How to Become a Magic Specialist

As we know, some of our Characters have invested themselves in the Magic Arts and become Magic Users or "Wizards" for those who prefer the designation (as graduates of the distinguished RPG University School of Magic are often referred).  Whichever the case, these are the Characters who are able to invoke the mysterious powers of Magic Spells.  Of course, what is also widely known is that Magic is a most curious thing, and can never be fully controlled or mastered.
Spells fizzle and backfire, often at the most inconvenient times.  It's all part of the mystery.  But when a powerful Magic Spell does work it can turn the tide of battle in an instant, while smiting even the strongest and most foul smelling of vile creatures (and they put on quite a show too).

These are the moments of glory that make it all worth it.

But even among the assembly of magic scholars is a selective group of highly experienced Wizards and Magic Users who have steeped themselves into the advanced study and knowledge of the Magic Arts.  These specialists have come to such a higher level of understanding (and no small amount of dedication to the practical aspects of spell casting) that they have overcome the problem of backfiring spells.  And now, with the right amount of experience and investment in the Craft, your Character may count themselves among the most prestigious Wizards and Magic Users in all the land.

Of course, out in the world you will rarely hear the term "Magic Specialist" but will rather more often hear someone of that level referred to by the title they have chosen to adopt.  But this is getting a little bit ahead of things.  Let's talk about how a Character may become a Magic Specialist.

There will come a time in the life of your Character that they will have earned enough experience to gain a special power-up, something that will enable them to enhance their Basic Abilities or even gain an entirely new Special Skill.  To be more precise, there are two times when this will occur.  It isn't sure which of these milestones any character may reach first, but usually it will be the Rank Bonus.

As we study the new Character Sheet notice the small meter to the right of the Rank plaquette.

Download Character Sheet Front or Character Sheet Back

This meter will track progress as our characters level-up from the starting Rank
of 1 "Unknown" on and up through Rank 34 "Crest Bearer."  On the day your Character reaches this level the meter arrow is filled in to signify completion of a most worthy accomplishment, and the power-up that comes with it.  Players may choose one of the following: a +1 Ability Bonus where no other bonus exists (in other words, on a blank line) or they can add a Special Skill.  It is also at this moment that Characters with Magic Ability may choose to become Specialists.

This is one way to earn a power-up.

The other way has been known from time immemorial and correlates to Hero Awards.  Looking to the bottom of the Character Sheet, we find that upon earning their 8th Hero Award a Character is granted another special bonus.  The "Super Whoopee! Power-up" affords the same reward: a +1 Ability Bonus where no other bonus exists or a new Special Skill.  As with the Rank Bonus, characters who already have Magic Ability have a third choice and may use this moment to become Magic Specialists.

Notice that becoming a Specialist in the Magic Arts is no trivial matter, and requires a good deal of experience and study.  That is not by accident and the reason why no Character may ever start out as a Magic Specialist ~ no matter how many Special Skills are associated with the chosen Character Class.

More details on becoming a Magic Specialist and earning the Rank Bonus can be found in the updated Rules Addendum.  We're looking at updating the Victory phase booklet as well to include the same information about these new character improvement bonuses, but the essential information is there in the meantime.

Once your Character has chosen to specialize in Magic color in the jewel insignia and choose a title (to be written in the space provided).  Some choose to become a "Cryptologist of the Magic Arts" or, as it is sometimes referred to, a "Learned Scholar of the Magic Arts." Others have taken on the lesser known title of "Artiste de Magique."  Whatever title your Character chooses to adopt the result is the same, Spells no longer Backfire.  From this moment on any attempt to cast a spell resulting in a 2-5 means the spell was successfully cast.  But alas, magic has its enduring traits (or flaws of execution) and spells may still Fizzle (1) or Super Fizzle (6) even for the most advanced Wizard or Magic User.

Having revealed the existence of elite Magic Users we should draw attention to a few characters many of us already know.  These Magic User Companions can occasionally be found in the tavern, and may be willing to join your party.  But they are each (with one exception) among the select ranks of Magic Specialists, and so will not be as easy to recruit as we might hope.  That said, certain groups are ought to try as venturing out into the dangerous wild lands, especially deep underground without a competent Magic User might be the last regret of an adventuring party.

Among these few small changes to Companions there is at least one other of note.  In addition to her usual experience (Rank) requirement for joining up with the group, there is now a slight possibility of persuading Arvatheryn the Ranger (C004) to accompany you on the journey.

Download the latest Companions deck

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One question that comes up these days.  What is the current version of the game?
Strictly speaking the answer is,

    Heroes of Feonora Ruleset 1.1

However, if your group has already started using the updated rules featured in the included Upcoming Changes addendum, then you are playing,

Heroes of Feonora Ruleset 1.1 (1.2)   ~ or ~   Heroes of Feonora Ruleset 1.2 (beta)

...however you prefer to say it.