Wild Magic

The spells used by sorcerers are known to be as unpredictable as those who cast them. Some are even so volatile that those who wield them are unable to control them completely, often to disastrous - or, at least, hilarious - effect. Stories abound, from the taverns of Faerûn to the lands beyond the seas, of these so-named "wild magic" sorcerers; arcane practitioners who have embraced the uncertain nature of their innate talents either by choice or by force.

Less commonly known, however, is the fact that this unpredictable flavor of magic is not strictly limited to sorcerers. Though rare, it is not unheard of for other domains of magic to be subjected to the same seemingly-random displays of power. Perhaps the wizard misread a passage in her book, or the bard plucked an errant string on his lute. A warlock's patron may be in a playful mood, or the druid's command over nature isn't as complete as she assumed. There are many theories, but the result remains the same: anyone capable of casting spells has the potential to produce wild magic, consistently keeping anyone around them on their toes.

Wild Magic Clerics

Perhaps the most puzzling is the manifestation of wild magic in those dedicated to serving the divine. Usually considered one of the more rigidly-structured schools of magic, the righteous fury of the gods is given a more primal edge when intertwined with the volatility of wild magic.

It should come as no surprise, then, that those clerics chosen by the whims of such unusual magic are typically unusual themselves. Like their sorcerer brethren, it is unknown why certain clerics are given the "gift" of wild magic while most are not. The only common factor seems to be a propensity for eccentricity; the cleric may serve his god begrudgingly rather than enthusiastically, or feel more comfortable surrounded by the flora and fauna of the forest than the statues and shrines of a temple. Though a reliable method of prediction has yet to be found, the likelihood of wild magic capability seems to be higher in any cleric that deviates from the norm.

Divine Influence on Wild Magic

Just as any divine spell may manifest differently depending on the cleric that casts it, wild magic has different effects for clerics than it does for those of a more arcane persuasion. Where a sorcerer's unpredictable power might result in a fiery blast, for example, the cleric might be surrounded by a corona of holy radiance or a field of withering necrotic energy. The cleric is still channeling their will through the conduit of their deity, after all, and even the unbound intensity of wild magic cannot completely defy a god.

In addition to altering the nature of wild magic, the gods hold some measure of sway over how their cleric is able to shape its effects. Most wild magic clerics eventually gain a modicum of control over the temperamental forces thrust upon them, but it is largely left in the hands of their deity. As such, clerics are granted only a fraction of the control that a sorcerer might one day come to master. It is commonly believed that this lack of control is the price paid in exchange for the divine power already bestowed upon the cleric by their deity.

Wild Magic Surge

Starting at first level, your spellcasting has a chance to unleash surges of untamed magic. Immediately after you cast a cleric spell of 1st level or higher, roll a d20 and subtract the level of the spell you cast. If the result is a 1, roll on the Wild Magic Surge for Clerics table (Figure 1-1) to generate a random magic effect. The DC for this check increases by 1 for each success and resets once a surge has been triggered.

Controlled Chaos

At 11th level, you have attained a limited ability to direct the flow of your wild magic surges. Whenever you roll on the Wild Magic Surge for Clerics table, you can roll twice and use either result.

Figure 1-1: Wild Magic Surge for Clerics

Wild Magic Surge for Clerics (Cont.)

Interpreting the Wild Magic Table

Certain mechanics apply to various effects listed in Figure 1-1. Refer to the following for clarification on any listed effects. If uncertainties persist, your DM will determine what happens.

Targeted Effects

Any surge that specifies a "target" applies, by default, to the target of the spell that triggered the surge. If the triggering spell was a ranged area-of-effect spell, the surge occurs in the space in which the spell was cast. If the spell's range was Self or Touch, the surge's effect applies to the caster.

Effects with a Radius

Surges that apply to an area, measured by radius in feet, affect all creatures within that radius regardless of the hostile or friendly status of the creature(s) . Resistances, immunities, and vulnerabilities function as normal .

Spell Level Restrictions

If a surge's effect includes a spell of a specific level, it only functions as described if you are able to cast at that level. If the indicated spell is of a higher level than you are able to cast, its effect is halved. Your DM will decide the effects of any spells that do not damage or heal.

Random Targets

A surge that affects a random target is determined by rolling a d20 and counting that many creatures in the turn order, starting with the cleric at 1 and cycling through. If players are not in combat, creatures are counted in order of highest to lowest passive perception.

Duration and Persistence

None of the spells cast as a result of a wild magic surge are considered concentration spells and last for their full listed duration. Dispel magic and other similar appropriate abilities still function as normal, and wild magic surges can be counterspelled as long as the surge involves casting a specific spell.