fatal

Ingredients
The chance that ingredients are necessary
to cast a spell of chaos magic is determined randomly
for each spell upon acquisition. First, roll
1d100 to determine the percentile chance of needing
1 or more ingredients. Then, roll 1d100 again.
If the results are greater than the previous roll, then
ingredients are unnecessary.
If it is determined that 1 or more ingredients
are necessary, then roll 1d4 to determine the
number of necessary ingredients. Proceed to Appendix
5: Ingredients.
It is possible for a caster to attempt to cast a
spell, even if the wrong ingredients are used. If
similar ingredients are substituted, subject to the
Aedile’s discretion, then consult Appendix 3: Random
Magical Effects in addition to the spell effect. Actual
ingredients are considered similar to listed ingredients
if they are common to the same class of objects.
For example, if a severed arm is listed, then a
severed leg may be substituted, since they are both
appendages. However, the Aedile is the final arbiter
of whether or not ingredients are considered similar.
If the same ingredient is substituted as before,
then a spell will produce the same random magical
effect.
Ritual
A ritual is a magical formula that must be
followed for a spell to be successful, though not all
spells require a ritual. The chance that a ritual is
necessary to cast a spell of chaos magic is 10% per
spell level. The nature of the ritual is determined
by the Aedile after the chant and ingredients have
been determined. Aediles are encouraged to be creative
and inventive, but above all appropriate. Gestures
are ritualistic and, even though part of chaos
magic, must be performed correctly. Although the
rituals in chaos magic are usually shorter than those
in ceremonial magic, all magic is often hard work;
rituals may require hours, even days, of concentrated
effort. In ancient times, the ritual or magical formula
was sometimes called teletai, literally meaning
celebrations of mysteries. Later, the term praxis
became prevalent, meaning ritual.
Magical Effects
Certain compounds, or combinations
thereof, produce specific magical effects. Spells are
good examples of magical effects, though exacting
the specific effects may be difficult to impossible
depending on the specific spell and the experience
of the caster. For instance, the power or degree of
the effect of many spells increases predictably with
the experience of the caster. Conversely, some spells
are favored for their unpredictable qualities, though
usually these are never totally unpredictable, but limited
by certain boundary conditions.
The duration of magical effects varies considerably,
from split-second to permanent. For example,
magical items are items that have been imbued
with mana. The duration of these effects is
not fully understood, but it quickly becomes a complicated
topic. Sometimes the experience of the
caster has a significant effect upon duration, but
more often it is relative to the spell and its specific
application.
As most casters become more experienced
with magic, their accuracy and performance tend to
improve. Typically, experience of the caster extends
the range and duration, expands the area, and increases
the potency of the magical effects.
Those who work with magic observe that
dawn and dusk are magical times, since they divide
fundamentals such as day and night, light and dark.
During the setting or rising sun, or more specifically,
while the sun touches the horizon, all magical
effects cast during this time are enhanced by 10%.
Likewise, the transitions between seasons are magical
times. For instance, the transition between fall
and winter is a 24-hour period when the air is more
dangerously charged with mana than at any other
time and many spirits take advantage of this, roaming
freely. All magical effects cast on this day are
enhanced by 50%. Otherwise, the transition from
spring to summer is also markedly potent. All magical
effects cast on this day are enhanced by 40%,
while the other 2 seasonal transitions merit magical
enhancements of 25%.
Chapter 11: Magic
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