It’s not just another fireball with Dragonbane: Book of Magic
From the very early days of tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs), there has always been magic – ranging from the simple spells of Dungeons & Dragons, each one utilitarian in its nature, to the far more expansive lists of Rolemaster and the original schools of magic found in Warhammer.
In Dragonbane: Book of Magic we get a brief dip into each of 13 types of magic used in that fantasy setting, the nature and capability of that magic, and several spells connected to each type. It’s often easy to use lists rather than description to write about spells and spellcasting, and also to consider that those playing TTRPGs are already familiar with different types of magic. This book does not make that mistake.
While some of the spells from the core rulebook are repeated here, Dragonbane: Book of Magic clarifies the original spells and places them within the correct magical schools, making this a complete guide to all the magic within the Dragonbane world. Each school has its individual nuance and this may manifest in elements such as the spell’s Prevalence, which talks about the nature of that particular magic, how it came to be and how it is generally used. For example, the Familiar spell details the nature of the animal companion that someone practising that school of magic would have – ranging from cats and dogs to representations of the elements they command, such as flames and clouds.
Finally, the book covers the study of magic. This details how someone might learn a particular type of magic, including how available that magic type is, the difficulties involved and the challenges a practicer might face – Necromancy and Demonology immediately springing to mind. However, it also touches on the understanding of different skills that might be required, such as crafting skills for Enchanting and performance skills for those using Harmonism.
The schools of magic are presented as being very different, with some requiring incantations, some requiring ingredients, some spells being cast in a heartbeat, with others cast over time. Rather than trying to make everything fit into the narrow purvey of what a character might sensibly need over the course of an adventure, this magic feels more encompassing, lending it an air of authority.
In addition, most of the more powerful spells have prerequisites, asking that you learn other spells before them. This feels like real training, as you don’t learn the master’s moves without first understanding the basics. Each school also has more simple tricks that their practitioners can use, akin to the multi-use cantrips in D&D – varying from the simple movement of objects to adding swearing to other people’s sentences. It’s an interesting take on how even the lowest levels of magic work.
Spells within the book are detailed, but simple to understand, the mechanics follow logically, and there is a section at the back that determines how you can craft anything from regular magical items all the way to artifacts, complete with different ways in which each can work or fail. The result isn’t so much world-breaking artifacts as powerful items that have their own flaws, which makes them all the more interesting.
One fun element is that characters might have to seek out legendary practitioners of a particular branch of magic to learn more powerful spells, with each of these including a description that includes their personal foibles. They range from the demon lord Albarlog to the somewhat more tongue in cheek Raz Aldghul, each with their own requirements that have to be satisfied before they will impart what they know.
Review by John Dodd
Yes
This is a worthwhile companion to the Dragonbane TTRPG, presenting magic in an easily accessible format without losing the wonder of it.
TASHA’S CAULDRON OF EVERYTHING
Both are imaginative and evocative but still easy to reference.
Category: Roleplaying Games
Designers: Matthias Johnsson Haake, Mattias Lilja, Tomas Härenstam
Publisher: Free League Publishing
Pages: 136
Age: 12+
RRP: £35
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