Introduction

The Grimoire of Metaphysics is a compilation of the metaphysical abilities within Spectrum. These abilities, called manifestations, answer the question “To what extent does the character access the supernatural?”. The Grimoire explains the codified effects of manifestations, which may be rooted in sources such as magic, psionics, contracts with eldritch beings, esoteric energy fields, mutations, superpowers, or something else entirely that defies even these “mundane” conventions. 

For ease of reference, the Grimoire groups manifestations into trees which represent the tiered progression into the various categories of metaphysical effects. The rules governing manifestations, and their arrangement in the Grimoire, are intended to remain consistent no matter their nature within the Story. However, that’s not to say that’s the only way it can be done. Choosing metas a la carte allows for a considerable amount of versatility for players, which lends itself well to the traditional dungeon crawler-type adventure. Alternatively, feel free to make custom trees by swapping out metas of an equivalent tier from another tree. Whatever lends itself best to the story you’re trying to tell.  

Anatomy of a Manifestation 

Name: The name of the meta.

Tier: Where the meta is located within the meta tree. The higher the tier, the more powerful the meta, and the more expensive it is to learn. 

Type: Determines how the meta is invoked. Types include: Instant, Maintained, Ritual, Rune, Imbue, and Wall / Barrier. 

Range: The total distance the wielder can target away from themselves when invoking a meta. The range is typically augmented by the power used when invoking the meta. Some long-range metas will have a range multiplier, such as Power x 2 meters, which effectively doubles the targeting range. For example, if the wielder channeled 10 power into the meta, they could target a location, creature, or object within 20 meters of the wielder’s current position.

Alternatively, certain metas do not have any range increment but are either touch-based, where the wielder must touch the target to invoke the meta or the point of origin of the manifestation is the wielder herself.

AoE: The Area of Effect determines how large of an area is affected by the meta when it is invoked. Metas that only affect a single target or the wielder are listed as Self or Target. Other metas have a wider area of effect and are represented as a radius. The size of the affected radius is either static or will scale with power. Additionally, some metas will have a different area of effect, such as an arc or a combination of dimensions. 

Description: A description of the meta’s effect. Typically speaking, the description is merely that of the meta’s function. The style in which the meta is invoked and the overall visual effect is stylistic and left to the wielder’s imagination. 

Anatomy of a Meta Tree

The meta tree represents a character’s progression of power with a specific type of metaphysical power. As the character’s power increases, so too does their mastery over a chosen element or sphere. The meta trees are represented as an omnidirectional flow chart rather than a top-down, meaning the character may choose to go down one side of the meta tree, and then up the other side. The only prerequisite to learning a new meta is that the character must know at least one adjacent meta in the tree. When a character starts a new meta tree they must begin with the tier 1 manifestation (the topmost meta) and may choose how they progress from there. 

Meta trees are divided into tiers, with the topmost row being tier one, the second row being tier two and so on down to the 9th row. Below the 9th row, what would be the 10th tier, is the culmination of that tree’s power, the Ultimate manifestation. 

Unlike the other manifestations, the Ultimate power does not have an XP cost to learn, but instead requires the character to have complete mastery over the rest of the tree; namely, they need to learn all of the other metas before they can unlock the Ultimate meta.

Metaphysical Effects

Some manifestations have persistent effects after the meta has been invoked. While each meta differs in the actual effect, the structure of the meta is the same and follows the same set of rules. For example, Imbue Fire and Imbue Charge both impart very different elemental effects, but the overall function is the same. 

Imbuement

Imbuement represents a wielder’s ability to infuse metaphysical energy into themselves or an object, bestowing an ongoing effect while the manifestation is maintained. 

When invoking a meta with Imbue, the wielder chooses one of the following effects: 

• Self: The wielder charges their own body with the power of the manifestation, adding damage equal to manifestation power to the damage of their unarmed strikes as well as any additional effects from the manifestation. 
• Imbue Weapon: The wielder infuses a weapon, adding damage equal to the power of the manifestation to the weapon’s normal damage, as well as imparting any other effects from the meta. Imbuing a ranged weapon imparts the effect on any ammo launched or fired from the Imbued weapon. 
• Aura: The wielder creates an aura around themselves or the target that either increases the target’s defensive or offensive capabilities per the manifestation description. The aura extends 0.5 meters from the caster.

When the wielder chooses to imbue an object or bestow an aura, they must touch the target to initiate the manifestation. Once the manifestation is successfully invoked, the effects persist for as long as the manifestation is maintained, regardless of proximity to the wielder. 

Runes

A Rune is metaphysical power stored within an object or surface with varying effects. When invoking a rune, the user follows the same steps as manifesting a maintained meta. They choose how much power to put into the effect and they must resolve the appropriate amount of backlash. Infusing an object or surface with a Rune is a Simple action, just like a maintained or instant manifestation. 

Unlike maintained and instant metas, however, Runes operate on a latent effect, generally detonated by a triggering condition as created by the wielder when invoking the power. 

Creating a Rune

In order to create the rune the wielder must be able to touch the object or surface they wish to affix the rune to. When creating the rune, the player may choose how the physical markings of the Rune appear. For example, a Flame rune might appear as a bit of ash smudged in the shape of the elemental symbol for fire. Likewise, a blasting rune might pulse a dull red, glowing faster and brighter as the countdown approaches zero. 

Regardless of the physical description, all runes leave a subtle yet visible marker. Characters may make a search roll vs. the power of the Rune. If the character scores more Goal Points than the rune’s power, they are able to discern the rune’s location but not its effect. Conversely, runes shine brightly when viewed by any sort of metaphysical effect that can detect metaphysical energies, such as True Sight or Detect Mana.

When the wielder creates a rune using a learned rune manifestation, they may choose to imbue the manifestation onto a solid surface or an object. As such, the runes can be considered in one of the following two fashions: 

• Fixed: The wielder creates the rune on a solid surface such as a floor, wall, or ceiling. 
  • For example, a wielder may choose to lay a trap for an unwary target by leaving an incendiary rune on the wall, just around the corner from where the target is approaching. Once the target rounds the corner, the rune is activated, treating the unwary follower to a face full of burning flames. 
• Unfixed: The wielder creates the rune on a discrete object, which can then be placed, rolled, dropped, or lobbed at a target. 
  • For example, the wielder is attempting to target enemies behind cover but lacks the necessary line of sight to cast against the enemy. Instead, they imbue a small rock with an Electric rune and toss it over the wall. After making a successful throw check, the imbued stone lands in the middle of the enemy party with a burst of shocking energy, dealing damage to each target within 3 meters of the manifestation, per the manifestation description. 

Once the Rune has been successfully invoked, the manifestation is maintainable, regardless of proximity to the wielder. 

The wielder also has the option to create a persistent Rune by spending 2 kismet. If invoked in this way, the Rune manifestation does not need to be maintained by the wielder but instead will persist until disarmed or the triggering condition is met. However, the wielder also loses control over the rune in that they may no longer choose to activate or dismiss it as they would a maintained manifestation and may only be removed if dispelled using metaphysical effects, destroyed, or activated. 

A wielder may only create 1 rune of any type, regardless of whether they choose to maintain the manifestation or spend Kismet to make the effect persistent—subsequent castings of the same rune manifestation will dispel the previous rune.

However, it is possible to stack runes of different effects/elements, such as a gravity rune and a necrotic rune, slowing down enemy movement while also limiting their ability to heal.

Arming and Disarming a Rune 

After a rune has been created, it remains inert until it is armed. A rune can be armed as a simple action, regardless of its proximity to the wielder. While maintaining the manifestation, the wielder may, as a simple action, disarm the rune they created, regardless of proximity. However, if they’ve chosen to make the effect persistent, they no longer have control of the rune and will have to disable it through other means. 

Triggering Conditions

When casting a rune manifestation, the wielder must determine how the manifestation will be detonated. The wielder may only set 1 triggering condition per rune. The following are possible trigger conditions: 

• Proximity: A creature enters into the proximity of the rune (as described by the manifestation), and the rune is activated. 
• Time: A rune is set to go off after a certain amount of time and can be expressed in seconds, minutes, hours, days, or even longer, assuming the wielder is willing to maintain the manifestation for that long.  
• Conditional: Condition changes are linked, most often, to changes in the environment, such as a door being opened, being exposed to water light, or until a creature attempts to dispel or destroy the rune. 
• Activation: The wielder simply decides to activate the rune and may do so as a concurrent action.

This is not an exhaustive list of triggering conditions, and players are encouraged to find creative ways to deploy runes. All triggering conditions are subject to the narrator’s discretion. 

Destroying Runes

If the rune is detected, whether from a perception check, a metaphysical effect, or some other means, it can be destroyed or dispelled. Runes have integrity and durability ratings equal to the manifestation power used to create them. A destroyed rune does not detonate; it simply becomes inert. Runes can be destroyed by destroying the object they’re affixed to or by metaphysical means such as Disruption or Dispel Mana. 

Walls and Barriers

Some Metaphysical trees allow a wielder to create a wall or barrier. A Wall is made of a physical element, such as stone, while a barrier is made up of energy, such as fire. 

The wielder can create a 3×3 meter section of wall up to 1 meter thick per point of power they channel into the manifestation. The wall or barrier retains the same protective/durability/conditions as though it were 1 meter thick, regardless of its actual thickness. This may be configured however they wish with the following stipulations:

• The wall or barrier is a straight line. 
• The wall or barrier cannot displace or destroy large objects or permanent structures. Instead, the wall joins seamlessly to the surface of these obstacles. 
• The wall’s dimensions cannot exceed its natural confines. For example, a wielder may be able to seal off an entire cave tunnel, but they could not exceed the walls, ceiling, or floor of the cave, regardless of power. 

Walls and barriers are not inherently offensive manifestations. When attempting to create a wall in an occupied space, any creatures in that space may choose which side of the wall they are on. 

Visibility through walls and barriers varies, depending on the element it’s composed of. 

Because walls are made of a physical material, the wielder may opt to make a wall permanent with a Kismet cost equal to the power of the manifestation. After the wall has been made permanent, the manifestation ends and the wall is no longer considered metaphysical.

While barriers cannot be made permanent, they can be moved up to 2 meters as a concurrent action. Barriers may be moved over creatures, who must pass a Reflex save or be subjected to the wall’s effects. 

Barriers only affect objects or creatures that go into or pass through the barrier. For example, a flame wall conjured inside a building would not scorch the walls, ceiling, or floor, let alone catch the room on fire. However, if a crate were thrown through the barrier, it could catch fire. 

Once a wall or barrier has been cast, the wielder may not alter its dimensions. They may cast the manifestation a second time to add on to the first wall, change the dimensions of the existing wall, or add to the existing wall. 

Metaphysical Items

Metaphysical tools are items or gear that are infused with a persistent metaphysical effect that can augment a wielder’s powers or allow a mundane character access to metaphysical power despite their inability to wield it normally.

There are three primary aspects that make up a metaphysical item:

Focus (Foci)

A focus is a metaphysical item infused with the power of a specific manifestation, allowing the user to wield and invoke the manifestation as if they knew it. 

For example, a Pyromancer with a ring of Ice Armor could invoke the Ice Armor manifestation despite not knowing any other metas in the Water tree. 

Battery

A metaphysical battery is an item infused with raw power that heightens the user’s power rating when invoking a manifestation. The user adds the full power of the battery to any meta they invoke. 

For example, a necklace with a battery of 10 would add 10 power to every meta the wearer invokes (and also increases the amount of backlash the wearer must contend with.) 

Note, the added power is static, meaning that full amount of power is always added when invoking, but the wearer can choose how much of their own power they add to the effect. 

Conduit

A metaphysical conduit is an item infused with the ability to absorb backlash unmitigated backlash damage from invoking. A conduit absorbs any unmitigated backlash damage, up to the total rating of the conduit. 

For example, the character has a conduit with a rating of 7 and invokes a meta at power 10, but flubs the Aegis roll to mitigate the incoming backlash. The conduit absorbs 7 of the 10 backlash damage, leaving the wielder with 3 remaining damage to their Will Points. 

Note, once a conduit has reached full capacity, it cannot absorb any further backlash until it has been purged. Purging backlash from a conduit is a simple action and cannot be mitigated by making an Aegis roll. The incoming backlash damage can, however, be mitigated by other metaphysical means. 

A metaphysical item can be infused with one, two, or even all three of these effects. For example, a ring could be infused with both a Focus and a Battery, meaning the wearer could invoke the manifestation and add the banked power to the effect whenever they invoke the manifestation. 

Given the three primary aspects of a metaphysical item, there are 7 possible combinations:

Single: Focus, Battery, Conduit.

Double: Focus + Battery, Focus + Conduit, Battery + Conduit.

Triple: Focus + Battery + Conduit. 

Focus + Battery 

A metaphysical item that contains the knowledge of the manifestation and increases the power of that manifestation when invoked. The wielder can add some or none of their own power when invoking the effect but must contend with backlash equal to the total amount of power used. 

For example, a wand of Firebolt with a battery rating of 10 would allow the wielder to invoke the Firebolt manifestation as if they knew it and adds an additional 10 power every time they invoke a Firebolt. If the user channeled 10 power, the wand would add an additional 10 for a total of 20, leaving the wielder with a total backlash of 20 to contend with. 

Focus + Conduit

A metaphysical item that contains the knowledge of the manifestation and absorbs any unmitigated backlash damage when invoked. The wielder must rely on their own power rating when invoking the item. 

For example, a pair of bracers infused with Neptune’s Strength and a conduit of 20 would allow the wearer to invoke the Neptune’s Strength manifestation and would automatically absorb up to 20 unmitigated backlash damage. 

Battery + Conduit

A metaphysical item that increases the power of a manifestation and absorbs up to a set amount of unmitigated backlash when invoked. However, the wielder may only invoke metas they themselves know. 

For example, a magical rubber ducky with a battery and conduit rating of 10 and 15, respectively, would add 10 power and absorb up to 15 backlash damage anytime the user invokes a manifestation they already know. 

Focus + Battery + Conduit

A metaphysical item comprising all three aspects. These tend to be the rarest of the metaphysical items as they are the only metaphysical items that can be used by mundane characters. 

The power of these items are either passive, or active. A passive effect is one that requires no action from the character to activate the manifestation other than using the item. For example, a cloak that makes the wearer invisible just by putting it over their shoulders would be considered a passive effect. 

An active effect is one that requires some form of activation in order for the manifestation to work. For example, a pair of boots imbued with the Fix Gravity manifestation that requires the wearer to click the heels together for the effect to activate. 

Attunement

Some metaphysical items may only be used by a wielder who is attuned to that item. In order to attune to an item, a wielder must tether their metaphysical energy to the item, spending power equal to the attunement rating of the item. While attuned to an item the character’s power is held in the same way as maintaining a manifestation for the purposes of determining available casting power and total backlash when casting. This power is returned when the wielder is no longer attuned to the item. A wielder may drop attunement to an item as a concurrent action.