###I Wanna be a Magic User…
###Topics
###WARNING
The magic system on LegendMUD is highly complex and unique compared to other muds. While mages can be powerful characters and a lot of fun to play, this also means they have one of the steepest learning curves of any character type. It really isn't recommended as a first character, but if you are determined, brave, and don't mind dying a lot at first, and have the patience to learn the way the magic system works while trying to figure out everything else about the mud, then read on...
####How does Magic Work?
Mages on LegendMUD are divided into two classes. Create (Kere) and Cause (Vina). They each have their own unique spells and a few that they share. Be sure you know which you want to be before you start developing your character because they are mutually exclusive. You can be one or the other, not both. You can also choose to be a full magic user (what's called a 3rd circle(3C) mage), or a partial magic user (often referred to as a 2nd circle (2C) mage).
Spells in Legend, revolve around learn words. As you level you can learn words, similar to the way you learn skills. Depending on which words you learn, you will have access to different spells. Some words cannot be learned before you reach a certain level, and all words have a stat requirement before you can learn them.
Becoming a magic user begins with learning the skill CHANT, this is the same for any type of magic user. Once you have learned the CHANT skill, you can start to learn your magic words. Spells are made up of magic words combined in a particular order, which are then CHANTed. Like all skills, your stats, level and hometown will affect whether or not you can learn CHANT skill.
###How do I Learn Words?
Learning words is very similar to learning skills. Once you have learned the CHANT skill, if you type ALLWORDS you will get a list of words you are currently able to learn. Words you have already learned will be marked with a +. Similar to skills, words have a stat and level requirement to learn them. KERE and VINA are mutually exclusive, once you learn one, you can no longer learn the other. All other words, assuming you have the stats and appropriate level, you are able to learn. The WORDS command will allow you to see what words you have learned. If you fall below the minimum stat requirements it will mark them with a -.
You may notice that words are divided up into three circles. First, Second and Third circles. Different hometowns are able to learn different circles of words. For example, to learn 3rd circle words you must come from Ancient Arabia. _First and third circle words will cost you one practice. Second circle words cost 2 practices each._
Again, similar to skills, you learn magic words from the appropriate mobs in the game. When you ASK <mobname> TEACH they will respond with a clue about what word they teach. Some word teachers will require something from you before they will teach you. Some of the higher level words require a quest be completed before they will teach you the word. Once you meet their requirements ASK <mobname> <word> to learn the word.
####How do I Learn Spells?
Spells in Legend are executed by chanting up to three words in the correct combination. Each spell costs mana to cast, and if you run out of mana, you can no longer cast until you regenerate some more mana. (You can use the MEDITATE skill to regenerate mana faster.) To cast a spell, you must use the format CHANT <spellwords> ex <target>. Some spells do not require a target, and similar to fight skills, when in combat and the target is your combatant, you can omit the target. The command ALLSPELLS will show you all the spells the words you have learned combine into. Your SPELLBOOK will display the spells you know. In order to have a spell show up in your spellbook, you must have tried to chant the correct combination of words at least once. The spell does not have to be successfully cast, spells will occasionally fail, especially at lower levels, but even a casted but failed spell will show up in your SPELLBOOK.
Spells have their own leveling system. The more you cast a spell, the better you will become at it. As you become better at casting a spell it will fail less often. There are ways to increase the success rate of your spells through the use of the "concentration" stat. This can be very helpful at lower levels. There is a potion, brewable by druids, that helps with your mind stat and grants concentration. So, talk to other players about how to access some.
####More Information
This is just a basic starting guide. There is a lot more to learn about mages.
Here are some recommended in-game help files to read:
Finally, LegengHUB has listed all the spell words, and their teachers and has pages for Kere spell word combinations and Vina spell word combinations.
If you are still interested in being a mage, check out the suggested builds for Arcane Master Cause Mage and Constitution Create Battle Mage