Hand to Hand: Magnus Arcanum

Magic is not just a useful or powerful tool, but the only tool worth using. At least that's the belief of these spell casters. These men and women would rather use magic than any technology or even using physicality, because magic is the great answer to all of life's problems. While lacking in physical combat, this style blends the magic capabilities of the Spell Weaver and the combat applications of the Spell Slinger. Some magic users consider this combat training to be the most powerful of all the magical styles and essential to any "true" mage.

Availability: Practitioner of Magic.

Limitations: The focus is on spell casting with little training in physical hand to hand situations. There are no kicks, critical strike range increase, knock-out/stun range, and no death blow. Note: Unlike the Spell Weaver, students of the Magnus Arcanum start with auto-parry (the ability to parry without using an attack).

Skill Cost: Three O.C.C. Related skills.

Basic Combat Moves:

1: Starts with three attacks per melee round, and Experienced Casting.

2: +1 to Spell Strength, and +2 to save vs. magic.

3: One additional Spell Action per melee round.

4: Master Focus.

5: +1 to Spell Strength, and Advanced Learning.

6: One additional attack per melee round.

7: One additional Spell Action per melee round.

8: +1 to Spell Strength.

9: Select one additional spell (any level, except Spells of Legend); or double the range, duration, and damage of any one spell already known.

10: Double existing P.P.E.

11: One additional Spell Action per melee round, and +1 to Spell Strength.

12: One additional attack per melee round.

13: +1 to save vs. magic.

14: +1 to Spell Strength.

15: One additional Spell Action per melee round.

Advanced Learning: The character has become so familiar with magic and all its principles that he or she can learn spells in half the normal time it would take. This means while a normal spell caster needs to spend two days per level, those of the Magnus Arcanum can learn spells in only one day per level of the spell.

Experienced Casting: Spell casting can be a slow process, and some mystic styles teach accelerated spell casting tricks. The difference here is that this is no trick. There are no short cuts. This is increased casting time based upon experience, understanding the magic so well that it just becomes second nature. These spell casters can cast any spell equal or below their current level in only one melee action. This means a first level wizard can cast first level invocations in only one melee action, and a tenth level wizard can cast any spell from level one to level ten in one melee action. Any spell of a higher level than the spell caster takes the standard casting time.

Master Focus: Interrupting a mage can be a great way to neutralize a spell caster's strongest weapon. Those who study the Magnus Arcanum are masters of spell casting and possess a great deal of experience. They gain a +1 to save vs. interruption for every level the spell is below the mage's current level. Example: A level 10 wizard casts a level one invocation spell. The spell is nine levels below his current level, so the wizard receives a +9 to save vs. interruption. A level 4 wizard casting a level three invocation would receive only a +1 to save vs. interruption.

Spell Action: This is similar to an attack per melee around. The main difference here is that the spell caster has become so proficient in casting magic that the mage can cast spells faster than taking a melee attack/action. Spell Actions are basically like having bonus attacks per melee round, but attacks that can only be used to cast spells. These spell actions cannot be used to throw a punch, dodge, or even take cover.