Currently, I am adventuring on Dereth, the island realm of Asheron's Call. Some other Grey Company elves adventure there also. You can read about our current adventures here: The Grey Company in Dereth.
Ilustriel Morningstar and Lywnis Yavielasse invited me to answer Asheron's Call. Delightedly, I joined them in exploring the realm of Dereth. 'Tis a beautiful land with compelling intrigue. Here, we fought young banderlings in the wilds near Glenden Wood.
You can see more images from our adventures here: Asheron's Call Beta Adventures.
There is much to learn about the ways of magic in Dereth. My beginner's spellbook contained three spells: Flame Bolt I, Force Bolt I, and Lightning. There are many, many more spells that I might learn. Hence, I have undertaken study of creating additional spells.
My spellbook listed the components required for the three known spells, and, when I cast them, I said the required Words of Power. Thus, I knew what is required to cast these spells, and I used this knowledge as the basis for tests to create additional spells.
The Components tab of my spellbook lists six categories of components: Scarabs, Herbs, Powdered Gems, Alchemical Substances, Talismans, and Tapers. Although first level spells do not use Tapers, more advanced spells do.
Additionally, the Help information about Magic explains there are four types of components required for each spell: a Power component (scarabs), an Action component (herbs), a set of Concept components (powdered gems, alchemical substances, and tapers), and a Target component (talismans).
To create new spells, I've used the following test procedure: 1) substitute one or more different components; 2) enter spellcasting mode and target a creature, such as a rabbit; 3) test the component combination to see what Words of Power and effects result. Thus far, I've identified Words of Power associated with various components. Furthermore, I've created several new spells for my spellbook. Hooray!
Results from my tests are listed in the tables below.
Here is a representative component formula for a magic spell.
Any elf wishing for assistance in creating spells, feel free to contact me.