Codified Magic

Overview

Codified magic or spells refer to spells that are so studied, refined, and practised by the world at large that they have become reliable and stable.

Spell Schools can be found in this list for most D&D 5e spells.

Codified Magic refers to any spell from any official D&D 5e sourcebook.

Learning Codified Magic

A Codified spell must be learned and in a spellbook to be cast.

Note: a Codified Spell could be used as a template, but if it wasn't studied and in the caster's spellbook, then it is cast with a Conjure Check as if it was Spontaneous Magic.

A Codified spell can be written into a spellbook in two ways.

First, a character may use a Spell Scroll. Copying the scroll into their spellbook requires 1 hour of study per spell level. This does not need to be one sitting. The Spell scroll is consumed during this process. By default, spell scrolls are 'writeable', meaning they can be used to learn the spell. A spell scroll may note that it is "readable only", meaning it is only for consuming to cast the spell.

Secondly, a Codified spell can be granted to a character through roleplay, at the discretion of the DM. Maybe a character studies for a week under a knowledgeable tutor, or they unlock the secrets of a spell through extensive time and skilled research in a library. Maybe the wind speaks to them.

Casting Codified Magic

Casting a Codified Spell from a spellbook does not require a Conjure Check.

Codified Spells are designed and crafted for use in a particular way, and use a specific School. In some cases, there is more than one version of a spell, allowing it to be cast as a Codified Spell using a different School. Spell Schools can be found here for most D&D 5e spells.

Occasionally, a Codified Spell uses two Schools to be cast.

Altering the School used, or any other detail of a spell (damage type, duration, area of effect, range, target type etc.) eliminates the benefit of the spell being studied and structured, and the variant becomes Spontaneous Magic, requiring a Conjure Check.