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Apparently 2020 will be a very prolific year for Mana Project Studio, also for its own productions. After the great success and the multiple awards of Journey to Ragnarok, the italian team decided to stay on the same subject and produce the Norse Grimoire.

What are the conceptual foundations of Norse Grimoire?

This work will be a compendium for D&D 5e that will completely focus on magic. What is revealed by the creators suggests that it is not an expansion of the basic manual and its spells, but rather a completely new way of understanding them. This choice is linked to the creative process behind Norse Grimoire: it is not a fantasy reinterpretation of the viking (and icelandic) magic, but a real historical study of them. This was possible by consulting the sources that have come down to us, thanks also to the work of universally recognized authors, such as Mila Fois. This tome will therefore not only be a compendium for the most famous of role-playing game, but can practically be considered a real historical treatise. Mana Project Studio has in no way linked its publication to Journey to Ragnarok, but my personal impression is that it would give an extra improvement to that already excellent setting.

But what exactly could be found inside the Norse Grimoire?

Not much is known about the specific content, but some anticipation has been leaked:

  • Runes: the Norse runic alphabet, the Futhark, will be present, both in its ancient and more recent version. They represent the direct connection with the divine.
  • Galdrastafir: combinations of seals that create formulas, or the real spells. They represent magic on a human level: the single person manages to create mystical effects thanks to his study. These symbols often requires very specific and personal materials.
  • Engravings: spells can be “fixed” on objects or people, and in this last case we talk about tattoos. They will be very similar to rituals and will highlight the value of blood. The culmination of their power will be close to their creation (for this it will be both useful and evocative to do them during important events) and from time to time they will have to be revived to reawaken their power.
  • Sejd: this is the most obscure kind of magic and, therefore, least treated in this work. Rather than inventing parts, the authors preferred to reproduce only what has come down to us.

In order to understanding that, the creators have made a practical exemple:

Spectral Steed: an enchanter needs the skull of a horse, on which he must engrave the seals of the Galdrastafir. To complete the formula he must also combine the blood of a foal with his own blood and, with them, wet the skull. The spell correctly completed will give rise to the spirit of a horse that will listen to the will of the caster.

Given the highly historical and realistic nature of the work, there will be no other content such as archetypes, races or other similar personalizations.

Stay tuned in order to be informed about the development of Norse Grimoire!

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