This schtick deals in forces and force fields. It can represent telekinetic force fields, or use some other special effect such as an element, bones, darkness or plants to build barriers and reinforce objects. It is very function-related, and quite low on mysticism, but handy in a pinch.
Things reinforced or altered with Forces take on a supernatural sheen. Things created are clearly visible, but may be transparent, and generally don't look or feel like the real thing at all.
Forces are often used together with some other Sorcery Schtick, such as an element, Death, Fertility or even Illusion, to allow new effects with a style determined by this other schtick. It is in some ways similar to Ice, Conjuration and Sand.
The difficulty on enchantment tasks depend on what you have to work with. It is much harder to create an unanchored force field suspended in air than it is to reinforce an already existing structure, such as a door, wall or object.
| Reinforcing existing structure or object, such as an existing door or weapon | 5 |
|---|---|
| Extending an existing structure, such as closing an open portal | 10 |
| Creating a freestanding force | 15 |
| Lots of appropriate substance handy | -5 |
| No or little substance handy | +5 |
The last two modifiers apply only to enchantment variants that do not use pure force to build their force constructs, but some substance.
Force magic lasts a number of sequences equal to the Outcome, and has a Toughness equal your Magic + Sorcery. It can be extended to a duration of Hours for a Magic point.
Backlash with Force magic causes all your current Force spells to collapse. This does not apply to those made permanent with the Permanency effect of Fertility or Metamagic.
Armor
You can reinforce or create a protective barrier, be it a shield, suit of armor or whatever. Such a shield provides protection, but is also cumbersome. Every two points of protection gives one drawback. Shields cannot provide more than ten points of armor. The spell lasts for a scene.
You decide upon protection value and drawbacks when creating the shield. It can protect someone else. Typical drawbacks include:
- Shield costs a Magic point to create
- Shield does not protect against one of the following: Guns and thrown weapons, melee attacks or Blast
- Shield gives a -1 Reflex penalty
- Shield is immobile, if you move, you leave it behind
- Shield only protects your front (or back, as appropriate)
Barrier
You can seal a portal, reinforce a wall or door or create a cage or force. This can be a wall with a length equal to your Sorcery Action Value and a height equal to your Magic, or a bubble with a diameter equal to your Magic. It can be made smaller or otherwise shaped, as long as the maximum dimensions are not exceeded.
Anyone tries to escape being caught on the wrong side of your Barrier and within a normal move of it is allowed a Dodge roll against your Magic to escape while the barrier is still forming. This counts as a defensive action.
Blackboard
This is a barrier used to post a sign, text or other message. This can be an image or even a moving picture, depending on what you make your barriers of. It is weaker than a regular barrier, with a Toughness equal to your Magic only.
Bridge
The Barrier can be used to bridge a chasm as wide as twice your Action Value.
Bulwark
You can create a wall with small openings in it, suitable for shooting or casting spells through. Such a barrier provides Cover, but it is only as long as your Magic and about as tall as you are, so it can be run around or climbed over.
Conveyance
You can create a large wagon or small ship, that can be drawn, sail or be rowed as a normal vehicle would. It can carry a number of passengers equal to your Magic, or twice that jammed full in a pinch.
Hut
You can create a magical dwelling, providing comfortable quarters for a number of people equal to your Magic or cramped quarters for four times as many.
Floater
A slow floating conveyance. Floaters have a Body equal to your Sorcery Action Value and a diameter equal to your Magic. It can carry loads but cannot ram things, stopping at any obstruction. It is quite slow, moving your Magic meters but only at the end of each sequence.
Floating Disc
A disc of force that will not move relative to you, that is, it stays in the same relative position however you move. If you create this under your feet, you have a force carriage which you can maneuver with the help of a pole or drag along a rope or after a companion or beast.
Force Ferry
This is a floater that will move in a pre-determined pattern. It stays on a path determined when it is created, and will travel this path again and again. The path can take no longer than your Action Value in sequences to complete.
Ram
A wedge of force, that slowly but inexorably moves forward, pushing or crushing as it goes with a Strength equal to your Sorcery. You can dispel the ram, but not change its direction once it's started.
Tools
You create or enchant tools, turning broken or improvised equipment into fully-functioning items. An involuntary target can immediately and automatically shed the tool. If you want to create force shackles, learn an appropriate Blast effect.
Blade
You enhance or create a melee weapon. The weapon now has a damage add of +5, and is almost impossible to break.
Shield
A temporary force shield can be used to parry with. This gives a +5 Dodge bonus on Active Defense. Unlike other Forces effects, there is no separate cast time on this; the shield is created as a part of the defensive action. You can even make a 1-shot active defense for others, but may suffer range penalties when doing so.