Magic Guide

With enough magic, you can make the world a perfect place, but in the same instant you will destroy it. -Orthophysi maxim

Magic is the catch-all term for the power to change the world through supernatural means. Given that it deals with forces beyond natural experience, magic is not a science and does not always follow the expectations of human reason. Depending on the source of the power it can be extremely effective and provides a tempting shortcut to achieve many of the desires of mortals, both good and ill. Because of its power and transcendent nature magic is also extremely dangerous, and without proper respect can cause untold destruction.

The guide below lays out the workings and basic lore behind magic in Polemos, which is intended to give a "grounded fantasy" flavor. It should be noted, however, that these rules are closer to guidelines and can certainly be adjusted to reflect the preferences of your gaming group. For a more traditional fantasy flavor, simply ignore the concept of "magic backlash", and optionally remove the concept and abilities of the orthophysi. Alternatively, you can disallow all [magic] tagged skills, abilities, talents, etc. for a straight "low fantasy" flavor.

Magic Backlash

When magic is manifested in Polemos it causes a "backlash." Breaking the complex and interconnected laws of the natural world causes a reaction, but it is not always equal or opposite. The only reliable exception to this is the use of divine magic - i.e. miracles done through the explicit permission of nature's Creator.

• When an ability specifies a magic backlash occurs, consult the magic backlash effects list.
• Ultimately the GM should decide what the effect of the backlash will be, but the backlash list can be use for inspiration or for a convenient way to randomly decide an effect.
• The GM can choose a relevant backlash category that matches the power source or magic art used instead of using the entire list.
  • For example, if a Magus casts a fireball with MP they drew from chaos energy, then the list could be restricted to the pyromancy category and/or chaos category. To randomly determine the category you could flip a coin then roll against the category's list of effects, or use 2D6 with the combined list of effects with the minor effects closer to the middle values.
  • If mixed power sources are used, for example if a fireball is cast with MP drawn partially from both chaos energy and the rest from curse energy, then the GM can consider both power sources relevant if they wish.
• A backlash will have a severity associated with it that should be used to influence the magnitude of the effect in some way. Backlash severity generally ranges in values from 1-12.
• The target of the backlash can be as broad or as focused as the GM decides, but in general should be an area proportional to the severity. A more severe backlash will generally affect a larger area.
• If multiple backlashes are caused by a magus, either through a combo ability or by using multiple abilities during a turn, the GM can choose to combine the backlashes together and add their severities together, or keep them separate.
• At the GM's discretion, any backlash effects may be hidden from or shown to players. For example, a GM may decide to withhold announcing the backlash effect that will become a plot point later on.
• The GM can add, remove or change any of the backlash effects. Backlash effects are intended to be unpredictable but fair and with an eye to poetic justice. If a standard backlash effect does not meet those criteria in a given situation then a custom effect is preferred.

Magic Invocation

Magi have diverse methods to invoke their powers, often dependent on their magical school or tradition. The most common is through the speaking ancient and powerful words; while others may use special hand signs, cast lots, trace out magic circles, or some other ritualistic or mystical action. Characters may choose what form their individual invocations take, but for gameplay purposes invocation methods are always, unless specified by an ability, obvious to witnesses through both sight and sound. People may not understand what is occurring or may not even believe magic is possible, but they will understand the magus is trying to cast a spell.

8th Age Magic: Occult in an Era of Materialism

Magic in the 8th age is not common, due both to the event known as the cessation at the start of the age and the subsequent rise of materialism as the generations passed. Most people have never seen magic and either doubt it can be performed at all or that the cessation made it impossible. Stories of magic in the past are still known, but a majority believe they are exaggerated or made up. All major modern religions, including universal orthodoxy, forbid magical practice, though their few remaining organized orthophysi are often the target of mocking and accusations of paranoia. That said, active magi do still exist, though they prefer to do their work in private and only pass on their knowledge to well-trusted individuals like family. Due to the ever-increasing restriction and disinterest of magical knowledge, modern magi usually conform to strictly defined magical traditions, and do not commonly experiment with new magic spells as in previous eras. When magic is performed in public, it is often disbelieved and attributed to video manipulation or other technologies, and is a common subject of network-driven conspiracy theories.

Playing a Magus in the 8th Age

While there are more advanced methods, the recommended way to play as a Magus (i.e. a magic user) in Polemos is for a player to:

• Discuss their character concept with the game master, and go through the ramifications of their supernatural powers on the story and setting.
• Choose an organic race - artificial bodies are only able to do minimal magic.
• Use some of the character's XP to increase maximum MP.
• Use some of the character's XP to purchase magical spell abilities.

Using Magic in the 8th Age

To use magic, a character needs:

• At least 1 maximum magic point (MP). This comes from spending XP.
• Choosing a spell to cast. Spells are abilities like any other, but cost MP to use and use the [magic] tag. Spells are usually grouped into magical arts similar to how physical abilities are grouped into martial arts.

Orthophysi in the 8th Age

In the 8th Age magic is most commonly seen as a fantasy or impossible to perform in modern times. Some religions, including orthodoxy, consider the source of magic to be demonic. They, along with those with a keen interest in history, see magic as a dangerous activity that is not worth the benefits.

An Orthophysis (plural: orthophysi) is a broad label for the individuals and groups that seek to limit the use of magic in the natural world. In modern times they are not influential, but many people are orthophysi-by-default without even considering the issue or knowing the term. Many of the few orthophysi remaining doubt magi are able to do more than parlor tricks, but a handful of classical orthophysi exist. These sometimes come in the form of trained anti-magi - magic users that use their powers to dampen or nullify magical effects, while most others are priests with no magical ability but strong opinions on the matter.

Classical orthophysi can certainly be zealous and cruel, but that is by no means universal. Many see their role akin to law enforcement; magi should be punished as criminals but there's nothing personal at stake. With the (known) magical cataclysms seemingly in the past, magi do not appear to present an imminent threat they might have been pre-cessation.

Playing as an Orthophysis provides a good opportunity for players to "have their cake and eat it too" with regard to magic use. Characters can be interested and studied in magic, but limit the social and material backlash they produce.