Wisdom of this sort cannot be taught to you by words. Only through experience can you gain the authority of the pinnacle of your faith.

pastor caribenta jafray

The below skills are all categorised as ‘magical skills’ – designed to augment and enhance a character’s ability to wield the realms of magical power which exist in Vaklam.

A character must have Cast Magic to purchase any of the other skills on this list. Some skills, such as Greater Learning, must be purchased individually for each Realm to which they apply if a character can use more than one Realm. These are noted in the skill description where applicable.

The amount of times each skill can be purchased will vary based on your archetype. Refer to your OCS and ensure that you do not have more purchases than the ‘Max Buy’ column!


Tier 1

Backlash Enhancement

  • EDV: 2
  • Availability: Tier 1
  • Must be bought once per casting realm

Description: When facing the consequences of a Backlash after spell casting a player may attempt to negate that result by making a backlash check. If they succeed they may roleplay shaking off the effect for around ten seconds and then continue as normal. If they fail they must take the effect of the Backlash unless other abilities allow for a furthering of this process.

Each buy adds one suit to the chances for success starting at Spades and then adding Hearts and then diamonds; clubs is always a failure. Alternatively you can choose to add a specialisation, from the following list, to your repertoire chosen at the time of purchasing this skill: Any Backlash Check for Backlash 6+ is at -2 Backlash unless you have a specialiasation to the card type that you pulled..

  • Focus – Negates the -2 from any Focus Backlash checks
  • Source – Negates the -2 from any Source Backlash checks
  • Wyld – Negates the -2 from any Wyld Backlash checks
  • Psionic – Negates the -2 from any Psionic Backlash checks
  • Weave – Negates the -2 from any Weave Backlash checks

Cast Magic

  • EDV: 3
  • Availability: Tier 1+

Description: Represents the skills that the character has learned from their years of training. After they choose a Style of Magic from Source, Focus, Weave, Wyld or Psionic they gain: 

  • The character gains the ability to cast that magic.
  • They Gain their REALM WORD and a choice of:
    • A COMBAT WORD from their Chosen Realm Options and A SUPPORT WORD of their choice
    • Two SUPPORT WORDS of their choice
  • May cast 0 and 10 Magnitude Spells.
  • Casting Enhancement
  • The Specialisation of their Realm for Backlash and Casting Enhancement (for the first realm bought only)

Casting Enhancement

  • EDV: 2
  • Must be bought once per casting realm

Description: This skill represents your ability to interact with magic of either your Realm or Magic that is so generic that it is malleable by your power. You may attempt the roleplaying and then Casting Check for Feat Sheets that fall into the Generic types without any negatives but specific realm checks are always at a -2 Penalty.

Each buy adds one suit to the chances for success starting at Spades and then adding Hearts and then diamonds; clubs is always a failure. Alternatively you can choose to add a specialisation, from the following list, to your repertoire chosen at the time of purchasing this skill: 

  • Focus – Negates the -2 from any Focus Casting checks
  • Source – Negates the -2 from any Source Casting checks
  • Wyld – Negates the -2 from any Wyld Casting checks
  • Psionic – Negates the -2 from any Psionic Casting checks
  • Weave – Negates the -2 from any Weave Casting checks

Combat Casting I

  • EDV: 3
  • Prerequisites: Character must have spent 10 EDV on Magical skills

Character may purchase a MAG 2 Combat spell as a Buoyed Spell

Embracing Transcendental Truth

  • EDV: 2
  • Availability: Tier 1+
  • Prerequisites: Character must have spent 10 endeavor on Magical skills

Character gains a new SUPPORT WORD

Battle Dance

  • EDV: 4
  • Availability: Tier 1+
  • Prerequisites: Character must have spent 15 EDV on Magical skills

Character unlocks a new and available Combat Casting Tree and gains the MAG 1 Nestored Spell attached to it


Tier Two

Backlash Enhancement

  • EDV: 2
  • Availability: Tier 1+
  • Must be bought once per casting realm

Description: When facing the consequences of a Backlash after spell casting a player may attempt to negate that result by making a backlash check. If they succeed they may roleplay shaking the effect for a up to around ten seconds and then continue as normal. If they fail they must take the effect of the Backlash unless other abilities allow for a furthering of this process.

Each buy adds one suit to the chances for success starting at Spades and then adding Hearts and then diamonds; clubs is always a failure. Alternatively you can choose to add a specialisation, from the following list, to your repertoire chosen at the time of purchasing this skill: Any Backlash Check for Backlash 6+ is at -2 Backlash unless you have a specialiasation to the card type that you pulled..

  • Focus – Negates the -2 from any Focus Backlash checks
  • Source – Negates the -2 from any Source Backlash checks
  • Wyld – Negates the -2 from any Wyld Backlash checks
  • Psionic – Negates the -2 from any Psionic Backlash checks
  • Weave – Negates the -2 from any Weave Backlash checks

Casting Enhancement

  • EDV: 2
  • Must be bought once per casting realm

Description: This skill represents your ability to interact with magic of either your Realm or Magic that is so generic that it is malleable by your power. You may attempt the roleplaying and then Casting Check for Feat Sheets that fall into the Generic types without any negatives but specific realm checks are always at a -2 Penalty.

Each buy adds one suit to the chances for success starting at Spades and then adding Hearts and then diamonds; clubs is always a failure. Alternatively you can choose to add a specialisation, from the following list, to your repertoire chosen at the time of purchasing this skill: 

  • Focus – Negates the -2 from any Focus Casting checks
  • Source – Negates the -2 from any Source Casting checks
  • Wyld – Negates the -2 from any Wyld Casting checks
  • Psionic – Negates the -2 from any Psionic Casting checks
  • Weave – Negates the -2 from any Weave Casting checks

Combat Casting II

  • EDV: 3
  • Prerequisites: Combat Casting I of the Appropriate Combat Spell Tree

Character may purchase a MAG 4 Combat spell as a Buoyed Spell

Embracing Transcendental Truth

  • EDV: 2
  • Availability: Tier 1+
  • Prerequisites: Character must have spent 15 EDV on Magical skills

Character gains a new SUPPORT WORD

Battle Dance

  • EDV: 4
  • Prerequisites: Character must have spent 15 EDV on Magical skills

Character unlocks a new and available Combat Casting Tree and gains the MAG 1 Nestored Spell attached to it

Shared Strength

  • EDV: 2
  • Availability: Tier 2+
  • Prerequisites: 3 points of Defiance.

The character may now meld Defiance between themselves and another Caster of the same realm, either giving Defiance to the other character or taking it from them if they are willing. This takes 30 seconds per point and may be achieved once per day for each time the skill is purchased.


Tier Three

Backlash Enhancement

  • EDV: 2
  • Availability: Tier 1+
  • Must be bought once per casting realm

Description: When facing the consequences of a Backlash after spell casting a player may attempt to negate that result by making a backlash check. If they succeed they may roleplay shaking the effect for a up to around ten seconds and then continue as normal. If they fail they must take the effect of the Backlash unless other abilities allow for a furthering of this process.

Each buy adds one suit to the chances for success starting at Spades and then adding Hearts and then diamonds; clubs is always a failure. Alternatively you can choose to add a specialisation, from the following list, to your repertoire chosen at the time of purchasing this skill: Any Backlash Check for Backlash 6+ is at -2 Backlash unless you have a specialiasation to the card type that you pulled..

  • Focus – Negates the -2 from any Focus Backlash checks
  • Source – Negates the -2 from any Source Backlash checks
  • Wyld – Negates the -2 from any Wyld Backlash checks
  • Psionic – Negates the -2 from any Psionic Backlash checks
  • Weave – Negates the -2 from any Weave Backlash checks

Casting Enhancement

  • EDV: 2
  • Must be bought once per casting realm

Description: This skill represents your ability to interact with magic of either your Realm or Magic that is so generic that it is malleable by your power. You may attempt the roleplaying and then Casting Check for Feat Sheets that fall into the Generic types without any negatives but specific realm checks are always at a -2 Penalty.

Each buy adds one suit to the chances for success starting at Spades and then adding Hearts and then diamonds; clubs is always a failure. Alternatively you can choose to add a specialisation, from the following list, to your repertoire chosen at the time of purchasing this skill: 

  • Focus – Negates the -2 from any Focus Casting checks
  • Source – Negates the -2 from any Source Casting checks
  • Wyld – Negates the -2 from any Wyld Casting checks
  • Psionic – Negates the -2 from any Psionic Casting checks
  • Weave – Negates the -2 from any Weave Casting checks

Discordant Moment

  • A player with this skill can attempt to disrupt the backlash that an individual has recently drawn.
  • The player completes a short “On Brief” casting act (such as prayer) and spends 1 point of defiance which activates this skill for the “scene”.
  • They may then perform a short (up to 5 minute)  “On Brief” casting act (such as prayer) with someone that has suffered backlash on that day.
  • For each Backlash they attempt to disrupt they must make a Casting Check with the Environmental Effect of the Backlash Card Flavour.
  • If you are successful allow the individual to redraw their backlash at 2 Mags lower to a minimum of 1 .
  • If you fail then the backlash remains and YOU draw a further backlash at 2 MAGS lower.
  • If you Critically succeed then they may redraw at 3 MAGS lower.
  • If you Critically fail your Discordant Moment immediately ends and must be restarted and you draw. a backlash at the MAG of the originally stated.

This skill does not stack.

Combat Casting III

  • EDV: 3
  • Prerequisites: Combat Casting II of the Appropriate Combat Spell Tree

Character may purchase a MAG 6 Combat spell as a Buoyed Spell

Embracing Transcendental Truth

  • EDV: 2
  • Availability: Tier 1+
  • Prerequisites: Character must have spent 15 EDV on Magical skills

Character gains a new SUPPORT WORD

Battle Dance

  • EDV: 4
  • Prerequisites: Character must have spent 15 endeavor on Magical skills

Character unlocks a new and available Combat Casting Tree and gains the MAG 1 Nestored Spell attached to it

Sovereign Casting

  • EDV: 3
  • Prerequisites: 3 points of Defiance.

A Caster may now spend 1 or more points of defiance to lower the CASTING MAGNITUDE of a spell by a number of MAGS dependent upon their primary realm of training. This may be applied to collaborative casting.

  • Source – 5 Mags
  • Focus – 4 Mags
  • Psionic – 3 Mags
  • Weave – 2 Mags
  • Wyld – 1 Mags

Continuous Transcendental Casting

  • EDV: 3

You can gain 1 additional casting per scene without Detriment 

Continuous Combat Casting

  • EDV: 3

You can purchase 1 additional casting per scene without Detriment 


Tier Four

Backlash Enhancement

  • EDV: 2
  • Availability: Tier 1+
  • Must be bought once per casting realm

Description: When facing the consequences of a Backlash after spell casting a player may attempt to negate that result by making a backlash check. If they succeed they may roleplay shaking the effect for a up to around ten seconds and then continue as normal. If they fail they must take the effect of the Backlash unless other abilities allow for a furthering of this process.

Each buy adds one suit to the chances for success starting at Spades and then adding Hearts and then diamonds; clubs is always a failure. Alternatively you can choose to add a specialisation, from the following list, to your repertoire chosen at the time of purchasing this skill: Any Backlash Check for Backlash 6+ is at -2 Backlash unless you have a specialiasation to the card type that you pulled..

  • Focus – Negates the -2 from any Focus Backlash checks
  • Source – Negates the -2 from any Source Backlash checks
  • Wyld – Negates the -2 from any Wyld Backlash checks
  • Psionic – Negates the -2 from any Psionic Backlash checks
  • Weave – Negates the -2 from any Weave Backlash checks

Casting Enhancement

  • EDV: 2
  • Must be bought once per casting realm

Description: This skill represents your ability to interact with magic of either your Realm or Magic that is so generic that it is malleable by your power. You may attempt the roleplaying and then Casting Check for Feat Sheets that fall into the Generic types without any negatives but specific realm checks are always at a -2 Penalty.

Each buy adds one suit to the chances for success starting at Spades and then adding Hearts and then diamonds; clubs is always a failure. Alternatively you can choose to add a specialisation, from the following list, to your repertoire chosen at the time of purchasing this skill: 

  • Focus – Negates the -2 from any Focus Casting checks
  • Source – Negates the -2 from any Source Casting checks
  • Wyld – Negates the -2 from any Wyld Casting checks
  • Psionic – Negates the -2 from any Psionic Casting checks
  • Weave – Negates the -2 from any Weave Casting checks

Combat Casting IV

  • EDV: 3
  • Prerequisites: Combat Casting I of the Appropriate Combat Spell Tree

Character may purchase a MAG 8 Combat spell as a Buoyed Spell

Rhythm of Battle

Reduce Casting Recovery Count by 1 second 

Verbal Mastery

Reduce Casting Time Count by 1 second

Embracing Transcendental Truth

  • EDV: 2
  • Availability: Tier 1+
  • Prerequisites: Character must have spent 15 endeavor on Magical skills

Character gains a new SUPPORT WORD

Battle Dance

  • EDV: 4
  • Prerequisites: Character must have spent 15 endeavor on Magical skills

Character unlocks a new and available Combat Casting Tree and gains the MAG 1 Nestored Spell attached to it

Resistant Soul

  • EDV: 2

Negate any controlling effect targeted at you during this scene pulling Backlash at MAG 2, rising by 1 each time you use this skill today, before the end of the following scene.

Shielded Soul

  • EDV: 2

Any effect that would kill you instead puts you in a 10 second death count pulling Backlash at MAG 2, rising by 1 each time you use this skill today, before the end of the following scene.

Hidden Strength

  • EDV: 2

The character may now always cast Magnitude 0, 1 and 2 MAG spells regardless of environmental effects or similar.


Tier Five

Backlash Enhancement

  • EDV: 2
  • Availability: Tier 1+
  • Must be bought once per casting realm

Description: When facing the consequences of a Backlash after spell casting a player may attempt to negate that result by making a backlash check. If they succeed they may roleplay shaking the effect for a up to around ten seconds and then continue as normal. If they fail they must take the effect of the Backlash unless other abilities allow for a furthering of this process.

Each buy adds one suit to the chances for success starting at Spades and then adding Hearts and then diamonds; clubs is always a failure. Alternatively you can choose to add a specialisation, from the following list, to your repertoire chosen at the time of purchasing this skill: Any Backlash Check for Backlash 6+ is at -2 Backlash unless you have a specialiasation to the card type that you pulled..

  • Focus – Negates the -2 from any Focus Backlash checks
  • Source – Negates the -2 from any Source Backlash checks
  • Wyld – Negates the -2 from any Wyld Backlash checks
  • Psionic – Negates the -2 from any Psionic Backlash checks
  • Weave – Negates the -2 from any Weave Backlash checks

Casting Enhancement

  • EDV: 2
  • Must be bought once per casting realm

Description: This skill represents your ability to interact with magic of either your Realm or Magic that is so generic that it is malleable by your power. You may attempt the roleplaying and then Casting Check for Feat Sheets that fall into the Generic types without any negatives but specific realm checks are always at a -2 Penalty.

Each buy adds one suit to the chances for success starting at Spades and then adding Hearts and then diamonds; clubs is always a failure. Alternatively you can choose to add a specialisation, from the following list, to your repertoire chosen at the time of purchasing this skill: 

  • Focus – Negates the -2 from any Focus Casting checks
  • Source – Negates the -2 from any Source Casting checks
  • Wyld – Negates the -2 from any Wyld Casting checks
  • Psionic – Negates the -2 from any Psionic Casting checks
  • Weave – Negates the -2 from any Weave Casting checks

Combat Casting V

  • EDV: 3
  • Prerequisites: Combat Casting IV of the Appropriate Combat Spell Tree

Character may purchase a MAG 10 Combat spell as a Buoyed Spell

Embracing Transcendental Truth

  • EDV: 2
  • Availability: Tier 1+
  • Prerequisites: Character must have spent 15 endeavor on Magical skills

Character gains a new SUPPORT WORD

Battle Dance

  • EDV: 4
  • Prerequisites: Character must have spent 15 endeavor on Magical skills

Character unlocks a new and available Combat Casting Tree and gains the MAG 1 Nestored Spell attached to it

Greater Hidden Strength

  • EDV: 2
  • Prerequisites: Hidden Strength

The character may now always cast Magnitude 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 MAG spells regardless of environmental effects or similar.

Last updated byHolly Goodall