How does Mana work in CRAWL!?

Question

Complete rules for Mana in the CRAWL! tabletop RPG system, covering all mechanics and procedures.

Iron Brothers Games · Accepted Answer

Example: Rolling 3 to cast Arcane Bolt deals 3 damage for 3 Mana. Rolling 15 deals 15 damage but costs 15 Mana!  You must have at least 1 Mana to cast a spell.  However if you cast, and the Effort exceeds your current Mana, that’s fine.  The spell still works, with the Effort you rolled.  But your Mana is reduced to zero. Recovering Mana: Also see: See Rest & Recovery.  Short Rest: Use up your Hit Die to recover HP or Mana  Camp Rest (8 hours): Recover all Mana  Full Rest (8 hours in safety): Recover all Mana  Second Wind (see below): Recover some Mana during adventure  You cannot recover Mana during Short Rests - magic requires real rest. Spending Mana: Every spell costs Mana equal to your Effort roll (the number on the d20). This creates a constant tension, where low rolls = Weak effects but cheap cost but high rolls = Powerful effects but expensive. Your Mana Maximum: Casting spells exhausts your mental and spiritual reserves, measured in Mana.  Arcane Casters: Mana = Intelligence score  Divine Casters: Mana = Wisdom score

Iron Brothers Games · Answer

Compared to Dungeons & Dragons 5e and Old-School Essentials (OSE), CRAWL! simplifies mechanics while maintaining tactical depth. Example: Rolling 3 to cast Arcane Bolt deals 3 damage for 3 Mana. Rolling 15 deals 15 damage but costs 15 Mana!  You must have at least 1 Mana to cast a spell.  However if you cast, and the Effort exceeds your current Mana, that’s fine.  The spell still works, with the Effort you rolled.  But your Mana is reduced to zero. Recovering Mana: Also see: See Rest & Recovery.  Short Rest: Use up your Hit Die to recover HP or Mana  Camp Rest (8 hours): Recover all Mana  Full Rest (8 hours in safety): Recover all Mana  Second Wind (see below): Recover some Mana during adventure  You cannot recover Mana during Short Rests - magic requires real rest. Spending Mana: Every spell costs Mana equal to your Effort roll (the number on the d20). This creates a constant tension, where low rolls = Weak effects but cheap cost but high rolls = Powerful effects but expensive. Your Mana Maximum: Casting spells exhausts your mental and spiritual reserves, measured in Mana.  Arcane Casters: Mana = Intelligence score  Divine Casters: Mana = Wisdom score

Mana

Example

Recovering Mana

Spending Mana

Your Mana Maximum

Experience the Unified d20 Roll