Editing GURPS Magical Styles Fan Netbook (section)

=Empty Vessel    =

Cost:  10 points

Style Prerequisite: Will  13+, Magery, (not One College Only).

The Empty Vessel style is said to have been founded by a nameless philosopher who, in a fit of inspiration, realized that nothingness lies at the heart of reality, that everything is nothing, that substance is illusionary, and that change is only possible because everything is that which it is not. While this doctrine is impenetrable to outsiders, adepts of the Empty Vessel school use these doctrines as the foundation for their magic, while at the same time insisting that they are both true and false. Some are drawn to the school to find peace in emptiness, others to face up to darkness and hopelessness, and others for reasons that they themselves find impossible to express.

Required Skills: Meditation, Mental Strength, Thaumatology.

Required Spells: Counterspell, Detect Magic, Fear, Scryguard, Suspend Spell, Ward.

Perks: Afflicted Casting (Flagellant’s Blessing), Area Spell Mastery (Any), Blocking Spell Mastery (Any), Covenant of Rest, Elixir Resistance, Kill Switch, Limited Energy Reserve 1-5, Mana Compensation, No Gestures (Any), No Incantations (Any), Obscure True Name, Secret Mage, Secret Spell (Emptiness Swallows the Burning Sun, Running Water Washes the Rock, Shining Prince Kisses the Dust), Willful Casting.

Optional Traits

Attributes: Improved IQ.

Advantages: Autotrance, Longevity, Perfect Balance, Reputation (Disciplined Monk).

Disadvantages:  Absent-Mindedness, Laziness.

Skills: Hazardous Materials (Magical), Survival (Any), Symbol Drawing, Teaching.

The student of the Empty Vessel begins their studies at the level of Sleeper, requiring them to learn the following 6 spells.

Sleeper

Counterspell, Detect Magic, Fear, Scryguard, Suspend Spell, Ward.

A mage who has learned all 6 Sleeper spells becomes a Waker, entitling them to learn the following sixteen spells.

Waker

Darkness, Destroy Air, Forgetfulness, Gloom, Hide, Remove Contagion, Great Ward, Know Illusion, Recover Energy, Reflect, Resist Water, Terror, Scrywall, Seek Magic, Permanent Forgetfulness, Repel Animal.

A mage who learns 8 Waker spells becomes a Vessel of Flesh, entitling them to learn the following eleven spells.

Vessel of Flesh

Blackout, Blur, Destroy Water, Resist Disease, Resist Fire, Resist Pain, Resist Poison, Scryfool, Shape Darkness, Turn Spirit, Devitalize Air.

A mage who learns 6 of the above spells becomes a Vessel of Clay, entitling them to learn the following twenty spells.

Vessel of Clay

Banish, Body of Shadow, Dispel Illusion, Dispel Possession, Displace Spell, Enchant, Find Weakness, Magic Resistance, Pentagram, Resist Acid, Resist Cold, Resist Lightning, Resist Sound, Rune, Shatter, Spell Shield, Spell Wall, Suspend Magic, Turn Zombie, Weaken.

A mage who learns 8 of the above spells becomes a Zephyr of Dust, entitling them to learn the following thirteen spells.

Zephyr of Dust

Avoid, Delay, Dispel Creation, Dispel Magic, Insignificance, Remove Aura, Remove Curse, Remove Enchantment, Repel Spirits, Resist Enchantment, Spellguard, Suspend Curse, Suspend Mana.

A mage who learns 7 of the above spells becomes an Eye of the Void, entitling them to learn the following 9 spells.

Eye of the Void

Disintegrate, Emptiness Swallows the Burning Sun, Hang Spell, Link, Maintain Spell, Reflex, Running Water Washes the Rock, Shining God Kisses the Dust, Suspend Magery.


Secret Spell: Emptiness Swallows the Burning Sun (VH)    Regular

The caster subdues their own ego to the point that it is difficult for supernatural effects directed at their mind or soul to find their target.  This includes all Communication and Empathy and Mind Control spells, Necromantic spells that target the mind or soul, and Knowledge spells that target the caster as a person (as opposed to their body), as well as other powers with similar effects.  Such effects target the caster at -3 to skill, -4 if the caster knows Emptiness Swallows the Burning Sun at 15+, -5 if they know it at 20+.  These penalties apply regardless of whether the caster wishes them to or not.

Duration:  Until the caster sleeps.

Cost:  2

Casting Time:  10 minutes.


Secret Spell:  Running Water Washes the Rock (VH)    Regular

This spell functions exactly like Ethereal Body except where noted.  The subject must be the caster.  While non-physical, the caster uses magic at -3 to skill, rather than -5.

Duration:  30 seconds.

Cost:  10 to cast, 5 to maintain.

Time to Cast:  1 minute.


Secret Spell:  Shining Prince Kisses the Dust (VH)    Regular, Special Resistance

The caster takes a good look at themselves and is overcome with humility.  Except where noted, this spell functions like the Insignificance spell in GURPS Magic p.48.

Duration:  Twelve hours or until the mage speaks, whichever comes first.

Cost:  6 to cast, 2 to maintain.

Time to Cast:  10 minutes.