Now that the Reign magic rules are out it would be handy enough, though time consuming, to go through the D&D spell lists converting spells over. However, I'd prefer a more dynamic magic system (which also spares me mass conversion ). With that in mind, and the expanded rules for Reign magic in hand, I've been thinking about how to convert it to a more dynamic system.

The basic idea I had was that instead of spending character creation or xp points on individual spells you spend them on an "Intensity pool" which you can then draw spells from during a set period of time before it resets itself.

The xp/character point cost for the pool would be based on the multiple spell cost listed in the main rulebook. But with no upper limit, or possibly a limit of the characters Sorcery skill x 10 or x X.

Then whenever a spellcaster wanted to create a spell he would throw it together with the spell creation system from Supplement 3 and dedicate a number of points from his Intensity pool equal to the Intensity of the spell.

This would allow him to cast that spell as many times as he wished until such a point as his Intensity pool reset and the points dedicated to that spell were freed.

The creation of a spell doesn’t cost an action as its done at a metagame level.

An example: Peng Tong the Reviled, Magus extraordinaire, has being accosted on his way home by a score of suicidally dissatisfied customers. Peng Tong the Reviled has an Intensity pool of 10 points, which cost 5 character creation points.

As he hasn't cast a spell so far today all 10 Intensity points are available. Seeking a quick end to the incident Peng Tong decides to unleash "Peng Tong's Pernicious Projectile", his trademark crowd killer.

So quickly putting the spell together we first select "Target". 20 Targets cost's us +4 Intensity. Its a Direct Damage effect of Width Killing, which costs +1 Intensity. The Duration is Instant so that’s +0. The spell can be dodged (-1 to Intensity) and requires a small glass rod to cast (-1 to Intensity). This gives the spell a total Intensity of 3.

Peng Tong intones the spell and laughs as his assailants flee, lurid purple lightning eating away their flesh. Peng Tong has now dedicated 3 points of his Intensity pool to the spell "Peng Tong's Pernicious Projectile", he can use the spell as many times as he wants for the rest of the day. But for casting any new spells he only has 7 intensity points with which to create them. After resting for eight hours Peng Tong will have his full Intensity pool available again.

That’s the general idea in its entirety. It's fairly basic at the moment but I can't see any obvious flaws with it. Though perhaps its overly versatile to the point of over-shadowing non-casters?

A few ideas about making it more D&D specific follow below.

Firstly instead of one basic Sorcery skill there would be three different magic using skills to represent the three different spell-casting paradigms common to most D&D worlds. These would be as follows:

Prayer (Knowledge)
Sorcery (Command)
Thaumaturgy (Knowledge)

As the scope of D&D magic, no matter the casting paradigm, is much broader than that of individual Reign styles its largely impossible to associate a stat with them which doesn’t infringe on some niche or other. As such I think associating a stat which fits the iconic image of the various casters will do in its stead. So Prayer and Thaumaturgy are associated with Knowledge and Sorcery is associated with Command (or Charm?).

Further information on the various casting methods, as well as suggested effects, bonuses and restrictions follow below.

Prayer (Knowledge)
This is the ability of the truly devout to harness their god's powers to change the world. Prayer is the only casting paradigm which gives its users access to direct healing effects.

• Healing effects Intensity cost is equal to the Intensity cost of its Direct Damage counterpart (e.g. to heal Width Killing costs +1 Intensity). Reincarnation is an Intensity 5 effect. Resurrection is an Intensity 7 effect. If this makes healing too accessible a simple fix would be to increase all Intensity's by +1.

• If a Cleric prominently displays his Holy Symbol while casting a spell that is not opposed to his faith then he may squish the roll one step.

• A Prayer users Intensity pool resets once per day after he prays to his deity.

• Prayer based spells very rarely require ingredients

• No direct damage spells above Intensity 5 ?

Sorcery (Command)
This is the skill that sorcerer’s use to channel the magic of their blood to change reality.

• No direct healing effects

• A sorcerer receives a bonus number of Intensity points per day equal to his Sorcery skill (or Sorcery Skill x 2?).

• A Sorcerers Intensity pool resets after eight hours sleep.

• Sorcery based spells often require ingredients

Thaumaturgy (Knowledge)
This is the ability of Wizards to shape reality through learning and the mastery or arcane secrets.

• No direct healing effects

• When casting a spell directly from a scroll or spellbook the caster dedicates Intensity points as normal but may squish the roll one step.

• To create a scroll or transcribe a spell takes hours equal to the spells Intensity and counts as a purchase costing Wealth = Intensity of the spell -1

• A Thaumaturgist's Intensity pool resets after eight hours sleep.

• Thaumaturgy based spells require ingredients most of the time

• Specialists - When casting a spell who's effect falls within their school's purview the specialist may squish the roll one step (this is cumulative with the bonus for casting from a scroll/spell book). However the specialist must also select two schools who's effects he can no longer access.