.: Help for spells

The spells command lists spells you have learned, along with useful information
about each one.

Usage:

  spells
  To get help on a particular spell: help spell [spellId]
  To cast a spell: cast [spellId]  (or just type the spell ID directly)

How spellcasting works — folds:

Casting a spell is not instantaneous. It is a process of bifurcation: you
form a precise mental image of what you want to be true, then split that
image into two identical copies held simultaneously. Then split again.
Each doubling is called a fold.

Different spells require different numbers of folds before they resolve.
Simple effects resolve quickly. Complex ones take longer.

When you cast, you begin accumulating folds each round. You cannot act
freely while doing so — your concentration is occupied. Once you have
accumulated enough folds, the spell resolves automatically.

What affects casting speed:

  Perception — determines how many folds you can sustain per round.
  A sharper mind accumulates folds faster and finishes casting sooner.

  Spellcasting skill — improves fold rate and your chance of successfully
  initiating a cast in the first place.

  Taking damage — disrupts concentration. Significant hits during casting
  may cause you to lose your folds and have to start over.

Discovering new spells:

Spells are not taught by trainers. Each time you successfully cast a spell,
there is a chance a new pattern crystallizes in your mind — a spell you did
not know before. The more you cast, the more you learn.

Your spellcasting skill determines which spells can emerge. Low-fold
spells appear early; powerful high-fold spells require significant mastery
before they reveal themselves.

Conviction:

Each spell has a conviction cost — the sustained belief required to complete
it. You must have enough conviction to cover the full cost before you can
begin. Conviction regenerates over time.

Cooldown:

Initiating a cast uses the shared special-move slot. You cannot bash,
kick, trip, or begin another cast until that cooldown clears. See
help special for details.

See also: help cast, help special, help cooldowns