Secret Santicorn Prompt from @mekhami
Magic systems that aren’t vancian magic? More freeform spell systems, moving away from strictly defined spells and into soft magic systems where players can be creative with a set of spell tools
This is a great write up! I also appreciate the references other alternative systems or blogs by others tackling the concept in a different way. Variety is the spice of life and you’ve delivered! ;]
Whenever I think of an alternative to Vanician magic or something that is more free form I think of Ars Magica, however not because I’ve played it or even read it, just what I’ve read what others say about it. 
I’ve got lots to read it seems.
I enjoy your Weird & Perils mechanic. And I had no idea Whitehack used HP as a cost to cast spells. I think casting magic taking a toll on the character is chef’s kiss. Sounds very fun!
1 Like
I too enjoyed reading this. Using the standard damage tiers is great.
One thing I couldn’t figure out (may have overlooked it): What attribute do you deduct damage from, is it always WIL/CHA? Because I could certainly see heling magic where the caster transfers STR damage from the target to themself, or similar.
Also, do you allow PCs to heal attribute loss on long rests, or only after the adventure?
1 Like
I too have never read Ars Magicka but have seen it referenced all the time! I’m glad you liked the write-up and I hope to do more with this idea.
1 Like
I did default to only using WIL/CHA, but I think it would work fine drawing from STR in certain situations. And I think the advantage that might be gained by spreading Weird to other attributes would be nullified by the risk of taking STR damage in combat.
I didn’t think through healing well enough. In Whitehack casters can’t heal their own HP since that would be an infinite resource spending HP to get HP. There probably needs to be a similar limit on healing in my system to prevent abuse.
1 Like