Using Magic

Magic at DrachenFest is a mix of mechanics and creative expression. Spellcasters—whether you’re a wizard, cleric, druid, necromancer, or something entirely unique—bring their magic to life through performance, storytelling, and roleplay.

Casting Spells

If you choose the "Spellcaster" role when building your character, you can select a number of spells from a list. To cast one of these spells, you must spend 15 seconds making noticeable magical gestures with at least one hand while chanting “magic words.” These could be incantations, prayers, songs, or phrases in any language—real or fictional. At the end of your performance, you clearly call out the spell’s name and apply its effect.

Spells do things like:

• Blind or silence your foes

• Hurl magical force

• Weaken enemies

• Heal the wounded

• Ward off danger

Casting is mentally exhausting—you can’t cast another spell for five minutes afterward (though you can still fight). The Magic Guild offers training that helps reduce this cooldown.

⚠️ Important Rule: You cannot cast spells while wearing metal armor, unless you're using a spell scroll—and anyone can use a scroll.

Magical Roleplay & Improvisation

Beyond mechanics, magic is a personalized experience. Your magical tradition is entirely up to you:

• A druid might draw chalk circles and whisper to leaves.

• A cleric might invoke their god with relics and incense.

• A scholar might chant spells from a book full of runes.

• A chaos mage might throw dice or burn sigils.

You’re encouraged to create your own magical theory and style—the more immersive, the better. Props, costumes, rituals, and magical “tools” help bring it to life. You’re also welcome to improvise magic that isn’t on the spell list (like reading a fortune or making someone foolishly courageous), and doesn't have any actual game mechanic - especially if it adds to the story. 

Ritual Magic

Rituals are large, dramatic group performances of magic that tap into powerful forces—especially at your camp’s Dragon Shrine or the Great Ritual Circle near the Bazaar.

• Shrine rituals are great for in-camp magic like blessings, cleansings, or healing ceremonies. They focus on roleplay effects and don’t need approval unless you want a mechanical result.

• Great Ritual Circle rituals are high-stakes, high-impact scenes that can affect other camps, shift storylines, or create new magical artifacts. These require coordination with the Magic Guild and often have a high cost (like a Dragon Egg).

Rituals are a powerful tool for telling big stories, involving many people, and expressing your camp’s magical identity.

Final Note

Magic at DrachenFest is as much about the story you create as it is about the rules you follow. The best spellcasters aren’t just powerful—they’re memorable.