That’s exactly correct.
In “Heroic Fantasy ACKS”, I combined the spell lists of mages and clerics into one. Game mechanically, I created a new magic type called “eldritch magic” which has a spell source modifier of x1 for all types of spells. I’m now going through the different spell types and adjusting the source modifiers to what is appropriate for a heroic fantasy setting.
I’ve already concluded that all blast and wall spells will have a x1.5 modifier (between mages and clerics) and that movement spells which allow you to fly, TK, or teleport will have a x2 modifier. A heroic fantasy mage who wants to fly transforms into a bird, instead of soaring like a superhero. Commune is removed, as is restore life and limb.
The overall “feel” of magic should result in a very different game. Here are some spells…
Shatter Blade Range: 30’
Eldritch 1 (Grey) Duration: instantaneous
By means of this spell, the caster destroys a single weapon, causing its blade to shatter or melt away into smoke. If the weapon is held by a creature, the wielder may make a saving throw versus Death to resist the effect, adding the weapon’s magic bonus (if any) to the effect. In any case, the spell causes no harm to the creature holding the weapon (except for depriving him of it).
Summon Giant Eagle Range: Special
Eldritch 3 (Grey) Duration: 1 day
This spell calls a small roc to the caster to serve as a winged steed (see the Monsters chapter of Adventurer Conqueror King System for details). The summoned roc will travel by air to the caster’s destination at its flying movement rate. It will generally take 1d3 hours for the roc to arrive if the spell is cast in mountain terrain, and 1d6 hours when cast in other terrain. The time to arrival may be much shorter if a roc lair is nearby (rocs fly at 24 miles per hour). If called while the caster is unreachable (deep in a dungeon, for example), the roc will travel as close as it can to the caster and then circle the sky in that vicinity. For the duration of the spell, the roc will understand the spellcaster’s speech, and will serve as a loyal mount. The spellcaster may choose to mount the roc himself, and/or command that the roc carry others. This spell does not conjure up saddle and tack, nor does it automatically grant the rider the equivalent of Riding proficiency, so unproficient characters who ride the roc into battle do so at their own risk. The spell persists until the roc is slain, or until the spell is dispelled or 1 day passes (at which time the roc departs).
Guise Self Range: self
Eldritch 4 (Grey) Duration: 1 day
This spell grants the caster the ability to alter his shape into that of any other humanoid creature. The caster can control his new shape’s physical qualities (such as height, weight, gender, hair color, hair texture, and skin color) within the normal ranges for a creature of its kind. His equipment, if any, remains worn or held where possible, and otherwise melds into the new form. If used in conjunction with a successful Disguise proficiency throw, guise self can allow the caster to appear as a specific individual.
Clairvoyance, Greater Range: 100 miles
Eldritch 6 (White) Duration: 8 hours
This spell enables the caster to see into other areas through the eyes of a selected type of living creatures, such as bats, hawks, or rats. The caster must specify the direction and approximate distance, up to a maximum of 100 miles away, of the first creature he wishes to clairvoyantly contact. If there is no appropriate creature in that area, the next closest creature of the appropriate type will be contacted instead. No saving throw is allowed, and the subject is unaware that it is being so used. The caster may choose another subject creature after at least a turn has passed, enabling multiple locations to be viewed. If the subject creature moves out of range, contact is lost, and the caster must choose another subject in this case. A lead barrier between the caster and the subject creature(s) will block the effect. This spell is difficult to cast, taking one full turn, and is so draining that it can be used but once per week.
