This submission is an extention upon the already excellent post by Ancient Gamer on Dangers of Magic use.

In this submission I am categorizing magic into six distinct levels:

Cantrip
Low
Medium
High
Mythic
Divine (Not necessarily Clerical magic, but of major world-altering power. Normally beyond the ken of mortal casters.)

The level of magic used when the miscast occurs will dictate the radius of the area the rift will affect. Some suggestions:

Cantrip - 5’
Low Level - 20’
Medium Level - 500’
High Level - 1 Mile
Mythic Level - 10 Mile
Divine - Entire nation

Now, one can have variences on this depending on the effect.
A particular effect can be reduced in intensity and spread over a larger area, or effect fewer victims then the radius would suggest.

Effects

1 - Undead Summoning

Undead are drawn to the area, possibily being brought through the rift.
See Remaking the Undead for sample undead to use.
Type and number should be selected to provide a challenge based on the level of magic used to create the rift. Threat level for High level or higher should be extreme - Divine should be campaign-altering in intensity. In the case of Cantrips, the undead should be little more then a troublesome spirit which might knock over a few things or give someone a scare.

2 - Curses

Dark energy from the rift will cause 1 or more beings to become cursed. The number of victims, and intensity of the curse will of course increase as the level of magic increases. See Curses (Manfred’s) or 30 Curses (Mine, some duplication) for ideas on curses. Deadly curses are likely for High Level, Mythic and of course Divine. For Cantrip-level, only one victim should be affected, and the curse should last no longer then an hour.

3 - Slaying

Only an option for High level spells and with a reduced radius. I can’t see spells of lower power having this effect.

The Black essence element merges with the surroundings. Life is snuffed out of everyone and everything within the area, leaving only dried corpses and dead trees.(AG)

4 - Slaying + Raising Undead

Local creatures (starting with insects at cantrip level, to all higher animals at Divine) are slain and raised as simple undead. The number effected, and the size of the creature increases as the power level increases. (EM - variant on Sparrows turned into little pheonixs). Intelligant creatures are not subject to this effect.

5 - Cloud of Doom (AG)

Terrible Smell
Nausating Smell
Choking
Poisonous
Corrosive
Accellerated Entrophy (All things aged and withered)

Noxious fumes fill the area, with the effect varying from a simple terrible odor, poisonous/choking, up to a withering, accellerated aging of all things.

Cantrips

1 - Caster or other subject in immediate area of rift develop terrible breath as if their teeth were rotting.(ST)

2 - Hot wind blows through the rift. It has the vile stench of rot and decay.(AG)

3 - 1d10 Tiny lifeforms (toads, small birds, insects) are slain and arise as small undead. (EM - variant on Sparrows turned into little pheonixs).

4 - All forms of small creatures are greatly disturbed and surge forth from hiding. Worms and other insects emerge from hiding and skitter all over the ground. Larger creatures are spooked and flee.

5 - A weak potreguiest is summoned and will attempt raise havok for the caster for a short period of time before returning to were it came from. (SM)

6 - All fires in the immediate areas become green and sickly in color. Smoke becomes acrid and sulferous.

7 - 1d10 local small creatures undergoes mutation - two heads, extra limbs, odd skin (feathers instead of fur, etc).

8 - All drinking water carried by the PC’s acquires a terrible taste. Water is still drinkable - if the flavor can be ignored.

9 - One PC in immediate area has shadow ‘altered’. Effect may be shadow larger then appropriate for current lighting, moves differently then the affected PC, may appear with different outline - extra horns, wings, etc. Effect is temporary and limited to local area.

10 - A tree or large bush drops all of it’s leaves.

10 - Roll on Low Table instead


Low Level

1 -1d10 Small lifeforms (Rabbits, large birds, etc) slain and arise as undead. (EM)

2 - 1d4 livestock experience stillbirth (if pregnant) within 4 miles of rift.

3 - Outbreak of minor contageous disease in nearest population center.

8 - One randomly selected PC is afflicted with a minor curse. See 30 Curses or Curses by Manfred for ideas.

9 - Roll twice on Cantrip level or once magnifing the effect.

10 - Roll on Medium Table instead

Medium Level

Misfortune clings to any who pass through or linger in the area for a day or two. (ST)

1d10 Medium sized lifeforms (Wolves, Deer) slain and arise as undead. (EM)

-Local plants withers. The area becomes barren, shunned by animals, for as long the rift exists. (AG)

Outbreak of major contageous disease in nearest population center.

8 - 1d4 PCs present are afflicted with Curses.

9 - Incorporeal undead of sufficent power to pose a moderate thread brought forward.(SM)

10 - Roll on High Level table instead

High Level

Large sized lifeforms (Moose, Wild Boars, Bears, etc) slain and arise as undead. (EM)

Outbreak of deadly contageous disease in nearest population center.

8 - All PCs present are afflicted with Curses

9 - Incorporeal undead of sufficent power to pose a deadly thread brought forward.(SM)

10 - Roll on Mythic table instead

Mythic

-A sinister fog rolls out of the rift and envelopes everything. All the nature as well as buildings and living beings are aged. (Buildings decay, trees grow, mountains erode and men age)(AG)

Huge outbreak of deadly highly contageous disease in nearest population center.

9 - Incorporeal undead of sufficent power to pose a desperate threat brought forward.(SM)

10 - Roll on Divine table instead

Divine

9 -The Black essence element merges with the surroundings. Life is snuffed out of everyone and everything within the area, leaving only dried corpses and dead trees.(AG)

10 - Undead of sufficent power and number to pose a campaign-changing threat brought forward. Night of the living dead, anyone?(SM)

References

Of course, AG’s initial sub - The Dangerous Aspects of Using Magic. Entries by AG denoted by ... AG
Entries by (or inspired by) Captain Penguin - CP
Entries by (or inspired by) EchoMirage - EM
Entries by (or inspired by) Strolen - ST
Entries by (or inspired by) Scrasamax - SM

In some cases (Strolen) I have reversed his suggestions to provide the Dark Side versions.

-Caster’s footprints leave areas of sudden growth and life.
-Breathe is life giving for a little while. Blowing on plants accelerate’s growth etc.

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