Combining Spells

Introduction

This write up clarifies how combining spells actually works. This follows the system as written in the book with one clarification which the book doesn't go into, which is how to select the primary spell factor of a combined spell

Basic System and Spell Types

Your Gnosis will determined the number of spells that can be combined into one casting. It is two at Gnosis 3, three at Gnosis 6, and four at Gnosis 9.
You may not have a rote in your combined spell.
You may combine Praxis spells if all spells involved are Praxis spells.

Determining Reach

Free Reach: Free reach is calculated normally for each spell involved and then you take the lowest number, that is the number of free reaches available.
How to use a reach.

When using a reach it affects all component spells of the combination.
Spell specific reaches can be purchased on a per spell basis and affect only the spell they were purchased for.

Spell Factors

Primary Spell Factor - If the combined spells have different spell factors then the mage chooses the primary spell factor. That becomes the Primary Spell Factor for all component spells of the combination. Free Spell Factor increases for the spell are factored based on the highest Arcanum in the combined spell
Scale - Multiple spell effects must use the same scale unless the mage uses a Reach to separate the effects.
Potency - Is figured the same a normal, increasing the spell factor with either a reach or by taking a negative to the dice pool. This affects the Potency for all component spells of the combination.
Duration - Is figured the same a normal, increasing the spell factor with either a reach or by taking a negative to the dice pool. This affects the Duration for all component spells of the combination.
Range - Is figured the same a normal, increasing the spell factor with either a reach or by taking a negative to the dice pool. This affects the Range for all component spells of the combination.
Casting Time - Casting time is unchanged and the entire combined spell uses your Gnosis derived casting time for a ritual or if you spend a reach to make it an instant spell then the entire spell is an instant.
Mana - You must include all mana needed for each component spell used in the combination.
Suggested Rote Skills - Since a combined spell cannot have a rote in it this doesn't come into play.

Yantras and Dice Pool Modifiers

Yantras affect the dice pool as normal. If using a Yantra it must be relevant to all component spells of the combination. If you take a negative dice pool modifier to increase a spell factor it increases that spell factor for all component spells of the combination.

Dice Pool

The entire spell has one dice pool and it is figured as follows. Gnosis + Lowest Arcanum + Yantras + willpower (if used) -2 for each spell after the first - Spell Factor modifications.

Withstand:

Each spell in a combined spell is Withstood separately. If a spell has multiple Withstand ratings (for example, a Withstood spell cast with the Sympathetic Range Attainment) it uses the highest rating, +1 for every additional rating.

Example

You have Gnosis 6, Fate 4, Life 3 and Death 2. If combining Touch of the Grave (Death ••), Grave Misfortune (Fate •••) and Transform Life (Life •••) it would look like this:

Primary Spell Factor: The mage would choose this, smart thing would to choose Potency. Since the Highest Arcanum is Fate 4 the spell benefits from 3 Free Step increases on the Potency Table if you picked Potency as your Primary Spell Factor.
Free Reach: 1 free reach (2 free reach from Fate, 1 free reach from Life and 1 free reach from Death, take the lowest one)
Dice Pool: Gnosis 6 + 2 (Death) - 4 combining 3 spells, +/- Yantras, Willpower and Spell factor modifications.
Withstand: Touch of the Grave is not withstood, Grave Misfortune is withstood by Composure and Transform Life is withstood by Stamina.
Scale: The scale for all components is 1 person unless modified.
Potency: The Potency for all components is 1 unless modified.
Duration: The Duration for all components is 1 round unless modified.
Range: The Range for all components is touch unless modified.
Casting Time: The Casting Time for all components is 1 round (plus Yantras used -1) unless modified.