Spell Schedules Translocation

Translocation

"So ya wanna cast a spell...you know any? Ya mean nobody tolja? Well, you've come to the right place."

"Welcome to Chaundrie's Last Spell Emporium! Home of the distelfink and the blejhudri. All forms of payment welcome! What can I do for you?"

"Need to 'get out of town' in a hurry? No problemo, let me show you our fine selection of Translocation spells, better known as the Velocity, Motion, or Speed Spell Schedule; right this way and excuse the clutter. (The landlord is making a few improvements to the property....)"

"Ah, here we are. Wouldja take a look at these...."

TRANSLOCATION

6. Emtombment, Invisible Agent, and Summon
   
   
5. Invisible Butler, Magic Circle, Stasis, Superior Flight, Teleport Any, and Pass through Any
   
   
4. Animation, Banish, Dancing Weapon, Extra Hands, Flight, One Way Portal, Removable Hole, Suspended Animation, and Teleportation
   
   
3. Catfoot, Crash, Freeze in Place, High Speed, Launch, League Steps, Levitate, Pass Lock, Poltergeist, Reverse Missile, Tempus Fugit, Winged Blade, and Walk on Air
   
   
2. Bond, Deaden Appendage, Deflect, Fall of the Feather, Fetch, Fling, Float, Ground, Haste, Inferior Levitation, Leap, Like a Fish to Water, Marathon, Monkey Climb, Open, Rider, Quick March, Rooted Feet, Slow, Stealth, and Walk on Water
   
   
1. Beach, Breakfall, Catch, Climb, Cling, Clumsiness, Dislodge, Drag, Filch, Fleet of Foot, Free, Fumble, Guide, High in the Saddle, Hinder, Juggle, Jump, Land, Leaden, Lighten, Lightfoot, Quick, Quickdraw, Rustle, Sink like a Stone, Skate, Spasm, Stop, Swim, Tarfoot, Toss, Trip, and Turnabout

"Okay, to use a spell, first you indicate the subject; that's who or what the spell is to be cast upon. Next you check whether the spell you know and the power you have available for it are suited to the task. What? No, no; spells don't really use any of your Power, it's more like you spend it and get it right back (well, provided you don't really blow it). So yes, you have to have 'enough Power' to cast each one."

"Anyway, if your spell isn't quite right for the situation, don't fret; you can make 'field adjustments' to it. Need to affect more? Up the power. Need to affect lots more? Burn a few Power points. Need to extend your range? The same. It goes on like that; really, spells aren't as 'locked in' limited as everyone seems to think, you can get rather creative if the need is there. The only basic rule of thumb is 'you can turn up the power, but you can't turn up the finesse.'"

"Once you 'know what yer getting into,' it's as easy as rolling dice (and somewhat as random, magic being what it is). Why, if yer really good at this 'game' ya can swing kharma in yer favor too, but that's mostly a matter of experience."

"Now, sometimes when things are going really good and yer pretty sure you 'got off a good one,' you have a little 'play' you can do with the effects. For example, let's say you burnt a few Power points ramping up the amount you can affect, you can get those back now, if'n you cast a real good one. You can also extend the duration or magnitude of the effect too. The rule of thumb here is 'finesse can be turned into Power, but not vice versa.' Careful though, you waste too much piddling with the details and you might leave the spell weak when it comes to undoing or overpowering it. (Like an illusion, ya want those to stay as good as ya can get, they fool more people that way. Did I say you'd be trying to fool people? A thousand pardons, sir!)"

"Course, here too you can get a little more oomph out of a spell if yer experienced in the right way. (Knowwhatimean?) After that, it's all a matter of watching the effects 'take.' Couldn't be simpler; why even animals can be taught such effects. (No sir, I didn't mean to imply anything, sir. Did I mention we're having a special today?)"

"What's that? You've heard enough about spellcasting? Okay, let's talk terms...ya can have any spell ya like on the list. Pay its Rank in points and I'll throw in one spell free from each Rank below it."

"Expensive? Well, how about this, take any spell over Rank three and I'll toss in some bonus spells. Say an extra first Rank when you buy a fourth, an extra second and two extra first when you buy a fifth, and the '1-2-3 deal' of third, second, and first (respectively), when you buy a sixth. Howzat sound? I know the value of a point around here, I does."

"Hard to follow? Lemme 'splain; let's say you decide to buy Stasis. It costs 5 points, but for no extra points you get to pick, lessee, Dancing Weapons, Catfoot, Fall of the Feather, and High in the Saddle. And just because I like your face, I'm gonna throw in three bonus choices and you could pick Deflect for the second Rank, with Filch and Trip for first. That's a total of 8 spells for just 5 points; now that's value!"

"What? You're not interested in all those 'cascades?' Sir is obviously versed in spell schedule terminology. (Why do I get all the knowitalls?) Okay, since you obviously qualify, how about our optional 'savant' package; you get just the one spell for one point less than the Rank. You could get Summon for only 5 points; but I highly recommend going with the 'full package.' Imagine the consequences of a full demon Summoning with no Magic Circle to protect you, sir."

"You want to know what Rating you'll be getting these spells at? [Cough!] Ahem, that would be...well...a descending series starting at 12. [Cough, cough.] What? Um, no; starting at the first Rank. (That means Stasis would be 8, Dancing Weapons at 9, Catfoot for 10, Fall of the Feather is 11, and High in the Saddle would be 12; the same goes for the bonus spells.) Really, it's a bargain; remember, it only takes one more point to raise any Rating a point. It's really not that bad."

"Oh, excuse me. There's someone at the door (I don't remember locking it), why don't you look around a bit while I see who it is."

"What? You want to know how the spells are arranged on the schedules? Now? Well, it's pretty simple; take a look. 'It's always harder to create than destroy, but permanence will cost you extra;' a little 'rule of thumb' humor there. You can see certain 'threads' running throughout the schedules. For example, Flight obviously has the descendants of Walk on Air and Crash. Crash descends to Ground and then Land, but Walk on Air not only descends to Fall of the Feather (which in turn goes to Breakfall) and Leap (which in turn goes to Jump) but also to Walk on Water (which ties in, not only Swim, but all the water-borne spells on this schedule)."

"It's like that all up and down this spell schedule and on every other one too, not that this affects you ability to choose in any way. Notice how there are more spells at the lower Rankings? That affords multiple cascades to be purchased off the same spell schedule."

"Now, this shouldn't take more'n a coupla years ta learn, and cheap at that price."

"What? Ya need ta know it now? I have other customers you know, like those fine gentlemen in the uniforms only just comin' in me front door."

"Really? Hmm.... Well, I think I might be able to scare up a 'quick-learning' spell, if the price is right."

"You do? You have? Well, why didn't you say so; right this way, sir! (Like I said, all forms of payment are accepted here....)"

Afterward

First a little terminology:

Player

A person playing a specific character or characters.

Gamemaster

The person who facilitates play amongst all the Players. They play many characters, but none is specifically theirs.

Character

Any Agent of Action within the game. Usually thought of as being capable of making decisions themselves within the context of the game.

Persona

A character when played by a player.

Proprietor

The person who 'owns' a thing in the game. The Player is the Proprietor of their Persona. This means no one else may perform an Action on that Persona without at least the tacit agreement of its Proprietor, its Player. Proprietorship may only be transferred intentionally and can never be assumed.

Agent

Entities within the context of the game are called Agents when they execute Actions. There are two kinds of Agents in Scattershot, Actors and Effects. Actors are the Users of abilities and Effects are how abilities work. For example, a spellcaster is an Actor and the fireball is the Effect. The Actor sends the Effect to the Subject with an Action. Effects are generally short-lived.

Action

The process of using an ability.

User

Whoever performs an Action with the ability. Usually the Proprietor of the User determines the Effect (and rolls the dice when necessary).

Subject

The thing which an ability affects.

Engagement

Whenever something affects a character, its Proprietor is Engaged. This is important in terms of whether the subject is able to react. Since you cannot affect a subject without its Proprietor's consent, this engagement is mandatory.

UE

The Abbreviation for the Universal Equivalency Chart, often called the UE Chart or simply referred to as 'Huey.' The UE Chart indexes all manner of units according to the number of Points applied to them. A "UE of Material" would be the amount of material, measured in pounds, affected by the number of Points indexed on the UE Chart.

Points

Everything in Scattershot is measured in Points. Whether Damage, Skill, or Effect, every Point has exactly the same value as any other Point. (This makes conversion simpler.) Many times an Effect is rated by the points in a Magnitude Stat of a character.

Rating

A number calculated for each ability at the time of Character creation.

Stat(s)

The Statistics that are used to measure a Character. Basic Character Stats are also called the SAHROP (Strength, Agility, Hit Points, Reaction, Observation, and Power).

Magnitude

Any Rating that indicates the most amount that can be affected, usually indexed on the UE Chart for understandable units.

Spellcasting

For those who want more explicit instructions, here's the low-down. To cast a spell, follow the Basic Mechanix:

1. The User of the spell indicates Subject(s) according to normal targeting modifiers.
   
2. The User's Proprietor then calculates any additional modifiers desired, especially if they wish to have specific effects different than listed (a rare but potential occurrence).
   
3. Combine all these modifiers with the spell's Rating. (Really, you probably won't do any of this outside of the Advanced Level of the Mechanix.)
   
4. Subtract a standard roll (that'd be the sum of 2 ten-sided dice rolled together) from this modified Rating to get your MIB number.
   
5. If positive, you may burn MIB points to alter the outcome, if you like.
   
6. If negative, you may add Challenge retroactively in order to raise your MIB.
   
7. Finally, apply the resulting Effects to the Subject.
   
8. At any point in the above, starting when the dice first hit the table and ending when the effect is applied to the Subject, feel free to add or subtract the totals of any number of Experience Dice rolled (even taken one at a time, call this 'seasoning to taste'). This goes for anybody watching too.

How Do You Get Them?

When first making up a Persona, here is the Basic purchasing routine:

• Pick one spell.
  
• Pay the Rank in Points.
  
• Select 1 bonus spell at each descending Rank below that one.
  
• If the spell is Rank 4 or higher, take 1 extra spell at 3 Ranks lower, 2 extra at 4 Ranks lower, 3 extra at 5 Ranks lower (and so on). Therefore taking a Rank 6 spell results in 11 'cascading' spells.
  
  If you don't want these 'cascades,' take a 1 Point rebate for only purchasing only one spell.

The 'Base Rating' is equal to 13 minus the Ranking; so a 6th Rank spell starts off with a Rating of 7 (Rank 5 spells start at 8, and so on; it lists them below). Any spell 'doubled' (taken twice) gets a bonus of 1 Point to its Rating. You may spend as many additional Points on these Ratings as you desire (per the normal 1 for 1 ratio; remember, you cannot 'get Points back' in any way, even by lowering a Base Rating).

These are only the Basic spell purchasing rules and none of the spell customization material is included. I'm saving that for future columns and articles. Many of these spells will probably appear on more than one schedule depending largely on how the reflect the various Aspects and Essences of magic in the Scattershot system.

The Spell List

Each spell gives a name, brief description, appropriate UE Chart Facet, and modifier notes for customization. The name is meant to be evocative of the effect of the spell; if what you want to do seems right for a spell of that name, go for it!

The brief spell descriptions are meant to be vague and open to interpretation; that's where the magic is in the magic system. The system limits 'how much' carefully, but not 'of what' that closely. This both encourages player interpretation and wonderment at the possibilities of magic.

The UE Chart Facet lists what is usually the limit on what can be affected by the spell. For example, Weight means that the UE Chart will list how many pounds of Subject may be affected. Damage is slightly different; it lists how much the RMIB is multiplied before applying the affect to the subject.

The Modifiers refer to a set of abbreviations used to create the spells based on Scattershot's 5 core extra-normal abilities. I'm going to save how spells are created from these for a later article. These are listed mostly for archival purposes (who knows, you may refer back to this column someday).

Rank 6 (Base Rating of 7)

Name	Description	UE Facet	Modifiers
Entombment	Subject buried, in Stasis, underground indefinitely	Weight	CEFLNOW++
Invisible Agent	Agent performs duties assigned by User at any distance	Time	CEFIN
Summon	User teleports Subject (of True Name) to target from any distance	Weight	EFILUW+

Rank 5 (Base Rating of 8)

Name	Description	UE Facet	Modifiers
Invisible Butler	Agent performs duties assigned by User within line-of-sight	Time	CEFIN-
Magic Circle	Subject is enclosed in circle barring Magic (MIBs minus UE)	Bonus	ACEFNRT+
Pass through Any	Subjects may pass through any thickness/density of material	Weight	CEFIRU
Stasis	Subject frozen as a statue in place for UE	Time	CEFLNOW+
Superior Flight	User flies (Speed set by Magnitude + 10)	Speed	CISU+
Teleport Any	Subjects are teleported anywhere user has been	Weight	EFIRU+

Rank 4 (Base Rating of 9)

Name	Description	UE Facet	Modifiers
Animation	Subject moves about as User wishes, normal flexibility	Weight	CEFINRU-
Banish	User returns extra-planar Subject (of True Name) to plane of origin	Weight	EFILRUW+-
Dancing Weapon	Subject strikes as normally used, without operator, AMIB = MIB	Weight	CEFIOU-
Extra Hands	User aided by manual dexterity of Agent, Action's MIB + UE	Bonus	CEFIMRX-
Flight	User flies	Speed	CISU
One Way Portal	Extra-planar gateway will allow Subject to arrive	Weight	CEFLR+
Removable Hole	User creates a portal through UE material	Weight	CEFIRU-
Suspended Animation	Subject sleeps without sustenance for UE	Time	CEFILNORW
Teleportation	User is teleported UE along line-of-sight	Distance	EFISU

Rank 3 (Base Rating of 10)

Name	Description	UE Facet	Modifiers
Catfoot	Subject makes no sound moving	Weight	CFISUX
Crash	Airborne Subject forced into obstacle	Weight	EFU-
Freeze in Place	Subject stopped, as posed, in place for UE (set by Magnitude - 10)	Time	CFIRW--
High Speed	Subject moves UE times normal movement rate	Multiplier	CFIRUX
Launch	Set Subjects both afloat and in slight motion	Weight	EFHNUW-
League Steps	User is able to cover UE in about 3 minutes	Radius	CEIOSUX
Levitate	Subject moves per User's desires	Weight	CFIU--
Pass Lock	User creates a portal through UE material (set by Magnitude - 10)	Weight	CEFIRU--
Poltergeist	Agent moves items per User's desires	Weight	FI-
Reverse Missile	Normal missile attack retraces its path to source	Speed	DEFRTUW-
Tempus Fugit	Subject loses UE turns for every one taken	Bonus	CFILOW-
Walk on Air	User uses normal movement rate through the air	Weight	CEFIRUX-
Winged Blade	Subject flies from User striking target AMIB = MIB	Damage	DFITU-

Rank 2 (Base Rating of 11)

Name	Description	UE Facet	Modifiers
Bond	Subject stuck, as if by glue, to Target	Weight	CFIRU--
Deaden Appendage	Touched limb of Subject at UE penalty to do anything	Damage	DFIR--
Deflect	Normal missile attack gains UE penalty to hit	Bonus	FMRTUW-
Fall of the Feather	Subject falls too slow to be hurt	Weight	CFHIOSUW-
Fetch	Subject flies to User's grasp	Weight	FIU--
Fling	Subject thrown from User, Magnitude is used for STR, AMIB = MIB	Unique	FIRTU
Float	Set Subjects afloat temporarily	Weight	FHUW-
Ground	Airborne Subject forced to alight and cannot fly	Weight	EFU--
Haste	User's movement rate is multiplied by UE set by Magnitude - 10	Multiplier	CFISUX-
Inferior Levitation	Subject moves per User's desires (Weight set by Magnitude - 10)	Weight	CFIU---
Leap	User leaps	Distance	ISUX
Like a Fish to Water	Add UE to Subject's swimming Rating, normal breathing	Bonus	CEFHIRUX-
Marathon	User is able to run UE without fatigue	Radius	CSUX+-
Monkey Climb	Subject adds UE to climbing MIBs	Bonus	CFHMSUWX+--
Open	Any naturally barred portal opens for User	Unique	EFIRTU-
Quick March	Subject group (up to 5) marches UE, at speed, without fatigue	Radius	CEIORUX-
Rider	User adds UE to equestrian MIBs	Bonus	CFHISUX
Rooted Feet	Subject's body is bonded to what contacts for UE	Time	CFIRU--
Slow	Subject's loses every other action for UE	Time	CFIU
Stealth	User adds UE to MIBs to sneak	Bonus	CFISUX-
Walk on Water	User uses normal movement rate across liquid surfaces	Weight	CEFINSUX--

Rank 1 (Base Rating of 12)

Name	Description	UE Facet	Modifiers
Beach	Run floating Subjects ashore	Weight	FHUW--
Breakfall	Subtract UE from User's falling damage	Bonus	CFHIOSUW--
Catch	User adds UE to MIB to catch Subject	Bonus	FMSX-
Climb	User adds this MIB to climbing MIB	Unique	CFHMSUWX--
Cling	Subject (set by Magnitude - 10) stuck, as if by glue, to Target	Weight	CFMRU---
Clumsiness	Subject subtracts UE from gross physical activity MIBs	Bonus	CFMRU---
Dislodge	Subject is 'pushed over' within line-of-sight	Weight	FIU---
Drag	Subject is dragged behind User	Weight	CFRUX-
Filch	User gains Subject by mere physical contact with Target	Weight	EFHINRUX-
Fleet of Foot	User able to cover UE instead of normal running rate	Distance	CSUX-
Free	Fixed or stuck Subjects come loose	Weight	FIRTUX
Fumble	Subject drops whatever they are carrying	Weight	FIRU---
Guide	User adds UE to AMIB for Subject's aim	Bonus	FHU-
High in the Saddle	User adds UE to stay in the saddle	Bonus	CFHISUX-
Hinder	Subject is slowed as if affected by UE penalty of encumbrance	Bonus	CFMRU---
Juggle	User adds UE to Juggling MIB (handy for fumble-fingers)	Bonus	CFISTX-
Jump	User leaps (Distance set by Magnitude - 10)	Distance	ISUX-
Land	Airborne Subject forced to alight, forcing a new takeoff	Weight	FU--
Leaden	Subject's encumbrance penalty increased by UE	Bonus	CFIMRUX---
Lighten	User is not encumbered by Subject	Weight	CFIRUX--
Lightfoot	User adds UE to any movement MIBs	Bonus	CFHMSUX-
Quick	User moves at running movement rate when walking	Unique	CFISUX--
Quickdraw	Allows any action as a following action to Subject action	Unique	EFNSUX-
Rustle	Subject subtracts UE from MIBs for sneaking	Bonus	CFNUX--
Sink like a Stone	Sink Subjects (bouyant subjects will resurface)	Weight	FHUW--
Skate	User is able to skate on hard, smooth surface	Weight	CEFHINSUX--
Spasm	Subject violently twitches	Weight	FIRU--
Stop	Subject stops short, but can continue	Weight	FU--
Swim	Grants Subject ability to swim as is (MIB = UE)	Bonus	CFHIRUX-
Tarfoot	Subject's movement penalized as if on sticky/in deep snow by UE	Bonus	CFMRU---
Toss	Subject thrown randomly from User, STR is Magnitude - 10	Unique	FIRTU-
Trip	Moving Subject trips, stationary one slips and falls	Weight	FMU---
Turnabout	Subject suddenly faces direction per User	Weight	FU--

The Translocation spell schedule has also been called the Velocity or Motion schedule. It is the Impetus Aspect of the Locus Element. There are 7 Aspects to all things in Scattershot, Essence, Power, Nemesis, Organism, Impetus, Capacity, and Manifestation. There are 5 Elements as well, Extant, Locus, Pneuma, Ren, and Singularity. These 5 Elements also match up with the 5 fundamental forces (Strong Nuclear, Gravitational, Magnetic, Electric, and Weak Nuclear), the 5 states of matter (in Scattershot; Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma, and Ethereal or the 'classics,' Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Ether), as well as the 5 mythic metals (all chemically Iron or Ferrum; Magnetite, Fizloy, Necrosium, Heurite, and Iridescium). This is the basics of our 'compact' metaphysics system; all of which will be explain in future articles. I'll take up the Elements article next issue.

Fang Langford