Serpent Isle magic

The magic of Serpent Isle is very similar Britannian magic, including the use of of spellbooks, reagents and Words of Power. However, there do exist several differences and additions.

Spell Scrolls[edit]

Spell scrolls are single-use magic spells that do not consume any mana or reagents. Looking at a scroll reveals the spell written onto it, thus one can decide if to use or keep it. After all, once used, the scroll burns to ashes and the spell is lost to the mage. However, with the Transcribe spell, the scrolls can be copied into the spellbook, and thus the spell can be used at any time, as often as necessary – though it then also consumes reagents and mana.

After a spell is transcribed, any surplus scrolls of the same can be used up in order to avoid wasting mana or reagents better spent somewhere else.

Reagents[edit]

All spells do require reagents. These chemical substances act as a link between the physical world of the spellcaster and the ethereal waves of magic. Each reagent can be found in specific places, or bought from other mages who earn money with the selling of reagents, although the Ring of Reagents, an ancient artifact, can eliminate the need of looking for reagents altogether. Reagents must be prepared in a special manner before they can be used to cast spells.

In addition to the Britannian reagents, which are not listed here, there are some special reagents only used on Serpent Isle, including:

Blood Spawn[edit]

“	This reagent is formed in quite an unusual way. Stoneheart, the red rock collected from stalagmites, must be crushed and then combined with the blood the caster! Blood spawn is an additive reagent that enhances the power of several inner circle offensive spells. Needless to say, perhaps, this reagent is not one to be bought and sold. – from Beyond the Serpent Pillars (Ultima VII Part Two)

Serpent Scales[edit]

“	Spells gleaned from the serpent ruins require a peculiar reagent, serpent scales. However, untreated snake scales are useless, and the ancient method of preparation has been lost. The only known supply of this ancient reagent is within the serpent ruins themselves. – from Beyond the Serpent Pillars (Ultima VII Part Two)

Worm Heart[edit]

“	This reagent, cut from the innards of the ice worms, is useful to a variety of unusual spells, often allowing enchantments involving snow or cold. – from Beyond the Serpent Pillars (Ultima VII Part Two)

Other Reagents[edit]

Other reagents are mentioned as being used, especially by the ancient Ophidians. These include agnium, serpentinium and zerine, which were used to create serpent lamps.

Incantations[edit]

This section is about incantations used on Serpent Isle, sometimes called “Words of Power”. For Words of Power that open dungeons in Ultima V, see Words of Power (dungeons).

Main article: Incantation

In addition to the common Britannian syllables, which are not listed here, Frio is only used in Serpent Isle due to its different connection to the ether and the festering imbalance.^{[Citation needed]} Used to invoke cold, Frio replaces Flam in many spells on the Serpent Isle, which results in a blue flame that deals cold damage. Though the end result is the same and this is mostly a cosmetic difference.

Special Spells[edit]

There are a number of spells on Serpent Isle, which have no equivalent in Britannia. Also, the system is slightly different. Instead of 8 circles, there are 9 circles of spells. Although in turn there are no linear spells on Serpent Isle. Below is a list of these unique spells.

For a list where to get all the spells, complete with prices, see Ultima VII Part Two magic shops.

For a list of all the spells, see Serpent Isle spells.

Reagent Codes:

Spell	Reagents	Words of Power	Description
2^nd Circle
False Coin	NS SA	Rel Ylem	If used on one stack of coins, it creates five more of the same value. Contrary to popular belief, these coins are permanent.
Cold Blast	BP SA WH	Vas Frio	Throws an iceball at the enemy, causing medium damage.
3^rd Circle
Chill	GA GS WH	Rel Frio Mani	Negates the effects of extreme heat in Furnace and other hot places. This spell is not for sale.
Columna's Intuition	BP GA	Wis Jux Ylem	Identifies possible sources of danger in the near surroundings.
Translation	BP MR SS SA	Rel Wis	Translates runic or Ophidian writing to the Latin alphabet for the convenience of the reader.
4^th Circle
Create Soul Prism	BM GA MR SC SS SA	An Mani Ex	Creates a soul prism from Worm Gems (created from worm heart).
Deter	GA SS	An Xen Jux	Makes animals lose the will to attack the spellcaster.
Flash	MR SA	In Vas Lor	Blinds all enemies, making them stop attacking.
Transcribe	BP SS	Rel Ort Wis	Transcribes a spell scroll into the spellbook. Absolutely essential to get a number of unique spells.
5^th Circle
Erstam's Surprise	BP GA MR SA	Uus Vas Grav	Attacks enemies in various ways.
Summon Shade	BM MR NS SS SA	Kal Wis Corp	Makes it possible to talk with the dead. This spell is not for sale.
6^th Circle
Betray	BP NS SS	An Xen Ex	Makes foes turn against each other.
Dispel Illusion	GA MR NS	An Quas	Destroys any kind of illusion. Note that this does not mean invisibility, it means false pictures.
Cold Strike	BM BP WH SA	Vas In Frio Grav	Creates a cold field at the feet of a foe.
Create Ammo	BM GS SA	In Jux Ylem	Creates ammunition for bows or crossbows. What is created is determined by the weapons the party holds.
Create Automaton	MR SA SS SC	In Ort Xen	Repairs a broken automaton and makes it obedient to the caster.
7^th Circle
Vibrate	BP BM MR SS	An Grav Ex	Empties the pockets of the target (meaning pickpocket). Contrary to popular belief, it does not cause damage. The spell can break the game.
8^th Circle
Create Ice	WH SS	In Frio	Creates a block of ice, enclosing the foe or building a barrier.
Mind Blast	BS BP NS SA	Corp Por	Causes a lethal death bolt to strike one foe and blow their heads apart.
Fetch	BM BP MR	Por Ylem	Brings an object to the caster, even through walls.
Invoke Snow Serpent	BM GA SS WH SC	Kal Frio Xen	Calls a snow serpent to help in battle.
Serpent Bond	BM BP GA SS WH SC	Kal Frio Xen Ex	Turns the caster temporarily into a serpent, allowing to enter even tight passages.
Firesnake	BP BM MR NS	Kal Vas Frio Grav	A literal flamethrower.
9^th Circle
Spiral Missile	BM BS BP NS SA	Uus Vas Jux Ylem	Shoots lethal bolts at multiple targets.
Imbalance	NS SA WH SC	Kal Vas An Grav	Causes real destruction in the area.

Lore[edit]

“

I write this down for the edification of no one, for I doubt I will wish these words to reach anyone’s eyes save mine. However, as I have already noted, posterity is a strong motivator. Therefore shall I document a layman’s version of the study of magic.

As an interesting note, some of my earlier spells no longer function here in the new land. Interestingly enough, I have discovered differing spells on the Serpent Isle that perform similarly, in addition to spells of entirely new natures with unique reagents and words of power. I expect the colder climate has much to do with this difference, as freezing temperatures are far more hazardous here than fire is. Perhaps, too, this relates to the still unknown culture that predates our presence here. Alas, it may be several lifetimes before we learn the truth about their disappearance.

– from Beyond the Serpent Pillars (Ultima VII Part Two)

Magic Systems
Sosaria	Sosarian magic
Britannia	Britannian magic ☥ Britannian spells ☥ Ascension magic ☥ Rituals ☥ Ultima VII (SNES)
Serpent Isle	Serpent Isle magic ☥ Serpent Isle spells
Pagan	Pagan magic ☥ Pagan spells ☥ Necromancy ☥ Tempestry ☥ Theurgy ☥ Sorcery ☥ Thaumaturgy
Other	Runic magic ☥ Runic spells ☥ Savage Empire magic