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For those who are looking for a particular skill or spell-like ability, but don’t want to go through the effort of picking up the prerequisite skill trees, there are Effect Modifiers. In some ways, these can be seen as shortcuts, but they allow for the creation of common or trope items that are found in most fantasy settings. Like the Modifier Augments, the type of core object and augment tend to be allegorical of the effect, e.g., magic blast wand, (M) Frightful Presence mask, etc.

In game terms, these augments give the character the ability to use skills or spells at a static skill level, typically with a limited number of charges, based on its power level. In addition to limited charges, the rank of skill and type of spell are also dependent upon the power level of the augment. These will typically have an activation process, e.g., putting on a ring, uttering a command phrase, etc., that is defined during the crafting process.

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Minor Effects

For these effects, the augment must be independently constructed and then crafted onto the core object, before imbuing it with magic. While the core object can be of standard quality, augments must be composed of rare materials decorated with a series of magic symbols related to the type. In addition, they must be worked and affixed to the core object by a craftsman of at least expert rank, having a minimum of five (5) skill points in the tree with the appropriate crafting skill (engraving, carving, etc.). An appropriate crafting skill check is required to complete the crafting process, which typically takes three (3) days.

Once assembled, a ritual repetition of the skill or spell casting is performed while saturating the augment with magic over a period of seven (7) days. While it is possible for the caster to perform both actions, this carries a difficult modifier to the Craft Magic skill check. If either skill check fails, the augment is ruined and the crafting process must be begun again on an new core object.

The available Minor Effects are:

Skill Effect (Rank 8): any novice or expert level skill may be crafted into the augment. The wielder is limited to three (3) uses per day and the effect lasts up to three (3) rounds.

Spell Effect (Rank 8): any Instant type spell may be crafted into the augment. The wielder is limited to three (3) uses per day, and the rank is used for all factors, e.g., range, distance, duration, etc.

A defined activation process is required at the time of creation, requiring one (1) action.

Medium Effects

At this level of effect, the independently constructed augment must be composed of a rare material and fashioned by a specialized tool, before it is crafted onto the core object and imbued with magic. The core object must be of masterwork quality and and the augment must be worked and affixed by a craftsman of at least master rank, having a minimum of nine (9) skill points in the tree with the appropriate crafting skills. The crafting process takes five (5) days and requires a successful craft skill check.

After assembly is complete, a ritual repetition of the skill or spell casting by a skilled individual with at least five (5) ranks in the appropriate skill tree is required while saturating the augment with magic. This process takes ten (10) days, after which a successful  Craft Magic skill check is required. A difficult (-4) modifier is applied to the skill check if the caster attempts to perform both actions. If either the crafting or casting skill check fails, the augment and core object are ruined and may result in a magical backlash.

The available Medium Effects are:

Skill Effect (Rank 12): any level skill may be crafted into the augment. The wielder is limited to three uses per encounter and the effect lasts up to three (3) rounds.

Spell Effect (Rank 12): any Instant or Passive type spell may be crafted into the augment. The wielder is limited to three (3) uses per encounter, and the rank is used for all factors, e.g., range, distance, duration, etc.

Only one casting of a spell may be used at a time. Passive spells may be maintained for up to twelve (12) rounds, however, another casting is not permitted until the initial casting expires.

A defined activation process is required at the time of creation, requiring one (1) free action for skills and one (1) action for spells. The activation process may be repeated to deactivate a passive spell before the duration would naturally end.

Major Effects

In addition to an independently constructed augment affixed to a core object of masterwork quality, effects crafted at this level require a bound spirit to sustain the magic (see Spirit Binding in the Crafting Process) as a separate third component. The augment must be composed of a very rare or unique material fashioned by a specialized tool that is destroyed after it’s creation. A craftsman of at least master rank, having a minimum of nine (9) skill points in the tree with the appropriate crafting skills is required to construct the augment. Although a setting in the augment is crafted for the bound spirit, it is not added until after the augment has been affixed to the core object.

The augment typically takes ten (10) days to construct, not including the spirit binding. Independent successful skill checks are required for affixing the augment to the core object and setting the bound spirit into the augment. A failure at either point results in the destruction of the augment and core object.

Once assembled, the caster must make contact with the bound spirit and a ritual repetition of the skill or spell casting is performed while saturating the augment with magic over a period of sixteen (16) days. This process imprints the spell or skill upon the spirit. If the spirit is unwilling, and additional difficult (-4) modifier is added to the Craft Magic skill check. While it is possible for the caster to perform both actions, this carries an additional difficult (-4) modifier as well.

A successful Craft Magic skill check is required to complete the process. If the skill check fails, the augment, core object, and spirit gem are ruined, freeing the spirit and likely resulting in a magical backlash.

The available Major Effects are:

Skill Effect (Rank 16): any level skill may be crafted into the augment. So long as the wielder is in possession of the core object, the skill may be used at will, as if a part of their normal compliment of skills.

Spell Effect (Rank 16): any type spell may be crafted into the augment. So long as the wielder is in possession of the core object, spell may be used at will, with the rank is used for all factors, e.g., range, distance, duration, etc.

Only one casting  of a spell may be used at a time. For active spells, this may be maintained for up to eight (8) rounds, and passive spells up to sixteen (16) rounds, however, another casting is not permitted until the initial casting expires.

A defined activation process is required at the time of creation, requiring one (1) free action for skills and one (1) action for spells. The activation process may be repeated to deactivate an active or passive spell before the duration would naturally end.

LoA Core Rules Craft Magic section image of crafter enhancing weapon using skills from a fighter.