Random Charts for “Spell Accents”

I’ve recently put together the first draft of what I’m referring to as a Spell “Accents” Chart.  It helps describe what the magical effects of a spell look like, smell like, etc.  Of course the term “Spell Descriptions” is already widely in use for RPGs.

You can use it in two main ways:

• Create spell accents beforehand to develop descriptions for all the spells in your game world.  You’ll likely want to not roll for everything.  For example if a spell has a rose petals component then by default that could match the smell. These defined spell accents could apply to all spell casters or vary by spell caster.
• Roll or create the spell accents on the fly.  If you believe a pinch more of one ingredient or a bit less of another will change the accent, this is a good approach.

One big caveat is to make sure the accents don’t interfere with the main purpose of the spell.  If the spell is something used for stealth, in most cases it shouldn’t have any visual or auditory effects. (Perhaps a faint smell may be possible.) Or if the spell causes darkness, it shouldn’t start with a burst of light.

You can also have certain spell accents assigned to particular spell casters.  For example, one magic-user’s spells may always include the color blue.  Or a necromancer’s spell may always have a sulfurous scent.

Of course, instead of rolling feel free to pick any or everything from the lists to suit the spell.

To use the chart, first roll a d12 for the formula column which tells which other charts to use.  Then roll on the other charts as needed according to the selected formula and as the other charts direct. (“Color effect” tells when to roll for colors; the “Other” chart tells when to roll on the “Substances” chart.

Here is an example:

• Roll for formula and get a 3: color effect, smell, and other.
• Roll color effect and get a 9: Caster surrounded by electrical energy for an instant (roll 1 color, no game effect).
• Roll for the color and get an 3: yellow.
• Roll for the smell and get a 12: roll two more times: 8 (gutted fish) and 12 (roll two more times). Get a 1 and 7: crisp morning and hot spices.
• Roll for the other effect and get a 4: cloud of a substance in area of effect (or within 10’r of caster if there is no area of effect) for 1 round.  Roll on the substances chart and get a 5: ash.
• Final result: The spell surrounds the caster with yellow electric energy for an instant, has a crisp morning but hot spice and gutted fish smell and for one round there is a light cloud of ash.