Defining the Effects of a New School

To begin the design of a new school, the DM must first define the type of effects it produces. Any definition is likely to be vague. But at this stage, it should be. Unlike the intentionally specific priestly sphere, a wizardly school must be general enough to accommodate a large variety of spells.

Use the steps that follow.

1. Choose one type of channelled magical energy from the four categories described above: Transformation, Creation, Requisitioning, or Paranaturalism. If you know what type of school you plan to design, the choice of category probably will be obvious. If you do not yet have any ideas about your school, pick any of the categories-- it's a good place to start. (If your choice of categories seems less appropriate as your school develops, you can always pick another.)

2. Define what specific type of effects these channelled energies will produce. If it is a Transformation school, what types of things or conditions will be transformed? If it is a Paranaturalism school, what type of paranatural energies or forces will be involved.

3. Ensure that the definition of the new school does not resemble the definitions of existing schools too closely. Compare them with the school descriptions in Chapter 1.

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