Ars Magica Definitive Edition, Chapter Eight: Laboratory - Revision history

Yair: added /* Fixing Arcane Connections */ gloss

2026-10-01T03:04:39Z

added Fixing Arcane Connections: gloss

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:04, 30 September 2026
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	A magus who has an active Arcane Connection (see page 219) may make it permanent by spending a season of laboratory work and one pawn of Vim vis. The connection must be active at the beginning of the season, but need not be such as to naturally last for the whole season. This activity must be performed in a laboratory, even though it is not based on a Lab Total.		A magus who has an active Arcane Connection (see page 219) may make it permanent by spending a season of laboratory work and one pawn of Vim vis. The connection must be active at the beginning of the season, but need not be such as to naturally last for the whole season. This activity must be performed in a laboratory, even though it is not based on a Lab Total.

			=== Fixing Arcane Connections ===

			A magus who has an active Arcane Connection (see page 219) may make it permanent by spending a season of laboratory work and one pawn of Vim vis. The connection must be active at the beginning of the season, but need not be such as to naturally last for the whole season. This activity must be performed in a laboratory, even though it is not based on a Lab Total.

			{{CommunityGloss\|On the [https://forum.atlas-games.com/t/can-you-open-multiple-items-for-enchantment-in-a-season/177578/8 Atlas Games forum] , the user "ezzelino" reported suggesting to the line editor David Chart that "fixing one AC should be treated as a 7-day distraction while undertaking other activities, and that a magus could instead spend a whole season fixing as many as the MT limit on vis use allows. David Chart said he liked it as an erratum (and a bunch of other people did), but then Troy [another user] said 'no need for an erratum, since this can always be made the result of original research'. And David said 'oh I like that even better' and nothing was done about it."}}

	<span id="vis-1"></span>		<span id="vis-1"></span>


			<span id="vis-1"></span>

	=== Vis ===		=== Vis ===

Yair: added note on Superior quality

2026-04-17T06:56:35Z

added note on Superior quality

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	You should also pay attention to mundane criteria as well as magical. Enchanting a gold sword might appeal to you, but such an item would be too heavy and soft to use in combat. And while a diamond might be perfect for your ring, do you have a diamond? You might have to go out into the dangerous world to find your materials, especially if your covenant is poor.		You should also pay attention to mundane criteria as well as magical. Enchanting a gold sword might appeal to you, but such an item would be too heavy and soft to use in combat. And while a diamond might be perfect for your ring, do you have a diamond? You might have to go out into the dangerous world to find your materials, especially if your covenant is poor.
			{{CommunityGloss\|City & Guild maintains that artificial items should be of Superior quality; lower-quality results in penalties to the lab total. See [[City and Guild Chapter Four: Crafts#Regarding Enchanted Items\|City & Guild, Chapter Four]].}}

	Before you begin the process of enchantment, you must acquire the item you will enchant, and note its size and composition.		Before you begin the process of enchantment, you must acquire the item you will enchant, and note its size and composition.
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	<span id="preparation-for-enchantment"></span>		<span id="preparation-for-enchantment"></span>

	=== Preparation for Enchantment ===		=== Preparation for Enchantment ===

Yair: added note on breaking items

2026-04-17T06:49:53Z

added note on breaking items

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	* If the enchanted device is broken, all its powers are lost.		* If the enchanted device is broken, all its powers are lost.
	* You may use an enchanted item before it is "filled up" with effects and still add effects later.		* You may use an enchanted item before it is "filled up" with effects and still add effects later.
			{{CommunityGloss\|For rules on whether an item is broken, see [[City and Guild Chapter Four: Crafts#Damaged Goods\|City & Guild, Chapter Four]]. Note that Hermetic devices are usually of Superior quality, and the enchanted magnitudes also increase the item's durability.}}

	<span id="talisman-attunement"></span>		<span id="talisman-attunement"></span>

	=== Talisman Attunement ===		=== Talisman Attunement ===

Yair: added gloss on vis use limit

2026-04-10T01:07:43Z

added gloss on vis use limit

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:07, 9 April 2026
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	Once you have the physical item to enchant, you must spend a season preparing it. To do this, you must simply expend the time and a number of pawns of raw Vim vis equal to the number derived from the "Material and Size Table" for the form you have selected.		Once you have the physical item to enchant, you must spend a season preparing it. To do this, you must simply expend the time and a number of pawns of raw Vim vis equal to the number derived from the "Material and Size Table" for the form you have selected.
			{{CommunityGloss\|Note that making huge items, or ones using expensive gems or gold, can be prohibitive due to the Vis Use limit of 2 x (Magic Theory).}}

	It is possible to enchant only part of an item. For example, you can enchant a ruby on the end of a staff. Because it is on a staff, the gem gains bonuses appropriate to the shape (but not the material) of the staff (see the Shape and Material Bonuses Table), and you don't have to enchant the whole staff. However, any effect that relies on the attachment of gem and staff for a bonus (for example, any spell in the gem that uses a Shape bonus for the staff) is permanently lost if the two are separated. When you enchant a part of an item, you must use the number of pawns of vis that would be required to enchant that part if it were a separate item.		It is possible to enchant only part of an item. For example, you can enchant a ruby on the end of a staff. Because it is on a staff, the gem gains bonuses appropriate to the shape (but not the material) of the staff (see the Shape and Material Bonuses Table), and you don't have to enchant the whole staff. However, any effect that relies on the attachment of gem and staff for a bonus (for example, any spell in the gem that uses a Shape bonus for the staff) is permanently lost if the two are separated. When you enchant a part of an item, you must use the number of pawns of vis that would be required to enchant that part if it were a separate item.
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	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
	<span id="instilling-affects"></span>		<span id="instilling-affects"></span>

	=== Instilling Affects ===		=== Instilling Affects ===

Yair: /* Empowering the Bond */

2026-04-10T00:51:43Z

Empowering the Bond

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	If the enchantment affects only the maga, it is activated by and under the control of the familiar. If it affects only the familiar, it is activated by and under the control of the maga. For the use of effects enchanted into the familiar bond, the maga and familiar are always considered to be touching one another.		If the enchantment affects only the maga, it is activated by and under the control of the familiar. If it affects only the familiar, it is activated by and under the control of the maga. For the use of effects enchanted into the familiar bond, the maga and familiar are always considered to be touching one another.
	{{CommunityGloss\|Although not explicitly stated, it appears the intent is that the powers invested in the ~~bods~~ also do not need to penetrate Magic Resistance in order to affect the magus or the familiar.}}		{{CommunityGloss\|Although not explicitly stated, it appears the intent is that the powers invested in the bond also do not need to penetrate Magic Resistance in order to affect the magus or the familiar.}}

	Foci that cover the familiar apply to the investment of all powers, no matter what they do. Foci that cover the power apply as normal.		Foci that cover the familiar apply to the investment of all powers, no matter what they do. Foci that cover the power apply as normal.

Yair: added link to Covenants' /* Laboratory Virtues and Flaws */

2026-04-10T00:48:29Z

added link to Covenants' Laboratory Virtues and Flaws

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	Most laboratory Virtues and Flaws can only be taken once — those few that can be taken multiple times are asterisked in the list below. Two of these Virtues in particular, Feature and Magic Item, come in a multitude of types and are described in more detail later. The storyguide may always adjust the benefits of particular Virtues and Flaws as she sees fit, and is encouraged to devise new ones in consultation with the players.		Most laboratory Virtues and Flaws can only be taken once — those few that can be taken multiple times are asterisked in the list below. Two of these Virtues in particular, Feature and Magic Item, come in a multitude of types and are described in more detail later. The storyguide may always adjust the benefits of particular Virtues and Flaws as she sees fit, and is encouraged to devise new ones in consultation with the players.

	The Covenants supplement includes a wider range of Virtues and Flaws (from page 113), expanding on those given here.		The Covenants supplement includes a wider range of Virtues and Flaws (from [[Covenants Chapter Nine: Laboratories#Laboratory Virtues and Flaws\|page 113]]), expanding on those given here.

	<span id="virtues-1"></span>		<span id="virtues-1"></span>
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	<span id="structure-virtues-and-flams"></span>		<span id="structure-virtues-and-flams"></span>

	=== Structure Virtues and Flams ===		=== Structure Virtues and Flams ===

Yair: added gloss on /* Magic Items for Laboratories */

2026-04-10T00:45:15Z

added gloss on Magic Items for Laboratories

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	* If the effect duplicates an existing Laboratory Virtue or Flaw, then the item simply grants that Virtue or Flaw to the lab. It is gained immediately and has no space cost, apply its stated modifications to Characteristics or Specializations, as usual.		* If the effect duplicates an existing Laboratory Virtue or Flaw, then the item simply grants that Virtue or Flaw to the lab. It is gained immediately and has no space cost, apply its stated modifications to Characteristics or Specializations, as usual.
	* If the effect does not resemble a Laboratory Virtue or Flaw, then the final level of the effect determines how many points of Characteristics or Specializations may be gained. Every ten levels may grant one point in a Specialization, or every 20 levels may improve a Characteristic by one point. For example, an effect with a final level of 50 might improve one Characteristic by one point (20 levels), and one Specialization by three points (30 levels). Also, items or enchantments with powerful effects, influencing the whole of the lab, may (unintentionally) increase the Warping Characteristic, at the discretion of the storyguide.		* If the effect does not resemble a Laboratory Virtue or Flaw, then the final level of the effect determines how many points of Characteristics or Specializations may be gained. Every ten levels may grant one point in a Specialization, or every 20 levels may improve a Characteristic by one point. For example, an effect with a final level of 50 might improve one Characteristic by one point (20 levels), and one Specialization by three points (30 levels). Also, items or enchantments with powerful effects, influencing the whole of the lab, may (unintentionally) increase the Warping Characteristic, at the discretion of the storyguide.
			{{CommunityGloss\|Creating magic items is an easy way to increase the lab total using these rules, especially once Arts reach high levels. Consider letting a magic item have penalties (and not just Warping) just like other lab virtues, in addition to its intended effect, and also consider limiting stacking multiple lab virtues (whether by magic items or not).}}

	-----		-----

Yair: added gloss on lab-virtue stacking

2026-04-10T00:38:57Z

added gloss on lab-virtue stacking

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	A laboratory has free space for one or more new Virtues if its current points of Virtues minus points of Flaws is less than the Size + Refinement, and thus the occupied Size is less than the Size. If there are sufficient points of free space, a Virtue can be taken without needing to take a Flaw. Otherwise, one or more Flaws must be taken simultaneously to balance it. A magus who wishes to install a Virtue (Minor or Major) into a standard laboratory thus has four choices: either first spend a season to increase the Refinement to +1 (requiring a Magic Theory of 4), accept a Flaw to balance the Virtue, somehow increase the physical space of the existing lab, or move into a bigger lab. Free Virtues have no point cost and are thus not restricted in this way.		A laboratory has free space for one or more new Virtues if its current points of Virtues minus points of Flaws is less than the Size + Refinement, and thus the occupied Size is less than the Size. If there are sufficient points of free space, a Virtue can be taken without needing to take a Flaw. Otherwise, one or more Flaws must be taken simultaneously to balance it. A magus who wishes to install a Virtue (Minor or Major) into a standard laboratory thus has four choices: either first spend a season to increase the Refinement to +1 (requiring a Magic Theory of 4), accept a Flaw to balance the Virtue, somehow increase the physical space of the existing lab, or move into a bigger lab. Free Virtues have no point cost and are thus not restricted in this way.

	Virtues are not simply chosen and gained automatically — there may be a cost in time, money, or vis, and there may be additional specific requirements (see the list below). As a general rule, it takes one season of work to gain a		Virtues are not simply chosen and gained automatically — there may be a cost in time, money, or vis, and there may be additional specific requirements (see the list below). As a general rule, it takes one season of work to gain a Minor Virtue, and two seasons to gain a Major Virtue. This time is occupied with construction or installing the improvement. The person doing this work needs to have a Magic Theory score at least three points higher than the lab's Refinement. Free Virtues have no space and (usually) no seasonal construction requirement. They may be gained in a day or so, if the relevant materials are procured, or if the relevant circumstances are satisfied.
			{{CommunityGloss\|Note that this cost is ''linear'', in the sense that it costs the same amount of effort to gain the bonus regardless of Art levels; whereas increasing Arts to gain the same bonuses becomes exponentially harder. Consider limiting piling up more and more Virtues to gain high laboratory bonuses.}}
	Minor Virtue, and two seasons to gain a Major Virtue. This time is occupied with construction or installing the improvement. The person doing this work needs to have a Magic Theory score at least three points higher than the lab's Refinement. Free Virtues have no space and (usually) no seasonal construction requirement. They may be gained in a day or so, if the relevant materials are procured, or if the relevant circumstances are satisfied.

	Sometimes, the magus might wish to lose Virtues. This is not always possible, since some Virtues are due to fundamental properties of the lab (such as its physical location) which cannot readily be changed. Where it is possible, a Minor or Major Virtue can only be removed during a season or more of work to improve the laboratory (either by increasing the Refinement, or installing a different Virtue). For example, the magus can remove an existing Lesser Feature and replace it with a new one, in one season. Where it is possible to remove a Free Virtue, it can usually be done in a day or so.		Sometimes, the magus might wish to lose Virtues. This is not always possible, since some Virtues are due to fundamental properties of the lab (such as its physical location) which cannot readily be changed. Where it is possible, a Minor or Major Virtue can only be removed during a season or more of work to improve the laboratory (either by increasing the Refinement, or installing a different Virtue). For example, the magus can remove an existing Lesser Feature and replace it with a new one, in one season. Where it is possible to remove a Free Virtue, it can usually be done in a day or so.

	<span id="flaws-1"></span>		<span id="flaws-1"></span>

	==== Flaws ====		==== Flaws ====

Yair: gloss on /* Multiple Laboratory Activities */

2026-04-09T21:50:11Z

gloss on Multiple Laboratory Activities

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	Sometimes you may wish to perform laboratory activities that, though rewarding, are well within your capabilities. In this case, you may choose to perform multiple activities within a single season, splitting your time among them all. All the activities you perform in a season must be of the same type (for example, learning spells, instilling powers in an invested device, creating potions) and must use the same Technique and Form. Some or all of the activities may be based on Laboratory Texts. To perform multiple activities, simply add up the levels of all activities performed and apply your Lab Total to the total of the levels.		Sometimes you may wish to perform laboratory activities that, though rewarding, are well within your capabilities. In this case, you may choose to perform multiple activities within a single season, splitting your time among them all. All the activities you perform in a season must be of the same type (for example, learning spells, instilling powers in an invested device, creating potions) and must use the same Technique and Form. Some or all of the activities may be based on Laboratory Texts. To perform multiple activities, simply add up the levels of all activities performed and apply your Lab Total to the total of the levels.
			{{CommunityGloss\|It isn't clear how to combine lab activities that use a lab text and those that don't. A common solution is to add ''twice'' the level of effects that do not use a lab text, but treat the sum total as if using a lab text.}}

	If the Lab Totals for the different activities are different, due to requisites, a Magical Focus, or similar, apply the lowest of the Lab Totals to the total of the levels.		If the Lab Totals for the different activities are different, due to requisites, a Magical Focus, or similar, apply the lowest of the Lab Totals to the total of the levels.
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	<span id="help-in-the-laboratory"></span>		<span id="help-in-the-laboratory"></span>

	== Help in the Laboratory ==		== Help in the Laboratory ==

Yair: added gloss on /* Casting Tablets */

2026-04-09T21:45:29Z

added gloss on Casting Tablets

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	A Casting Tablet is a variant on a Laboratory Text that contains a simple series of instructions for casting a particular spell. Magi who have not learned the spell's intricacies through laboratory research may use a Casting Tablet instead. Casting from tablets is dangerous, because the magus is calling on power that he cannot control accurately. Casting from tablets is also an inflexible style of spellcasting.		A Casting Tablet is a variant on a Laboratory Text that contains a simple series of instructions for casting a particular spell. Magi who have not learned the spell's intricacies through laboratory research may use a Casting Tablet instead. Casting from tablets is dangerous, because the magus is calling on power that he cannot control accurately. Casting from tablets is also an inflexible style of spellcasting.
			{{CommunityGloss\|The original Fifth Edition core rules did not include casting tablets. This is therefore an addition to the core rules. Note that this new option cheapens learning spells and deters it. Consider whether you want to include that in your saga.}}

	A magus casting from a tablet does not understand the spell's workings, and so may not tinker with decisions made by the author. The Range, Duration, Target, and size of the spell, the exact amount and Arts of raw vis consumed, and any single type of Arcane Connection to be used, are specified by the author at writing. Spells cast from tablets do not have Penetration bonuses unless they are built into the spell's level by the author.		A magus casting from a tablet does not understand the spell's workings, and so may not tinker with decisions made by the author. The Range, Duration, Target, and size of the spell, the exact amount and Arts of raw vis consumed, and any single type of Arcane Connection to be used, are specified by the author at writing. Spells cast from tablets do not have Penetration bonuses unless they are built into the spell's level by the author.
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	<span id="translating-laboratory-texts"></span>		<span id="translating-laboratory-texts"></span>

	=== Translating Laboratory Texts ===		=== Translating Laboratory Texts ===