Spell-Circles
A Spell-Circle is a collection of glyphs capable of manifesting a magical effect. They are all circular, or at least radially symmetrical in shape, and must be drawn or engraved on a flat(ish) surface, into any kind of material.
There are Spell-Circles capable of manifesting any kind of effect one wishes to create. Their potency varies based on how large the circle is physically drawn; the potency of a circle is sorted into Tiers. Each Tier also requires an appropriate Sacrifice to feed the spell, either material or living, which must be placed directly upon the circle. (Material sacrifices must be in sufficient quantity to sort-of cover the whole circle.)
| Tier | Sacrifice (material) | Sacrifice (living) | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No sacrifice | No sacrifice | Open hand |
| 2 | Wax candles burned | A chicken | Shield |
| 3 | Ink spilled | An ox | Small home |
| 4 | Gemstones crushed | A unicorn | Town square |
| 5 | Gold melted | A dragon | Army encampment |
The spell-effect activates when an appropriate Kindling is placed in the center. The nature of the Kindling varies based on the Circle itself.
Example kinds of Spell-Circles
Beam
Effect: a forceful beam of flame ejects from the center of the circle, perpendicularly to the surface in which it is engraved.
Kindling: a fistful of gunpowder.
- TIER ONE: the force of a thrown stone, at about the same range.
- TIER TWO: the force of a polehammer swing, at the range of a musket-shot.
- TIER THREE: the force of a stick of dynamite exploding, from the other side of town.
- TIER FOUR: the force of an avalanche, from the other side of a valley.
- TIER FIVE: enough force to obliterate a fortress, from the edge of the horizon.
Summoning
Effect: A demon is summoned from Hell to do the caster’s bidding.
Kindling: Eye-sized balls of silver, one for each day the demon is to remain in service.
- TIER ONE: an Imp.
- TIER TWO: a Soldier of Hell.
- TIER THREE: A Demon-Mage.
- TIER FOUR: An Arch-Fiend.
- TIER FIVE: Bael itself.
Divination
Effect: Three questions, posed by the Caster, are answered, to the best of the Answerer’s ability.
Kindling: A poison mushroom.
- TIER ONE: Questions answered as if by a person who heard about the event in question.
- TIER TWO: Questions answered as if by a person who witnessed the event in question.
- TIER THREE: Questions answered as if by a person who extensively studied the question.
- TIER FOUR: Questions answered as if by the highest expert in the world on the question.
- TIER FIVE: The Answerer is omniscient.
Plant Growth
Effect: Plants sprout from the circle which must be dug into the ground.
Kindling: A glass of pure water.
- TIER ONE: A bush.
- TIER TWO: A small tree.
- TIER THREE: A large tree.
- TIER FOUR: A grove.
- TIER FIVE: A forest of centennial trees.
Necromancy
Effect: One dead creature (depending on Tier) regains life.
Kindling: A golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides.
- TIER ONE: A small animal, imp, forest sprite, etc.
- TIER TWO: A regular person, large dog, head of cattle, etc.
- TIER THREE: A powerful adventurer, monster, spirit.
- TIER FOUR: A king, an angel, an extraplanar.
- TIER FIVE: A warrior of legend, a dragon, a god.
Make your own!