This unusual chalk is the result of arcane experiments. Its history traces back to the early stages of spellcasting focuses, when scholars of magic tried to make a faster alternative to using material components.
Origin and Occurrence of Arcane Chalk
First Discovery of Arcane Chalk Upon the discovery of calcium sulfate in several dwarfen mines, tinkerers among the wizards quickly realized the potential of chalk -a mixture of water and powdered calcium sulfate, pressed into simple elongated shapes- as a spellcasting focus. They imbued it with arcane magic, eager to store that magic in the chalk, though in the end, it was still deemed inferior to other arcane focuses, like wands or staffs.
Attempt to reevaluate Arcane Chalk Even so, Arcane Chalk wasn’t given up. Instead of merely imbuing it with magic, wizards started mixing material components of a spell into the chalk. This way, one piece of chalk could only ever be used to cast one specific spell, but it worked. Arcane Chalk was perfected- but that wasn’t enough to compete. Held back by its disadvantages, its advantages faded in comparison to other spellcasting focuses, and Arcane Chalk disappeared from the broader scheme of wizardry. Nowadays less than a dozen of wizards remember its existence, and even fewer tend to use it.
“Mages of today underestimate how strong one can become by using Arcane Chalk. Even more so a Transmuter.” - Almund Melchior, Transmuter Wizard at the court of Count Burbenstein
Using Arcane Chalk
There are many different types of Arcane Chalk, but they all have the following things in common when it comes to using them:
Spellcasting Arcane Chalk is used to cast a spell by drawing patterns or symbols on a flat surface, therefore replacing both the somatic (by drawing) and material (contained by chalk) components of the specific spell. Drawing on more irregular and uneven surfaces can be more difficult, at DM’s discretion. Merely the verbal component remains as usual.
In contrast to a spellcasting focus, using Arcane Chalk counts as a magic item. When you use your Action to cast the specific spell with it, it doesn’t require a spell slot. Therefore, using the Arcane Chalk, spellcasters can cast spells which require a much higher level of expertise than theirs.
Proportions Since you use the chalk to draw, it only has a limited amount of uses. A brand new stick of Arcane Chalk has a maximum of 6 charges, which it consumes. There is no way of regaining lost charges.
One stick of Arcane Chalk weighs around 35 grams and is 8.5 cm long, with a diameter of around 1.2 cm. Most often it appears white, though it can have a tint, depending on the materials used.
Manufacturing Creating Arcane Chalk is basically impossible for ordinary adventurers, since the procedure is long and costly. In addition, memory of it is usually only remembered by old and reclusive wizards, who seldom share it.
Example Spells used in Arcane Chalk
There are many possible spells, that Arcane Chalk could be used for, so here is one example:
Chalk of Teleportation As the name suggests, this piece of Arcane Chalk can cast the Teleportation Circle spell, by drawing a circle with a 1,5 m radius on the ground, inscribing it with sigils that link it to a permanent teleportation circle of your choice.
DM’s Advice
As a fellow DM, I am aware that depending on which spell you decide the chalk can cast, it can be very overpowered, especially for low-level parties. I would advise to carefully select the type of spell it casts, and not to give the players a brand new stick of chalk. You can reduce the amount of charges it has left as you see fit, or randomly deduce it by rolling 1d6. Perhaps the old wizard they got it from has used up pretty much of it already?
Have fun!
Notes: Consumable, Focus
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