WAR Cantrip Policy 2007

Goal:

The Cantrip Playtest (V4.1) has been in use by WAR for the past two years, and in that time we have found that the rules that govern Cantrips are not clear. These vagaries can lead to unintentional abuse of the system. Due to the power of Cantrips, abuse of the system can impact the game greatly. WAR policy on Cantrips will be used at all WAR events to simplify all the rule questions pertaining to Cantrips.

Cantrip Tome:

Ø By the rules of Cantrips, the Cantrip Tome must be larger than the standard spell book. As such, during check-in, a player must get their Cantrip Tome phys rep approved. By the rules, they must be at least 6”x4” in dimensions, and should fit in-period. Notebooks with spiral binding or anachronistic phys reps will not be permitted.

Ø If a character using Cantrips and upon Spot Check is not found to have a pre-approved phys rep, they will receive disciplinary action no less than a written warning.

Cantrips as Casting:

Ø For all intents and purposes, casting Cantrips will follow the same rules for casting spells, IN ADDITION to the rules included in the Cantrips package. As such, the following are necessary in order to cast a Cantrip:

o At least one hand must be free (CANNOT HOLD AN ITEM)

o A packet must be held in the free hand

o The packet must be touching the target (usually self)

o The caster must say the incantation for the Cantrip

Ø These rules are in addition to the rules, which state that you must not take body damage or use any skills between the start of the Cantrip and the breaking of the components

Ø Once a Cantrip incant is started, the Cantrip power and the components required are consumed. If the Cantrip is interrupted in any way during this casting, the level of formal for the Cantrip will be exhausted and the components will still be used up.

Ø For Cantrips with extended durations for casting until used (Healing/Defiling Pool, Element’s Fury), each individual use will count as an individual spell, and follow all rules for casting and can be interrupted as if casting a spell. If interrupted, it only blows that use of the skill, and does not stop the overall Cantrip.

Cantrip Durations and Limited Reset:

Ø Even though we do all of our logistics at the beginning of the event, Cantrips with the duration ‘Day’, will still lose their effect upon the standard production Re-up time (6:00 PM). Thus, any ‘Day’ Cantrips not used up at that time (Contingency, Healing/Defiling Pool, Element’s Fury, Armored to Magic, Eldritch Bless/Shield) will have to be recast with the next day’s Cantrip levels.

Ø Since Formal Magic is a production skill not affected by Limited Reset, Cantrips WILL NOT be restored at the limited reset time (6:00 AM).

Cantrip Marshaling:

Ø Since many Cantrips use components, the system must be monitored to identify what components are being used for what Cantrips. This is done to prevent abuse, as well as to get an idea of the effect of Cantrips on the components put into game. All characters must tear their components as part of the Cantrip, and hand them to a marshal at the next available time. For example, if during a field battle a new healing pool is created, the component must be torn after the incant, and placed in the pocket. Then when the battle is over (or a hold is called with a marshal nearby), the player must approach that marshal and tell them what was cast, along with giving them the torn or broken components, as well as marking the Cantrips used on their sheet.

Ø Failure to break components at the time of casting, or breaking the components in front of the marshal will result in a failure of the Cantrip, and the components will still be consumed. If a marshal sees this reoccurring with the same player, that player can receive disciplinary action from the section below.

Ø Since Contingency and Armored to Magic add new protective effects to the game, these are particularly powerful. From past experience, these Cantrips are very easily abused. As such, these spells MUST be cast in front of a Cantrip Marshal at this time. Failure to do so can result in no less then a warning for the first offence, and possibly greater punishment for situations where the contingency could have greatly changed the battle.

Ø Current players capable of marshaling Cantrips are below. In addition, all members of a plot team are considered Cantrip Marshals, but they should only be used if no other Marshal can be found.

Mike Ennis Jennifer Janson Tim Saluga Dave Binder

Bill Tobin Don Weisal Scott Strohm Jay Rhodes

Tim Holt

Cantrip Errata:

Ø By spirit of the rules, since the two schools of Cantrips are meant to follow one another, an addendum must be made for the Bane/Boon the Dead Cantrip. This Cantrip will follow all the rules as for Boltstorm on what can interrupt the casting, including Speech.

Cantrip Rules:

Ø It is up to the player taking advantage of the Cantrip Playtest to know the rules. If a player is consistently using the wrong incants or breaking the wrong components, not only will the Cantrips fail, but they may receive disciplinary action as found below.

Ø It is suggested for players using the Cantrip playtest to carry a copy of the Cantrip rules with them (at least the ones that apply to them) as well as a copy of the WAR Cantrip Policy.

Disciplinary Action:

Ø In order to maintain a fun and fair environment, as well as allowing the majority to utilize this playtest without having it ruined by a minority of players, we have established individual rules for disciplining players. The Cantrip Marshals are permitted to give out verbal and written warnings, but an Owner or Plot member must decide upon any larger disciplinary action.

Ø Written warnings will remain on the character sheet for a period of 3 months where no disciplinary action is received. On any occasion where a player would receive a second written warning, it will immediately jump to a more severe penalty, which may include the following:

o Suspension of Cantrips for the event

o Suspension of Cantrips for a set period of time (no auto-rewrite allowed)

o Ban from using Cantrips (no auto-rewrite allowed)

o Suspension from WAR

If deemed necessary, more harsh penalties can be applied, but these will be of the owner’s discretion.