General Player Information

What is the Realms?

The Realms is a medieval fantasy Live Action Role Playing (LARP) system. This game has been in existence since the late 1980s. The Realms has evolved considerably since its inception through the participation and imagination of more people than can be credited. Unlike most LARPs today, the Realms has a skill-based combat system, and is community-based rather than run by a single, static council or corporation.

For those who are not familiar with what playing in a LARP entails, it is a lot like acting. The difference is that while the event staff sets the stage, the lines are all yours. You decide what “part” you want to play. Are you a mage, a warrior, a noble, or all of the above? Once you arrive at the event site you slip into your character. You stop acting like yourself and begin acting like your new persona. The Realms uses foam-padded “weapons” to simulate combat and has an intricate magic system to represent all sorts of things we wouldn’t be able to do in real life. The system is designed to help resolve situations that we cannot practically resolve on our own. Specifics of the Realms system will be discussed in more detail later on. You’re in the Realms now and you’ll never be quite the same again.

What is This Book?

The document you are reading is the official rulebook to the Realms. Covered here you will find what you need to know about combat, magic, and other aspects of playing the game.

Be sure to know the 2024 Omnibus rules, as well as any specific rules at each event you attend. At their events, an Event Holder (a player who volunteers to run an event, hereafter referred to as an EH) may choose to change some of the rules, including (among other things) announcing special weapon calls, defining special event-specific spells (Regional Magic), and allowing play-testing of new rules.

The game rules and the rulebook are updated once a year by a council of EHs in order to make the game more fun, make the game safer, clarify existing rules, and encourage increased, improved role-playing. Additionally, the council maintains a list of Standing Policies, where you can find any temporary rules currently in place, and rules and procedures for handling Complaints. For more information on events and the Realms, visit realmsnet.net.

How Do I Start Playing?

First off, read this rulebook. Read the whole thing. It is also a good idea to re-read the Omnibus each year so you can be up-to-date on rules modifications and changes that occur during the Event-Holders Council.

Next, you will need to make a character (the role you play while at events). Characters are often referred to as Player Characters or PCs. This role will be the vehicle you experience the Realms through. Creating a character is old hat to many who have played tabletop role-playing games or other LARPs. If you are unfamiliar with creating a character or want some tips, see Character Creation.

After creating a PC, the best way to become acquainted with the Realms is to simply go to an event. Most people will be happy to explain to you what’s going on. There is so much that can happen at an event that it is better experienced than explained. Attending practices is also helpful, as you not only become acquainted with the combat system, but also get introduced to other players.

Realms Events

An event is where the game is played. There are basically three kinds of events in the Realms: Feasts, Tournaments, and Quests. Some events take on qualities of all the types, but are predominantly one of the three. Here is what to expect at each type:

Feasts
Feasts, as the name implies, revolve around food. Political posturing and court are often held at feast events. There is generally little combat at a feast event, and they are usually held indoors in the wintertime. Bardics, games of chance or skill, and other such activities can usually be found at feasts. Feasts are often a good starting point for some players, particularly those more interested in role-playing than in combat.
Tournaments
Tournament events usually feature contests of both individual and team martial skill. These are usually held as yearly events, and are generally a social occasion. Players more interested in combat and less interested in role-playing and magic find tournament events the best starting point for their Realms careers.
Quests
Quest events are the traditional style of event for saving damsels in distress, finding and killing evil demons, and many other tasks. Nearly anything can happen at a quest event.

Attending an Event

Registration

A list of events can be found on realmsnet.net under the Realms Calendar or the Events tab. Whenever you plan on attending an event, you are encouraged to register for it through realmsnet.net as some events may have caps on how many players can attend, while others may have different registration requirements or pre-event information to disperse to players who are planning on attending. Registering for events also helps give the event staff an idea of how many players they might expect, and helps them to plan accordingly. It is also important to register any dietary or medical restrictions you may have.

Check In

When you arrive at an event, there are a few things you must do before beginning play:

Event Fees

You must pay any event fees; failure to do so means you will not be able to participate in the event and may be asked to leave site. Some events will waive event fees for staff or NPCs (Non Player Characters) however, you must always check with the event holder first. As event fees help pay for the site, props, prizes, food, and costuming that goes into throwing events, without them future events would not be able to occur.

Waivers

You may be required to sign a waiver. Waivers serve two purposes: protection for the EH(s) or the land owners from legal action, and to keep track of how many people attended an event. Monitoring event attendance is the way for the Event Holders’ Council to determine whether or not an event is legal.

Magic

An Event Holder may designate specific marshals to handle magic questions. These are referred to as Magic Marshals (MMs). They may handle spellbook and magic item check-in, spells that require active marshaling, and other magic-related questions during the event. Individual sections of an event may have different MMs, or MMs who handle different aspects of the magic system. Several spells refer to “EH or MM”, meaning a spellcaster needs official permission or response to use that spell.

Spellcasters must check their spellbook with the EH or MM to find out whether any of their spells work differently at the event before they cast any of their spells. Spellcasters with Regional Magic also generally find out what their magic of the day is at check-in. Using spells at an event without first gaining approval by the EH or MM is cheating.

Magic Items

Magic items must be checked in with the EH or MM before the start of the event. EHs and MMs must know about every magic item at an event, so that the event can be adjusted, if necessary. EHs and MMs have the right to fail or disallow any magic item at any time. Using a magic item at an event without first gaining approval by the EH or MM is cheating.

Weapon Inspection

You must inspect your own weapons before they are used. If you are unsure of a weapon’s safety, ask a marshal to inspect it for you. EHs may require a designated marshal (referee) to inspect all weapons to make sure they are safe for use. There must always be someone at an event who can be asked to inspect weapons in case anyone does not feel comfortable inspecting their own weapons. If a weapon is deemed unsafe, it is to be removed from play or repaired.

Alcohol Policy

Alcohol is not permitted unless explicitly allowed by the Event Holder. An event advertised as damp or wet is informing attendants that alcohol is allowed, subject to state and federal laws.

Core Rules

Participant Rights

The Realms is committed to providing a space that feels as safe and inclusive as possible. Participants in the Realms have the out-of-character rights to personal safety and the expectation they will be treated with courtesy and respect by all other participants in the Realms. Participants have the right to bring concerns to a marshal or other responsible staff member with the expectation of having them investigated and appropriately addressed.

Every player has an obligation to read and follow the rules of the Omnibus. EHs understand that the game can be complex and the first step in dealing with behavioral issues or cheating in most instances involves ensuring that the player understands the rules.

However, if a rule is broken, or if there are repeated infractions, an EH may impose consequences on any participant(s) at their event. These may include a formal warning; removal from specific sections of an event; removal from an event; not being allowed to use specific weapons, spells, or items; or prosecution for violations of Federal and/or State law. If you are removed from an event for rules violations, the EH is not obligated to refund your event fee.

If an EH subjects a player to a consequence at their event they are encouraged to notify all other EHs of this via the Event Holders’ List. The player involved must receive a copy of this notification and may send a formal response. People who want to bring formal charges can do so by reporting such charges to the Complaint Review Board (). In addition, any participant that feels wrongful action was taken against them can bring the issue to the Complaint Review Board.

An EH may opt to not allow a player who has a history of breaking rules to attend their events, provided that player is notified in advance. The EH must seek confirmation from the banned player that they are aware of the ban. The ban will be in effect even if the banned player does not acknowledge it. The EH must notify the Event Holders and Announcements mailing lists of the name of the banned player without any further details about the ban circumstances. If a notification by another EH has previously been sent for the banned player, the EH may instead reference it in their event announcement. The EH may discuss the ban further in narrower formats, such as private messages or verbal conversation. Should an EH or Group of EHs decide a ban has been lifted, notification must be sent to the player and the Event Holders and Announcements mailing lists.

Event Holders have an obligation to take reports of rules violations at their events seriously. Having an additional person present during the reporting is strongly encouraged. If you report a violation to the EH of an event and are ignored or no reasonable action is taken, bring the situation to the attention of the Complaint Review Board. Event Holders who have a history of disregarding reports of rules violations, or who do not address especially serious reports may face penalties including, but not limited to, temporary loss of EH status, un-backing of that EH’s magic item(s), revocation of an event’s legal status, and/or being banned from holding future events.

Reports of rules violations to be submitted after the conclusion of an event can be submitted to the Complaint Review Board.

Code of Conduct

Anyone can report harassment or abuse. If someone’s behavior towards you has violated your rights as a participant, or if you witness the same happening to someone else, immediately report the incident to the EH.

If you have reason to believe rules regarding the Code of Conduct may be violated at an event, notify the Event Holder prior to the event occurring.

The following list is not meant to be exhaustive, and any non-consensual violations of a participant’s rights are considered violations of the rules.

Any of the following constitute grounds for punitive action:

  • Violating any federal, state, or local laws, facility rules, or event policies;
  • Failure to comply with the instructions of the Event Holder or designated marshal;
  • Using anything in an out-of-character threatening or destructive manner against person or property;
  • Endangering the safety of oneself or others;
  • Stealing (People’s tents, bags, packs, pouches, and possessions are completely off-limits and out-of-play. There are no exceptions, even if officially in-play items are concealed therein);
  • Drinking alcohol under the age of 21, or providing alcohol to those under age 21;
  • Physical or verbal intimidation or abuse;
  • Stalking;
  • Inappropriate physical contact or proximity. Any form of unwanted physical contact is strictly forbidden;
  • Non-consensual sexual acts (a person under the age of consent cannot consent to sexual acts);
  • Inappropriate sexual attention, whether verbal or physical, or continued attention after being asked to stop (sexual attention towards those legally or physically unable to consent is always inappropriate; this includes people under the age of consent);
  • Harassment for any reason, including out-of-game attributes such as race, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or disability.

Role-play can never be used as an excuse for any of these behaviors. If you are informed that your role-playing is OOC unsafe, threatening, or is not consented to by other participants, you must stop immediately and find another way to play out the scene.

The Safety Rules

The safety rules are out-of-character (hereafter referred to as OOC). They are for our safety, and they provide the guidelines that we all must play by.

The Rules We Play By

  1. We should all be doing this to have fun. If you get mad or uncontrolled, it is up to you to remove yourself from the game until you have regained your composure.
  2. This is a sport of personal honor; treat it as such. You are responsible for keeping track of many aspects of this game, such as weapon blows and known spells. Failure to report or accurately respond to any of these aspects is cheating and a stain on your personal honor.
  3. You must listen to the marshals at all times; they are the referees. If you are caught breaking the rules, a marshal may remove you from all or part of that event.
  4. Report any safety concerns to a marshal immediately. If you have any questions, it is up to you to ask.
  5. HOLD: If you see a harmful or unsafe situation (e.g. someone is about to run into a tree, gets their glasses knocked off, has had their weapon really broken in combat, is about to fall off a cliff, etc.) yell the word “Hold” three times (i.e. “Hold hold hold!”). If someone is injured, it is the primary responsibility of the person who is hurt to call a Hold. Before calling a Hold for someone else in an otherwise safe situation, you must first ask if they are all right. Holds are only to be called in the event of a dangerous situation, and they may never be used to discuss the rules. If you hear the phrase “Hold hold hold,” stop immediately, then repeat “Hold hold hold” until everyone else has stopped moving. Once the emergency has been dealt with, a “Lay-On” (continue play) will be called either by a qualified marshal, or the person who originally called the Hold. Do not resume play until a Lay-On has been called. If you are physically incapable of speaking to call the Hold for any reason, you may instead make a timeout sign over your head with both hands (a capital T shape) to get the attention of other players to verbally call the Hold for you.
  6. Only weapons and shields that have been made following the construction guidelines are to be used. Weapons need to be checked between combat situations to ensure continued safety. A qualified marshal may be requested to check the safety of any weapons or shields at any time. Any new designs or materials must be inspected and approved by the EH or a designated marshal before use.
  7. There is to be NO real steel in any combat situation, or in any potential combat situation, at any time. Real steel is defined as metal knives, swords, axes, darts, spikes, spurs, firearms, etc. - anything that could really hurt a participant. Real steel that is sheathed is still a potential hazard.
  8. Acts considered unlawful in the real world, such as theft of non-game items or assault, are also unlawful in the Realms. For the safety of all participants, any form of unwanted physical contact is strictly forbidden.
  9. Any spell props, weapon props, or materials not specifically allowed within the Omnibus must be inspected and approved by the EH or a designated marshal before they are used.
  10. While the wording of the game rules may occasionally be less than clear, players may not use any such confusion to their own advantage. A simple guideline is to not assume any benefits unless they are specifically granted by a rule. If you feel that the way a rule is written grants you an advantage by omission of a statement to the contrary, you must review that rule with a marshal or EH prior to utilizing that advantage. While this document has a lot of general rules (such as Basic Magic Effects Everyone Should Know), any specific rule will always override these general rules.

The Rules We Fight By

  1. This is a lightest touch sport. ANY contact with a weapon to a body is to be taken as a hit. Ignoring a “light” blow is cheating and a marshal may remove you from the fight. There are to be NO full-strength swings. A marshal may remove you for excessive blow strength. Weapons, melee and missile, must be used with the minimum force necessary to score a successful hit.
  2. The face (eyebrows to chin) and throat area are “off-target.” Do not aim for these areas. You may choose not to accept a blow that hits you solely in these areas, but you must call the location that was hit. For instance, if you are hit in the face, call “Face,” and keep fighting if you wish. This alerts both the other combatant and the marshal that you have taken an illegal blow. It is not unusual for shots to an off-target area to also strike legitimate areas in the same strike. You must take all legal blows, even if an off-target area was hit by the same strike. For example, a shot thrown at your head may hit your face if you pull back, but if it touches your forehead in the process, that is a legal blow.
  3. In combat, there is to be contact with weapons only (i.e. weapons hitting weapons, weapons hitting bodies, and weapons hitting shields only). There is to be NO body contact of any kind (e.g. no shoving, punching, kicking, biting, grabbing, etc.). Do NOT grab an opponent’s weapons and/or shield.
  4. Do NOT charge. Charging is defined as running at someone so that they have to get out of your way to avoid illegal contact.
  5. Shields are for blocking ONLY. Your shield must never be used as a weapon. Shield-bashing or other shield contact with another person is unsafe.
  6. Pommels, no matter how padded, are not legal striking surfaces. Do not punch or thrust with the pommel of a weapon.
  7. Do NOT ever throw a weapon at a participant, unless that weapon is of a type (magic missile, javelin, or lightning bolt) sanctioned by the rules for throwing. No thrown weapon or missile weapon may ever be targeted at your opponent’s head or neck.
  8. Arrows must be drawn with minimal pull necessary to score a successful hit. Bows may not be used to parry an attack. As with thrown weapons, arrows must not be targeted at your opponent’s head or neck.
  9. Non-Combatant players are people who wear a yellow armband or a yellow headband. These players are not to be struck by weapons and may be called dead by anyone wielding a weapon within 10 feet of them.

Combat in the Realms

The Combat System

The Realms uses a lightest-touch system for its combat system. That means that no matter how lightly your opponent may touch you with their weapon, you have to take the shot. This is to keep the sport friendly, so that everyone can play. This system does not allow for “scratches” or “light blows” - you must take these shots as normal blows. In all cases, the phrase, “if you are struck,” refers to any time you are struck by the padded surface of any weapon or spell prop that does damage as a weapon.

Hit Locations

Your body is separated into seven locations of which there are two kinds. Your arms and legs are “limbs,” while your head and the front and back of your torso are “kill locations.” If you become confused about exactly where one location stops and another begins, thinking of a Barbie™ doll may help. The buttocks of a person are considered leg shots. If you are hit in the buttock(s), you lose the appropriate leg(s).

Killing Blows

If you are struck in a kill location your PC is dead.

If you are hit on the top of the shoulder, your PC is dead. If you are wearing armor, a blow to the top of the shoulder is considered a blow to the front or back depending on whether your opponent is in front of you or behind you.

Limb Shots

If you are struck in a limb, your PC loses the use of that entire limb. If you are struck in a limb that has already been lost, and that limb blocked what could have possibly been a legal shot to another location, then that location is considered to be hit. You cannot protect the side of your PC’s body with a disabled arm or by lifting a disabled leg up to block. Once your PC’s limb has been disabled, it should be put behind you. This keeps it out of the way as well as provides a visual cue to other players that your PC is hurt. Once you have lost a limb, your PC cannot use that limb at all. Don’t limp on a damaged leg.

Hand-on-Weapon

If you are struck on a hand that is holding anything that is legal to block or parry with (weapons and shields, but not bows, javelins or arrows), it is considered gauntleted and immune to damage. When this happens, call out “Hand” or “Hand-on-weapon.” If you are struck on a hand that is not holding anything you can parry with, even if you have just taken it off for a second, it is considered a legal limb shot and your PC has to suffer the consequences. Your hand is considered everything below the wrist bone.

How to Take Multiple Hits

Should an opponent’s weapon (be it a melee weapon, missile weapon, or spell prop) hit you in more than one location with the same swing, all points of contact count as hits.

Combat Etiquette

Combat is an important part of the game. In order to make the game more fun for everyone, combat etiquette, which is OOC, has been developed. Using combat etiquette helps avoid confusion and promotes the same kind of behavior when someone else is fighting you.

Calling Hits

It is your responsibility to call where you were hit in combat. This is to let the other participant(s) and the marshals know that you were hit and where you were hit. Calling armor, protections, and other effects is also your responsibility. Armor must always be called, even when a PC is dead. It is not acceptable to call another player’s hits for them. If you feel that another participant is consistently miscalling their hits, missing shots, or is cheating in some other form, please alert a marshal. It is acceptable to ask your opponent if they were hit, calling their attention to the location.

Late Shots

Sometimes you will strike another participant immediately after receiving a hit that injures or kills your PC. For example, just before your sword makes contact with an opponent, your attacking arm is struck by another weapon. Even though you are incapable of physically halting your attack, the injury your PC received renders the hit ineffective. There is no “follow through” effect that allows your attack to be successful. This is called a late shot. If you deliver a late shot, it is your responsibility to inform your opponent to not take the blow. Common phrasing includes “Don’t take that!” or “Late, on your arm!” Like other shots, you may not declare that someone else hit you late. If you think someone is failing to call their late shots, question them after combat ends, or bring your concern to a marshal.

Illegal Hits

Sometimes you may hit someone with a part of your weapon that doesn’t actually damage their PC, such as the pipe of a weapon, the side of a thrust-only weapon, or the shaft, fletching or nock of an arrow or javelin. If you do this, be sure to call “Don’t take that!” to alert them that it wasn’t a legal hit, and that they may resume play as if the hit never occurred. A player may also call “shaft” if they received an illegal hit from an arrow or javelin, or call “slash” if they received an illegal hit from a thrust-only weapon.

Missing Shots

Sometimes in the thick of battle people miss shots, because of adrenaline or focus. This is generally unintentional and accidental. It often stops once a fighter has more experience in calling and feeling their shots. Repeatedly missing shots or intentionally missing shots is different and is cheating. If you repeatedly miss shots, you may be asked to get retrained in fighting, or may be asked to stop playing.

Off-Target Areas

The face and the front of the throat are off-target; never aim attacks there. If you are hit in either location, you need to announce it, even though the hit has no game effect. Face is considered the area on your head below your eyebrows, in front of your ears. Throat is considered the forward-facing section of your neck, above the sternum. The forehead from the eyebrows up, the back and top of your head, and the sides and back of your neck are all legal targets.

Should an opponent’s weapon hit you in more than one location with the same swing and one or more of those blows land in an off-target area (such as your face or your throat), you still have to accept those blows which did land in legal locations.

Breast shots and groin shots are legal and considered killing shots, but such shots are highly discouraged. Everyone is encouraged to wear protective gear to avoid injury to sensitive areas.

Never deliberately aim for an off-target area (face with any weapon, or head with a ranged weapon) or the groin or breasts. Accidents happen, but if you frequently target these sensitive areas it will indicate to others that you are not a safe and controlled fighter, and you may be asked to sit out by a marshal.

Armor

Types of Armor

All PCs can wear armor. Some characters may have limitations on calling the armor they wear based on their armor restriction. Armor allows a PC to take blows without taking injuries. There are two kinds of armor: heavy and light. Heavy armor will absorb two blows per hit location before you have to take the shot. Light armor will absorb one blow per hit location.

If you are able to call light armor based on your restriction, it must be represented by wearing garb taking the appearance of quilting, leather, or some other protective material. You may also wear garb taking the appearance of heavier armor, even if you cannot wear and call 2-point armor based on your restriction. Your base layer of clothing will not provide you with the benefit of light armor.

If you are able to call heavy armor based on your restriction, it must be represented by wearing garb taking the appearance of armor that is, in general, bulkier, rigid, and more cumbersome than light armor.

Armor must allow you to feel blows through it and it must look like it would fit in a medieval or fantasy setting.

Calling Your Armor

Armor protects by hit location, so if you have more than one piece of armor on a hit location, it is all considered damaged when you are struck there. On the other hand, if one piece of armor covers more than one hit location, it is treated as separate hit locations. The armor hit locations are divided up by the hit locations for taking wounds and kills. As long as you are wearing garb that looks like armor as described above, and it covers 75% of the location you are armoring, you may call the appropriate kind of armor on that location.

Light armor allows you to call out “Armor 1” on that hit location and the next blow will do damage. If you are wearing heavy armor you can call out “Armor 1” and then “Armor 2” before the hit location takes damage. When you call your armor, you must also indicate the hit location where the armor was damaged. This helps your opponent to know where they hit you, and saying it aloud also helps you to remember where your armor is damaged.

For example, if you are wearing heavy armor, and if you are hit in your head, then your chest, and then your head again, the calls would be “Armor 1 Head”, “Armor 1 Chest”, and “Armor 2 Head”. The next blow to your head would kill you.

Character Death

As players experience the game through the eyes of their characters, PC death becomes an important aspect of the game.

Death

Death occurs in many ways. Usually, death of a character happens when something, such as a weapon, hits a character in an unarmored kill location. Certain spells may also kill a character, from magic missiles to ingesting poisons or other more esoteric means. Death renders the character incapable of any action until such time as a spellcaster or item, with the power to heal the dead, raises the character, or magic that regenerates or animates them takes effect.

Death can be repaired by many spells, abilities, and items. Be sure to go over Combat in the Realms and Basic Magic Effects Everyone Should Know for more details on what causes and cures death.

In the Realms there are two states of death. They are death (or dead), and soulless.

If your PC is dead or soulless, try to lie or sit still. Try not to look around or talk. Do your best to role-play a corpse. Don’t get upset if someone hits you with a killing blow when you are already dead. If somebody does this just say, “Dead.” They are making sure that you really are dead.

In tournaments, or other high combat situations, it is acceptable for a character to move out of the way to avoid being stepped on. They may resume their death act in a safer place. They may also sit or kneel to avoid injuries. If you are role-playing death in any of these forms, try to keep your weapon over your head to signify your character is dead. If you do not have a weapon, putting your fist on top of your head also works.

If someone looks at you and asks you to describe your wounds, do your best to comply. If you were backstabbed and you’re lying on your back, tell them they don’t see any wounds. Then, if they roll you over to look at your back, tell them they see a deep wound in your back.

When your PC is killed (dead, but not soulless) and then raised, they may remember everything up until the point of their death.

Playing Dead

It is legal for characters to lie down and pretend they are dead, but they may not put their weapons over their head. If someone asks a player if their character is dead, the player and the character are not obligated to answer, but if a player is asked to describe their character’s wounds, they must do so as accurately and honestly as possible. If their character is not really dead and someone comes close to them to loot their character’s body, they are free to attack the unsuspecting looters. If you suspect a character is not dead and would like them to be, you may gently tap them with a weapon in a kill location.

Soul Loss

Soul loss is the removal of a character’s life essence. It is a more serious form of death that requires more than a simple spell to repair. A character who has lost their soul cannot be raised or animated until their soul has been restored.

Destroying a Body

In order for a player to separate a soul from a body, they must destroy the body. This is done by striking 200 blows with a weapon beside the body being destroyed. More than one person may destroy a body at a time. More than one weapon may be used to destroy a body as well. This effectively divides the number of blows to be struck between the number of participants and number of weapons used. Some monsters and characters under certain spells may require more blows to completely destroy. If you strike 200 blows and the victim says “The job is not yet done,” then the body is not yet destroyed. Some spells, such as Strange Brew: Potion of Acid and Assassin’s Blade, may accelerate the act of destroying a body.

After the body is destroyed, the character whose body has been destroyed is rendered soulless. It is then the responsibility of the player who destroyed the body to inform an EH or an appointed marshal. The EH must be informed immediately of the body’s destruction, thus allowing the EH time to prepare for those who might wish to return the soulless character to life.

If your character is pretending to be dead, interpret any body destroying blows as blows to the closest kill location. So, if your PC is pretending to be dead and someone starts to destroy their body, the first blows that are struck on the ground next to you count as if they were striking your PC on the nearest kill location, destroying any undamaged armor, and then killing them.

If your PC is killed and their body is destroyed, they will not remember anything about how they died should they manage to be raised.

Should your PC be dead at the end of an event without being raised, even if the character’s body was not actively destroyed, the PC will be considered soulless.

Fixing a Soulless Character

To restore someone to life after they have lost their soul, characters must first have the body of the person needing to be raised. Then characters must either cast a Call the Soul, an Intervention spell, or administer a Potion of Soul Snare to summon and reattach the soul. If characters lack the body, only an Intervention spell will be able to return the soulless PC back to life. When the body and soul are reunited, characters must cast one Raise Dead spell for each event (including the first) since the soulless PC was rendered soulless in order to raise them. A different spellcaster must provide each Raise Dead spell used for this purpose.

Permanent Death

When a PC is dead and soulless at the end of an event at which they were at some point alive, they get a “tick.” PCs may also receive ticks due to use of certain magic items or plot interactions. A PC is only obligated to accept one involuntary tick per event. A PC that accumulates three or more ticks is permanently dead, as their soul can no longer be restored by any means. On January 1st of each new year, one tick is removed from each PC that has any, unless they are already permanently dead.

If a PC is killed and rendered soulless during an event, but returned to life before the end of the event, they do not get a tick.

For a body’s complete destruction to be official, it must be brought to the EH’s attention. The EH must provide the Death Marshal with this information from their events. A tick may only be issued or reported by a legal EH of the event where the tick was incurred or by the player whose PC received the tick. The Death Marshal will keep track of this information.

Weapon Rules

Players are responsible for being safe with the weapon(s) they are using. Before using a weapon style in-game, players must be properly trained by a marshal or someone who is safe and proficient with that weapon style.

Wielding Weapons

For the purposes of the rules, you are wielding a weapon or shield if you are holding it in your hand(s) and you attack, parry, or block with it. You are wielding a combination of weapons and/or a shield if you attack, parry, or block with either of them. Simply holding a weapon, or menacing with it, does not count as wielding unless contact is made. You cannot wield more than one item in a hand at once.

If you are wielding an illegal weapon or combination and you attack, then you must tell the target “Don’t take that.” If something you are not wielding blocks a shot, then you must treat the blow as if it had landed. If you are not sure where that blow would have landed, then assume it would hit the location that would cause you the most harm (e.g. an unarmored kill location). There are special restrictions for spellcasters in terms of wielding and blocking with different weapons, and specific consequences for doing so outside of the spellcaster’s restriction. See Breaking Weapon Restriction for more information.

The size of a weapon or shield, as measured by the longest dimension, dictates how it may be wielded. Weapons and shields cannot be any smaller than 12", and cannot exceed 8’ in length.

Weapon Length Quick Guide
Length Weapon Type
12" to 3’8" One-handed
3’8" to 5’ Hand-and-a-half
4’ to 5’ One-handed, no Florentine, thrust-only
5’ to 6’6" Two-handed
6’6" to 8’ Two-handed, thrust-only

One-Handed Weapons

You can wield a one-handed weapon or shield in one hand and still use another one-handed weapon or shield in the other hand. Using two one-handed weapons (up to 3’8" each) together, one in each hand, is commonly called a “Florentine” combination. Magic Missiles are also considered one-handed weapons, but follow special rules.

Hand-and-a-Half Weapons

If a weapon is considered hand-and-a-half, then you can use the weapon with one hand, but your other arm or hand cannot be holding a weapon or a shield. Lightning bolts are also considered hand-and-a-half weapons. Bows are wielded as hand-and-a-half weapons, but follow special rules.

Two-Handed Weapons

If a weapon is two-handed, you may only wield the weapon with two hands. Every blow you strike must be started with two hands. If you lose an arm while wielding a two-handed weapon, you may not attack with that weapon. You may parry with a two-handed weapon with only one hand, but only if you are not wielding something else with your other hand.

Every blow you strike with a two-handed weapon must begin with both hands on the weapon. If you let go with one hand during the swing, the swing is still legal. Once the initial swing has ended, the attacker will have to grab the weapon with two hands again before making another attack.

Thrust-Only Weapons

Thrust-only weapons cannot strike an opponent with a “slashing” or side-to-side motion. If you slash at an opponent with a thrust-only weapon, you must tell them “Don’t take that.” As long as the tip of the weapon strikes with a forward motion the blow must be taken. If you are not certain that a thrust-only strike landed properly, you must assume it was a slash and tell your opponent not to take the shot.

Spears (Thrust-only)

A spear is a thrust-only weapon between 4’ and 5’ in length. These weapons may be used as a single-handed weapon if used alone or with a shield. Spears may not be used with other weapons. Their length must be between 1/3 to 1/2 covered in foam and they must be clearly labeled with the word “Spear” on the blade. Once being labeled as a spear the weapon must stay thrust-only even if it is legally made to regular slashing hand-and-a-half standards.

Missile Weapons

Projectile weapons, such as arrows, javelins, and spells with missile props (like Magic Missile and Lightning Bolt), cannot be targeted at your opponent’s head. Head and neck shots from projectile weapons, even if they did not hit the face or the throat, do not have to be taken as legal shots.

Magical missile weapons granted by spells with missile props are live and inflict damage on any target they hit until they come to rest, regardless of whether they hit the ground, a wall, a weapon, a tree, or any other obstacle along the way.

Arrows and javelins are live and inflict damage on any target they hit until they hit the ground, regardless of whether they hit a wall, a weapon, a tree, or any other obstacle along the way. Only being struck with any portion of the foam head of the arrow or javelin will cause damage. The shaft, fletching, and nocks of arrows and javelins do not cause damage.

It is the responsibility of the player wielding the bow or javelin to tell you not to take the blow. A player may also call “shaft” if they received an illegal hit from an arrow or javelin. The length of javelins and arrows are not subject to a spellcaster’s weapon restriction.

Arrows

An arrow does not take any hands to wield and can be wielded with a bow. However, they are considered weapons for the purposes of spells and will cause some spells to fail. An arrow is only considered live when it is shot from a bow.

Bows

A bow is wielded as if it were a hand-and-a-half weapon. This means that it may not be held when a weapon or shield is being wielded in your other hand, but it is legal to fire it with one hand — if you can! A bow is not considered a “weapon” for purposes of determining whether a spell fails, unlike the arrows it fires.

Bows must have a full draw weight of 30 pounds or less. Just like melee weapons, be careful about how hard your arrows are striking your opponent. Fire arrows with the minimal pull necessary to score a successful hit.

If a weapon hits a wielded bow or nocked arrow, the bow is “broken” and may no longer be used in combat. Anyone can fix a broken bow by holding the bow with both hands, then counting to 120 seconds. You cannot actively parry with a bow or an arrow.

Javelins

A javelin is wielded as if it were a single-handed weapon. This means that it may be held when a weapon or shield is being wielded in your other hand. A javelin is considered a weapon for the purposes of spells. A javelin is only considered live when it is thrown.

Weapons Construction

There are several ways to make weapons in the Realms. If you are playing for the first time, it is a better idea to borrow weapons than to try to make any of your own. Once you see what other weapons look like and ask people about how they made their weapons, you will be better prepared to construct your own.

Be sure to follow these guidelines when constructing a weapon:

  • All non-missile melee weapons must be made out of lightwall PVC, fiberglass, or bamboo cores as noted in the table below.
  • There can be nothing in the core, and both ends must be capped with a rigid material.
  • All weapons must have a thrusting tip (the pipe foam that extends beyond the tip of the pipe) as noted below.
  • A weapon’s striking surface must be made from closed-celled foam pipe insulation, which must be at least 5/8" thick and which must be firmly strapping-taped in place.
  • All striking surfaces must be covered in either duct tape or fabric.
  • Only magic weapons may be made with a blue-colored striking surface, and you may only make a magic weapon through the use of spells in the magic system, or if you are releasing one as an EH.
Length Core Thrusting Tip Camp Foam Disk Squishy Foam Tips Minimum Foam Coverage
12" - 44" 1/2“, 3/4”, or 1" PVC 1 3/4" Not Required Not Required Half of weapon length
12" - 44" 3/8" bamboo or 1/2" fiberglass 1 3/4" 1/4" Not Required Half of weapon length
>44" - 60" 3/4" or 1" PVC 1 3/4" Not Required Not Required Half of weapon length
>44" - 60" 1/2" bamboo or 3/4" fiberglass 1 3/4" 1/4" Not Required Half of weapon length
Spears
(48" - 60")
3/4" or 1" PVC 2 1/4" 1/4" 2" One-third weapon length
Spears
(48" - 60")
1/2" bamboo 2 1/2" * 1/4" 3" One-third weapon length
>60" - 78"
(6’6")
3/4" or 1" PVC 2 1/4" Not Required 2+" Half of weapon length
>60" - 78"
(6’6")
3/4" bamboo or fiberglass 2 1/4" 1/4" 2+" Half of weapon length
Pikes
(>78" - 96")
1" PVC 2 1/4" 1/4" 2" One-third weapon length
Pikes
(>78" - 96")
3/4" bamboo 3" * 1/4" 3" One-third weapon length

* add 5" camp/yoga foam sleeve starting beneath the foam disk extending away from the tip

Double-Bladed Weapons (Including Marns)

  • No surface of a double-bladed one-handed slashing weapon may be shorter than 6".
  • The overall (combined) foam length must still be at least half the length of the weapon.
  • Each striking surface of a double-bladed slashing weapon of hand-and-a-half length or longer must be at least 1/3 the total weapon length.
  • Weapons with a non-bladed portion longer than the shorter of the two blades must provide non-damaging covering foam or other padding as a courtesy to shield the exposed core.

Arrows, Javelins, and other Missile Weapons

T8, golf tube, and Aqua Tube Arrows

  • All arrows must have 2" thrusting tips, 4" of pipe foam, and 2" squishy-foam tips to be considered safe.
  • All arrows must be made from 3/4" or 1" diameter tubing.
  • All arrow tube shafts must be capped on the arrowhead end of the shaft with a rigid material. Examples of acceptable cap materials include, but are not limited to, rigid plastics (such as milk jug caps or film canister caps) or a single washer (non-metal washer) or coin. Any such rigid materials must be appropriately sized to match the arrow shaft in diameter.
  • Arrows may not be weighted in any way beyond the materials necessary for safe construction. Weighting includes the attachment of multiple rigid caps.
  • All aqua tube shafts must, at minimum, be covered by two lengths of strapping tape.
  • Lightning Bolt props are the only “arrow” props that may be made solely from white duct tape. Arrows may have a white head or shaft, but not both.
  • Whether custom-designed arrows are allowed is up to the individual EH’s discretion.

LARP Arrows

  • Head must be permanently affixed, commercially manufactured, designed to be “larp safe” or “archery tag safe” with squishy foam, and have a minimum diameter of 2 1/8" on the striking surface.
  • Shaft must be made from either unbreakable or safety fiberglass, covered in a minimum of 2 layers of fiberglass reinforcing tape (strapping tape), and be no longer than 29" measured from the end of the nock to the base of the arrow head.
  • Nocks must be permanently affixed and must be manufactured and designed to be “larp safe” or “archery tag safe”.

Lightning Bolts

A Lightning Bolt prop is a T8, golf tube, or aqua tube arrow, or a javelin, made with the following additional details:

  • It must be primarily white.
  • It must be between 2’6" and 3’6" in length. The prop is not subject to the spellcaster’s weapon length restriction.
  • It must have the words “Lightning Bolt” and the spellcaster’s name written visibly along the shaft.
  • It cannot have an arrow nock.
  • It must not have the word “Javelin” on it if it is a javelin prop.

Javelins

  • Javelins may be constructed using golf tubes or aqua tubes with foam coverage on at least 1/3 the weapon length.
  • Javelins cannot be nocked, and must have foam coverage on the non-damaging end of the shaft.
  • Javelins must be made from new pipe foam and must have squishy-foam heads.
  • Any fletching added must be made out of foam, and the javelin may not be weighted in any way.
  • Javelins must be between 2’6" and 5’ in length.
  • The word “Javelin” must also be written on the side of the weapon.

Shield Construction

  • You as an individual must be able to safely wield any shield you use. A marshal or EH can pull a shield if they feel it is unsafe.
  • Shields can be made of any safe material, such as wood, plastic, or cardboard. Metal shields are heavy, but are allowed if otherwise safe.
  • All shields must have their edges covered by foam. Any protruding metal screws or bolts must also be padded.

Equipment Inspections

You must inspect any armor, weapon, or shield before using it. If you are unsure about an item’s safety, ask a marshal and they will inspect it for you. Any item can be inspected at any time during an event at anyone’s request. This is meant for the purpose of ensuring safety and may never be used for strategic or tactical purposes. The EH or a designated marshal retains final ruling on the approval for use of any armor, weapon, or shield.

Armor Inspection

Armor can be failed or the point value of armor may be adjusted for many reasons. Armor can have exposed edges that could cause a safety concern for the wearer or other combatants. The EH or designated marshal retains final ruling on the point value and approval for use of armor.

Shield Inspection

Shields can be failed for many reasons. A shield can have exposed edges or protrusions that could cause a safety concern for the wearer or other combatants. A shield can be failed if it has seen too much abuse and has not been repaired recently. The EH or designated marshal retains final ruling on the approval for use of a shield.

Weapon Inspection

Weapons can be failed for many reasons. A weapon can have too much “whip” (one that flexes too much) or not enough “whip” (one that doesn’t flex at all). There is no standard way of measuring flex, you will have to use your common sense. A weapon can be failed if it has seen too much abuse and has not been repaired recently. The most common problem weapons have is that their thrusting tips are breaking down or have been compacted. The EH or marshal retains final ruling on the approval for use of a weapon.

Combat Calls

Combat calls are what you may hear yelled in combat, and you must know how these calls affect your PC.

Armor

Negates a hit attack. When “Armor” (or “Armor 1,” “Armor 2,” or “Armored Cloak”) is called in combat, it means that the person calling armor is protected against the attack that landed on them, usually by means of armor or a spell effect.

Piercing

Armor cannot always protect a PC from certain attacks. If an opponent attacks a PC in any way and calls out “Piercing,” any of the armor that is struck by the attack is completely destroyed, and the PC suffers the effect of the blow as if they were not wearing armor. For example, if a PC is wearing heavy armor on their right arm, and an opponent hits it while calling “Piercing,” the PC’s armor is destroyed on that arm and they lose the limb.

Boulder

A PC can encounter a boulder call in one of two ways: being hit with a physical boulder prop or by a weapon simulating the effects of a boulder. In either instance, the same call of “Boulder!” is used.

If you or any of your equipment are hit by the call of “Boulder!”, you suffer the following effects: your character is dead, any armor hit is “broken” where the boulder touched the locations, magic items hit by the boulder are disenchanted, and any non-monetary equipment (i.e. non-enchanted weapons, bows, and shields) that is hit by the boulder is “broken.” It is the player’s responsibility to see that items damaged this way are not used until the appropriate repair spells are cast upon them.

A boulder prop is often represented by throwing large duct-taped chunks of foam or beanbag chairs with the zippers duct-taped over. When thrown, the boulder is active until it comes completely to rest. PCs may not throw or pick up boulders. Four or more PCs, using a total of eight hands on the boulder, may work together to “push” a boulder along, to free trapped gear and companions, but not to cause damage.

Disease

If a weapon strikes a PC and the wielder calls “Disease,” wounds on their body take twice as many spells to be healed until the disease is cured. This effect only damages a PC, not their armor. For example, if you are hit by a diseased blow to the leg, Heal Limb would need to be cast twice on the leg for it to be healed until the disease is cured. Similarly, if you are killed by a disease shot, the spell Raise Dead will need to be cast twice on you until you are cured of the disease.

Regeneration effects will still affect a diseased character with a single use, but the regeneration time is doubled until the disease is cured. Disease can affect both living and dead characters.

The spells used to heal a wound of a diseased character must be cast in succession (i.e. without other spells being cast on the character between the two spells).

Fireball

If you or any of your equipment are hit by the call of fireball, your character is dead. Armor and weapons hit by the fireball are not broken, but also do not protect against its damage.

The fireball call may come in the form of a thrown prop (as with a magic missile) or as a weapon blow. Fireball is magical in nature.

Flat

To “knock out” an opponent, the attacking player must call out the word “Flat” prior to their attack. Should a successful killing blow be struck, they have instead rendered their foe unconscious for a steady count of 120 seconds. The unconscious PC may be wakened sooner by having another PC come and wake them up by touching the unconscious PC and saying “Wake Up.” The PC can also wake up when any damage is inflicted on them. You may call “Flat” at any time, even in the middle of a fight. This form of attack deals no damage to armor.

Impale

Impaling is the act of holding a weapon in an opponent’s kill location after death, and saying the word “Impale.” It counts as continuous, non-body-destroying blows to that location. The act of impaling will bypass any armor, damaged or not. While impaled, a character cannot be raised or animated and is unable to regenerate. The results can vary when impaling NPCs.

Lightning Bolt

If you are hit by any part of a white boff arrow or javelin and the thrower calls “Lightning Bolt,” your PC is struck as if by a magic piercing weapon.

Poison

There may be occasions where a PC is struck with a blow and the wielder calls “Poison.” If this strike damages a PC in any location, be it torso, arm, leg, etc., then the PC is killed. When the blow does no damage to a PC, such as a hit to an off-target area or a hit to armor that protects the PC, then the poison has no effect. Armor struck with a poison blow is still used. If a PC is under the effects of a spell that protects them from poison in some fashion, the PC still takes the normal damage from the blow but the poison will have no additional effect. Players must also call “Immunity to Poison,” to allow an opponent to understand that they recognized that the blow was poisoned.

Weapon Type and Material Calls

Occasionally, more powerful monsters are only affected by certain weapon types or by certain materials. For example, axe-mace trolls are typically only injured by axes and maces; werewolves are only affected by weapons made of silver. It might be a good habit when using a melee weapon other than a sword to call the type of weapon you are using as you swing. If using a mace, say “Mace” with each swing. When you are wielding a non-normal weapon (e.g. magic or silver), that weapon will always strike with the same effect therefore you must call that effect with every swing.

Magic

If a weapon strikes you and the wielder calls “Magic” (or “Magic Missile”), it means your PC has been hit with a magical blow. Generally, being hit by magic doesn’t affect your PC any differently than being hit by a normal weapon, but sometimes PCs are under spell effects where it makes a difference.

Silver

If a weapon strikes you and the wielder calls “Silver” it means your PC has been hit with a silver blow. Being hit by silver doesn’t affect your PC any differently than being hit by a normal weapon.

Non-Combatant Players

At any time during an event, a player may declare themself to be a non-combatant. They do this by informing an EH or designated marshal and by putting on a player-provided yellow armband on each arm (or on their head, if their arms would otherwise be covered). Only players who declare themselves to be non-combatants may wear a yellow armband. Once a player declares themself to be a non-combatant, they will stay a non-combatant until the end of an event (unless given approval by an EH). A player declaring themself to be a non-combatant takes on a few unique rights and responsibilities:

  • First, and most importantly, never hit a non-combatant with a weapon. Intentionally doing so is cheating. Instead, to kill a non-combatant, you may simply point at them and say “die”, provided either you are wielding a melee weapon and are within 10 feet of them, or you are wielding a missile weapon. This can not be resisted by any means. If a non-combatant is regenerating, you can simply point at them and say “impale” and, while within 10 feet of the body, they will be considered impaled. They may be rendered soulless as normal.
  • Second, a non-combatant may never wield a weapon and must take reasonable precautions to avoid looking like they are wielding a weapon. They may carry weapons and shields for others, but shall do so in such a manner that makes it clear that they are not being wielded. In addition, non-combatant spellcasters may not use the spells Magic Missile or Lightning Bolt.
  • Third, a non-combatant shall do their best to stay out of the flow of combat. Should a non-combatant die, and combat is near to them, they may walk while dead to an OOC-safer place for them.
  • Fourth, a non-combatant must make sure their yellow armband is visible at all times. If it is not, they must remove themselves from any combat situations until they have a visible armband.
  • Finally, a non-combatant is encouraged, but not required, to tell the EH of an event the reason for them to be a non-combatant, if the non-combatant feels that the information should be known by a member of staff.

A yellow armband must meet the following requirements:

  • It must be a dayglo yellow or other similar fluorescent yellow color with the words “Non-Com” on it.
  • It must be at least 2 inches wide or actively glowing. At night it still must be visible, including being lit up, if needed to make sure it is seen.
  • If a non-combatant’s arms are covered, a headband matching these criteria may be worn.

Non-Combat Interactions

In-Character and Out-of-Character

Being In-Character

Generally, events officially begin after the safety rules, any specific site rules, and other special event rules have been read aloud to the gathered players.

Once an event has begun, you are assumed to be in-character (IC) at all times. This means that you are playing your PC the whole time you are at an event. Staying IC can add greatly not only to your own event experience, but to those who are playing the game around you. When a companion of your PC is “killed” it adds to the tension and drama of the scene if they pretend they are dead, but it breaks the mood completely if they are laughing and making comments.

Your character may feel differently than you do about something, like slavery, magic, politics, or religion. You may be a pacifist, while your character is a bloodthirsty barbarian. If you can remain true to the character, despite your differences, you can make a memorable story for yourself and those around you. Sometimes staying IC is challenging, especially when you know something that your character shouldn’t logically know, but it is worth it to try to remain IC when playing. Likewise, when the game is done, leave your character behind.

Breaking Character

Once an event has begun, breaking character is discouraged except when necessary. If you must do so, it helps if what you say is prefaced with “Out-of-character,” as in “Out-of-character, where is the tenting area?” That way, the person you are addressing knows that it is a real-world concern, and should be dealt with differently than a strictly IC concern.

Sometimes when players get really into character, you may begin to wonder whether animosity or other emotions are completely IC. It is acceptable to break character to make sure everything is in fact still IC and no one’s feelings are getting hurt OOC.

Out-of-Character-Only Terms

There are a few terms that should only be used when speaking OOC: “Hold” and “Medic.” Hold is only used in emergencies as it stops the game. Medic is used when someone needs immediate real-world medical attention for any reason: an allergic reaction to a bee-sting, a twisted ankle, an asthma attack, etc. Do not call “Medic” for imaginary (IC) injuries. If you need IC medical attention, call “Healer!”

Out-of-Play Areas and Time-Out

The EH has the option of declaring portions of the event site as “out-of-play” for safety reasons or for NPC use. Never use these out-of-play areas as safe havens.

If a fight breaks out in an area that is unsafe to fight in or that is out-of-play, then the fight needs to be moved to a safe in-play area. If you are in such an area, you may be asked to leave said area for combat. If you refuse to leave the unsafe area, your PC is considered dead. After the fight, those involved can move back to where the fight “really” took place, and continue on.

An EH is free to create an in-game safe area if they choose. For example, powerful enchantments on the tavern may render weapons and hostile magic inoperable within the tavern walls. In this case, it is fine for players to hide there, since they will be taking advantage of an in-game effect.

EHs may also declare a time-out during an event for sleep, dinner, etc. While on an event site, if you are not acting as an NPC at the EH’s request, or you are not in a time-out, a character is liable to be attacked, and their possessions open to theft.

Dragging

To drag a dead, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated body in our game, you must place a hand on the shoulder, back, or arm of the body and say “Drag.” The player being dragged must then get up and walk with you, bringing what they are carrying with them. Stealable items stay on a dragged corpse unless explicitly searched off. A dragged body is considered one-handed and may not be used as a weapon or a shield. At any time you may tell the dragged player “Drop,” thereby letting go of the player and dropping them on the ground. A body being dragged can never be “thrown” or “tossed.” If the person dragging the body lets go, then the body drops in place.

Searching and Theft

There are certain items that are referred to as being “Stealable.” Some examples of stealable items are magic items, magic weapons, Realms currency, silver weapons, and occasionally non-magical items. With the exception of currency, the word “Stealable” is likely written somewhere on the object.

Players must assume that any props or items used by event staff are not stealable unless labeled as such or told otherwise by event staff.

Searching

Searching is a touchy subject. In the real world, if a bandit has just killed someone they can just take everything they own. In the Realms, an object has to be considered stealable to be taken from a person or location without the owner’s permission. The problem is that often these stealable items are not easily recognizable, especially the smaller items. Also, while “secret pockets” and such seem like a good idea at first, frisking a dead character could be considered a form of harassment towards the player and is to be avoided. To handle this situation, the searching rule exists.

The searching rule is verbose because there have been a lot of problems about searching in the past. The rule is mostly common sense. Once you think about it, it will seem quite simple. There are two ways you can search someone, using a Point Search or Full Search.

Point Search

To simulate ransacking a character’s pouches, weapons, and clothing quickly, a player can “point search.” Essentially, the searcher says “Search” and tells the victim where they are searching (e.g. “I search your pouch.”) If there are stealable items in the area being searched, then all the items in that area are handed over immediately. The area that a person point-searches cannot be any larger than one hit location on the body (e.g. you would have to search each sleeve of a shirt and the front and back of a shirt to search everywhere inside the shirt). Pockets and pouches have to be pointed out to be searched. You cannot say “I’m searching all your pockets,” you have to search each one individually; left and right sleeves, boots, gloves, etc., all have to be searched separately, one at a time. Only one person can point search a victim at a time. Point searching does not wake up an unconscious character.

Full Search

The other way to search someone is to simulate taking your time to do it thoroughly. That is, the character simulates stripping the body from head to toe, ripping everything to shreds, garnering every last item you own, etc. In order to do this the searcher simply says “Full search.” Every stealable item the victim has must be handed over to the searcher. This search takes 120 seconds to perform. After this, the items are the IC possessions of the searching character. Full searching will wake up an unconscious character.

If someone full-searches a character and a different character comes by during that time and point-searches the victim, the full search is stopped and the point search is resolved. If a character does not specify what kind of search they are performing, then it is assumed that they are performing a point search. If told only that they are being searched, the player whose character is being searched must assume it is a point search and respond, “Where?”

Realms Thieves

The only objects that are always in-play, are fair game for theft, and can be stolen without consulting the bearer of the object, are those considered stealable in-game (see In-Game Items, below). In order to steal any other object, you must have the explicit permission of the owner/bearer before making the theft. This means that to steal another PC’s jewelry (assuming that some of it is considered treasure), you must ask the person who plays that PC. One way to do this is to kill or flat the character and tell them that you are searching them. If they have anything that is in-play, they must show it to you, for you to take or leave as you wish. Never pick up something off a table or from in front of someone’s tent, unless it is Realms currency or either labeled Stealable or Event-Stealable.

It should be restated that people’s tents, bags, packs, and pouches are completely off-limits and out-of-play. No matter how many magic or silver weapons, or how much Realms currency someone might have, you may never, under any circumstances, enter their tent or go into their bags, packs, or pouches and take anything out without the owner’s explicit permission.

A magic item is the property of the EH that created it. It is the EH’s will that the item be able to be circulated around the Realms by theft, as a gift, as part of an inheritance, or any other means so long as it occurs at an event.

IC theft, not gift, of stealable items in OOC situations, not at an event, is not acceptable and will not be upheld.

In-Game Items

Currency

Various groups and nations issue different currencies for use as treasure and to pay for goods and services in-game. Stamped wooden nickels are commonly used, as are plastic and metal coins, and laser-cut acrylic. Denominations vary from currency to currency, but most people will refer to “one gold” as the standard unit of currency. Some issues are backed, meaning that if you accumulate enough of any one currency, you can trade those coins in to the issuer for goods, weapons, or services. Many older coinages and silver pieces are not backed, and while they’re still in-play, many people either heavily discount them or don’t accept them at all. Issues and worth of coins fluctuate. If you’re in doubt as to what a coin is worth, ask the merchants and the gamblers. Realms currency cannot be counterfeited; to do so is cheating.

Silver Weapons

Silver weapons are created by players with the spell Reforge or are released by EHs.

Magic Items and Magic Weapons

All magic items and magic weapons are stealable.

Magic weapons must be made with a blue-colored striking surface, so that they are distinctive. No permanent magic item may be issued by anyone except an EH.

Should a magic item or weapon become broken or disenchanted at an event, it requires a repair through the Reforge spell to return to a functioning state. Additionally, magic items which have been revoked by their EH/creator are no longer considered magic items and also revert back to the EH who created them. Magic weapons that are currently in existence may be re-bladed without the use of a Reforge spell, to repair safety issues, by first contacting and gaining permission from the issuing or backing EH.

Event-Stealable

The props for certain spells and items as designated by the EH are considered “Event-Stealable,” meaning that they are stealable treasure during an event, but should be returned to their OOC owner at the end of an event. Before you leave an event site, you must return (to the best of your ability) any items marked as “Event-Stealable” to the EH or MM. Props for PC spells are returned by the EH or MM as an OOC courtesy, and will be done so without revealing the identity of the thief. If you have a spell that has an event-stealable prop as a component, you may replace it without penalty at the next event if it is not returned to you for whatever reason. You can never declare permanently stealable items as event-stealable.

Torches

Anyone may carry and use a normal red chemical light stick, or equivalent, as a one handed item. It is only considered a one handed item when it is being used as a light source. Electronic light sources must be checked in before use and may be pulled if they may be too bright or unsafe for the event. These lights may only be visible while being wielded.

Torches are subject to the Disrupt Light spell. The torch wielder may not wield any torch for 5 minutes after hearing the spell. If using chemical light sticks, the torch wielder must also carry a bag large enough to hold all of the glow sticks they will use and thick enough to prevent any light from escaping. It is the torch wielder’s responsibility to know what the Disrupt Light spell is, how to recognize it, and how to respond to it.

Character Creation

The Social Structure

The Realms is not governed by a single kingdom. Each nation has its own hierarchy and structure. There are no hard rules for governing the social structure. Claiming land and titles is anyone’s prerogative. The social structure really only has one rule: if you can back up your title or claim then you deserve to hold it. If you can’t, then you should have nothing to complain about if you get put in your place.

Creating a Character

If you are already familiar with role-playing in general, or with live action role-playing specifically, you probably already know how to make a character. If you are new to the concept of role-playing, the following questions might help you establish the traits and characteristics of your PC. You should try to answer the questions for yourself, but some suggestions are provided.

What is your character’s species? There are as many species available in the Realms as there are minds to create them. In the Realms, there are no restrictions on what species you can play. The only rule is that you may gain no special benefits or specialized abilities for playing a certain species or person (the only way to gain supernatural powers is through legally released items, the spell system, or by being appointed a Knight of the Realms or a Knight of the Eternal Flame). If you create your own “species,” you would do well to consider its mannerisms, average age, codes of ethic, etc. Of course humans are the easiest to play, since you are probably human.

What is your character’s age? If you are playing a human character, it is usually best to pick an age near your own. Other species may have different average ages.

Why is your character an adventurer? Most people of the Realms prefer the relatively safe life of a farmer or craftsman. Why has your character left home to join in the rather hazardous occupation of hero? The answer to this might give you some valuable insight into the persona of your character.

What is your character’s background? There is no limit on where your character came from. As was stated before, your character can come from anywhere, so long as they gain no IC benefits from it.

Does your character have a lifetime goal, dream, or driving force? Goals define characters well, and how far they are willing to go to attain that goal rounds them off.

Being a Fighter

Fighters are capable of using any weapon style, to the limits of the Wielding Weapons section. They may use up to 2-point armor (heavy armor) for each hit location. They are not considered enchanted beings unless stated in the Enchanted Beings Caveat.

Being a Spellcaster

The magic system is based on a simple path setup. There are many different paths available to a spellcaster, with each path consisting of a list of spells. A spellcaster may choose to take as many as three paths of spells as they progress, with weapon and armor use becoming more restricted as the number of paths learned increases. More information on becoming a spellcaster can be found in Spellcaster Basics.

Multiple Characters

You may have more than one character in this game. However, you may only play one PC per event unless you have EH permission to play multiple characters.

Knights and Knightly Powers

There are many knighthoods in the Realms. It is a great honour to be appointed as a knight, and sometimes this honour comes with special powers. For their service to the game, a Knight of the Eternal Flame may, once per calendar year, call “Knight” to protect themselves from one attack. A Knight of the Realms is allowed to do this once per event. Event Holders may choose to grant powers to members of other knighthoods.

Magic in the Realms

Basic Magic Effects Everyone Should Know

Even if you are not a spellcaster, and have no desire to become one, there is still some basic information that you are responsible for understanding. In nearly all cases, a spellcaster casting a spell on your PC should explain, either through their Verbal Component or as an aside to you, how the spell affects your PC. Even fighters should read the magic system and spell descriptions, so they have a basic understanding of magic in the game and how it might affect them. No spell effect may be ignored unless otherwise specified in the spell system.

The following are some rules about spells that can have an effect on your character on a day-to-day basis. They are included here with some basic information about how they affect you both IC and OOC.

Healing Spells

When your character is injured or killed, only magic can fix the damage. To raise a character means to return a character to life. Raising a character repairs any injuries to limbs the character may have taken prior to their death and also nullifies the effects of any poisons in their system at the time of their death.

  • Combat Raise Dead: this three-word spell will raise a character.
  • Cry of Life: the call of “All in the sound of my voice, rise and fight” raises all dead who hear it.
  • Group Healing: allows a spellcaster to make a large circle through which they cast a healing spell upon every character in it.
  • Heal Limb: this spell allows one wounded limb to be magically healed. The spellcaster will let you know when your character’s limb has been repaired.
  • Raise Dead: this spell raises a character. This spell will not work if there is a weapon within 10 feet of the spellcaster. Inform a spellcaster the spell has failed if you know about a weapon near enough to disrupt the spell. A bow is not considered a weapon, but arrows are considered weapons.

Regeneration

Some spells grant the ability to regenerate from death. This takes 120 seconds. While this happens, your wounds begin to heal. Until 120 seconds have passed, this grants no benefit. A blow to any kill location on a dead body will cause a regeneration count to reset no matter where the killing blow was inflicted. Impaling stops regeneration; the count resets when the weapon is removed. Regenerating from death heals all healable wounds on the body. If examined by another person, wounds can be seen to be regenerating. If you are diseased, it takes twice as long to regenerate. The effect ends when you are raised.

Combat Spells

Certain combat calls (Lightning Bolt and Magic Missile) involve a prop that is thrown at a combatant. After the prop has come to rest it is only a physical representation of magic and cannot be moved or touched other than by the person who threw it. It may be seen and guarded but not purposefully hidden (e.g. putting a bucket over it). The prop is not considered a weapon and does not cause Spell Failure except while the spell is active (i.e. from when the prop is thrown until it comes to rest).

Undeath

Certain spells make your character undead for their duration. You may not refuse to have your PC animated as an undead, unless under certain magical effects. You are now playing an undead version of your PC and have access to all their spells, abilities, and knowledge. Your character will remember what happened to them while they were animated as an undead. While undead, your character cannot cross a Circle of Protection, other than one created by the person who animated them (represented by a circle of white rope on the ground), or advance within 5 feet of someone casting Ward: Undead or Ward: Enchanted Beings. Your character stops being undead, and the spell ends, when you are slain and then raised, or simply raised. This family of spells does not give you the ability to ignore weapon restrictions. Many spells that turn you undead make you a thrall. Thralls act like your character, but you must follow commands given by the spellcaster, and you must act in their best interest, especially when interpreting their commands. You cannot be compelled to forcibly break restriction, do anything unsafe, or violate your OOC morals, and you can ignore those commands. If you have any questions about this, ask the spellcaster when they cast the spell on you.

  • Animate Undead General: if this spell is cast upon you when your PC is dead, your PC is animated as an undead thrall under the spellcaster’s control. In addition your PC now has the ability to cast Animate Lesser Undead with unlimited castings. The Undead General will die to any damaging magical attacks regardless of location. Your PC must follow the orders of the spellcaster.
  • Animate Undead: if this spell is cast upon you when your PC is dead, your PC is animated as an undead thrall under the spellcaster’s control.
  • Animate Lesser Undead: if this spell is cast upon you when your character is dead, your character is animated as a lesser undead thrall under the spellcaster’s control. Lesser undead cannot use any armor or spells regardless of what they normally have. Animate Lesser Undead can be used to reanimate an undead, but it returns the character to un-life, rather than life.
  • Walking Dead: certain spells will make a PC’s dead body walk without either returning them to life or fully animating them as undead. When a PC is under the effects of these spells, follow these guidelines:
    • Walk at a steady pace, do not run.
    • Keep any items on you that you would retain if picked up and dragged.
    • Move to the destination as directly as possible without taking an OOC unsafe path. If the only option is to move into an OOC unsafe situation, then the spell ends and the body falls to the ground.
    • If another character interferes with the body, such as by attacking them or physically stepping in their way to block them, the effect of the spell ends.
    • The PC cannot take any actions other than walking; no attacking, searching, picking up items, using magic items, or drinking potions.
    • The PC is considered to be Undead while the effect lasts. See the Undead Caveat.
    • The main difference between various Walking Dead spells is in where the PC must walk to.
      • Beckon Corpse: the PC will stand and walk to the spellcaster as long as they are chanting. If the PC is forced to stop, the spellcaster may have the option to regain their attention and resume chanting, at which point the PC will get back up and continue walking to the spellcaster.
      • Zombie Walk: the PC will follow the spellcaster until the spellcaster either ends the spell, the spellcaster attacks someone, or they are attacked.

Potions

Potions are disposable magic items that anyone can use. Common forms that potions can take include, but are not limited to something that must be consumed or a scroll that must be read or ripped. In all cases the potion needs to be administered by a living or animated character, and after it is used, cannot be used again.

Blacksmith Spells

Certain spells repair damaged armor and broken items.

  • Repair Armor: this will restore one hit location of non-magical armor that has been damaged. For example, the armor on one arm, the chest of a shirt of chainmail, head armor, etc.
  • Repair Item: this will restore non-magical armor, weapons, and other items that have become damaged or destroyed. This spell has a Verbal Component, and it fixes the entire item. For example, all hit locations of someone’s armor, a bow, a boulder-crushed weapon, a shield, etc.

Other Spells and Things You Should Know

  • Create Poison: if you ingest food or drink that is poisoned through the use of this spell, you will be handed a scroll upon which is written the poison’s effect. You must follow the scroll’s instructions completely. It will either cause your PC to die, sleep deeply, or tell nothing but the truth. All effects other than death are short-lived.
  • Cure Disease or Potion of Cure Disease: these spells cure a character of a disease.
  • Immunity to Poison: this spell makes your PC immune to the very next poison or poison attack that would otherwise affect them. It works only once per use of the spell. Call “Immunity to Poison,” when you use this spell’s effect.
  • Light: you may not take the light out of verbal communication range of the spellcaster.
  • Pas: this spell creates a temporary truce. If you accept the offered bribe you are magically bound to not attack the spellcaster for 60 seconds unless you are attacked.
  • Protect the Soul: this spell will protect your PC from possession, Animate Undead, and the like.
  • Speak With Dead: this spell will allow the spellcaster to ask a dead character a single question per casting. Your PC MUST answer truthfully or abstain, using the words, “Yes,” “No,” or “Abstain.”

Spellcaster Basics

Spellbooks

All spellcasters must have a spellbook, which records details of the spells the spellcaster knows. It is a marshaling tool and cannot be stolen from the PC. A spellcaster must have their spellbook on their person in order to cast spells.

  • The beginning of each spellbook must have the spellcaster’s IC and OOC name, their current weapon restriction, whether the spellcaster wears armor or not, and whether the spellbook is IC or OOC.
  • Next, the spellbook must have a listing of each spell the character has learned, in order; each spell’s circle; the date each spell was learned; and a note if any spell is unlearned.
  • The spellbook must have a description of each spell known - including specific components learned for each spell - to which the spellcaster may refer as needed during play.
  • Lastly, the spellbook must list who taught the spell to the spellcaster on either the page of the spell’s description or the spell list.

Spellcasters may have a Spell Mastery section at the end of their spellbook. The Spell Mastery section is a list of spells which the spellcaster has learned during their PC’s lifetime. An entry in this list includes the spell’s name, who taught the spell to the spellcaster, and the date it was learned. Spells in this list cannot be cast, unless they are currently in a spellcaster’s path.

Spellbooks may be declared IC or OOC, and so noted on the title page (“IC” or “OOC” in large, clearly written letters). Any change in a spellbook’s IC or OOC status must take place between events, but requires no particular time to make any such change.

If a spellbook is declared IC, it can be read by other characters, and found and perused in a search. Spellcasters have no option to refuse to reveal their IC spellbooks, provided they are legally found in a search of the spellcaster’s person.

If a spellbook is declared OOC, the information summarized above is OOC information only and exists solely as a marshaling tool. It cannot be read by other characters or discovered in a search. Other information written in spellbooks may be read by others, at the owner’s discretion, such as rune sets, history, or lore.

A player may choose to or need to replace their character’s spellbook. This could be due to such situations as loss, damage, illegibility, or a simple desire to improve it. The player may create a new spellbook with contents as close as possible to the prior one. In the case of swapping out an old spellbook which is still available, the required information in it must be copied over to the new one. In the case of the old spellbook being unavailable or unreadable, then the player must make their best effort to recreate the information in the original. At the next event where they play that character, they must inform the Event Holder or Magic Marshal and have it inspected. At the beginning of the spellbook, where their names and weapon restriction is written, they must note that they are replacing their spellbook along with the date and the signature of the inspecting Event Holder or Magic Marshal. A player may change the path and circle where spells and alternatives to spells sit in their spellbook as a part of replacing their spellbook, so long as the spell build remains legal. The circle must remain the same when moving alchemy or regional magic.

In all cases, spellbooks remain non-stealable items.

Knowledge of the Magic System

All spellcasters are responsible for knowing how the magic system works, specifically the spells they can cast. A spellcaster who misuses their spells is not allowed to claim ignorance as an excuse.

Spell Resets

During some Realms events, you may be told a spell reset has occurred. This means some portion of your magical resources have been restored to your PC. If the EH does not make any additional clarifications to the spell reset, it means that the spellcaster may reset every spell they have (see Resetting a Spell.)

Resetting a Spell

When you reset a spell, you regain all spent castings of the spell being reset, but maintain any choices that were made at the start of the event. If you reset a spell you have learned multiple times, you regain spent castings up to the number you have learned. If the spell gives you points to spend, such as Familiar or Implement, you regain the number of points that the spell reset gave if you spend the points directly, or if you spent the points on abilities, you can refresh up the the reset points worth of abilities you purchased from that spell.

Any ongoing effects from previously cast spells are ended. A spell is considered ongoing if it may still have an effect (e.g. sash spells, Enchant Armor or Immunity to Poison). You must notify any recipients of your spells the effect ended as soon as is reasonably possible. Alternatively, you may choose to spend a use of the spell to prevent the ongoing effect from ending (for example, if you can’t find the person you cast Enchant Armor on to tell them the effect ends, or you don’t want to your Embrace Death spell to end, even temporarily).

Resetting Alchemy and Regionals

If Regional Magic or Alchemy is reset, they are reset in the same way that spells are. An EH may designate some regionals or alchemy can not be reset.

Checking In

As mentioned previously, a spellcaster must check in their spellbook with the EH or the appointed MM before using or learning spells.

Weapon Restrictions and Magic

Weapon restrictions are a matter of game balance. See below:

Weapon Restriction Levels
Level Paths Single Weapon or Shield Florentine, Weapon & Shield Bow or Javelin
Light 1 Path 5’ maximum 5’2" combined length Allowed
Medial 2 Paths 3’ maximum 3’6" combined length Allowed
Severe 3 Paths 18" maximum Not allowed Not allowed

Your weapon restriction changes the moment you learn an additional path of magic. Spellcasters starting out know only one path (as they only know a single spell), and thus their restriction is Light.

For example: Roderick is currently a one-path with five spells. He decides that using a bow and having more magic is more important than his hand-and-a-half, so he decides to keep learning spells. As soon as he learns his 6th spell, his restriction changes over to being Medial.

Breaking Weapon Restriction

A spellcaster may carry any weaponry they want, as long as they don’t wield them. In this context, wield means to make use of the weapon in any way, including hitting someone or blocking a blow, whether intentional or not. To wield a weapon outside of your weapon restriction is called “breaking weapon restriction”.

If a spellcaster purposely breaks their weapon restriction, they suffer the consequences of their actions. They immediately lose all of their spells and become a fighter. Any lingering effects, such as Circle of Protection (but not a Circle of Healing or Mystic Forge), last until broken or when spells next reset before going away. They are no longer a spellcaster, and function as a non-spellcaster in all ways for a minimum of one year. After that year is over, they may then decide to return to being a spellcaster, but must start over from scratch.

If they break their weapon restriction without realizing it, such as a blow being blocked by a weapon they are carrying for a friend, they have the option of either the previous penalty or taking the blow that was blocked. This decision must be made immediately.

Armor

Armor restrictions are a matter of game balance. Spellcasters may only use light armor (1-point) but at a cost to wear it. See below:

Level Paths Cost
Light 1 Free
Medial 2 Top spell in each path
Severe 3 Top spell in each path

For example, a spellcaster with two paths would be able to have 1st through 4th and 1st through 5th, and call armor. This may only be done once; you cannot sacrifice the two highest spells of each path in order to be able to wear heavy armor. A spellcaster may choose to start their spellcasting career with this ability, in which case it must be noted in their spellbook. If not, they must spend one event without learning a spell for each path they know in order to gain the ability to wear armor. Similarly, it takes one event without learning a spell or changing weapon restrictions to give up wearing armor and regain the ability to learn their sacrificed spells.

If a Light restriction spellcaster learns more spells and becomes a Medial restriction spellcaster, upon learning their first spell in their second path, they must choose to either lose the ability to wear armor or their 5th circle spell in their first path.

A spellcaster who uses armor (calls “Armor” in response to a blow) in violation of their armor restriction is immediately faced with the same consequences as one who has broken their weapon restriction, and they can refer to that section for details.

Learning and Unlearning Spells

Choosing Spells

The first step in choosing spells is to decide which 1st circle spell you want to learn. Each path of magic is a list of spells of increasing circles.

A spellcaster may choose one of four options for each circle of a path:

When a spellcaster learns their first path of magic, they gain spell slots for each of 1st through 5th circles, in order. If they learn a second path, they gain spell slots for each of 1st through 6th circles, in order. If they learn a third path, they again gain spell slots for each of 1st through 5th circles. The same spell may be taken multiple times.

Learning Progression

At every event a character attends, they have the possibility of learning one or more spells. If they do not learn a spell at that event, for whatever reason, the opportunity is wasted and they may try again at the next event.

Learning a Spell

At events you attend, your PC may choose to learn spells. A spell may be learned at any time during an event, so long as one has not already unlearned a spell at that event. To learn a spell, you must find an appropriate number of teachers eligible to teach you the spell. You may learn as many spells per event as you are able to prove understanding for, provided you can find enough teachers for each spell. Your first spell at an event needs one teacher, your second needs two teachers, your third needs three, and so on. Each teacher can only help to teach you a single spell per event, however, when relearning spells in a PC’s spell mastery, the PC may give themself one signature for each spell. You do not need to check in a spellbook if you are learning for the first time, as you were a fighter when you checked in.

Teachers are responsible for making sure you understand all of the rules for the spells they teach, and teachers may be held liable for their students if the teachers did not teach spells properly. When they are satisfied, they will indicate this by legibly signing their name in your spellbook. A teacher may refuse to sign if you seem unable or unwilling to understand the rules. Once all of your teachers for a spell have signed your spellbook, you officially know the spell and can cast it.

There are four types of people who can teach you a spell:

  • A PC who has that spell in their list of learned spells
  • A PC who has that spell in their Spell Mastery and is casting Mentor
  • The event’s Magic Marshal, who will usually require you to complete a quest for this
  • You can teach yourself spells listed in your Spell Mastery

Unlearning Spells

Any number of spells may be unlearned at check-in of an event, and only at check-in. If you have checked in your spellbook with the Magic Marshal and made the decision not to unlearn spells, you may not unlearn for the rest of the event. You may not learn a spell at an event where you are unlearning any spells. If you unlearn all the spells in a path, then you no longer have that path, and your restriction immediately changes to match your current number of paths. When you have learned 2 paths, you may not unlearn your first path unless you are also unlearning the second path completely. Likewise when you have learned 3 paths you may not unlearn both paths of magic that only include circles 1-5; you may only unlearn one of those paths unless you are also unlearning all of your path that includes circles 1-6. Upon unlearning all your spells, you are no longer considered a spellcaster. Any given spell may change the path it is in at the beginning of an event by showing your replaced spellbook to the magic marshal with the spell in the desired path and circle.

For example, Ethan is a 2 path with some healing magic in his second path. He decides that he doesn’t like healing very much, and he misses using a 4’6" weapon. At the next event he attends, he unlearns all of the spells in his second path, and he begins the event at Light restriction.

Fiona is a 3 path, but wants to change her 6th circle spell. The next event she attends, she unlearns her 6th circle spell, remaining under a Severe restriction but without access to a 6th circle spell for the event. At the next event she can learn a new 6th circle spell.

Gunthar wants to become a fighter after being an spellcaster for many years, but he doesn’t want to give up the option of learning spells again later that year. At the beginning of the next event he attends, he unlearns all of his spells and starts as a fighter.

Guidelines on Teaching a Spell

Teaching a spell is an important aspect of the game, and while you are encouraged to roleplay and create an in-character experience, there are some minimum requirements that must be met when teaching a spell.

As a teacher, you must ensure the learning player understands the following:

  • The entirety of the spell.
  • Specific rules within the spell.
  • Caveats related to the spell.
  • Uses and components of the spell.
  • Any known interactions with other spells or rules that are atypical from common use.

Additionally, you must:

  • Confirm the spellbook is legal.
  • Confirm the spellbook indicates what circle and path the new spell is being learned under.
  • Confirm the spell entry includes the current date it is being learned and a description with all specific components spelled out.

When you teach a spell, you are asserting that the player whose spellbook you are signing understands how to cast the spell.

The Basics of a Spell

Spell Components

Spells have components that are necessary in order to cast the spells. Some are specific, and every player must use the same component to make sure that everyone understands what spell your PC is casting. Some are left open and the spellcaster can choose any component that fits the description. The spell descriptions list the minimal spell components required for each spell. The game does not limit the spellcaster’s freedom to define their own magic, so the required components are as succinct as possible. You may add more requirements for shtick if you like, but you cannot leave out any of the minimums. A spellcaster may cast any number of spells at a time, provided at most one has a verbal component.

Here are the definitions of the different types of components:

  • Verbal Component (VC): These are the words you have to say while casting the spell. It is important that you enunciate your verbal component and say it loud enough so the person or persons affected can understand what you are saying. The verbal usually explains what spell you are casting. If the target cannot understand you, they are not affected by the spell. Any required verbal must be recited without stopping or errors, with the exception of OOC explanations (such as combat calls). A verbal must be written within the spellbook in order to be used, and it must meet the criteria for the spell. Requirements such as “Talk to the EH” or “an explanation” can simply be written as such. Multiple verbals may be written for the same spell, and the spellcaster may choose which to use at casting time. Verbals may be changed between events.
  • Material Component (MC): There are three types of material components; required, disposable, and foci.
    • Required components are specific to a spell, such as bean-bags, foam, or duct tape blocks for the Magic Missile spell. These components cannot vary from what is listed.
    • Disposable components are up to the player, but they must be something that is consumed or thrown away with every casting of the spell. A disposable component is something that the spellcaster could easily hand to the MM for inspection.
    • A focus is a component that is not consumed or thrown away. Often, it is necessary for the spellcaster to brandish a focus while casting certain spells. The spellcaster may have a single focus for all of their focus-based spells. A focus is something that another player or NPC can obviously identify as the focus when the spellcaster is using it for a spell. A spellcaster must also be able to hand this to the MM for inspection. A focus may not be a weapon.
    All MCs must be specified and written down in the PC’s spellbook for every spell that they know and, except for foci, the component must be different for each spell. A spellcaster must have at least one uninjured hand to use a MC.
  • Active Component (AC): These are actions that the spellcaster must take in order to cast the spell and must be performed at the time of casting. If the active component(s) of a spell are not performed throughout the entire casting process, the spell is not cast. Characters may add anything else for role-playing purposes.
  • Duration: Unless otherwise noted in the spell description or caveat, all spells end when the event ends.

Alternatives to Spells

These are similar to spells, but they don’t have any particular circle. You can learn and unlearn them as if they were spells, and you can put them into your Spell Mastery as if they were spells.

Regional Magic

At any given event, the EH may wish or require that certain magical abilities be available to the players. One of the ways they can accomplish this is through Regional Magic. Regional Magic is usually an additional number of spells that spellcasters can choose from. Spellcasters can only choose from this list if they had filled at least one spell slot with a Regional Magic spell. Regional Magic is learned and unlearned just like any other spell, and may be learned from anyone who knows it at any circle.

At some events, the Regional Magic your PC will receive is based on which circle spell slot you filled with the Regional Magic spell. At some events, all of the Regional Magic spells are the same, no matter which circle slot you filled with Regional Magic. Others are completely random. Some EHs may require you perform certain actions before gaining the Regional Magic. The details of Regional Magic are left entirely up to the EH. No Regional Magic spell will have a lingering effect that lasts longer than the end of the event. One thing to keep in mind is that while Regional Magic is more versatile, it is also more unreliable. An EH may choose a different spell from the list, a new spell, or nothing.

Alchemy

A spellcaster may choose to take Alchemy in a spell slot instead of learning a spell. This still requires someone to teach and sign off their spellbook. Any spellcaster that knows Alchemy must include a points total on their spell list page. Whenever a spellcaster learns Alchemy they receive points equal the chart listed below. For example, if Samuel learns Alchemy in his third and fifth circle slot, he will have 12 points with which to make potions. All spellcasters know three basic potions, listed below, and can learn more with the Strange Brew spell. All Potions are governed by the Enchanted Items and Potions Caveats.

Spell Circle 1 2 3 4 5 6
Points Gained 1 2 4 6 8 12

Basic Potions

  • (1 Point) Potion of Mending: Recipient receives a basic regeneration. This potion will have no effect on a living target.
  • (1 Point) Potion of Repair Armor: Repairs one hit location of armor. The potion is poured or applied to the damaged armor and held there for a 15-second count. The armor does not need to be removed for the potion to be applied to it.
  • (Special) Power Potion: Resets a single spell of the recipient equal to half of the points spent to create it, rounded down. This cannot be used to reset a 6th circle spell. (Example: a spellcaster may spend 10 points to make a potion to reset a 5th circle spell.) Each level of Power Potion requires either its own unique sigil or to be clearly marked with the spell circle it was created to reset.

Caveats

Caveats are general rules that apply to all spells or spell effects of a similar type. Each spell that is affected by a caveat is listed in the appropriate place.

OOC Calls

These are special OOC calls to inform and describe specific IC game effects, These calls do not break verbals, chants or other VCs as they are purely game mechanics and martialing tools. All spells that utilize special combat calls describe the specific call that must be made with its use.

Chanting

Some spells require that their VC be chanted continuously for the duration of the spell. These spells do not take effect until the VC has been recited fully, at least once. These spells last as long as the spellcaster continues the chant. OOC explanations (such as combat calls) do not interrupt these spells. For example, if a PC is chanting a Merge spell and is hit by a weapon, they may call “No effect” without interrupting the spell; if a PC is chanting a Ward: Undead spell and a goblin hits their leg, they can call “Leg” (or “Armor,” or “Armored Cloak,” etc.) without having the spell end. The VC for these spells must be spoken clearly and loudly enough that anyone affected by the spell can understand them. Chanting spells can be disrupted by the 4th circle spell Disrupt. It is the PC’s responsibility to know what the Disrupt spell is, how to recognize it, and how to respond to it.

Circles

There are a number of spells that are considered circle spells. A circle spell must be clearly defined by a length of rope that has been laid on the ground with the ends overlapping. The ends cannot be tied together or secured in any way, and the rope in general cannot be secured or bound in place or the spell fails. Only one spell may be cast with a particular rope at a given time, although after the spell ends, a different spell may be cast with that rope. The rope does not need to be laid down in a circular pattern. Although a given circle spell may have a specific way of being broken, all circle spells are broken if the rope is jostled enough to move the ends apart by a character able to cross it. Any circle spell can be suspended by the 4th circle spell Disrupt. It is the PC’s responsibility to know what the Disrupt spell is, how to recognize it, and how to respond to it.

Compulsions

Some spells are able to magically compel a character to act in a way the player would prefer they did not. Compulsions can be ignored if they are humiliating or exceedingly difficult commands such as “Kiss my feet” or “Move that wall ten feet to the left.” They also cannot violate OOC mundane laws or ethical codes. They may not force a spellcaster to break their weapon restrictions. Additionally, if the character has been turned undead, they cannot be compelled to communicate knowledge gained before they were made undead.

Enchanted Beings

All spellcasters, undead, and certain creatures are considered to be enchanted beings. Normal fighters are only enchanted beings if under the effect of certain spells, as per the Undead Caveat. Enchanted beings are affected by a certain number of spells, while non-enchanted beings are not. These spells include Circle of Protection and Ward: Enchanted Beings. By definition, any undead creature is an enchanted being.

Enchanted Items

Some spells create or enchant items, or are enhancements that affect players. These spells create magical effects, but are not potent enough for the items bearer or the target of the enchantment to be considered an Enchanted Being, nor is their magic potent enough for the item to be affected by the spell Circle of Protection once they are cast. If the MC of these spells are disenchanted (through the spells Disenchant or the Strange Brew: Potion of Disenchant option) the spell will end, rendering the MC inert. Magic items are not covered by the Enchanted Items Caveat.

Potions

A spellcaster who learns Alchemy must have a page in their spellbook listing the sigils that they will use to label potions. Each type of potion they can make, must have a unique, distinguishable sigil. When a potion is made, the spellcaster must put their legible signature, the appropriate sigil, and the date upon the container. Once created, all potions are considered stealable items. A potion can be a represented by a liquid, lotion, elixir, magical food, or anything else, as long as it is safe to be administered in a combat situation. Potions must be directly applied to the recipient. They may not be thrown, dropped, or remotely applied in any manner. The spellcaster need not be present in order to use their potions.

Potions take a 60 second process called Brewing to be cast. At the beginning of an event, the spellcaster must describe in general terms their process of brewing. An alchemist may brew as many potions as their spells allow during the same 60 seconds. If they wish to create more later, they must begin the process again. If the alchemist is interrupted while brewing, Alchemy points are not lost, but the potions will not be made, and they must start over again in order to make any potions. Although not required, use of additional props or role-playing is encouraged for this process.

No potion created by a player can carry over from one event to another; it expires at the end of the event at which it is cast. The PC may choose whether or not to further limit the lifespan of a potion when it is brewed by writing a distinct expiration time among the required spell information on the container. Any potions lacking a specified expiration time last until the end of the event.

Precast

Spells a spellcaster has learned with this caveat allow the spellcaster to begin play with that spell active on them or their gear. This represents the character casting the spell before arriving at the event. This uses up one use of the spell. Any material component that must be on the caster for the spell to work must still be present as per normal (such as sashes). A spell “precast” in this way may only be cast on the caster, and may not be “precast” on anyone else.

Regeneration

Some spells grant the ability to regenerate. When this ability is triggered (by death, being wounded, etc.), the target’s wound(s) begin to heal. Until the specified amount of time has passed, this grants no benefit. A blow to any kill location on a dead body will cause a regeneration count to reset no matter where the killing blow was inflicted. Impaling stops regeneration; the count resets when the weapon is removed. Regenerating from death heals all healable wounds on the body. If examined by another person, wounds can be seen to be regenerating. Regeneration that brings a character back from death or soul loss takes 120 seconds. If you are diseased, it takes twice as long to regenerate. You may only be under the effects of one basic regeneration and one advanced regeneration at a time. If more than one source is causing you to regenerate, you may choose which of those spells is causing you to regenerate. A regeneration will only work on someone who is soulless if the spell directly states that it can.

Basic Regeneration

A basic regeneration is a regeneration from death where the regeneration begins when the target dies (or upon casting the spell if the target is already dead). The effect is considered used if the target is raised before their regeneration is complete.

Advanced Regeneration

An advanced regeneration is a regeneration from death (or soul loss, if specified in the spell description) which begins when the character dies (or is rendered soulless, if it brings a character back from losing their soul). Each time they die, the spellcaster may choose to double the length of their regeneration (to 240 seconds, or 480 if diseased). The regeneration is not considered used if the target is raised before their regeneration is complete.

Spell Sash

Some spells require a Spell Sash be worn to signify that a specific spell is affecting the wearer. A Spell Sash may be constructed as a sash, a tabard, or a belt favor. A Spell Sash must have the name of the spell clearly written on it. Putting the Spell Sash on the target of the spell, or touching it if the target is already wearing it, is considered to be an Active Component of the spell. A Spell Sash is not stealable and stays on the target of the spell until the spell is ended, at which time it is removed and returned to the spellcaster at the earliest convenient time. Either the spellcaster or the target may choose to end the spell by removing the Spell Sash, and it is also ended early if the Spell Sash is disenchanted. The Spell Sash must be worn in such a way that another player standing 5 feet in front of them can recognise it, and may not be covered unless the majority of their body is covered, such as by wearing a concealing cloak.

Spell Failure

Some spells have fail conditions in their description. Any spell that fails due to its fail condition expends the casting of that spell.

Suspension

While a spell is suspended, the spell has no effect and does not function until the suspension ends. In addition, a suspended spell can be ended any way it normally could. It is the spellcaster’s responsibility to notify anyone else who is affected by this (such as any players carrying potions that the spellcaster created). When the suspension ends, any spell which has not already ended will resume functioning as per normal.

Undead

Some spells will animate a character as undead, allowing them to act as if alive. A person is no longer animated if they are killed, but they are still undead. An undead who is successfully raised (whether they are dead or still animated) is brought back to life and is no longer undead. Animating a character who is undead but slain back to their previous type of undead is referred to as “reanimating”. All undead are affected by the spells: Ward: Enchanted Beings, Ward: Undead, and Circle of Protection (unless the person who animated the undead cast the Circle of Protection). Enchanted beings and items still cannot cross a Circle of Protection that is not their own, regardless of undead status. A PC will remember what happened to them while they were an animated undead. A PC may be animated as undead if they are diseased, but this does not cure them of the disease. Unless otherwise specified, an undead can be harmed as per normal and gains no special protections. If the target is still undead at the end of the event, they are considered dead, and thereforee become soulless and receive a tick. Any spell that ends or is suspended when raised is also ended or suspended while animated as undead.

Thrall

These spells turn a dead (but not soulless) body into an undead creature (referred to as a thrall) that will follow commands given by the spellcaster. What kind of creature the thrall is is left up to the spellcaster, but it must definitely look slightly non-human. The spell must be cast upon a corpse, and the spellcaster must recite the verbal while helping the player into the MC for the spell as appropriate (e.g. tabards or sashes worn correctly). If there is already an appropriate MC on the person, the spellcaster may simply touch the recipient of the spell. When the spell is cast, the spellcaster must explain to the target what it means to be undead. They also must explain the target will obey all direct commands given by the spellcaster that follow the Compulsions Caveat, but the target is otherwise in full possession of their faculties. In addition, the target has the spellcaster’s best interests and intentions in mind. If the spellcaster gives a command that goes against the Compulsions Caveat, the target can ignore the command. These spells simply reanimate a person under the effects of Embrace Death and do not grant any additional powers or control.

Walking Dead

The spells Beckon Corpse and Zombie Walk enchant a corpse to walk without either returning them to life or being fully animated as undead. A corpse under these effects must move at a walking pace with their hands above their heads to their destination as dictated by the spell.

They keep any items on them that they would retain if dragged, whether or not the items are stealable. If anyone directly interferes with their movement or attacks them, they fall to the ground and the effect ends. The Walking Dead cannot take any actions other than walking. They may not attack, search other bodies, cast spells, pick up objects, use magic items, drink potions, or perform any other action aside from movement. The effect does not stop regeneration or other methods of returning to life or becoming fully animated from occurring. Becoming alive or fully animated as undead ends the Walking Dead effect. Corpses under these effects are considered to be undead.

Wards

All Ward spells are also Chanting spells. Ward spells affect a specific type of creature listed in the name of the Ward. When active, a Ward spell keeps the spellcaster from being attacked by creatures affected by that spell. A Ward spell affects creatures in front of the spellcaster, limited by a 180 degree hemisphere extending from shoulder to shoulder and outwards from the chest. The Ward will not keep the targeted creature(s) from walking around the spellcaster to attack others nearby. If the Ward affects them, the targeted creature(s) must stay approximately five feet away from the spellcaster, but need not retreat if the spellcaster advances upon them. To cast a Ward, the spellcaster must hold their spell focus out toward the targeted creatures while repeating the verbal. The verbal needs to make it clear what creatures are affected by the Ward. For example, “Stay back undead. Stay back undead. Stay back undead. Shoo,” would be an appropriate verbal for the Ward: Undead spell. This spell will work for as long as the spellcaster holds out the focus and keeps repeating the verbal. The people playing the targeted creatures must be able to hear what the spellcaster is saying, so it is up to the spellcaster to clearly and loudly chant their verbal. While casting this spell, the spellcaster may not attack the targeted creatures. A being that looks like it should be a targeted creature may not be (or may be immune to the Ward). It is still the responsibility of the spellcaster to take any and all weapon blows that hit them, even if the blows are from a creature they believe should be affected by the Ward.

Weapon Calls

Each Weapon Call spell has a VC or AC which prepares the weapon with the special combat call, using a casting of the spell. The casting is spent if the blow lands an attack to a legal hit location. Otherwise, upon a parry or a miss, only the preparation is lost and the use remains. If you are unsure whether the blow landed, you must assume that it did. The spellcaster cannot cast a different Weapon Call spell on a currently enchanted weapon until the first spell has been discharged. The spellcaster’s weapon may not be used by anyone else and still retain the enchanted status. If someone other than the spellcaster attacks with the prepared weapon, the preparation is lost and cannot be used unless it is reapplied.

The spells that allow special combat calls are Assassin’s Blade, Armor-Piercing Weapon, Disease Weapon, Enchant Weapon, and Create Poison. These spells are mutually exclusive and cannot be cast upon a weapon that already has a separate combat call. Weapon types, such as axes or maces, are not covered by this caveat. None of these spells can be cast upon a Magic Missile or Lightning Bolt.

Converting Spellbooks

When a player has been gone for a while, or when the rules have changed at the Event Holders’ Council, a player might have a spellbook that is no longer legal by the rules of the Omnibus. When a player arrives at an event with an illegal spellbook, they must convert their spellbook to match the current rules. Some years, the Event Holders’ Council may decide to allow more permissive conversions, based on the changes that were made. Any such decisions are listed in the Standing Policies.

If a spell list has spells that no longer exist, or spells at circles that are no longer legal, remove those spells from the spell list. After this, the character may add spells from their Spell Mastery to replace removed spells. The spells added this way are subject to the usual rules about what spells can be learned at what circles. The number of spells they can add is dictated by how many they had before converting their spellbook; they may not end with more spells than they started with. This must result in a legal spellbook.

After making changes to it, a player converting their spellbook must check it in with the Event Holder or a designated Magic Marshal to get it signed. Though characters might learn or unlearn spells as part of this conversion, it is a separate process intended for correcting illegal spellbooks. As such, converting a spellbook does not prevent a character from otherwise learning or unlearning spells at an event. If any spells were learned as part of converting, the signature they receive for converting counts as the signature(s) needed for those learned spells. Further, any spells learned may be added to the character’s Spell Mastery section, if they have one.

The Spells

1st Circle Spells

2nd Circle Spells

3rd Circle Spells

4th Circle Spells

5th Circle Spells

6th Circle Spells

Spell Descriptions

Animal Companion (4th Circle)

Uses: 1, and the spellcaster may only have one in-play - Material: A stuffed or toy animal that must be at least 4" tall, labeled with the spellcaster’s name and the words “Event-Stealable” - Caveats: Suspension

The spellcaster has an animal companion represented by a specific stuffed or toy animal. The animal companion cannot be slain or disenchanted, but can be stolen. The stuffed animal must be labeled with the spellcaster’s name and the words “Event-Stealable.” The animal companion grants two separate abilities. The first ability is that the spellcaster may send their animal companion to gather information once per learning of the spell. The information gathered can only be relayed in a short sentence or concept, such as “the way ahead is blocked,” or “there are many foes,” etc. This ability is represented by the spellcaster giving their animal companion to the EH or MM and asking them a question. If the spellcaster asks for information that their animal companion is unable to obtain, they receive no answer.

The second ability that the animal companion grants is the ability to cast a single spell up to third circle, except the spell Implement, which cannot be chosen. This spell will function as if it were learned normally, with the same requirements, limitations, number of castings, and components. While the animal companion is out gathering information the spells provided from the secondary ability are suspended.

Any additional spells provided by the animal companion require the animal companion to cast and maintain, as if the animal companion were a spell focus. Each spell must meet the requirement for verbal, material and active components. Spells with lasting effects (protections, immunities, etc.) can only be cast upon the spellcaster. Any blow that strikes the animal companion must be taken as if the animal companion is not there.

When the spellcaster first learns this spell, they choose their animal companion’s abilities. These abilities are not alterable from event to event. The spellcaster must list in their spellbook every spell their animal companion grants them as if they have learned the spell.

If they learn the spell additional times, the animal companion gets stronger. They may alter the abilities of their animal companion upon completion of each learning by giving it an additional spell and question. If the spellcaster unlearns a use of the spell, the animal companion becomes weaker and must be adjusted accordingly.

A spellcaster may use the same prop for both an Animal Companion and a Familiar but all spells from both sources are considered suspended while the prop is not on their person.

Animate Lesser Undead (3rd Circle)

Uses: 3 - Verbal: 30 words, and an explanation - Material: A tabard, or sash which clearly states “Undead,” “Skeleton,” “Ghost” or the like, or an appropriate mask - Caveats: Compulsions, Thrall, Undead

This spell animates a weak undead thrall that cannot use any armor or spells. It will work on PCs but won’t always work on NPCs; if cast on NPCs, they can refuse. If an NPC refuses a casting of the spell, the casting is not spent.

Animate Undead (4th Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 30 words, and an explanation - Material: A tabard, or sash which clearly states “Undead,” “Skeleton,” “Ghost” or the like, or an appropriate mask - Caveats: Compulsions, Thrall, Undead

This spell animates an undead thrall that can use any spells or weapons the target normally could use. If Animate Lesser Undead is cast upon the target while the target is still undead, it will reanimate the target as if another Animate Undead spell were cast upon it, but the target’s loyalties transfer to the person who cast Animate Lesser Undead.

Animate Undead General (5th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: 40 words, and an explanation - Material: A tabard, or sash which clearly states “Undead,” “Skeleton,” “Ghost” or the like, or an appropriate mask, a written explanation of what this spell does, and you must supply them with 3 MCs for the Animate Lesser Undead spells they will cast. - Caveats: Compulsions, Thrall, Undead

This spell animates a greater thrall that can use any spells or weapons that the target normally could use.

If Animate Lesser Undead or Animate Undead is cast upon the target while the target is still undead, it will reanimate the target as if another Animate Undead General spell were cast upon it, but the target’s loyalties transfer to the person who cast the new spell (no additional MC is needed). The Undead General will die to any magical attacks that damage it, regardless of location. You may have at most one undead general at a time.

In addition, the Undead General gains the ability to cast the spell Animate Lesser Undead with unlimited uses. An Undead General can only have 3 Lesser Undead at a time and must retrieve their MC before casting Animate Lesser Undead again. If the Undead General casts Animate Lesser Undead on anyone who is not under the effects of Embrace Death, they must use an MC.

Armor-Piercing Weapon (5th Circle)

Uses: 4 - Material: A cloth - Active: Wipe the entire length of the weapon’s striking surface 5 times - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls, Weapon Calls

This spell gives the spellcaster the ability to enhance their weapon to pass through and destroy armor. After preparing the spell the spellcaster must call “Piercing” on the next attack with that weapon.

Armored Cloak (4th Circle)

Uses: Unlimited, one at a time - Verbal: 30 words - Material: Garb with obvious runes or mystic symbols - Active: Kneel with no weapons or shields in hands while wearing the garb, or lie on back while wearing the garb - Caveats: OOC Calls, Precast

This spell enchants some of your garb to provide one call of armor against an attack. It provides one point of armor against the next blow that lands upon one of the garments or any location at least 75% covered by one of the garments.

This Armored Cloak cannot be worn in combination with any other form of armor, ever. It can be worn while protected by a Protection from Missile or Resist Magic spell, in which case the wearer can choose to call either protection, saving the other for later. It can only be worn by the spellcaster, and the spell cannot be cast on any of the garments more than once at a time. Specific garb must be chosen for the MC at the beginning of the event, and it cannot be changed during the course of the event without the EH’s or MM’s permission.

A spellcaster can only cast one Armored Cloak at a time.

Assassin’s Blade (6th Circle)

Uses: Unlimited, one at a time - Material: A cloth, and either a single weapon or arrow within the spellcaster’s weapon restriction, labeled with “Assassin’s Blade” and the spellcaster’s name - Active: Wipe the entire length of the blade 5 times - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls, Precast, Weapon Calls

This spell allows the spellcaster to prepare their MC with the spells Armor-Piercing Weapon, Enchant Weapon, Transmute Weapon, or Create Poison, without expending a casting, although a use of the spell must still remain in order to prepare it. To prepare the weapon with one of the listed spells, they must wipe the blade of the weapon with the cloth 5 times. Only one spell may be prepared at a time onto the Assassin’s Blade. Anyone may use the weapon, but only the spellcaster may utilize the special call with it. The weapon is one-handed, but may not be used in conjunction with another weapon or shield by the spellcaster. If the MC is IC broken, it will retain its magical properties if repaired.

In addition, any body destroying blow dealt by an Assassin’s Blade counts as two blows dealt.

Aura of Protection (2nd Circle)

Uses: Unlimited, one at a time per learning - Verbal: 20 words - Material: Spell Sash - Active: Kneel with no weapons or shields in hands, or lie on back - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls, Spell Sash, Precast

The recipient of this spell lessens the effect of the next hit they take from a call of “Magic,” “Silver,” “Disease,” “Piercing,” “Lightning Bolt,” or “Poison.” Rather than taking the effect they were hit with, the recipient of the spell takes the blow as a normal sword blow instead. It is necessary to call “Protection” when the spell activates.

When the spell is cast, the recipient of the spell must be kneeling with no weapons in hand or be lying on their back. This spell may be cast on a recipient other than the spellcaster; to do so the spellcaster must have no weapons in hand and touch the recipient while the spell is being cast. More than one casting of this spell may be in effect on a single PC. If the spellcaster casts this spell on another PC, they may not re-cast the spell until the sash is returned to them.

Beckon Corpse (3rd Circle)

Uses: 5 - Verbal: 20 words, repeated continuously, stating purpose of spell - Active: Spellcaster must be stationary until finished - Caveats: Chanting, Suspension, Undead, Walking Dead

This spell allows the spellcaster to summon a corpse to get up and move to them as the Walking Dead. The spellcaster must first get the attention of the player of said corpse and begin chanting the verbal. As long as the chanting continues, the corpse will get up and walk in the most direct (but OOC safe) path to the spellcaster as if under the effects of the spell Zombie Walk. If the corpse is interrupted, it will fall to the ground, but the spellcaster may finish the current round of the verbal, regain the corpse’s attention, and resume chanting the verbal to renew the effect on the corpse. The spell will end if the corpse reaches the spellcaster, the spellcaster stops chanting to do something else, or they move from where they are standing (although they may be moving their arms).

Call the Soul (4th Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 30 words - Material: Five objects of equal size and shape, four of one color or design and one of a second color or design, and an opaque pouch or other way to keep them hidden - Active: A quest may be required

Allows the spellcaster to possibly find and reattach the soul of a soulless character. When cast, the spellcaster presents the pouch of objects to the soulless character, who must then reach in and take one without looking. If the object is one of the four, the soul is reattached. If the object is the second color or design, nothing happens. This spell must be cast in the presence of the EH or MM, who may require an additional quest be completed.

Cantrip (3rd Circle)

Uses: 3

Allows the spellcaster to gain one casting of any First Circle spell, chosen at the time of casting. The spell gained must be cast following the rules for that spell, including VC, MC, and ACs. This spell cannot be used to cast Implement or Strange Brew.

Circle of Healing (5th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: 25 words - Material: 10-foot rope - Active: Touch the rope - Caveats: Circles, Suspension

This spell allows the spellcaster to create a Circle of Healing. The spellcaster may name the circle with Cure Disease, Heal Limb, or Raise Dead, chosen at the time of casting. The spellcaster does not need to have the named spell in their spellbook. While the spellcaster is standing in the Circle of Healing, they may cast the named spell as many times as desired without consuming a use of that spell. All of the requirements of the named spell must be met for each casting, including the AC and VC. No one but the spellcaster may use the Circle of Healing in this manner. This spell is broken if a weapon crosses the plane of the circle. For this purpose, a weapon is considered to be anything with a legal striking surface - therefore, swords and arrows are weapons, although bows and shields are not.

Circle of Protection (4th Circle)

Uses: Unlimited, one at a time - Verbal: 10 words - Material: 15-foot white rope, or less - Caveats: Circles, Suspension, Enchanted Beings

This spell creates a barrier that no enchanted being can physically pass, affect, or attack, with the exception of the spellcaster that cast it. In addition, no magic of any kind can pass through the barrier in either direction, again with the exception of the spellcaster that cast the spell. The spellcaster that cast the circle may pass over the barrier freely and may cast spells through the barrier at will. Magic items carried by the spellcaster cannot pass through the Circle of Protection.

A single spellcaster with multiple castings, or several different spellcasters, can combine Circle of Protection spells to make a larger one. If multiple spellcasters join their circles together, the result is a larger circle, but no enchanted being (even the spellcasters that created it) may pass in or out of the circle, and no magic of any kind (even from the spellcasters that created it) can pass through the barrier in either direction. Magic can be cast inside the circle as normal, but all the effects remain within the circle.

The spellcaster may decide to break their own circle whenever they choose by uncrossing the rope. The spellcaster can do this even if the circle was cast with other spellcasters.

Combat Raise Dead (4th Circle)

Uses: 3 - Verbal: 3 words - Active: Must touch recipient of spell

This spell will raise a dead character, healing all of their injured limbs. The VC must clearly state the effects of the spell. For example, “Rise and fight” is a VC that would make it clear that the individual is being raised.

Commune with Spirit (3rd Circle)

Uses: 1 - Active: Ritual - it is required that the spellcaster not actively seek out the EH or MM. The ritual must, in effect, be spectacular enough that the EH or MM comes of their own volition

Allows the spellcaster to gain a boon of insight/wisdom from the EH or MM. This spell allows the spellcaster to ask a spirit something relating to the plot of the event. How detailed the response or how lengthy the conversation is with the spirit, is determined completely by the spirit. It should be noted that the spirit does not have to answer the call of the spellcaster, and that sometimes instead of helping solve a problem, may give the spellcaster an awareness of more problems that need solving.

Create Poison (4th Circle)

Uses: 6 - Material: Disposable edible or drinkable component - Caveats: Enchanted Items, Compulsions, OOC Calls, Weapon Calls

This spell creates one dose of a specific kind of poison per use. There are only three types of poison created by this spell: Death, Sleep, and Truth.

  • Death kills instantly.
  • Sleep causes the victim to fall into a deep sleep for 10 minutes. They cannot be woken before this time passes.
  • Truth causes the victim to be unable to speak anything except the truth for 10 minutes, but does not force them to talk.

The type of poison must be chosen when it is cast, and each individual effect listed in the spellcaster’s spellbook. The poison must be ingested and cannot affect those who don’t eat or drink it. This effect must be written legibly on a scroll. This scroll is to be given to the victim by the spellcaster, EH, or MM immediately after the MC has been consumed. Only one dose may be made per use, and only the first person to ingest part of the MC is affected by a spell. The spell is always rendered inert by Immunity to Poison.

Alternatively the spellcaster may expend a use of the spell to coat a weapon with deadly poison. The next time the spellcaster attacks with that weapon they must call “Poison.” To use this spell this way, the MC becomes a cloth, and the AC becomes wipe the length of the weapon’s striking surface 5 times with the MC.

Only sleep and truth can be resisted by Protect the Soul as per the compulsions caveat.

Cry of Life (6th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: “All in the sound of my voice, rise and fight.”

This spell instantly raises all dead characters whose players hear the verbal. The spell affects all who hear it, including NPCs and characters fighting against the spellcaster.

Cure Disease (1st Circle)

Uses: 5 - Verbal: 20 words - Active: Touch the recipient

This spell will cure the recipient of all diseases that are currently affecting them. It will not provide protection from catching a disease after the spell is cast.

Death Watch (2nd Circle)

Uses: Unlimited, one at a time - Active: Spellcaster must sit without weapons in-hand for 60 seconds before they are killed - Caveats: Precast

Enables the spellcaster to see and hear while they are dead. You may not speak or move while dead, except for addressing marshaling calls or OOC unsafe/uncomfortable situations. If the spellcaster is rendered soulless, all memories acquired through the current casting of Death Watch are erased (i.e. all memories acquired from the time of your PC’s last death). The spell ends when the spellcaster is raised or animated as undead.

Death Wish (4th Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 30 words, and an explanation - Material: A scroll containing the trigger phrase and command - Caveats: Compulsions

This spell, when cast upon a dead body, implants a simple command into their mind. The spellcaster must give the target player the scroll after completing the verbal. The target must read the scroll at this time and may refer to it at any later time as needed. However, the scroll and the information it contains are OOC, and are not known to the PC in any way. When the target character is alive, and hears the trigger phrase, they must perform the command to the best of their ability. The spell ends when the target successfully completes the command, or is slain trying. The target may ignore any commands that violate the compulsions caveat.

This spell will not work on a body without its soul. The spell Protect the Soul negates all effects of this spell.

Deep Pockets (2nd Circle)

Uses: 3 - Material: A bag no larger than 6" by 12" by 3" - Caveats: Precast

Each casting allows spellcaster to deny any stealable items that are completely within the MC to the next three characters that search the spellcaster, while that bag is on the spellcaster’s body. If the spellcaster is not carrying any stealable items outside of the bag, they may answer, “Nothing.” All other stealable items must be yielded to a search. Each additional learning of this spell allows the spellcaster an additional 6" by 12" by 3" volume of bag, either as a separate bag, or a larger bag. However, the spellcaster can only have one usage cast at a time. Each search denial is used up on all of the volumes simultaneously. One Deep Pockets bag may never contain another. No matter how many Deep Pockets castings are combined it does not combine the amount of people that need to search it; it only increases the size of the bag.

Detect Magic (1st Circle)

Uses: 5 - Verbal: 20 words

This spell allows the spellcaster to take any one item (not a living or dead creature) to the EH or MM to ask whether casting Identify upon the object will yield any information the spellcaster cannot determine by looking at it, such as “It’s a stick,” or “It’s a sword.” It may be cast on a living or dead being to detect a magical item it carries, such as a spell focus or magic weapon. In this case, it will not tell what the item does, only that it is there and which item it is. If cast in this manner multiple times and there are multiple magical items, it will not repeat magic items until there are no new items to reveal.

Disease Weapon (3rd Circle)

Uses: 3 - Verbal: 10 words - Material: Spellcaster’s weapon - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls, Weapon Calls

This spell allows the spellcaster to temporarily enchant their weapon. After preparing it with the spell, it is considered a diseased weapon and the spellcaster must call “Disease” on the next attack with that weapon.

Disenchant (2nd Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 30 words - Active: Touch the target item

This spell will remove enchantments from the target item. If the target item is a potion, panacea, or scroll, it will be rendered inert. If the target is a magic weapon it will no longer function as such until repaired by a Reforge spell. Only magic items specified by the EH or MM are immune to this spell. If the target is a Spell Sash, then the spell represented by the sash is ended. Other spells are not affected unless specified in their description.

Disrupt (4th Circle)

Uses: 5 - Verbal: 30 words, starting with “I disrupt this (spell name) …” - Active: Clearly point at the target - Caveats: Suspension

This spell will suspend any circle or chanting spell. It may only be cast upon a spell that is currently in use. Once the spellcaster completes the disruption, the target spell is suspended for five minutes and the spellcaster of the target spell loses the ability to cast the target spell for five minutes. If the target spell ends before the disruption is completed (the spellcaster stops chanting, the circle is broken, etc.), the spellcaster of that spell still loses the ability to cast that spell for five minutes. This spell only stops the current learning of the target spell. Therefore, if the spellcaster has taken Ward: Enchanted Beings twice, they temporarily lose the ability to cast one, but retain the ability to cast the other.

Disrupt Light (1st Circle)

Uses: 5 - Verbal: 20 words, which must clearly state the effect of the spell

This spell cancels Light spells cast by other spellcasters. Once the Disrupt Light spellcaster is within sight and hearing of a Light spellcaster, they may loudly call out their verbal. Upon completion of the verbal, all other spellcasters within hearing range must put away their active Light spells. This action is OOC, and those affected must do so even if they hear the spell while dead. Spellcasters so affected cannot recast the Light spell for five minutes, after which time they may reuse the same chemical light sticks.

Divine Aid (4th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: Speak to EH or MM - Material: A sacrifice may be required - Active: A quest may be required

This spell allows the spellcaster to send a request for aid to a higher power. The request cannot be specific and the higher power may send whatever aid they see fit. This spell comes with no guarantee that the EH or MM won’t simply listen to the request and say “No.” This spell cannot create an effect that will last beyond the end of the event, other than for healing purposes. A spellcaster who uses drama and theatrics has a better chance of success.

Dream (2nd Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: 20 words - Material: Incense or candle

The spellcaster, after meditation with the MC, goes to sleep. In the morning, when the character wakes up, they may obtain a dream from the EH or MM. This dream will often (but not always) be based around the event plot, and it may be as detailed as the marshal wishes it to be. The spellcaster dreams very lucidly and may write down a permanent record of what they learned through the dream. This spell may be pre-registered, and the results of the Dream will be presented to the spellcaster at check-in.

Embrace Death (6th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: 40 words - Material: A container at least 4 inches in diameter, labeled with “Event-Stealable”. The container cannot be placed into Deep Pockets. - Caveats: Enchanted Items, Precast, Regeneration, Basic Regeneration, Undead

This spell allows the spellcaster to remove their soul from their body, giving them the ability to defy death. Nothing physical may be stored in the MC. When the spell is learned, the spellcaster must scribe in their spellbook a description of exactly what the MC looks like. You may change this description between events.

Upon casting this spell, the spellcaster’s soul enters the MC, which becomes an event-stealable item for the duration of the spell. The spellcaster may do whatever they want with the MC: place it in a mundane pocket, hide it, give it to someone, etc. However, the MC may not be put into Deep Pockets. The spellcaster may end this spell at any time by opening the MC, returning the soul to their body.

The following effects are on the caster while the spell is active:

  • The spellcaster is undead and is not affected by:
  • The following spells and potions will reanimate the spellcaster (repairing any damaged limbs), without placing the spellcaster into someone else’s control, and they will not gain any other power from these spells, even if they were active before Embrace Death:
  • The spellcaster’s limbs may be regenerated by remaining stationary for 30 seconds.
  • By sitting without weapons in hand, in possession of the MC and incanting the VC, the spellcaster gains a basic regeneration that will reanimate the spellcaster, which triggers upon death. Once reanimated, the spellcaster must re-enchant themselves as described above to get another regeneration.
  • If the spellcaster is killed with magic, the regeneration time will double to 240 seconds.
  • Destruction of their body will prevent the spellcaster from regenerating, but they may still be returned to undeath by any other means described previously.
  • If the MC is disenchanted (e.g. by use of the Disenchant spell), the spell is forcibly ended, and the spellcaster is slain and rendered soulless.

If the spell is not ended before the end of the event, and if the spellcaster has the MC on them, then the spellcaster is returned to life, so they do not get a tick for ending the event soulless.

Enchant Armor (4th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: 30 words and an explanation - Material: A non-stealable token with the spellcaster’s name and the words “Enchant Armor” on it - Caveats: Enchanted Items, Precast

This spell creates a magical token that allows the spellcaster to continually repair armor worn by a specified character without expending other spells. When the spellcaster casts this spell, they give the token to the specified character, who must keep the token with them for the spell to remain in effect. Once this spell is cast, it may be forcefully ended by disenchanting the token. As long as the specified character has the token, and the spell has not ended, the spellcaster may cast Repair Armor as an unlimited effect on any armor worn by the specified character by performing that spell’s AC on the targeted hit location. This spell does not require the spellcaster to currently have the spell Repair Armor or have any remaining castings of Repair Armor in order to use this effect.

Enchant Weapon (2nd Circle)

Uses: 5 - Verbal: 10 words - Active: Hold the target weapon with both hands - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls, Weapon Calls

This spell gives the spellcaster the ability to temporarily enchant a melee weapon or bow. After preparing it with the spell, the weapon or bow user must call “Magic” or “Silver” the next 3 times they swing that weapon or the next 3 times they fire that bow. The spellcaster chooses which option, Magic or Silver, upon casting the spell, and must inform the recipient which option they are imbuing it with. These calls are expended and the casting is spent whether the user scores a successful hit or not, unlike other spells with the Weapon Calls caveat. Also unlike those other spells, anyone may wield the enchanted weapon to make the calls.

Enfeeble Being (3rd Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 30 words, starting with “I declare you mundane …”

This spell allows the spellcaster to remove the special powers and abilities from a single NPC creature. To cast the spell, the spellcaster must get the creature’s attention and begin the verbal. Once the spell is completed, the target may lose access to some or all of its abilities. This includes natural armor, spells, regeneration, etc. Because this is a relatively low-circle spell, it will probably have little or no effect on more powerful creatures, such as unique enemies or the proverbial “Big Bad Guy,” but it might work on things like a troll, a lesser demon, or a goblin shaman. This spell will never work on PCs. A spellcaster should choose their targets wisely.

Familiar (5th Circle)

Uses: 1. The spellcaster may only have one in-play - Material: A stuffed or toy animal that must be at least 4" tall, labeled with the spellcaster’s name and the words “Event-Stealable” - Caveats: Suspension

The spellcaster has a familiar that grants them more spell potential, represented by a specific stuffed or toy animal. The familiar cannot be slain or disenchanted, but can be stolen.

Any additional spells provided by the familiar require the presence of the familiar to cast it and maintain it, as if the familiar were a spell focus or additional MC. If the familiar is stolen or dropped, the spellcaster may not cast or maintain any of the extra spells. Each spell must meet the requirement for VC, MC, and ACs. Spells with lasting effects (protections, immunities, etc.) can only be cast upon the spellcaster. Spells with lasting effects are suspended while the familiar is not in the spellcaster’s possession. Any blow that strikes the familiar must be taken as if the familiar is not there.

The spellcaster has 5 points to spend on extra spells for every casting of this spell, up to 20 points total.

Benefit Cost
Raise Dead (1 pt.) - 1 use
Disrupt (1 pt.) - 1 use
Call The Soul (2 pts.) - 1 use
Enfeeble Being (2 pts.) - 1 use
Find The Path (2 pts.) - 1 use
Shapeshifting (2 pts.) - 1 use
Combat Raise Dead (3 pts.) - 2 uses
Reforge: Restore Enchantment (4 pts.) - 1 use

When the spellcaster first casts this spell, they choose their familiar’s abilities. These abilities are not alterable from event to event. The spellcaster must list every spell their familiar grants them in their spellbook as if they have learned the spell.

If they learn the spell Familiar additional times, they may alter the abilities of their familiar upon completion of each learning. If the spellcaster unlearns a use of the spell Familiar, the familiar they have then becomes weaker and must be adjusted accordingly.

A spellcaster may use the same prop for both an Animal Companion and a Familiar but all spells from both sources are considered suspended while the prop is not on their person.

Feign Death (3rd Circle)

Uses: Unlimited - Material: A cloth - Active: Wipe cloth over face 5 times

This spell allows the spellcaster to disguise themselves so as to appear dead. If someone asks them if they are dead they can legally answer “Yes,” and may lie down or sit with their sword or arm above their head as to appear dead (see rules on character death and soul loss). Feign Death ends once the spellcaster moves or speaks (except for addressing marshaling calls or OOC uncomfortable/unsafe situations). If a person moves them, thinking they are dead, the Feign Death does not end; only when they move themselves. If struck while using Feign Death, the spellcaster is still affected by the blow as normal.

Fighter’s Intuition (1st Circle)

Uses: 3 - Material: Spell Sash - Active: place sash on fighter - Caveats: Enchanted Items, Spell Sash

This spell must be cast on a non-spellcaster by placing the sash on the fighter and giving an explanation of how it works. This does not make the fighter an enchanted being.

This fighter may now call out “Fighter’s Intuition” once. When the fighter does this, they may or may not learn information about a monster they can see. It is up to the event staff to decide to provide this information or not. The information can be anything: weakness, methods of defeating, or even what the NPC likes to eat. If the event staff does not provide any information about the monster, the use of the spell is not expended and the fighter may attempt to use it again.

Find the Path (4th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: 30 words - Caveats: Spell Failure

This spell provides the spellcaster a route to find, locate, or travel to a person, place or thing that they know by name. For instance, you can get a response from “Where is the body of King Joe?” but not from “Take me to the person who stole my sword.” The results of this spell can come as a guide, a map, a set of directions, a divining rod, or any other mechanic that the EH or MM deems appropriate. Be aware that the answer may not always be the safest or shortest path. This spell will fail if an answer cannot be determined because of PC action.

Foretell (4th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: A prediction that the EH or MM must be present for

Allows the spellcaster to make a prediction of an event to come, e.g. “Sir Thomas will slay a dragon with a silver sword.” If the event foretold comes to pass the EH or MM may grant a boon to the spellcaster or anyone involved in the prediction. The nature and power of this boon is up to the EH or MM. The greater the foretold event or more specific the prediction, the more powerful the resulting boon should be.

Fortune Tell (3rd Circle)

Uses: 2 - Material: Fortune-telling paraphernalia, such as runes or a tarot deck - Caveats: Spell Failure

This spell allows the spellcaster to ask a question of the EH or MM, which will be answered in a symbolic manner. How much information (if any) and the form in which it is given is at the discretion of the EH or MM. No proper names may be used in either the question or the answer for this spell. For example, while a spellcaster cannot ask “Who killed Sir Schlep?” they can ask, “Who killed this knight?” and the answer can be “Tarot Card: Jack of Wands” but not “Bad Bart.” This spell can only be used to determine information that is plot-related. If the EH or MM does not know the answer because the question asked relates to PC actions, an answer will not be given, but the spell is still used. If the spell is cast and an answer cannot be given because of any of the above limitations, the casting is still used up.

Gentle Repose (1st Circle)

Uses: 5 - Verbal: 10 words, and an explanation - Active: Touch the target dead body

This spell once cast will protect the target dead body temporarily as per the spell Protect the Soul. Once the target is returned to life by any means this spell effect ends. This spell may only be removed from the dead body via the Disenchant spell otherwise.

Ghost Blade (1st Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 20 words - Material: A white ribbon with the words “Ghost Blade” on it - Caveats: Enchanted Items

This spell enchants a single weapon to no longer affect the casting of the spells Raise Dead or Regeneration or the breaking of Circle of Healing. Upon casting this spell, the spellcaster must tie the MC onto the enchanted weapon.

Group Healing (2nd Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 10 words - Material: 30’ rope - Active: Touch the rope - Caveats: Circles, Suspension

This spells allows the spellcaster to cast an enchanted circle. This circle allows certain spells cast into it to affect all the people within the circle. The Group Healing circle may be used to enhance the power of the following spells: Combat Raise Dead, Cure Disease, Immunity to Poison, Heal Limb, and Raise Dead. Multiple castings of Group Healing from the same or different spellcasters may be used at the same time, creating a bigger circle.

To enchant the Group Healing circle, lay the rope(s) in a circle on the ground with the ends touching. Then all the characters to be cast upon need to be gathered into the circle. The spellcaster(s) must then recite the VC, which empowers the circle.

The next spell from the accepted list cast into this circle by any spellcaster affects all within as if it had been cast on each individually. If the spell has any MC, only one is used.

Guidance (2nd Circle)

Uses: 2 - Material: Divining paraphernalia to indicate a yes/no answer - Caveats: Spell Failure

This spell allows the spellcaster to ask the EH or MM a yes/no question. If the EH or MM does not know the answer because the question asked relates to PC actions, an answer may not be given. An answer will be given in the form of “Yes” or “No” by the EH or MM. If the spell is cast and an answer cannot be given because of any of the above limitations, the casting is still used up.

Heal Limb (2nd Circle)

Uses: Unlimited - Verbal: 20 words - Active: Spellcaster must be stationary, must touch the target limb

This spell allows the spellcaster to heal one damaged limb at a time. The spellcaster must recite the VC while touching the recipient’s injured limb. The spellcaster cannot move their feet while casting this spell, although they may be moving their arms (e.g. parrying, so long as they don’t step backwards).

Heartiness (1st Circle)

Uses: Unlimited, one at a time - Caveats: Precast

Having this spell makes it harder to destroy the spellcaster’s body. The next time the spellcaster’s body is destroyed it will take 200 extra blows to successfully destroy their body. If struck for only 200 blows, instead of the full 400 blows, the spellcaster must inform the individual(s) destroying their body that “The job is not yet done.” A spellcaster can only be under the effect of one Heartiness spell at a time. A use is considered to be over whenever the spellcaster receives at least 200 body destroying blows, but is in effect until either their body is destroyed or they are raised.

Identify (1st Circle)

Uses: 3 - Verbal: 30 words

This spell allows the spellcaster to take any one item (not a living/dead creature) to the EH or MM to ask what it is and expect an answer. This spell can also determine what species an unknown creature is. If the spellcaster can successfully reach visual inspection range, recite the verbal, and the creature is not hostile, it must state what species it is. The response is not IC speech by the creature, and it can answer while dead.

Immunity to Poison (1st Circle)

Uses: 3 - Verbal: 10 words - Active: Touch the recipient - Caveats: OOC Calls

This spell makes the recipient immune to the next dose of poison that would have otherwise affected their PC during the event. When damaged by the next poison attack, whether ingested or delivered by a poisoned weapon, call “Immunity to Poison!” Only one Immunity to Poison is used at a time. The recipient must take any mundane damage from a poisoned weapon regardless of whether they are protected from the actual poison. More than one Immunity to Poison can be cast upon a recipient; the effect is stackable. This spell can also be cast as an antidote for any one poison that the recipient has been subjected to, but in this case it will not provide any further protection.

Implement (1st Circle)

Uses: Special - Material: Safe, non-weapon Staff (between 4’ and 6’ long, inclusive), Wand (between 12" and 18" long, inclusive), Orb (at least 4" in diameter), or Book (bound, minimum 1/2" x 4" x 7", cannot be the spellcaster’s spell-book)

The spellcaster is able to create a staff, wand, orb, or book (hereafter called “implement”) that enhances their own spells. Each time the spellcaster learns this spell, they gain 1 point into a pool from which they may purchase special abilities from the choices below. A spellcaster may only have 5 points worth of implements per event. At the magic check-in of an event, the spellcaster may choose how the points in their pool are spent.

Unless otherwise stated, abilities gained that augment or alter spells require that the spellcaster already knows that spell, otherwise there is no effect. In order to use the gained ability, the spellcaster must be holding the implement in one hand.

The implement is a magical manifestation and cannot be broken. Any blow that strikes the implement must be taken as if the implement is not there. You can not actively parry with an implement.

An implement may be disenchanted causing any effects or castings to be lost until the implement is restored. If disenchanted it takes 120 seconds of holding the implement with both hands and nothing else to restore.

Gain one additional casting of one of the following spells for 1 point each: Find the Path, Fortune Tell, Guidance, Precognition, Skew Divination, Raise Dead, Deep Pockets, Enfeeble Being, Beckon Corpse, Disenchant, or Disrupt.

Gain the following abilities for 1 point each:

  • When using a Circle spell you may double the length of the rope. This may only be done once.
  • The AC for Death Watch is changed to “Spellcaster must kneel on one knee holding their Implement with both hands for 60 seconds before being killed.” Additionally, the spell no longer ends when the spellcaster is raised.
  • The spell Death Watch allows the spellcaster to move their head while dead. They still may not speak, try to communicate, or move in any other way while dead.

Gain one additional casting of one of the following spells for 2 points each: Call the Soul, Group Healing, Resist Magic, Animate Undead, or Soul Bane.

Gain the following abilities for 2 points each:

  • The uses for Speak become unlimited.
  • Gain 1 point to spend on your familiar. This ability may not be taken more than once. When this augmentation is first used through Implement, you shall list an alternate build for the familiar. This alternate build can only be changed by learning or unlearning a use of Familiar. From now on, when you use your Familiar and it is augmented by Implement, it uses that new build. If you are using the augmented build, and you do not have your implement on you, you may not use your Familiar abilities.

Gain one additional casting of one of the following spells for 3 points each: Vision or Séance.

Gain the following abilities for 3 points each:

  • Gain one use of Regeneration. You are not required to know the spell to use this ability.
  • Gain one use of Regeneration. Upon completion, the spellcaster will be animated as a free-willed undead. You are not required to know the spell to use this ability.
  • Gain one additional Magic Missile prop.

Intervention (6th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: Speak to EH or MM - Material: A sacrifice may be required - Active: A quest may be required - Caveats: Spell Failure

This spell allows the spellcaster to go to the EH or MM and ask a boon from whatever powers their magic. It only works if it is cast in the presence of the EH or MM. It is to be used to request favors such as: “Oh, please, great majestic god/Fire Spirit/Navel Lint, grant me a quest to search for the lost soul of my overlord, Sir Biff of Bonehead Ridge.” This spell comes with no guarantee that the EH or MM won’t simply listen to the request and say “No.” This spell cannot create an effect that will last beyond the end of the event, other than for healing purposes. A spellcaster who uses drama and theatrics has a better chance of success, and simple, small requests are also more likely to be granted. Any requests that will unbalance the game will likely be either denied straight out, or assigned an unsolvable quest.

Light (1st Circle)

Uses: Unlimited - Verbal: 3 syllables - Material: Chemical light stick and dark bag or EH- or MM-approved electronic light with an on/off mechanism in any color except red - Active: Snap and shake the chemical light stick or turn on the electronic light

This spell creates light. The spellcaster may use as many Light props as desired. Electronic light sources must be checked in before use and may be pulled if they may be too bright or unsafe for the event. If using chemical light sticks, the spellcaster must also carry a bag large enough to hold all of the glow sticks they will use and thick enough to prevent any light from escaping. The bag is to be used if they are affected by a Disrupt Light spell. The spellcaster may not give a Light prop to anyone who is going to travel beyond easy speaking distance. It is possible for this spell to be disrupted. It is the spellcaster’s responsibility to know what the Disrupt Light spell is, how to recognize it, and how to respond to it.

Lightning Bolt (6th Circle)

Uses: 1 prop, unlimited use - Verbal: “Lightning Bolt” - Material: 1 white boff arrow or javelin prop between 2’6" and 3’6" long - Caveats: OOC Calls

This spell allows the spellcaster to throw a stronger bolt of magic than Magic Missile. The MC for the spell must be made following the Weapon Construction rules for Lightning Bolts.

The prop is a physical representation of the magic. After it comes to rest, it cannot be affected or moved by anyone other than the spellcaster, but it may still be seen or guarded by anybody. The prop counts as a hand-and-a-half weapon and must be thrown, not shot from a bow. The prop, including its shaft, strikes as a piercing magic blow to anything it makes contact with, until it comes to rest. Once cast, it cannot be cast again until the spellcaster recovers the prop. The prop is not considered a weapon and does not cause Spell Failure, except while the spell is active (i.e. from when the prop is thrown until it comes to rest).

Magic Missile (4th Circle)

Uses: Unlimited, while spellcaster has MC handy - Verbal: “Magic Missile” - Material: 3 beanbags or foam & duct tape blocks, about 3" diameter - Caveats: OOC Calls

When thrown, this spell strikes whatever it hits as if it were a magic sword. It will damage every location it hits, until it comes to rest. The prop is a physical representation of the magic. After it comes to rest, it cannot be affected or moved by anyone other than the spellcaster, but it may still be seen or guarded by anybody. A magic missile MC can be thrown with one hand. When a MC is being thrown, the other hand may contain only a single magic missile MC or a single-handed weapon or shield, and does not count toward dual-wielding for the purposes of weapon restrictions. The prop is not considered a weapon and does not cause Spell Failure except while the spell is active (i.e. from when the prop is thrown until it comes to rest). The spellcaster may only throw their spell props, and may not pick up those thrown by another spellcaster.

Masterwork Hammer (6th Circle)

Uses: 1/special - Verbal: 50 words - Material: A boff hammer within the spellcaster’s weapon restriction with “Masterwork Hammer” and the spellcaster’s name written on it - Active: Special - Caveats: Enchanted Items, Precast

This spell creates a Masterwork Hammer which the spellcaster may use to repair non-armor, non-magic items (bows, weapons, shields) in 30 seconds. The spellcaster may also use the hammer to repair all armor on a target player by using the hammer as the focus of the spell for 60 seconds. While using the hammer to make any type of repair, the spellcaster cannot move their feet and is encouraged to actively use the hammer to simulate repairing the target. If the hammer is broken or disenchanted, the spellcaster may repair it by holding the item in both hands for 120 seconds.

Mentor (1st Circle)

Uses: Unlimited

Allows the spellcaster to teach a legal spell or alternative from their spell mastery list, otherwise following the normal rules for learning spells.

Merge (3rd Circle)

Uses: 3 - Verbal: 10 word chant, repeated. The verbal must be chanted loudly and clearly - Caveats: Chanting, OOC Calls, Suspension

This spell provides an immense amount of protection to the spellcaster, but also requires an immense amount of concentration. This spell only takes effect once the spellcaster has completed the VC once. While merged, the spellcaster is completely immune to all forms of damage, magical or otherwise, regardless of whether the material into which the spellcaster merges is vulnerable to any form of damage. It does not make the spellcaster invisible or undetectable. The spellcaster is capable of merging with trees, stone, or earth. To merge, the spellcaster must embrace or lie down on the object they are merging with. While merged, the spellcaster is “stuck” and cannot be dragged. The object the spellcaster merges with MUST be at least as massive as the spellcaster. The spellcaster must remain still, and they must be constantly chanting their verbal while merged. The spellcaster must chant loudly and clearly. If anything interrupts the spellcaster’s concentration, the spell is broken. OOC explanations (such as combat calls) do not interrupt this spell. For example, if a PC chanting a Merge spell is hit by a weapon, they may call “No effect” without interrupting the spell. As soon as the spellcaster moves or stops chanting, the spell ends. The spellcaster may not merge for at least one slow 200 second count after regaining their proper form.

Mystic Forge (4th Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 25 words - Material: 10-foot rope - Active: Touch the rope - Caveats: Circles, Suspension

This spell allows the spellcaster to create a Mystic Forge. The spellcaster may name the circle with Enchant Weapon or Repair Item, chosen at the time of casting. The spellcaster does not need to have the named spell in their spellbook. Until the Mystic Forge is broken, the spellcaster need only stand in the circle, touch the target item, and recite the named spell’s VC to cast the spell. This does not use up any castings of the named spell, and this can be done as many times as desired. No one but the spellcaster may use the Mystic Forge in this manner.

Pas (1st Circle)

Uses: 3 - Verbal: “Pas, friend…” - Material: Food, coin, or some offering - Active: Offer the MC to the target - Caveats: Compulsions

This spell creates an uneasy, temporary truce between the target and the PC. To cast this spell, the spellcaster offers something of value to the target and says something along the lines of, “Pas, friend orc, and accept these shiny bits to let me pass unharmed.” If the target accepts the offering, they are magically bound to not attack the spellcaster for 60 seconds, unless the target is attacked. If the target is attacked or the spellcaster is slain, this spell ends immediately. Protect the Soul will block the effects of this spell, as will Resist Magic.

Precognition (3rd Circle)

Uses: 3 - Material: Divining paraphernalia (such as a crystal ball or mirror)

This spell allows the spellcaster to gain non-specified information about the plot from the EH or MM. How much information (if any) is at the discretion of the EH or MM.

Prophecy (6th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Active: Ritual (Optional)

This spell allows the spellcaster to ask the EH or MM a question pertaining to the plot of the event. The EH or MM will give the spellcaster as complete an answer as they are willing. The method of delivering this knowledge is at the EH’s or MM’s discretion. A spellcaster may use drama, theatrics, or sacrifice during the ritual to have a better chance of gaining information. After casting this spell, once every two hours the spellcaster may ask a follow up question to the EH or MM related to the initial question. The EH or MM may also choose to release additional information to the spellcaster at any time during the remainder of the event or until a spell reset.

Protect Item (1st Circle)

Uses: 3 - Verbal: 20 words - Material: Ribbon tied onto the item protected. Remove the ribbon soon after the spell is expended/used to protect the item - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls

This spell allows a single non-armor item to be protected from the next attack that would normally damage it. For example, a protected sword struck by a boulder would not be destroyed, but the wielder would still suffer normal damage (e.g. death usually). The call for this spell is “Protect Item.” A particular item may only have one casting of Protect Item on it at a time. This spell does not protect against Disenchant.

Protect the Soul (2nd Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: 30 words and an explanation - Material: Spell Sash - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls, Precast, Spell Sash

This spell will protect the recipient from possession, spells under the compulsions caveat, and similar effects as determined by the EH or MM. When targeted by any spell or effect against which Protect the Soul immunizes your PC, you must call “Protect the Soul!” The spell will last until the sash is disenchanted or removed by the spellcaster. The spell will not function if the recipient is soulless or their soul is not within their body for any other reason.

Protection from Boulder (1st Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 20 words - Material: Spell Sash - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls, Precast, Spell Sash

The spellcaster is protected from the next “boulder” call that strikes them. This protection extends to all equipment they are carrying.

Protection from Missile (2nd Circle)

Uses: Unlimited, one at a time - Verbal: 10 words - Material: Spell Sash - Active: Kneel with no weapons or shields in hands, or lie on back - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls, Precast, Spell Sash

The recipient of this spell is protected from the next hit they take from an arrow, javelin, or Magic Missile spell. It is necessary to call “Protection” when the spell activates. This spell will also protect equipment (such as armor) that would otherwise be affected by the missile.

When the spell is cast, the recipient of the spell must be kneeling with no weapons in hand or be lying on their back. This spell may be cast on a recipient other than the spellcaster; to do so the spellcaster must have no weapons in hand and touch the recipient while the spell is being cast. More than one casting of this spell may be in effect on a single PC. If the spellcaster casts this spell on another PC, they may not re-cast the spell until the sash is returned to them.

Purity (3rd Circle)

Uses: 1, Self-only - Verbal: 10 words - Material: Spell Sash which states the type of immunity granted - Active: Kneel with no weapons or shields in hands, or lie on back - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls, Precast, Spell Sash

Upon casting this spell, the spellcaster becomes completely immune to the effects of either poisons or diseases, chosen at the time of casting. The spell sash worn for any particular casting of this spell must state which immunity is granted by that casting. This means that a caster should have 2 separate sashes, or a sash that can be modified to show either effect.

Raise Dead (3rd Circle)

Uses: 5 - Verbal: 30 words - Active: Spellcaster must be within 2 feet of corpse and there can be no weapons within 10 feet of the spellcaster - Caveats: Spell Failure

This spell will raise a dead character, healing all of their injured limbs. There can be no weapons within 10 feet of the spellcaster at any point while casting this spell, or the spell will fail to work. For this purpose, a weapon is considered to be anything with a legal striking surface - swords and arrows are weapons, although bows are not. The player of the character being raised must be present to represent the corpse. No proxy can be used for the corpse.

Reanimate Limb (2nd Circle)

Uses: 10 - Verbal: 20 words - Active: Spellcaster must be stationary, must touch the target limb

This spell allows the spellcaster to animate damaged limbs on an undead target. When cast on an undead the spellcaster controls (this excludes themselves), this spell animates all damaged limbs, regardless of disease status. Otherwise, it only animates a single limb. The spellcaster must recite the VC while touching the recipient’s damaged limb. The spellcaster cannot be moving around (e.g., running for their life) while casting this spell, although they may be moving their arms (e.g., parrying, so long as they do not step backwards).

Reforge (5th Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 30 words - Material: Special - Active: Special

This spell allows the spellcaster to reforge an existing item, either improving it or repairing a magical item. The spellcaster may choose one of the following options when casting the spell. Each option has its own effects and requirements for casting the spell that must be met for the spell to be successfully cast.

Silver Weapon
This option will allow the spellcaster to create a permanent silver weapon. This option has an additional MC of the weapon’s weight in silver coins (plain aluminum roofing tins, aluminum “Coin of the Realm,” etc.). The spellcaster must write the words “Silver” and “Stealable” on the blade of the weapon. The spellcaster must also write “Silvered by” and the spellcaster’s name on the blade. All of the silver that is collected for the casting of this spell must be handed over to the EH or MM. All silver weapons are stealable, and the spellcaster must explain to anyone having a weapon made silver that it will be stealable, and will be considered property of the Realms, to be passed back and forth within the game as a searchable item, for as long as it is silver. A silver weapon will lose the quality of being silver if the writing on the blade fades to the point of no longer being readable or if the weapon is OOC or IC broken (such as by a boulder). Players may not protect the writing in any way and may not rewrite it. A silvered weapon broken IC (i.e. by any means other than the fading of the writing or the physical destruction of the prop) can be repaired by an expenditure of this spell, without having to provide the necessary silver. Repairing a weapon in this way does not allow you to remake the prop or rewrite the word “Silver” on the weapon. Silver Weapon will not allow you to silver an existing magic item.
Reinforce Item
This option will allow the spellcaster to make a normal weapon or shield unbreakable for the duration of the event. This option has an additional MC of a ribbon with the words “Reinforce Item” attached to the target item. The reinforced item will not be broken by attacks that would normally damage them (e.g. a boulder hitting it) as long as the spell remains active. If disenchanted through the spell Disenchant, the ribbon must be removed and the effect will end, but the weapon will otherwise remain intact. This option may not be used on a magic item, silver weapon, or bows.
Restore Enchantment
This spell allows the spellcaster to restore a currently-backed Realms Magic Item that has been broken or disenchanted to working order. This option may have an additional AC of a required quest. Potions and other spell components are not subject to repair. If an item has been physically broken or made unsafe, then the item must be physically repaired or replaced with a near duplicate of the item. Note that patching or minor repairs may be acceptable instead of a full prop replacement depending on the situation. Upon informing the EH or MM of their intention to cast this spell, the EH or MM may either present to the spellcaster a quest for the completion of this spell or simply declare the item “repaired” at their discretion. The spell is wasted if the quest fails or if permission for a repair is outright denied.

Regenerate the Soul (5th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: 30 words - Caveats: Precast, Regeneration, Advanced Regeneration

This spell grants an advanced regeneration which returns a character to life from soullessness only.

Regeneration (5th Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 30 words - Active: Spellcaster must sit on the ground with weapons a minimum of 10 feet away while casting this spell - Caveats: Precast, Regeneration, Advanced Regeneration, Spell Failure

This spell grants the spellcaster an advanced regeneration. If you have learned this spell twice, you may cast a Raise Dead to “recharge” one usage. These recharges cannot come from Circle of Healing, or any other raising effects other than the Raise Dead spell.

Repair Armor (1st Circle)

Uses: 5 - Material: Focus - Active: Hold armor and MC for 15 second count

This spell will repair one hit location of armor. You are encouraged to simulate physically repairing the armor, such as tapping it with a focus, like a boff-hammer.

Repair Item (2nd Circle)

Uses: 5 - Verbal: 20 words - Active: Touch the target item with both hands

This spell repairs any one normal object: a weapon, shield, bow or armor. It cannot repair an item with a special property, such as a magic item. If used to repair armor that is being worn, a single casting will repair all pieces of armor that can be legally called by the wearer. The spellcaster may have nothing else in their hands while casting this spell.

Resist Death (6th Circle)

Uses: Unlimited, one at a time - Verbal: 30 words - Material: Spell Sash - Active: Kneel with no weapons or shields in hands, or lie on back - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls, Precast, Spell Sash

The spellcaster is protected from any damaging attack for 1 hit. The call for this is “Resist Death.” The spellcaster can choose when to utilize this effect.

Resist Magic (5th Circle)

Uses: 3 - Verbal: 20 words - Caveats: OOC Calls, Precast

This spell prepares a burst of null-magic within the spellcaster. If the spellcaster so desires, they may ignore a single magical effect. This ability can be used at any time, whether the spellcaster is dead or not. A spellcaster may not be under the effect of more than one Resist Magic spell at the same time. When targeted by a spell or effect against which Resist Magic protects them and the spellcaster wishes to ignore the effect, they call “Resist Magic.” For example: this spell will allow the spellcaster to treat a blow from a magic weapon as if it were a normal weapon blow, ignore the effect of any spell when it is first cast, ignore any potion when it’s first applied, or cross the boundary of a Circle of Protection. The spell ends if the spell Disenchant is cast upon the spellcaster (although the spellcaster can use the Resist Magic to prevent the Disenchant from removing any other spells upon them). This spell cannot be cast on anyone other than the spellcaster and will only protect the spellcaster, not anything they have or possess.

Ritual of Banishment (6th Circle)

Uses: Special, see below - Verbal: 40 words in “burst” form, otherwise special, see below

This spell allows the spellcaster to use their knowledge of magic and the planes to shift a creature back to its home dimension or to scatter the magic of a being. The spellcaster has two ways of performing this ritual. If not given time to prepare a stronger ritual, the spellcaster may simply use this spell in a “burst” fashion. To do so, the spellcaster must get the attention of the creature and say the 40 words, which must begin with “I banish you to the place from which you came…” During the casting of the spell, the spellcaster is still open to any retaliation from the creature being banished.

If given more time, the spellcaster can craft a more potent spell to send a creature to its home plane or strip the being of magics, potentially weakening it in the process. The player may do so by performing a ritual in front of the EH or MM. By reading the available magic and essences of the creature, this ritual may grant the spellcaster knowledge and further steps that can be taken to banish or weaken the creature, possibly leading to the final incantation. After the initial casting of the ritual, this spell is unleashed when the spellcaster uses the researched magic upon the creature. The prepared spell may only be good for one attempt, whether successful or not. Greater success in crafting this magic may be achieved through knowledge of the True Name of the creature, a physical or magical part of it or through a particularly potent ritual.

Players who use drama and theatrics in their ritual are more likely to achieve better results. This spell will only function upon NPCs. Once this spell is attempted upon a creature, either in short or long formats, the spellcaster may not cast this spell again for an hour. You are encouraged to use a small timepiece to keep track of this time. Creatures that are shown to be too powerful from the preparation ritual do not weaken the spellcaster. You may not begin a preparation ritual on the same day as an uncompleted previous spell. Upon completion of a more in-depth ritual, the spellcaster must ask the EH or MM how long this spell is exhausted for, which may be the rest of the day. If you know this spell, you must inform the EH or MM at check-in.

Séance (4th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Verbal: 20 words to start - Material: 3-minute hourglass/timer

This spell allows the spellcaster to have an extended discussion with a spirit, either one of another world or of a soulless character. Upon informing the EH or MM of their intent to cast this spell, the spellcaster must start the ritual by flipping the hourglass. If the spirit does not arrive within the first three minutes, then the casting is not used. If the spirit arrives, let the glass run out and flip it again. The spellcaster and spirit may then speak freely until all the sands have fallen. If the spirit stays longer than three minutes, the spellcaster may continue to converse with it. Please note that this spell does not change any behavior on the part of the spirit, and it may choose not to talk.

Whether a soulless character can answer is entirely up to the discretion of the EH or MM, who must be present for the ritual. This spell in no way grants the knowledge of the circumstances of a soulless character’s death. If they are allowed to be contacted, the soulless PC can still refuse to answer, is not compelled to speak, can lie or tell the truth freely, and can end the séance at any time. A PC contacted with a séance must leave after three minutes.

Second Chance (6th Circle)

Uses: 1 - Active: Speak to EH or MM

This spell allows the spellcaster to recover once, even from the most grievous of wounds and situations.

After the spell is cast, the spellcaster may activate the spell, which removes them from play. They must then go find the EH or MM. All stealable items in possession of the spellcaster must be left behind. This spell may be activated even if the spellcaster is dead or soulless.

The EH or MM will then place them somewhere on site (location determined by the EH or MM). Upon being placed, the spellcaster is alive and unwounded.

Seed of Life (6th Circle)

Uses: Unlimited, while spellcaster has MC handy - Verbal: 30 words and an explanation - Material: 2 tokens with the spellcaster’s name and the words “Seed of Life” on it - Caveats: Regeneration, Basic Regeneration

When cast on a dead body, this spell grants the recipient a basic regeneration. The spellcaster must hand the MC to the recipient when the spell is cast. If the recipient is soulless, they must alert the spellcaster after completion of the verbal that the spell has failed and hand the MC back to the spellcaster.

Once the spell ends, the recipient needs to return the MC to the spellcaster as soon as reasonably possible. Other than this, the MC is neither stealable nor transferable in any way. If the recipient is rendered soulless, the spell ends. If the recipient is diseased, this spell will also cure them of their disease upon completion of the spell (although the regeneration time will still be doubled from the effects of the disease). This spell has no effect on animated undead.

If the spell is cast with both tokens on the same recipient, then the recipient will regenerate in three-fourths the normal time (usually 90 seconds).

Shapeshifting (4th Circle)

Uses: 2 - Material: Makeup and/or mask and any disguise garb - Active: Change into disguise - Caveats: Enchanted Items

This allows the spellcaster to shapeshift into a humanoid monster of about their height and size. This transformation takes as long to complete as it takes the player to change into the appropriate disguise outfit. The type and features of the monster are up to the player. Once the shapeshifting is complete, the player will respond to the spell Identify as the new type of monster. This spell will mimic a general monster type, and cannot accurately impersonate a named or unique monster, or appear to be another PC. You are free however, to attempt to convince your victims that you are more important than you actually are.

The shapeshifted form confers no combat benefit or other NPC power, though they can appear to wear armor or carry larger weapons to complete the disguise. You may in no way signal to NPCs that you are NPCing. The shapeshifted form ends if you are killed or if any part of your disguise is disenchanted.

In addition, at the door of the event, the player is allowed to ask the EH or MM to borrow an appropriate mask for the event in order to complete the illusion. There is no guarantee that they will be able to provide the materials, so you may wish to bring your own.

Skew Divination (3rd Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: 30 words - Material: Scroll with a name of an item, person, group, place, or situation - Active: Give scroll to EH or MM

This spell will alter the next Guidance, Fortune Tell, Precognition, Find the Path, Foretell, Séance, Vision, or Prophecy spell cast about the target at that event, giving them misinformation. How much the spell is altered is up to the EH or MM. To cast this spell, the spellcaster must write the name of the target (item, person, group, place, or situation) on a scroll, sign the scroll, and give the scroll to the EH or MM.

Soul Bane (3rd Circle)

Uses: 1 - Active: Destroy a dead body. Following the final body destroying blow the spellcaster says “Soul Bane.” - Caveats: OOC Calls

This spell alters the next Call the Soul cast on the target by reversing which object is successful and unsuccessful. The spellcaster must inform the EH or MM whose body they destroyed and cast Soul Bane on as soon possible. The effect triggers the next time the target’s soul is called. The spell ends after the first Call the Soul, whether it was successful or not. Only one Soul Bane can be active on a person at a time.

Speak (1st Circle)

Uses: 2 - Verbal: “Speak, friend…” - Material: An offering for the creature to be spoken with - Active: The spellcaster approaches the creature with no weapons and with an offering in plain sight, and hands it to the creature

This spell allows the spellcaster to approach a creature and present an offering to them. If the offering is taken, the creature now has the ability to speak and understand the language of the spellcaster. This ability lasts until the creature is no longer in possession of the offering. No creature approached has to take the offering, nor is there any guarantee that the creature will speak to you.

Speak with Dead (1st Circle)

Uses: 10 - Verbal: An explanation, followed by a question - Caveats: Compulsions

This spell allows the spellcaster to ask a corpse one “yes or no” question. The corpse may only answer “Yes,” “No,” or “Abstain,” and it may not lie. An abstention means that the spirit cannot or does not want to answer the question. Before asking the questions, the spellcaster must explain to the corpse’s player what the acceptable responses are and that the character may not lie.

Strange Brew (1st Circle)

Uses: Special, see Alchemy - Caveats: OOC Calls, Potions

You may create 2 additional types of potions listed below using Alchemy. Upon learning Strange Brew, you must record the potions you are choosing to learn, and their specific rules, in your spellbook:

  • (1 Point) Panacea: Cures the target of all disease and poisons. If the target is not diseased or poisoned, this grants them immunity against the next time they would become diseased or poisoned.
  • (1 Point) Potion of Heal Limb: Heals all damaged limbs of a living recipient
  • (2 Points) Potion of Animate Lesser Undead: Animates a corpse as per spell the Animate Lesser Undead. The spellcaster must also provide the necessary material requirements of that spell for when the potion is administered. Treat the person who applies this potion as the controller of the undead.
  • (2 Points) Poison Potion: Create a death, sleep, or truth poison as per Create Poison.
  • (3 Points) Potion of Acid: Deals 200 blows to a body, only usable on non-living objects.
  • (3 Points) Potion of Combat Raise Dead: Raises a dead character, healing all of their injured limbs.
  • (3 Points) Potion of Disenchant: Disenchants an enchanted or magic item, as per the spell, Disenchant.
  • (4 Points) Weapon Oil: Apply to a weapon for 60 seconds, and affix a ribbon to it with the alchemist’s name, the potion sigil, and either Silver or Magic. The weapon swings Silver or Magic depending on which you chose until the end of the event. The effect of the weapon oil ends early if the weapon is broken or disenchanted. This has no effect on a weapon that is already Silvered or Magic.
  • (5 Points) Potion of Animate Undead: Animates a corpse as per the spell Animate Undead. The spellcaster must also provide the necessary material requirements of that spell for when the potion is administered. Treat the person who applies this potion as the controller of the undead.
  • (5 Points) Potion of Soul Snare: Recipient’s soul is returned to them as if the spell Call the Soul was successfully cast on them and their soul was called. The EH or MM must be present for this potion to be used.
  • (5 Points) Potion of Resistance: Gain one call of Resist Magic as per the spell.
  • (7 points) Potion of Séance: The recipient can cast a usage of Séance as per the spell. If the Séance fails, the potion is used up.

This does not grant any points to alchemy.

Transformation (6th Circle)

Uses: 3 - Material: A pair of Transformation Claws - Caveats: Regeneration, Advanced Regeneration, OOC Calls, Precast, Suspension

The spellcaster releases their inner nature. The effect is a transformation. Each individual spellcaster may have a different form, but that form is consistent to the spellcaster (i.e. Matt’s altered form is different than Sally’s, but Matt’s altered form is always the same any time he shifts to it). The spell must be unlearned to alter that form.

A complete description of the altered form must be in the spell description. The spellcaster must alter their appearance when in the transformed state. They must wear a different tabard, makeup, prosthetics, mask, or some other major signifying indicator that they are “not quite right.” Details must also be listed in the spellcaster’s spellbook.

Any potions or other spells with a lingering effect cast by the spellcaster are suspended when they transform. The suspension ends when the spellcaster reverts to their common form.

All altered forms have the following advantages/disadvantages:

  • Has the use of Florentine claws, 18" maximum. Cannot use any other weapons. Claws must be of matched length. Cannot use or manipulate anything except with those claws (after all, they’re the end of their hands). These claws do not break the spellcaster’s weapon length restriction.
  • The claws are physical representations for the spell, and are not really there until the spell is cast. They cannot be used by anyone other than the spellcaster, and they may only use them when under the effects of the spell. The claws must be clearly labeled with the phrase “Transformation Claws” and the spellcaster’s name. The claws are not considered weapons for the purpose of Spell Failure. Furthermore, they are unbreakable and immune to the effect of a boulder, though the spellcaster is killed as normal if struck in the claws.
  • Cannot cast any spells while in altered form, except those granted as part of the Transformation.
  • The spellcaster may revert back to their common form, ending the spell at any time.

A spellcaster has 7 points to construct their altered form:

Armor Options:

  • Natural Armor: 1 point. Grants light armor on all hit locations. Can only be purchased once. Cannot be used in conjunction with Regenerating Armor.
  • Regenerating Armor: 3 points. Grants light armor on all hit locations, which can be regenerated. Can only be purchased once. To activate the regenerating effect, the spellcaster must kneel without attacking or blocking or lie on their back. Once so positioned, the spellcaster must remain still for 10 seconds per damaged hit location (repairing every hit location would take 70 seconds). If interrupted before all damaged hit locations are repaired, the effect fails with no armor points regenerated. Cannot be used in conjunction with Natural Armor.

Both armor options may be repaired by casting Repair Item.

Weapon Upgrades:

  • 1 point for 2’ claws.
  • 2 points for 2’6" claws.
  • 3 points for 3’ claws.
  • 4 points for 3’6" claws.
  • Poison Weapons: 4 points. The spellcaster may call “Poison” each time they swing their claws.
  • Armor-Piercing Weapons: 5 points. The spellcaster may call “Piercing” each time they swing their claws.
  • Axe, Hammer, or Mace claws: 1 point. The spellcaster may call “Axe,” “Hammer,” or “Mace” each time they swing their claws. The specific call must be chosen when the form is initially created. This option may only be taken once. The spellcaster is encouraged to make the claws reflect the nature of the call chosen.

Miscellaneous Abilities:

  • Limited Regeneration: 2 points for one use. All of the spellcaster’s limbs regenerate after 30 seconds, as an unlimited effect. Cannot be in combat while healing limbs in this fashion. The spellcaster has a single advanced regeneration. 1 point for each additional extra life beyond the first.
  • Death Watch: 2 points. As per the spell.
  • Immunity to Poison: 1 point. May only cast on self, otherwise as per the spell.
  • Cure Disease: 1 point. May only cast on self, otherwise as per the spell.
  • Heartiness: 1 point. As per the spell.

Spells gained through transformation are as per the spell specified, including number of castings. Each time you transform, the uses reset. Spells gained this way may only be cast while transformed.

Transmute Weapon (1st Circle)

Uses: 3 - Verbal: 10 words - Active: Hold the target weapon with 2 hands - Caveats: Enchanted Items, OOC Calls, Weapon Calls

This spell gives the spellcaster the ability to modify the shape and properties of a melee weapon temporarily. After preparing the weapon with the spell, the weapon user must call one of the following weapon types the next 3 times the weapon is swung: “Axe”, “Mace”, “Hammer”, “Spear”, or “Dagger”. The spellcaster chooses an option upon casting the spell and must inform the recipient which option the weapon has been transmuted to. These calls are expended and the casting is spent whether the user scores a successful hit or not, unlike other spells with the Weapon Calls caveat. Also unlike those other spells, anyone may wield the transmuted weapon to make the calls.

Vision (5th Circle)

Uses: 1

This spell allows the spellcaster to ask the EH or MM a question. The EH or MM will then reveal to the spellcaster as complete a description as they are willing to give, giving them a vision relating to it.

Ward: Enchanted Beings (5th Circle)

Uses: Unlimited - Verbal: 20 words, repeated continuously, stating purpose of spell - Material: Focus - Caveats: Chanting, Suspension, Wards

This spell prevents Enchanted Beings from attacking the spellcaster while it is active.

Ward: Undead (2nd Circle)

Uses: Unlimited - Verbal: 10 words, repeated continuously, stating purpose of spell - Material: Focus - Caveats: Chanting, Suspension, Wards

This spell prevents Undead from attacking the spellcaster while it is active.

Zombie Walk (1st Circle)

Uses: Unlimited, 1 at a time - Verbal: 10 words, plus an explanation - Active: Touch the target - Caveats: Undead, Walking Dead

This spell allows the spellcaster to animate a corpse, making it follow them for as long as they concentrate on the spell. If the spellcaster engages in combat either by attacking or by being struck, the spell ends and the corpse falls to the ground. In order to cast this spell, the spellcaster must recite the verbal and give the player of the corpse a brief explanation of what they should do, making sure they know when to fall down.

Rules for Event Holders

Becoming A Realms Event-Holder

To attempt to become an Event Holder you must first throw an event with your name listed as an Event Holder. To be a Realms legal event, the following conditions must apply:

  • It must be open to the public.
  • It needs to have been advertised with full event information at least two weeks before the date of the event on RealmsNet. If RealmsNet is unavailable, advertisement must include at least one of the following means instead: Publication in The View from Valehaven or Creathorne Chronicles, or sent through a mass mailing or electronic mailing, which must include the known addresses of all Realms EHs who have held Realms events in the previous year.
  • The location and the price of the event must be announced at least two weeks before the event is scheduled to take place. Any significant rule changes, especially those affecting normally legal powers and abilities of PCs, must be announced in the advertisement.
  • The names of the EHs, at most one per day, must be announced at least 5 days before the event is scheduled to take place.
  • A site must be confirmed before an event can be advertised as a legal Realms event.
  • The event must be at least six hours long.
  • At least 30 people (including marshals and NPCs) must attend and the EH must be able to prove attendance through signatures.
  • Players must have the option of playing their normal PCs, within such bounds and restrictions as previously advertised by the EH. Players who do so, despite any such advertised rule changes which may adversely affect their PC, are presumed to freely accept such changes or restrictions.
  • The rules must be based either on the current Omnibus to the Realms or on another rule system approved at the most recent Event Holders’ Council. All events must uphold the Code of Conduct at a minimum. Event Holders may add additional rules to the Code of Conduct for their event, but they may not remove them.
  • If the EH(s) are under the age of 18, they must have an adult(s) either as a co-EH(s) or as a Listed Contact(s) in the event description. One of the said adults must be on-site for the event.
  • An EH’s PC may not benefit in any way from their event. Their PC may not take possession of any non-currency stealable item released at their event for more than one day. They may not learn any spells as a result of attending their own event.
  • If any individuals are not allowed to attend, the event announcement may include a link to any or all of their names in a separate list. This list must only be accessible with a RealmsNet account.

As an Event Holder you must:

  • Place the safety and welfare of players above all else.
  • Show concern and caution towards sick and injured players.
  • Be impartial, consistent, objective, and courteous when making decisions.
  • Accept responsibility for your actions and decisions, as well as those of your staff.
  • Respect the individuality of other players and event holders.
  • Avoid any situations which may lead to or be construed as a conflict of interest.
  • Always be respectful to other members of the community.
  • Respect the land you are using, follow any site rule imposed by the land owner, and leave the site in better condition than you found it.
  • Keep up to date with the latest rules of the game and principles of their application.
  • Refrain from any form of personal abuse or harassment towards players or other Event Holders.
  • Respect the rights, dignity, and worth of all people involved in the game regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or cultural background.

Throwing a legal event gives an EH certain privileges and responsibilities above and beyond a normal player.

  • To validate your event you must confirm it electronically with the official Event List Administrator within one month of the date of the event.
  • Also within one month, if any instances of rules violations were reported, you must send to the Complaint Review Board a summary of those reports, conclusions of investigations into them, and consequences levied. EHs and the Complaint Review Board have the responsibility to maintain the privacy of those involved in reports to the extent possible.
  • If you release a Realms Magic Item at your event you must submit the name, physical description, and magical description to the Minister of Magic Items within one month of that event. The actual prop for the item does not need to be distributed to players at that time, but an EH that does not designate a magic item for an event within one month forever loses the opportunity to release an item for the event.
  • As an EH you qualify to attend the Event Holders’ Council meeting for the year following your event.

Magic Item Rules

Each EH is permitted to create one non-event specific magic item (a “Realms Magic Item”) at each event for which they receive EH credit. Only one magic item per Event Holder may be released for each event. Such magic items will retain their powers and abilities at all subsequent events at which they are pre-registered/checked in, and approved. Magic items are released on the date of the event the EH is creating them for and must be submitted to the Minister of Magic Items within one month of that event.

If an EH has not held a legal event during a calendar year, any items that they back are still considered backed for an additional calendar year. This means if an EH decided to take a calendar year off from throwing an event they can throw an event during the next calendar year and their items will retain their backing. However, if an EH does not hold a legal event during that following calendar year, any magic items that they released will be considered effectively destroyed as of the EH Council immediately following that year.

All magic items must have the following written on them or on an accompanying tag: the item’s name; the responsible EH’s name; the date it was released; the labels “Magic” and “Stealable”. The list of legal Magic Items is available on Realmsnet.

Challenging an Event

Questions on the validity of an event must be submitted to the Administrative Meeting Organizer(s) no later than one week prior to the Players’ Meeting. The organizer(s) are then responsible for requesting from the EH(s) a list of players present at the event, and for attempting to contact at least 10 of them for a statement on if they felt the event met the legal requirements or not, and why. This information must then be presented during the administration section of the Event Holders’ Council where all EHs present will vote on the legality of the event.

If the EH Council finds that the event was not legal, any magic items issued must be pulled, any ticks issued are removed, and the EH(s) who held the event lose their Event Holder status for the year in question. The EHC may impose additional sanctions, including suspension of Event Holding privileges, as they see fit.

Rules Changes and Administrative Meetings

Proposals

Any player may propose a change to the Omnibus, Standing Policies, or Complaint Review Board policies to be considered during the next series of Administrative Meetings. These are the Players’ Meeting and Event Holders’ Council. The purpose of these meetings is to vote on modifications to the rules and administrative positions for the following year.

Proposals may bypass the Players’ Meeting if they gain enough Event Holder support. For this bypassing, at least 10 EHs legally able to attend and vote at the Event Holders’ Council must support the proposal. This support and the proposal must be submitted to the organizer(s) of the Event Holders’ Council at least one week prior to the Players’ Meeting.

Proposals may continue to be submitted online up to the day before the Players’ Meeting, and in person the day of the Players’ Meeting. No new proposals will be accepted after the Players’ Meeting.

Proposals must meet certain requirements to be voted on at Administrative Meetings.

A proposal must contain the following:

  • The submitter’s name and a way to contact them;
  • A title and brief summary of the changes, including the intended impact of the proposal;
  • The exact wording to be added, removed, or modified within the Omnibus or Standing Policies, along with the section to be modified.

A proposals may also contain:

  • Multiple options to be voted between if the proposal passes, such as a proposal seeking to clarify a rule in one of two ways;
  • The name and contact information of a proxy player, to accept amendments to the proposal at the Players’ Meeting.

Standing Policies

Standing Policies for the Realms are official but temporary rules or procedures. They are as binding as rules within the Omnibus. Each Standing Policy must either state a specific expiration date within one year of its most recent update or be considered in effect until further notice.

In addition to the proposal process described above, Standing Policies can be added, amended, or removed at an Emergency EH Meeting or at the EHC by a two-thirds majority vote of yes over no, with abstentions not being counted.

At each EHC, Standing Policies in effect without specified expiration dates must be voted on for renewal. Any successful vote to add or amend a Standing Policy during that meeting counts as renewal for that Standing Policy. Standing Policies are renewed by a simple majority of votes.

Players’ Meeting

Any player who has attended a legal Realms Event in the previous calendar year can attend the Players’ Meeting. The meeting is usually held several weeks prior to the Event Holders’ Council. This meeting is a forum for feedback on rule proposals, rule changes, etc. If two-thirds of those voting on a proposal support it, the proposal will be included as an official proposal at the Event Holders’ Council.

Those who attend the Players’ Meeting shall be permitted to select two representatives (neither of whom are already eligible to vote at the next EHC) to attend the Event Holders’ Council. One of these representatives will have the same voting ability at the meeting as an EH, and may accept amendments to player proposals submitted at the Players’ Meeting. One representative shall be designated the primary, and the other will be the backup. Only the primary will be able to cast votes and accept amendments on behalf of an author, but both representatives may contribute to the discussion of proposals. If only one is present at any given time, they have they powers to vote and to accept amendments.

The Event-Holders’ Council

Any EH who has thrown an event between January 1 and December 31 (inclusive) of the previous year may attend the annual Event Holders’ Council.

Although any EH may attend the meeting, there are certain criteria that you must meet in order to vote there. You must have hit at least six events, including your own, in the same year that you held your event. Additionally only one EH per day of the event will be eligible to vote. For the purposes of this rule, a day runs from sunrise that calendar day to sunrise the next calendar day, and an event day must be at least six hours long. For example, an event starting at 9:00 pm on Friday and ending more than six hours after sunrise on Sunday may have three EHs.

If an EH cannot or does not attend their own event (due to real life emergencies, extenuating circumstances, etc.), they may still attend the EH meeting, but their eligibility to vote and back magic items will be reviewed by the remaining members of the Event Holders’ Council to determine their eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

No proxies will be accepted at the Event Holders’ Council. Voting at the Event Holders’ Council will be by majority rule - a two-thirds majority of yes over no, with abstentions not being counted, equals a majority. No guests shall be permitted to attend the Event Holders’ Council. The Moderator, Co-Moderator, and Secretary will be considered staff and not guests. Expert witnesses may be allowed if necessary, with an appropriate vote.

The Players’ Representative selected at the Players’ Meeting will have 5 minutes before the first vote to introduce themselves to the council, to communicate perspectives that were particularly important to the players they represent, and to share any other information they or the players they represent consider relevant and significant to the council for the upcoming votes.

Each year at the Event Holders’ Council several marshals are elected to help streamline the administration involved with running the Realms. You can read more about the process and the positions under Realms Administrative Positions.

At the end of the Event Holders’ Council, the EHs will discuss and vote on whether to and how to allow changes to spellbook conversion for the upcoming year based on the changes made to the Omnibus, such as allowing spellcasters to update their Spell Mastery when spells change names or allowing players additional freedom in changing their spellbooks.

Emergency EH Meetings

Sometimes, a serious issue may arise that needs to be handled before the next EHC. For these issues, Emergency EH Meetings can be held. Attendance at these meetings is open to every EH who held a legal event in the previous calendar year, every EH who held a legal event in the current calendar year, and the Players’ Representatives elected at the most recent Players’ Meeting. To be eligible to vote, EHs must also have attended at least 6 events (including their own) between the current and prior calendar years. Only the primary Players’ Representative may vote, unless only the backup is present.

Any serious issue(s) may be brought to the attention of the Event Holders’ List. Anyone may request that an Emergency EH Meeting be convened to address such issues. The person requesting the meeting is allowed to attend the meeting if it happens, regardless of their status as an Event Holder. If within two weeks of the original request at least 50% of the EHs eligible to attend an Emergency EH Meeting agree that a meeting is required to discuss the issue(s), then an Emergency EH Meeting must, to the greatest reasonable extent, be organized and set to occur no later than eight weeks after the initial request. Quorum for voting at this meeting is 50% of those eligible to vote. The person calling for the meeting will work with the current Administrative Meeting Organizer(s). Emergency EH Meetings may be held remotely via commonly available conferencing software.

The proceedings of an Emergency EH Meeting should remain close to the topic(s) of the original issue(s). However, if additional topics related to the original matter are identified prior to or during the course of the meeting, the scope of the meeting may be expanded to include the new issues at the discretion of the assembled Event Holders.

Emergency EH meetings may add, remove, or change Standing Policies, but they may not make changes to the Omnibus or to the Rules and Operating Procedures of the Complaint Review Board.

An Emergency EH Meeting must be advertised in the same way as an official Realms Event (see Becoming an Event Holder).

Adjudication of Complaints

The Complaint Review Board is responsible for receiving and investigating Complaints in accordance with the Rules and Operating Procedures for the Complaint Review Board webpage.

Upon receipt of an investigation report from the Complaint Review Board, the EHs will decide if the matter is serious enough to warrant an Emergency EH Meeting. No sooner than 48 hours and no later than two weeks after the report has been distributed, the Administrative Meeting Organizer will solicit support for an emergency EH meeting. The purpose of this delay is to allow the EHs time to fully process the investigation report. If this results in an Emergency EH Meeting, then the Complaint will be adjudicated at that meeting. Otherwise, the Complaint will be adjudicated at the next regular session of the EHC.

Regardless of whether it happens at an Emergency EH Meeting or a regular EHC, adjudication of Complaints investigated by the CRB is governed by the policies and procedures on the Rules and Operating Procedures for the Complaint Review Board webpage.

Realms Administrative Positions

List of Positions

The administrative positions elected each year are:

Elections

For each of these administrative positions, people are elected at the Event Holders’ Council every year. To be eligible to be elected, someone must either volunteer for that position or be nominated by someone else and then accept the nomination. If someone wishes to run for a position but will not be able to attend the EHC, they may tell a meeting organizer or staff member ahead of time about their intentions, and the organizers will have the power to accept nominations on their behalf. For the positions that are not on committees or boards, some people may choose to run as a pair, in which case those two people are treated together as one candidate. Both members in a pair must agree to this to be eligible to run together.

Once candidates have been identified for a position, the voting members of the EHC will vote by Approval Voting to elect a candidate. For positions with backups, the backup will be the person with the second-most votes. For committees and boards, once a slate of candidates has been selected, there will be an additional confirmation vote. This is to give the EHC the opportunity to evaluate aspects such as diversity of the committee or board and how well the members will work together. A 2/3 vote of “yes” over “no” is needed to confirm a committee or board. If the confirmation vote for a committee or board fails, the EHC will have discussion to identify why the vote failed and to pick a new slate. Once a new slate has been chosen, a new confirmation vote will be held.

Resignation

If one or more individuals who hold one or more of these Administrative Positions wish to resign from their position(s), they must notify the EH List of their intention to do so. The resigning individual(s) shall not be prevented from vacating their positions and are not required to justify their departure.

Removal

If one or more individuals who hold one or more of these Administrative Positions are thought to be unable or unfit to continue in their respective role(s), an Emergency EH Meeting may be called to discuss the position(s) in question. A meeting called for this reason must follow the rules laid out in the section on Emergency EH Meetings. If an Emergency EH Meeting is successfully organized (i.e. a sufficient number of EHs agree that the meeting is necessary), the individual(s) in question shall be temporarily restricted from performing the duties assigned to their position(s) until the conclusion of the meeting.

During the meeting, the party who called for the meeting presents their evidence supporting their case for removal of the individual(s) in question and those individual(s) will have the opportunity to defend their position. A vote shall then be held for each individual in question. A 2/3rds majority (not including abstentions) is required to remove an individual from their position.

Filling Vacancies

If at any time one or more Administrative Positions become vacant, and the vacancy(ies) prevent the remaining Administrative Positions from performing their duties (e.g. there is not a well-defined line of succession for the position(s) in question, or the position(s) is/are part of a committee which will not be able to function with one or more vacancies), then the vacant position(s) must be filled by election or appointment at an Emergency EH Meeting. The listed backup, if availalbe, will fill this position until the Emergency EH Meeting is held. If the position(s) is/are vacant as the result of removal, then the process to fill the vacated position(s) may be held at the same Emergency EH Meeting at which the removal vote was called. If the vacancy(ies) do not prevent the remaining Administrative Positions from performing their duties, the position(s) may be filled by the listed backup. If the listed backup is unwilling or unavailable to serve, the position may remain vacant until the next regular election.

Transition Period for Roles

If any outgoing position or committee has unfinished business when elections for new positions are held, the outgoing individuals may finish their work if granted permission to do so from the EHC. A vote must be called for each relevant position; a simple majority of votes in favor (excluding abstentions) will allow the outgoing individuals to finish their work. Regardless of the outcome of the vote, the outgoing individuals may not start new work after this vote is held (unless they were re-elected to the position), and the newly elected individual or committee is responsible for all new business submitted after their election.

If an outgoing individual or committee is allowed to finish their work, they must do so within 30 days. If the outgoing individual or committee is unable to conclude their work after that time, the newly elected individual or committee shall immediately take responsibility for the business. Within 15 days (counted from the end of the previous 30-day period) the outgoing individual or committee must brief the newly elected individuals on the situation and transfer all relevant documents, evidence, testimony, etc. to the new parties.

Position Descriptions

Administrative Meeting Organizers

The Administrative Meeting Organizers are responsible for organizing, announcing, and running both the Players’ Meeting and the Event Holders’ Council for the following calendar year.

The current Administrative Meeting Organizers are Pat Bobell and Keith Cronyn. The backup Administrative Meeting Organizers are Dani Lacasse and Crystal Welch. They can be reached at .

Complaint Review Board

The Complaint Review Board (henceforth referred to as the CRB) is a group of five primary members and three alternate members tasked with receiving Complaints of potential violations of Realms rules (including the Code of Conduct and the Rules for Event Holders) and investigating their validity. Following the investigation, they will present the matter to the Event Holders of the Realms. Additional information regarding the scope and processes of the CRB, including how to submit a Complaint to the CRB, can be found on the Rules and Operating Procedures of the Complaint Review Board web page.

The primary members are responsible for conducting the regular business of the CRB. However, if at any point a primary member becomes unavailable, through recusal or through other means, they will be replaced by one of the alternate members. It is for this reason that the alternate members will be included in all of the proceedings of the CRB, although they are not granted the authority to vote until they are activated.

The CRB must always have at least five members available to conduct its business. If at any time fewer than five members are available, the CRB must halt the current process and call for an Emergency EH Meeting. A meeting called for this reason bypasses the requirement that a certain number of EHs need to agree to hold the meeting and must either elect enough temporary members to the CRB to reach the required five members or require that the Complaint shall be addressed by all present EHs not involved in the Complaint, rather than the CRB.

Immediately following the election of CRB membership, the EHC will elect one of the primary members as the Chairperson of the CRB and a second member as Vice Chairperson. The EHC must also establish the order in which alternate members will be activated.

The players elected to the Complaint Review Board are Tucker Noyes, John Rescigno, Nataliya Kostenko, Maria Carr, and Joshua Bryant. The three alternates, in order of activation, are Timothy Suitor, Josh Learned, and Paul Tilton.

The current Chairperson of the Complaint Review Board is Tucker Noyes, and the current Vice Chairperson is John Rescigno.

The Complaint Review Board can be reached at .

Death Marshal

The Death Marshal is responsible for tracking and maintaining ticks that are reported by EHs from their event for a character, or reported by a character’s player for their own character.

The current Death Marshal is Matt Daviault. The backup Death Marshal is Ian Pushee. They can be reached at .

Event List Administrator

The Event List Administrator is responsible for maintaining an official list of events. The list is available online at http://www.realmsnet.net.

The current Event List Administrator is Ian Pushee. The backup Event List Administrator is Pat Bobell. They can be reached at .

Facebook Moderation Team

There is an official Facebook group for the Realms community. It can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/therealmslarp/. The moderators are responsible for maintaining the group and ensuring that all posted and commented content follows the Realms Code of Conduct. The 5 people elected by the EHC to moderate the Official Realms Facebook Group are Becky Baron, Dani Lacasse, Joshua Bryant, Sara Jessop, and Travis Wilcox.

The Facebook Moderation Team can be reached at facebook@admin.realmsnet.net.

Minister of Magic Items

The Minister of Magic Items is responsible for maintaining an official list of Realms Magic Items. The list is available to EHs online at http://www.realmsnet.net.

The current Minister of Magic Items is Ian Pushee. The backup Minister of Magic Items is Joshua Bryant. They can be reached at .

Omnibus Editorial Committee

Each year, the Event Holders’ Council nominates and elects a five-person committee to format and maintain a master copy of the rulebook. During the editing process, the committee has the power to make the following minor changes to the rulebook:

  • Spelling errors
  • Grammar errors, such as punctuation, pluralization, etc.
  • Spells mentioned that no longer exist in the Omnibus
  • Spells that have had their names changed
  • Text that was intended to be altered, added, or removed as part of a proposal voted in by the EHC, but was omitted from the proposal text and therefore creates an inconsistency within the Omnibus. These edits cannot substantially change the impact of the proposal
  • Rearranging the orders of tables and lists, as long as these rearrangements don’t change how any rules work
  • Updating Section 9 Realms Administrative Positions to reflect the results of recent resignations, elections, and/or appointments.

Changes made to the document must be made by unanimous decision by the committee, who must notify the Event Holders’ List of changes not specifically approved. All copies of the Omnibus produced for public use must be derived from the master text, which is published on RealmsNET, although formatting and printing process are at the discretion of the individual publisher. A digital copy of the Omnibus text will be provided to any member of the community on request.

Editorial changes as outlined above may continue to be made throughout the year after the master text is published. The Omnibus Editorial Committee is responsible for submitting changes to the Event Holders’ List. If no objections are made, the change is automatically accepted and the master text will be updated. If any objections are made, the proposed change must be submitted through the official proposal submission process outlined in the Omnibus and voted upon at the following year’s Event Holders’ Council.

Alongside the rulebook, the committee will maintain a summary of rules changes. While not a word-for-word reproduction of what has changed, the summary is intended to help players identify what has changed each year, and to let players know where to look within the Omnibus to see new rules. As this document is a summary, rather than official rules, the committee has full discretion over what to include each year. That said, the committee is encouraged to talk with authors of proposals for guidance about the intent of proposals.

The Omnibus Editorial Committee for the 2024 Omnibus is Pat Bobell, Nate Carr, Dani Lacasse, Diana Learned, and Kelly Perfetto. The Omnibus Editorial Committee can be reached at .