Spells for mages

[Zaron]

I read about "extra" spells for mages, but what is the base number they have.

Also, please describe the spellcasting skill.

[Sletchman]

Base spells known = Wisdom score + Spellcasting ranks.  [See page 110]

Could you be more detailed about describing the spellcasting skill?  What specifically would you like to know?  At it's simplest:  You make a spellcasting check to cast a spell, if the spell you are casting has the attack tag this single roll must also beat the targets defence.

[Zaron]

Thanks for that. I thought it was tied in with the spellcasting, but couldn't find a description of spellcasting in the skills chapter.

Wisdom score, not bonus?  That's a lot of spells for a beginning mage.  Though it does say that the first level caster can cast only the zero level spell he/she knows.

Does a caster learn each individual spell, or all related spells. Could a caster who knows Brawn IV not know Brawn I, II, and III? or mass Brawn I?

[tenebrae]

That's a lot of spells, but they can pick any level of spell as a known spell. They'll only gain new spells when their Spellcasting rank goes up (every level, probably) and if their Wisdom ever rises, barring any other character options that grant additional spells.

Casters have to plan for the future, as well as the now. They could take ever 0th-level spell (well, a lot of them) but that means they'd have very few, if any, higher levels spells when they gained access to them.

Each spell is learned individually. If you want Cure Wounds I, II, III, IV and V, that's 5 spells you have to pick as known.

[Nezeray]

Also note that the GM can provide ways for the mage to get new spells.  The GM can decide that you can copy spells from scrolls or other mage's spellbooks or even create a school of magic.  They left this vague on purpose to allow for customization of your game world.

James / Nezeray

[Crafty_Alex]

Thanks for that. I thought it was tied in with the spellcasting, but couldn't find a description of spellcasting in the skills chapter.

That's because the Spellcasting skill is in Chapter 3, ~ pg. 112, near where its associated rules matter

Wisdom score, not bonus?  That's a lot of spells for a beginning mage.  Though it does say that the first level caster can cast only the zero level spell he/she knows.

On the flipside, the initial spells learned become a map of what the mage can cast later - the spells a sorcerer can cast are tied to his Circle of Power class ability, and after he gets that initial batch he only learns spells from gaining feats, adventure rewards, or each time he permanently increases his Spellcasting ranks or Wisdom score.

Does a caster learn each individual spell, or all related spells. Could a caster who knows Brawn IV not know Brawn I, II, and III? or mass Brawn I?

A mage does not have to know previous spells in a chain to cast later versions.