Magic Conduit

Magical chaos follows in your wake, intensifying in regions of high magical density. You are a nexus of magical energy, unintentionally absorbing and releasing it in unpredictable bursts.

In brief, this feat acts as an accompaniment or replacement to the Wild Magic table, serving to extend and enhance its functionality, or provide an analogous option for non-Wild Magic casters.

Whenever the PC is made to roll upon the Wild Magic table, or at any time based on the DM's digression, make a DC check to trigger/control Chaos Release. The effect, degree of intensity, and DC of any given Chaos Release are based on a combination of random chance and the subjective judgement of your DM, though suggested factors include:

1. (On cast): The intent and power-level of the guiding spell. A hostile spell is more likely to trigger a damaging or otherwise harmful Chaos Release. More powerful spells are more likely to generate maximal effect.
2. Character proximity to areas of high magical density (defined by physical location in the setting and/or nearby objects with dense magical concentration). In these areas, spellcasting shall more-frequently trigger rolls upon the Wild Magic table, and subsequently, Chaos Release.
3. The character's mood and/or disposition. For instance, out of combat, a mercurial character is more likely to experience Chaos Release moment-to-moment. Acutely stressful situations, such as the loss of a party member or physical/mental duress, might also induce Chaos Release.

There are five degrees of intensity possible for Chaos Release. There are three Chaos Tables (Tables 2a, 2b, and 2c) that may be consulted and rolled upon by the player (which one they roll upon is up to the digression of the DM), to ultimately determine the effects of Chaos Release.

In combat, Chaos Release will only ever occur on the player's turn. On occurrence, the player's bonus action is consumed; however, they may attempt suppression/control of Chaos Release as reaction. If a roll upon the Wild Magic table, or any other reason for Chaos Release is deemed necessary as the player is taking their bonus action or reaction (a Sorcerer casting a Quickened Spell, for example), any attempt to suppress/control the Chaos Release will render them unable to take an action on the following turn.

In the event Chaos Release occurs, decide whether you will make an attempt to suppress or control it. Consult Table 1 for required DCs for each. The roll benefits from the player's Spellcasting Modifier (or lowest Spellcasting Modifier if they are multiclassing). In general:

1. Intensity of local magic increases the DC.
2. Control is more difficult than suppression.
3. Negative consequences for failed checks worsen depending on the degree of failure.

In the event of successful Suppression, roll a d4. The intensity factor of Chaos Release is reduced by the result. If nullified completely, the character regains spell slots equal to the degree of suppression. They then immediately take 1d10 force damage per degree of suppression. For clarification: if a 2nd degree Chaos Release was nullified completely by a roll of '4' on the d4 - the player would regain two spell slots (two 1st level spell slots or one 2nd level spell slot) and take 2d10 force damage. If a 4th degree Chaos Release was nullified by that same roll, the player would instead regain four levels-worth of spell slots and suffer 4d10 force damage. Notably: the player will not know the degree of intensity of Chaos Release when attempting Suppression.

In the event of successful Control, roll a d8 (if applicable) and a d4 (always). Inform the player about the degree of Chaos Release intensity. The player may then add or subtract a number up to the result of the d8 roll from the d100 roll used to determine a Wild Magic table effect; they also may add or subtract a number up to the result of the d4 roll from the d10 roll used to resolve a Chaos Release effect. See Tables 2a, 2b, and 2c for Chaos Release effect details.

An example of the above in application: a Wild Magic event occurs as the player casts a hostile spell. Chaos Release is also triggered; due to the hostile nature of the spell, the DM decides to consult Chaos Table 2a. The player rolls a 66 on the Wild Magic Table and 4 on Chaos Table 2a. They decide to attempt Chaos Release Control, and succeed. They roll an 7 on their d8 and a 2 on their d4. The player now may add or subtract a number up to 7 to their earlier result on the Wild Magic Table - a total range of (59-71), determining the actual Wild Magic effect. Similarly, they may add or subtract a number up to 2 to their earlier result on Chaos Table 2a - a total range of (2-6), determining the resulting type of Chaos Release effect (this does not change it's intensity).

In the event of failed suppression/control, consult Table 1 and the relevant Chaos Table to determine harmful consequences. Note the incremental increase of 2 for the DC required for successful suppression/control of progressively more potent degrees of Chaos Release. This increment also determines the degree of failure the player suffers; up to a maximum of five degrees of failure for any roll equal to 10 or more less than the required DC. The DM may exercise some digression over the manifestation of consequences related to the rolled Chaos Release effect, though they should bear in mind that the severity and range of the consequences should thematically match the degree of failure and type of Chaos Release.

Any Chaos effect that causes character to move causes the source of the effect to also move (i.e. no outrunning an explosion).

In out-of-combat role-play, there may be warning signs that Chaos Release is imminent, and if the player does not attempt Suppression or Control, the lack of magical control does not appear to be intentional to NPC's. This does not mean that they will hold no disdain for your clumsiness, however. Enemies are unlikely to care either way.

This feat has an accompanying spell called Manage Chaos, which is available for any 9th level caster with this Magic Conduit feat. Your DM may specify additional special requirements in order to learn this spell. It enhances the degree of power and control the caster has over Chaos Release events, through temporary beneficial modification of the Control and Suppression mechanics.

Table 1: Chaos Release Occurrence and Degree Differences: