Genres of Sorcery

[shadowyshinobi]

abjuration - thinking of renaming. it handles protective magics such as barriers as well as dispellations. it should however also be the magic of magics. manipulation magic as well as analysis and such things. controling and altering pre-existing spells

example spells: protective barriers against specific things (not just a catch all protection), dispel, analysis of spells and magic items, simple bindings and cage like spells for containment.

conjuration - the arts of calling something from somewhere else such as a creature, an object, or a form of energy. conjuration does not manipulate the called object to great detail however. it is also banishing or teleportation sending objects about the axis of space. it does however manipulate location.


example spells: summoning of energies, objects, or creatures, teleportation, portals, banishment, warding against teleportation or summonings, manipulations of location, warps in space and location, pocket dimensions, scrying on remote locations.

enchantment - manipulation of the mind. psychological exploration, behavior control, emotions, and what not. could be blended with illusion to expand on the school. they're abilities are similar enough. kind of like a genjutsu school really.

Illusion - creating illusions which deceive the senses or the mind. should probably blend with enchantment

combine and rename as Glamour


example spells: mind reading, subtle persuasions, transfer of emotions, manipulation of emotions, sensory illusions, sensory deprivation, invisibility, suggestion/hypnosis, mind control, mind delving 9diving into the subconscious of a subject, alteration of color, unreal disguises.


evocation - manipulation of energies. energies being fire heat light sound radiation kinetics darkness gravity.


example spells: creation of fire, lightning, sound, light radiation, gravity, or kinetic force or darkness. manipulation of these forces, intensifying, cancelling out of, or alteration of these forces, creating uniquely propertied versions of these forces like a flame that burns underwater or a visible type of sound.

necromancy animancy - manipualtes the dead and death energies as well as souls and the animating forces of life which are much more difficult to harness than that of unlife. this magic would also deal with ghosts of both people objects.


example spells: soul testing, soul tampering or removal, manipualtion of a life force, complex healings, raising of zombies, temporary resurrection of the dead (for a steep cost), control over and altering of the dead, animation of objects (this requires some blending with transmutation), speaking with the departed.

transmutation - alteration of properties of basically anything. Transforming, transmuting, reshaping, granting new properties


example spells: transmutation of a substance, alteration of an object's shape, transforming one's self or another into something else, imbuement of magical properties, removal of certain properties, temporary addition of new or unique properties, size alteration, or simple manipulation of an object's function such as unlocking a lock, opening a door, or activating a device. also physical alterations or increase or decrease of a stat such as increasing strength or lowering constitution. Simple healings (those not involving things necessary for life such as cuts bruises or knitting together of flesh or bone, not good for organs)


Time/Fate - manipualtion of the weave of destiny and time. not taken to the extreme. simple slowing oftime perhaps for one object or a small area, reading the past or future though the future constantly shifts too much to be incredibly accurate. putting simple destinies on objects such as making sure an object reaches a certain place, blessing an area for good luck, bad luck, oaths, and the altering of probability. can move things but not people through the axis of time. deals with the ghosts of events.



example spells: scrying into the past or future, slowing of time, speeding up of time, stopping time for short durations, sending an object forward in time, manipulation of probability, granting of good luck or misfortune, destiny reading, granting a fate such as arrival of something to a certain location, getting exact timing correct, or analysis of temporal anomolies, or determining local time, or the age of something


Spiritualism - manipulation and communication with the spirits of objects and places and fundamental forces of existence. people do not have spirits. spirits are simplistic and only concerned with and can deal with things they are spirits of. follows the ideal of animism. They are also long lived fickle, and exist in their own world which coexists with this one, one influencing the other. This art also binds and summons them forth temporarily. it can also bind them into objects in this world, referred to the invisible realm. Spirits can be used to possess objects they coincide with on this plane to manipulate them.



example spells: calling forth of the spirit of an object, a concept, a fundamental force of nature or existence, the manipulation and control of such beings, traveling to the plane on which spirits reside, talking to creatures, objects or non vocal entities such as rocks and what not by communicating with the spirit that coincides with it, facilitating possession of something by a spirit for temporary and costly manipulation such as ordering a gun to fire, making a table get up and walk about, or the like. also binding spirits within objects for use or calling out at a later time. This can also close rends in the fabric of reality between the two planes. also would govern familiars.



Divination will be removed as it is too broken on its own.


possible subschools

biomancy - manipulation of organic matter and life force. this includes plants animals humans and what remains of dragon tissues. its kind of a medical subschool. the magical version of being a doctor

thermomancy - manipulation of heat cold fire and ice. also governs steam. may be split into cryo and pyro mancy

transmogrification - the art of trasforming one's self into something else.

[shadowyshinobi]

Abjuration
Abjurations are protective spells. They create physical or magical barriers, negate magical or physical abilities, harm trespassers, or even banish the subject of the spell to another plane of existence.
If one abjuration spell is active within 10 feet of another for 24 hours or more, the magical fields interfere with each other and create barely visible energy fluctuations. The DC to find such spells with the Search skill drops by 4.
If an abjuration creates a barrier that keeps certain types of creatures at bay, that barrier cannot be used to push away those creatures. If you force the barrier against such a creature, you feel a discernible pressure against the barrier. If you continue to apply pressure, you end the spell.

Conjuration
Each conjuration spell belongs to one of five subschools. Conjurations bring manifestations of objects, creatures, or some form of energy to you (the summoning subschool), actually transport creatures from another plane of existence to your plane (calling), heal (healing), transport creatures or objects over great distances (teleportation), or create objects or effects on the spot (creation). Creatures you conjure usually, but not always, obey your commands.
A creature or object brought into being or transported to your location by a conjuration spell cannot appear inside another creature or object, nor can it appear floating in an empty space. It must arrive in an open location on a surface capable of supporting it. The creature or object must appear within the spell’s range, but it does not have to remain within the range.
Calling: A calling spell transports a creature from another plane to the plane you are on. The spell grants the creature the one-time ability to return to its plane of origin, although the spell may limit the circumstances under which this is possible. Creatures who are called actually die when they are killed; they do not disappear and reform, as do those brought by a summoning spell (see below). The duration of a calling spell is instantaneous, which means that the called creature can’t be dispelled.
Creation: A creation spell manipulates matter to create an object or creature in the place the spellcaster designates (subject to the limits noted above). If the spell has a duration other than instantaneous, magic holds the creation together, and when the spell ends, the conjured creature or object vanishes without a trace. If the spell has an instantaneous duration, the created object or creature is merely assembled through magic. It lasts indefinitely and does not depend on magic for its existence.
Healing: Certain divine conjurations heal creatures or even bring them back to life.
Summoning: A summoning spell instantly brings a creature or object to a place you designate. When the spell ends or is dispelled, a summoned creature is instantly sent back to where it came from, but a summoned object is not sent back unless the spell description specifically indicates this. A summoned creature also goes away if it is killed or if its hit points drop to 0 or lower. It is not really dead. It takes 24 hours for the creature to reform, during which time it can’t be summoned again.
When the spell that summoned a creature ends and the creature disappears, all the spells it has cast expire. A summoned creature cannot use any innate summoning abilities it may have, and it refuses to cast any spells that would cost it XP, or to use any spell-like abilities that would cost XP if they were spells.
Teleportation: A teleportation spell transports one or more creatures or objects a great distance. The most powerful of these spells can cross planar boundaries. Unlike summoning spells, the transportation is (unless otherwise noted) one-way and not dispellable. Teleportation is instantaneous travel through the Astral Plane. Anything that blocks astral travel also blocks teleportation.

Divination
Divination spells enable you to learn secrets long forgotten, to predict the future, to find hidden things, and to foil deceptive spells.
Many divination spells have cone-shaped areas. These move with you and extend in the direction you look. The cone defines the area that you can sweep each round. If you study the same area for multiple rounds, you can often gain additional information, as noted in the descriptive text for the spell.
Scrying: A scrying spell creates an invisible magical sensor that sends you information. Unless noted otherwise, the sensor has the same powers of sensory acuity that you possess. This level of acuity includes any spells or effects that target you, but not spells or effects that emanate from you. However, the sensor is treated as a separate, independent sensory organ of yours, and thus it functions normally even if you have been blinded, deafened, or otherwise suffered sensory impairment. Any creature with an Intelligence score of 12 or higher can notice the sensor by making a DC 20 Intelligence check. The sensor can be dispelled as if it were an active spell.
Lead sheeting or magical protection blocks a scrying spell, and you sense that the spell is so blocked.

Enchantment
Enchantment spells affect the minds of others, influencing or controlling their behavior.
All enchantments are mind-affecting spells. Two types of enchantment spells grant you influence over a subject creature.
Charm: A charm spell changes how the subject views you, typically making it see you as a good friend.
Compulsion: A compulsion spell forces the subject to act in some manner or changes the way her mind works. Some compulsion spells determine the subject’s actions or the effects on the subject, some compulsion spells allow you to determine the subject’s actions when you cast the spell, and others give you ongoing control over the subject.

Evocation
Evocation spells manipulate energy or tap an unseen source of power to produce a desired end. In effect, they create something out of nothing. Many of these spells produce spectacular effects, and evocation spells can deal large amounts of damage.

Illusion
Illusion spells deceive the senses or minds of others. They cause people to see things that are not there, not see things that are there, hear phantom noises, or remember things that never happened.
Figment: A figment spell creates a false sensation. Those who perceive the figment perceive the same thing, not their own slightly different versions of the figment. (It is not a personalized mental impression.) Figments cannot make something seem to be something else. A figment that includes audible effects cannot duplicate intelligible speech unless the spell description specifically says it can. If intelligible speech is possible, it must be in a language you can speak. If you try to duplicate a language you cannot speak, the image produces gibberish. Likewise, you cannot make a visual copy of something unless you know what it looks like.
Because figments and glamers (see below) are unreal, they cannot produce real effects the way that other types of illusions can. They cannot cause damage to objects or creatures, support weight, provide nutrition, or provide protection from the elements. Consequently, these spells are useful for confounding or delaying foes, but useless for attacking them directly.
A figment’s AC is equal to 10 + its size modifier.
Glamer: A glamer spell changes a subject’s sensory qualities, making it look, feel, taste, smell, or sound like something else, or even seem to disappear.
Pattern: Like a figment, a pattern spell creates an image that others can see, but a pattern also affects the minds of those who see it or are caught in it. All patterns are mind-affecting spells.
Phantasm: A phantasm spell creates a mental image that usually only the caster and the subject (or subjects) of the spell can perceive. This impression is totally in the minds of the subjects. It is a personalized mental impression. (It’s all in their heads and not a fake picture or something that they actually see.) Third parties viewing or studying the scene don’t notice the phantasm. All phantasms are mind-affecting spells.
Shadow: A shadow spell creates something that is partially real from extradimensional energy. Such illusions can have real effects. Damage dealt by a shadow illusion is real.
Saving Throws and Illusions (Disbelief): Creatures encountering an illusion usually do not receive saving throws to recognize it as illusory until they study it carefully or interact with it in some fashion.
A successful saving throw against an illusion reveals it to be false, but a figment or phantasm remains as a translucent outline.
A failed saving throw indicates that a character fails to notice something is amiss. A character faced with proof that an illusion isn’t real needs no saving throw. If any viewer successfully disbelieves an illusion and communicates this fact to others, each such viewer gains a saving throw with a +4 bonus.

Necromancy
Necromancy spells manipulate the power of death, unlife, and the life force. Spells involving undead creatures make up a large part of this school.

Transmutation
Transmutation spells change the properties of some creature, thing, or condition.

[shadowyshinobi]

To facilitate specialization, believe an acolyte must give up the learning and knowledge of anywhere between 1 or 3 other genres so that they aren't too powerful.

example specializing in 1 school they give up 2 genres because of their focus and if granted 2 specs give up three.

as blending of genres to achieve better effects they would need to pick which schools to give up wisely as not having necromancy to spec in transmutation prevents aptitude in healing or giving up of enchantment forgoes the use of invisibility and simple illusory parlor tricks,lack of abjuration gives up defense and ability to alter or understand other magics thoroughly. examples.

as for blending of effects one could use transmutation and necromancy for great surgeries or blending evocation and conjuration would allow someone to call forth various energies in place of wasting energy to create them (which would be more difficult) and manipulate them once present. enchantment and abjuration could allow for warding people from an area by suggesting they simply wish to be elsewhere.

simple thoughts. shrug.

EDIT: having rethought on the subject, it would be more effective to start sorcerors out with 1-2 genres with a rare 3 to start and then mastery with 4 genres amongst the most powerful NPC's and much work from PC's to obtain. most sorcerors have an understanding of the other genres but dont know how to perform spells from them simply knowing the fundamentals, having learned them before advancing into specialized studies.

[TweaK]

Lawl found this at World of Tur. I think this is pretty much all we need to cover magic, it needs editing to fit our world but yeah I think this sums up all we need.

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Elemental (School of the Elements)
Elemental magic consists of the four elements: fire, water, air, and earth. Spells evoke these elements to various ends; from bending the elements to their will or binding their energies to objects. It is the most common practiced magic in VP and is what usually comes to mind when people think of the arcane. Practitioners of Elemental magic vary in alignment as this brand of magic can be used for order as well as chaos. You’re just as likely to see a Sorcerer summon rain and sunlight to bring life to a field devoid of vegetation as you would see another conjure rivers of flame to swallow an entire village.

Psionic (School of the Mind)
Unlike other schools of magic, Psionic is still in question on whether to be considered arcana or not. Many see it as merely a hidden talent buried deep within all sentient creatures that bubbles to the surface over time. Regardless of the origin of its power, users of Psionic magic utilize their mental prowess to its fullest extent, gaining dominance over objects with merely a thought. Sorcerers of Psionic magic can read the surface thoughts of thinking creatures, lift objects with their mind, or inflict mental damage to others with telepathic force. Needless to say, Psionic magic is terribly efficient when mastered.

Restoration (School of Healing)
Restoration magic utilizes divine energy to negate the dark power of Nethermancy and mend flesh wounds or even cure illnesses and disease. Many religious priests and bishops utilize Restoration magic to better serve their community as a healer while others roam to smite the living embodiments of Nethermancy magic: the Fell. Restoration magic is divine arcana and takes much patience and time to master, but those who have achieved complete control over Restoration magic are greatly desired by many adventurers across the world.

Evocation (School of Summoning and Energy)
The schools of evocation and alteration are often confused with one another; while alteration focuses more towards the personal and already tangible, evocation manipulates what is not previously there and willing it into existence. Walls and shields of pure, protective power are common spells from an evoker's spellbook alongside cantrips of creating creatures and other shades and shapes, as spirits and various other miscellaneous objects.

Alteration (School of Change and Illusion)
Manipulating what is already there to take another shape or quality is what the school of alteration does best. The sky is the limit with the powers of alteration; a caster can alter their own personal or another's shape, shapechanging or polymorphing into a different person or animal by appearance and functionality. The ability to unlock and disfigure also comes in an alterer's spellbook, slowing their targets and climbing walls by gifting themself with spiderwalking. Though alteration is limited with what is physically already there, it is powerful when used correctly.

Nethermancy (School of Dark Magic)
The forbidden, dark arts of nethermancy are considered illegal throughout most of the world. The evil magic includes those of blood rituals and necromancy, calling upon disease and damnation to plague and destroy in means that are considered wicked and most cruel. Nethermancers are cast out and regarded as criminals to civilized societies as most require sacrifice of blood and flesh; oftentimes, such victims are innocents and are slain against their will. Though illegal, nethermancy is one of the most powerful schools of magic as it has only one purpose: death and destruction.