Seeking Feedback
Prerequisite:
You must be able to cast at least one spell.
When You Gain This Feature:
Spellcasters gain this feature automatically in campaigns using the Arcane Alchemy variant rule. It can also be discovered through in-world training, tomes, or experimentation.
Feature Description:
You can attempt to reshape a known spell into a unique, narrative magical effect outside of combat. This process is called Arcane Alchemy—a fusion of improvisational spellwork, intent, and manipulation of the raw Weave.
You describe the magical effect you wish to create and the spell upon which it is based. Your Dungeon Master determines whether the effect is reasonable within the spirit of the spell and sets a DC for an Arcana check.
Arcana Check DCs
| Effect Ambition | DC |
|---|---|
| Simple (Flavorful Only) | 10 |
| Moderate (Unusual or Combined Effect) | 13–15 |
| Ambitious (Complex, Risky, or Powerful) | 16–20 |
On a success, the effect manifests as you described.
On a failure, the spell misfires—roll on the Arcane Alchemy Side Effects Table (d100).
Alchemy Guidelines
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You may only create effects based on a spell you can currently cast (you must have the spell prepared or known).
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You do might expend a spell slot unless the DM determines the effect is especially weak
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The effect must remain within the bounds of the spell’s intent or power (e.g., Mage Hand can’t lift more than 10 lbs, even if flavored differently).
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Arcane Alchemy provides no direct combat advantage (no damage, no buffs or debuffs, no battlefield control).
Creative Control
The description of the effect is yours to narrate, as long as it fits the tone of the spell and the DM approves it. You are encouraged to interpret spells through the lens of your character’s personality, culture, or magical philosophy.
Example:
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A wizard reshapes Mage Hand into a glove made of arcane runes.
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A druid uses Entangle to make a vine-ladder.
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A bard makes Prestidigitation manifest as butterflies instead of sparks.
⚠️ Side Effects (Optional Rule)
If you fail the Arcana check when attempting Arcane Alchemy, roll on the Arcane Alchemy Side Effects Table (d100). These side effects are tailored to reflect your intended spell and how the magic distorted your intention.
Example: Trying to use Light to illuminate a cavern might instead make shadows cling tighter, or leave behind a lingering magical echo.
| d100 | Side Effect |
|---|
| 01–05 | Backfire – The desired effect hits the caster instead (if that makes sense). If not, a random ally within 10 feet is affected. |
| 06–10 | Miniaturized – The effect manifests, but it's hilariously tiny, weak, or underwhelming. A summoned flame becomes a candle flicker. |
| 11–15 | Overcompensation – The effect manifests at double intensity in a random direction or location, often causing minor collateral damage. |
| 16–20 | Opposite Outcome – The effect achieves the inverse of what you intended. Intended levitation causes anchoring, water becomes steam, light becomes shadow. |
| 21–25 | Echoed Spell – The magic keeps repeating subtly in the background for the next minute, e.g., glowing sparks, faint sounds, flickers. Annoying, not dangerous. |
| 26–30 | Unfocused Energy – Your effect shatters into raw arcane energy: glowing sparks, fizzing air, harmless pulses. Pretty, but useless. |
| 31–35 | Aesthetic Mutation – The effect manifests as expected, but with a bizarre or unsettling cosmetic flair (e.g., tentacle-like fire, whispering wind, pink lightning). |
| 36–40 | Spell Drift – The spell twists into another one you can cast of the same level or lower. The DM chooses. |
| 41–45 | Magical Residue – The spell leaves a glowing rune, smear of magical essence, or smell in the area for 1 hour. Trackable by magical means. |
| 46–50 | Surge of Will – The caster feels intense emotion (fear, anger, joy) that affects the spell. The DM may impose a Wisdom or Charisma save to maintain control. |
| 51–55 | Effect Delayed – The desired outcome doesn't happen… yet. Roll a d4. The effect triggers that many rounds/minutes later, at the worst possible moment. |
| 56–60 | Partial Success – Only part of the intended effect manifests. You might lift an object but not move it, or illuminate a spot but not control the color. |
| 61–65 | Living Magic – The spell becomes semi-sentient for a few moments and does something unpredictable based on its nature. Fire dances. Vines tangle you. Illusions talk. |
| 66–70 | Imprint Echo – The area “remembers” your failed effect, causing weird echoes of it to appear for the next hour. A flicker of light, a shadowy vine, a ghost of the illusion. |
| 71–75 | Feedback Loop – You take 1d6 psychic damage as the spell resists your will. The smell of burning parchment or humming static fills the air. |
| 76–80 | The World Misunderstands – The environment reacts incorrectly: water repels your flame, shadows deepen in response to light, vines strangle instead of support. |
| 81–85 | Magical Attraction – A nearby magical entity, elemental, or arcane phenomenon takes interest in your tampering. Harmless… for now. |
| 86–90 | Wild Transmutation – Something nearby transforms: stone to moss, wood to metal, a flower to glass. DM chooses a small environmental change. |
| 91–94 | Chaotic Fusion – The effect merges with an entirely unrelated magical memory. Your fire smells like lavender and screams in Celestial. |
| 95–97 | Arcane Scar – You leave behind a lingering magical disturbance in the weave—a permanent discoloration, hum, or crack in magical reality. Might attract attention later. |
| 98–99 | Reality Snap – Time skips a beat. Everyone nearby loses 6 seconds of memory. The effect fails entirely, but you’re unsure if it ever happened. |
| 100 | The Weave Remembers – A future spell you cast is slightly altered (DM’s choice) to reflect your failed intention. Could be helpful… or haunting. |
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