Spellbook for the Harry Potter universe
Context
This older — mid-2000s, I think — article is primarily a technical resource for DC Heroes RPG players.
It describes various spells observed in the early Harry Potter novels using the Rituals format in DCH.
Notes
All these spells are subject to the Wand rules presented in the Harry Potter (Philosopher’s Stone) writeup.
Spells marked (DA) are from the Dark Arts school.
Spells marked (TR) are from the Transformations school.
Spells marked (CH) and those who include the “Charm” word in the name are from the Charms school.
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Spellbook
Accio (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Attraction: 04
Bonuses: Range is +5
This charm summons a named object to the caster, potentially over a significant distance.
Aguamenti (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Water Blast: 02
Produces a jet of water from the witch or wizard’s wand.
Alohomora (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Thief (Locks and safes): 05
Used to open and unlock doors (doors may be bewitched so that this spell has no effect).
Anapneo (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Sealed Systems: 01
Clears the target’s airway, if blocked.
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Aparecium (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Neutralize (Invisibility): 06
Limitations: Works only on ink (-4).
This spell makes invisible ink appear.
Atmospheric charm
Casting Time: 4 APs
Effect: Weather Control: 04
Bonuses: Duration is +20 (+4).
(Alternatively, it can be considered an “artifact” without BODY, as it has an R# of 2, can malfunction and can be “repaired”).
Avada Kedavra (DA)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Flame Project: 05, Magic Blast: 07, Sharpness (Magic Blast): 07
Limitations: Flame Project affects objects, only; Magic Blast is Lethal; it attacks DEX/SPIRIT and thus it can be dodged (-1).
Special Limitations: Can’t be casted nonverbally.
An heroic character will start developing the Mistrust (Wizarding World) drawback if he uses this spell.
Avis (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Animal Summoning (Birds): 03
Bonuses: Summoning is instant (+2).
Banishing Charm
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Repulsion: 04, Telekinesis: 01
Bonuses: Range is +5 (+1).
Note This spell counters Accio.
Bat-Bogey Hex (TR)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Animate Bogeys: 03, Flight: 01
Limitations: Flight is winged and applied to the bogeys.
Grotesquely enlarges the target’s bogeys, gives them wings, and sets them attacking the target.
Bedazzling-Hex (DA)
Similar to a Disillusionment Charm, this spell is recquired to creat an Invisibility Cloak.
Bubble-Head Charm
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Sealed Systems: 03
Puts a large bubble of air around the head of the user.
Caterwauling Charm
Casting Time: 4 APs
Effect: Alarm: 06
Bonuses: Area Effect has 7 APs radius; Duration is +8.
Anyone entering the perimeter of a Caterwauling Charm sets off a high-pitched shriek.
Cave Inimicum (TR)
Casting Time: 2 APs
Effect: Force Field: 03, Magic Field: 03
Bonuses: Duration is +13.
Special Limitations: The spell must be casted on a fixed place.
Spell used to strengthen an enclosure from enemies.
Cheering Charm
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Broadcast Empathy (happyness): 04
Causes the person upon whom the spell was cast to become happy and contented, though heavy-handedness with the spell may cause the person to break into an uncontrollable laughing fit.
Colloportus (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Neutralize (Locks and safes): 07
Magically locks a door, preventing it from being opened by human means or countering the Alohomora charm.
Confringo (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Bomb: 04, Sharpness (Bomb): 02
Causes anything that the spell meets to explode.
Confundo (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Mental Freeze: 05
Causes the victim to become confused and befuddled.
Conjunctivitus Curse (DA)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Flash: 07
Limitations: Flash is incapable of Multi-Attacks.
A curse that causes great pain to the victim’s eyes.
Crucio/Cruciatus (DA)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Broadcast Empathy (Pain): 07
Limitations: Can’t be casted nonverbally; one must desire to cause pain purely for its own sake.
Note 1: There are three types of this spell. One focuses on muscles (“Swish-and Stab” motion with the wand), another focuses on the bones (“Zig-Zag and Poke” motion), and finally one focuses on the nervous system (“Up, Down and Circle” motion).
Note 2: Of course, the succesful use of this Curse is of help when using the Force or Wear Down interaction maneuvers in combination with Interrogation
Note 3: An heroic character will start developing the Mistrust (Wizarding World) drawback if he abuses this spell.
Quote: Harry Potter (after successfully casting it on a wizard who spat on Professor McGonagall’s face): I see what Bellatrix meant…you really need to mean it”.
Cushioning Charm
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Gliding: 01
Creates an invisible cushioned area (cast on broomsticks to provide a more comfortable ride, although it can also cushion falls).
Defodio (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Digging: 03, Disintegrate: 01
This spell causes deep gouges to appear in the object targeted by the spell.
Deletrius (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Neutralize (Color, Illusion): 03
An erasure spell, it erases images and magical “after-effects”.
Densaugeo (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Claws: 01, Enlarge: 02
Bonuses: Claws is bestowed on the target.
Limitations: Works on teeth, only.
This hex makes the victim’s teeth grow rapidly.
Deprimo (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Gravity Increase: 05
This spell places immense downward pressure upon its target, which may result in its violent fracture.
Descendo (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Telekinesis: 04
Limitations: Can only produce a downwards movement (-3).
The spell likely causes any targeted object to move downwards.
Diffindo (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Claws: 05
Tears the target or a specific area on the target.
Disapparate/Apparate (CH)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Teleport: 06
Disillusionment Charm
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Color: 05, Invisibility: 10
Limitations: can only use the hiding aspect of Color (-1).
Causes the target to become able to change colour to match their background, effectively hiding them without making them invisible, but it is also stated that powerful wizards, such as Dumbledore or Grindelwald, could cast Disillusionment Charms so powerful, that they were effectively invisible.
Note: The described sensation of a Disillusionment Charm is a feeling “something cold and wet trickling down your back.” When the charm is lifted, the subject feels something hot trickling down their back.
Dissendium (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Thief (Open Locks): 04
Limitations: Only works on secret passageways ; works only on Hogwarts.
Duro (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Petrify: 06
Turns its target to stone.
Engorgio (TR, although there’s also a Growth Charm with similar effects)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Enlarge: 03
Causes objects to swell in size.
Episkey (Healing school)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Damage Transference: 03
Used to heal relatively minor injuries.
Note: When this spell is cast, the person feels their injured body part go very hot and then very cold.
Erecto (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Animate Objects: 02
Used to erect a tent or other structure.
Evanesco (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Dimensional Travel (Banishment): 01
Bonus: Partial banishment is allowed.
Makes something vanish, which later can be recovered. It’s mostly used on liquids and documents.
Quote: Professor McGonagall (asked where do vanished objects go): “Vanished objects and organisms go into non-being, which is to say, everything”.
Expecto Patronus (CH, DADA)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Flash (SL): 07, Iron Will: 07, Magic Shield: 04, Spirit Travel (SL): 07
Bonuses: Flash (SL) has Range: 01 (it creates a being of light).
Limitations: Iron Will only protects the Patronus against despair; Magic Shield only protects against Dark Powers (not spells), Iron Nerves is only used by the Patronus.
Special Requirements: the caster must tap into, and draw out, the positive emotions that will make up the Patronus, regardless of the situation; Any character can only have one Patronus created on any given moment.
Expelliarmus (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Deflection/Reflection: 07, Repulsion: 03, Sharpness (Take Away through Planned Knockback): 03
This spell is used to disarm another wizard, typically by causing the victim’s wand to fly out of reach. It can also throw the target backwards when enough power is put into it. An expert user can also use it to deflect or reflect back to the caster a spell.
Note: instead of multi-attacking, any other person succesfully casting Expelliarmus at the same target at the same time adds 1 AP of Repulsion for a single, enhanced attack.
Expulso (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Repulsion: 04
A spell which causes objects that it comes in contact with to be pushed back, or driven out.
Ferula (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Fabricate: 01
Limitations: This spell creates a permanent bandage and a splint (-2).
Fidelius Charm
Casting Time: 6 APs
Effect: Hypnotism: 10, Obscure: 12
Bonus: Duration is Permanent (+5), but see notes.
Limitations: Both powers can only be used to keep a secret.
A charm involving secret information hidden within the soul of a Secret-Keeper. This information is irretrievable until the Secret-Keeper chooses to reveal it; those who have the secret revealed to them cannot reveal it to others.
Note: upon the Keeper’s death, all those who have been told the secret become Secret-Keepers in turn, and can pass the secret on to others.
Fiendfyre (DA)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Flame Animation: 05, Sharpness (Flame Animation): 07
Bonuses: Area Effect.
Limitations: Caster must exact control each phase (INFL/AURA vs APs of Flame Animation) or else the Fiendfyre will burn everything at his reach, even the caster
Fiendfyre is a seemingly unstoppable cursed fire, the flames of which take the shape of fantastic creatures that pursue those caught in its path. It is shown to be capable of destroying Horcruxes.
Finite Incantatem (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Neutralize (spells): 06
Limitations: Duration is Instant.
Note: The spell can be used with the shorter form “Finite”, thus adding +2 to the Initiative of the caster and taking 1 AP from effectiveness.
Negates many spells and its effects.
Flagrante Curse (DA)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Frostbite: 05
Bonuses: Duration is +15 (+3)
Limitations: Frostbite is progressive (1 more AP each continuous phase).
Causes any object affected to burn human skin when touched.
Flame-Freezing Charm
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Flame Immunity: 06
Causes fire to become harmless to those caught in it, creating only a gentle, tickling sensation instead of burns. Used by witches and wizards during medieval burnings.
Geminio (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Split: 01
Bonuses: No AP loss
Limitations: It only affects items (-2); object looks the same but doesn’t share any magical property the original had (-4).
Creates a duplicate of any object cast upon.
Gemino Curse (DA)
Casting Time: 4 APs
Effect: Split: 08
Bonuses: Splits also have Split
Limitations: It only affects items (-2), its triggered by touch (-1) and the copies look the same but don’t share any special property of the original, only the BODY.
Whenever an object affected by this curse is touched, it duplicates itself into many useless copies to hide the original.
Glisseo (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Matter Manipulation: 05
Bonuses: Area Effect.
Limitations: Only affects stairways steps to make them a ramp.
Causes the steps on a stairway to flatten and form a ramp or slide.
Gripping Charm
Casting Time: 2 APs
Effect: Cling: 01
Used to help someone grip something with more effectiveness.
Hover Charm
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Gravity Decrease: 03 APs
An Object is levitated of the ground and moved according to the caster.
Homenum Revelio (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Life Sense: 04
Limitations: Only detects humans, Range is 1 AP.
Reveals humans near the caster.
Homorphus Charm
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Neutralize (Transformations): 07
Causes an Animagus or transfigured object to assume its normal shape.
Hurling Hex (DA)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Animate Object: 04
Bonuses: Range is +2.
Limitations: works only on broomsticks.
Special Requirements: Concentration must be kept during all the effect of the spell.
Causes brooms to vibrate violently in the air and try to buck their rider off.
Impedimenta (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Paralysis: 06
This hex is capable of tripping, freezing, binding, knocking back and generally impeding the target’s progress towards the caster.
Imperio (DA)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Animal Control: 06, Control: 06
Causes the victim of the curse to obey the spoken/unspoken commands of the caster.
Imperturbable Charm
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Force Shield: 03, Shade: 05, Sound Nullify: 05
Makes objects such as doors impenetrable (by everything, including sounds and objects).
Impervius (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Repulsion: 01
Bonuses: Duration is +6.
This spell makes something repel substances and outside forces, including water and small objects.
Incarcerous (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Snare: 05
Ties someone or something up with ropes created out of thin air.
Incendio (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Flame project: 02
Intruder Charm
Casting Time: 2 APs
Effect: Alarm: 07
Bonuses: Duration is +10.
Detects intruders and sounds an alarm.
Jelly-Legs Jinx (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Paralysis: 06
Bonuses: Duration is +5
Limitations: Paralysis is only partial (Legs).
A jinx that renders its victim’s legs temporarily useless, leaving them to wobble around helplessly until the effect wears off or the counter-jinx is performed.
Jelly-Brain Jinx (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Neutralize (INT, WILL, MIND): 05
Bonuses: If some of the attributes reach 0 the character receives a according temporal Drawback.
Jelly-Fingers Curse (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Paralysis: 06
Bonuses: Duration is +5.
Limitations: Paralysis is only partial (fingers).
A jinx that causes the target’s fingers to become jelly-like so as to make it hard for the victim to grasp objects.
Knee-Reversal Hex (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Neutralize (DEX): 04, Strange Appearance
Bonuses: Permanent until countered (+5).
Limitations: Neutralize is only partial (legs).
Langlock (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Glue: 05
Limitations: any RAPs mean the target has his tongue glued to the roof of his mouth, keeping him to speak (or cast verbal spells). This is the ritual’s only effect (-2).
Legilimens (LEGILIMENCY SCHOOL)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Detect (Lies): 04, Empathy: 04, Mind Probe: 05
Note: a goof Legilimens will surely end buying the pack as ML Powers. Halve the costs (up to the APs of this Ritual) if he already knows the spell.
Levicorpus (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Gravity Decrease: 02
Limitations: The victim is dangled upside-down by their ankles (-1).
Liberacorpus (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Neutralize (Movement restriction): 04
Note: This spell counters the Levicorpus curse.
Locomotor (CH)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Telekinesis: 03
Limitations: can only move objects, not people (-2).
Locomotor Mortis (TR)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Paralysis: 05
Limitations: Partial (legs) only (-1).
Note: the spell locks the legs together.
Lumos (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Flash: 02
Limitations: Flash is incapable of Multi-attacks (-1).
Note: the spell is continuous until countered by the word Nox.
Meteolojinx Recanto (CH)
Casting Time: 2 APs
Effect: Neutralize (Weather Control): 07
Mobili- (Mobiliarbus, Mobilicorpus) (CH)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Telekinesis: 02
Morsmordre (DA)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Illusion: 03
Limitations: Can only summon the Dark Mark (Voldemort’s) in the air.
Special Limitations: learning this ritual is a Difficult Task.
Muffliato (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs (1 AP if used with Area Effect)
Effect: Obscure: 04
Bonuses: Duration is +3 (+1 FC); Area Effect (with Selective Targets).
Limitation: Fills peoples’ ears with an unidentifiable buzzing to keep them from hearing nearby conversations (-1).
Obliteration Charm
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Obscure: 04
Limitations: the spell can only remove traces of one’s passage, like footprints or fingerprints. The effects are permanent.
Obliviate (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Hypnotism: 05
Limitations: Hypnotism can only erase memories and create new ones (- 1).
Obscuro (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Sensory Block (Sight): 05
Limitations: Creates a physical blindfold over the target’s eyes.
Orchideus (TR)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Fabricate: 01
Limitations: can only create a bouquet of flowers.
Pack
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Animate Objects: 01, Telekinesis: 01
Limitations: can only pack a piece of luggage (-2 each).
Permanent Sticking Charm
Casting Time: 2 AP
Effect: Glue: 03, Drain Resistance: 07
Bonuses: Duration is Permanent (+5).
Note: the non permanent version is called Placement Charm.
Petrificus Totalus
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Paralysis: 06
Bonuses: Duration is +3.
Note: the target’s eyes can still move.
Piertotum Locomotor (CH)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Animate Object: 06
Bonuses: Area Effect: 8 APs (+5)
Limitations: Works only on objects with humanoid shape (-2), they can only be ordered to act in defense of the place they usually stay at (-1).
Note: this ritual is a powerful, specific variation of the Locomotor spell.
Point Me (CH)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Detect (North): 01
Portus (CH)
Casting Time: 2 APs
Effect: Teleport: 10
Note: the spell is casted on an object and is discharged when it’s grabbed.
Prior Incantato (CH)
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Illusion: 01
Bonuses: Causes the echo of the last spell casted by a wand to emanate from it (+1).
Protean Charm
Casting Time: 1 AP
Effect: Voodoo: 01 (Range: Special, see below)
Limitations: Illusion is contingent on Split.
Note: Causes copies of an object to be remotely affected by changes made to the original.
Protego (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Magic Field: 02, Magic Shield: 04
Bonuses: If the caster gets 7 or more RAPs on the Occultist check, he also produces a Repulsion: 04 effect on his attacker, provided he is within 1 AP.
Limitations: Caster must choose one of the two effects when casting the ritual.
Protego Horribilis (DADA)
Casting Time: 2 APs
Effect: Magic Field: 02
Bonuses: Area Effect of 9 APs (+5), Duration is +8 (+2).
Limitations: works only against DA rituals and curses.
Protego Totalum (CH)
Casting Time: 2 APs
Effect: Invisibility: 02, Obscure: 02, Repulsion: 02
Bonuses: Area of Effect (+1 each); Duration is +13 (+3 FC).
Note: Provides protection of some form for an area or dwelling.
Quietus (CH)
Casting Time: 0 APs
Effect: Neutralize (Super Ventriloquism): 04
Source: The 7 Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling.
Helper(s): Wikipedia, Alan Wilkinson.