Revision as of 15:02, 7 October 2022

Page Updated:   2022-10-07

General Database information

The MagicMaster API uses a number of databases to hold Ability Macros defining spells, powers and magic items and their effects. The databases are distributed in the game-version-specific RPGMasther Library with many spell, power & magic item definitions. DMs can add their own weapons, ammo and armour to additional databases. Additional databases should be named as follows:

However: the system will ignore any database with a name that includes a version number of the form "v#.#" where # can be any number or group of numbers e.g. MI-DB v2.13 will be ignored. This is so that the DM can version control their databases, with only the current one (without a version number) being live.

There can be as many additional databases as you want. Other Master series APIs come with additional databases, some of which overlap - this does not cause a problem as version control and merging unique macros is managed by the APIs.

Important Note: all Character Sheet databases must have their 'ControlledBy' value (found under the [Edit] button at the top right of each sheet) set to 'All Players'. This must be for all databases, both those provided (set by the API) and any user-defined ones. Otherwise, Players will not be able to run the macros contained in them.

Each Character Sheet database has a similar structure, with:

• Ability Macros named as the spell, power or magic item specified, and used to describe and provide effects for spells, powers and magic items using the commands in the Magic Master API;
• Custom Attributes with the attribute name "ct-ability-macro-name", one per Ability Macro, which defines the casting time and casting cost for spells & powers, and speed and MI type for magic items;
• An entry in a list on the character sheet in the spell book of the relevant Character Sheet tab (Spell Level of the spell defined, Powers tab, or various spell books for different Magic Items - see MI entry below).

Ability Macros can be whatever the DM wants and can be as simple or as complex as desired. Roll Templates are very useful when defining spell, power and magic item ability macros. When a Player or an NPC or Creature views or casts a spell, power or uses a magic item the Magic Master API runs the relevant Ability Macro from the databases as if it had been run by the Player from the chat window. All Roll20 functions for macros are available.

When a Character, NPC or Creature views or uses an item, or views or casts a spell or power, the system searches the relevant databases for an item, spell or power with the selected name, and copies any database ability macro so found to the Character Sheet of the Character, NPC or Creature - if it already exists it will overwrite it with the latest version. If the system can't find a matching entry in any of the databases, API supplied or GM created, it then searches the Character Sheet for a matching ability macro previously saved there - this caters for the character/NPC/creature being moved to a new campaign that, for instance, does not hold a particular GM-created database item, as the macros the Character Sheet needs are always held on it.

Whenever a new gameplay session is started, or the --check-db command is run, the system indexes all database items, both those in API memory and those held in Character Sheet databases: Character Sheet database items in user-defined databases take preference over API databases extracted to Character Sheet databases, which in turn take preference over API databases held in memory. This index speeds up access to the database items. However, items in Character Sheet databases are still much slower for the system to access than items in the API databases in memory. Thus it is best not to use extracted API databases in live gameplay, but only for copying items to support development of GM-created items in a GM's own databases. After use, the extracted API databases can just be deleted.

Replacing Spells & Items

If you want to replace any spell or item provided in any of the databases, you can do so simply by creating an Ability Macro in one of your own databases with exactly the same name as the provided item to be replaced. The API gives preference to Ability Macros in user-defined databases, so yours will be selected in preference to the one provided with the APIs.

Spells and Powers Databases

Spells/Powers databases have names that start with

Wizard Spells: MU-Spells-DB-[added name]
Priest Spells: PR-Spells-DB-[added name]
Powers: Powers-DB-[added name]

Those with version numbers of the form v#.# as part of the name will be ignored.

As previously stated, each spell or power definition has 3 parts in the database (see Section 1): an Ability Macro with a name that is unique and matches the spell or power, an Attribute with the name of the Ability Macro preceded by "ct-", and a listing in the database character sheet of the ability macro name separated by '|' along with others of the same level in the spell book of the level of the spell or power. The quickest way to understand these entries is to examine existing entries. Do extract the root databases using the !magic --extract-db command, and take a look (but remember to delete it after viewing to speed things up, and then reindex the databases using !magic --check-db)

Note: The DM creating new spells and powers does not need to worry about anything other than the Ability Macro in the database, as running the command --check-db will update all other aspects of the database appropriately for all databases, as long as the Specs and Data fields are correctly defined. Use the name of the particular database as a parameter to check and update just that database. Running the command --check-db with no parameters will check and update all databases.

Ability macros can be added to a database just by using the [+Add] button at the top of the Abilities column in the Attributes and Abilities tab of the Database Character Sheet, and then using the edit "pencil" icon on the new entry to open it for editing. Ability macros are standard Roll20 functionality and not dependent on the API. Refer to the Roll20 Help Centre for more information.

The Ability Macro for a spell may look something like this:

Sleep

/w "@{selected|character_name}" &{template:RPGMspell}{{title=@{selected|casting-name} casts Sleep as a level @{selected|casting-level} caster}}{{splevel=Level 1 Wizard}}{{school=Enchantment/Charm}}Specs=[Sleep,MUspellL1,1H,Enchantment-Charm]{{range=90 ft}}{{components=V, S, M}}{{duration=[[5*({10,@{selected|casting-level}}kl1)]] Rounds}}{{time=1}}{{aoe=[30ft Cube](!rounds --aoe @{selected|token_id}|square|feet|90|30||dark)}}{{save=None}}{{damage=[Sleep them](!rounds --target area|@{selected|token_id}|@{target|Select who to sleep|token_id}|Sleep|[[5*({10,@{selected|casting-level}}kl1)]]|-1|Snoring away, shake to awaken|sleepy)}}SpellData=[w:Sleep,lv:1,sp:1,gp:0.01,cs:VSM]{{effects=Up to [2d4](!\ \/r 2d4) Hit Dice of creatures with 4 HD or less are put to sleep beginning with the lowest HD creatures in the Area of Effect.}}{{materials=a pinch of fine sand, rose petals, or a live cricket.}}

The ability specification for this Sleep spell uses a Roll20 Roll Template, in this case provided by the RPGMaster Library (see the documentation for the RPGMaster Library for specifications of this Roll Template), but any Roll Template you desire can be used. The entries in the Roll Template itself can be anything you want, giving as much or as little information as you want. However, the important elements for the MagicMaster API are those highlighted. In red, two API buttons grant the player access to run RoundMaster API commands to show the Area of Effect of the spell, and then to mark affected tokens with a "Sleepy" status. Each of the elements important to the database are inserted between the elements of the Roll Template, meaning they will not be seen by the player when the macro is run. Generally spaces, hyphens and underscores in the data elements are ignored, and case is not significant. Each element is described below:

Specs = [Type, Class, Handedness, Spell School]

The Specs section describes what spell type and school this spell belongs to. These fields must be in this order. This format is identical for all database items, whether in these databases or others used by the Master series of APIs. Where there are multiple answers for a field, separate each by '|'. Note: Only A-Z, a-z, 0-9, hyphen/minus(-), plus(+), equals(=) point(.) and vertical bar(|) are allowed. Replace any forward slash with hyphen.

SpellData=[w:Sleep,lv:1,sp:1,gp:1,cs:VSM]

The SpellData section specifies the data relating to the use of the spell. These fields can be in any order.

The casting time (or speed) sp: can be negative, meaning it gives a negative modifier to individual initiative (if InitMaster API is being used). It can also be greater than 10 segments, meaning it takes longer than 1 Round to cast. Multiply the number of Rounds it will take to cast by 10, or the number of Turns it will take to cast by 100 (if using the InitMaster API the rounds will be automatically counted down and the spell actually cast in the appropriate round, unless the casting is interrupted). It can also be a dice roll specification, which will be rolled at the point that a character selects the spell, power or item to use in a particular round, which means the speed can vary from round to round. E.g. under AD&D2e rules, potions are always of this nature (see the AD&D2e DMG p141).

The cost of material components, gp:, is deducted from the Caster's money on their Character Sheet each time the spell is cast. The GM is informed of the spell being cast, by whom, and how much money it cost and how much money the Caster has left for each casting.

The components of the spell, cs:, is currently not used and is for future expansion capabilities.

The Ability Macro for a Power may look something like this:

Turn Undead

/w "@{selected|character_name}" &{template:RPGMspell}{{title=@{selected|token_name} attempts to Turn Undead as a level @{selected|pr-casting-level} @{selected|class3}}} {{splevel=Power}} {{school=Necromancy}}Specs=[Turn-Undead,Power,1H,Necromancy]{{components=V,S}}{{time=[[10]]}}{{range=0}}{{duration=Until broken}}{{aoe=Undead within line of sight}}{{save=See turning table}}{{reference=PHB p103}}{{damage=[Turn It](!rounds --target area|@{selected|token_id}|@{target|Select undead|token_id}|Turned|99|0|Turned undead, flee if free-willed, stand aside if controlled|screaming)}}SpellData=[w:Turn Undead, sp:10, cs:VS]{{effects=**Remember that Paladins turn as a Priest of 2 levels lower.**<br> Attempting to turn counts as an action, requiring one round and occurring during the character\'s turn in the initiative order (thus, the undead may get to act before the character can turn them). The mere presence of the character is not enough--a touch of drama from the character is important. Speech and gestures are important, so the character must have his hands free and be in a position to speak. However, turning is not like spellcasting and is not interrupted if the character is attacked during the attempt.<br> To resolve a turning attempt, look on Table 61. Cross-index the Hit Dice or type of the undead with the level of the character (two levels lower for a paladin). If there is a number listed, roll 1d20. If the number rolled is equal to or greater than that listed, the attempt is successful. If the letter "T" (for "turned") appears, the attempt is automatically successful without a die roll. If the letter "D" (for "dispel") is given, the turning utterly destroys the undead. A dash (--) means that a priest or paladin of that level cannot turn that type of undead. A successful turn or dispel affects 2d6 undead. If the undead are a mixed group, the lowest Hit Dice creatures are turned first.<br> Only one die is rolled regardless of the number of undead the character is attempting to turn in a given round. The result is read individually for each type of undead.}}{{material=The Priest's holy symbol}}

Essentially, Powers are just Spells by another name, that can be cast multiple times per day, and are innate to the Character\'s class, or to a creature. The specification is, therefore, almost identical to a spell. In the author\'s campaigns, Powers do not consume material components and therefore do not cost money to use (except in rare circumstances) hence there being no gp: specification (it defaults to 0gp), but other DMs can add material costs for Powers if desired. Powers are all 1 level, hence no lv: specification.

Magic Item Databases

Magic Item databases have names such as

Magic Items: MI-DB-[added name]

And can have anything put at the end, though those with version numbers of the form v#.# as part of the name will be ignored.

As previously stated and as for other magic, each magic item definition has 3 parts in the database (see Section 1): an Ability Macro with a name that is unique and identifies the magic item, an Attribute with the name of the Ability Macro preceded by "ct-", and a listing in the database character sheet of the ability macro name separated by \'|\' along with others of the same magic item type, which is one of: Potion, Scroll, Rod/Stave/Wand, Weapon, Armour, Ring, Miscellaneous, and also DM Only magic items. The quickest way to understand these entries is to examine existing entries. Do extract a root database using the !magic --extract-db command and take a look (but remember to delete it after viewing to speed things up, and then reindex the databases using !magic --check-db)

Note: The DM creating new spells and powers does not need to worry about anything other than the Ability Macro in the database, as running the command --check-db will update all other aspects of the database appropriately for all databases, as long as the Specs and Data fields are correctly defined. Use the name of the particular database as a parameter to check and update just that database. Running the command --check-db with no parameters will check and update all databases.

Ability macros can be added to a database just by using the [+Add] button at the top of the Abilities column in the Attributes and Abilities tab of the Database Character Sheet, and then using the edit "pencil" icon on the new entry to open it for editing. Ability macros are standard Roll20 functionality and not dependent on the API. Refer to the Roll20 Help Centre for more information.

The Ability Macro may look something like this:

Oil-of-Etherealness

/w "@{selected|character_name}" &{template:RPGMpotion}{{title=Oil of Etherealness}} {{splevel=Oil}} {{school=Alteration}}Specs=[Oil of Etherealness,Potion,1H,Alteration]{{components=M}}{{time=[[3]] rounds after application}} PotionData=[sp:30,rc:charged]{{range=User}}{{duration=4+1d4 turns}} {{aoe=User}} {{save=None}} {{healing=[Become Ethereal](!rounds --target single|@{selected|token_id}|@{target|Select a target|token_id}|Oil-of-Etherealness|[[10*(4+1d4)]]|-1|Ethereal|Ninja-mask)}}{{effects=This potion is actually a light oil that is applied externally to clothes and exposed flesh, conferring etherealness. In the ethereal state, the individual can pass through solid objects in any direction - sideways, upward, downward - or to different planes. The individual cannot touch non-ethereal objects.<br> The oil takes effect three rounds after application, and it lasts for 4+1d4 turns unless removed with a weak acidic solution prior to the expiration of its normal effective duration. It can be applied to objects as well as creatures. One potion is sufficient to anoint a normal human and such gear as he typically carries (two or three weapons, garments, armor, shield, and miscellaneous gear). Ethereal individuals are invisible.}}{{materials=Oil}}

There is one new field in the data section (in this case called the PotionData section):

All magic items have a recharging/curse type: for details, see the --gm-edit-mi command in the MagicMaster API help documentation. If not supplied for a magic item definition, it defaults to uncharged. Generally, items in the database are not cursed-, but can have their type changed to cursed or some recharging cursed type when the DM stores them in a container or gives them to a Character using the --gm-edit-mi command.

Other magic items might use different structures, and be more complex:

Bead-of-Force

/w "@{selected|character_name}" &{template:RPGMitem}{{name=Bead of Force}}{{subtitle=Magic Item}}Specs=[Bead of Force,Miscellaneous,1H,Evocation]{{Speed=[[0]]}}MiscData=[w:Bead of Force,sp:0,rc:charged]{{Size=Tiny}}{{Range=[Up to 30yds](!rounds --aoe @{selected|token_id}|circle|yards|0|60||dark|true)}}{{damage=[5d4](! /gmroll 5d4 damage from Bead of Force in 10ft redius) damage in 10ft radius}}{{duration=3d4 rounds}}{{Save=[To escape sphere](! /gmroll 1d20 Save vs. spell or captured in *Sphere of Force*)}}{{Effect=[Trapped in Sphere](!rounds --target area|@{selected|token_id}|Bead-of-Force|8|-1|\'Held in Sphere of Force\'|fishing-net)}}{{desc=These small, black spheres might be mistaken for common beads, marbles, or unusually black but lusterless pearls. From 5-8 of these beads are usually found at one time. Each is about three-quarters of an inch in diameter and quite heavy, weighing almost an ounce. One can be hurled up to 30 yards.<br> Upon impact, the bead sends forth a burst of force that inflicts 5d4 points of damage upon all creatures within a 10-foot radius of its center. Each victim is allowed a saving throw vs. spell. Those who save will be thrown out of the blast area, but those who fail to save will be encapsulated by a sphere of force after taking damage.<br> The sphere will form around any and all such creatures in the 10-foot-radius area, even those of large size, and will persist for 3d4 rounds. Victims will be unable to escape except by the same means and used to bring down a wall of force spell.}}

Here, an API button exists to do a saving throw with documented outcomes, and another API button can target an area with multiple tokens in to entrap them (if the DM rejects or confirms as they make or fail each saving throw).

Magic Items with Powers or Spell-Storing

Some magic items, especially artefacts and sentient items, can store spells and/or have powers similar to characters. MagicMaster supports magic items of this type to a degree, although there are inevitably exceptions that the DM will have to get creative in their development! These items use API buttons that call various MagicMaster commands to deliver their capabilities.

First to note is that items that have powers and spells use spell slots in the owning character's character sheet. These spell slots should not be used by characters in your campaign. If they are, errors might occur. By default, on the AD&D2E character sheet the system uses Wizard Level 14 spell slots for magic item powers, and Wizard Level 15 spell slots for spell-storing magic items. As standard AD&D2E only has spells up to level 9 this generally works without causing problems.

Next, in addition to the three standard elements of the Ability Macro, the 'ct-' attribute and the listing, these items require a 4th element which specifies their powers and spells. These are:

In each case the [item-name] is replaced by the Ability macro name (which is not case sensitive).

Note: The DM creating new spell storing or power wielding magic items does not need to worry about anything other than the Ability Macro in the database, as running the command --check-db will update all other aspects of the database appropriately for all databases, as long as the Specs and Data fields are correctly defined. Use the name of the particular database as a parameter to check and update just that database. Running the command --check-db with no parameters will check and update all databases.

When a spell-storing or power wielding magic item is added to a magic item bag or container using --edit-mi or --gm-edit-mi, these attributes are automatically added to the character sheet by the APIs and also they are parsed by the system and the spells and/or powers are created in the relevant spell books automatically. When such an item is found in a container by a character, or passed from character to character, all of the stored spells & powers are deleted from the old character and created in the new character. A character gaining such an item can use its spells and powers immediately.

Here is an example of a power wielding magic item:

Ring-of-Shooting-Stars

!setattr --silent --sel --casting-level|1 --casting-name|@{selected|token_name}\'s Ring of Shooting Stars
&{template:RPGMring}{{name=Ring of Shooting Stars}}{{subtitle=Ring}}Specs=[Ring of Shooting Stars,Ring,1H,Evocation]{{Speed=[[5]]}}RingData=[w:Ring of Shooting Stars,sp:5,rc:charged,ns:6], [cl:PW,w:MU-Dancing-Lights,sp:5,pd:12], [cl:PW,w:MU-Light,sp:5,pd:2], [cl:PW,w:RoSS-Ball-Lightning,sp:5,pd:1], [cl:PW,w:RoSS-Shooting-Stars,sp:5,pd:3], [cl:PW,w:Faerie-Fire,sp:5,pd:2], [cl:PW,w:RoSS-Spark-Shower,sp:5,pd:1] {{Size=Tiny}} {{Immunity=None}} {{Resistance=None}} {{Saves=None}} {{desc=This ring has two modes of operation - at night and underground - both of which work only in relative darkness.
During night hours, under the open sky, the shooting stars ring will perform the following functions:
- [*Dancing lights*](!magic --mi-power @{selected|token_id}|Dancing-Lights|Ring-of-Shooting-Stars|1) as spell (once per hour).
- [*Light*](!magic --mi-power @{selected|token_id}|Light|Ring-of-Shooting-Stars|1), as spell (twice per night), 120-foot range.
- [*Ball lightning*](!magic --mi-power @{selected|token_id}|RoSS-Ball-Lightning|Ring-of-Shooting-Stars|1), as power (once per night).
- [*Shooting stars*](!magic --mi-power @{selected|token_id}|RoSS-Shooting-Stars|Ring-of-Shooting-Stars|1), as power (special).
Indoors at night, or underground, the ring of shooting stars has the following properties:
[*Faerie fire*](!magic --mi-power @{selected|token_id}|PR-Faerie-Fire|Ring-of-Shooting-Stars|1) (twice per day) as spell
[*Spark shower*](!magic --mi-power @{selected|token_id}|RoSS-Spark-Shower|Ring-of-Shooting-Stars|1) (once per day) as power
Range, duration, and area of effect of functions are the minimum for the comparable spell unless otherwise stated. Casting time is 5}}

Note that the ability macro starts with a call to the ChatSetAttr API to set the casting-level to 1 and the name of the caster to be < Character-name >'s Ring of Shooting Stars. Not strictly necessary, but a nice cosmetic.

The data section now includes repeating data sets, one for each of the powers that the item has:

RingData=[w:Ring of Shooting Stars,sp:5,rc:charged,ns:6], [cl:PW,w:MU-Dancing-Lights,sp:5,pd:12], … 

The first data set is very similar to the standard magic item data, with the addition of the ns: field, and is then followed by a number of repeated data sets specifying each of the powers:

By running the --check-db command (see section 6 and the note above) these data sets are used to correctly set up the database with the powers wielded, so that when a Character receives this item, the Character also gains the powers to use through the item. If a power type prefix is included for one or more power name, the respective database is searched for a matching entry: thus a Wizard or Priest spell can be specified as a power without having to explicitly add a duplicate of it to a Powers Database. If no prefix is specified, the system will first search the Powers Databases (API-supplied and user-supplied) for a match and, if not found there, will then search the MU Spells Databases, the Priest Spells Databases, all Magic Items databases, and then the character sheet of the creature wielding the item power for a match, in that order. An error occurs if no matches are found anywhere.

Note: if a Character picks up two Power-wielding items with exactly the same item name (i.e. two copies of the same item) the results are unpredictable. This is best avoided. The GM can use the --gm-edit-mi menu to rename one or both items with a unique name to differentiate them: see the MagicMaster API documentation for details.

Feel free to just copy the specification for a Ring-of-Shooting-Stars in an extracted copy of the Rings database and save it to a new Ability Macro with a different name, and then alter the power names, speeds, and uses per day, as well as the API Button --mi-power commands and the other text, to form new power-wielding magic items. Also, the Ring does not have to have 6 powers - just remove or add one or more repeating data sets to reduce or increase the number of powers.

Spell Storing Magic Items

A blank Ring of Spell Storing is provided in the API Rings database. It is possible to use the --gm-edit-mi command menu to select this blank ring and use the facilities provided by the menu to add spells to this blank ring, and then rename it to reflect what the GM wants the ring to be. Again, see the MagicMaster API documentation for details.

Here is an example of a spell-storing magic item:

Ring-of-Spell-Storing-HHSLS

/w "@{selected|character_name}" &{template:RPGMring}{{name=Ring of Spell Storing with Haste x2, Slow, Light & Sleep}}{{subtitle=Ring}}Specs=[Ring of Spell Storing,Ring,1H,Conjuration-Summoning]{{Speed=[[5]] regardless of spell}}RingData=[w:Ring of Spell Storing HHSLS,sp:5,rc:uncharged,ns:5], [cl:MU,w:Haste,sp:5,lv:6], [cl:MU,w:Haste,sp:5,lv:6], [cl:MU,w:Slow,sp:5,lv:7], [cl:MU,w:Light,sp:5,lv:3], [cl:MU,w:Sleep,sp:5,lv:3] {{Size=Tiny}}{{Store spell=[Store Priest Spell](!magic --mem-spell MI-PR|@{selected|token_id})
[Store Wizard Spell](!magic --mem-spell MI-MU|@{selected|token_id})}}{{Cast spell=[View](!magic --view-spell mi-muspells|@{selected|token_id}) or [Cast](!magic --cast-spell MI|@{selected|token_id}) spells}}{{desc=A ring of spell storing contains 1d4+1 spells which the wearer can employ as if he were a spellcaster of the level required to use the stored spells. The class of spells contained within the ring is determined in the same fashion as the spells on scrolls (see "Scrolls"). The level of each spell is determined by rolling 1d6 (for priests) or 1d8 (for wizards). The number rolled is the level of the spell, as follows:<br> Priest: 1d6, if 6 is rolled, roll 1d4 instead.<br> Wizard: 1d8, if 8 is rolled, roll 1d6 instead.<br> Which spell type of any given level is contained by the ring is also randomly determined.<br> The ring empathically imparts to the wearer the names of its spells. Once spell class, level, and type are determined, the properties of the ring are fixed and unchangeable. Once a spell is cast from the ring, it can be restored only by a character of appropriate class and level of experience (i.e., a 12th-level wizard is needed to restore a 6th-level magical spell to the ring). Stored spells have a casting time of [[5]].}}

This is a specific version of a Ring of Spell Storing as the spells stored are specified in the macro. Alternatively, a blank Ring of Spell Storing is provided in the API Rings database. It is possible to use the --gm-edit-mi command menu to select this blank ring and use the facilities provided by the menu to add spells to this blank ring, and then rename it to reflect what the GM wants the ring to be. Again, see the MagicMaster API documentation for details.

The only new field in these data sets is:

The lv: field only specifies the level of the initial spell caster when the item is first found. Once owned and used, the level of the spell caster is recorded each time a spell is refreshed by casting into the item. As the item is then passed from one Character to another, or stored in a container and recovered later, the levels at which the spells were cast is retained. However, if the item is reloaded from the databases, or a duplicate of the item is placed by the DM and found by another character, that version of the item will have the spell caster levels from the database definitions. Note that if a single Character picks up two versions of exactly the same spell storing item (i.e. with the same item name) the results are unpredicable... The GM should use the --gm-edit-mi menu to rename one or both of the rings to give them unique names.

Weapons (if using AttackMaster API)

Weapons, magical or not, are special types of items in the Magic Items databases. If coded properly (in the same way as those in the MI-DB-Weapons database), they can be used with the AttackMaster API to implement fully automatic weapon management, the ability to hold weapons "in-hand" or sheathed, to have automatic ammo and range management for ranged weapons, automatic entry of weapons into the melee and/or ranged weapons tables, ready to make attacks with magical plusses and other specifications all set up, and support for dancing weapons (ones that can attack without being held by the Character), creatures with more than 2 hands, and 1-handed weapons, 2-handed weapons, and even weapons that need more than 2 hands!

See the Weapon & Armour Database Help handout and AttackMaster API documentation for how Weapon definitions should be structured for use with the AttackMaster API, which are just a few additions to the standard definition of an item.

Armour & Shields

Like weapons, armour and shields of all types (including magical armour like magical Bracers and Rings of Protection) can be coded to be used with the AttackMaster API to automatically calculate the appropriate AC for various scenarios (such as with & without Shield, from the back, if surprised, etc). This will take into account if the armour is valid for the character class, determine which is the best armour combination that the character has, if various armour elements can or can\'t work together, and add in Dexterity bonuses or impairments. It will also allow magical effects cast on the character to take effect or be adjusted via the token "circles" and highlight when such an effect is in place by showing the relevant token bar (only when there is a difference between the token AC and calculated AC).

See the Weapon & Armour Database Help handout and AttackMaster API documentation for how Armour & Shield definitions should be structured for use with the AttackMaster API, which are just a few additions to the standard definition of an item.

Also, see the RoundMaster API documentation for how magical effects can be placed on and affect tokens and characters.

Specs & Data field values

Below are lists of the current possible values for the item database Ability macro sections.

Specs sections

Specs=[Type, Item-Class, Handedness, Group-Type]

There are no default settings for any of the Specs data fields. All must be explicitly specified.

Spell Types

There is an infinite list of spell types: generally the type is the spell name.

Spell Item-Classes

Spell Handedness

0H A spell/power that does not take a hand (there is no Somatic component)
1H A spell/power that requires only 1 hand to cast (most spells are like this)
2H A spell/power that requires 2 hands to cast (perhaps a scroll must be held)
3H A spell/power that takes 3 hands... perhaps more than 1 caster together?
4H Etc No currently programmed spells use more than 2 hands
... ...

Spell/Power Schools

From MagicMaster v2.048 onwards, Spell Schools are specified by Class in the Class-DB definitions and, depending on the API configuration set with the --config command, will be checked by the system or otherwise. Those implemented so far for the Spells databases are:

Abjuration, Alteration, Conjuration-Summoning, Enchantment-Charm, Divination, Illusion-Phantasm, Invocation-Evocation, Necromancy.

Note that the \'/\' in School names have been replaced by hyphens. It is also allowed to use just one half of any hyphenated school name where appropriate. If a spell or power is of more than one school, separate each with a vertical bar character \'|\'

Magic Item Types

There is an infinite list of magic item types: generally the type is the magic item name. A magic item can have more than one type, with each separated by a vertical bar character \'|\'

Magic Item Classes

Armour Handedness

0H Items that do not require to be held to work (e.g. a Ring, Buckler or a Helm)
1H An item that must be held in one hand to work, such as a Wand
2H Items that need two hands to wield, like a Staff
3H Items that need three hands to use, perhaps by two characters... (not yet implemented)
... etc.

Item Schools

Currently, all Magic Items other than Weapons and Armour use the same set of magical schools as for Spells & Powers, as they mostly perform spell-like effects. See section 7.1(d) for the list.

Data Sections

Definitions for Data Section field types for Weapons & Armour can be found in the AttackMaster API documentation. Below are the definitions for Spell, Power & other Magical Item types.

Note: Always refer to the database specification definitions in other sections above for detailed information on the use of these Field specifiers. Not all specifiers have an obvious use.

Character Sheet data fields

The Character Sheet field mapping to the API script can be altered using the definition of the fields object, the definition for which can be found at the top of the game-version-specific RPGMaster Library API for the game-version you are using. You can find the complete mapping for all APIs in the RPGMaster series, with an explanation of each, in a separate document - ask the Author for a copy.