Background: In a joke campaign I made one time, I created an NPC who was a wizard specializing in "Plot magic" as a silly way of justifying him breaking 4th wall, always knowing where the characters were and being able to comment about DnD games with the players' previous characters. Since then he's become a beloved NPC who has made some sort of cameo in every campaign we've done. In the current campaign I'm DMing (much more serious tone) his ability to "see into the multiverse" and thus the connection between all characters from previous campaigns via his plot magic has become a very prominent plot point.
I also play in a game where my friend DMs. It is the same group that I DM so me and the DM of this campaign thought it would be fun to finally show the Origin story of the beloved plot wizard and how he developed his bizarre magic.
Currently: I created a homebrew subclass for "plot magic" that we use for him but I want to start creating homebrew spells too. Though due to the weird 4th-wall breaking nature of plot-magic, its hard to think of useful and fun spells. Just to help you guys get a feeling of what it feels like, I'll give a paraphrased version of the subclass. Don't worry too much about the wording of the description, I have a proofread and "official" version we use for play, this is just to get the idea across:
Level 2: Plot Armor: lets the wizard add a d6 to AC or Saving throws of self or party as a reaction (limited per day) Flavored as causing the target to suddenly sneeze, narrowly missing attack, bend down to pick up a copper piece to avoid an axe, duck under a spell etc....
Level 6: Convenience: Allows the wizard to "conveniently" be in possession of a specific, small, non magical item once per day. Flavored as, "We need the key to this door or we'll die! 'Oh, you mean this key?? *conveniently already has key*"
Level 10: Metagaming: Allows the wizard to learn the intended movement and action of a creatures next turn as a bonus action (This one has a looooong description clarifying how it works so don't worry about it lol)
Level 14: Deus Ex Machina: a bunch of stuff happens when the wizard hits 0 HP the first time
So, now that you all have the feel for plot magic, What are some spell ideas I could use? I'm very partial towards ideas that effect how the game is played rather than the in-game world (for example, a concentration buff of some sort that makes ally crit on Nat 20 AND Nat 1 is something that i've been thinking of)
Maybe a spell that causes the NPC to teleport to wherever the plot requires? Or a spell that lets them metagame?
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All stars fade. Some stars forever fall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homebrew (Mostly Outdated):Magic Items,Monsters,Spells,Subclasses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
Flashback - single use charge - the character can stop anything that is happening and invoke a flashback that adds context to any current problem. Have them roll an insight check with no DC to decide the level of help this offers. After each long rest the player rolls a D100 on a score higher than 74 Flashback recharges. Why 74? The year D&D released!
Flashback - single use charge - the character can stop anything that is happening and invoke a flashback that adds context to any current problem. Have them roll an insight check with no DC to decide the level of help this offers. After each long rest the player rolls a D100 on a score higher than 74 Flashback recharges. Why 74? The year D&D released!
This would make a really cool high level spell! I could see the party fighting the BBEG and using the spell to learn BBEG's Tragic Backstory (TM) and using the info to talk him down. It would require a good DM but thankfully I have that lol
Spend additional spell slots to activate flashback’s retcon effect, allowing something in the flashback to be changed, the significance of that change would depend on the number and level of spell slots expended for this
Spend additional spell slots to activate flashback’s retcon effect, allowing something in the flashback to be changed, the significance of that change would depend on the number and level of spell slots expended for this
You know, When I first thought of making this character playable, I had the idea of a 9th level "retcon" spell that did something similar lol
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homebrew (Mostly Outdated):Magic Items,Monsters,Spells,Subclasses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
Tbh I think it works better when you take terms from storytelling rather than d&d
so plot armour, plot device, convenience, Deus ex Machina are fine but I would drop Metagaming maybe make it “Skipped Ahead” or “Detect Tropes” (actually 100% call it Detect Tropes)
make a version of polymorph spell and call it “remake or reboot” maybe retool true polymorph to “ its a reimagining”
Maybe a double haste spell called “Montage sequence”
At level 17 they get a retooled Wish spell called “Um actually it’s cannon”
Tbh I think it works better when you take terms from storytelling rather than d&d
so plot armour, plot device, convenience, Deus ex Machina are fine but I would drop Metagaming maybe make it “Skipped Ahead” or “Detect Tropes” (actually 100% call it Detect Tropes)
make a version of polymorph spell and call it “remake or reboot” maybe retool true polymorph to “ its a reimagining”
Maybe a double haste spell called “Montage sequence”
At level 17 they get a retooled Wish spell called “Um actually it’s cannon”
I'm LOVING detect tropes lol
Also, "Montage" as a spell could work really well. I'm not sure how to word it but it would function similar to "Catnap" but with a task of some sort (so like a task that would normally take an hour could be done in 10 minutes). I'd have to be clear in wording on what a "task" is but its a good start!
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homebrew (Mostly Outdated):Magic Items,Monsters,Spells,Subclasses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
I really tried making this on DnD beyond, but it said that it can't be published because its "too similar to Circle of Spores" ????
I've never even looked at Spores lol
That's happened to me too, lol.
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All stars fade. Some stars forever fall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homebrew (Mostly Outdated):Magic Items,Monsters,Spells,Subclasses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
Make a high level attack spell where you inform your enemy his whole life is a lie and he was created for a higher beings entertainment, but whoever is within 10 feet of you has to make a wisdom saving throw to not break down into insanity, instant sobbing, or just standing there, reevaluating their life choices. I would call it, spoiler alert.
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Background: In a joke campaign I made one time, I created an NPC who was a wizard specializing in "Plot magic" as a silly way of justifying him breaking 4th wall, always knowing where the characters were and being able to comment about DnD games with the players' previous characters. Since then he's become a beloved NPC who has made some sort of cameo in every campaign we've done.
In the current campaign I'm DMing (much more serious tone) his ability to "see into the multiverse" and thus the connection between all characters from previous campaigns via his plot magic has become a very prominent plot point.
I also play in a game where my friend DMs. It is the same group that I DM so me and the DM of this campaign thought it would be fun to finally show the Origin story of the beloved plot wizard and how he developed his bizarre magic.
Currently: I created a homebrew subclass for "plot magic" that we use for him but I want to start creating homebrew spells too. Though due to the weird 4th-wall breaking nature of plot-magic, its hard to think of useful and fun spells. Just to help you guys get a feeling of what it feels like, I'll give a paraphrased version of the subclass. Don't worry too much about the wording of the description, I have a proofread and "official" version we use for play, this is just to get the idea across:
Level 2: Plot Armor: lets the wizard add a d6 to AC or Saving throws of self or party as a reaction (limited per day) Flavored as causing the target to suddenly sneeze, narrowly missing attack, bend down to pick up a copper piece to avoid an axe, duck under a spell etc....
Level 6: Convenience: Allows the wizard to "conveniently" be in possession of a specific, small, non magical item once per day. Flavored as, "We need the key to this door or we'll die! 'Oh, you mean this key?? *conveniently already has key*"
Level 10: Metagaming: Allows the wizard to learn the intended movement and action of a creatures next turn as a bonus action (This one has a looooong description clarifying how it works so don't worry about it lol)
Level 14: Deus Ex Machina: a bunch of stuff happens when the wizard hits 0 HP the first time
So, now that you all have the feel for plot magic, What are some spell ideas I could use? I'm very partial towards ideas that effect how the game is played rather than the in-game world (for example, a concentration buff of some sort that makes ally crit on Nat 20 AND Nat 1 is something that i've been thinking of)
Lemme know whatcha think!!!
Maybe a spell that causes the NPC to teleport to wherever the plot requires? Or a spell that lets them metagame?
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall.
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Homebrew (Mostly Outdated): Magic Items, Monsters, Spells, Subclasses
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If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
I like it! "Conjure NPC" lol
Flashback - single use charge - the character can stop anything that is happening and invoke a flashback that adds context to any current problem. Have them roll an insight check with no DC to decide the level of help this offers. After each long rest the player rolls a D100 on a score higher than 74 Flashback recharges. Why 74? The year D&D released!
This would make a really cool high level spell! I could see the party fighting the BBEG and using the spell to learn BBEG's Tragic Backstory (TM) and using the info to talk him down. It would require a good DM but thankfully I have that lol
Spend additional spell slots to activate flashback’s retcon effect, allowing something in the flashback to be changed, the significance of that change would depend on the number and level of spell slots expended for this
You know, When I first thought of making this character playable, I had the idea of a 9th level "retcon" spell that did something similar lol
A "Find PC" spell. Or maybe a "Fudge Dice " spell. Or "Conjure DMPC".
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall.
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Homebrew (Mostly Outdated): Magic Items, Monsters, Spells, Subclasses
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If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
Surely there needs to be a spell called "McGuffin"?
Tbh I think it works better when you take terms from storytelling rather than d&d
so plot armour, plot device, convenience, Deus ex Machina are fine but I would drop Metagaming maybe make it “Skipped Ahead” or “Detect Tropes” (actually 100% call it Detect Tropes)
make a version of polymorph spell and call it “remake or reboot” maybe retool true polymorph to “ its a reimagining”
Maybe a double haste spell called “Montage sequence”
At level 17 they get a retooled Wish spell called “Um actually it’s cannon”
Basically you should model this class entirely on Abed from community
I'm LOVING detect tropes lol
Also, "Montage" as a spell could work really well. I'm not sure how to word it but it would function similar to "Catnap" but with a task of some sort (so like a task that would normally take an hour could be done in 10 minutes). I'd have to be clear in wording on what a "task" is but its a good start!
Conjure Plot Device, Detect Plot Inconsistency, Protection from Writer's Block
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall.
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Homebrew (Mostly Outdated): Magic Items, Monsters, Spells, Subclasses
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If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
You could go one step further and create an entire plane that ‘s existence is what fuels plot magic. Call it Themetar (The Meta)
once your done, can you leave a link to the subclass?
Sure! I haven't made it on DND beyond, but i have it on the "homebrewery" site.
The subclass is pretty much done, its just I'm also trying to create spells unique to this "school"
Idk why I never thought to create it on dndbeyond o:
“Sound Track”
Concentration
Plot Wizard, Bard
Choose one of the following options to make a sound track for:
- Chase Montage: 3 target creature’s within 30 ft. speed increases by 15 ft.
- Battle Scene: 3 target creature’s within 30 ft. gain 15 temporary hit points
- Tension Rising: 3 target creature’s within 30 ft. have advantage on initiative rolls for one minute.
You must actually sing to cast this spell.
RIP Tavern.
All hail King Jovan Fluffycloud Prince
Teleporting elf monk supremacy!, but druids are better
[Cactus]Waffles!”I don’t have any good quotes to put in my sig.” -Me
I really tried making this on DnD beyond, but it said that it can't be published because its "too similar to Circle of Spores" ????
I've never even looked at Spores lol
That's happened to me too, lol.
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homebrew (Mostly Outdated): Magic Items, Monsters, Spells, Subclasses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
Make a high level attack spell where you inform your enemy his whole life is a lie and he was created for a higher beings entertainment, but whoever is within 10 feet of you has to make a wisdom saving throw to not break down into insanity, instant sobbing, or just standing there, reevaluating their life choices. I would call it, spoiler alert.