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Spellcasting Mishaps
Arcane Spellcasting Mishaps
When an arcane spell has been cast, it often brings with it the unintended consequences of toying with forces beyond the spellcaster's control.
Generic Magical Mishap Table
D20 Roll | Mishap Effect |
1 | Magical backlash! Caster takes 1d6/spell level force damage |
2-3 | All non-magical metal within 5' melts or takes 1 point of durability damage |
4-5 | Orb of darkness surrounds the party for one fight |
6-7 | Bizarre gravity, heavy or light |
8-9 | The caster emits blinding bright light |
10-11 | The spell affects the wrong target |
12-13 | The spell creates significant collateral damage |
14-16 | The caster is stunned for one round |
17-19 | The caster gains a level of exhaustion, CON check to resist |
20 | A different, random spell is cast |
Alternately, tables based on the particular type of arcane magic may be used instead at the GM's discretion.
Abjuration Magical Mishap Table
D20 Roll | Mishap Effect |
1 | Magical backlash! Caster takes 1d4/spell level force damage |
2 | The caster is cursed to permanently take 1 point of force damage, each time they cast a spell in the future |
3 | The caster or a random ally is entombed alive in a crystal of pure magical force, effectively petrifying them for 10 minutes |
4 | The legs and torso of everyone within 10' of the caster are locked solid by an unyielding force restraining them for 10 minutes |
5 | The spellcaster's allies within 10' are all staggered for one round |
6 | The caster draws the attention of a vengeful demon, who will possess a body and attempt to assassinate the caster sometime in the near future |
7 | The caster sees everyone as a decaying corpse, immediately gaining a level of stress and requiring a WIS check to communicate with any ally or else they gain additional levels of stress until the effect ends after 1D6 hours |
8-9 | All within 15' of the spellcaster loses the ability to speak or hear anything for the next minute, instead only hearing noises like breaking glass |
10-11 | The spellcaster magically gains +6 temporary hit points |
12-13 | The spell affects the wrong target, perhaps helping an enemy rather than allies |
14-15 | The caster is drained until their next safe rest |
16-17 | The caster is stunned for one round |
18-19 | The caster gains a level of exhaustion from fighting against the order of the universe |
20 | A different, random spell Abjuration spell is cast |
Curses Magical Mishap Table
D20 Roll | Mishap Effect |
1 | Magical backlash! Caster takes 1d6/spell level necrotic damage |
2 | The caster is cursed badly |
3 | The caster is cursed in an annoying way |
4 | The caster's allies are cursed |
5 | The caster's allies are drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented |
6 | The caster & allies will have a new enemy in the future |
7 | THE WEIRD ONE |
8-9 | The environment is changed somehow |
10-11 | Something different but generally helpful happens |
12-13 | The spell hits the wrong target |
14-15 | The caster is poisoned until their next safe rest |
16-17 | The caster is stunned for one round |
18-19 | The caster gains a level of stress |
20 | A different, random spell (perhaps of the same type) is cast |
Divination Magical Mishap Table
D20 Roll | Mishap Effect |
1 | Magical backlash! Caster takes 1dX/spell level XXXXXX damage |
2 | The caster is cursed badly |
3 | The caster is cursed in an annoying way |
4 | The caster's allies are cursed |
5 | The caster's allies are drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented |
6 | The caster & allies will have a new enemy in the future |
7 | THE WEIRD ONE |
8-9 | The environment is changed somehow |
10-11 | Something different but generally helpful happens |
12-13 | The spell hits the wrong target |
14-15 | The caster is drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented, until their next safe rest |
16-17 | The caster is stunned for one round |
18-19 | The caster gains a level of stress or exhaustion |
20 | A different, random spell (perhaps of the same type) is cast |
Elementalism Magical Mishap Table
D20 Roll | Mishap Effect |
1 | Magical backlash! Caster takes 1dX/spell level XXXXXX damage |
2 | The caster is cursed badly |
3 | The caster is cursed in an annoying way |
4 | The caster's allies are cursed |
5 | The caster's allies are drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented |
6 | The caster & allies will have a new enemy in the future |
7 | THE WEIRD ONE |
8-9 | The environment is changed somehow |
10-11 | Something different but generally helpful happens |
12-13 | The spell hits the wrong target |
14-15 | The caster is drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented, until their next safe rest |
16-17 | The caster is stunned for one round |
18-19 | The caster gains a level of stress or exhaustion |
20 | A different, random spell (perhaps of the same type) is cast |
Goety Magical Mishap Table
D20 Roll | Mishap Effect |
1 | Magical backlash! Caster takes 1dX/spell level XXXXXX damage |
2 | The caster is cursed badly |
3 | The caster is cursed in an annoying way |
4 | The caster's allies are cursed |
5 | The caster's allies are drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented |
6 | The caster & allies will have a new enemy in the future |
7 | THE WEIRD ONE |
8-9 | The environment is changed somehow |
10-11 | Something different but generally helpful happens |
12-13 | The spell hits the wrong target |
14-15 | The caster is drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented, until their next safe rest |
16-17 | The caster is stunned for one round |
18-19 | The caster gains a level of stress or exhaustion |
20 | A different, random spell (perhaps of the same type) is cast |
Hypnosis Magical Mishap Table
D20 Roll | Mishap Effect |
1 | Magical backlash! Caster takes 1dX/spell level XXXXXX damage |
2 | The caster is cursed badly |
3 | The caster is cursed in an annoying way |
4 | The caster's allies are cursed |
5 | The caster's allies are drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented |
6 | The caster & allies will have a new enemy in the future |
7 | THE WEIRD ONE |
8-9 | The environment is changed somehow |
10-11 | Something different but generally helpful happens |
12-13 | The spell hits the wrong target |
14-15 | The caster is drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented, until their next safe rest |
16-17 | The caster is stunned for one round |
18-19 | The caster gains a level of stress or exhaustion |
20 | A different, random spell (perhaps of the same type) is cast |
Illusion Magical Mishap Table
D20 Roll | Mishap Effect |
1 | Magical backlash! Caster takes 1dX/spell level XXXXXX damage |
2 | The caster is cursed badly |
3 | The caster is cursed in an annoying way |
4 | The caster's allies are cursed |
5 | The caster's allies are drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented |
6 | The caster & allies will have a new enemy in the future |
7 | THE WEIRD ONE |
8-9 | The environment is changed somehow |
10-11 | Something different but generally helpful happens |
12-13 | The spell hits the wrong target |
14-15 | The caster is drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented, until their next safe rest |
16-17 | The caster is stunned for one round |
18-19 | The caster gains a level of stress or exhaustion |
20 | A different, random spell (perhaps of the same type) is cast |
Necromancy Magical Mishap Table
D20 Roll | Mishap Effect |
1 | Magical backlash! Caster takes 1dX/spell level XXXXXX damage |
2 | The caster is cursed badly |
3 | The caster is cursed in an annoying way |
4 | The caster's allies are cursed |
5 | The caster's allies are drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented |
6 | The caster & allies will have a new enemy in the future |
7 | THE WEIRD ONE |
8-9 | The environment is changed somehow |
10-11 | Something different but generally helpful happens |
12-13 | The spell hits the wrong target |
14-15 | The caster is drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented, until their next safe rest |
16-17 | The caster is stunned for one round |
18-19 | The caster gains a level of stress or exhaustion |
20 | A different, random spell (perhaps of the same type) is cast |
Spiritualism Magical Mishap Table
D20 Roll | Mishap Effect |
1 | Magical backlash! Caster takes 1d6/spell level psychic damage |
2 | The spellcaster is cursed to have mischievous spirits begin to follow them around, animating their mundane equipment and possessions |
3 | The caster's shadow disappears only to return in a few days with help to murder the spellcaster and his allies as they prepare to rest |
4 | The caster is cursed never to lie, instead choking out a putrescent flem-like paste from their mouth whenever they try to tell a falsehood |
5 | All the caster's allies within 30' are slowed for one minute |
6 | The caster attracts the attention of a powerful malevolent spirit who schemes to take possession of the caster's body at their next rest |
7 | The caster's visage is permanently made strange and horrible to those in the spirit world by a curse; It can also be glimpsed in mirrors or other reflective surfaces which could trigger a WIS check or gain a level of stress |
8-9 | A thunderous light and sound echoes through the spirit world, filling an 30' radius area around the spellcaster with roiling spiritual energy cutting any movement in half and making all in the area haunted until the area clears after about 10 minutes |
10-11 | For the next minute, the spellcaster can see any invisible creatures |
12-13 | The spell affects the wrong target, perhaps harming allies rather than enemies |
14-15 | The caster is drained until their next safe rest |
16-17 | The caster is stunned for one round |
18-19 | The caster gains a level of stress as they catch themselves peering too deep into the infinite of the spirit realm, WIS check to resist |
20 | A different, random spiritualism spell is cast |
Divine Spellcasting Mishaps
Mishap Table Template
I've got some different ideas here for divine spellcasting mishaps. –AHS
A temporary hole opens up between the second world and the mundane world
The spellcasting attracts the interest of a denizen of the second world
The spellcasting attracts the interest of a denizen of the realm of light who wants a favor; reroll the spell check but the spellcaster must complete a boon for the angel
The spellcasting attracts the interest of a spirit that only they can perceive who attacks/haunts/pesters the zealot until an appropriate exorcism is completed
The fire of the Lord falls inappropriately, consuming an ally who is a nonbeliever.
D20 Roll | Mishap Effect |
1 | Magical backlash! Caster takes 1dX/spell level XXXXXX damage |
2 | The caster is cursed badly |
3 | The caster is cursed in an annoying way |
4 | The caster's allies are cursed |
5 | The caster's allies are drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented |
6 | The caster & allies will have a new enemy in the future |
7 | THE WEIRD ONE |
8-9 | The environment is changed somehow |
10-11 | Something different but generally helpful happens |
12-13 | The spell hits the wrong target |
14-15 | The caster is drained/ staggered/ poisoned/ slowed/ shaken/ fascinated/ disoriented, until their next safe rest |
16-17 | The caster is stunned for one round |
18-19 | The caster gains a level of stress or exhaustion |
20 | A different, random spell (perhaps of the same type) is cast |
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