Moe Lane's Blog, page 40

Hex Nation 8: Spellwriting and Spellreading.

Doing more of this, yeah.

Hex Nation Magic: Spellwriting and Spellreading

Magic in Hex Nation is cast in one of two ways: Spellwriting and Spellreading. Wizards know both techniques, and use the one that suits them best.

Spellwriting is the construction of a one-time spell via the use of a language’s True Lexicon. The spell must be written out by the mage; printed copies just won’t work (but see Spellreading). Most of the nascent schools of wizardry insist that wizards take at least four hours to check, double-check, then triple-check the grammar of a new spell before using it for the first time. There have been enough public Misfires (see below) to make wizards take that instruction seriously.

 Once cast, the physical component of the spell is consumed. The wizard can prepare multiple copies of a spell beforehand, including a master version which can be hand-copied by other wizards. This is usually considered not as cost-effective as finding a Book of Power, but sometimes it’s worth doing.

Advantages: Wizards can write very specific spells that are tailored for particular situations. They can also be more (or less!) powerful than the spells found in Books of Power. Spellwriting is both fast and silent.

Disadvantages: spellwriting also allows for more magical disasters from ill-made spells. They take a while to create for the first time, and a shorter while to replenish. It’s hard to use spellwriting in combat, outside of specific circumstances.

Misfires: the first version of a spell is rarely as good as its final working model. Sometimes the first version is very bad. Wizards call those ‘Misfires.’ Partially that’s because one of the signs of a Misfire is the spell not going off right away when activated. When it eventually does go off, it’s dangerous for everybody in the area, starting with the wizard who cast it. The result will be semi-random, probably resembling the original spell, but to wild and dangerous effect. A Misfire can also physically explode, which is another reason why they’re called that.

*Non-dangerous Misfires are called ‘Squibbs.’

Spellreading is the casting of an existing spell from a Book of Power. By definition, a Book of Power is one that grants spells from its text. A wizard who pores over a book for a day can usually tell if it has spells, but it can take up to a week of repeated reading to find them all.

The activation sequence involves reading a triggering phrase from the text aloud, sparking a release of the magical energies. Spellreading does not consume the spell, or the Book of Power that it is drawn from. This means that spellreading spells can be cast multiple times, at the risk of a Misfire from rushing the activation.

Advantages: Spellreading spells can be used by any wizard who speaks the language well enough to know its True Lexicon. The spells have known effects, and are more reliable. The spells are also reusable.Disadvantages: Spellreading spells are both generic, and inflexible. Wizards need to be able to talk (and, except for Braille, see) in order to cast them. Spellreading spells are more difficult to turn into Hexes.

Submitted without content, context, or a desire for an explanation.

Some things you just watch.

Via @kenmccoll.

Quote of the Day, I Now See Why Some Men Just Want To See The World Burn edition.

I saw this line, in the context of Jon M. Chu being picked to direct a Hot Wheels movie*: “Mattel is also deep into film adaptations from Polly Pocket and Magic 8 Ball to Whac-A-Mole and UNO.” …UNO.

UNO.

To quote John Connor: we’re not gonna make it, are we?

Moe Lane

#commissionearned

*The movie concept itself isn’t so bad. There are a plethora of films about cars going fast. Many of them have had utterly silly premises. What’s one more?

‘Touch of Grey.’

Touch of Grey, Grateful Dead

#commissionearned

Self-Tweet of the Day, This IS An Interesting Concept edition.

So much so I need to think about it. Hrm.

This is an interesting concept! You could do a story where mages find themselves in jobs as scouts or explorers, or any other position where they have to operate for long periods of time without easy access to high technology. https://t.co/yEqnvJkqNx

— Ogiel (Moe Lane) (@Ogiel23) July 7, 2025

Rest in Peace, Scott Haring.

Oof. Scott Haring was a well-known name in the Steve Jackson Games community: I don’t think we ever met in person, but a lot of the stuff I’ve bought from SJG benefited from his expertise. My condolences and prayers to his family and loved ones for their lost.

Is it time to raise my e-book prices? (The answer is very possibly ‘yes.’)

I dislike the very idea, but I dislike the idea of pricing myself out of the ‘real author’ price range, too. Price points are a thing, whether or not I approve, and people do have expectations about what the minimum price should be for an e-book. So selling my novels for $5.99 instead of $4.99 might be overdue.

Stupid inflation.

Anyway, won’t be today, but I’m thinking actively about raising prices by a buck. I might keep FROZEN DREAMS and TALES FROM THE FERMI RESOLUTION, Volume 1 at the regular price, though. Still trying to decide. In the meantime, you may want to grab stuff at the lower price.

Patreon Microfiction: Imagine How Jane Feels.

100WS-Imagine How Jane FeelsDownload

The mitigating factor in “Imagine How Jane Feels” is that the math works the same in both universe, so at least you can model results accurately. The original laws of physics might be completely different, but that’s okay. You can still do science to them.

Patreon!

‘Everywhere I Go (Kings and Queens).’

There is no finer music for tanking an ultimate boss during an MMORPG event.

Everywhere I Go (Kings and Queens), New Politics

#commissionearned

Book of the Week: Perdition’s Storm (Black Tide Rising Book 16) .

Brian Trent’s Perdition’s Storm (Black Tide Rising Book 16) won’t be out until November, although I’ll be reading it as soon as it hits Baen’s e-ARC list. Because I don’t care. I’ll buy it early, and not fret over the typos. This is known behavior from me.