(A) How to enchant 3rd level Magic-Users village?
This is archival material from previous blog
Okay, this article is something else but it might be fun experiment on how really magic affects setting “versimilitudely” 😉 It’s not something like https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/291774/Magical-Industrial-Revolution from https://coinsandscrolls.blogspot.com/ but rather just regular Old School Essentials style village in which 3rd level Magic-User lives.
Starting with general introduction I think spell permanency is a huge quality jump. I still recall one spell from Warhammer Fantasy, probably from the animalistic wind of magic. It was rather high powered one but the effect was hilarious and terrifying at the same time. Basically you permanently turn someone into ‘primal’ version of themself – hairy, nose-picking, crap-throwing creature without option to go back, without self awareness and insight. Just caricatural, grotesque version of their former self, trapped in the form of wizardish cruel joke. Each spell with permanent effects can be world altering even.
Let’s get to the point. Why 3rd level Magic-User? Because of one significant spell – Continual Light. It is, I think, first spell with permanent effect – until it is directly dispelled it can shine for eternity. In terms of design it is spell which allows easing the need for tracking light sources, torches, lanterns and such. But it has three options just like regular Light spell does. You can blind someone – this time permanently. You can enchant object to glow light permanently – the standard use. But you can also make stationary 15′ area of light. Effectively you get something akin to modern streetlight – you can illuminate whole streets, rooms or even buildings.
So let’s imagine a village in which lives 3rd level Magic-User. They were unfortunate enough in adventuring career they didn’t invent some more combaty or travelly spell – they invented Continual Light. And after finishing their career settled in the village with nothing to do with 2nd level Spell slot each day. So each night they cast Continual Light on next 15′ of the road.
Once PC’s arrive in the village they may become aware something is wrong or miss it entirely. The spell won’t be visible in full daylight – only if it’s night, dusk/dawn or cloudy day. Every road of the village is covered in magical light, it looks eerie but very useful. Once characters speak with any villager they may be astounded as every person living there is praising Magic-User. They don’t have to worry about coming back at night, some of their fences are illuminated too which seems to be scaring out wolves and other predators and makes it easier to spot danger.
Every house has modern lamps which don’t use any fuel. Just coming in to the inn makes it obvious – everything is full of light, it looks like nowhere else. If characters stay for the evening they may actually stumble upon local dance festival. People are wearing clothes with glowing enchantments, there are glowing and shining decorations, everything looks like festival of elves or nature sprites. There is no place like this one. Maybe Elf characters will feel at home – in the end their homes are probably full of magic and light and dance festivals too? Maybe there are secret forest clearings only young lovers know?
And Magic-Users house? It is probably total opposite. Every corner inside is covered in magical darkness and only the host knows how to navigate it. They easily cover their riches, ingredients, and most importantly can easily hide effects of their failed experiments – in the end they may actually develop some better 2nd level spell, maybe so good even to be able to come back adventuring. Characters also can leave the village with gear enchanted with magical light – imagine what one can do with glowing roll of string? Or two-way light/darkness lantern?
I think that’s all folks. Make your own versions of fantastical Magic-User villages. And tell me other permanent spells.