The history and evolution of the electric spell stick

The electric spell stick is a device that has gained popularity in recent years among those interested in magic and spellcasting. This unique tool combines technology and the mystical arts to enhance and amplify the effects of spells and incantations. The electric spell stick typically consists of a wand-like object made of a conductive material, such as copper or silver, which is connected to a power source. This power source can be a battery or a rechargeable energy cell, depending on the design and specifications of the device. One of the key features of the electric spell stick is its ability to generate a small electric current when activated. This current can be used to channel and direct magical energy, therefore enhancing the potency and effectiveness of spells.

(yes, really truly free of charge! Atlas Games ran out of real world stock when 5th Ed was on the horizon, and decided to put the 4th Ed out for free as a teaser for the rest fo the game line, rather than print a run of books that would be languishing in the warehouse before they had a chance to recoup costs)

invokes a lightning stroke out-of-context, from the magus hand rather than a cloud; it is not possible within this view to produce lesser electrical effects like the DND spells , because. Even assuming magic electricity that didn t cause side effects, per the last bullet point, one might expect water to increase the amount of current flowing through someone due to a nearby lightning strike though the difference is not as large as you would imagine , but this does not happen and that is not surprising because the reason you might expect that is because of the rules that natural electricity obeys.

This current can be used to channel and direct magical energy, therefore enhancing the potency and effectiveness of spells. The electric current can be controlled and adjusted by the user, allowing for precise application of magical energy during spellcasting. Another notable feature of the electric spell stick is the ability to emit a soft glow or light when in use.

Electric spell stick

don't forget diameter as a duration. Also while I concur with the judgement of +4 magnetudes for unnatural effect, it is a judgement call and you might decide differently in your game.

(Heck, the spell guidelines are really just guidelines)

lightnings only come from the sky, thus auram.

Actually,there would be a medieval justification for covering lightning as Ignem. Medieval paradigmn had lightning coming from the Plane (sphere?) of Fire (just below the Lunar Sphere), falling from there through the plane of Air.

It makes sense though for lightning to stay as part of Aurum, from both the justification as a weather phenomenon, and also from the game balance point of not loading up all the big damage effects in Ignem.

Now, what would you think the level of a spell would be to create St. Elmo's fire?

"how about a spell to electrocute deamons?"

Already have one, Incantation of Lightning works just fine on demons.

It looks like you don't have the Fifth Edition rules yet. :) I like the idea of a spell that conjures an electrical elemental in the shape of an animal.

As was pointed out earlier, there is no need for the Animal Art - the thing being summoned is made of electricity and is not really part animal (it only looks like an animal). So I would think the animal shape is a "cosmetic effect" that doesn't require an Animal requisite (ArM5, p. 115).

To me, the Arts of the spell seem like Creo Auram. Creo because it conjures something out of thin air, Auram because the thing conjured is made of electricity (electricity falls under Auram).

There is no need for a spell focus, because Fifth Edition doesn't have them. If you want to make this as a spell for the free Fourth Edition, then your focus looks fine.

You need to decide on a Range, Duration, and Target for your spell. Once that is done we can take a stab at figuring out what Level it should be. I would think it will come out pretty high, maybe in the 30's or so.

No ArM books? Not even the *FREE* PDF download of "Ars Magica 4th Edition" from RPGNow?

go to
http://www.atlas-games.com/arsmagica/index.php
and look in the top-right column for "Free Ars Magica 4th Edition Rulebook PDF at RPG.now" and follow the link.

(yes, really truly free of charge! Atlas Games ran out of real world stock when 5th Ed was on the horizon, and decided to put the 4th Ed out for free as a teaser for the rest fo the game line, rather than print a run of books that would be languishing in the warehouse before they had a chance to recoup costs)

I'll start by saying that the golden rule of Ars Magica discussions holds: "Your Mileage May Vary" or "In Your Saga". In your saga, feel free to introduce Electricity, but.

Feel free to skip the rest, as in my saga, I follow the canon path and Mythic History, and rule out anything to do with electricity.

I am one of those who likes to stick close to a Mediaeval view within ArM, to simulate a magical mirror or the historical period. As such "electric" or "electricity" does not exist. (So in my own saga, I would take aside a player and explain this, and steer their interest onto another path.)

Historically, in C13 Europe, people have not developed a habit of systematic observations of nature. In Mythic Europe, they have even less reason to, as Magic *is* real, and the four Realms explain "everything".
Electricity has not been observed or systematized, other than what most people commonly observe as crackles from fur - but dismiss as irrelevant (and which we call Static Electricity).

Lightning bolts - strokes from the cloud - are a weather phenomenon, related mythically to Zeus, and in Mediaeval Christian literature to. uh, escapes me, but there are explanations.
There is no Mediaeval connection between Lightning bolts and the crackles in rubbed fur.
the hermetic spell /Incantation of Lightning/ has an elevated spell level because it invokes a lightning stroke out-of-context, from the magus' hand rather than a cloud; it is not possible within this view to produce "lesser" "electrical" effects (like the DND spells), because. "electrical" does not exist - the lightning bolt is a unitary phenomenon - you create a powerful Bolt, or nothing.

Ghosts - are Mentem spirits. Any hermetic magus can investigate and prove this within the limits of magic; spirits, whether ghosts, elementals, faeries or others have supernatural abilities, described in game terms as Powers, which use the (Realm) Might of the spirit to invoke and power them.

In this view, you cannot "duplicate" a ghost by indirect means. You can use powerful Creo Mentem to create a ghost ab initio, and even use Vis to "make it real". You can summon a ghost (from elsewhere) with Rego Mentem. Vim spells can also affect all knids of spirit, but typically at reduced effectiveness vs a spell of the correct Form.

In the mediaeval view, there is no connection between crackling fur or lightning bolts and ghosts.

Several of "caribet"s points are *REALLY* worth noting;
I'll repeat those here, for emphasis:

> No ArM books? Not even the *FREE* PDF download of
> "Ars Magica 4th Edition" from RPGNow? go to
> http://www.atlas-games.com/arsmagica/index.php
> and look in the top-right column for "Free Ars Magica
> 4th Edition Rulebook PDF at RPG.now" and follow the
> link.

Absolutely! Get it ASAP. Please note that *I* own 2 softcover
copies of these rules, *AND* a hardcover copy. and I *STILL*
got the PDF from RPGNow!

Note that you'll have a *MUCH* better time with the game if you
actually. well. *HAVE* the game. At least, so I suspect.

Also, caribet said:

> the hermetic spell /Incantation of Lightning/ . invokes
> a lightning stroke out-of-context, from the magus' hand
> rather than a cloud; it is not possible within this view
> to produce "lesser" "electrical" effects (like the DND spells),
> because. "electrical" does not exist - the lightning bolt
> is a unitary phenomenon - you create a powerful Bolt, or
> nothing.

This is a key, and IMHO often under-emphasized, part of the Medieval
Paradigm, which drives Ars Magica: people believed these things
(that there are dragons in the mountains, witches in the forests,
and that the faeries will get pissed if you don't leave out a bit
o' milk for 'em) NOT because they were superstitious, ignorant
dolts, but because these things were TRUE, were part of reality,
independent of whether people believed in them or not.

This is equally true for "electricity" -- it doesn't exist. No such
thing. There's lighning bolts, but they ARE NOT electricity. Cat
fur can shock, sometimes, but *THAT* isn't electricity either. This
isn't mere ignorance on the part of the peasantry, a low level of
technology among the universities and the professors there: the
whole "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" bit wouldn't
happen, because the world of Mythic Europe *IS* *NOT* simply an
earlier snapshot of our own word: in Mythic Europe, the underlying
physics DON'T WORK. Think rather of deCamp's "Compleat Enchanter"
(Harold Shae) series, where he was expecting to impress the local
"primitive" folk with his flashlight, matches, etc. The magicians
were *NOT* impressed by the geek fumbling with gear, and producing
NO effects.

Finally, I'll also reiterate caribet's opening remarks:
> the golden rule of Ars Magica discussions holds:
> "Your Mileage May Vary" or "In Your Saga. "
> In your saga, feel free to introduce Electricity, but.

Also, caribet said:

This not only adds a visually stunning element to spellcasting but also serves as an indicator of the wand's readiness and operation. The light emitted by the device can be customized according to the user's preferences, with various colors and intensities available. The electric spell stick is designed to be used in conjunction with traditional spellcasting techniques and rituals. It does not replace the need for proper knowledge and training in the craft of magic but rather enhances the practitioner's abilities. The device can be particularly useful for those who struggle with directing and focusing magical energy or for those who wish to achieve more potent results in their spellwork. In conclusion, the electric spell stick is a modern and innovative tool that combines technology and magic. It provides a means for practitioners to amplify and control magical energy through the use of an electric current. With its unique features and capabilities, this device has become a valuable asset for those interested in the art of spellcasting..

Reviews for "Unveiling the secrets of the electric spell stick"

1. Samantha - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the "Electric spell stick". The quality of the product was very poor, as it stopped working after just a few uses. I tried changing the batteries, but that didn't solve the problem either. The design was also flimsy and felt cheap. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone looking for a reliable spell stick.

2. Jonathan - 1/5 - I had high hopes for the "Electric spell stick" but was left extremely disappointed. The instructions provided were unclear and confusing, making it difficult to use properly. Additionally, the stick emitted a strange odor when activated, making it unpleasant to use. The effects of the stick's spells were also underwhelming and didn't live up to the claims advertised. I regret purchasing this product and would advise others to look for alternative options.

3. Emily - 2/5 - The "Electric spell stick" did not meet my expectations. The range of spells it offered was very limited, and I found them to be quite ineffective. The stick itself was also uncomfortable to hold, and the buttons were not responsive. The battery life was also disappointingly short, requiring frequent replacements. I would not recommend this product to anyone serious about spellcasting.

From wands to spell sticks: the rise of electricity in magic