Question: How Does a Magister Work?

[AFGNCAAP]

Hello,

I've tried to find some info online about this question, but I haven't had any luck so far.

How does the Magister class (from AU) work? From what I understand, they use staves as a sort of arcane focus; also, spells are gathered into lists, & the magister learns/knows a list of spells rather than a single spell. (So, is a list of spells supposed to represent the increasing knowledge/power use of a certain type of magic, like healing or fire-based attack spells?)

Also, another key question (for me, at least, to have a point of reference) is exactly how does a magister differ from the types of spellcasters found in core D&D rules? How does magic differ?

I'd appreciate any info/insight/links/etc. that you can provide.

 

[Shadow145]

First off, AU is awesome, if you are thinking about buying it, do it.

I'll try to explain the magic system as simply as I can without treading on Copyright infringement.

A magister works like a sorcerer who has the ability to choose thier "spells known" list every day from the entire Arcane list. They choose their list every morning, and can cast any spells on that list with their slots. If you have read the Complete Divine's Spirit Shaman, it works like that. As for the staff they use it as a focus. No biggee there, except they want to protect it.

As for the magic system, there are three lists for every spell level, Basic, Complex, and Exotic. Weaker spellcasters (think Paladin and Ranger types) can choose from only the basic list. Advanced Spellcasters (think Cleric, Druid, and Wizard types) can choose from the Basic and Complex List. Anyone who wants to choose a spell from the exotic list needs to take a feat per individual spell.

Higher level spell slots can be broken down into multiple lower level spell slots, and multiple lower level spell slots can be combined to form higher level spells slots.

Most spells have a weaker and higher version that can be cast using higher or lower level slots.

There are feats to allow you to apply templates to spells.

There are special material components that allow you to change spell effects.

Now stop wasting time and go buy the book

 

[Henry]

Not only will I move your question to the proper forum, but I'll answer it, too!

All Arcana Unearthed spellcasters work the same way: They have a spells prepared list and a number of spell slots. Every day, they select which spells that they can call upon in that day. They use the slots to determine just how much magical power they can call up on that day.

For hypothetical example, (don't have the book in front of me) a 1st level Magister with a 16 INT has
3 zero-level spells. He picks lesser glowglobe, bash, and saving grace.
2 1st level spells. He picks shock and lesser transfer wounds.

He can cast (let's hypothesize)
(4) 0-level spells
(3) 1st level spells.

in one day. These are spontaneous, like a sorcerer.

His prepared list above doesn't change; he needs (either 1 hour or once a day, can't recall) time to re-prepare the incantations he can use for the day, if he wants a different selection. With those above prepared, he can use his slots to cast whichever of these he wants, like a D&D sorcerer.

In addition, he can use up three lower-level slots to cast a spell one level higher; he could also in a pinch unravel one of his slots and cast TWO spells of lower level.

Our magister above could, in a pinch, spontaneously unravel one of his three first-level slots and cast two bashes, or a lesser glowglobe and a bash, etc.

Heightened and diminished effects are listed under the spells you've prepared for the day. You decide whether you want to cast a heightened or diminished version of a spell at the time of casting; it's all in what slot you burn off to power that spell.

It's a bit like a cleric, in that any knowable spell in the list is up for grabs; it's a bit like a sorcerer, in that of the prepped spells, you can use them in any combo you want!

And ALL of the casters work this way (witches, magisters, greenbonds, and mage blades).

 

[Pielorinho]

I'll just add: it's a very fun magic system. I've played about a dozen sessions in it as a mageblade (a fighter/magicuser type), and enjoyed it a lot.

Daniel

 

[YokoburiKinura]

What's this? Maybe I read it wrong, but I thought that spellcasters didn't need to re-prepare every day, just that they prepare a list once when they're in their home library or whatever, and they carry that list of spells with them until they return to the library and prepare a new list. Am I wrong?

 

[Staffan]

What's this? Maybe I read it wrong, but I thought that spellcasters didn't need to re-prepare every day, just that they prepare a list once when they're in their home library or whatever, and they carry that list of spells with them until they return to the library and prepare a new list. Am I wrong?

Well, they don't need their library to ready spells (the term "prepare" isn't used in any game-mechanical sense for spells in AU), and the spells stay ready once readied. However, if they want to change their spell selection, they need some time to do that.