Learning Incantations

Channelers channel incantations. These incantations draw their magic from infinite wellsprings of energy. They also need an incredible discipline or affinity for the source of the magic; by channeling an incantation with perfect discipline or affinity, a channeler can create amazing displays of magic.

Channelers do not have “spellbooks,” but they do have a number of incantations that they can channel at any time. Unlike characters who prepare spells, channelers can always use their magic, regardless of how often they channeled the magic for that incantation. Channelers do not have to ready their incantations; all incantations are available at all times.

ADDING INCANTATIONS
Channelers usually learn new incantations when they attain a new level. Not every sphere is available
to every character.

Incantations Gained at a New Level: Channelers gain insight into their spheres, meditate, and practice between adventures and while resting. When a channeler learns a new incantation because he gained a level, you can assume that this knowledge represents the effects of practice and study over the course of days, weeks, or even months.

Independent Study: A channeler can attempt to devise a new incantation independently, adding to an existing sphere. A DM decides if it’s possible for a character to develop a new incantation.

If a DM permits the creation of a new incantation, observe the following guidelines.

First, the channeler needs to be in a safe place that is linked to his sphere (a nature channeler would have to be in a natural setting, for example) to meditate. This effort will take a number of days equal to 4 x the incantation’s Difficulty Class, so if the channeler is devising an incantation with a Difficulty Class of 5, the research will require 20 days. The channeler pays 50 XP per day of study, which represents an intense regimen of meditation, experimental channeling, and fasting designed to focus the mind and spirit on the task at hand.

A channeler can’t create a new incantation with a Difficulty Class higher than the channeler is capable of channeling.

At the end of the requisite time for study and practice, the channeler attempts a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + (2 x the incantation’s Difficulty Class).

If the check succeeds, the character learns the incantation the next time he has an opportunity to learn a new incantation through level advancement. If the check fails, the incantation is not yet perfected, and he must go through the study and practice again if he wants to keep trying (although he regains the XP he has spent thus far).

A DM should work with the player before the attempt to develop a new incantation begins, and give him guidance on the parameters under which a new incantation or sphere might be acceptable (see Creating New Spells in the DMG).

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Some creatures, especially those that are linked to a sphere through origin (like an elemental), are naturally gifted in channeling and can channel incantations without having levels in a channeling class. These inborn abilities function much like spell-like abilities or psi-like abilities.

Channeling an incantation through an innate ability, or by using a magic item, works just like channeling an incantation normally does. You provoke attacks of opportunity, and your incantations are not subject to spell resistance.

CONVERTING SPELLS AND POWERS TO INCANTATIONS
Some spells and powers are thematically and mechanically tied to the theme of the three spheres (elements, mind, and nature), and can be converted to incantations. However, due to the differences between spells, powers, and incantations, you need to make some adjustments to the spells and powers in question, some of which are ad hoc.

First, you need to see whether the spell or power follows the theme of the sphere. Incantations of the elements sphere have the air, earth, fire, or water descriptor. Incantations of the mind sphere can come from the telepathy discipline and the enchantment school, although some powers of the clairsentience discipline and the illusion school are appropriate as well. Incantations of the nature sphere usually deal with animals, plants, or the weather. (Spells or powers that fit with the nature sphere can be considered giving the animal, plant, or weather descriptor, see the sidebar above for more information.)

While most of the mechanics of a spell or power stay the same when you convert it to an incantation, you have to assign it a Difficulty Class. Given below is a rough guideline on the conversion of level to DC, although you may want to adjust the DC of a specific incantation.

Converting Level to DC
Level DC
1st 5
2nd 7
3rd 9
4th 13
5th 17
6th 21
7th 27
8th 33
9th 39

Powers also have another way of effectively raising their ‘level’, by increasing the number of power points spent to increase the power’s effect, which is called augmenting. This is similar to enhancing an incantation, and can easily be converted to an enhancement. To convert an augment to an enhancement, increase the DC by the number of power points you have to spend to use that augment. Again, you may want to adjust the number by which you increase the DC when converting an augment to an enhancement.

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