RPG/Summoning Spells

Most magical facets in MSF High/Mahou Galaxy have the ability to summon allies from other places through various means. This sort of casting comes in two flavors, and how it works is determined by whether the summoned person or creature exists or is the product of the caster's imagination. A summoning spell has no element unless the target being summoned has the Elemental Specialization advantage, in which case the spell has any elements that the target has as specializations. Some spellcasting facets alter the way they summon certain things. Summoning spells may not be altered via spell boosting.

Summon Ally

MP: 10 MP + 5 MP per threat level of target

Cost: $50 + $10 per threat level of target

Difficulty: 3 + the target's threat level

Oppose: 2 + half the target's threat level, rounded down

Range: 30

Targets: 1

Damage: N/A

Duration: 10 Minutes

A caster may attempt to summon anyone they know so long as they possess a magically charged likeness of that character or creature that they can use as a casting focus. Each individual summon counts as its own separate spell, and must be learned, purchased, or otherwise obtained in the same way as a normal spell for their spellcasting facet, with a few exceptions. First, they must have the likeness mentioned earlier. This can be a photograph, drawing, sculpture, or other crafted item that bears their image or shape somehow, though it may be somewhat abstract it must be made specifically with that character or creature in mind. Then, they must somehow get the target who the likeness represents to touch that likeness. This magically charges the likeness as the spell's focus for any castings desired. When the summoning spell is cast, the caster must have the likeness in hand or otherwise in their line of vision(though for the purposes of casting the summoning spell, holding the likeness does not take a hand action). If the spell is successfully cast and the target is a character, that character may choose to make their oppose roll or be summoned to any unobstructed spot within the spell's range. If the target is a creature, it makes no oppose roll and is summoned to any unobstructed spot within the spell's range. Until the end of the spell's duration, the caster who summoned them may spend their normal casting actions without spending any MP or other spell components to dismiss the summoned character or creature, sending them back to their point of origin or the nearest unobstructed spot. If the spell's duration ends without the target being dismissed, the opportunity to send them home dissipates and they are left where they currently are as though they'd gotten there through normal means.

A character or creature who is summoned in this fashion is likely to level independently of the caster, thus raising the costs of the spell as well as its difficulty and oppose rolls. When a being that a caster possesses a summoning focus for's threat level increases, the caster is made aware of this through some magical means appropriate to them, such as a dream of a beam of light shining down on them or a ringing bell sounding off in their head. When this occurs, the caster must "update" their summoning spell by spending the difference in costs between their old version of the summoning spell and the new one.

This spell is unique in that one or more characters may cast it even if its cost is above their normal limit by breaking it apart into multiple cast actions. To do so, they must cast the spell as normal, with the exception that they can spend any amount of MP up to their casting limit. On a success, that amount is applied toward the summon. The MP need not come from the same source, or even be cast with the same facet, so long as it is being contributed through a casting roll that allows summoning allies. The first character to contribute MP towards a summon spell's MP pool determines who is being summoned, and their first cast begins to create a swirling portal at any spot they choose within range. The portal itself gives no indication of who is being summoned. This MP is wasted and the portal collapses shut if a full minute goes by with no MP being contributed towards the spell. When MP needed for the spell is fully contributed, the spell completes as normal.

Summon Construct

MP: 10 MP + 3 MP per threat level of construct

Cost: $50 + $10 per threat level of construct

Difficulty: 3 + the construct's threat level

Oppose: 2 + half the construct's threat level, rounded down

Range: 30

Targets: 1

Damage: N/A

Duration: 1 Minute

A caster may also use a form of summoning to bring forth creatures from their own imagination. A character who does so must craft these summoned things as separate spells, and must pay an XP cost to add these creatures to their summoning repertoire. A summoned construct is built like a regular character or an animal companion, but have an XP cost of 10% their usual cost. As the creatures or characters are the product of the caster's imagination, no physical focus is required to summon them, and the spell has no oppose check unless the caster has decided that the construct would be unwilling to be summoned for some reason. When the spell is successfully cast, the construct is summoned to any unobstructed spot within the spell's range. A construct may not be summoned if its threat level is higher than that of its summoner. Until the end of the spell's duration, the caster who summoned them may spend their normal casting actions without spending any MP or other spell components to dismiss the summoned construct, causing that construct to disappear from existence, or they may spend their normal casting actions and an amount of MP equal to 10 + the threat level of the construct to refresh the duration of the spell back up to a full minute. The dismissal happens automatically at the end of the spell's duration. Summoned constructs do not have mental energy that functions on the same level as a "real" character and therefore none of their abilities can restore MP. The summoned construct acts in a way determined by the summoner. A summoner may have multiple copies of a single construct at once.

A caster may spend both XP and the appropriate cost differences to upgrade a summon construct spell to a higher level.