BG - Magic and the Spell System

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Magic and the Spell System

　Some of the most powerful weapons player characters have at their disposal in the AD&D game are magical spells. Through spells a player character can call lightning out of the sky, heal grievous injuries, hurl explosive balls of fire, and learn secrets long forgotten. At the levels of characters in Baldur’s Gate, magic and spells are somewhat more modest (only 1st- through 4th-level spells are learnable, though some 4th- and 5th-level spells are available for use via scrolls and by NPC’s). Not every character is capable of casting spells, however. Wizards (including specialists) and priests
(or their cousins, the druids) can cast Wizard and Priest spells, respectively. A few character classes have a limited ability to cast spells in addition to their other attributes. Regardless of their source, all spells fall into the categories of Wizard or Priest.

Wizard Spells

　Wizard spells range from spells of simple utility to great and powerful magics. Although characters can use spells, the workings of magic are dimly understood at best. For the most part, it is enough to know that ”when you do this, that happens.”
　Casting a wizard spell is a complicated ordeal. First, a wizard can only use spells from his spell book. Beginning wizards start with only a few basic spells; over time, they obtain spell scrolls to add to their magical knowledge. (To add the spell found on a scroll to his spell book, the wizard must scribe it into the book – this is done from the Item Information page, which is brought up by R-clicking on a spell scroll). A wizard’s mind can comprehend only a certain number of spells. The number of spells he can have in his book is limited by his Intelligence.
　Ultimately, it is daily spell memorization that is most important. Every day, the wizard must memorize spells from his spellbook. To draw on magical energy, the wizard must shape specific mental patterns in his mind. He uses his spell book to force his mind through mental exercises, preparing it to hold the final twisted patterns. This process is called memorization. Once a wizard memorizes a spell, it remains in his memory (as potential energy)
until he uses the prescribed words, motions, and components to trigger the release of the energy. Upon casting, the energy of the spell is spent, wiped clean from the wizard’s mind – lost until the wizard studies and memorizes that spell again. The number of spells a wizard can memorize is given by his level; he can memorize the same spell more than once, but each memorization counts as one spell toward his daily memorization limit. Memorization is not a thing that happens immediately. The wizard must have a clear head gained from a restful night’s sleep and then must spend time studying his spell book. Spells remain memorized until they are cast or wiped from the character’s mind at the spell memorization screen.

Priest Spells

　The spells of a priest, while sometimes having powers similar to those of the wizard, are quite different.The priest’s role, more often than not, is as defender and guide for others. Thus the majority of his spells work to aid others or provide some service to the community. Few of his spells are truly offensive, but many can be used cleverly to protect or defend. The knowledge of what spells are available to the priest becomes instantly clear as soon as he advances in level.This knowledge and the power for the spells themselves are bestowed by the priest’s deity. Priests memorize their spells in a similar way to wizards, but they do not have to use a spell book. Instead, once they gain access to a level of spells granted by the powers they worship, they can memorize any spells from the priest spells in this level, up to their maximum memorizable number of priest spells. Priests must pray (this is done when the party rests, much as a wizard memorizes spells when the party rests) to obtain spells.

Schools of Magic

　Although all wizard and priest spells are learned and memorized the same way, they fall into nine different schools of magic. A school of magic is a group of related spells.

• Abjuration spells are specialized protective spells.
• Alteration spells cause a change in the properties of some already existing thing, creature, or condition.
• Conjuration/Summoning spells bring something to the caster from elsewhere. Conjuration normally produces matter or items from some other place. Summoning enables the caster to compel living creatures and powers to appear in his presence or to channel extraplanar energies through himself.
• Enchantment/Charm spells cause a change in the quality of an item or the attitude of a person or creature. Enchantments can bestow magical properties on ordinary items, while charms can unduly influence the behavior of beings.
• Divination spells enable the wizard to learn secrets long forgotten, to predict the future, and to uncover things hidden or cloaked by spells.
• Illusion spells deceive the senses or minds of others.
• Invocation/Evocation spells channel magical energy to create specific effects and materials. Invocation normally relies on the intervention of some higher agency (to whom the spell is addressed), while evocation enables the caster to directly shape the energy.
• Necromancy is one of the most restrictive of all spell schools. It deals with dead things or the restoration of life, limbs, or vitality to living

creatures.

• Offensive spell icons are red, defensive spell icons are blue, and information spell icons are white.