Magic in Ultima Online

Magic in Ultima Online works quite differently from the usual magic system of Ultima, in that there are no less than five different schools of magic, each with their own spell, rules and reagents. To make it easier, here therefore an overview over these schools.

Magery

Magery is the classical school of magic in Britannia.

As is already known, this school of magic uses two important items for casting of its spells. One is the spellbook, which has to be obtained and then filled with spells by inscripting bought or found spell scrolls into it. The other are the already well-known britannian reagents which are needed for casting. The rest depends on the experience and mana of the caster.

For how to train the skill, see: Magery

For an overview of the spells, see: Ultima Online Magery Spells

For effective usage, the following skills are needed:

Meditation in order to have a high mana count and regeneration.

Evaluate Intelligence in order to raise the damage done by spells over the minimum.

Inscription in order to raise the success rate of transcribing scrolls into the spellbook.

The eight classical reagents are used:

	Reagent	Description
	Black Pearl	The Black Pearl is fairly rare, and for the purposes of magic, only a perfectly spherical, unblemished Black Pearl will suffice. These may be ground into a fine powder - an ignoble, yet potent end for so beautiful a stone. It is a common reagent in spells involving magical travel, distance, propulsion or projection.
	Blood Moss	Blood Moss is a reddish fungus that is found mainly in marshlands and swamps. An unconfirmed rumor claims that it also grows between the toes of trolls, but due to the unappetizing prospect of searching for proof, the rumor remains simply that. Blood Moss is commonly required for spells that focus on speed, animation, and locomotion.
	Garlic	Garlic, few kitchens in Britannia are without this humble allium. Legends of its protective powers extend back through the mists of time, and in modern magical practice it is used in spells that protect the caster or a target and ward off or dispel a danger or evil. For the purposes of magic, the bulb of the plant is washed, peeled and ground into a paste.
	Ginseng	As a magical reagent, Ginseng focuses the powers of healing and enhancement. However, its bitterness belies its restorative nature. Before it can be used in magic ritual, the root of the plant should be boiled in the freshest water, cooled and brought back to a boil in fresh water no less than forty times. With the last boiling, it is transformed into a heavy, strong-smelling syrup.
	Mandrake Root	The powerful Mandrake inhabits the dimmest groves of dankest swamps. Once found, great care must be taken in uprooting it in order to keep the taproot intact, for the taproot is its locus of power. The exposed root is then carefully boiled and dried. Mandrake Root is used in spells involving strength, power and energy.
	Nightshade	The deadly Nightshade, another denizen of the swamps, was christened for its strange, waxen flowers, which only bloom at night. It should be carefully handled and prepared, for it is poisonous to the touch. For magical preparations, it is either crushed or brewed into a tea. As a reagent, nightshade focuses the powers of death, damage, poison and illusion.
	Spider Silk	Spider's Silk is as common as spiders are, but as fine and light as air. Because of this, at least one ounce of it is required for a simple spell. The spider's silk concentrates the power to summon, conjure, and bind.
	Sulphurous Ash	This pungent ash, created by violent volcanic disturbances, recalls the fiery and explosive energies of its origin. It is used in spells that create explosions, fire, or light.

Necromancy

Necromancy is a dark school of magic, concentrating on the dead.

This dark art is maintained by the Necromancers, who use it to either bring death to their foes or force the dead to do their bidding. Two important items are used in this school of magic. First is a spellbook which has to be obtained and then filled with spells by inscribing found or bought scrolls into it. Second are reagents, of which this school has special ones. The rest depends on the mana and experience of the caster.

For how to train the skill and all its spells, see: Necromancy (UO)

For effective usage, the following skills are needed:

Meditation in order to have a high mana count and regeneration.

Spirit Speak in order to raise the damage done by spells over the minimum.

Inscription in order to raise the success rate of transcribing scrolls into the spellbook.

The special reagents are as follows:

	Reagent	Description
	Grave Dust	Gathered from mausoleums, sarcophagi, and graves, Grave Dust is an essential element in the necromantic arts. Alchemists can concoct a potion that creates a field of flame.
	Nox Crystal	These green crystals are a Necromancy reagent.
	Daemon Blood	An unholy an very potent reagent, gathered from slain Daemons. Needless to say, it's difficult to gather.
	Bat Wing	The flesh, bone and blood found in this structure serve as an excellent lodestone to the essence of life.
	Pig Iron	Iron's hard yet versatile nature works in protective Sorcery as no other reagent can.

Chivalry

Chivalry is the magic school of the virtuous Paladins.

The magic school of the Paladins works a bit different from normal magic, as it doesn't have any reagents. The only physical object needed is the Book of Chivalry, bought in the city of Luna, which already is filled with all spells. Once having obtained it, the Paladin needs to have a good karma and gather Tithe points by donating gold at certain ankhs. Doe to their very nature, most of the spells are defensive in nature and concentrate on healing and reinforcement.

For how to train the skill and all its spells, see: Chivalry

For effective usage, the following skills are needed:

Meditation in order to have a high mana count and regeneration.

Spellweaving

Spellweaving is a special school of magic, promoting Mages working together.

Despite being created for mages working together, a sole mage can also do it. No reagents are needed for it, but to actually get the special spellbook, one first has to obtain it by solving two quests. Once having received it and the first spell, the other spells have to be found and focus crystals produced, in order to use the skill within reason. After that, only the mana storage is another factor.

For how to train the skill and all its spells, see: Spellweaving

For effective usage, the following skills are needed:

Meditation in order to have a high mana count and regeneration.

Inscription in order to raise the success rate of transcribing scrolls into the spellbook.

Mysticism

Mysticism is the magic school of the Gargoyles, although by now it is open to all races.

As said, every race can do this magic, however, one first has to get the special spellbook, which only is sold on Ter Mur, as most of the spells that are needed for inscription are found on it. Also, Mysticism uses besides the Britannian reagents, some special ones. Besides that, the mana is the last important factor.

For how to train the skill and all its spells, see: Mysticism (UO)

For effective usage, the following skills are needed:

Meditation in order to have a high mana count and regeneration.

Focus in order to raise the damage done by spells over the minimum.

Inscription in order to raise the success rate of transcribing scrolls into the spellbook.

The additional reagents are:

	Reagent	Description
	Bone	The source of blood is also, strangely enough, the source of the will, and remembers the life it once embraced.
	Dragon Blood	So powerful is this creature that the blood burns as if aflame. Precise measurements of this are wise, for too much and the magic will go dangerously awry.
	Daemon Bones	Haven taken a hint from the Necromancers, the Cabal found that Bone does, indeed, retain it's tie to life. It is even useful in the ritual of of binding when enough power is at hand. Daemonic forces are summoned and controlled by use of this reagent.
	Fertile Dirt	The plant grows from the womb of the land, it's roots deeply embedded in the safety of soil.