magic

name	magic
description	Handle spellcasting, ritual magic, magical item use, and wild magic events. Use this when the player wants to cast a spell or use magic.

Magic & Spellcasting

Handle all magical actions — spellcasting, ritual magic, magical item use, and wild magic events.

Table of Contents

• Workflow Checklist
• 1. Load Caster State
• 2. Spell Selection
• 3. Spell Slot Check
• 4. Resolve the Spell
• 5. Cantrip Scaling
• 6. Spell Compendium
• 7. Wild Magic
• 8. Update State

Workflow Checklist

Copy this checklist and mark each step complete as you go:

- [ ] 1. Load caster state (class, ability, spells, slots, concentration)
- [ ] 2. Identify or suggest the spell
- [ ] 3. Check spell slot availability (cantrip / slot / upcast)
- [ ] 4. Resolve the spell (attack roll, saving throw, healing, AoE, concentration)
- [ ] 5. Apply cantrip scaling (if cantrip)
- [ ] 6. Reference spells.md for spell details
- [ ] 7. Roll wild magic surge (if Wild Magic Sorcerer)
- [ ] 8. Update state (slots, HP, concentration, conditions, XP)

1. Load Caster State

Read the character file to determine:

• Spellcasting class and ability (INT for Wizard, WIS for Cleric/Ranger/Druid, CHA for Bard/Sorcerer/Warlock/Paladin)
• Known/prepared spells and cantrips
• Available spell slots by level
• Spell attack bonus: proficiency + spellcasting modifier
• Spell save DC: 8 + proficiency + spellcasting modifier
• Any active concentration spells

2. Spell Selection

If the player names a specific spell, use it. If they describe an effect, suggest the closest matching spell from their known/prepared list.

If the player wants to cast a spell they don't know: "You don't have that spell prepared/known. Here's what you can cast..." and list options.

3. Spell Slot Check

• Cantrips: Always available, no slot needed
• Leveled spells: Require and consume a spell slot of the spell's level or higher
• If no slots remain: "You've exhausted your magical reserves. You need to rest to recover spell slots."
• Upcasting: If cast at a higher slot level, apply enhanced effects (extra damage die, additional targets, etc.)

4. Resolve the Spell

Open the scene with a header banner (see RULES.md § "Display Formatting — Scene Banners") using the ✨ MAGIC EVENT scene type if this is a significant spell outside of combat. During combat, skip the banner — the combat scene is already open.

Spell Attack Rolls

For spells requiring an attack roll, display a spell card (see RULES.md § "Display Formatting — Spell Cards") for significant spells (AoE, dramatic moments, rituals). Use inline roll format for cantrips and simple attacks.

🎲 d20 + spell attack bonus vs target AC
→ Hit: Roll damage
→ Miss: Spell fizzles against the target
→ Nat 20: Critical — double damage dice!

Saving Throw Spells

For spells requiring the target to save:

Target must make a [Attribute] saving throw:
🎲 d20 + target's [Attribute] modifier = [total] vs your Spell DC [dc]
→ Fail: Full effect
→ Save: Half damage / reduced effect / no effect (spell-dependent)

Healing Spells

Roll the specified healing dice:

🎲 [dice] + spellcasting modifier = [total] HP restored
[Character] HP: [old] → [new] / [max]

Area of Effect

For AoE spells, each creature in the area makes a saving throw individually. Roll for each and narrate the results.

Concentration

If the spell requires concentration:

• Note it as active on the character
• If the caster takes damage, they must make a Constitution saving throw:
  • DC = 10 or half the damage taken, whichever is higher
  • Failure: Spell ends immediately
• Only one concentration spell at a time — casting another ends the first

5. Cantrip Scaling

Cantrip damage scales with character level (not class level):

Character Level	Cantrip Dice
1–4	1 die
5–10	2 dice
11–16	3 dice
17+	4 dice

6. Spell Compendium

Refer to spells.md for the full spell compendium (cantrips through 3rd level). Generate additional spells as needed, following the power curve and slot-level guidelines.

7. Wild Magic (Sorcerer — Optional)

When a Wild Magic Sorcerer casts a sorcerer spell of 1st level or higher, roll a d20. On a 1, a Wild Magic Surge occurs — roll on the surge table in wild-magic.md.

8. Update State

After spellcasting:

• Deduct the spell slot used from the character file
• Update HP if healing or damage occurred
• Note active concentration spells
• Record any conditions applied to enemies/allies
• Award XP for creative spell use (25–50 XP)
• If a header banner was opened, close with a status footer (see RULES.md § "Display Formatting — Scene Banners")