Masking

Masking is an Enchanted Ability that is opened up through initiation by Magic Users following the course of the Manifesto of Magicka. All Magic - when cast - leaves a trace upon the world, or plane within which it is cast.

Its signature strength is equal to the level of the Magical Staff being used by the Mage or if the Mage has no Magic Staff, the Target Number created is 5) minus the level of the spell being cast, plus any level invested in Masking. This creates the Target number that the Mage using Tracing must beat in order to trace what happened and where the Mage went to next.

For Example: A Wrotan Mage with a level three bound staff (+3) casts Aura of Helios (-4) in the Zarian Wastes, and is uninitiated (no Masking, therefore no additional bonuses), making a total of: 3 – 4 = -1. This means that a Fey-Sidious Mage with one level of Tracing, can easily find the Wrotan Mage, if they detect the presence of magic.

But let us alter the base equation, and say that the Wrotan Mage is Initiated and actually has level three masking – that’s quite impressive, lets recalculate the Target for Tracing: 3 (The Level Three Bound Staff) – 4 (Aura of Helios) + 3 for their Masking. That’s a total of: 3 – 4 + 3 = 2. With only the one level of Tracing, the Fey-Sidious Mage now cannot detect any presence of the Wrotan Magic (2 beats 1, and with ties going to the defender, our Wrotan Mage has successfully pulled off their magic, hopefully achieved their goal, and gotten away without fear of reprisal).

Equation Mechanics:
- 1: Base Target Number: Staff Level or 5.
- 2: Add Level of Spell that was/ is being cast.
- 3: Minus the Caster’s Level in Masking.
Total equals the Target Number for Tracing.

Level One: Masking One: The Character gains a +1 to Masking the presence of their magic when casting versus Tracing.

Level Two: Masking Two: The Character now gains +2 to Masking the presence of their magic when casting versus Tracing.

Level Three: Masking Three: The Character now gains +3 to Masking the presence of their magic when casting versus Tracing.

Level Four: Masking Four: The Character now gains +4 to Masking the presence of their magic when casting versus Tracing.

Level Five: Masking Five: The Character now gains +5 to Masking the presence of their magic when casting versus Tracing.

Note: Masking is, for want of another word, Spell Stealth, and Tracing is Spell Tracking. They work directly opposite the other, with ties, as per usual going in favour of the defender (the Spell Caster). There is no reason Masking and Tracing cannot be taken above level five, if the player is happy to spend the Experience Points in the ability.

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