I've created an apprentice Wizard . Brand New.

What are spell ranks? What are their significance?

Am I allowed to take Rank 2 or Rank 1 spells? Are they more difficult to cast?

How do I "Rank up" or find out my current rank?

Am I allowed to take spells from other schools, or just the school I wish to specialize in?

Thank you.

Hi,

Spell ranks are similar to character rank. At start you automatically have the minor spells, and you may buy with your action card allotment rank 1 spells, I beleive you may be able to buy higher rank spells for a higher cost. Spells of a higher rank than the caster are harder to cast and more dangerous to the caster though.

You begin at rank 1, when you earn 10 exp you are rank 2, 20 exp rank 3 and so on...

Learning from other colleges is possible but highly illegal. If you get caught you'll probably be burned. Its harder to learn them, harder to cast and more dangerous. So probably jolly good fun too.

Or you could get your GM to buy Witches Song and play a Witch, and get spells from many colours. Drawback is they are more dangerous to cast and if your caught you'll probably be burned. So more jolly fun there too.

Sounds like you've all the makings of an entertaining deviant magician, good luck sir.

Oh yes, dont get caught.

Have fun.

TheCapz said:

Spell ranks are as it says on the tin - Ranks of Spells. The idea is that wizards during their studies learn to harness more and more powerful spells. Thus - you are expected to be learning/casting Rank 1 Spells at rank 1, and Rank 3 spells at rank 3. Gaining and casting spells above your rank is an optional rule (check with your GM if it's allowed) and fairly dangerous.

TheCapz said:

It is expected that you should buy spells of your rank, however there are optional (again check with your GM) rules for buying more expensive spells. Apprentices are warned against doing such, and there should be an opportunity for you to gain it (it's not just default) as it's dangerous to cast above your skill.

You pay 1 additional XP per difference in rank. So to purchase a Rank 1 spell when you are a brand new character is 1 advance. To purchase a Rank 3 is 3.

Also (WoM p. 34) casting a spell of a higher rank is done by adding an extra purple challenge die to the casting. So if you are Rank 1, casting a Rank 3 spell you add an ADDITIONAL 2 purple dice to your pool, and if you miscast you are counted as having an additional chaos star per rank of difference (IE 2 additional chaos stars if you miscast as a rank 1 casting a rank 3 spell).

TheCapz said:

There is a chart in the basic rules under advancement, but it's easy to break down.

If you are a brand new character you are Rank 1. 0-9 XP earned is Rank 1. 10-19 is Rank 2. 20-29 is Rank 3. And so on.

TheCapz said:

Again - yes and no. Empire magic is based on each wizard studying only 1 wind. Studying multiple winds is forbidden, and doing such has them labeled 'Sorcerers' and can be executed by Witch Hunters (and the colleges).

Saying you shouldn't do it doesn't mean you can't. It's just very dangerous. Again - optional rule check with your GM.

WoM p.33:

Learning a proscribed spell is a Daunting (4d) spellcraft check with 1 misfortune (black) die added per Rank of spell being researched. Regardless of the check's success or failutre, you suffer One Corruption per chaos star on the roll. If you fail the check, you suffer one corruption and learn nothing. If you succeed you can spend the appropriate advances to acquire the spell.

If you cast you're risking further corruption. Any spell not of your order automatically generates 2 additional challenge dice to the pool (purple purple) and if the casting check fails you gain a corruption point. Whether you succeed or fail each Chaos Star generated on the casting check gives you 1 corruption in ADDITION to any other effects for generating said Chaos Stars (miscasts spell problems etc).

In essence learning spells not of your order leads to corruption, mutation, and loss of character pretty quickly which is why it's so forbidden, and discovery of the fact that you might be doing so is a death-sentence level crime.

Hope that answer's your questions.

Thank you. One last question...

I noticed you can channel and cast in the same round with addition of a purple dice.

Can you move , channel and cast in the same round as well?

Moving is done with maneuvers, you get 1 maneuver and 1 action per round. Channeling and casting is an exception to the normal rules and essentially allows you to perform two actions. It has no effect on the maneuvers you get. You could channel, cast, move, and take fatigue to get additional maneuvers if you like.