On Carcosan Magic

NSFW warning.

When I think about sword & sorcery spellcasters, I imagine evil high priests invoking their incomprehensible gods, or mad sorcerers working their cruel rituals. What I don't see is a wizard casting a certain number of fireballs per day. But RPG systems that fashion themselves sword & sorcery, even if they try to emulate that feel of "forbidden knowledge" by making magic more scarce and dangerous, still end up with some variation on wizards casting fireballs.

The only book I can think of (and any recommendations are very much welcome!) that does magic really differently is Carcosa. The system of rituals presented therein is dark, horrible, and really hammers home how unnatural magic is. Even better, the rituals don't need any artificial restrictions on how many you can cast per day, or on which character level. Just getting the necessary resources together is a nice limit on the amount of magic any sorcerer can use.

Carcosa still falls short of what I would think of as an ideal sword & sorcery magic system, though, because of the very limited diversity of presented rituals. I'd like to find a middle ground between only summoning, binding, contacting or banishing otherworldly entities and casting the traditional, simple, boring D&D spells.

Here is an attempt at that, with several nasty but useful rituals.

Once again, there is no limit on how often the sorcerer can use these rituals, the inherent cost and peril should be enough. A ritual is botched if some of its steps are followed incorrectly, or if it's interrupted before completion.

 

Mother's Daughter
This ritual can only be cast by a female sorceress in the ruins of a destroyed temple, on her birthday. She must kill a male and a female siblings in a sacrifice to Os and Oa, the conjoined demon-gods. If they accept the offering, they will possess the corpses and lie with the sorceress. Nine month later, the sorceress will give birth to a clone of herself, who will grow to a perfect copy of the sorceress in a year and a day, including all knowledge and abilities. A botched ritual will strike the sorceress permanently sterile.

Infallible Messenger
The sorceress must carve the runes of bondage and journeys into the flesh of a child no older than twelve years. She shall then sew their mouth shut and whisper a message into their ear. The child will immediately seek out the recipient, never loosing the path no matter the distance. Until the message is delivered, the child will run faster than a horse and never rest, unable to die from exhaustion, starvation, exposure or injury. The recipient, and only him, may cut the thread sealing the child's lips, hearing the message in the sorceress' own voice. A child enchanted with a botched ritual will, once its lips are parted, scream until it drops dead and everyone nearby lies unconscious and bleeding from their ears.

Slavery of Slime
The target of this ritual must be stripped naked, painted with holy symbols of Juiblex and bound with ropes of Bone Men intestines. They shall then be buried alive in the sands of Nogg, with only a straw for breathing and sustenance. The sorcerer shall feed them with seven types of oozes, slimes and puddings, each for a different day of the week, until two full moons pass. The target may then be dug out, transformed into an utterly loyal sludge vampire. If the ritual is botched, though, the vampire will only feign its loyalty and strike at the sorcerer when he is most vulnerable.

I know I said there are enough summoning rituals already. Oh well.

Blood of the Lamb
The sorcerer shall rape a virgin until they beg for help and mercy, then slit their throat with an obsidian knife while chanting prayers to the Leprous Dweller Below. The victim's blood will be consecrated through agony, despair and lost purity. A single person should then lap up the gushing blood before it stops its flow, healing from all diseases and maladies. A botched ritual will see the victim bleed putrescence instead of blood, transforming into a hostile diseased guardian.

 

 

Keel Cleaves the Clouds
The sorceress must mix her own tears with a droplet from the Watery Death and fresh rainwater, then make an Ulfire Woman drink the concoction. After that, the woman may be crucified on the bow of a ship. Until the woman dies, the ship will sail on fog or clouds as if they were water. The woman needs not necessarily die during the ritual, and various invigorating drugs are often provided both to help her survive the ordeal and to extend the effect of the magic. On a botched ritual, the woman will start to vomit prodigious amounts of water immediately after taking the concoction, until she drowns herself.

Invulnerable Hero's Skin
The sorcerer shall flay alive a man of the same race as himself with a severed claw of a byakhee, then wear the skin on his naked body. Care must be taken so that the victim doesn't die, or the spell will end. Any damage that the sorcerer would suffer while he wears the stolen skin is transferred to the victim instead. Obviously, sturdier victims are preferable for this ritual, especially barbarians and fighting-men. A botched ritual will simply result in the death of the flayed man.

Sheathe of Broken Love
The sorceress must plunge a weapon into the heart of a person she truly loves while shouting insults to Yog-Sothoth. Afterwards, for as long as the weapon remain in the corpse and the corpse does not completely rot away, the sorceress may instantly summon the weapon to her hand. It will return back to the corpse once she lets go of it, or once it strikes its target if thrown. If the ritual is botched, it seems to work normally but the sorceress also becomes pregnant* with a spawn of Yog-Sothoth.

Hundred Tongues
This ritual must be performed with a knife blessed by a priest of Nyarlathotep and requires the sorceress to cut out her own tongue, though it may be preserved for later use. She should then cut out the tongue of any human or creature and place it into her mouth. She will be able to speak the native language of the victim. Many sorcerers store hundreds of jars with preserved tongues in their lairs, thus the name of this ritual. A botched ritual will bring permanent muteness to the sorceress.

 

Witches from Penny Dreadful are the perfect
example of a terrifying spellcaster.

*) Male sorcerers will be impregnated as well.

Class: Pornomancer

It's Valentine's day and here is a wizard tradition you both need and deserve! Pornomancers go bump in the night, and in fact at any time, place or occasion. Anyone who uses this in an actual game will be my hero, but please make it only tolerably awkward and embarrassing to your fellow players. And if you want to be offended, go do it somewhere else.

I blame Konsumterra and some Discord posts from a while back for giving me the idea. ;)

Thugboy from Empowered

You are an Outlaw. Maybe the prudish medieval society just doesn't get you, or maybe you really are a dangerous sexual maniac.

Starting Items:

• random spellbook,
• robe,
• sexy underwear to wear under your robe,
• one sex toy of your choice.

Starting Skills: I'm sure you can thing of many. Pick any two.

Perks & Flaws:

You can tell the sexual orientation of any creature at a glance. You are also immune to STDs.

You need sex before sleep to regain your MD.

Cantrips:

1. Control Fertility: You can make your sperm sterile or prevent fertilization of your eggs.
2. Defoliate: You can remove any hair with a touch.
3. Lubrication: You can cover any surface with a pleasant-smelling lubricant by running your hands over it.

 

Spell List:

1. Glamour
R: touch; T: creature; D: [dice] x 2 hours

Weave an illusion that makes the target appear attractive and physically in their prime. You could modify age, waist or breast size, musculature or skin tone and tan. Grime, pimples or lice could be hidden, teeth whitened, voice and scent made more pleasant. But it is all just an illusion.

If [sum] is 12 or higher, the duration becomes permanent until dismissed.

Magical make-up made easy, and great for disguises. Undead pornomancers will really want this spell, as their condition may otherwise make finding a lover rather difficult.

2. Teleport Clothes
R: 50'; T: [dice] creatures; D: 0

The target's clothes are teleported off their body and left haphazardly strewn nearby. If [sum] is 12 or higher, the spell affects even weapons and armour.

Failing your Save was never so hilarious! Also great for throwing your opponents off balance as they scramble to cover their sudden nudity, to create a distraction when you undress a few people in a crowd, or to annoy your fellow PCs and make other players really uncomfortable.

3. Biggus Dickus
R: 0; T: self; D: [sum] minutes

A female caster grows a penis, while male caster enlarges his in size.

For every [die] after the first, pick one of the options below:

• Your penis grows even larger. This option can be picked multiple times.
• You produce larger amount of semen. This option can be picked multiple times.
• Your penis transforms into a magical wizard penis. Roll here.
• You grow a second penis.

With 4 [dice], the spell becomes permanent until dismissed.

This is one of the few pornomancer's spells that have their use mostly limited to sexual encounters... unless you roll a good wizard penis. Thanks, Konsumterra.

4. Summon Sex Slave
R: summon; T: summoned slave; D: [sum] hours

You summon a sex slave of any gender, appearance, race or species you wish. The slave is a non-sentient construct of magical force, though it appears very lifelike. It has [dice] special sexual skills of your choice.

The slave will obey any and all of your commands irrespective of its own well-being, though it is very clumsy and uncreative in all but sexual activities.

Tell the slave to seduce and have sex with someone, and it will be more than competent. Tell it to cook you a diner, and it will prepare something that is most likely edible, but not very tasty. Give it a weapon and tell it to fight, and it won't even know to evade enemy attacks and will probably skewer itself. No HD and hp are given because the construct is not conjured to be hardy, and will shatter and dissolve upon taking damage. Still, phantasmal servitor has many uses.

5. Groping Tentacles
R: 50'; T: area; D: [sum] rounds

A swarm of tentacles bursts from a solid surface 10' in diameter. Any creature inside or moving through the area must Save vs Dex or be tripped, grappled, groped and penetrated. The tentacles have 10' reach and Str of 10 + ([dice] x 2).

Solid battlefield control spell, the sex is just an added bonus.

6. Pick spell according to your sex:
Sperm Spear (male)
R: 100'; T: creature; D: 0

You ejaculate a piercing torrent of semen. You deal [sum] + [dice] damage to the target, no Save.

Vagina Dentata (female)
R: 0; T: self; D: [sum] rounds

Your vagina expands and grows vicious teeth. You can make bite attacks for 1d6 + [dice] damage.

With 3+ [dice] on a successful attack, you can attempt a Str check to swallow your opponent whole. The opponent will take automatic 1d6 + [dice] damage per turn from being crushed in your womb until they escape with a Str or Dex check, die, or the spell ends, whereupon they will be shunted out of your body. You cannot be harmed from the inside by a swallowed creature and can continue making bite attacks even with a creature swallowed. You can swallow creatures no larger than your own size.

Skerples wrote that every wizard should have at least one damaging spell. I'm quite sure this is exactly what he had in mind. Also the body horror is priceless.

7. Arousal
R: 50'; T: [sum] creatures; D: [dice] minutes

The targets become intensely sexually attracted to each other, no matter their normal behaviour, preferences, or even species. They will immediately commence sexual activities, and will ignore all non-threatening creatures and events for the duration of the spell.

If only a single creature is affected, they will masturbate.

Note that while this spell makes people horny and without inhibitions, it does not prevent them to react to their situation, especially when threatened. You better cast this spell before combat and sneak past the resulting orgy.

8. Pick one of the following:
Delay Sensation
R: 0; T: self; D: [sum] minutes

For each [die] invested, pick one type of effect that will be suspended for the duration. This can be anything from orgasm to poison, madness or Fatal Wounds.

You can not die from poison and pleasure your partner for longer at the same time!

Enhance Sensation
R: touch; T: creature; D: [dice] rounds

The target becomes incredibly sensitive, receiving double effects from all sources.

Good pornomancers use this spell on their lovers, bad on their enemies.

9. Healing Hump
R: touch; T: creature(s); D: concentration

Heal up to [sum] hp. You may distribute healing among as many creatures as you can shag, as long as the total hp healed does not exceed [sum] and you maintain concentration.

10. Impossible Fit
R: 0; T: self; D: [dice] hours

Your body becomes supple and flexible, capable of withstanding larger penetration without damage or pain. More [dice] increase the limits of your flexibility.

If [sum] is 12 or higher, you can be penetrated even in orifices that normally do not support such endeavour.

While this spell doesn't grant you any additional inventory slots, it allows you to hide items of considerable size where very few people would go looking.

11. Pick one of the following:
Sex Shape
R: 0; T: self; D: permanent until dismissed

You can polymorph into any creature you had sex with. You can only transform into creatures of HD up to twice yours. You gain all abilities and limitations of your new form, except that you retain your mind.

At 1 [die], you can only assume forms similar to your own. At 2 [dice], you can also transform into animals. At 3 [dice], you can shapeshift into magical creatures. At 4 [dice], you can polymorph into undead, spirits and aberrations.

Gender Bender
R: touch; T: creature; D: varies

The target is gender-flipped.

The spell duration is [sum] minutes at 1 [die], hours at 2 [dice], days at 3 [dice], or permanent until dismissed at 4 [dice].

The GM is encouraged to apply any appropriate penalties due to the shock, confusion and physical differences. This spell is an actual polymorph effect, and the target is even fertile if they were in their original gender. I'm not going to even try to address stuff like periods and pregnancies.

12. Power Word: Orgasm
R: 30'; T: [dice] creatures; D: [sum] rounds

The target has a strong orgasm for the whole duration of the spell.

While I leave the exact effects of this spell up to the GM, I'd suggest something like being stunned on a successful Save and incapacitated on a failed one.

Here are some extra spells that can be chosen with your Master of Magics ability:

Speak with Genitals
R: touch; T: genitals; D: 10 minutes

The genitals of the touched creature are compelled to answer [dice] questions. They will answer honestly, but their knowledge is mostly limited to sex and other activities directly involving them rather than the whole body.

Induce Lactation
R: touch; T: creature; D: [sum] hours

The target starts lactating. The target must have nipples or teats, but their sex or natural ability to produce milk is irrelevant.

With 1 [die], they produce an amount of milk normal for their species. With more [dice], they produce larger quantities of milk and can be milked more frequently.

Combine this with the cat wizard's spell bless milk for best results.

Baleful Contraception
R: touch; T: [dice] creatures; D: varies

When used on a female, she must Save or miscarry if pregnant. With 3+ [dice], she also becomes permanently infertile.

When used on a male, he must Save or become impotent for [sum] days. With 3+ [dice], this effect is permanent.

If you think an evil witch needs to be even more reprehensible, give her this spell and make her use it.

Bless Breeding
R: touch; T: [dice] creatures; D: one copulation

Grants advantage on any check to impregnate or be impregnated. If both partners are blessed, impregnation is automatic unless one of them is magically infertile. With 3+ [dice], even interspecies impregnation becomes possible.

For every 6 points of [sum], roll another impregnation check to determine whether multiple pregnancy results.

Where did you think centaurs, owlbears or half-dragons come from?
  
Peniscry
R: 0; T: self; D: [sum] hours

Your penis falls off, grows wings and starts fluttering awkwardly. You can still feel through it and guide its movement. If you retrieve it before the spell ends, you can reattach it no problem.

Feminist Agenda
R: 100'; T: [dice] penises; D: [sum] minutes

The target must Save or loose his penis. With 4 [dice], the spell becomes permanent.

Both peniscry and feminist agenda thought up by Type1Ninja.

 

 
Mishaps:

1. Your MD only return on a 1-2 for 24 hours.
2. You take 1d6 damage. Your genitals are grazed and painful.
3. Random mutation for 1d6 rounds, then Save. Permanent if you fail.
4. Random insanity for 1d6 rounds, then Save. Permanent if you fail.
5. You catch a random STD (ignore your usual immunity).
6. Spell targets you (if harmful) or enemy (if beneficial) or fizzles (if neutral).

Dooms:

1. You become permanently infertile. No magic can cure you.
2. You can no longer eat, drink or sleep, but can substitute sex for any of these necessities.
3. A group of 2d8 horny devils and 1d4 tentacled monstrosities will try to drag you down to Hell, to serve in one of the pleasure houses for the rest of Eternity.

You may avoid your Dooms by restoring your virginity through rituals of cleansing and purification (and at least one casting of regeneration for women), or by pledging eternal servitude to the Queen of Succubi.

from Grrl Power