Occurrence of Magic
Magic is rare and dangerous.
Magic is very often seen as something inherently bad and occult, thus is socially not accepted in most parts of the world. In civilized areas the use of magic is prohibited or restricted by law and it is considered a crime to cast any spells. Officials and authorities prosecute and punish acts of magic. In some areas magic users are actively chased, hunted down and publicly crucified. In other areas magic is performed in hiding whereas elsewhere healing and divination magic is considered to be wonders.
Higher-level spells are almost non-existent. Magical items are rare and high-valued treasures. There are no schools to learn magic rather magic is discovered either by individual research, instinct or as a gift from gods or other otherworldly entities.
Spellcasting
Spellcasting may only be performed if it targets the spellcaster themselves or if they touch their target. If a spell targets another character or object the caster needs to touch it with their hand to bridge the magic to the target. Spells that have a range other than touch or self have a range of touch instead. Additionally when targeting another character or object the caster needs to expend a blood deed by paying 1 health point in order to forcefully channel the magical energy onto the target and will it into existence.
Resurrection
When a resurrection is attempted a resurrection challenge is initiated. Up to 3 members of the party can offer to contribute to a ritual. The party members need to decide how they want to contribute and make a description of their contribution. Every player that contributes makes a skill check based on the form of their contribution. The DM sets DC based on the description and on how helpful the contribution is. If the skill check is successful it counts as successful contribution to the resurrection ritual and influences its outcome.
The character that is performing the resurrection then must succeed a check with a base DC of 10 and modified by the following:
- +1 for each previous unsuccessful contributions
- +1 for each previous unsuccessful resurrections attempt
- +1 for each previous successful resurrections of the targeted character (in their whole life time)
- -3 for each successful ritual contribution
After a character has been resurrected they are unconscious for 10 minutes and gain one level of exhaustion.