10 Low-Level Spells for Shadowdark
Never one to be happy with the status quo, recently I thought about expanding the spell list for wizards and priests in my Shadowdark game. Even though our wizards or priests begin at 1st level, we might assume they have had some experience in gaining and learning new spell magic, whether arcane or divine.
At many tables, wizards, priests, and other spellcasters choose spells based on their usefulness in combat. While offensive attack spells that can distribute the damage can be important, there is so much more to explore for these classes. The value of a wizard or priest in your game should not be judged solely by their damage-dealing, or attack spell abilities. Other utility, illusory, or conjuring magic can be just as important in helping the characters reach their goals.
These are mostly 1st-level spells, and you can compare them to cantrips in D&D 5th edition, but in no way do I want to imply that you should dish them out too freely or use them in the same way as 5e. As GM, you might give one of these to your new low-level PC. As a wizard’s apprentice or an acolyte in training with a church or temple, they should have already learned some minor magicks. Or, try adding them during carousing as small boons. You could even include them as scrolls among the dungeon booty.
In all, there are 11 spells here, as I tossed in a bonus. Use the link below to download the PDF, and let me know what you think.
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