SPELL CASTING

--- SPELL CASTING (SKILL) ---

This is the base skill that is required to cast any spell on CthulhuMUD.
Without this skill, your character will be completely unable to cast any
spells at all. As your rating in this skill increases, you will lessen the
odds that your character will lose concentration while casting or that the
spell itself will fail. A high Intelligence rating will assist this skill.

Once you have this skill, you will then have to learn the skill of the spell
you wish to cast. Most spells have a related skill of the same name, but
there are several skills that provide several spells each. As your rating in
the skill of the spell increases, you will have a better chance of
successfully casting the spell. In addition, the mana cost of casting a spell
decreases as your rating in the connected skill increases.

If you are casting a spell whose name has more than one word, you must
surround the name of the spell with single quotes. For example, CAST 'CURE
CRITICAL' FRED. (The use of quotes is optional for single-word spells.) You
can stop casting a spell by using the STAND command or by leaving the room.
However, if your spell casting is interrupted, there is a chance that you will
become fatigued. (Fatigue inflicts you with some negative affects until it
wears off or is removed with the REFRESH spell.) This is a particularly
dangerous in combat, when a foe's attack can disrupt your spell casting before
you finish.

Not all spells require a target, but there are many that do, including most
offensive attack spells. During combat, the code will usually select an
appropriate target character if you do not specify one, but it is best if you
name your own target to ensure that the spell is being directed correctly.
The target character will usually make a saving roll against your spell, and
the effectiveness of your spell will be modified accordingly if they succeed.

The basic command for using spells is CAST, but advanced characters may gain
access to the RITUAL command. (See HELP RITUAL MASTERY for details.)

The SPELL command will display detailed information about a specific spell.

The SPELLS command will show a list of the spells you know, as well as the
mana cost for casting each one. (Remember, the mana cost goes down as your
skill with spell increases, so lower numbers are actually better on this
list.) The mana costs may vary from location to location, as various areas in
the game are naturally assist or impair magical activities.

SKILLS MAGIC will provide you with a list of your magic-related skills.

Syntax: CAST <spell> [target]
SPELL <spell>
SPELLS
SKILLS MAGIC

See also: HELP CAST, HELP RITUAL MASTERY