Ultima IX Magic

The magic system at the time of Ultima IX contains some important differences from the ones of previous ages. Here is a short explanation how the magic of that era works and what has to be considered.

Spell Scrolls
Spell scrolls have returned to mainstream Britannian magical circles and often be purchased by the various vendors of magical items. The scroll allows a single casting of the spell without any mana cost or experience restrictions; however, the scroll itself vanish thereafter. Usage of scrolls in this manner can be wasteful since certain spell scrolls are very rare. A caster should, therefore, transcribe it to their spellbook via the binding ritual, which allows for repeated and unlimited use of the spell assuming the caster has sufficient mana.

Binding Spells
To bind a spell permanently to a spellbook, the mage must be in possession of one. Each spellbook is divided into nine groups of four spells. The first circle contains the linear spells, which are always available at no mana cost. The other eight circles require the mage to bind scroll spells into the book with the Ritual of Binding.

First the mage has to find a fitting binding circle -- a pentagram surrounded by five candles; next, the scroll in question has to be laid into the middle of the pentagram, followed by the needed reagents; then, all the candles have to be ignited with the fitting linear spell ignite; lastly the mage has to say the fitting words of power to bind the spell into the book.

Now the spell is available at any time and no further cost, apart from mana.

Warning: should the wrong words be said or the wrong reagents be used, then both scroll and reagents are lost to the mage.

For where to find all the scrolls that contain the various spells, see:
 * Spell Scroll Locations

Real-life notes

 * It is possible to re-use reagents by removing them while chanting the words of power.


 * In the game, the number of repaired shrines corresponds with the highest circle in which spells can be bound and used, but does not apply to scrolls.

New Spells
A number of new spells were introduced to mainstream Britannian magic by the time of Ultima IX.

A list of all spells in Ultima IX can be found at this link: Ultima IX Spells.

Note that there are also rituals, which are not spells. These are located separately here: Rituals.

Reagent Codes: