A cast drives power into an effect. How much power reaches the effect depends on the caster's skill, how tired the caster is, and how well the effect suits the caster. The rest of the power stays in the caster as heat.
Casting
The caster holds the channel and taps in time with the effect's rhythm. The first tap sets the tempo and each later tap is scored against it. An on-beat tap strengthens the cast. An off-beat tap weakens it by the same amount. Each beat counts at most once.
Vigour
There is no separate mana pool. Casting spends vigour. A tired caster casts worse, so each cast in a sequence is weaker than the last.
Matching the effect
Every effect has a size. A caster delivers the most power into effects of one particular size, and that size shrinks as skill rises. A novice is at their best with large, crude effects. A master is at their best with small, subtle ones, and puts far more power into them.
Short circuit
Driving hard into an effect much smaller than the caster's best size makes the power run away. A burst guard gives a few seconds of margin, after which the effect detonates and damages the caster.
Glyphs
A glyph is the shape of one effect. Every character knows Light. Other glyphs are learned by being taught.
Foci
A focus, such as a staff, is held while casting. A focus tuned to the glyph makes the cast easier than bare hands. A focus not tuned to the glyph makes it harder than bare hands.
Gaining experience
- Tapping on the beat while casting
- Casting with no target
Each level
- Every cast costs less
- More power can be put into subtle effects
- Small effects short-circuit sooner when overdriven