Elemental Mastery

Elemental mages choose a single element when first starting out. As they advance in experience and wisdom, they may slowly learn to master other elements as well. There is a steep price to pay for this, however.

Elemental Mastery may be purchased as an Edge at any time (after becoming at least Seasoned), but it may only be taken once per Rank. (Legendary characters may take the Edge every other time they advance instead.)

Unfortunately, the elemental spirits are jealous creatures. Each additional element mastered subtracts 1 from all of the mage’s Spellcasting rolls. If an earth mage begins to learn the secrets of water, for instance, the earth spirits become offended and distant. A character who knows two elements suffers a –1 penalty, and one who knows three suffers a constant –2 penalty.

Spells that may be learned by multiple schools, such as elemental manipulation, are automatically known for all schools. If a water mage takes Elemental Mastery (Fire), for example, he can now use the elemental manipulation spell for both elements.

Archmage: When all four elements have been mastered, the character is called an archmage. At this point he has managed to strike a balance between earth, fire, water, and air. The spirits are appeased and he no longer suffers any penalties. He may also choose spells from any of the four elemental schools.

There is only one known archmage on all of Caribdus, Tressa the Red (though it is rumored several kraken archmages may yet live). Tressa lives in a magical island atop a geyser in the Teeth (see page 48).