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🔥 Spellcasting Backlash Table

Trigger: Dismal Failure, or exceeding Burn Cap.
Roll 1d12 (or choose appropriate tier).

🌑 Minor Backlash (1–4)

Small but immediate price; inconvenient, not lethal.

  1. Arcane Feedback — lose 1 extra Mana immediately (or at the start of next round if already empty).
  2. Sensory Overload — blinded or deafened for 1 round. See Conditions.
  3. Magical Exhaustion — -2 penalty to next roll (fatigue, nausea, tremors).
  4. Elemental Spark — harmless flare: sparks, gusts, frost flash, singe. Reveals position or damages small items.

🌒 Moderate Backlash (5–8)

Noticeable harm; spellcasters fear these.

  1. Wound Burn — take 1 additional Wound. See Damage & Healing.
  2. Arcane Scar — visible mark (glowing veins, frostbite, burned skin) until healed.
  3. Unleashed Surge — uncontrolled version of spell (wrong target, too big/small, collateral damage).
  4. Psychic Recoil — stunned for 1 round; next spell costs +2 Mana. See Conditions.

🌕 Severe Backlash (9–11)

Serious consequences; can end a fight.

  1. Essence Drain — lose 1 permanent Mana capacity until rested or recovered.
  2. Dragon's Attention (optional reskin for Kaernest) — magic resonates with tyrant dragons' dominion; risk of drawing notice.
  3. Backlash Explosion — localized blast: caster + allies within 10 ft take 1 Wound.

🌘 Catastrophic Backlash (12)

Setting-shaking events. Rare, but unforgettable.

  1. Burnt Out Soul — caster is incapacitated, gains 1 permanent scar, and the land around them is scarred by raw magic (withered plants, scorched earth, black frost). GM decides long-term fallout.

âš– Usage

  • Dismal Failure (miss DC by 5+): Roll once.
  • Exceed Burn Cap by 2+: Roll with +2.
  • Critical Mishap (snake eyes on 2d12): Roll twice, apply both results.