Spells to Observe Through Fire

A few spells akin to Eyes of the Flame (InIg35, ArM p.141) which enhance the range of observation a Magus can perform, and also demonstrate a fair use for the Faerie Duration: Fire. When writing these spells I found the Fire duration limiting and overtly expensive in terms of how many levels it adds to spells. It really should not be a +3 Magnitude adjustment given how limited the mechanics of its use are, and how rarely it is used in-play.

Ears of the Flame

Intellego Ignem 35, R: Arcane, D: Concentration, T: Individual

Lets you hear a fire and anything within its radius of heat and light up to the size of a large campfire which you have an Arcane Connection to.

(Base 10, +4 Arc, +1 Conc)

And then,

Ears of the Faerie Flame

Intellego Ignem 45, R: Arcane, D: Fire, T: Individual, Faerie

Lets you hear a fire up to the size of a large campfire within its radius of heat and light which you have an Arcane Connection to, while it still burns.

(Base 10, +4 Arc, +3 Fire)

Then two variants designed for use with an Intangible Tunnel which makes the spell far lower level.

Eavesdrop by the Fire

Intellego Ignem 25, R: Touch, D: Concentration, T: Individual

Lets you see and hear a fire up to the size of a large campfire within its radius of heat and light which you can touch. The intention is to combine this spell with an Intangible Tunnel to a particular fire.

(Base 10, +1 Touch, +1 Conc, +1 additional sense)

Eavesdrop by the Faerie Fire

Intellego Ignem 35, R: Touch, D: Fire, T: Individual, Faerie

Lets you see and hear a fire up to the size of a large campfire within its radius of heat and light which you can touch. The intention is to combine this spell with an Intangible Tunnel to a particular fire.

(Base 10, +1 Touch, +3 Fire, +1 additional sense)

Over 650+ new spells for Ars Magica can be found here.

A small assortment of enchanted devices

Here is a selection of magical devices from an Ars Magica play-by-post game starting shortly. The devices are not overly different from the core spells they’re based on before being used in lesser enchanted devices, however as written there are a few key differences.

The intent of the first item is to provide a very dangerous spell effecting terms of the damage it inflicts, which is done by extending the duration of the normal lightning spell from a momentary lightning strike to a prolonged effect which surrounds the target. A +30 damage is very harmful already, with this effect that damage continues for 2 minutes.

Ring of Enveloping Lightning

The ring is enchanted as lesser device, with a “Prolonged Incantation of Lightning“, as a total effect level 60.

(CrAu40 – Base 5, +2 Voice, +4 unnatural, +1 Diameter), then Pen 34 (+17), 6 Uses per day (+3). Inflicts +30 damage per round for Diameter, knockdown effect as per spell in Ars p126.

The device shape is a small precious gem hidden within a plain silver ring, activated by touching the thumb to the ring and speaking the phrase “no more” in Latin.

The second ring is a defensive tool. As a ghost the wearer is removed from almost all typical sources of harm.

Ring of Ghostly Form

Enchanted as a lesser device, with “Form of the Lost Ancestor“, effect level 50.

MuCo/Me 40 (Base 30, +1 Conc, +1 Touch), Device Conc (5), 24 Uses (5). Form is a precious gem hidden within silver ring.

Effect will make the target insubstantial, similar to a ghost. They are unaffected by physical things such as weapons, beasts, the elements, and likewise cannot touch physical things, but remains visible. The target can move themselves at running speed.

The third device was invented to be thematic. It has no real game mechanical advantage.

An Illustrative History of the Order

A tapestry several paces wide and floor to curling tall, woven with the symbol of the Order of Hermes as a large central emblem which is surrounded by a sigil of each art, and then each house.

The Weave of Lore and Whimsy – effect Creo Imagonem 20 (CrIm 1, +1 moving, +2 variety of images, +1 complex high quality art, +2 Sun), +2 for 6 use/day, Env trigger +3 for sunrise and sunset. Tapping the edge of the tapestry three times in quick succession will also stop or begin the cycle.

The device’s effect shows a cycle of complex moving images which represent major stages and personalities in the history of the Order. Each image moves slightly to lend a depth, shadow, and movement. Each depiction still looks as if it was crafted in tapestry form, and also moves with it’s own animation.

E.g. The fire around Flambeau moves, as he stands in place. Akin to the Harry Potter portraits, stylised for medieval art. The symbol of Tytalus slowly turns clockwise and counter clockwise, the Bjornaer symbol morphs between cone, circle, triangle. Etc.

Events include The Founding, the Sundering, the Fight against the Spider, the war against Diedne, and thematic visualisation of each Founder, and many more (to suit a 2 mag increase in complexity!)

The last device is specifically chosen for communications and because the spell is apparently not viewed as scrying by the Order in the strictest sense.

The Orb of Telepresence

An orb of white marble one span in diameter, held in a rosewood and brass box.

Device level 60. Effect as per Haunt of the Living Ghost (CrIm/In 35) Ars Magica p.144, modified as a lesser device as: +5 Device maintains conc, +2 for 6 use/day, +18 Pen bonus +36.