You get the ability to perform one level 1 spell from an RPG system of your choosing in real life. The RPG system must already exist; you can't come up with it on the spot. You can cast the spell as often as a level 1 mage/wizard/ in that system. If your system of choice does not have levels or classes, pick a spell that a novice magic user can use. You will be able to use it as often as a novice magic user.
What do you choose? Explain your motivation.
Ryan Rivera
Old school Wish.
Now let's see if the DM is merciful, an exactly as written rules lawyer, or a dick.
Kayden Ramirez
>level 1 mage/wizard >wish
Isaac Ward
Enlarge Person.
I use it for porn.
Michael Jackson
This man can't read.
Colton Watson
If it's level 1, I go with Cure Light Wounds.
Praise Jesus.
Isaac Carter
Prestidigitation from Pathfinder.
Because it cannot duplicate any other spell, and there are no other spells, I can do anything with it.
No, I kid. It's just a supremely useful, harmless, infinitely reusable spell that can do enough things that it would never be not-useful in many situations.
Christopher Ortiz
Would you start your own religion?
Easton Peterson
Grease, for the comedy potential. Or maybe Ghost Sound so I can create the sound of crickets whenever there's an awkward silence.
Landon Mitchell
oWoD Mage, Mind 1
Because it's literally no contest. I don't think there's any RPG that has a more powerful effect for a novice magic user than Mage, and between Entropy and Mind, I think Mind allows you to more spectacularly succeed in modern society.
Isaiah White
I'm thinking either true strike and becoming the ultimate sniper, or Charm Person and talk my way into power.
Isaiah Russell
>Prestidigitation can create small objects, but they look crude and artificial. The materials created by a prestidigitation spell are extremely fragile, and they cannot be used as tools, weapons, or spell components. >tfw living 3D printer
Easton Clark
Alter Self. I use it for porn.
Alternatively I do some shenanigans with GURPS or M&M or something.
Ryder Gomez
>1 terrestrial circle spell Summon 1st circle demon, assuming I can bind it. There is so much shit 1cds can do, and there's so damn many of them. It offers unparalled versatility, and I just need to not do something stupid like summon a blood ape, and I shouldn't have to worry about it biting me too hard, as 1cds are usually pretty reasonable.
Lincoln Gray
This
Jaxson Fisher
Buddy, we're gonna change the world.
Blake Jenkins
I'm not too familiar with Mage, but I think "one spell" would map to one rote or whatever it was called, not one dot in a category of magic.
I was thinking something along the lines of Demon of the First Circle from Exalted.
Christopher Moore
Off the top of my head probably shocking grasp. I can taser punch people, spark fires, and maybe figure out how to power electronics with some practice. Can we level up our skills over time?
Nathan Jenkins
>Can we level up our skills over time? Nope.
Easton Hernandez
I seem to recall an ancient, ancient cantrip called Bang! from the ADnD books, damned if I know which one it was, though.
All it did was a single point of damage, unavoidable and unmitigated. You point your finger at your target and shout "BANG!"
With this spell, I shall want for nothing.
Justin Collins
Unseen Servant so I can get more shit done during a single day. Call me too-practical or unimaginative, but having an invisible mindless servant that does shit for me is incredible for someone with depression + executive disfunction. Plus, I could use it for prostate stimulation
Dominic Lee
Hex from Pathfinder.
Lots of weakish effects that might be useful but; >fly >change your appearance >improve luck >reduce luck >brew potions >cackle madly It does everything you want.
Isaac Ross
This guy's got it down: You get an infinitely usable, highly versatile, fairly harmless spell that has dozens of practical applications. Get lost? Start a fire. Get dirty? Clean yourself instantly. Need a tool? Make one. Damn spell would be amazing to have on hand.
Juan Carter
see >materials created by a prestidigitation spell are extremely fragile, and they cannot be used as tools
Josiah Hughes
I've always fantasized about casting Light. It's not THE spell that I would choose given the chance (it would probably be Prestidigitation like said, or some other versatile spell), but wouldn't it be super cool to walk into a dark room, snap your fingers and BOOM, light.
I am not the only one who fantasizes about casting low-level spells am I?
Landon Ortiz
>You get an infinitely usable, highly versatile, fairly harmless spell that has dozens of practical applications. Get lost? Start a fire. Get dirty? Clean yourself instantly. Need a tool? Make one. Damn spell would be amazing to have on hand. I would rather have the Cure Light Wounds If you gave me the choice between "instantly be clean" and "instantly restore someone from dying to perfectly healthy", it seems like a pretty easy choice, since in this world nobody is higher than level 1.
Jayden Brooks
> I am not the only one who fantasizes about casting low-level spells am I? "Hey, I could use this classic fantasy spell to improve my mundane daily life!" is pretty much the idea out of which urban fantasy and science-fantasy (magitech) was born.
Gavin Cruz
aye
Asher Wilson
CLW makes you a threat to powerful people (think the healthcare industry is gonna take Cure Light Wounds laying down?) and makes you a cult figure. No thank you. I'd rather be comfortable and obscure.
Robert Reed
>think the healthcare industry is gonna take Cure Light Wounds laying down? There are numerous Actually Powerful people who have someone sick in their extended family. The healthcare industry has nothing on them. What you would really fear is not being neutralized as competition, but being imprisoned and forced to perform your miracles and/or being dissected in an attempt to replicate your talent.
Colton Green
OK so let's job this out, since all my RPG books are at home and I'm at work. We've done a good job w/ D&D 3.x and 5.
Mage: The Ascension is too broad, since it doesn't use "spells" at all as we know them. Several GURPS systems are similar ("starting novice mage" is a relative term that depends on the setting).
So let's look at:
GURPS Default Magic
Shadowrun (again, spells don't really have levels and difficulty is a relative term)
Vampire the Masquerade: Hedge Magic (WoD sorcery), Level 1 Thaumaturgy (pick a single one dot Path or Ritual). Werewolf: The Apocalypse: Level 1 gift
What else is there?
Liam Kelly
Alter Self is level 2.
Do you mean Disguise Self?
Charles Murphy
Charm Person, I can have anything I want, from anyone I want.
Zachary Edwards
What about Goodberry? It requires a freshly picked berry (no problem thanks to greenhouses) but also counts as a full meal and can cure up to eight HP.
Also from 5e:
Vicious Mockery: the ultimate assassination spell. What will the autopsy show? Even if the police figured it out, who'd ever believe it in court?
Thaumaturgy, for reasons similar to the more practical Prestidigitation.
Find Familiar: it gives you a lot of benefits, especially if people don't know the spell exists.
Wild Cunning seems pretty cool...
Pathfinder:
Charm Person
Crafter's Fortune (become a manager at a software company, for example)
Camden Kelly
I agree that it's down to Charm Person, Cure Light Wounds, or Prestidigitation.
Dylan Russell
thinking 5e
I would pick Silent image or Sleep
if cantrips are allowed definitely prestidigitation
Nathaniel Wood
>Fragile Fantastic a spell that turns yourself Chinese.
Adrian Kelly
Prestigidation. So much useful shit.
Dylan Hall
Color Spray or Polypurpose Panacaea could be fun, but right now I just want Endure Elements. I work outside and it's -30°C out there.
Nolan Wood
This begs the question, what is one point of damage IRL?
Kevin Murphy
Well in 5th Edition, an unarmed strike does 1 damage.
So my guess is the equivalent of getting hay-maker'd.
Michael Rivera
Polypurpose Panacea would be so fucking useful. It's the mental equivalent to Prestidigitation.
Liam Bennett
Enlarge person
Dominic Harris
Average peasant has 2hp.
Dylan Clark
Charm Person. I will use it to make friends.
Lucas Lopez
With benefits?
Jaxson Butler
But HP doesn't represent damange blah blah blah...
Austin Lopez
People who know what they're doing can put normies down with one solid hit.
Benjamin Cook
I'd take Cause Fear. Since most people are below 5HD, I could scare almost everyone.
Austin Allen
my choices would either be:
>Create or Destroy Water Because being able to create ten gallons of fresh water even once per-day would be an amazing asset to anything. Nevermind if I'm allowed to spam it within concern for spells per-day or even at max level. Every 3 or 6 seconds (I don't know how long a round in DnD 5e is, or any editions actually) I can create a massive torrent of 90 gallons of water. And then so many awesome things can happen.
or...
>Shocking grasp Because as a cantrip, I KNOW I can spam that infinitely and basically, I just grab a hold of some connectors to a big-ass battery and something to keep the current regulated and proceed to provide free power forever. Even more if I'm casting it at max level.
Henry Carter
>if I'm allowed to spam it within concern for spells per-day or even at max level. Read
>You can cast the spell as often as a level 1 mage/wizard/ in that system. If your system of choice does not have levels or classes, pick a spell that a novice magic user can use. You will be able to use it as often as a novice magic user.
Evan Richardson
You two are both suicidal. Ordinary mortals casting that spell, without the benefit of excellencies, are extremely likely to murder themselves.
Summon Elemental on the other hand, that one just fails to create an elemental if you cock it up. Exalted's elementals are much more interesting than your standard big pile of vaguely humanoid rock/fire/whatever. Not to mention that flame-based sex elementals can be just as sexy as crafting-based sex demons.
Hudson Bailey
I would argue the same effect for Exalted actually. You'd be doing thaumaturgy, which would be summoning a specific type of demon. And given the consequences and restrictions, the elemental version would probably be more useful and safe (demon summoning would near certainly result in your death and general havoc). There was also something about elemental empowerment in 2e, which would let you do stuff like imbue items with the ability to self-repair or change into similar types of items. Of course, that's in 2e, so good luck gathering the resources to cast it as a mortal. I'd assume you weren't able to gain the passive abilities of being a thaumaturge or essence-user, or this would improve even more dramatically.
If cantrips count, Pathfinder Prestidigitation is incredibly useful. So would Create Water or that cantrip that unspoils food. Low level cure spells would be incredible, but dangerous as noted by Otherwise, you could probably do quite a bit with even just a rote from Mage.
Alllll that said, Unearthed Armies is probably one of the ones easiest to incorporate into life and has lots of minor charge things (assuming you gain a similar way to gain charges, at least).
Jaxon Ramirez
ash, I missed that part.
Still admittedly on the fence myself.
I mean...
Free water or free power?
I think I'll go with water. I can save it up easier, and push comes to shove and we ever end up in a post apocalyptic world of I'm in an off-the-grid thing I'll just hook up an exercise bike or something to a generator and battery.
Colton Ramirez
>Free water or free power? Oh boy, can't wait to save like $20 on my utility bill
I'd probably pick a healing spell, so I could sell instantaneous healing to rich people who are willing to pay fabulous sums to not wait for natural healing.
Isaac Ward
>I would argue the same effect for Exalted
The thought crossed my mind, thaumaturgy and mortal sorcerers are a thing in Exalted, but while thaumaturgy is technically available to PCs it's not really a PC option. I'd argue that Exalted starting level magic is Terrestrial Circle Sorcery, and OP is talking about starting PCs, not lowest grade magic users of the setting.
Tyler Clark
>Oh boy, can't wait to save like $20 on my utility bill
Yeah, it's another reason I'd go with create or destroy water.
Shocking grasp power in my head would be supplemental to a bunch of other off the grid methods.
A water wheel and a steam, windmill turbines, etc.
But in fairness, as a cantrip, you need to remember: assuming the average round is even 10 seconds in DnD 5e (and I'm pretty sure it's way less) you're basically putting out 600,000 volts in a single minute of spamming shocking grasp. Assuming it's on par with standard police tasers. And you can do that all day.
it would add up.
Ian Williams
Fuck.
Nicholas Fisher
Goodberry hands down. It's free healing that can heal me completely (assuming I'm some single digit HP peasant, if not I can cast it again for 10 more health) and feeds me for free, forever. Plus I can heal/feed my friends, potentially without them even knowing.
If only higher levels were allowed I could have Magnificent Mansion.
Cooper Taylor
Shocking Grasp is and has always been a 1st level spell, not a cantrip. So you'd get to do that once per day, maybe twice if you're smart about it.
Matthew Butler
Target: You
If you could affect someone else, even via touch, it would be awesome-tier for an only spell.
Aiden Powell
>is and always has been Not in 5e nigga
Mason Edwards
it's a cantrip in 5e. (though it does only do like 1d8 damage per-cast and only higher at higher levels, thus why I used police taser voltage as it's basis)
and holy fuck, looking at Create Water in Pathfinder: it fucking sucks.
Jason Bennett
There's a lot of exploitable stuff but I keep thinking about how fun an animal charming/speech spell would be.
Dominic Ortiz
If higher levels were allowed, you could start looking at Shadow Conjuration, and some other pretty pimp and flexible spells.
John Young
I would still argue that a novice magic user would be more represented by a thaumaturge. Also, it IS doable in 2e and 3e. In general, exalts who learn Sorcery get the relevant merit for free even. I suppose it comes down to the argument of what would be a 'novice magic user' with me arguing that a rote would seem much in tune with that; a mortal sorceror is someone rather accomplished in the magical arts after all.
Thomas Peterson
I'd opt for Endure Elements so that I'd never really need to worry about where I live again, and be able to go on walks whenever I want.
Andrew Watson
But I would be fine with MM. Food, water, and a place to sleep that's furnished how I please wherever I go. I could travel the world and never be more than a few steps from home. Wouldn't even need anything more that the clothes on my back.
Wyatt Fisher
I think it's more a matter of if we judge by the standards of the setting or those of the system. A novice magic user in the setting of Exalted would indeed be a mortal thaumaturge, but a starting magic user PC would be an exalt with TCS being their equivalent of first level spells and thaumaturgy comparable to cantrips.
Nathan Foster
Level 1? Fuck that.
Prestidigitation. All day. Erryday.
But if you made me take a level 1 spell?
Either Charm Person or Ice Knife.
Benjamin Lewis
Cure wounds or something like that. I would use it to cure my chronic illness if it works for that. Then maybe use it in my further work if I can do it inconspicuously (gonna be a doctor).
Liam Brooks
>Prestidigitation. All day. Erryday. Prestidigitation is largely made obsolete by the conveniences of modern day life, though. Who the fuck cares about lighting small fires when you can get a Bic lighter for a buck down at the nearest gas station? >Ice Knife Oh you're just retarded then.
Jose Wright
Level 1 Incanter with the Weather Sphere
Dominic Long
Goodberry, for someone with a semi large family the healthcare savings would be equivalent of getting a second job.
Thomas White
I hate to disappoint most of you but cure wounds is not cure disease.
Would still be useful, but only if you really want to be an EMT or doctor or cult leader of some sort.
Prestidigitation is a good choice, it's only really limited in creativity. Once you explore it there are potential new uses that haven't been thought of yet.
Disguise self is super cool. Tons of applications, great for being a thief or con man. Requires some quickthinking wit and acting ability though.
Charm Person is probably the best choice. Nothing beats the power of friendship. Live the life you always wanted. Want to be a rockstar? Done. Want to schmooze with the rich and famous? Done. Want to be a cult leader? Done. Want to get into politics? Done. Want to romance anyone? Done. It's not exactly a get out of jail free card, but it's pretty damn close.
Jacob Powell
Illusion.
I use it for porn.
Aiden Edwards
>when you kids don't want to eat their motherfucking goodberry pancakes
Jason Howard
Wieldskill. +10 competence bonus and 1/2 rank to any skill or instant training with any weapon or armor.
Nolan Lopez
you people know that charm person makes someone friendly towards you, not lets you control their mind?
let's see, what i'd take from sdr 3.5? silent image, comprehend languages, unseen servant all have obvious interesting uses. but how about summon monster i? what could science learn from extraplanar monsters such as fiendish scorpion or celestial giant fire beetle?
Angel Phillips
Mage hand.
I use it for porn.
Leo Sullivan
Definition. Unseen servant.
I'm sorry, but the ability to have and I'm thinking, unquestioning, completely loyal servant perform all of my manual labor for me? It specifies that the servant can only perform tasks which an unskilled peasant could perform. So hold my laundry. Clean my room. Mow my lawn. Wash my car. Do the dishes. Take out the trash. Clean the cat's litter box. Bring me a beer. I'm sorry but anybody who says anything other than this is probably an idiot.
David Ward
I got u
Life sphere from spheres of power As it's the first sphere you get, you get access to 2 talents from the sphere Take Restore Health and something else (maybe Empathic Healing to reduce costs if you're willing to suffer yourself) If we're going with the ruling of "as a first level caster" like the OP says, you can pick up other talents for it as long as they're for the one spell, so that's two more talents too, beyond the first two for taking the sphere, plus being able to pick up a bonus feat for Spell Points so you can heal 3+modifier times a day.
Or is that minmaxing this hypothetical?
Caleb Wood
Ice Knife makes you pretty much the perfect assassin.
Anthony Green
So does Magic Missile but why the fuck would you become a shitty real-life murderhobo?
Aiden Stewart
But can you fuck it?
Wyatt Johnson
I already am a shitty real-life murderhobo.
Benjamin Brooks
Definitely a toss-up between this and Prestidigitation. They're both excellent spells for ordinary life.
That said, I'd add Mending to the list. I'm not terribly practical, and I'd love the ability to snap my fingers and clean my nasty-ass keyboard without waiting for the invisible butler to finish the job, but someone who was more practical than me could get a lot of use out of being able to take a minute and fix literally anything short of a hole the size of a watermelon in it.
No, that requires the Unseen Lover spell from the Book of Erotic Fantasy. Sadly, like Unseen Servant, it has a +0 and takes 10 on every roll, meaning you're in for a "routine performance".
Xavier Price
Tell us your story user
Grayson Bell
Endless handjobs. I-it's not gay if it's a spirit, right?
Cooper Taylor
Clairvoyance
Christopher Martinez
I sit on a muhreen base and larp as special ops
Kayden Reyes
Let me blow your minds, Guidance. 0 level infinite be a little better at everything.
Samuel Sullivan
DCC magic missile
spend large amounts of spell burn, and send them to kill targets halfway across the world. eliminate all of congress, our corporate overlords, and any "representative" who refuses to represent the people who elected them.
likely choose to deal death to people for money.
Mason Richardson
boy i'm retarded
Jacob Hughes
So I read the Dungeon World core rules today and the core Wizard has a starting level class feature called ritual, which is the most broken thing ever. It is actually better then a 9th Level Wish spell in 3.5, the dungeon world are fuckin hacks.
Ritual When you draw on a place of power to create a magical effect, tell the GM what you’re trying to achieve. Ritual effects are always possible, but the GM will give you one to four of the following conditions:
It’s going to take days/weeks/months. First you must . You’ll need help from . It will require a lot of money The best you can do is a lesser version, unreliable and limited You and your allies will risk danger from . You’ll have to disenchant to do it.
Charles Anderson
>DCC >magic missile >spend large amounts of spell burn, and send them to kill targets halfway across the world. eliminate all of congress, our corporate overlords, and any (((representative))) who refuses to represent the people who elected them. >likely choose to deal death to people for money. FTFY
Oliver Thomas
Find Familiar. A soulbound pet can be fun and useful, especially if variant familiars are aloud, and it maybe even help my depression. Inevitably, I will try sticking my dick in it.
Luis Cooper
Unseen servant or summon monster 1
Isaac Howard
I can't use it that waydue to weight limits. :-(
James Bennett
Mage: the Awakening. I choose Emotional Urging, a Mind 2 spell that you can easily get as a starting character. Make it harder for people to accomplish anything against my goals, make it nearly a non-task to accomplish anything social myself.