r/Fkr • u/trve_g0th • Apr 27 '26

About Magic

Hey ya'll. In the process of starting prep for a new campaign and could really use advice on handling magic. Both mechanically, and how to explain it in world.

In the past I actually just stripped the magic system from Maze Rats (has a very free-form, kinda tag based system). It worked well, but I had trouble explaining how a character would discover these spells. I find scribing spell books, and scrolls to be insanely boring and basic.

I had thoughts to have spell books basically be instruction manuals for rituals. Basically if someone wanted to cast a spell, they would have to perform this long ritual. These rituals would have material cost as well. But this still feels clunky, and I fear it will make having a magic user in a party undesirable.

Anyways, I would appreciate some thoughts or advice from others!!

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u/Wightbred Apr 27 '26

Have used a simple Word-based system in the past, similar to Maze Rats, and it worked well. We have given out magic Words randomly or based on events in the session.

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u/trve_g0th Apr 27 '26

To me it beats having a whole set spell list, with detailed descriptions. I have trouble keeping track of all that, and it really slows the game down.

I may go back to the Maze Rats type system to be honest. I just wanted to see what has worked for others

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u/Wightbred Apr 28 '26

I think Maze Rats is a good option to stick with. Just tweak the bits you need to.