Microlite20: Magic Points Supplement

ml20-mp.tex

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  pdftitle={Magic Points for Lightweight 20-Sided Gaming},
  pdfauthor={Box O'Rocks},
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\author{Box O'Rocks}

\begin{document}

\twocolumn[{                    % Title
  \centering
  {\Huge\bfseries\titleseries Magic Points}

  {\textnormal\normalsize
    An alternate magic system for
    lightweight 20-sided gaming
  }

  {\small\url{https://rocx.rocks/writs/ml20-mp.html}}

  {\small Version 0.9, released 2020-03-22}

  \vspace{10pt}
}]

\section*{Introduction}

Inspired in part by computer RPGs, the use of magic points
is another flavor of magic for campaigns and settings that
are not too fond of expending hit points to cast magic.

\section*{In a Nutshell}

\begin{itemize}
\item Magic-Users gain an additional attribute: magic points.
\item Abbreviated ``mp''.
\item Magic points = 1d4 + MIND bonus per level.
\item Cast \emph{arcane} spells with mp instead of hp.
\item Spells cost their usual point costs.
\item Recover all magic points after a long rest.
\end{itemize}

\section*{Magic \& Wondrous Items}

\begin{description}
\item[Mana Sump] (2,500 gp)
  A red metallic box with small pipes and grooves on it surface
  and a large button on the top.
  The user can absorb magic points from or give to any magical target:

  \begin{itemize}
  \item Magic-using NPCs, transferring 1d4 mp between the
    target's and user's pools.

  \item Magical items with charges, transferring the item's
    spell's cost in magic points.
    The game master can arbitrate magic points transferred if
    the item's effect is unique instead of a spell.
    This method can be used to recharge items that can be over time.
  \end{itemize}

\item[Sorcerer's Cap] (2,000 gp) Headgear that increases the
  wearer's maximum magic points by 25 points while worn.
  Does not naturally recover magic points.

\item[Mana Potion] (50 gp) A fizzy blue potion that recovers
  1d4 magic points + 1 point per user's level.
  Has no effect on characters that cannot cast magic.

\item[Bulbous Wand] (1,500gp)
  A thick oak wand with a gemmed bulb at the bottom.
  Contains a pool of 3 + 2d6 magic points.
  Recovers half the total (rounded up) mp per day.
\end{description}

\section*{Casting Order}

If a magic-user has items with their own stash of magic points,
the points are taken in the following order:

\begin{enumerate}
\item Jewelry, armor, and wearable items
\item Wands, rods, and staves
\item Characters' magic points
\end{enumerate}

For example, if a spell uses up an enchanted crown's magic
points and still doesn't cover the cost, the remainder points
are taken from a wand.

If wearing multiple jewelry, armor, and wearable items, the
casting character can decide where these points come from.

\vfill

\section*{Optional Rules}

\subsection*{High Fantasy I}

For settings where magic-users are more ubiquitous or for them
to not sputter out of spells after ten minutes, the formula for
a character's starting magic points uses their MIND stat instead
of their bonus.
Each subsequent level still adds the normal 1d4 + MIND
\emph{bonus} to this total.

\subsection*{High Fantasy II}

Reduce the cost of spells to their level.
First-level spells cost 1mp to cast, second-level spells
cost 2mp, and so on.
Whether zeroth-level spells become free to cast or cost 1mp
remains up to the game master.

\subsection*{Blood Magic}

When a character's pool of magic points are depleted, they can
resort to using their hit points as a source.

\subsection*{High Blood Magic}

Each hit point paid to cast a spell is worth two magic points.
Using a hit point to cast a spell that costs one mp, for example,
results in a wasted magic point.

\vfill
\pagebreak

\onecolumn{
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  \textbf{Microlite20} © 2006, Robin V. Stacey (\texttt{robin@greywulf.net})

  \textbf{Magic Points} Copyright 2020, Box O'Rocks (\texttt{rocx.rocks})
}

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