Magic Fatigue

An optional Rule for Arcane Spellcasters in WFRP

An arcane spellcaster is subject to Magic Fatigue. Magic Fatigue is based on the Will
Power Bonus (first digit of Will Power) of the caster. This number is called “Magic
Fatigue Faktor” (MFF from here on). Magic Fatigue is expressed in “Magic Fatigue
Points” (MFP from here on).

Mechanic

An arcane spellcaster can safely cast a number of spells equal to his MFF. For each
spell he casts, he gains 1 MFP (he would also gain 1 MFP if he fails on his Casting
Roll – trying alone qualifies for Magic Fatigue). If the number of MFP exceeds the
MFF, the MFP reset to 0 and every spellcasting now requires the addition of a Chaos
Dice. If the MFP exceed the MFF another time, repeat the procedure and add one
Chaos Dice per instance.

Example: Magdalyn Drakenhof, a Jade Magistra has a Will Power of 59 and therefore a MFF of 5.
She has already cast 5 Lore of Life spells (which brings her MFP to 5) and now it is her turn and she
wants to cast another one. This would exceed her MFF. Her first Half Action is a normal Channelling
Test, which she passes. Because of her already accumulated 5 MFP she is now subject to Magic
Fatigue, her MFP reset to 0 and in the next Half Action, when she casts her spell, she has to use a
Chaos Dice. After the casting, her MFP is 1.

Recovery

An arcane spellcaster can drop all Chaos Dice and reset his MFP to 0 after a number
of hours equal to his MFF provided he did not cast any spells during that period.
To prevent bookkeeping on that, you may rule that the MFP resets to 0 after a good
night’s rest.

Exceptions

MFP are added only if the level of the spell cast is equal or higher than the level of
the spellcaster. The level of the spellcaster is equal to his Mag characteristic. Spell
levels are defined as follows:
 Spell Level 1: Petty Magic
 Spell Level 2: Lesser Magic
 Spell Level 3: Arcane Lore Spells
 Spell Level 4: Rituals

Example: Max Hüttner, a Bright Journeyman Wizard is casting Glowing Light, a petty magic spell. As
his Mag Characteristic is 2, he is not subject to Magic Fatigue and his MFP stay at 0. If he would cast
a lesser magic or arcane lore spell, 1 would be added to his MFP.

This rule would mean that a Wizard Lord with a Mag Characteristic of 4 is more or
less immune to Magic Fatigue. If you don’t like that fact, you may always rule that
Arcane Lore Spells are Level 4 and therefore always subject to Magic Fatigue.

Version 1.2 by PzVIE / 09.02.2010 / Page 1 of 2

Alternative MFF Calculation

An alternative calculation of the MFF which works without bookkeeping is to base the
MFF on a pool of d10 equal to the Will Power of the wizard divided by 3 (round
fractions down). This means, a wizard with a WP of 46 has a pool of 15 Casting Dice.
Whenever he casts a spell, he takes his Casting Dice from this pool and discards
them after the casting. If the pool is emptied, it is refilled, but the caster has to use a
Chaos Dice as described under “Mechanic”. Chaos Dice are not taken from this pool.

GMs may also elect the Mag Characteristic to be the base for the MFF. This would
mean that an Apprentice Wizard (Mag Characteristic of 1) is fatigued after casting
one spell and needs an hour to recover. If this sounds too harsh, you may also rule
that the MFF is the Mag Characteristic +1 or +2; whatever suits you.

Version 1.2 by PzVIE / 09.02.2010 / Page 2 of 2