Evocation — Lightning¶
Lightning is the Evocation Method concerned with manipulating and discharging electrical energy. It is violent, fast, and difficult to control — the most dangerous Kampanni art, to both caster and surroundings.
Threads (Lightning)¶
- Static — builds electrical charge without release.
- Lightning Dart — a fast, focused discharge.
- Lightning Bolt — a sustained or amplified strike.
- Lightning Ball — a contained but unstable electrical mass.
Base Ka Cost (Lightning)¶
| Thread | Effect | Base Ka |
|---|---|---|
| Static | Build charge — minor shock, no real force on its own | 1 |
| Lightning Dart | Fast, focused discharge against a single target | 3 |
| Lightning Bolt | Sustained or amplified strike — serious force, real risk | 6 |
| Lightning Ball | Contained, unstable mass — area-capable, extremely dangerous | 10 |
Control¶
| Control | TD Modifier | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fully controlled discharge | +0 | Default |
| Rushed or reactive cast | +2 | Common when caught off guard |
| Amplified beyond safe strength | +4 | Increases Burn and backlash risk |
Targeting Groups¶
Lightning Ball may affect multiple targets using Group TD rules. Doing so is highly conspicuous and dangerous to bystanders.
Force and Impact¶
Lightning almost always resolves through the standard casting roll and Impact formula — see Evocation#Ka and Force. Static is the exception: it builds charge but deals no Impact until released as another Thread.
Burn¶
Burn may be taken to: - discharge instantly without first building Static - force a strike through cover or resistance - prevent a strike from arcing to unintended targets
Long-Term Fallout¶
A rushed, amplified, or Burned Lightning effect may arc to nearby allies, unintended targets, or the caster themselves — GM discretion, weighted by how much control was sacrificed.
Failure¶
Lightning never fails quietly. A failed or Burned discharge typically arcs somewhere — the ground, the caster, the nearest conductor — rather than simply fizzling.