Copyright © 2001 by Robert J. Hall

This obscure branch of the magical arts is not native to the realms. Rather it is brought to the lands by travelling Magi from worlds beyond the sky. Celestial Magi are always impressive figures to behold, and attract attention and respect wherever they visit. The Magi normally wear a deep blue robe, marked with white stars on the back and chest, and trimmed and lined with warm, soft white fur. When they are observed with a travelling companion, it is usually a small, dragon-shaped creature, with soft white fur and sparkling, translucent wings - reputed to be a familiar with mysterious powers.

Celestial Magic draws its power from the stars and planets in the sky. Upon the surface of a world, the availability and effectiveness of the spells will vary, depending on the location of the celestial sources. When the Mage is travelling between the stars and is far from any planet, however, most of the spells will operate normally.

When the Celestial Magi is on a planet, the condition of the sky will modify the spell casting difficulty. Apply these modifiers to all Magic Skill Rolls when casting a Celestial Magic spell:

  Modifier  Condition

     -2     Underground, underwater, or in a heavy basement.
     -2     Full Daylight obscures stars, or brilliant lighting.
     -1     Overcast night, late dawn, or early dusk.
     +1     Week of a quarter moon, or a small, full moon.
     +2     Week of a new moon, or no moons in the sky.
     +2     Mountain top, low air pressure, or outer space.

Celestial Magi travelling through space, far from any world, will receive a maximum +4 bonus. Likewise, a Magi swimming underwater in broad daylight will suffer a maximum -4 penalty.

The focus of all Celestial Magic spells is a lump of star metal - a piece of a metallic meteorite - either in its natural form, or hammered into a medallion or bracelet. Many spells of this college are difficult to master, and are more exhausting to cast when indoors.

Unlike most colleges of magic, Celestial Magic spells do not require incantations, allowing them to be cast even in an air-free environment. When Celestial Magic spells are cast, they are accompanied by tiny, sparkling particles that dance about the hands of the Mage. When casting in an atmosphere, the dust emits faint, bell-like sounds as it swirls toward the target area, then erupts with a faint popping sound.

To determine the location of the various planets and constellations, you can either consult an astronomical reference for a particular year, or roll for a random time interval in a the day. The length of time the entire celestial sight will be in the sky is determined by several factors, including the latitude, time of the year, and the declination of the object. To simplify things, however, you could assume a base period of 12 hours per day, beginning at a random hour. The player will need to keep a 24 hour record showing each rise and set time for the objects that govern his spells.

Basic Spells

Bow of Sagittarius

The archer constellation enables the Magi to fire a magical arrow at a target. Upon casting this spell, a faint, silvery bow appears in the hands of the Magi, cocked and ready to be released. The magic arrow will appear ready strung, then fly toward the target with great accuracy and force, even if the Magi is unskilled with a bow. However, this spell will only function when Sagittarius is above the horizon.

Horn of Monoceros

By calling upon the powers of Monoceros the Unicorn, the Mage can dispel any single magical effect of which he is aware. The magic is surrounded by a silvery aura which gradually fades to dull grey as the power is neutralized. Strong magic will be resistant to this spell, and the aura will merely grow a pale white.

Scutum the Shield

When this spell is cast, a cloud of sparkling lights appears about the Mage, protecting him against both normal and draining attacks from the front. However, this spell will only function when the constellation Scutum appears above the horizon, and is more exhausting to use while indoors.

College Spells

Allure of Venus

The planet Venus holds sway over the strong emotion of love and physical attraction. The Mage can draw upon this power to influence others, gaining their favor and compelling them to his command. However, this influence can only be maintained during the daylight hours, or when Venus is a morning or evening star. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Ashes of the Phoenix

Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, this spell allows the Magi to draw upon the powers of the constellation to survive great heat and flame. However, Phoenix better be above the horizon when this spell is cast, or the Magi will only be fit for marshmallows. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Bobble

When travelling at great speeds through space, it is a wise Magi who protects himself with this spell. A silvery barrier surrounds the Magi, warding him against solid projectiles and high energy radiation. This barrier provides no protection from the back side, however, although such attacks will be rare when moving rapidly through space. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Boots of Mercury

When the messenger of the gods is in the sky, the Mage is able to call upon the powers of this planet to greatly increase his mobility. However, this spell will only function during the daylight hours, or when Mercury is a morning or evening star. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Borealis

With this spell, the body of the Celestial Mage becomes a shimmering, insubstantial curtain, much like the northern lights. Those who peer into the curtain will be able to perceive the enlarged face of the Mage. This spell will only function outdoors, under a star-lit sky.

Breath of Draco

The constellation of the dragon bestows upon the caster the ability to exhale a plume of scorching flames. This fire is so intense that it will function even in the icy depths of deep space. The effectiveness of the fire is diminished, however, as the cone-shaped flames spread out from the caster.

Column of Light

The Mage warps and focuses all the arriving illumination from a distant star to produce a brilliant column of light in the target area. Those caught within the beam will be blinded for several phases, and will be easy targets for those located nearby in the darkness.

Courage of Leo

Drawing from the courageous heart of the lion constellation, the Magi can use this spell to boost the morale of his comrades when facing a difficult task or foe. The raised spirits will persist for several hours. However, this spell will cease to function once Leo slides below the horizon. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Dancing Star Lights

Upon completing this spell, the mage will draw from the heavens a cluster of brilliant, twinkling lights. These will surround the Mage, dancing in a complex, whirling pattern about his body. Anybody who closes with the caster will be struck by these lights, and suffer burns from the tiny points of star matter. The lights also provide illumination for the Mage, although they will almost certainly advertise his presence to any who may be observing from a distance.

Dark Eye

When a Celestial Magi is deep in outer space, he can use this spell to locate sources of great magic. Magical sites will emit a silvery twinkle as the Magi sweeps his eyes across the sky. However, this spell will not function in a planetary atmosphere, so identification of the exact source will have to be performed by other means. Perception attempts within 8 thousand kilometers are made without penalty. The PER is then modified by -2 for each doubling of the range.

Feast of Saturn

By calling upon the powers of the planet Saturn, the Mage can create a bountiful feast that will feed up to thirty two individuals. The targets will remain sated for a period of up to five hours, as long as Saturn remains in the sky.

Grasp of the Bear Star

By drawing his power from the constellations of the bear, the Mage is able to grab and squeeze a target with considerable strength. However, Ursa Major or Ursa Minor must be in the sky in order for this spell to function, so the Mage will likely be unable to cast this spell while in the southern hemisphere. The Mage must remain focused on his target while maintaining this spell, so he is more vulnerable to attacks during that time. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Herd of Bootes

The constellation of Bootes the Herdsman will bestow upon the Mage the ability to safely approach and calm most domesticated animals. Regardless of their demeanor with other beings, the beasts are likely to be friendly and attentive to the Wizard.

Jovian Lightning Bolt

The Mage uses the magical energy from the Jovian planet to project a powerful bolt of lightning, blasting a line of hexes with electricity. (When this spell is used in space, a glowing beam of plasma is created.) If the bolt strikes a metal or stone surface, however, it is immediately grounded. This spell will only function when the planet Jupiter is in the sky, a period lasting about half of each day. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Light Travel

When the Magi needs to make a rapid journey between nearby worlds, this spell will permit him to travel along a beam of light to the destination. Before this can occur, however, the Magi must first find a means to fly beyond the edge of the planetary atmosphere. Thereafter he will travel as a silvery blur of light across the heavens.

The Mage will be well protected against the vacuum and cold of outer space, even if he falls asleep or loses consciousness. However, he will need to renew this spell in order to resume light travel. Once he has reached a breathable atmosphere, this spell is cancelled.

Meteor Strike

Called from the sky by the will of the Magi, these fiery bolts hurtle down and strike a terrible blow against foes in the target area. Each target must be attacked separately, once the spell location is determined. The bolts usually disintegrate on impact, often leaving only a bloody scar.

Night Children

By calling upon the spirit forces of deep space, the Celestial Mage can weaken and exhaust his foes for a period lasting several minutes. However, this spell has no effect on those creatures that normally stir only in the night. This spell is more exhausting to cast when indoors.

Normal Gravity

This useful spell for star travellers allows the Magi, and those within his immediate vicinity, to function normally on a high or low gravity world. This spell will remain in effect for a full day, after which it will need to be renewed.

Orion the Hunter

The prominent constellation of the hunter will help the Mage to sense the location of a specific life form. However, this spell will only function when Orion is above the horizon. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Poison of Scorpio

Using the power of the scorpion constellation, the Magi can inflict a nasty poison upon the target. Frequent use of this spell is frowned upon by many members of the college, but many find it essential when travelling to alien worlds where normal weapons can be inadequate. Unfortunately, the first toxin is not always effective against a new alien life form, and the spell will need to be varied several times until an effective poison is discovered. This spell will only function when Scorpio is above the horizon, and is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Portent

Visitors to the night sky are usually a portent of some significant event or a horrible fate that awaits the land. This spell allows the Celestial Mage to read such signs and gain insight into their meaning. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Purity of Virgo

By calling upon the purity of the virgin constellation, the Magi can rid himself of all types of mundane chemical toxins, from noxious gases to poisonous liquids. This spell costs relatively little energy to cast, allowing the Magi to use it even when he is weak or exhausted. However, he must be able to touch the target when the spell is cast, and it requires a full phase before release. This spell will only function when Virgo is above the horizon.

Ram of Aries

Drawing forth the power of the ram constellation, the Magi can use this spell to produce a silvery ram of force. This hammer can be used to batter a foe, or knock down a heavy barrier. However, this spell will only function when the constellation Aries is in the sky. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Scales of Pisces

The fish constellation will allow the Mage to function much as an aquatic life form, allowing him to breathe underwater and greatly improving his swimming ability. However, this spell will only function when Pisces is above the horizon. If the constellation begins setting before the Mage has returned to the surface, the Mage will experience increasing difficulty in breathing underwater, until the spell finally breaks down an hour later. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Stellar Sight

By focusing his ocular abilities during a starry night, the Celestial Mage is able to see as clearly as though it were still dusk. He can distinguish objects clearly, but is unable to read normal text.

Strength of Hercules

Drawing his power from the constellation of Hercules, the Mage can greatly increase the strength of the subject for a short time. This spell will only function, however, when Hercules is above the horizon. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Tail of the Comet

When this spell is cast, the target area is covered in a thick mist of sparkling silver motes that block all sight beyond a few feet. Faint, high- pitched voices, tinkling like chimes, can be heard in the mist. Those who wander into the comet dust can be distracted by the eerie sounds and easily lose their way. However, even a slight breeze is sufficient to clear away the dust. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Warrior Arts of Mars

The power of the war planet will greatly sharpen and focus the martial abilities of the Mage, allowing him to fight with tremendous skill. This spell will only function when the planet Mars is in the sky, a period lasting about half of each day.

Water of Aquarius

By syphoning the liquid spirits from the water bearer constellation, the Magi can use this spell to create a respectable quantity of water in even the most barren location. This spell will function in a vacuum or atmosphere, but not in a liquid or solid. In addition, this spell will only function when Aquarius is above the horizon. This spell is more exhausting to use while indoors.

Wings of Pegasus

With this spell, the constellation of the winged horse will provide the Magi with the power of flight, provided he is riding a flightless animal. When the spell is cast, the creature will appear to sprout faint wings before taking flight. However, this spell will only function when Pegasus is above the horizon, and it is more exhausting to use while indoors. Note that a mount that has not been trained to fly will have a minimum base turn mode of 5" in combat.

Unique Spells

Cardrin's Black Sphere

This little known terror from beyond the stars will eat any light that enters its surface and draws matter towards its spherical surface with a powerful force. Anything that reaches the center of this orb is dispatched to an unknown place beyond this universe. The Celestial Wizard must be careful that he is not drawn into this orb, less he suffer the same fate.

Liang's Star Vessel

This powerful ritual allows the Celestial Mage to propel an entire vessel to the stars, while providing minimal life support for those on board. The spell will remain in effect for as long as the ship does not land. However, the crew of the vessel will need to stock sufficient food and water for the voyage, and constant control of the helm and sails will be required to maintain the correct heading.

Xorxes' Stellar Nova

Summoning primal matter from the core of a nearby star, the Celestial Magi creates a devastating explosion of radiation. Those who view the blast will be temporarily blinded by the brilliant flash of light. The Magi must be especially careful to cast this spell correctly, or the nova will explode in his location. In addition, if the Magi is more than twice the distance from the star as the Earth is from the Sun, the END cost is greatly increased.

Spell Determination

To randomly determine the spells known to an adept of Celestial Magery, use the tables of scholarly disciplines below. An experienced Celestial Mage will commonly have several spells from a single primary discipline, plus a spell each from the other disciplines.