Sometimes a Magus needs a solution to a confrontation which doesn’t leave corpses scattered across the ground, or is operating where a little tact will be viewed favorably (rare I know, eh).
The baseline effect in Rego Mentem magic for making a target go to sleep is wonderfully accessible (base 4), which means it can be utilised in a variety of ways without creating very high level spells. The Rpg-Murder-Hobo part of my mind also likes the fact that a sleeping target is very defenseless.
Here are some variations on a basic sleep spell for Ars Magica, designed to exercise some of that utility. The variations chosen will depend on the experience and power level of the Magus.
Firstly an effect to be delivered by touch which also might be useful for use with intangible tunnel spells.
Sleep of the Unwilling, Till Morning’s Light
Rego Mentem 15, R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Individual
The target becomes sleepy and momentarily falls asleep, and will stay so for the duration. Violent or painful stimulus will only rouse the target momentarily.
(Base 4, +1 Touch, +2 Sun)
One of the most useful variations on The Call to Slumber, this keeps the target asleep for a few minutes, which is more than enough time to commit an injustice, escape, or pass by.
Sleep of the Unwilling, Till Moon’s Rise
Rego Mentem 20, R: Touch, D: Moon, T: Individual
The target becomes sleepy and momentarily falls asleep, and will stay so for the duration. Violent or painful stimulus will only rouse the target momentarily. Prolonged rest without sustenance will likely be fatal.
(Base 4, +1 Touch, +3 Moon)
Sleep of the Unwilling, Upon the Mob
Rego Mentem 25, R: Voice, D: Concentration, T: Group
The targets become sleepy and momentarily fall asleep, and will stay so for the duration. Violent or painful stimulus will only rouse the target momentarily. This spell can affect up to 10 standard individuals.
(Base 4, +2 Voice, +1 Concentration, +2 Group)
Sleep of the Unwilling, Upon the Army
Rego Mentem 30, R: Voice, D: Concentration, T: Group
The targets become sleepy and momentarily fall asleep, and will stay so for the duration. Violent or painful stimulus will only rouse the target momentarily. This spell can affect up to 100 standard individuals.
(Base 4, +2 Voice, +1 Concentration, +2 Group, +1 size)
Sleep of the Unwilling, Upon a Distant Foe
Rego Mentem 20, R: Sight, D: Diameter, T: Individual
The target becomes sleepy and momentarily falls asleep, and will stay so for the duration. Violent or painful stimulus will only rouse the target momentarily.
(Base 4, +3 Sight, +1 Diameter)
Lastly there needs to be a basic variant for animals, which while not declared in the Animal guidelines specifically, it seem to be no different for animals than humans.
Hibernation of the Unwilling, Till Morning’s Light
Rego Animal 15, R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Individual
The target animal becomes sleepy and momentarily falls asleep, and will stay so for the duration. Violent or painful stimulus will only rouse the target momentarily.
(Base 4, +1 Touch, +2 Sun)
