@@ -46,12 +46,8 @@ All that is needed is a little time to pick up an understanding of how this same
\noindent The alchemist learns magic through rote repetition and formulae which are usually be invoked through precise hand-gestures and mystical words which are attuned to the background harmonics of the universe. Alchemy was invented by the gnomes but has since become popular with various upper-class humans. This is the typical magic of a standard town wizard. Alchemy requires one slot of Academics in order to be learnt.
Spells summoned by the Path of Alchemy are accompanied by magical sparks and sometimes loud bangs. Their mana stones are always based on precious minerals or rocks such as rubies, sapphire or even diamonds.
\subsubsection{Special Considerations}
Without the ability to move one's hands and use one's voice, alchemy spells take a -2 penalty to any task roll or a -4 penalty if the mage can neither move nor use their voice.
Alchemists cannot naturally intuit how the next level of any sphere works.
Instead they must pick up levels slowly and through intense study.
They only receive new levels during \gls{downtime}.
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@@ -61,16 +57,14 @@ They only receive new levels during \gls{downtime}.
Alchemical mana stones are always precious items, such as gold, rubies, or diamonds. A mana stone costs 10 gp per \gls{mp} which can be stored inside it, so a mana stone storing 3 \gls{mp} would cost 30 gp. The exact item might be a simply ruby which stores mana, a diamond-headed wand of ivory which blasts out fireballs or a sword with jewels on the handle which surrounds the warrior with moving illusions of their. Alchemical mana stones with a spell always activate those spells with a command word.
Such mana stones can be reworked to make other items, but can only store fewer \glspl{mp} than the first time they were used.
\noindent Certain races, such as elves and dragons, are naturally magical and can learn forms of innate magic. Some humans with a touch of elven (or even draconic) blood have been known to walk the Path of Blood.
Blood magic spells cast quickly appear in a flurry of inky darkness, meanwhile the caster's eyes glow red and lightning flashes around their head.
Blood sorcerers need only use movements to cast their spells. Without the ability to move freely they suffer a -2 penalty to casting spells.
\subsubsection{Special Considerations}
Most elves look down upon people who learn magic through rote facts and dusty tomes, seeing their innate connection to the magic of the world as a higher and purer form of magical ability.
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@@ -115,9 +109,6 @@ See the individual references in chapter \ref{gods_codes}.
\noindent Dwarves are skilled in the art of summoning magics through carving elaborate runes. Typically they are chiselled, but it is possible to simply `paint a spell' onto a surface.
When spells are summoned, the runes glow -- whether carved or painted -- then giant, ghostly runes can be seen dancing around the source of the spell.
Runecrafters summoning acid rain might have their spell appear with a flurry of glowing symbols of trickery -- each sphere of magic and indeed each spell has its own special runes.
Runecasters must devote a single Academics specialization to learning how to properly inscribe runes.
Their mana stones are always precious metals inscribed with runes such as armour with platinum runes or swords with golden runic inlays.
Those mana stones which have an imprinted spell can be activated by either a command word or a condition.
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@@ -150,8 +141,6 @@ Rune casters mana stones are, of course, runic carvings, and can never be painte
The character has learnt the magic of song. They can sing illusions into existence, inspire people with great tales and enchant people with a lute. Any instrument, song or performance suffices for casting a spell so long as it is appropriate -- a flute is not usually a good way to magically make people scared.
Song spells appear with a flash of colour -- generally on a cinematically appropriate note. They require some noise to activate so they are difficult to hide, but people will not always make the connection between the start of a spell and the strumming of a lyre.
In order to learn the Path of Song, the mage must have the second level of the Performance Skill.
