Illusionary Spell Acquisition
Illusionary spell acquisition grants the illusionist class access to two distinct forms of magic: cantrips and spells. Both are available from 1st level, though they differ in number and the manner in which they are acquired.
Spells and cantrips are recorded in spellbooks, where the illusionist inscribes the intricate symbols that define their magic. To construct a spell within their mind, a process known as "memorising," they must carefully study these pages. The preservation and upkeep of a spellbook are vital to an illusionist's craft — losing one is a costly and unfortunate setback.
Gaining Cantrips
Cantrips are subdued magic spells, simple to cast and requiring little time. While they have practical uses and can sometimes distract or disable an enemy for a round, they are most often minor tricks learned by apprentice casters from an early age.
Illusionist cantrips are divided into seven distinct types. At 1st level, an illusionist gains an initial number of cantrips, determined by rolling the appropriate die. The character then selects that many cantrips from the available lists linked below. As the illusionist gains spells with level advancement, they also acquire additional cantrips — one for each new spell learned. The type of cantrip gained is determined by rolling a percentile die.
- For example, Orin advances from 3rd level to 4th level, gaining one 1st-level and one 2nd-level spell, and therefore two new cantrips. Rolling percentile dice, he gets a “22” and a “94,” indicating that he receives one illusionary cantrip and one useful cantrip, which are then added to his existing list.
| Cantrip Type | Number Gained | New Cantrips |
|---|---|---|
| haunting sound | 1-3 | 01-11 |
| illusionary | 2-5 | 12-27 |
| legerdemain | 1-3 | 28-33 |
| person-affecting | 1-4 | 34-46 |
| personal | 1-4 | 47-59 |
| reversed | 1-4 | 60-75 |
| useful | 1 per point of intelligence above 9 |
76-00 |
Cantrips cast quickly, requiring no action points to discharge — their effects take place immediately upon casting. Unlike spells, which usually require a full round to cast, an illusionist may perform other actions in the same round as casting a cantrip. This provides a tactical advantage, allowing cantrips to serve as a rapid-fire opening in combat, disrupting an opponent before a more powerful spell is prepared. However, only one cantrip may be cast per round.
Gaining Spells
| X.P. Level | 1st lvl | 2nd lvl | 3rd lvl | 4th lvl | 5th lvl | 6th lvl | 7th lvl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2nd | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 3rd | 4 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 4th | 5 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 5th | 5 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| 6th | 6 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| 7th | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – |
| 8th | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – |
| 9th | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | – | – | – |
| 10th | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | – | – |
| 11th | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | – | – |
| 12th | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | – |
| 13th | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | – |
| 14th | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 15th | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 16th | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 17th | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 18th | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 19th | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 20th | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 21st | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| 22nd | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| 23rd | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| 24th | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| 25th | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| 26th | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
The acquisition table shows the number of spells that an illusionist should have according to their experience level. For example, a 1st level character should have three 1st level spells. A 9th level illusionist should have seven 1st level, five 2nd level, three 3rd level and three 4th level spells, for a total of 18.
As a character goes up a level, they must compare the number of spells they possess already against the number of spells they should have for the new level. According to the table, as the illusionist progresses from 5th to 6th, it can be seen that they will gain one 1st level, one 2nd level and one 3rd level spell, in order to reach their full compliment. They would also receive three cantrips.
Illusionary Spell Tables
Here are a list of illusionary spells, which can be reviewed to choose which spells the character wishes to possess.
As these spells accumulate, the amount of space they require within a spellbook accumulates also. More powerful illusionists will have accumulated enough spells that they have filled the pages of the first empty spellbook they purchased, and will probably have one or two other books as well. The process of "memorizing" these spells takes time; it is as if the illusionist were a bottle being filled; once the spell is in place in the caster's mind, the caster mentally places a stopper over the top of the bottle. The spell's power then remains held within the illusionist, until the metaphorical stopper is removed.
