Thaumaturges are masters of structured arcane knowledge. Rather than drawing from innate power or chaotic inspiration, they rely on study, discipline, and careful preparation. Their spells are encoded in detailed writings, rituals, and arcane formulas, which they transcribe into their personal spellbooks. A Thaumaturge’s greatest strength lies not in raw power, but in versatility, foresight, and the ability to shape magic with precision. As their knowledge grows, so too does their capacity to manipulate magical energy beyond the limits of ordinary casters.

Thaumaturges thrive in environments where time and planning are on their side. While they may falter in spontaneous situations, they excel when given a chance to prepare, adapt, and control the flow of battle through clever use of their spell repertoire.

When you take this Domain, choose the Aspect you use to cast Thaumaturge spells (e.g. Ingenuity, Finesse, Discipline, Insight, or Tact) and use for your Features.

You possess a personal spellbook, a magical tome that contains the secrets of your arcane studies.

• Spellbook Capacity: You may inscribe up to (3 + 2 x your Tier + your Domain Aspect score) spells into your spellbook.
• Inscribing New Spells: To add a spell, you must:
  • Encounter a written version of the spell (scroll, book, etc.)
  • Spend time studying it (GM sets time and conditions)
  • Pass a Domain Aspect check (DC based on spell complexity)
  • Spend rare inks and arcane materials (10–50 coins, tier dependent)
• Preparing Spells: After a full rest, choose up to (3 + half your Domain Aspect score) spells from your spellbook to prepare. “These are the spells you may cast without penalty.
• Casting Unprepared Spells: You may attempt to cast an unprepared spell from your book, but:
  • Increase the action's cost by +1 Action Load
  • Mark 1 Stress
  • Make a Domain Aspect check (DC based on spell complexity)
  • On failure, the spell fizzles and the action is wasted. On success, you cast the spell normally, but with Disadvantage.

Choose two of the following features. These define your early arcane techniques and how you interact with your spellbook.

You’ve trained to identify and unravel enemy spellwork mid-casting.

• When a creature casts a spell within 30 ft, you may attempt to counter it as a Reaction.
• Spend 1 Action Point and mark 1 Stress.
• Roll your Domain Aspect vs the caster’s Willpower (Resistance check).
• On success, the spell is disrupted and fails.

You’ve internalized core principles of your spell repertoire.

• You may cast unprepared spells from your spellbook without rolling a Domain Aspect check.
• All other penalties still apply:
  • +1 Action Load
  • Mark 1 Stress
  • Roll with Disadvantage

Your spellbook is meticulously organized for fast reference.

• Increase your spellbook capacity by +2 × your Tier.
• During any Quick Rest, you may swap one prepared spell with another from your spellbook.

You use clever triggers and memory tricks to steady your casting.

• Ignore Disadvantage from stress or environmental distractions when casting prepared spells.
• Once per round, you may reroll one die that rolled a 1 on a spellcasting action.

You’re attuned to subtle magical traces.

• As a Free Action, you may sense whether an object, creature, or space within 10 ft is magical.
• Gain Advantage on checks to decipher magical text, sigils, or glyphs.
• When you successfully identify a magical effect, you identify one of its tags (e.g., Fire, Illusion, Charm).

To reach Tier 2 in the Thaumaturge Domain, you must:

• Spend significant time studying or expanding your spellbook.
• Demonstrate mastery by successfully casting at least one unprepared spell in a moment of danger or uncertainty.
• Gain the approval of a mentor, complete a research project, or uncover a rare arcane text.

At Tier 2, a Thaumaturge begins to manipulate magical forces not just through knowledge, but through patient accumulation of power. While others cast and forget, you shape the battlefield by building pressure turn by turn, waiting for the right moment to unleash spells of overwhelming potency. Your arcane mind becomes not just a repository of knowledge—but a reservoir of potential.

You can reserve magical energy across turns to release a more powerful spell.

• At the end of your turn you may begin charging your reservoir.
• Add 1 or more remaining Action Points to your Arcane Reservoir, drawn from your virtual pool for your Domain Aspect. These points are set aside and unavailable for reactions or other uses.
• On your next turn, you may spend all stored points at once, along with as many of your current turn’s points as you want, to empower a single spell.
• If you take damage while you have points in your Reservoir, roll a Willpower check (DC 10 + damage taken). On failure, the reservoir is lost.
  • The damage value used is after reducing the attacker’s roll by your evasion, as well as applying any resistances or vulnerabilities.

The Arcane Reservoir enables explosive turns—but only if you can survive the wait.

Choose two of the following features. These deepen your magical control, letting you manipulate spell structure and maintain concentration under pressure.

You link your spells through careful structure and symbolic layering.

• When you cast a prepared spell, your next spell (cast on your next turn) may have its Action Load reduced by 1 (minimum 0).
• This does not reduce the number of dice rolled—only the cost to you.
• This benefit only applies if the second spell shares a tag or magical theme with the first (GM's discretion).

You’ve mastered the art of subtle, undetectable casting.

• You may cast any prepared spell without speaking or gesturing.
• This allows casting while silenced, restrained, or hidden without penalty.
• Additionally, your mental control gives you Advantage on Willpower checks to maintain your Arcane Reservoir when taking damage.

You channel your stored energy into protecting your mind and body.

• When making a Resistance check, you may spend 1 Action Point from your Arcane Reservoir to gain Advantage on that check.
• You may do this even if the reservoir is still building.
• You may not spend more than 1 Reservoir point this way per check.

You anchor a single spell within your consciousness.

• After a Full Rest, choose one of your prepared spells to bookmark.
• You may later cast this spell even if it is no longer prepared, and do so without the usual penalties:
  • No increase to Action Load
  • No Stress
  • No Disadvantage

To reach Tier 3 in the Thaumaturge Domain, you must:

• Demonstrate mastery over the Arcane Reservoir by using it to empower a high-cost spell during a key encounter.
• Create, decipher, or recover a lost or forbidden spell that no other caster in your region knows.
• Establish a personal research space—a hidden sanctum, library annex, or arcane workshop.