SpiralWorlds Player’s Manual · Character Creation
Starting Spells & Spellcasting
Cantrips · prepared spells · spellbooks · spell slots · spellcasting ability
Only characters with a spellcasting feature need to complete this chapter at character creation. Start with the exact spellcasting rules in your class. Do not assume that every caster knows spells, prepares spells or owns a spellbook in the same way.
Rules procedure
Finish spellcasting using your edition
D&D 5.5e / 2024
Use the Spellcasting or Pact Magic feature in your class. The class table tells you how many cantrips, prepared spells and spell slots you have at the current class level.
| Level-1 class | Cantrips | Prepared level-1+ spells | Level-1 slots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bard | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Cleric | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Druid | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Paladin | — | 2 | 2 |
| Ranger | — | 2 | 2 |
| Sorcerer | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Warlock | 2 | 2 | 1 Pact Magic slot |
| Wizard | 3 | 4 from spellbook | 2 |
Wizard spellbook. A level-1 2024 Wizard starts with six level-1 Wizard spells in the spellbook, not the PF1e/3.5e “all 0-level + three + Intelligence bonus” formula. The Wizard separately knows 3 cantrips and prepares 4 level-1+ spells at level 1. Each later Wizard level normally adds two eligible Wizard spells to the spellbook.
Prepared does not always mean daily full-list preparation. Follow the individual 2024 class feature. Different classes have different rules for adding and replacing prepared spells. For example, Ranger starts by choosing two level-1 Ranger spells and can replace one after a Long Rest; Hunter’s Mark from Favored Enemy is always prepared and does not count against that prepared-spell number.
Spellcasting ability. Record the ability named by the class, then calculate spell attack modifier = spellcasting ability modifier + Proficiency Bonus and spell save DC = 8 + spellcasting ability modifier + Proficiency Bonus.
Components and focus. Record a spellcasting focus, component pouch or other required item if the class/equipment choices provide or require one, and read each spell’s components.
Pathfinder 1e
PF1e spellcasting depends on class. Use the class table for spells per day, spells known where applicable, spellcasting ability, and the level at which the class begins casting.
Wizard. The old rule previously printed on this page belongs here: a PF1e Wizard begins with a spellbook containing all 0-level Wizard spells except prohibited schools, plus three 1st-level Wizard spells of choice, plus one additional 1st-level spell for each point of Intelligence bonus. The Wizard prepares spells from the spellbook and gains two new eligible spells in the book at each new Wizard level.
Sorcerer and Bard. These classes use limited spells-known progression rather than a Wizard spellbook.
Cleric and Druid. These classes prepare spells from their class lists under their class rules; Cleric domains and other class features can add or modify available spells.
Paladin and Ranger. Standard PF1e versions do not begin ordinary spellcasting at level 1; use their class progression rather than copying the 2024 level-1 spellcasting feature.
Other classes. Witch, Oracle, Summoner, Inquisitor, Magus and other PF1e classes have their own spell-acquisition/preparation rules. Use the actual class entry.
High spellcasting ability scores can grant PF1e bonus spells per day where the rules provide them. Do not apply the 2024 fixed “Prepared Spells” columns to PF1e.
D&D 3.5e
D&D 3.5e uses the class’s own spells-per-day, spells-known and preparation rules.
Wizard. A 3.5e Wizard begins with all 0-level Wizard spells except those prohibited by school specialisation, plus three 1st-level Wizard spells of choice, plus one additional 1st-level spell for each point of Intelligence bonus. The Wizard prepares from the spellbook and gains two eligible Wizard spells at each new Wizard level.
Sorcerer. A level-1 3.5e Sorcerer begins knowing four 0-level spells and two 1st-level spells; Charisma does not increase the number of spells known, though it can affect bonus spells per day.
Cleric and Druid. Prepare spells under their class rules rather than using a Wizard spellbook or Sorcerer spells-known table.
Paladin and Ranger. Standard 3.5e Paladins and Rangers do not begin ordinary spellcasting at level 1. Follow the class table for when spellcasting starts.
Choosing useful starting magic
Cover more than one kind of problem
For a first spellcaster, avoid choosing every spell for the same situation. Within the limits of the class and edition, try to cover several jobs:
Read each chosen spell before play. Record range, casting time, duration, concentration where applicable, attack/save requirement, important components and any costly or consumed material component.
Magic in the setting
Know where the character learned it
Magic in SpiralWorlds can be learned through natural philosophy, universities, civic or court scholarship, guild/master-apprentice training, private circles and other established traditions, as well as through class-specific divine, occult, inherited or supernatural sources. Record the actual teacher, institution, patron, tradition, revelation or event that explains the character’s magic.
The rules system determines what the character can cast. The setting explains how that person came to know it.
Before play
Spellcasting checklist
- The class actually has spellcasting at the current level.
- The spellcasting ability is recorded.
- Cantrips/0-level spells use the correct edition rules.
- Prepared spells or spells known match the class table.
- Spell slots are recorded separately from spells prepared/known.
- A Wizard spellbook uses the correct edition’s starting rule.
- Spell attack modifier and spell save DC are recorded where the edition uses them.
- Required focus, component pouch or holy/druidic focus is carried where relevant.
- Every starting spell comes from a legal class/feature source.
- Legacy SpiralWorlds spell pages are not treated as automatic 5.5e options.
- The player has read the spells most likely to be cast in the first session.
- The character has an in-world source or tradition for the magic.
Sources and licensing
Rules sources
- D&D 2024 Basic Rules — Character Classes
- D&D 2024 Basic Rules — Spells
- Pathfinder 1e Core Rulebook — Classes
- d20 SRD — 3.5e Sorcerer & Wizard
SRD 5.2.1 attribution: This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.
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