Francis Barrett’s The Magus (1801)

(text & scans available online) and pulled out a selection of ritual conjurations, protective formulas, occult “experiments” and named operations that read like usable spells. I then converted them into ready-to-run Barbarian of Lemuria — Mythic Edition stats (magnitude/AP, mechanical effect, casting requirements, duration, resistances, and GM complications).Sources I used: the full text/scan of The Magus (1801) and Barrett’s included Heptameron / conjurations and Agrippa-derived material. (Internet Sacred Text Archive, Internet Archive)
Design notes / assumptions (BoL-Mythic conversion):

• Cantrip = 1 AP, First ≈ 3–5 AP, Second ≈ 6–9 AP, Third ≈ 11–15 AP (Third often 15 AP before ritual discounts).
• Casting roll: automatic with proper grimoire/focus; otherwise 2d6 + Mind + Magician vs DC 8–15 depending on Magnitude.
• Saves: Mind (for mental effects), Fortitude/Strength (for bindings/physical), or none (self/equipment).
• Barrett’s rituals are ceremonial: many require seals, planetary timing, incense, or names — I preserve that flavor as casting requirements and optional ritual bonuses.

• Magnitude / AP: First / 4 AP
• Effect: Creates a radiant pentagram seal centered on a doorway (5 ft radius) that grants +4 Defense and prevents entry by lesser spirits and hostile humanoids for 1 hour. Mundane foes can still pass if they force it (Strength test).
• Casting reqs: Draw pentagram with consecrated chalk/ink, burn frankincense, speak the names. If cast during correct astrological hour, AP cost −1.
• Duration: 1 hour (or until dispelled).
• Save: N/A to enter (mechanical force bypass possible).
• Complication: The seal radiates occult light and can attract the attention of curious magi or predatory spirits. (Barrett emphasizes seals & figures for defense). (Internet Sacred Text Archive)

• Magnitude / AP: Second / 7 AP
• Effect: Summon and compel a lesser spirit (elemental/air or domestic sprite) to perform one simple service (scout, carry a message, small task) or answer 3 short questions. Spirit obeys until task complete or 1 hour passes.
• Casting reqs: Circle, sigil of the spirit (from Barrett’s tables), incense, an evocation formula. A correct planetary hour reduces AP by 1.
• Duration: Task-based (max 1 hour).
• Save: Spirit may demand token/offer; if caster refuses, spirit may feign obedience.
• Complication: Spirits in Barrett’s formulas are specific — a mis-sigil may call a similar but mischievous entity (trick, misdirection). (Internet Archive)

• Magnitude / AP: Second / 6 AP
• Effect: Binds a watchful spirit to a house or item that alerts the caster of intruders (scent/sound/vision manifest as a whisper or small omen). Also imposes −2 to stealth checks for intruders while on the guarded ground.
• Casting reqs: Heptameron conjuration, iron nail driven through a small consecrated tablet placed within the threshold.
• Duration: 24 hours (renewable).
• Save: N/A (area-effect detection).
• Complication: The watch reports not only intruders but also overhears secrets; the caster must guard what the spirit sees. (Internet Archive)

• Magnitude / AP: First / 4 AP (personal), Second / 8 AP (to compel a creature)
• Effect: When worn, the sigil grants +2 to spellcasting rolls and becomes a focus. If used to compel a weak-willed human or spirit, attempt an opposed Mind roll; on success they gain a compelled obedience for 1d6 rounds.
• Casting reqs: Inscribe lamen on metal or parchment with consecrated ink; charge under chanting & planetary timing.
• Duration: 8 hours (personal) or 1d6 rounds (compel).
• Save: Will save vs compulsion.
• Complication: Sigils can be copied — rivals may imitate or counterfeit them. (Internet Sacred Text Archive)

• Magnitude / AP: First / 3 AP
• Effect: Causes a small iron object or unlocked metal gate within 10 paces to tremble and be drawn toward a chosen point (useful to pull keys, open a gate slowly, or trip a mechanism). Provide automatic minor mechanical effect; stronger locks require a Strength/Tool check.
• Casting reqs: Iron chain or lodestone touched and an incantation from Barrett’s magnetism chapter.
• Duration: Instant (one effect).
• Save: N/A (mechanical), Strength check for heavy objects.
• Complication: Magnetic pulse may erase delicate runed inks or scatter filings that reveal occult residue. (magicgatebg.com)

• Magnitude / AP: Second / 7 AP
• Effect: Peer through the air to see a place within 1 mile (clear line of sight conceptually), viewing for up to 3 minutes. Images are hazy; roll Mind + Magician vs DC 10 to gain clear details or read text.
• Casting reqs: A bowl of spring water, a mirror or polished metal (Barrett’s scrying setups), invoked name of an angel/planetary spirit.
• Duration: 3 minutes.
• Save: Target may have protective ward (Mind/Arcane save) to resist being observed.
• Complication: Sight may bring a psychic echo — faint after-image that causes −1 Mind for 1 round. (HolyBooks)

• Magnitude / AP: First / 4 AP
• Effect: Lulls one creature within 20 paces into a light sleep (lasts 1 hour) unless they succeed on a Mind save. If subject is on watch or very alert, DC is increased. Physical wounding wakes them.
• Casting reqs: Sprinkling powdered poppy/incense or reciting an appropriate conjuration. Barrett includes pharmacopeia for soporifics.
• Duration: 1 hour (or until woken).
• Save: Mind save negates.
• Complication: Side-effect: a lingering drowsiness imposes −1 to actions next scene if misused. (Internet Archive)

• Magnitude / AP: Second / 8 AP (short-term), Third / 12–15 AP (long-term, near-permanent)
• Effect: Create a binding circle that immobilizes or anchors a target spirit/creature within until dispelled. For living targets, it imposes a Strong (Might/Arcane opposed) test to break out. Third-magnitude may require sacrifices or prolonged ritual.
• Casting reqs: Circle drawn with salt, iron filings, sigils and pronounced conjuration (Barrett’s ritual format).
• Duration: 1 hour (Second) or days/weeks (Third).
• Save: Strength/Might or Arcane opposed roll.
• Complication: A bound supernatural entity may lash out mentally to corrupt the caster (1 Corruption-like point in long campaigns). (Internet Archive)

• Magnitude / AP: Third / 11–13 AP (ritualal transmutation), First / 4 AP (minor cosmetic change)
• Effect: Ritual attempt to alter small amounts of base metal into a higher alloy (cosmetic or low-grade gold). In-game: Third makes 1–2 ounces of refined metal (game economy GM call). Risk of failure. First-magnitude cosmetic changes (color/tarnish) are reliable.
• Casting reqs: Alchemical furnace, reagents listed in Barrett’s chapters, hours-long ceremony.
• Duration: Instant (result occurs) but may be unstable and reverts on detection if failed.
• Save: N/A (procedural).
• Complication: Failed transmutation can produce toxic fumes or attract alchemical seekers (Barrett’s long sections on alchemy). (Internet Archive, Mask of Reason)

• Magnitude / AP: First / 4 AP
• Effect: While worn, the lamen grants +3 to Insight/Detect Deception checks for 30 minutes and brief flashes of truth when a lie is told (sensory cue).
• Casting reqs: Inscribe kabbalistic letters on a pendant and consecrate.
• Duration: 30 minutes.
• Save: N/A for wearer’s perception; targets still make normal saves vs other effects.
• Complication: The wearer perceives truth bluntly; ambiguous cultural truths may be misleading. (Internet Sacred Text Archive)

• Magnitude / AP: Third / 12–15 AP (requires exact rubric)
• Effect: Calls an angelic or high benevolent spirit to protect or advise the caster for a short time (5–10 minutes). It can shield one person (+6 defense vs spirits and magic) or speak a single prophecy.
• Casting reqs: Exact names, lamen, planetary hour, rare incense; Barrett reproduces many angelic names and formulae.
• Duration: 5–10 minutes.
• Save: High spirits normally cannot be compelled; goodwill depends on purity/offerings.
• Complication: Calling such a spirit marks the caster as occultly active — other magi may notice the rite. (Internet Sacred Text Archive, HolyBooks)

• Magnitude / AP: Second / 7 AP (minor), Third / 11–15 AP (lasting, potent curse)
• Effect: Imposes a targeted misfortune (−2 to a stat or skill) on a named individual for 1d6 days (Second) or months (Third). Third-magnitude may require personal token (hair/blood) and prolonged ritual.
• Casting reqs: Curse tablet or dark sigil, spoken malison, possibly unclean offerings (Barrett lists old curse tech).
• Duration: 1d6 days (Second) or 1d6 months (Third).
• Save: Will save reduces effect to −1 severity or halves duration.
• Complication: Curses often rebound — misdirected ritual or failure may afflict caster or kin. (Internet Archive)

• Authentic flavor: Barrett’s work is ceremonial: require ritual tools, time, and planetary timing for bonuses or to reduce AP. Where Barrett lists exact names or sigils, those can be used in-game as unique components (grant +2 to casting roll if used correctly). (Internet Sacred Text Archive)
• Danger & consequence: Barrett’s Heptameron & conjurations emphasize handling spirits carefully — make calls risky: failed control → mischievous spirit or worse. Use the earlier Casting Mishap table from your Witch World set (or the one we used before) for dramatic miscasts. (Internet Archive)
• Veteran players: Let ritual study reduce DCs/AP — players who find Barrett’s exact sigil text earn persistent bonuses. This rewards in-game research into the primary source (which is available online). (Internet Archive)

Last edited by Otto Harkaman (8/10/2025 2:10 pm)