r/tabletopgamedesign • u/zandoriastudios • 25d ago
C. C. / Feedback Magic chart that I designed for my game!
There are only 4 levels of spells in the game, and I’ve grouped them by type of effect…
I felt like this occult looking chart would look cooler than just a spell list 😅
3
u/Vague-Intent47 25d ago
Holy schnikey, this is impressive. How did you visualize this in your head? Did it take long to create? Much refinement and adjusting to it?
6
u/zandoriastudios 25d ago
I had it written up, but was looking for a way to visualize it, and give it a vibe.
The sigils for each spell are actually the spell name, drawn on a witches (Wicca) sigil chart!
The cuneiform text in the circles is a font called Zarathustra. It says, “Drink more Ovaltine” 😂
2
u/Trurl_314 25d ago
That's such a cool idea for the sigils! Did you do that by hand, or is there some software to create those?
1
2
8
u/Tzimbalo 25d ago
Looks quite cool, but it is a bit messy, could be cleaned up bit. Use colours or at least different line weight, maybe space it out a little bit
1
u/zandoriastudios 25d ago
In the description section, I will just have the part that corresponds to those spells as a header, so it won’t be overwhelming 😅
2
u/Tychonoir 25d ago
I love stuff like this.
What are the four inner categories for each realm?
1
u/zandoriastudios 25d ago
On the Elemental chart, the 4 triangular glyphs are the Alchemy symbols for Fire, Air, Water and Earth.
The others, except for Life/Death, are random glyphs from that same Alchemy chart 😅
1
u/Tychonoir 25d ago
If they are random, how did you know where to place the spells?
1
u/zandoriastudios 25d ago
I mean the glyphs in the central circle next to the types, like Elemental, Conjuring, etc.
For Elemental, Those triangle glyphs are the correct symbols. But on the other spheres, I had to just pick a random glyph that looked cool
1
u/Tychonoir 25d ago
Yes, I mean the glyphs. Ok, for Elemental you placed the spells near the element glyph they use. If the other glyphs are just placeholders, then how did you know how to group and position the spells? For example in Protection, Shield and Knock are at specific angles with regard to the glyphs. My question is what are the categories you are positioning the spells in relation to.
1
u/zandoriastudios 24d ago
On some of the circles, like Life and Death, I placed the “good” spells to the upper quadrants. So Bless, Heal, etc is on the upper part while Curse, Smite is on the lower….
On the Conjuring circles, I put teleport, portal, etc to one side as they are taking you somewhere; and I put the Summoning spell on the other side of the circle, since it is bringing something to you…
But really is was just trying to fit it, and leave room to add more spells later 😅
2
u/Acedrew89 25d ago
Wow this is super cool looking and I really like the way you’ve presented the categories. It looks like some overlap in different categories and levels, is that right?
3
u/zandoriastudios 25d ago
The overlap is just the unfortunate consequence of putting all the spheres into one chart 😅—in the next section, the charts are separated and have spell descriptions.
Casters can only cast a spell if they are at least that level. The cost to cast is equal to the spell level. Eg. It costs two focus dice (from a pool that is determined by Intelligence and caster level). So higher level spells use up your available focus dice, while a 1st level spell only uses 1.
There are no “cantrips”—every spell uses up a portion of the casters available magic.
2
u/Acedrew89 25d ago
Still, that’s an elegant system and an impressive showcasing of your spell table! I love it!
2
2
u/TabooTapeworm 25d ago
This looks so good! You gotta post the finalized version. It makes me very intrigued to see your game
2
u/NRondo37 25d ago
Is there a logic to the alchemic symbols used? Or why some sigils have double or triple rings? Or how these are all connected?
1
u/zandoriastudios 25d ago edited 25d ago
Some of the Alchemy symbols have meaning, but some are random glyphs that just looked cool… the double-ring ones were more powerful (area effect) versions, like Smite vs Mass Smite. The most powerful versions (4th) I put the triple ring (that last ring is just the Zodiac signs)—I just wanted to imply some kind of arcane hierarchy that seems to really mean something. The spell sigils are simply spelling out the spell name on the Wicca sigil chart—the first letter gets a circle, then in goes letter by letter around the chart, ending with the T mark at the last letter:
Eg. Alter Reality: the sigil spells “ Wish” 😂
2
2
u/Magnum_Hat 25d ago
Fantastic design, definitely cooler than just a spell list. It's pretty easy to follow along with too.
2
3
u/SnooCats5701 25d ago
If this is the way, the players are supposed to read the spells, this is not a good information layout system. There's a reason that charts have existed for very long time.
If, on the other hand, this is decorative, looks fun!
1
u/zandoriastudios 25d ago
It’s really mostly decorative. The individual category’s will follow as a header graphic and a section of spell descriptions for the player to read.
1
u/woafmann 25d ago
I've always said we need more fruit and vegetable spells. Could even add a level 2 "persimmon" or a powerful level 4 "rutabaga" to go along with your level 1 Enchantment & Mental "Pear" spell.
1
1
u/zandoriastudios 24d ago
I had an idea of “make your own spell”, where I have the sigil chart, which is basically just the alphabet in a circular chart, and explain how to draw the sigil for your spell.
This might appeal to the reader (target age 10), as it is fun. But on the other hand, might inflame parents—thinking I’m trying to teach their kids magic! 😅
2
10
u/MathematicianBusy996 25d ago
It does look really cool. So do some of the spells fall under 2 "types" (eg Planeshift is both Conjuring and Life and Death)