ACKS Level 0 Spells

I enjoy level 0 spells in my fantasy role-playing games. As a Judge, I enjoy “petty magicks” being sold by exotic merchants at the market. Many are not actually magical, but some are! Level 0 spells power these peddlers’ charms. Also, I like magical characters that do magical things. Impressing an interested paramour with a level 1 spell may be too much, especially when you only have one per day. But a cantrip may do the trick. Finally, a talent for cantrips or a blessing of orisons can add just a dash of magic to an otherwise nonmagical character.

I applied the Player’s Companion Spell Power Guidelines to recreating the most familiar level 0 spells. I was pleasantly surprised that many of these spells came in at one-quarter to one-third of one spell point (a 1st level spell is a spell costing 1 to 10 spell points). I decided to define level 0 spells as costing less than 0.5 spell points. Should a spellcaster actually research a level 0 spell, any breakthrough might produce a level 0 spell costing up to less than 1 spell point, but would more likely inadvertently produce a new 1st level spell, at the character’s and Judge’s discretion. Level 0 spells are inherently of limited power and scope. Most have a very short range, a small area of effect and a brief duration.

But how to implement level 0 spells into my games? Arcane class (Arcane Value 1+) characters gain level 0 spells and spell repertoire the same as level 1 spells. Divine class (Divine Value 1+) characters gain level 0 spells the same as level 1 spells. Unlike with other level spells, a divine spellcaster's level 0 spell repertoire consists of five spells, which are the same for every divine class:

Cure Minor Wounds*

Detect Magic

Guidance

Light

Resistance

Additionally, any spellcaster may expend a level 1 spell slot to power up to three level 0 spells. This choice may be made when casting a level 0 spell, with the remaining level 0 spells being available to cast later, up until all of the spellcaster's spell slots are renewed upon resting.

When implementing level 0 spells into existing Adventurer Conqueror King rule systems using spell level, I equate a level 0 spell to one-half spell level, rounded up. For example, a level 0 spell single use magic item has a base cost of 250gp (500gp x 0.5) and a time required to create of 1 week (1 week x 0.5, rounded up). True spellcasters rarely expend their valuable time creating such minor items! However, as a “petty magicks” campaign rule, I further divide by twenty the base cost to create a level 0 spell magic item, to reflect the increased number of petty spellcasters and alchemists creating such items. Incapable of creating more powerful items, such hedge mages and shysters have no alternative to investing their time in petty magicks, selling the successful and unsuccessful items to the gullible for the same price.

New Proficiencies

Cantrips: Choose any three arcane level 0 spells. The character may cast each spell once per day. The same spell may be chosen more than once. If the character does not already have an arcane caster level, the character will cast the spells gained with a caster level of 1.

Non-Divine class characters with Prestidigitation as a class proficiency or any class characters with Arcane Dabbling as a class proficiency may select this proficiency as a class proficiency. At the Judge’s discretion, other characters may select this proficiency as a class or general proficiency.

Orisons: Choose any three divine level 0 spells. The character may cast each spell once per day. The same spell may be chosen more than once. If the character does not already have a divine caster level, the character will cast the spells gained with a caster level of 1.

Divine class characters with Prestidigitation as a class proficiency or any class characters with Divine Blessing as a class proficiency may select this proficiency as a class proficiency. At the Judge’s discretion, other characters may select this proficiency as a class or general proficiency.

A character not of a divine class selecting this proficiency must follow a code of behavior consistent with a lay member of his or her religious faith.

New Spells

Acid Splash

Arcane 0

Range: 10’

Duration: instantaneous

When this spell is cast, a small orb of acid strikes its target for 1d3 points of damage. The spellcaster must make a successful attack throw against the target, using the target values for a fighter of his level.

Arcane Mark

Arcane 0

Range: 0’

Duration: permanent

This spell allows you to inscribe your personal rune or mark, which can consist of no more than six characters. The writing can be visible or invisible. An arcane mark spell enables you to etch the rune upon any substance without harm to the material upon which it is placed. If an invisible mark is made, a detect magic spell causes it to glow and be visible, though not necessarily understandable.

Detect invisible, true seeing or similar magic likewise allows the user to see an invisible arcane mark. A read languages spell reveals the words, if any. The mark cannot be dispelled, but it can be removed by the caster or by an erase spell.

If an arcane mark is placed on a living being, normal wear gradually causes the effect to fade in about a month.

Cure Minor Wounds*

Divine 0

Range: touch

Duration: instantaneous

This spell functions similarly to cure light wounds, except that it cures 1d4 points of damage. This spell may be used when treating an unconscious creature's wounds. When this occurs, a +1 modifier applies on the Mortal Wounds table for healing magic used in treatment. This spell is only effective on an individual once every 24 hours. Further uses have no effect until 24 hours have passed. This spell may not be used to cure paralysis.

Dancing Lights

Illusion

Arcane 0

Range: 120’

Duration: 6 rounds

Depending on the version selected, you create up to four lights that resemble lanterns or torches (and cast that amount of light), or up to four glowing spheres of light (which look like will-o’-wisps), or one faintly glowing, vaguely humanoid shape. The dancing lights must stay within a 10-foot-radius area in relation to each other but otherwise move as you desire (no concentration required): forward or back, up or down, straight or turning corners, or the like. A light winks out if the distance between you and it exceeds the spell’s range.

Daze

Enchantment

Arcane 0

Range: 10’

Duration: 1 round

This enchantment mesmerizes one humanoid creature of up to 4+1 hit dice for 1 round, unless it succeeds on a saving throw versus Spells. An affected creature will stand motionless and take no action, even to defend itself.

Detect Magic

Arcane 0, Divine 0

Range: 10’

Duration: instantaneous

This spell targets 1 small area/creature/object within range. Except as noted above, this spell is identical to the 1st level spell of the same name.

Detect Poison

Arcane 0

Range: 10’

Duration: instantaneous

This spell targets 1 small area/creature/object within range. Except as noted above, this spell is identical to the 1st level spell of the same name.

Disrupt Undead

Necromancy

Arcane 0

Range: 10’

Duration: instantaneous

When this spell is cast, a ray of disruptive energy strikes an undead target for 1d6 points of damage. The spellcaster must make a successful attack throw against the target, using the target values for a fighter of his level.

Flare

Arcane 0

Range: 10’

Duration: instantaneous

This spell creates a burst of light. If you cause the light to burst directly in front of a single creature, that creature is dazzled for 6 rounds (1 minute) unless it succeeds on a saving throw versus Blast. A dazzled creature suffers -1 on attack throws and proficiency/skill throws involving sight. Sightless creatures, as well as creatures already dazzled, are not affected by flare.

Ghost Sound

Illusion

Arcane 0

Range: 10’

Duration: 1 round per level

Ghost sound allows you to create a volume of sound that rises, recedes, approaches, or remains at a fixed place. You choose what type of sound ghost sound creates when casting it and cannot thereafter change the sound’s basic character.

The volume of sound created depends on your level. You can produce as much noise as four normal humans per caster level (maximum twenty humans). Thus, talking, singing, shouting, walking, marching or running sounds can be created. The noise a ghost sound spell produces can be virtually any type of sound within the volume limit. A horde of rats running and squeaking is about the same volume as eight humans running and shouting. A roaring lion is equal to the noise from sixteen humans, while a roaring sabre-toothed tiger is equal to the noise from twenty humans.

Guidance

Divine 0

Range: touch

Duration: 6 rounds or until discharged

This spell imbues the target with a touch of divine guidance. The creature receives +1 on a single attack throw, saving throw, or proficiency/skill throw. It must choose to use the bonus before making the throw to which it applies.

Light

Arcane 0, Divine 0

Range: 10’

Duration: 6 rounds plus 1 round per level

This spell targets a location or object within range. The spell cannot target a creature or be used in any way to blind a creature. Except as noted above, this spell is identical to the 1st level spell of the same name.

Luck

Arcane 0

Range: self

Duration: 6 rounds or until discharged

This spell brings you a touch of magical luck. You receive +1 on a single attack throw, saving throw, or proficiency/skill throw. You must choose to use the bonus before making the throw to which it applies.

Mage Hand

Arcane 0

Range: 60’

Duration: 6 rounds

By concentrating (ACKS Rulebook p. 104), you point your finger at an unattended object weighing ½ stone or less and can lift it and move it at will from a distance. You can propel the object as far as 15 feet in any direction, though the spell ends if the distance between you and the object ever exceeds the spell’s range.

Open/Close

Arcane 0

Range: 10’

Duration: instantaneous

You can open or close (your choice) a door, chest, box, window, bag, pouch, bottle, barrel, or other container. If anything resists this activity (such as a bar on a door or a lock on a chest), the spell fails. In addition, the spell can only open and close things weighing 3 stone or less. Thus, doors, chests, and similar objects sized for enormous creatures may be beyond this spell’s ability to affect.

Prestidigitation

Arcane 0

Range: self

Duration: Concentration, maximum 1 round per level

Prestidigitations are minor tricks that novice spellcasters use for practice. Once cast, a prestidigitation spell enables you to perform simple magical effects for up to 1 round per level. The effects are minor and have severe limitations. You must be free to speak and gesture. You may use magical sleight-of-hand to pick pockets as a thief of one half your class level. A prestidigitation can slowly lift 1 pound of material. It can color, clean, or soil items in a 1-foot cube each round. It can chill, warm, or flavor 1 pound of nonliving material. It cannot deal damage or affect the concentration of spellcasters. Prestidigitation can create small objects, but they look crude and artificial. The materials created by a prestidigitation spell are extremely fragile, and they cannot be used as tools, weapons, or spell components. Finally, a prestidigitation lacks the power to duplicate any other spell effects. Any actual change to an object (beyond just moving, cleaning, or soiling it) persists for the duration of the spell only.

Ray of Frost

Elemental (air, water)

Arcane 0

Range: 10’

Duration: instantaneous

When this spell is cast, a ray of freezing air and ice strikes its target for 1d3 points of damage. The spellcaster must make a successful attack throw against the target, using the target values for a fighter of his level.

Read Languages

Arcane 0

Range: self

Duration: instantaneous

This spell allows comprehension of a single phrase or sentence. Except as noted above, this spell is identical to the 1st level spell of the same name.

Resistance

Arcane 0, Divine 0

Range: touch

Duration: 6 rounds

You imbue the target with magical energy that protects it from harm, granting it a +1 on saving throws.

Touch of Fatigue

Death

Arcane 0

Range: touch

Duration: 2 rounds

You channel the shadow of death through your touch, fatiguing the target. A successful attack throw is required. The target is immediately fatigued for the spell’s duration. A fatigued creature is -1 on attack throws and damage rolls, and may only walk at the normal combat movement rate. This spell has no effect on a creature that is already fatigued (ACKS Rulebook p. 92 rest, p. 94 forced march, and p. 101 running). Unlike with normal fatigue, the effect ends as soon as the spell’s duration expires.