Concoctions use alchemical catalysts to create effects, maneuvers use a character’s stamina dice, and spells use a character’s magical power known as mana.
Table of contents
Concoctions
Concoctions are created by alchemical reactions which produce altering effects, deadly poisons and diseases, or great explosions.
Each made concoction and the glass and liquid materials to make a concoction weigh ¼ kg.
Concoctions are inherently short lived. If a concoction is not used or consumed within 24 hours of being created it loses its power. A character can expend resources to add preservative chemicals which make it last much longer as detailed on Alchemical Creations.
Catalysts
Every concoction has a catalyst cost from 1 to 5. A concoction’s catalyst cost is a general indicator of how powerful it is. The more catalysts a concoction uses, the higher level a character must be to use the concoction.
Regardless of how many concoctions a character knows, they can only create a limited number of concoctions before resting. Remembering formulas, calculating precise mixtures, and combining chemicals is physically and mentally taxing, and higher-catalyst concoctions are even more so. Thus, the description for each class who can create concoctions includes a table showing how many catalysts a character can use at each character level.
When a character creates a concoction, they expend catalysts equal to the concoction’s catalyst cost. So when Spark, a 3rd-level Alchemist (Chemist), uses alchemical acid, a 1 catalyst concoction, he spends 1 catalyst and has 4 catalysts remaining.
Finishing a short or long rest restores some catalysts. See your class for more details.
Creating concoctions
A character’s alchemical ability must be greater than or equal to the catalyst cost of a concoction in order to create it. Additionally, to create a concoction that costs 2 or more catalysts, a character must be proficient with the Alchemy skill.
Catalyst limit
Combining chemicals can be deadly. There is a limit on the number of catalysts you can spend to create a concoction. Thus, each class’ description includes a table showing how many catalysts a character has at each character level. For example Spark, a 5th-level Alchemist (Chemist), can spend no more than 2 catalysts on a concoction each time he creates it, no matter how many catalysts he has.
If a feature lets you create a concoction without expending catalysts, the concoction’s catalyst cost is still taken into account when determining your catalyst limit.
Augmenting
When a character creates a concoction using more catalysts than the concoction needs, the concoction assumes the higher catalyst for that creation. For instance Spark creates an invisibility potion using 2 catalysts, that invisibility potion is created as if it were a 2 catalyst concoction, following the details as specified in the augment section of the concoction.
If a concoction has multiple augmentations, choose one or combine them by spending the specified amount of catalysts for each augmentation.
A concoction can be created using more catalysts then the concoction needs, even if no augmentation is listed.
Known concoctions
Before a character can create a concoction, they must have extensive training with the concoction and have it firmly fixed in mind. The number of concoctions a character can have fixed in mind at any given time depends on the character’s level. Each class details how many concoctions a character can learn. Whenever a character learns a new concoction, the concoction must be from a theme they already know.
Whenever a character gains a level, they can choose one of the concoctions they know and replace it with another concoction from a theme they knows.
Maneuvers
Rather than standing still and trading blows, maneuvers allow each round to become a contest of strategy as each combatant delves into their repertoire of tricks to out-maneuver and ultimately defeat their opponent.
Stamina dice
Every maneuver has a stamina dice cost from 1 to 5. A maneuver’s stamina dice cost is a general indicator of how powerful it is. The more stamina dice a maneuver uses, the higher level a character must be to use the maneuver.
Regardless of how many maneuvers a character knows, they can only use a limited number of maneuvers before resting. Maneuvers are physically and mentally taxing, and higher-stamina dice maneuvers are even more so. Thus, the description for each class who can use maneuvers includes a table showing how many stamina dice a character can use at each character level.
When a character uses a maneuver, they expend stamina dice equal to the maneuver’s stamina dice cost. So when Jutok, a 3rd-level Warrior, uses charge, a 1 stamina dice maneuver, he spends 1 stamina dice and has 6 stamina dice remaining.
Finishing a short or long rest restores some stamina dice. See your class for more details.
Using maneuvers
A character’s Strength (or Dexterity if their weapon has the finesse property) must be greater than or equal to the stamina dice cost of a maneuver in order to create it. Additionally, to use a maneuver that costs 2 or more stamina dice, a character must be proficient with the weapon they use to execute it if the maneuver uses a weapon.
Dice limit
Maneuvers are physically and mentally taxing. There is a limit on the number of stamina dice you can spend to use a maneuver. Thus, each class’ description includes a table showing how many stamina dice a character has at each character level. For example Jutok, a 3rd-level Warrior, can spend no more than 1 stamina dice on a maneuver each time he uses it, no matter how many stamina dice he has.
If a feature lets you use a maneuver without expending stamina dice, the maneuver’s stamina dice cost is still taken into account when determining your dice limit.
Enhancing
When a character uses a maneuver using more stamina dice than the maneuver needs, the maneuver assumes the higher stamina dice for that casting. For instance Jutok uses spring attack using 2 stamina dice, that spring attack is used as if it were a 2 stamina dice maneuver, following the details as specified in the enhance section of the maneuver.
If a maneuver has multiple enhancements, choose one or combine them by spending the specified amount of stamina dice for each enhancement.
A maneuver can be used with more stamina dice than the maneuver needs, even if no enhancement is listed.
Known maneuvers
Before a character can use a maneuver, they must have extensive training with the maneuver and have it firmly fixed in mind. The number of maneuvers a character can have fixed in mind at any given time depends on the character’s level. Each class details how many maneuvers a character can learn. Whenever a character learns a new maneuver, the maneuver must be from a theme they already know.
Whenever a character gains a level, they can choose one of the maneuvers they know and replace it with another maneuver from a theme they knows.
Spells
Magic permeates fantasy gaming worlds and often appears in the form of a spell. A spell is a discrete magical effect, a single shaping of the magical energies that suffuse the multiverse into a specific, limited expression. In casting a spell, a character carefully plucks at the invisible strands of raw magic suffusing the world, pins them in place in a particular pattern, sets them vibrating in a specific way, and then releases them to unleash the desired effect—in most cases, all in the span of seconds.
Spells can be versatile tools, weapons, or protective wards. They can deal damage or undo it, impose or remove conditions, drain life energy away, and restore life to the dead.
Uncounted thousands of spells have been created over the course of the multiverse’s history, and many of them are long forgotten. Some might yet lie recorded in crumbling spellbooks hidden in ancient ruins or trapped in the minds of dead gods. Or they might someday be reinvented by a character who has amassed enough power and wisdom to do so.
Gestures and words
Almost all spells require physical gestures and chanting of mystic words, as determined by the GM.
Gestures might include a forceful gesticulation or an intricate set of gestures. A caster can make gestures while holding or wielding something in its hand, such as a weapon, but not if its hands are restrained or it is otherwise unable to gesture freely.
Mystic words themselves aren’t the source of the spell’s power; rather, the particular combination of sounds, with specific pitch and resonance, sets the threads of magic in motion. Thus, a character who is unable to speak can’t cast most spells.
Mana
Every spell has a mana cost from 0 to 5. A spell’s mana cost is a general indicator of how powerful it is, with the direct and effective magic missiles at 1 mana and the earth-shaking wish at 5 mana. Cantrips—simple but powerful spells that characters can cast almost by rote—cost 0 mana. The more mana a spell uses, the higher level a character must be to use the spell.
Regardless of how many spells a caster knows, they can cast only a limited number of spells before resting. Manipulating the fabric of magic and channeling its energy into even a simple spell is physically and mentally taxing, and higher-mana spells are even more so. Thus, each spellcasting class’s description includes a table showing how much mana a character can use at each character level.
When a character casts a spell, they expend mana equal to the spell’s mana cost. So when Umara, a 5th-level Mage (Wizard), uses fireball, a 2 mana spell, she spends 2 mana and has 6 mana remaining.
Finishing a short or long rest restores some mana. See your class for more details.
Some characters and creatures have special abilities that let them cast spells without using mana.
Powering spells
A character’s spellcasting ability must be greater than or equal to the mana cost of a spell in order to cast it. Additionally, to cast a spell that costs 2 or more mana, a character must be proficient with the spellcasting skill associated with the spell’s power source.
Mana limit
Manipulating the fabric of magic and channeling energy into even a simple effect is physically and mentally taxing, and more powerful effects are even more so. There is a limit on the amount of mana you can spend to cast a spell. Thus, each class’ description includes a table showing how much mana a character has at each character level. For example Umara, a 5th-level Mage (Wizard), can spend no more than 2 mana on a spell each time she uses it, no matter how much mana she has.
If a feature, such as the Acolyte’s Channel Divinity, lets you cast a spell without expending mana, the spell’s mana cost is still taken into account when determining your mana limit.
Augmenting
When a character casts a spell using more mana than the spell needs, the spell assumes the higher mana for that casting. For instance, if Umara casts magic missiles using 2 mana, that magic missiles is cast as if it were a 2 mana spell, following the details in the augment section of the spell.
If a spell has multiple augmentations, choose one or combine them by spending the specified amount of mana for each augmentation.
A spell can be cast using more mana than the spell needs, even if no augmentation is listed.
Variations
Some spells have variations which allow them to be cast in different ways. Feather Fall for example can be cast as an action or as a reaction.
Known spells
Before a character can cast a spell, they must have extensive training with the spell and have it firmly fixed in mind. The number of spells a character can have fixed in mind at any given time depends on the character’s level. Each class details how many spells a character can learn. Whenever a character learns a new spell, the spell must be from a theme they already know.
Whenever a character gains a level, they can choose one of the spells they know and replace it with another spell from a theme they knows.
Rituals
Certain spells have a special tag: ritual. Such a spell can be cast following the normal rules for spellcasting, or the spell can be cast as a ritual. The ritual version of a spell takes 10 minutes longer to cast than normal. It also doesn’t expend mana, which means the ritual version of a spell can’t be augmented.
To cast a spell as a ritual, a spellcaster must have a feature that grants the ability to do so. The Mage, for example, has such a feature. The caster must also have the spell on their list of spells known, unless the character’s ritual feature specifies otherwise, as the mage’s does.
Casting in Armor
Because of the mental focus and precise gestures required for spellcasting, you must be capable with the armor you are wearing to cast a spell. You are otherwise too distracted and physically hampered by your armor for spellcasting.
Casting, creating, and using
When a character creates, casts, or uses any concoction, maneuver, or spell, the same basic rules are followed, regardless of the character’s class or the concoction, maneuver, or spell’s effects.
Multiple concoctions, maneuvers, or spells on a turn
On your turn, you cannot expend more catalysts than your catalyst limit, more mana than your mana limit, more ki than your dice limit or double your mana limit, or more stamina dice than your dice limit. If you have multiple resources, you cannot spend a combined amount of catalysts, mana, ki, or stamina dice on your turn greater than your highest limit.
Creation time, use time, and casting time
Concoctions require one or two actions to create, maneuvers require an action or reaction to use, and most spells require one or two actions to cast. Some spells require a reaction, or much more time to cast.
Reactions
Some maneuvers or spells can be cast or used as reactions. These maneuvers and spells take a fraction of a second to bring about and are cast or used in response to some event. If a maneuver or spell can be cast or used as a reaction, the maneuver or spell description tells you exactly when you can do so.
Longer casting times
Certain spells require more time to cast or create: minutes or even hours. When you cast a spell with a casting time longer than a two actions, you must spend your actions each turn casting the spell, and you must maintain your concentration while you do so (see “Concentration” below). If your concentration is broken, the spell fails, but you don’t expend resources. If you want to try casting the spell again, you must start over.
Range
The target of a concoction is typically the drinker of a tonic or potion or a small burst for explosives. The target of a maneuver or spell must be within the maneuver or spell’s range. For a maneuver like knockback or a spell like magic missiles, the target is a creature. For a maneuver like volley or a spell like fireball, the target is the point in space where the projectiles fall or the ball of fire erupts.
Most thrown concoctions have a range of 5 meters. Most maneuvers have ranges based on the weapon that uses them. Most spells have ranges expressed in meters, typically 5, 10, 25, 100, and 200 meters . Some spells can target only a creature (including you) that you touch. Other maneuvers and spells, such as the parry maneuver or the shield spell, affect only you. These maneuvers and spells have a range of self.
Maneuvers and spells that create cones or lines of effect that originate from you also have a range of self, indicating that the origin point of the maneuver or spell’s effect must be you (see Areas of Effect).
Once a concoction is drank or thrown, a maneuver is used, or a spell is cast, its effects aren’t limited by its range, unless the concoction, maneuver, or spell’s description says otherwise.
Material components
A concoction or spell’s material components are the physical material you must provide in order to create it or cast it. Each concoction or spell’s description indicates whether it requires a material component. If you can’t provide a concoction or spell’s material component, you are unable to create the concoction or cast the spell.
The flavor of a material item is up the GM, though diamonds and other gems are often used. If a concoction or spell states that a material is consumed by the concoction or spell, the creator or caster must provide this material for each creation of the concoction or casting of the spell.
Duration
A concoction, maneuver, or spell’s duration is the length of time the concoction, maneuver, or spell persists. A duration can be expressed in rounds, minutes, hours, or even years. If a concoction, maneuver, or spell specifies that its duration lasts an amount per resource used (1 minute/mana for example), the duration is automatically increased the amount listed based on the amount of resources (catalysts, mana, stamina dice) used. Some spells specify that their effects last until the spell is dispelled or destroyed.
Instantaneous
Most concoctions, maneuvers, and spells are instantaneous. They harm, heal, create, or alter a creature or an object in a way that can’t be dispelled, because their effects exists only for an instant.
Concentration
Some spells require you to maintain concentration in order to keep their magic active. If you lose concentration, such a spell ends.
If a spell must be maintained with concentration, that fact appears on its entry, and the spell specifies how long it can be concentrated on. The concentration can be ended at any time (no action required).
Normal activity, such as moving and attacking, doesn’t interfere with concentration. The following factors can break concentration:
Casting another spell that requires concentration. A creature loses concentration on a spell if it casts another spell that requires concentration. A creature can’t concentrate on two spells at once.
Taking damage. Whenever a creature who is concentrating takes damage, it must make a Will saving throw to maintain its concentration. The Difficulty equals 11 or half the damage it takes, whichever number is higher. If it takes damage from multiple sources, such as an arrow and a dragon’s breath, it makes a separate saving throw for each source of damage.
Being incapacitated or killed. A creature loses concentration on a spell if it is incapacitated or if it dies.
Typical difficulty
| Task difficulty | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Very easy | 5 |
| Easy | 10 |
| Medium | 15 |
| Hard | 20 |
| Very hard | 25 |
| Nearly impossible | 30 |
The GM might also decide that certain environmental phenomena, such as a wave crashing over a creature while it is on a storm-tossed ship, require it to succeed on a Will saving throw to maintain concentration on a spell.
Unstable
Some concoctions are made with unstable mixtures. If a concoction is unstable, that fact appears on its entry. The strange ingredients used in creating unstable concoctions can result in unpredictable interactions. A creature can only create one unstable concoction at a time. If the creature creates another unstable concoction before the previous unstable concoction is drunk or used, the previous unstable concoction becomes inert.
If multiple unstable concoctions are applied to an object, both effects end. If a creature consumes another unstable concoction before the effects of an existing unstable concoction expire, the creature must make a Fortitude saving throws against the highest alchemical save Difficulty. On a failure, both effects end and the creature takes 1d6 poison damage for each catalyst used on both concoctions and is poisoned for 1 minute. A poisoned creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. On a success, the original effect ends, but the new effect persists.
A creature can choose to purge its stomach contents as an action to end the effects of an unstable concoction.
Targets
A typical concoction, maneuver, or spell requires you to pick one or more targets to be affected by the concoction, maneuver, or spell’s effect or magic. A concoction, maneuver, or spell’s description tells you whether the concoction, maneuver, or spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for an area of effect (described below).
Unless a spell has a perceptible effect, a creature might not know it was targeted by a spell at all. An effect like crackling lightning is obvious, but a more subtle effect, such as an attempt to read a creature’s thoughts, typically goes unnoticed, unless a spell says otherwise.
A clear path to the target
To target something, you must have a clear path to it, so it can’t be behind total cover.
If you place an area of effect at a point that you can’t see and an obstruction, such as a wall, is between you and that point, the point of origin comes into being on the near side of that obstruction.
Targeting yourself
If a concoction, maneuver, or spell targets a creature of your choice, you can choose yourself, unless the creature must be hostile or specifically a creature other than you. If you are in the area of effect of a concoction, maneuver, or spell you use, you can target yourself.
Areas of effect
Some concoctions, maneuvers, and spells cover an area, allowing them to affect multiple creatures at once.
A concoction, maneuver, or spell’s description specifies its area of effect, which typically has one of six different shapes: cone, cube, cylinder, line, sphere, or wall. Every area of effect has a point of origin, a location from which the concoction, maneuver, or spell starts or erupts. The rules for each shape specify how you position its point of origin. Typically, a point of origin is a point in space, but some concoctions, maneuvers, and spells have an area whose origin is a creature or an object.
A concoction, maneuver, or spell’s effect expands in straight lines from the point of origin. If no unblocked straight line extends from the point of origin to a location within the area of effect, that location isn’t included in the concoction, maneuver, or spell’s area. To block one of these imaginary lines, an obstruction must provide total cover.
Cone
A cone extends in a direction you choose from its point of origin. A cone’s width at a given point along its length is equal to that point’s distance from the point of origin. A cone’s area of effect specifies its maximum length.
A cone’s point of origin is not included in the cone’s area of effect, unless you decide otherwise.
Cube
You select a cube’s point of origin, which lies anywhere on a face of the cubic effect. The cube’s size is expressed as the length of each side.
A cube’s point of origin is not included in the cube’s area of effect, unless you decide otherwise.
Cylinder
A cylinder’s point of origin is the center of a circle of a particular radius. The circle must either be on the ground or at the height of the concoction, maneuver, or spell’s effect. The energy in a cylinder expands in straight lines from the point of origin to the perimeter of the circle, forming the base of the cylinder. The concoction or spell’s effect then shoots up from the base or down from the top, to a distance equal to the height of the cylinder.
A cylinder’s point of origin is included in the cylinder’s area of effect.
Line
A line extends from its point of origin in a straight path up to its length and covers an area defined by its width. A line’s point of origin is not included in the line’s area of effect, unless you decide otherwise.
Sphere
You select a sphere’s point of origin, and the sphere extends outward from that point. A sphere that extends outward from you uses your space as the point of origin. The sphere’s size is expressed as a radius in meters that extends from the point or space. A sphere’s point of origin is included in the sphere’s area of effect.
Wall
A wall extends from its point of origin in a straight path up to its length and covers an area defined by its width and height. Every 1 meter of a wall is a panel.
Alternatively, a wall can be shaped as a ringed wall with a diameter half the distance of its length.
| 1 catalyst/stamina die/mana | 2 catalysts/stamina dice/mana | 3 catalysts/stamina dice/mana | 4 catalysts/stamina dice/mana | 5 catalysts/stamina dice/mana | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cone | 3 meters long | 5 meters long | 10 meters long | 10 meters long | 20 meters long |
| Cylinder | 1-meter-radius, 3 meters high | 2-meter-radius, 6 meters high | 3-meter-radius, 9 meters high | 4-meter-radius, 12 meters high | 5-meter-radius, 15 meters high |
| Line | 5 meters long, 1-meter wide | 5 meters long, 2-meter wide | 10 meters long, 2-meter wide | 10 meters long, 2-meter wide | 20 meters long, 2-meter wide |
| Sphere | 1-meter-radius | 2-meter-radius | 3-meter-radius | 4-meter-radius | 5-meter-radius |
| Wall | 5 meters long, 2 meters high, 1 meter thick | 5 meters long, 4 meters high, 1 meter thick | 10 meters long, 6 meters high, 1 meter thick | 10 meters long, 8 meters high, 1 meter thick | 20 meters long, 10 meters high, 1 meter thick |
Saving throws
Some concoctions, maneuvers, and spells specify that a target can make a saving throw to avoid some or all of its effects. The concoction, maneuver, or spell specifies the saving throw that the target uses and what happens on a success or failure.
The rules for determining the Difficulty for a saving throw is described in the Alchemy, Arcana, Divinity, Occult, Primal, Psionics, or Weapons skill.
Attacks
Some spells require the user to make an attack to determine whether the spell hits the intended target.
The rules for how a spell attack works is described in the Arcana, Divinity, Occult, Primal, or Psionics skill.
Remember that you have disadvantage on ranged attacks if you are within 1 meter of a hostile creature who can see you and who isn’t incapacitated.
Combining effects
The effects of different concoctions, maneuvers, and spells add together while the durations of those concoctions, maneuvers, and spells overlap. The effects of similar concoctions, maneuvers, or spells used multiple times don’t combine. Instead, the most potent effect—such as the highest bonus—from those effects applies while their durations overlap.
For example, if two acolytes cast bless on the same target, that character gains the spell’s benefit only once; the character doesn’t get to roll two bonus dice.