Arena:Magic

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In the world of Tamriel, magic is a very powerful ally and a feared opponent. While only the Mage classes and Bards can cast spells, anyone with a magically-imbued item or potion can use magic.

Spellcasting is very simple, requiring nothing more than an adequate supply of magical energy and knowledge of the spell. New spells can be learned at the Mages Guild. For those who want to create custom spells, the Mages Guild also offers spellmaking to help you create a more personal spellbook.

Using a magic item is as simple as acquiring one, equipping it, and using it.

Using a potion is even simpler: just acquire it and use it.

You must go to an equipment store to buy magic weapons and armor.

You must go to a Mages Guild to buy spells, potions, and any magic item that is not weapons or armor. In the guildhall there will be a lone mage you talk to; he will be the one to sell you whatever he has in stock. There is a Mages Guild in every village, town, and city-state.

Contents 1 Spellcasting 2 Magical Items 3 Potions 4 Spellmaker 5 See Also

[edit] Spellcasting

You may cast only spells that are in your spellbook. You start out with one healing spell and one offensive spell. The Mages Guild can sell you additional spells, either from the Known Spellbook or that you yourself construct using the Spellmaker.

To see the details on the spells in your spellbook, go to the character information page (by pressing the F1 key, then the N key) and click on the Spellbook button (or press the S key). It will bring up a listing of the spells you have bought. For information on a spell, double-click on it to bring up the detail screen.

To cast a spell, simply click on the Cast Spell icon or press the C key. A list of all your spellbook's spells will appear in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Select the one you want to cast and follow the onscreen instructions.

To re-cast the most recently cast spell, either right-click on the Cast Spell icon or press Shift-C.

To aim targeted spells, simply move your cursor over to where you want the spell to go. Such spells have an "alley" they travel down, and if at any point that alley is obstructed, the spell expends itself on the obstruction.

[edit] Magical Items

You can buy magical items at the Mages Guild and at most equipment stores. The Guild can sell you marks, crystals, bracers, rings, bracelets, belts, torcs, and amulets. Stores can sell you magic weapons and armor. Not every seller will offer the item you want, though, so you may have to do some traveling to find something that suits you.

You can also find magic items as treasure. If you do, they will be identified in your equipment list in blue. To find out what they do, you can either equip and use them or you can take them to a Mages Guild to be identified. Note, however, that not every blue item is magical.

Anyone can equip bracelets, belts, torcs, and amulets. They cannot, however, be "used". When you equip them, they either reduce your armor rating or they increase an attribute. But they do not cast a spell.

Magic items anyone can use include marks, crystals, bracers, and rings. All weapons can be enchanted, and somewhere out there there's a magic weapon for you. Only plate armor can be enchanted, though, so unless you are a Warrior or a Knight, magic armor is not for you. And if you cannot equip a particular type of weapon, you will not be able to use it (e.g., a Mage can't use a Sword of Firestorm).

To use a magic item, click the Use Magic Item icon or press the U key, then select the item you want to use from the list in the lower right-hand corner. For an item with a targeted or ranged spell, follow the onscreen prompt to use it.

Unlike Arena's successors, you cannot enchant your own weapons.

[edit] Potions

You can get any potion from any Mages Guild. Sometimes you can find potions as treasure, but that's rare.

Most potions, when used, cast the "spell" that matches their names or are at least named so you know what they do. E.g., a Potion of Resist Fire essentially casts the Known Spellbook's "Resist Fire" spell. A few are more opaquely named:

• The Potion of Restore Power increases your available spell points. Even Sorcerers can use them.
• The Potion of Free Action cures "paralyzation".
• The Potion of Purification increases your health, cures any conditions, and makes you a non-target.

To use a potion, click the Use Magic Item icon or press the U key and double-click on the potion you want to use from the list in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.

Unlike Arena's successors, you cannot make your own potions.

[edit] Spellmaker

Spellmaking is a service that is provided exclusively by the Mages Guild. Talk to the mage and select Spellmaker. It will come up on a scroll, with your character's name and level written on the top, like this:

• "Name" is the PC's name.
• "Balance" is how much money you have.
• "Level" is your level.
• "Spell Cost" is how much money they'll take from you if you buy the spell.
• "Spell Name" is something you provide. It's free-form.
• "Save vs." applies only to offensive spells. Options here include "Cold", "Fire", "Magic", "Poison", and "Shock".
• "Target" applies mostly to offensive spells. Options here include "1 Target, Touch", "1 Target at Range", "Area - Centered on Caster", and "Area - at Range, Explosion". Note that changing this changes the cost of the spell! Non-offensive spells will always say "Caster", and if it says "Caster" you can't change it.
• "Casting Cost" is how many spell points it will take you to cast the spell at your current level.
• "Effects" are the heart of the spell. You may add up to three effects to a spell. Each effect you add causes the price of the spell and the cost to cast it to rise. See Magical Effects for details on the effects you can add. Play with the effects to see what combination will give you the best value; don't worry about spell cost so much as casting cost.
• To permanently write the finished spell into your spellbook, click on Buy Spell at the bottom of the screen.

[edit] See Also

• The Known Spellbook: A list of the standard spells available for purchase.
• Magical Effects: Details on each of the available magical effects.
• Mage Services: Mages who provide various magical services.