary clothing. Armor is good protection
against fire attacks; clothes under armor are almost impossible to ignite
and will not stay lit! Clothing worn over armor (e.g., a surcoat) could be
ignited, but the armor would protect from the burning effects as per pp.
B129-130.
On the other hand, fancy dresses or lace cuffs would ignite very easily.
Magic Items: All magical items involving Fire spells must include a
ruby; the size of the ruby depends on the spell. If an item has several spells
on it, it needs only one jewel, of a size sufficient for the most powerful
spell.
Ignite Fire
Regular
This is the basic Fire spell. It produces a single spot of heat, and is
used to set fire to a readily flammable object. It works best on paper and
cloth, and will not affect any item that would not bum in an ordinary fire.
In particular, it will not set fire to a living being! Once ignited, the fire
burns normally.
Duration: One second.
Cost: Depends on the amount of heat desired. Cost to maintain is the
same as the original cost.
1 - for an effect as though a match had been held to the subject: will
light a candle, pipe or tinder in one second.
2 - for an effect as though a torch had been held to the subject: will
ignite paper or loose cloth in one second, ordinary clothes being worn in
four seconds.
3 - for an effect as though a blowtorch had been held to the subject:
will ignite dry firewood or clothes being worn in one second, leather in
two seconds, heavy wood in six.
4 - for an effect as though burning magnesium or phosphorous had
been held to the subject: will ignite coal in one second, heavy wood in two
seconds.
Item: Staff, wand or jewelry. Energy cost to create: 100; item must
include a small ruby worth 550.
Create Fire
As for Ignite Fire, except that it lets you
create fire without fuel. Produces a hex or
more of flame (or, in midair, a sphere of
flame which falls). This is real fire, which
will eventually ignite any flammable objects
it touches. Cannot be cast within rock, foes,
etc.
Duration: 1 minute.
Base Cost: 2. Cost to maintain: Half the
cost to create. No maintenance required if
there is fuel for the fire to ignite..
Prerequisite: Ignite Fire.
Item: Staff, wand or jewelry. Energy
cost to create: 300; item must include a ruby
worth $200.
SPELL LIST
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