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Magic Lore

Academics
Reasoning
Self Discipline
Memory

Short Description

Expertise in magical theory, spells, rituals, and magical artifacts, enabling a character to identify magic effects, understand magical systems, and uncover ancient or forbidden spells.

Success Criteria

Effects

Modifiers and Restrictions

Action Examples

Teach new categories of spells to others or learn from them. DR = 150 under optimal conditions (for each day of dedicated study gain a +10 bonus to this roll up to a max of your total bonus in this skill).

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Situation: Your group uncovers a crystalline gauntlet etched with ancient glyphs. Action: Use Magic Lore to assess its power source, origin, and potential use or danger. Roll vs DR 80+ depending on the obscurity of the itam: On success, you learn its properties, command phrases, and risks, possibly unlocking a spell bonus or resistance trait for the wearer

Long Description

Magic Lore represents advanced knowledge of magical theory, rituals, spellcasting traditions, and the nature of magical artifacts. It is useful in any situation involving the identification of magical effects, the evaluation of enchanted items, or the unraveling of ancient or forbidden spells.

Characters with Magic Lore can teach or learn new spell categories through extended study, and they often serve as magical scholars or arcane advisors. This skill is particularly valuable when working alongside Identify Item, Recognize Spell Category, or Spellcraft, and it synergizes well with roles focused on magical insight or complex spell preparation.

Sequencing

Potential Counters

How to use this page

All the information above is intended as a guide to help you navigate the many situations that can arise during your game. Since it's both impossible—and frankly uninspiring—to plan for every possible outcome, players are encouraged to think creatively when using their skills. Game Masters, in turn, are encouraged to embrace and support that creativity.

Whenever possible, aim to resolve situations through narrative choices, logical thinking and role playing. If that’s not feasible, agree on a Difficulty Rating (DR) using the provided Success Criteria and Modifiers. These are not rigid rules, but suggestions - starting points to help you find the right level of challenge. The player describes their intended action, and the Game Master proposes a DR. This should be open to brief discussion at the table, ideally resulting in consensus. If not, the Game Master has the final say.

It’s important to emphasize that all suggested effects, modifiers, and action examples are exactly that: suggestions. If you’re unsure how to resolve something, they offer a reliable fallback—but wherever possible, we encourage you to push boundaries. That’s where some of the most memorable and exciting moments in play are born.

Sequencing and Potential Counters are far from exhaustive. With hundreds of skills, spells, and tech modules in the game, the possibilities are too vast to list. You’re encouraged to explore combinations that make sense in your story and setting and in the situations that arise in your game. Sequencing and countering are core to Cosmic Odyssey - they’re where strategic depth meets dramatic flair, and where legendary moments often take shape. Even if no sequencing and counters are mentioned, some certainly exists and can be smartly utilized.

So explore boldly, improvise wisely, and enjoy the game as it unfolds around your choices.