The combinations of 'magic words' and 'magic gestures' and practices and forms, sigils and glyphs and runes and diagrams, in infinite combinations. Permanency), you have a cloak of invisibility. When you 'close' that program and 'run' it (in a neverending repeating loop, i.e. abjuration runes traced inside an illusion triangle wrapped in a transmutation square. You can have circles within circles, within four dimensional shapes. My point was, the generally vague 'rules/rulings/suggestions' for 'enchanting items,' is like the structure of a computer program. The other thing that the game has not always been great with, but is definitely presented in places since 1e, is that many many spells are NOT solely a single school.

Not just literal 'form/shapechanging.' The magic to make 'something' into 'something else' is Transmutation, whether that is 'visible' or 'physical' is not really relevant.though, clearly, those types of spells are obviously transmutation as well. But Transmutation, not Enchantment (regardless of the 'Name/Title' of the spell), is the magic which changes things. I am not suggesting that 5e, or any other edition, SAYS this is what it is. In the sense of transmuting elemental substances (like soil and metal) can fabricate weapons and armor, and enhance their material strength, modify their properties, and in the sense of shapeshifting can form natural armor, claws, and so on.įor starters, Enchant an Item, in the 1e PHB, is a Conjuration spell.actually, in print, as 'Conjuration/Summoning.' Permanency (as makes complete sense) is listed as 'Alteration.' Which, I am sure a scholar of your caliber is aware, in 2e the school was made 'Alteration/Transmutation,' as most (if not everything but Necro, I think) was 'double' named: 'Illusion/Phantasm,' 'Conjuration/Summoning', and so on.īut thanks for asserting the misinformation with such sureity. Anything that 'changes' including every spell, is transmuting. Transmutation is a process − and can mean anything and everything. Necromancy is a theme − could be ghostly weapons and armor, necrotic weapons, becoming incorporeal, etcetera. Illusion is weird − it is a means, also the mind like enchantment, but sometimes is quasi-real like conjuration − could make quasi-real armor, blur effect, invisibility, phantasmal weapons, etcetera. Could make items terrifying to debuff hostiles, or distract targets to attack them more easily.Įvocation is a means − elemental energies, could make various weapons and armor, such Frostbrand, Fireshield, etcetera. Could make constructs and force fields like Shield, etcetera.ĭivination can foresee the future, thus make armor avoid attacks, weapons strike unerringly, also attack from a remote location, and so on.Įnchantment is a means − the mind. Abjuration might magically enhance Armor to defend.Ĭonjuration is a process − makes something out of nothing or relocates.

Healing seems like it should be a form of Abjuration. I find the schools less helpful to meaningfully organize spells.Ībjuration is a purpose − protect (shield, dispel, restore, etcetera).

Some are purpose, some are means, some are process.

Dutch school of magic