Almost Vancian

One of the typical elements of old school games, especially clones or evolutions of the original D&D, are magic rules where wizards memorize spells and when they cast their magic they unmemorize them, the Cast & Forget magic system.

In this article we will present some magic objects that will allow to experiment  with variations of the magic system without changing the rules of the game, in fact as it seems obvious magic objects can always be destroyed or stolen where deemed unsuitable.

If you want to make the changes more structural, the objects can be transformed into objects that every wizard can create with a certain ease, in this case it is suggested to transform each object presented into an object magically "linked" to the wizard and that can be created by learning a specific first level spell (like the Find Familiar spell).

Such 1st level spell will require the expenditure of at least 1000 gold pieces in magical and precious materials, a casting time of at least a week and the sacrifice of at least one attribute point (strength, constitution or dexterity) that cannot be recovered until the object is destroyed, when the bound object is destroyed the wizard must make a saving throw vs. death or lose that point permanently; in any case upon the destruction of the object the wizard loses consciousness for 1d20 turns.

	Hat of Memorization With this magic item, the wizard can attempt to memorize spells without having a spellbook. To do so, follow the normal rules for memorization, but make a saving throw vs. spell (modified by your intelligence bonus and with a penalty equal to the spell's level) to see if memorization occurs or if you lose the memorization slot until your next rest period.  Note: This item is not particularly powerful, and some OSR games, such as the Basic Fantasy Role Playing game, allow memorization without a spellbook as an optional rule. Note: you can make the memorization automatic.
Librarian's Ring This ring allows the wizard to improvise a spell as long as it is a known spell. In order to activate the ring's power, the wizard must consume a memorized spell of a level equal to or higher than the one he wishes to cast; he will then make a saving throw vs. spell (modified by the intelligence bonus and with a penalty equal to the spell's level); if the saving throw succeeds, the wizard can cast the desired spell; if the saving throw fails, the wizard will cast a random spell from those known of the intended level.  Note: the need to use a memorized spell and the risk of not controlling one's magic make this possibility a resource that is not particularly abusive.
	Staff of Concentration This powerful magical staff allows you to make the most of your magic, when the wizard decides to use the power of the staff he can cast a spell without losing its memorization, the wizard must however make a saving throw vs. spell (modified by the intelligence bonus and with a penalty equal to the level of the spell) or faint for 2d6 turns. Once used, the staff becomes unusable until the wizard meditates on it for at least 3 turns.  Note: of the objects presented this is probably the most powerful and in fact it is potentially the riskiest as well as not being usable continuously.

Note: this article was presented in Italian on this blog here: https://d20d12.blogspot.com/2013/03/vanciano-ma-non-troppo.html

Ducks an OSR racial class and advanced race

Castles & Chimeras will take a look at Dungeons & Ducks the first feathered rpg (that had a lot of international translations, in Italy it had a rough history changing his name a lot of times  from the first translation "Antri ed Anatre", the second one "Pertugi e Paperi" up to the final one "Pericoli e Paperi".

Ducks are a small humanoid race that migrate between prime materials plane, they usually stay in one plane for thousand of years and then most of them go to find new lands. Ducks are very versatile and they adapt and prosper in many worlds.

Ducks are a very brave race, are very good at getting along with other races and they are able to live well in almost any place.

Ducks as a playable race are found in many games, they are very famous in Glorantha (also known as Durulz) and in the swedish Drakar och Demoner  which has been translated to english as Dragonbane.

Here we present an OSR racial class for most of the OSR games (Labyrinth Lord, Basic Fantasy RPG, and so on).

DUCK

Prerequisite: DEX 9

Primary: COS

Hit Dice: 1d4

Max Level: 13th

Armors: any (but must be adapted to the small size), any shield

Weapons: any (for their small size)

Languages: Alignament, Ducktongue, Common, Draconic, Halfling*, Gnomic*

*ducks seem to have a knack for learning other small race languages 

Ducks are anthropomorphic beings covered in feathers with beaks, arms and hands and webbed feet, between 90 and 112 cm tall (88 + 2d12) but are very light for their height (30-40 kg). The plumage can have many colors but is often white or black. Ducks have four-color vision so apparently similar ducks have subtle differences in the color of their feathers that make them immediately different in the eyes of other ducks.

Combat

Ducks can use all armor and all weapons as long as they are suitable for their small size.

Hiding

Ducks are very skilled at hiding. This skill starts at 5 out of 12 at first level and improves by 1 every 3 levels (up to 9 out of 12 at 13th level)

Moving Silently (Stealth)

Ducks are very skilled at moving silently (also thanks to their feathers). This ability starts at 5 out of 12 at first level and increases by 1 every 2 levels up to a maximum of 11 out of 12 at 13th level)

Feather Fall

Ducks are very light, if not encumbered their falls are reduced by 30' and they receive half the damage for the rest of the fall. If the damage taken is greater than the remaining hp the ducks can make a saving throw vs. death if they pass it they remain with only 1 hp but unconscious for 1d6 turns.

Reading languages

Ducks in their migrations have known multiple writings. At first level they have a 7 out of 12 chance of understanding any non-magical text, this probability increases by 1 every 4 levels up to a maximum of 10 out of 12 at 13th level

Flock

If at least three ducks work together in combat they receive an offensive bonus of +2 to attack rolls and a defensive bonus of -2 to opponents' attacks, they can also decide who in the flock receives the damage (they cannot divide the damage at will but decide who in the flock will take the hit), they can do this only 2 times during a single combat, 3 times if there is at least a 7th level duck and 4 times if there is at least a 13th level duck.

Use of scrolls and magical items (use magic)

Ducks can try to use any scroll and magical items restricted to other classes, the operation is not without risks especially at the first levels. Use without problems starts from a probability of 3 out of 12 at first level and increases by 1 every 2 levels up to a maximum of 9 out of 12 at 13th level. A result of 12 means that the item or scroll does not function as it should and has dire (and often hilarious) consequences for the duck.

Duck Curiosity (Knowledge)

Ducks are very curious and gather knowledge and curiosities, they have a small chance of having some information about places, stories, magical items and monsters they encounter. This chance is equal to 1 in 12 at first level and increases by 1 every 4 levels up to a maximum of 4 in 12 at 13th level.

Advanced Options

In the advanced rules, Ducks are a race with the following characteristics

Duck

Prerequisites: minimum DEX 9

Ability Modifiers: +1 DEX, +1 CON

Languages: Alignment, Ducky, Common, Draconic, Halfling*, Gnomish*

Description and Powers: as above

Maximum Level per Class

Rogue: 13th

Fighter: 10th

Mage: 9th

Illusionist: 11th

This article is the english version of my italian article here: https://d20d12.blogspot.com/2021/05/paperi-una-razza-classe-vecchia-scuola.html

[CC BY-SA 4.0] [2024] [Fabio Milito Pagliara]

Specialization spell for before 1st era games

Art by Luigi Castellani from the "Spears of  the Dawn" free art pack

The rule in brief: with this rule every spell-caster can specialize in a particular type of magic, when they specialize they will learn a "specialization" spell for each spell level they can use, such a spell when cast will let the caster choose a specific effect between a short list of spells (5 for each level usually) at the moment of casting.

This article is a modification of the Instant Spell Recall a spontaneous magic option for Vancian OSR systems rules. By changing a few assumption it catch 2 birds with one stone. In fact it represent specialization and it gives mage spontaneous magic in the framework of Vancian magic (cast and forget). Furthermore such a specialization can be also be seen as pact magic, as the spell can be easily represented as a special kind of magic that can be learned only if the spell-caster makes a pact with supernatural entity (gods, daeva, demons, faeries, dragon, immortal, aliens or whoever is able to give spell knowledge).

The spell for each level are are very similar to the ones presented in the previous article with the presence of a 1st level spell that let the spell-caster chose between 5 cantrips/orison (0th level spells)

Specialist Spontaneous Spell 0 - cantrip (1st level spell) Conjuration/Summoning

Duration: Istantaneous	Casting Time: 1+spell casting time
Saving Throw: none	Area of Effect: self
Range: self	Components: V, S + spell components

Description: When the spell-caster cast this spell she is able to cast a single spell from a list of 5 (five) 0th level spells, the list is defined by the mage specialization.

Specialist Spontaneous Spell I - 1st level (2nd level spell) Conjuration/Summoning

Duration: Istantaneous	Casting Time: 1+spell casting time
Saving Throw: none	Area of Effect: self
Range: self	Components: V, S + spell components

When the spell-caster cast this spell she is able to cast a single spell from a list of 5 (five) 1st level spells, the list is defined by the mage specialization.

...

Specialist Spontaneous Spell VIII - 8th level (9th level spell) Conjuration/Summoning

Duration: Istantaneous	Casting Time: 1+spell casting time
Saving Throw: none	Area of Effect: self
Range: self	Components: V, S + spell components

Description: When the spell-caster cast this spell she is able to cast a single spell from a list of 5 (five) 8th level spells, the list is defined by the mage specialization.

Once a specialization is chosen it's the same for each spell level (the Game Master can opt for multiple specialization but this should be unusual and with some restriction). Furthermore the GM can decide that such a specialization is at the cost of prohibited spells/schools or (for pact magic) at the cost of specific geas/quest.

let's see how two list of common specialization spells would look.

Spell  Level	Black Mage	White Mage
1'	Obscure Poison: Makes poison detectable only if the caster of the detect poison can make an Int roll. Inflict Minor Wounds: Touch attack, 1 point of damage. Un-Light: dispel a Light cantrip Breaking: Makes minor damage on an object. Putrify Food and Drink: Putrifies 1 cu. ft./level of food or water.	Cure Minor Wounds: Cures 1 point of damage. Detect Poison: Detects poison in one creature or object. Guidance: +1 on one skill check. Light: Object shines like a torch. Purify Food and Drink: Purifies 1 cu. ft. of food or water. Resistance: Subject gains +1 on saving throws.
2'	Bane: Enemies take -1 on attack rolls and saves against fear. Cause Fear: One creature of 5 HD or less flees for 1d4 rounds. Command: One subject obeys selected command for 1 round. Curse Water M: Makes unholy water. Hide from Undead: Undead can’t perceive one subject/level.	Bless Water M: Makes holy water. Cure Light Wounds: Cures 1d8 damage +1/level (max +5). Divine Favor: You gain +1 per three levels on attack and damage rolls. Protection from Evil: +2 to AC and saves, counter mind control, hedge out elementals and outsiders. Shield of Faith: Aura grants +2 or higher deflection bonus.
3'	Death Knell: Kills dying creature; you gain 1d8 temporary hp, +2 to Str, and +1 level. Desecrate M: Fills area with negative energy, making undead stronger. Enthrall: Captivates all within 100 ft. + 10 ft./level. Hold Person: Paralyzes one humanoid for 1 round/level. Undetectable Alignment: Conceals alignment for 24 hours.	Delay Poison: Stops poison from harming subject for 1 hour/level. Gentle Repose: Preserves one corpse. Remove Paralysis: Frees one or more creatures from paralysis or slow effect. Restoration, Lesser: Dispels magical ability penalty or repairs 1d4 ability damage. Zone of Truth: Subjects within range cannot lie.
4'	Animate Dead M: Creates undead skeletons and zombies. Bestow Curse: -6 to an ability score; -4 on attack rolls, saves, and checks; or 50% chance of losing each action. Blindness/Deafness: Makes subject blinded or deafened. Contagion: Infects subject with chosen disease. Speak with Dead: Corpse answers one question/two levels.	Cure Serious Wounds: Cures 3d8 damage +1/level (max +15). Daylight: 60-ft. radius of bright light. Remove Blindness/Deafness: Cures normal or magical conditions. Remove Curse: Frees object or person from curse. Remove Disease: Cures all diseases affecting subject.
5'	Death Ward: Grants immunity to death spells and negative energy effects. Giant Vermin: Turns centipedes, scorpions, or spiders into giant vermin. Planar Ally, Lesser X: Exchange services with a 6 HD extraplanar creature. Poison: Touch deals 1d10 Con damage, repeats in 1 min. Repel Vermin: Insects, spiders, and other vermin stay 10 ft. away.	Discern Lies: Reveals deliberate falsehoods. Dismissal: Forces a creature to return to native plane. Divination M: Provides useful advice for specific proposed actions. Neutralize Poison: Immunizes subject against poison, detoxifies venom in or on subject. Restoration M: Restores level and ability score drains.
6'	Command, Greater: As command, but affects one subject/level. Insect Plague: Locust swarms attack creatures. Slay Living: Touch attack kills subject.. Symbol of Pain M: Triggered rune wracks nearby creatures with pain. Unhallow M: Designates location as unholy.	Atonement F X: Removes burden of misdeeds from subject. Break Enchantment: Frees subjects from enchantments, alterations, curses, and petrification. Hallow M: Designates location as holy. Raise Dead M: Restores life to subject who died as long as one day/level ago. True Seeing M: Lets you see all things as they really are.
7'	Create Undead: Create ghouls, ghasts, mummies, or mohrgs. Geas/Quest: As lesser geas, plus it affects any creature. Harm: Deals 10 points/level damage to target. Planar Ally X: As lesser planar ally, but up to 12 HD. Symbol of Fear M: Triggered rune panics nearby creatures.	Banishment: Banishes 2 HD/level of extraplanar creatures. Forbiddance M: Blocks planar travel, damages creatures of different alignment. Heal: Cures 10 points/level of damage, all diseases and mental conditions. Heroes’ Feast: Food for one creature/level cures and grants combat bonuses. Undeath to Death M: Destroys 1d4 HD/level undead (max 20d4).
8'	Blasphemy: Kills, paralyzes, weakens, or dazes nonevil subjects. Destruction F: Kills subject and destroys remains. Symbol of Stunning M: Triggered rune stuns nearby creatures. Symbol of Weakness M: Triggered rune weakens nearby creatures. Word of Chaos: Kills, confuses, stuns, or deafens nonchaotic subjects.	Dictum: Kills, paralyzes, slows, or deafens nonlawful subjects. Holy Word: Kills, paralyzes, blinds, or deafens nongood subjects. Regenerate: Subject’s severed limbs grow back, cures 4d8 damage +1/level (max +35). Restoration, Greater X: As restoration, plus restores all levels and ability scores. Resurrection M: Fully restore dead subject.
9th	Cloak of Chaos F: +4 to AC, +4 resistance, and SR 25 against lawful spells. Create Greater Undead M: Create shadows, wraiths, spectres, or devourers. Symbol of Death M: Triggered rune slays nearby creatures. Symbol of Insanity M: Triggered rune renders nearby creatures insane. Unholy Aura F: +4 to AC, +4 resistance, and SR 25 against good spells.	Antimagic Field: Negates magic within 10 ft. Cure Critical Wounds, Mass: Cures 4d8 damage +1/level for many creatures. Dimensional Lock: Teleportation and interplanar travel blocked for one day/level. Holy Aura F: +4 to AC, +4 resistance, and SR 25 against evil spells. Shield of Law F: +4 to AC, +4 resistance, and SR 25 against chaotic spells.

Instant Spell Recall a spontaneous magic option for Vancian OSR systems

Art by Joyce Maureira from Scarlet Heroes free Art Pack

Instant Spell Recall I-VIII is a group of spell that let the spell-user to use an higher level spell to have the possibility to chose which spell to memorize between a small group of lesser level spell.

Instant Spell Recall I (2nd level) Conjuration/Summoning

Duration: Istantaneous	Casting Time: 1+spell casting time
Saving Throw: none	Area of Effect: self
Range: self	Components: V, S + spell components

Description: When the spell-caster cast this spell she is able to cast a single spell from a list of 5 1st level known spells (known spells are spells that were understood and wrote on the spell-user spell book), the spell-user will decide these 5 spells when he memorizes Instant Spell Recall. 

Instant Spell Recall II (3rd level) Conjuration/Summoning

Duration: Istantaneous	Casting Time: 1+spell casting time
Saving Throw: none	Area of Effect: self
Range: self	Components: V, S + spell components

Description: When the spell-caster cast this spell he is able to cast a spell from a list of 5 2nd level known spells (known spells are spells that were understood and wrote on the spell-user spell book), the spell-user will decide these 5 spells when he memorizes Instant Spell Recall.

Instant Spell Recall III (4th level) Conjuration/Summoning

Duration: Istantaneous	Casting Time: 1+spell casting time
Saving Throw: none	Area of Effect: self
Range: self	Components: V, S+ spell components

Description: When the spell-caster cast this spell she is able to cast a spell from a list of 5 3rd level known spells (known spells are spells that were understood and wrote on the spell-user spell book), the spell-user will decide these 5 spells when he memorizes Instant Spell Recall.

Instant Spell Recall IV (5th level) Conjuration/Summoning

Duration: Istantaneous	Casting Time: 1+spell casting time
Saving Throw: none	Area of Effect: self
Range: self	Components: V, S+ spell components

Description: When the spell-caster cast this spell she is able to cast a spell from a list of 5 4th level known spells (known spells are spells that were understood and wrote on the spell-user spell book), the spell-user will decide these 5 spells when he memorizes Instant Spell Recall.

Instant Spell Recall V (6th level) Conjuration/Summoning

Duration: Istantaneous	Casting Time: 1+spell casting time
Saving Throw: none	Area of Effect: self
Range: self	Components: V, S+ spell components

Description: When the spell-caster cast this spell  she is able to cast  a spell from a list of 5 5th level known spells (known spells are spells that were understood and wrote on the spell-user spell book), the spell-user will decide these 5 spells when he memorizes Instant Spell Recall.

Instant Spell Recall VI (7th level) Conjuration/Summoning

Duration: Istantaneous	Casting Time: 1+spell casting time
Saving Throw: none	Area of Effect: self
Range: self	Components: V, S+ spell components

Description: When the spell-caster cast this spell she is able to cast a spell from a list of 5 6th level known spells (known spells are spells that were understood and wrote on the spell-user spell book), the spell-user will decide these 5 spells when he memorizes Instant Spell Recall.

Instant Spell Recall VII (8th level) Conjuration/Summoning

Duration: Istantaneous	Casting Time: 1+spell casting time
Saving Throw: none	Area of Effect: self
Range: self	Components: V, S+ spell components

Description: When the spell-caster cast this spell she is able to cast a spell from a list of 5 7th level known spells (known spells are spells that were understood and wrote on the spell-user spell book), the spell-user will decide these 5 spells when he memorizes Instant Spell Recall.

Instant Spell Recall VIII (9th level) Conjuration/Summoning

Duration: Istantaneous	Casting Time: 1+spell casting time
Saving Throw: none	Area of Effect: self
Range: self	Components: V, S+ spell components

Description: When the spell-caster cast this spell she is able to cast a spell from a list of 5 8th level known spells (known spells are spells that were understood and wrote on the spell-user spell book), the spell-user will decide these 5 spells when he memorizes Instant Spell Recall.

This article present a simplified version of the Polyspell this option don't need a repertorie.

Inner book a repertoire of spells for old school spell-users

Art by Earl Geier
from Scarlet Heroes free Art Pack

The Inner Book is a small list of spell that the spell-user can memorize even without a physical copy of her spell-books, it is a spell book existing in the spell-user mind, a sort of specialized form of photographic memory.

Use of the Inner Book
The spell impressed in the Inner Book can be memorized as if the mage had a spell book, the time to memorize a spell is double the normal time of memorization.

Max number of spell in the Inner Book
The number of spell that can be impressed in the Inner book is 5 plus Intelligence bonus (Or half Intelligence value rounded down).

Cost of impressing a spell in the Inner Book
The cost to impress a spell in the Inner Book is 100 gp per level of spell and the use of the same spell from memory, the procedure will take 1 day per level of spell.

Cost of erasing a spell in the Inner Book
To free space on the book the cost is much higher, to erase a spell the mage need 1 week per level of spell to be erased plus 1000 gp per level of spell.

Problems from having spells in the Inner Book
To have even a single spell in the Inner Book means that the character is obviously a spell-user, he will have magical markings moving on his skin, an eerie demeanor and a general -2 to reactions from mundane people.

This article give a way to create a repertoire of spell that can be used for the polyspells presented here: Polyspell an option for spontaneous casting, a middle step between classic vancian and sorcery

Furthermore this article works well with the Recharging Spells a Vancian optional system for AD&D and OSR