Spell

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Spells are the ancient art of tapping into the ether and using its powers to call forth superhuman effects. The ages in the Ultima universe have a great variety of these spells.

The Types of Spells[edit]

Sosarian Magic[edit]

Main article: Sosarian magic

The spells cast in old Sosaria in the Age of Darkness are marked by an absence of reagents or magical equipment. All that is required is that the mage speak the appropriate magic words and be willing to spend the necessary mana. During certain periods, spells are also classified among the professions.

Britannian Magic[edit]

Main article: Britannian magic

The Age of Enlightenment, beginning with Britannia, saw the introduction of reagents used in casting spells. Eventually words of power became standardized and reduced to a combinations of a few dozen magical syllables.

Savage Empire Magic[edit]

Main article: Savage Empire magic

Runic Magic[edit]

Main article: Runic magic

The spells of Ultima Underworld and Ultima Underworld II used rune stones; a special kind of foci which also served as the incantation to spells. In this age, mages were unencumbered by reagents.

Serpent Isle Magic[edit]

Main article: Serpent Isle magic

Migrants from Sosaria, the Ophidian-devised a system of magic, not unlike their Britannian counterparts Ultima VII.

Pagan Magic[edit]

Main article: Pagan magic

Spells on the world of Pagan have a variety of magical systems. Some of these schools of magic require reagents while others require foci.

Ultima IX Magic[edit]

Main article: Ultima IX magic

Ultima IX saw the magic in Britannia changing to involve reagents, rituals, and a spellbook which allowed allowed spells to be cast repeatedly without requiring indurable goods, such as reagents and scrolls.

Methods of Casting[edit]

Casting is usually seen as performing magical utterances, fueled by reagents and mana, however, the effects of these spells can be experienced through other means:

  • Rings: magical jewelry that afforded anyone (regardless of invested mana or profession) the benefit of certain spells.
  • Scrolls: magical stationery from which spells may be cast.
  • Potions: some potions are clearly magical and a form of spell casting, such as the one that makes the user invisible, however, there are some that may be natural, such as those that poison or heal.

Magic Systems
Sosaria Sosarian magic
Britannia Britannian magicBritannian spellsAscension magicRitualsUltima VII (SNES)
Serpent Isle Serpent Isle magicSerpent Isle spells
Pagan Pagan magicPagan spellsNecromancyTempestryTheurgySorceryThaumaturgy
Other Runic magicRunic spellsSavage Empire magic