Spell Description Language

Preface

The Spell Description Language (SDL) is a procedural extension language for authoring, manipulating, and maintaining magical effects in tabletop and fantasy environments. A spell script is a finite sequence of operator lines that, when cast, produce dynamic magical phenomena. SDL is intentionally compact — its small keyword vocabulary keeps spell scripts readable aloud at the table while still expressing arbitrarily sophisticated behaviour.

This manual is the authoritative reference for SDL version 2.0. It supersedes the 1.0.x specification. Additions in 2.0 include: a formal type system (Section 3), an exhaustive catalogue of Core Effects (Section 4) and Core Events (Section 5), six new basic operators, three new path operators, three new flow-control operators, six new special operators, a formal EBNF grammar (Section 13), and a comprehensive error-condition catalogue (Section 12).

1. Lexical & Structural Conventions

1.1 Tokens & Keywords

An SDL script is a sequence of tokens. The token classes are:

• Operator keywords — reserved words that name actions: create, move, shape, etc.
• Sub-command keywords — reserved words valid only inside certain operators: lineto, fill, to, origin, etc.
• Qualifier keywords — modify operator semantics: smooth, revert, once, etc.
• Distance literals — a number followed immediately by a unit: 10', 2", 5m.
• Duration literals — a number followed by a time unit: 6 sec, 3 rounds, 1 min.
• Angle literals — a number followed by an axis label: 90y, 45z.
• String literals — a phrase enclosed in double-quotes: "off", "help me".
• Identifiers — user-defined names for effects and spells.
• Effect names — capitalised words drawn from the Core Effects catalogue (Section 4).
• Object references — creature-type keywords, pronoun references, or identifiers bound via bind.

1.2 Case & Whitespace

SDL is case-insensitive for all keywords. By convention, operator keywords are written in lowercase and Effect names are capitalised (e.g., create Fire). Whitespace — spaces, tabs, and newlines — separates tokens. Multiple spaces are treated as one. A new operator should begin on a new line; sub-operators inside shape, if, and repeat blocks are conventionally indented with two spaces or one tab, though indentation carries no semantic weight.

1.3 Comments

Lines beginning with # or // are ignored by the parser and may be used for annotation. Inline comments following an operator on the same line are introduced by --.

# This entire line is a comment.
create Fire    -- inline comment: creates the fire effect
// Also a comment.

1.4 Reserved Words

The following words are reserved and may not be used as identifiers:

and       arcto     at        bind      by        clone     cone
create    destroy   else      emit      extrude   fill      for
foreach   halt      if        in        inscribe  interrupt lineto
link      lookat    makeowner mask      me        merge     move
not       once      or        origin    pointdir  power     range
repeat    resume    revert    ring      rotate    scale     seal
shape     skip      smooth    sphere    surface   tag       then
to        touch     until     volume    wait      while

1.5 Identifiers

An identifier begins with a letter and is followed by zero or more letters, digits, or underscores. Identifiers name spell scripts (in declarations) and named effect instances (in create). Identifiers are case-insensitive. Maximum length is 64 characters.

-- Valid identifiers
myflame   bolt_1   wallOfIce   q

-- Invalid (reserved word)
fire      move

1.6 Literals

Distance Literals

A distance literal with no suffix is interpreted as feet. Axes are appended with x, y, z: 10'x 2'y 0z.

Duration Literals

Angle Literals

An angle literal is a number (degrees) followed immediately by an axis label: 45x, 90y, 180z.

2. Script & Spell Structure

2.1 Spell Name Declaration

Every SDL script must begin with a spell name declaration: an identifier followed by a colon on its own line. This label uniquely identifies the running instance and is required by operators such as interrupt, resume, range, power, and makeowner.

<spellname>:

A spell name is an identifier (Section 1.5). It must be unique among all concurrently running scripts for the same caster.

2.2 Lines & Operators

After the declaration line, each non-blank, non-comment line contains exactly one operator and its arguments. Certain compound operators (if…then…else, repeat…until, while, for, foreach) span multiple lines and enclose nested operator blocks. Sub-operators of shape also span multiple lines.

2.3 Execution & Flow

SDL executes lines sequentially from top to bottom, beginning at the first line after the declaration. Execution proceeds without pause unless altered by wait, halt, or a looping construct. When the last line is executed the spell terminates naturally (equivalent to halt).

2.4 Nesting & Scope

Compound operators may be nested to arbitrary depth, subject to the resource-cost rules in Section 11. Names given to effects via create <Effect> <name> are global to the script: they may be referenced by any subsequent operator in the same script, including from within nested blocks.

3. Type System

3.1 Distances

All positional and size arguments are distance values (Section 1.6). The SDL parser normalises all distances to feet for evaluation. Distance arguments may also be expressed as directional coordinates using axis suffixes (x, y, z), where x is the caster's facing direction, y is lateral, and z is vertical.

3.2 Durations

Operators that accept a time argument take a duration literal. The special keyword permanent indicates indefinite duration, keeping the effect alive until a destroy or halt terminates it.

3.3 Angles

Rotation is always specified in whole degrees around an axis. Angles may be positive (counterclockwise from above) or negative (prefix with -). Compound rotation uses three axis-labelled angle literals in a single operator line.

3.4 Object References

An object reference identifies a target for operators such as move … lookat, surface, volume, and event conditions. References are resolved at runtime.

3.5 Effect Names (Identifiers)

When a create operator includes an optional trailing identifier, that identifier becomes the effect name for all subsequent operators in the script. If no name is given, the effect is referred to by the SDL keyword it (the implicit last-created effect) or by specifying its Effect type alone where unambiguous.

4. Core Data: Effects

An Effect is the fundamental magical phenomenon that SDL creates and manipulates. Effects are capitalised keywords drawn from the catalogue below. Each entry lists the keyword, its default physical manifestation, and common saving-throw category.

Effects do not inherently inflict damage or apply conditions — those outcomes are determined by the game system's rules for the effect type and intensity. SDL controls where, how large, and in what shape an effect appears; the mechanical consequences belong to the ruleset.

Composite effects are predefined combinations of two or more primitive effects. They exist as named conveniences and behave as though both constituent effects were created simultaneously in the same spatial region. The constituent effects may be separately destroyed by specifying the constituent name.

5. Core Data: Events

An Event is a detectable condition evaluated at runtime. Events are used as arguments to wait until, if, repeat…until, while, and foreach.

The general event syntax is:

<subject> <predicate> [<proximity>]

where subject is an object reference or creature type, predicate is one of the action keywords catalogued below, and proximity is an optional distance literal defining the radius within which the event must occur to trigger.

These predicates fire when the subject performs the named physical action.

These predicates fire when the subject enters or is in the named condition.

Speech events use a string literal as predicate. The event fires if the subject vocalises the given phrase within the given proximity. The match is keyword-based (the phrase may appear anywhere in the utterance) and is case-insensitive.

<subject> "<phrase>" <proximity>

The special subject keyword anyone matches any creature. me matches only the caster.

Multiple event conditions may be combined using the following logical keywords:

Precedence (highest to lowest): not > and > or. Parentheses override precedence.

6. Basic Operators

Basic operators create, manipulate, or terminate a single effect instance. Each occupies one line.

create <Effect> [<name>]

create Fire myflame
create Illusion
create Frost wall1

destroy [<name>]

destroy myflame
destroy

move [<name>] to <distance> pointdir
move [<name>] to lookat <target>
move [<name>] to <x>x <y>y [<z>z]
move [<name>] to <object>

move myflame to lookat orc
move myflame to 10' pointdir
move myflame to 5'x 10'y 15'z
move myflame to target

rotate [<name>] <ang>x <ang>y <ang>z [origin <reference>]

rotate firewall 90y origin lookat orc
rotate it 0x 45y 0z
rotate barrier 180z origin me

scale [<name>] <x>x <y>y <z>z
scale [<name>] <uniform>

scale myflame 2'x 2'y 2'z
scale bolt 1'x 1'y 1'z
scale globe 10'

shape [<name>]
  <pathop1>
  [<pathop2>]
  ...

shape myflame
  lineto 1"thick 10' pointdir
  lineto 1"thick 0'x 10'y 0z
  fill
scale myflame 10'x 10'y 1"z

clone <name> as <newname>

create Fire bolt
scale bolt 1'
clone bolt bolt2
move bolt to lookat orc
move bolt2 to lookat kobold

merge <name1> <name2> [as <newname>]

create Fire A
create Frost B
merge A B as frostfire

tag [<name>] <label> [= <value>]

tag bolt generation = 1
tag wall active

emit [<name>] <Effect> [rate <N> per <duration>] [toward <reference>]

create Fire torch
emit torch Smoke rate 1 per 6 sec
emit wall Acid rate 3 per 1 sec toward lookat orc

7. Path (Shape) Operators

Path operators are sub-commands and must appear inside a shape block. They define the 2D outline or 3D form of an effect. The implicit cursor starts at the effect's anchor point.

lineto <thickness>thick <distance> pointdir [smooth]
lineto <thickness>thick lookat <object> [smooth]
lineto <thickness>thick trace

lineto 2"thick 10' pointdir
lineto 1"thick lookat orc smooth
lineto 1"thick trace

arcto <thickness>thick <radius> <degrees> [cw | ccw]

arcto 1"thick 5' 180 ccw
arcto 2"thick 10' 90 cw

fill

surface <thickness>thick [lookat] <object>

surface 1'thick lookat chest
surface 2"thick me

volume [lookat] <object>

volume lookat barrel
volume me

extrude <distance> [along <axis> | pointdir | lookat <object>]

-- Create a fire wall with depth
shape mywall
  lineto 1"thick 20' pointdir
  fill
extrude 10'

sphere <radius> [hollow]

sphere 20' hollow
sphere 5'

cone <length> <angle> [pointdir | lookat <object>]

cone 30' 60 pointdir
cone 15' 90 lookat orc

ring <radius> <thickness>thick [<height>]

ring 10' 1'thick
ring 5' 6"thick 3'

8. Flow Control Operators

halt

if <event_expr>
then
  <operator1>
  [<operator2> …]
[else
  <operator1>
  …]

if (orc "charge" 20')
then
  create Electricity bolt
  move bolt to lookat orc
else
  create Fire bolt
  move bolt to lookat target

repeat
  <operator1>
  [<operator2> …]
until <event_expr>

wait <duration>
wait until <event_expr>

wait 10 sec
wait until orc "help" 30'
wait until (orc dead) or (me "abort")

while <event_expr>
  <operator1>
  [<operator2> …]
end

while not (orc dead) and (orc 30')
  move bolt to lookat orc
  wait 1 sec
end

for <N> times
  <operator1>
  [<operator2> …]
end

for 3 times
  create Electricity pulse
  scale pulse 5'
  wait 1 sec
  destroy pulse
end

foreach <creature-type> in <proximity> as <alias>
  <operator1>
  [<operator2> …]
end

foreach orc in 30' as foe
  create Fire bolt
  move bolt to lookat foe
  wait 1 sec
  destroy bolt
end

skip [to <breakpoint>]

9. Event Operators (Runtime Detection)

Event operators are used as arguments to flow-control operators and do not appear as standalone lines. They are fully catalogued in Section 5. This section summarises their syntactic role.

9.1 Logical Operators

See Section 5.10. Precedence: not > and > or. Use parentheses to override.

9.2 interrupted

if interrupted [by <being>]
then …

Fires when this running script is targeted by an external interrupt operator. The optional by <being> clause tests whether a specific caster issued the interrupt.

9.3 General Event Syntax

<subject> <predicate> [<proximity>]

Subject is any object reference or creature type. Predicate is a keyword from Sections 5.1–5.9 or a string literal for speech detection. Proximity is an optional distance literal; if omitted, the event is detected at any range.

10. Special Operators

bind [<spellname>] to touch <object>
bind [<spellname>] to <location_ref>

bind to touch staffend
bind to lookat door

interrupt <spellname> at "<breakpoint>" [revert]
  <operator1>
  [<operator2> …]

interrupt firewall at "main_loop" revert
  scale myflame 20'x 10'y 1"z

makeowner <spellname> touch <newcaster>

range <spellname> <multiplier>
power <spellname> <multiplier>

range firewall 2
power bolt 1.5

resume [<spellname>] at "<breakpoint>"

inscribe <spellname> on <object> [trigger <event_expr>]

inscribe fireball on doorframe trigger (anyone enter 5')
inscribe torch on lantern trigger (anyone "light" 2')

link <name1> to <name2> [mirror | inverse | sync]

create Fire left_flame
create Fire right_flame
link left_flame to right_flame inverse
move left_flame to 10' pointdir  -- right_flame moves -10' simultaneously

seal [<spellname>] [against <effect_type>] [duration <dur>]

seal firewall duration 1 hr
seal ward against Dispel

mask [<name>] as <Effect> [to <creature_type>]

create Necrotic field
mask field as Illusion       -- appears as a visual illusion to everyone
mask field as Blessing to human  -- appears as a blessing to humans only

11. Spell Points & Cost Evaluation

Every SDL script has a calculable Spell Point (SP) cost derived from what the script creates, how large and how long it persists, and how structurally complex the script itself is. Spell Points are the caster's finite magical resource. A caster cannot execute a script whose total cost exceeds their available SP pool.

Cost is evaluated in four layers — Effect, Area, Duration, and Structure — then combined by the formula in §11.8. Each layer is described in full below, followed by worked examples for every script in Section 14.

11.1 Overview of the Four Layers

These four layers together form the effect cost for a single create. A script that creates multiple effects sums their individual effect costs. The duration adjective — instant, duration, concentrate, or lasting — is declared directly on the create line, making the cost and lifetime of every effect readable without tracing the rest of the script. On top of effect costs, structural costs (§11.6) are added for flow-control operators, and special surcharges (§11.7) are added for advanced operators.

11.2 Layer A — Effect Tier

Every effect keyword in the Core Effects catalogue (Section 4) belongs to one of five tiers. The tier value is the base SP cost for a single create of that effect, before area or duration are considered.

Effects with no inherent danger and negligible physical force.

Frequently encountered effects; dangerous at scale but widely understood.

Significantly more dangerous or magically complex; requires real expertise.

Reality-bending, life-altering, or planar effects. Demanding of caster and world alike.

The most fundamental or dangerous effects in the catalogue; raw magical potential itself, and rifts in the fabric of reality.

Composite effect keywords (Section 4.13) cost the sum of their constituent tiers.

11.3 Layer B — Area Bonus

The Area Bonus is added to the Effect Tier to account for how large a region the effect occupies. Larger areas cost significantly more. The bonus depends on whether the effect is a volume/sphere, a line, or a surface coating.

Spheres, Cubes, and Filled Volumes (by radius or half-dimension)

The area bonus is capped at +14. Effects beyond 50' radius do not cost more in area bonus — the Harm Surcharge and Duration Bonus handle the additional power of large lingering areas.

Lines (by length)

Surfaces & Volumes (objects)

11.4 Layer C — Duration Adjective

Every effect created in a script carries exactly one duration adjective, declared directly on the create line. The adjective determines how the effect's lifetime is managed and how its SP cost is structured. Making it explicit on the line of creation means the cost and behaviour of any effect can be read without tracing the rest of the script.

Syntax

create <Effect> <name> instant
create <Effect> <name> duration <amount>
create <Effect> <name> concentrate
create <Effect> <name> lasting

If no adjective is given, the runtime infers from context — but explicit is always preferred and required for any effect that persists beyond the line of creation.

The Four Duration Adjectives

11.4a Duration Bonus Table

This table is shared between duration and concentrate adjectives. For duration effects, the bonus is paid as a lump sum at cast. For concentrate effects, the equivalent cost is paid as a per-round installment — the same total for the same amount of time, spread across the rounds rather than charged upfront.

The per-round concentration cost is ⌈(Tier + AreaBonus) ÷ 5⌉, minimum 1 SP per round. This is proportional to the effect's power, not a flat rate — concentrating on a Wall of Fire is more taxing than concentrating on a Fly. Over any given span of time, the total paid by concentrate approximates what duration would have cost for that same span, but concentrate has no declared ceiling: it continues as long as the caster keeps paying and the SP pool holds.

The lasting Adjective — No SDL Relationship

lasting is not "permanent" in the sense of indestructible. It means that SDL has no further relationship with the effect after the script halts. The effect exists in the world from the moment of creation, under entirely natural rules, until the world ends it — through damage, dispel, age, or circumstance.

Raise Dead does not make a creature immortal. Animate Dead's control binding can be broken by turning or dispel. A conjured wall can be demolished. lasting simply means the script is done and has no ongoing cost or awareness. The +20 duration bonus reflects that SDL is paying for all possible time upfront — since it cannot predict or manage when the effect ends.

-- lasting effects: SDL closes its relationship when the script halts
create Radiance ritual duration 1 min    -- ritual during casting
create Blessing spark lasting            -- the life itself; SDL is done
                                         -- the creature exists and can die again

Examples of Each Adjective

create Fire bolt instant             -- flash and gone; no ongoing cost
create Sleep cloud duration 1 min    -- runs for 1 minute; +5 bonus paid upfront
create Stasis binding concentrate    -- runs until concentration drops; 1 SP/round
create Undead binding lasting        -- control link sealed into the world; SDL done

11.5 Layer D — Harm Surcharge

An effect that both covers an area greater than a point and directly causes damage or a harmful involuntary condition is subject to the Harm Surcharge. The entire effect cost (Tier + Area + Duration Bonus) is multiplied by 1.5, rounded up. Point-source harmful effects do not receive the surcharge — the effect tier accounts for their danger.

Effects that trigger the Harm Surcharge when area > point

Fire, Frost, Ice, Acid, Lightning, Electricity, Thunder, Lava, Magma, Plasma, Force, Shockwave, Necrotic, Drain, Blight, Plague, Poison, Dispel (area), Radiance (area), Blade, Thorn, Chain, Web (restraining), Storm, Earthquake, Quake, Discord, Resonance, Shout, and all Composite effects.

Effects that do not trigger the surcharge (even when area > point)

Sleep, Charm, Suggestion, Fear (aura), Domination, Compulsion, Confusion, Silence, Light, Darkness, Shadow, Mist, Smoke, Illusion, Glamour, Mirage, Invisibility, Aura, Blessing, Ward, Rune, Consecration, Desecration, Haste, Slow, Stasis, Scry, Telepathy, Foresight, Phase, Ethereal, Astral, Pocket, Anchor.

11.5a Layer D₂ — Miracle Modifier

The Miracle Modifier (×3) applies to effects that override irreversible natural processes — death, permanent transformation, causality. Applied before the Harm Surcharge.

EffectCost = ⌈(Tier + AreaBonus + DurationBonus) × MiracleMultiplier × HarmMultiplier⌉

Always-Miracle Effects

Contextual Miracle Effects

Any effect becomes a miracle when it is the primary create in a script reversing: death, permanent physical transformation (petrification, flesh-to-stone), or permanent ability drain or aging. The caster declares the miracle create at casting time. Only one create per script may bear the modifier unless the GM rules otherwise.

11.6 Structural Costs

Flat SP charges for flow-control and shaping operators, added after all effect costs. Operators that are purely positional or cosmetic cost 0 SP.

11.7 Special Operator Surcharges

11.8 The Total Cost Formula

CastCost  =  Σ EffectCosts  +  StructuralCosts  +  SpecialSurcharges

where for each `create` call:

  EffectCost  =  ⌈(Tier + AreaBonus + DurationBonus)
                  × MiracleMultiplier
                  × HarmMultiplier⌉

  DurationBonus  =  from §11.4a table, based on duration adjective:
                    instant         →  +0
                    duration <t>    →  bonus for time t
                    concentrate     →  +0 at cast; sustain paid per round (§11.10)
                    lasting         →  +20

  MiracleMultiplier  =  3.0 if miracle (§11.5a), else 1.0
  HarmMultiplier     =  1.5 if area > point AND harmful, else 1.0

CastCost is deducted from the pool when the script begins. For concentrate effects this is the base only — total SP accumulates per round until concentration ends (§11.10). Effects inside for N times loops are paid N×; effects inside repeat or while loops are paid 1× at cast.

11.9 The Result Object

Every SDL script produces a result object on termination — the sole mechanism by which information about what a spell achieved is made available. Result objects are private to the script that produced them. Their contents, including target references, do not escape into the game world.

Result Object Fields

result {
    status       -- return status code (§11.14)
    sp_estimated -- SP calculated statically at cast time
    sp_actual    -- SP truly consumed (finalised on termination)
    sp_refund    -- sp_estimated − sp_actual  (≥ 0; credited back to pool on close)
    count        -- number of targets successfully affected (integer)
    affected     -- set of target references: creatures/objects the effect landed on
    unaffected   -- set of target references: candidates the effect did not land on
    value        -- scalar integer (area covered, distance travelled, etc.)
}

Target Reference Privacy

Target references inside affected and unaffected are opaque handles. They resolve only within the script that produced the result object, or within a chained script that receives it as input while concentration is active (§11.10). When the result object closes, all target references become unresolvable. Operators acting on a stale reference return BLOCKED. Reacquisition is required.

Result Object Set Operations

Iterating a Result Set

foreach result_a.affected as victim
  create Illusion zzz instant
  move zzz to lookat victim
  surface 1"thick lookat victim
  wait 1 min
  destroy zzz
end

The idiomatic SDL pattern for chaining a secondary effect onto the population a primary effect successfully landed on — the Sleep → Zzz marking made concrete.

11.10 Concentration

A concentrate adjective on a create line switches that effect to open-ended concentration mode. The effect persists for as long as the caster keeps paying the per-round sustain cost, with no declared ceiling. Concentration ends when the caster chooses to release it, when the SP pool is exhausted, or when an external interrupt breaks it.

Exclusivity

A caster may concentrate on only one script at a time. This is the defining cost of the concentrate adjective — not additional SP, but the sacrifice of all other concentration-based activity for the duration. Starting a new concentration script automatically releases the previous one.

Per-Round Sustain Cost

SustainPerRound  =  ⌈(Tier + AreaBonus) ÷ 5⌉   (minimum 1 SP per round)

The sustain rate is proportional to the effect's power — larger, more powerful effects are harder to hold. At the start of each combat round (every 6 seconds), this amount is deducted from the SP pool. If the pool cannot cover it, costfailed fires. If unhandled, the script closes with status EXHAUSTED.

Live Targeting During Concentration

While concentration is maintained, the result object remains open and all target references within its affected and unaffected sets remain resolvable. A subsequent foreach in the same script session may iterate these sets while concentration holds. The moment concentration ends the references go dark — the caster's live map of who was affected is erased. Releasing concentration on Sleep does not merely wake the creatures; it removes the caster's knowledge of exactly which ones they were.

Concentration Examples

-- Hold Person: Stasis(4) + surface(+1) + concentrate(+0) = 5; sustain ⌈5÷5⌉ = 1 SP/round
create Stasis binding concentrate
surface 1"thick lookat target
mask binding as Arcane
wait until (target save) or (me loseconcentration)
destroy binding

-- Fly: Air(2) + surface(+1) + concentrate(+0) = 3; sustain ⌈3÷5⌉ = 1 SP/round
create Air lift concentrate
surface 1"thick lookat target
wait until (me loseconcentration) or (after 10 min)
destroy lift

-- Wall of Fire: Fire(2) + line60'(+4) + concentrate(+0) = 6; ×1.5 harm = 9 cast
--              sustain ⌈6÷5⌉ = 2 SP/round
create Fire firewall concentrate
shape firewall
  lineto 1"thick 60' pointdir
  fill
wait until (me loseconcentration)
destroy firewall

11.11 Spell Point Pools & Recovery

Recovery [House Rule]: Full recovery after a long rest (8 hours). Short rest (1 hour) restores ⌊Pool ÷ 4⌋ SP. Two casters using makeowner may jointly fund a spell, each paying their share from their own pool.

11.12 Variable SP & Reconciliation

instant, duration, and lasting scripts have fixed SP costs deducted in full at cast. concentrate scripts have variable costs:

1. At cast — deduct sp_estimated (the CastCost, with +0 duration bonus) from the pool.
2. Each round — deduct SustainPerRound from the pool.
3. On termination — finalise sp_actual = CastCost + total sustain paid. Credit sp_refund back to pool.

For duration scripts that end early — when an event fires before the maximum duration expires — the difference between estimated cost and actual execution cost is returned as sp_refund and credited back. A charm dispelled after 10 minutes returns the Long-bracket overpayment relative to the Moderate bracket.

sp_refund  =  sp_estimated − sp_actual   (≥ 0, always)

11.13 Saving Throws

When an SDL effect inflicts damage or imposes a condition, affected targets make a saving throw appropriate to the effect type (Section 4). The game system determines DCs and outcomes. The result object's affected set contains targets that failed their save; unaffected contains those that succeeded. The host populates these after resolving saves.

11.14 Return Status Codes

Every operator and every script termination sets a status code on the result object. Six codes. Intentionally generic — the caller knows what was attempted; the code names only the category of outcome. The value field carries the quantitative result when status alone is insufficient.

11.15 Reference SP Bands

11.16 Worked Cost Examples

The following table gives the computed SP cost for every script in Section 14, with duration adjective noted for each primary effect. Concentrate scripts show base cast cost and per-round sustain. All others show a single total.

12. Error Conditions

The following conditions cause the SDL parser or runtime to generate an error. The behaviour on error (halt, skip, or propagate) is implementation-defined; the most common convention is immediate script termination with the error code visible to the caster.

13. Formal Grammar (EBNF)

The following Extended Backus–Naur Form grammar describes the complete SDL syntax. Terminals are shown in monospace; the symbol | denotes alternatives; { … } zero or more repetitions; [ … ] optional; ( … ) grouping.

script         ::= declaration { line }
declaration    ::= identifier ":"

line           ::= comment
                 | operator_line

comment        ::= ( "#" | "//" ) { any_char }

operator_line  ::= basic_op
                 | shape_op
                 | flow_op
                 | special_op

-- Basic operators
basic_op       ::= create_op | destroy_op | move_op | rotate_op
                 | scale_op  | shape_block | clone_op | merge_op
                 | tag_op    | emit_op

create_op      ::= "create" effect_name [ identifier ]
destroy_op     ::= "destroy" [ identifier ]
move_op        ::= "move" [ identifier ] "to" move_target
move_target    ::= distance "pointdir"
                 | "lookat" object_ref
                 | coord_expr
                 | object_ref
rotate_op      ::= "rotate" [ identifier ] angle_axis { angle_axis }
                   [ "origin" object_ref ]
scale_op       ::= "scale" [ identifier ] ( coord_expr | distance )
shape_block    ::= "shape" [ identifier ] { path_op }
clone_op       ::= "clone" identifier "as" identifier
merge_op       ::= "merge" identifier identifier [ "as" identifier ]
tag_op         ::= "tag" [ identifier ] string_lit [ "=" string_lit ]
emit_op        ::= "emit" [ identifier ] effect_name
                   [ "rate" integer "per" duration ]
                   [ "toward" object_ref ]

-- Path (shape) sub-operators
path_op        ::= lineto_op | arcto_op | "fill" | surface_op
                 | volume_op | extrude_op | sphere_op | cone_op | ring_op

lineto_op      ::= "lineto" distance "thick" line_target [ "smooth" ]
line_target    ::= distance "pointdir" | "lookat" object_ref | "trace"
arcto_op       ::= "arcto" distance "thick" distance integer [ "cw" | "ccw" ]
surface_op     ::= "surface" distance "thick" [ "lookat" ] object_ref
volume_op      ::= "volume" [ "lookat" ] object_ref
extrude_op     ::= "extrude" distance
                   [ "along" ( "x" | "y" | "z" ) | "pointdir" | "lookat" object_ref ]
sphere_op      ::= "sphere" distance [ "hollow" ]
cone_op        ::= "cone" distance integer [ "pointdir" | "lookat" object_ref ]
ring_op        ::= "ring" distance distance "thick" [ distance ]

-- Flow control
flow_op        ::= halt_op | if_op | repeat_op | wait_op
                 | while_op | for_op | foreach_op | skip_op

halt_op        ::= "halt"
if_op          ::= "if" event_expr "then" { operator_line }
                   [ "else" { operator_line } ]
repeat_op      ::= "repeat" { operator_line } "until" event_expr
wait_op        ::= "wait" ( duration | "until" event_expr )
while_op       ::= "while" event_expr { operator_line } "end"
for_op         ::= "for" integer "times" { operator_line } "end"
foreach_op     ::= "foreach" creature_type "in" distance "as" identifier
                   { operator_line } "end"
skip_op        ::= "skip" [ "to" string_lit ]

-- Special operators
special_op     ::= bind_op | interrupt_op | makeowner_op
                 | range_op | power_op | resume_op
                 | inscribe_op | link_op | seal_op | mask_op

bind_op        ::= "bind" [ identifier ] "to"
                   ( "touch" object_ref | location_ref )
interrupt_op   ::= "interrupt" identifier "at" string_lit [ "revert" ]
                   { operator_line }
makeowner_op   ::= "makeowner" identifier "touch" object_ref
range_op       ::= "range" identifier number
power_op       ::= "power" identifier number
resume_op      ::= "resume" [ identifier ] "at" string_lit
inscribe_op    ::= "inscribe" identifier "on" object_ref
                   [ "trigger" event_expr ]
link_op        ::= "link" identifier "to" identifier
                   [ "mirror" | "inverse" | "sync" ]
seal_op        ::= "seal" [ identifier ]
                   [ "against" effect_name ]
                   [ "duration" duration ]
mask_op        ::= "mask" [ identifier ] "as" effect_name
                   [ "to" creature_type ]

-- Events
event_expr     ::= event_term { ( "and" | "or" ) event_term }
event_term     ::= [ "not" ] event_atom
                 | "(" event_expr ")"

event_atom     ::= creature_event | speech_event | state_event
                 | combat_event | env_event | magic_event
                 | object_event | script_event | temporal_event
                 | "interrupted" [ "by" object_ref ]

creature_event ::= object_ref creature_predicate [ distance ]
speech_event   ::= object_ref string_lit [ distance ]
state_event    ::= object_ref state_predicate
combat_event   ::= object_ref combat_predicate
env_event      ::= env_predicate
magic_event    ::= magic_predicate [ effect_name | identifier ]
object_event   ::= object_ref object_predicate [ "by" object_ref ]
script_event   ::= script_predicate [ object_ref | integer ]
temporal_event ::= "after" duration | "rounds" integer | "turns" integer

-- Terminals
effect_name    ::= (see Section 4 catalogue)
creature_type  ::= identifier  -- any creature-kind name
object_ref     ::= "me" | "target" | "pointdir" | "anyone"
                 | creature_type | identifier
location_ref   ::= distance "pointdir" | "lookat" object_ref | coord_expr
coord_expr     ::= distance "x" [ distance "y" [ distance "z" ] ]
angle_axis     ::= integer ( "x" | "y" | "z" )
distance       ::= number ( "'" | '"' | "m" | "sq" )
duration       ::= number ( "sec" | "s" | "rounds" | "rnd" | "min" | "hr" | "days" )
                 | "permanent"
identifier     ::= letter { letter | digit | "_" }
string_lit     ::= '"' { any_char } '"'
integer        ::= digit { digit }
number         ::= integer [ "." integer ]

14. Example Scripts

This section contains annotated SDL scripts for all of the following spells. Entries 14.1–14.7 are original SDL demonstrations; entries 14.8–14.27 are SDL renderings of the twenty most iconic spells from Dungeons & Dragons, demonstrating how established game-spell mechanics map to SDL constructs.

14.1 Torch Spell

torch:
bind to touch staffend      -- special: +2 SP
create Fire flame concentrate    -- tier 2 + point(0) + conc(+0) = 2; sustain ⌈2÷5⌉=1 SP/rnd
scale flame 1"x 1"y 1"z     -- free

repeat                       -- structural: +2 SP
  move flame to staffend     -- free
  wait 6 sec                 -- free (fixed duration)
until me "off"               -- wait-until event: +1 SP

# Effects: 7  |  Structural: repeat(2) + wait-until(1) = 3  |  Special: bind(2)
# TOTAL: 7 SP base + 1 SP/round

Binds the script to the staff tip, creates a small flame, and repositions it every 6 seconds. Ends when the caster says "off."

Fire concentrate(2) + repeat(2) + wait_until(1) + bind(2)

14.2 Firewall

firewall:
create Fire myflame          -- tier 2 + line≤10'(+2) + brief(+3) = 7; ×1.5 harm = ⌈10.5⌉ = 11 SP
move myflame to 30' pointdir -- free
shape myflame                -- structural: +1 SP
  lineto 1"thick 10' pointdir  -- structural: +1 SP
  fill                         -- structural: +1 SP
scale myflame 10'x 10'y 1"z -- free
wait 3 rounds                -- free (fixed duration)
destroy myflame              -- free

# Effects: 11  |  Structural: shape(1) + lineto(1) + fill(1) = 3  |  Special: none
# TOTAL: 14 SP

Creates a 10×10-foot firewall 30 feet away, sustains it for 3 rounds, then dispels it.

Fire×harm(11) + shape/lineto/fill(3)

14.3 Adaptive Boltbox

boltbox:
bind to touch crate          -- special: +2 SP
repeat                       -- structural: +2 SP
  if (orc or kobold) 30'     -- structural: +1 SP (if)
  then
    if orc 30'               -- structural: +1 SP (nested if)
    then
      create Fire bolt       -- tier 2 + point(0) + instant(0) = 2 SP (no harm: point-source)
      move bolt to lookat orc  -- free
    else                     -- structural: +1 SP
      create Electricity bolt  -- tier 3 + point(0) + instant(0) = 3 SP
      move bolt to lookat kobold -- free
    scale bolt 1'x 1'y 1'z  -- free
    wait 2 sec               -- free (fixed duration)
    destroy bolt             -- free
  wait 1 sec                 -- free (fixed duration)
until me "off"               -- wait-until event: +1 SP (on repeat's until clause)

# Effects: Fire instant(2) + Elec instant(3) = 5
# Structural: repeat(2) + if(1) + if(1) + else(1) + wait-until(1) = 6
# Special: bind(2)
# TOTAL: 13 SP

Fires appropriate elemental bolts at approaching enemies until dismissed.

Fire(2) + Elec(3) + flow(6) + bind(2)

14.4 Alarm Rune

alarmrune:
create Sound chime           -- tier 1 + large(+10) + permanent(+20) = 31 SP
scale chime 30'              -- free
inscribe alarmrune on doorway trigger (anyone enter 5')
                             -- special: ⌈31 × 1.5⌉ = 47 SP (locks effect cost into object)
halt                         -- free

# Effects: 31  |  Structural: none  |  Special: inscribe(47)
# TOTAL: 78 SP

Inscribes a sound effect into a doorway. When any creature crosses the threshold, the chime fires once. The caster's resources are locked in at inscription and freed when the rune triggers.

Sound(31) + inscribe×1.5(47)

14.5 Frost Nova with Linked Afterburn

frostnova:
create Frost wave            -- tier 2 + medium≤20'(+7) + instant(0) = 9; ×1.5 harm = ⌈13.5⌉ = 14 SP
sphere 15'                   -- structural: +1 SP
wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy wave                 -- free

create Fire embers           -- tier 2 + medium≤20'(+7) + fleeting(+1) = 10 SP (no harm: hollow ring, visual)
sphere 15' hollow            -- structural: +1 SP
link embers to wave sync     -- special: +2 SP
scale embers 1"              -- free

for 3 times                  -- structural: ⌈3/3⌉ = 1 SP
  scale embers 5'            -- free
  wait 2 sec                 -- free (fixed duration)
end
destroy embers               -- free

# Effects: Frost×harm(14) + Fire embers(10) = 24
# Structural: sphere(1) + sphere(1) + for(1) = 3
# Special: link(2)
# TOTAL: 29 SP

Expands a frost burst, then creates a ring of embers that pulses outward three times.

Frost×harm(14) + Fire embers(10) + structure(3) + link(2)

14.6 Undead Sentry

sentry:
create Fear aura             -- tier 2 + large≤30'(+10) + moderate(+5) = 17 SP (no harm: condition/aura)
sphere 20' hollow            -- structural: +1 SP

repeat                       -- structural: +2 SP
  foreach undead in 20' as minion   -- structural: +3 SP
    if minion approach 10'   -- structural: +1 SP
    then
      create Radiance bolt   -- tier 3 + point(0) + instant(0) = 3 SP (no harm: point-source)
      move bolt to lookat minion -- free
      scale bolt 1'          -- free
      wait 1 sec             -- free (fixed duration)
      destroy bolt           -- free
  wait 2 sec                 -- free (fixed duration)
until me "dismiss"           -- wait-until event: +1 SP

destroy aura                 -- free

# Effects: Fear aura(17) + Radiance bolt(3) = 20
# Structural: sphere(1) + repeat(2) + foreach(3) + if(1) + wait-until(1) = 8
# Special: none
# TOTAL: 26 SP base + 2 SP/round

Maintains a fear aura and automatically fires holy bolts at any undead that approach within 10 feet.

Fear aura(17) + Radiance bolt(3) + structure(8)

14.7 Sealed, Masked Ward

hidden_ward:
bind to touch chest          -- special: +2 SP
create Necrotic trap         -- tier 5 + tiny≤5'(+2) + long(+12) = 19; ×1.5 harm = ⌈28.5⌉ = 29 SP
sphere 5' hollow             -- structural: +1 SP
mask trap as Aura to human   -- special: +2 SP
seal hidden_ward against Dispel duration 1 hr  -- special: +3 SP

wait until anyone touched chest  -- structural: +1 SP (wait-until)
destroy trap                 -- free
create Necrotic burst        -- tier 5 + medium≤20'(+7) + instant(0) = 12; ×1.5 harm = 18 SP
sphere 10'                   -- structural: +1 SP
scale burst 10'              -- free
wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy burst                -- free
halt                         -- free

# Effects: Necrotic trap×harm(29) + Necrotic burst×harm(18) = 47
# Structural: sphere(1) + wait-until(1) + sphere(1) = 3
# Special: bind(2) + mask(2) + seal(3) = 7
# TOTAL: 57 SP

Creates a necrotic sphere around a chest that appears as a harmless aura to humans, sealed against dispel for one hour. When touched, it detonates.

Necrotic sphere×harm(29) + burst×harm(18) + structure(3) + bind/mask/seal(7)

14.8 Fireball (D&D 3rd-level Evocation)

A bright streak races from the caster's finger to a point within 150 feet, then detonates into a 20-foot-radius sphere of roaring flame. Every creature in the area makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 8d6 fire damage on a failure or half on a success. The blast ignites flammable objects that aren't being worn or carried.

fireball:
# streak travels to target point
create Fire streak instant       -- tier 2 + point(0) + instant(0) = 2 SP
scale streak 6"x 6"y 6"z    -- free
move streak to 150' pointdir -- free

# detonate into 20-ft sphere
destroy streak               -- free
create Fire blast instant        -- tier 2 + medium≤20'(+7) + instant = 9; ×1.5harm = 14 SP
move blast to 150' pointdir  -- free
sphere 20'                   -- structural: +1 SP

# instantaneous — hold one frame then collapse
wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy blast                -- free

# Effects: streak(2) + blast×harm(14) = 16
# Structural: sphere(1) = 1
# Special: none
# TOTAL: 17 SP

Notes: The streak is a small moving fire point; sphere 20' inside the shape context expands the blast to the canonical 20-foot radius. The spell is instantaneous — the SDL hold of 1 second represents the visual flash lingering before the smoke clears.

Fire streak(2) + blast×harm(14) + sphere(1)

14.9 Magic Missile (D&D 1st-level Evocation)

Three glowing darts of magical force streak unerringly toward the target. Each dart deals 1d4+1 force damage. The darts always hit — no attack roll, no saving throw. Additional darts are created for each spell-slot level above 1st.

magic_missile:
# create three force darts and fire simultaneously
for 3 times                  -- structural: ⌈3/3⌉ = 1 SP; create inside ×3
  create Force dart instant      -- tier 2 + point + instant = 2 SP × 3 = 6 SP total
  scale dart 4"x 4"y 4"z    -- free
  move dart to lookat target -- free
  wait 1 sec                 -- free (fixed duration)
  destroy dart               -- free
end

# variant: upcast at 2nd level adds a 4th dart — use 'for 4 times' etc.

# Effects: 3× Force(2) = 6  |  Structural: for(1) = 1  |  Special: none
# TOTAL: 7 SP

Notes: The for 3 times loop fires the darts sequentially with minimal delay. For simultaneous dart flight, three separate named effects (dart1, dart2, dart3) could be created and destroyed in the same tick; the loop form above is the more readable idiom. The Force effect guarantees the hit — saving throws are not part of the SDL description.

3× Force(6) + for(1)

14.10 Sleep (D&D 1st-level Enchantment)

A cloud of soporific magic settles over a 20-foot-radius sphere centred on a point within 90 feet. The spell affects creatures cumulatively by ascending current hit points, putting them to sleep until the spell ends, they take damage, or someone wakes them. It has no effect on undead or creatures immune to charm.

sleep:
create Sleep cloud duration 1 min    -- tier 2 + medium≤20'(+7) + moderate(+5) = 14 SP
move cloud to 90' pointdir   -- free
sphere 20'                   -- structural: +1 SP

# spell duration: 1 minute
wait 1 min                   -- free (fixed duration; duration already costed above)
destroy cloud                -- free

# Effects: Sleep(12) = 12  |  Structural: sphere(1) = 1  |  Special: none
# TOTAL: 15 SP

Notes: The Sleep effect envelops the sphere. Which creatures succumb and in what order is a game-system determination; SDL simply places and sustains the effect for its full duration.

Sleep duration(14) + sphere(1)

14.11 Charm Person (D&D 1st-level Enchantment)

One humanoid the caster can see within 30 feet must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed for up to 1 hour. The target regards the caster as a friendly acquaintance. The charm ends if the caster or companions harm the target.

charm_person:
create Charm glamour duration 1 hr    -- tier 2 + surface(+1) + long(+12) = 15 SP
surface 1"thick lookat target  -- structural: +1 SP
mask glamour as Aura          -- special: +2 SP  -- the effect is invisible to observers
seal charm_person duration 1 hr  -- special: +3 SP

# charm breaks if target takes damage
wait until (target takehit) or (after 1 hr)  -- structural: +1 SP (wait-until)
destroy glamour              -- free
halt                         -- free

# Effects: Charm duration 1hr(15)  |  Structural: surface(1) + wait-until(1) = 2  |  Special: mask(2)+seal(3)=5
# TOTAL: 22 SP

Notes: The Charm effect is applied as an invisible surface coating on the target. mask … as Aura makes it imperceptible to bystanders. The wait until event list captures both the damage-break and the natural expiry.

Charm(15) + structure(2) + mask/seal(5)

14.12 Web (D&D 2nd-level Conjuration)

A thick tangle of sticky webs fills a 20-foot cube originating from a point within 60 feet. The area is difficult terrain for the duration; any creature starting its turn in the webs or entering them must make a Dexterity saving throw or be restrained. Webs are flammable — a Fire effect burns them away in one round.

web:
create Web mass duration 1 hr        -- tier 2 + medium≤20'(+7) + long(+12) = 21; ×1.5harm = 32 SP
move mass to 60' pointdir    -- free
shape mass                   -- structural: +1 SP
  lineto 1"thick 20' pointdir  -- structural: +1 SP
  lineto 1"thick 0'x 20'y 0z  -- structural: +1 SP
  lineto 1"thick -20' pointdir -- structural: +1 SP
  lineto 1"thick 0'x -20'y 0z -- structural: +1 SP
  fill                         -- structural: +1 SP
extrude 20'                  -- structural: +1 SP

# webs last 1 hour or until burned
wait until (effectcreated Fire) or (after 1 hr)  -- structural: +1 SP (wait-until)

if effectcreated Fire        -- structural: +1 SP (if)
then
  # fire burns through in 1 round
  wait 6 sec                 -- free (fixed duration)
destroy mass                 -- free

# Effects: Web×harm(32) = 32
# Structural: shape(1) + 4×lineto(4) + fill(1) + extrude(1) + wait-until(1) + if(1) = 9
# Special: none
# TOTAL: 41 SP

Notes: The shape block defines a 20×20-foot square base; extrude 20' gives the cube its depth. The effectcreated Fire event watches for any fire effect entering the area — when detected it counts one round (6 seconds) before destroying the webs.

Web×harm(32) + structure(9)

14.13 Hold Person (D&D 2nd-level Enchantment)

One humanoid within 60 feet must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become paralysed for up to 1 minute. The target may repeat the save at the end of each of its turns. Concentration required.

hold_person:
create Stasis binding concentrate    -- tier 4 + surface(+1) + conc(+0) = 5; sustain ⌈5÷5⌉=1 SP/rnd
surface 1"thick lookat target  -- structural: +1 SP
mask binding as Arcane       -- special: +2 SP

# duration: up to 1 min, broken if target succeeds save each round
# or if caster loses concentration
repeat                       -- structural: +2 SP
  wait 6 sec                 -- free (fixed duration)
until (target save) or (me loseconcentration) or (after 1 min)
                             -- wait-until event counted with repeat: included above

destroy binding              -- free

# Effects: Stasis concentrate(5)  |  Structural: surface(1) + repeat(2) = 3  |  Special: mask(2) = 2
# TOTAL: 11 SP base + 1 SP/round

Notes: Stasis coats the target as an invisible surface. Each pass through the repeat loop represents one round; the target save event fires when the target's repeated saving throw finally succeeds. The me loseconcentration event handles disruption.

Stasis concentrate(5) + structure(3) + mask(2)

14.14 Lightning Bolt (D&D 3rd-level Evocation)

A bolt of lightning, 5 feet wide and 100 feet long, erupts from the caster. Each creature in the line makes a Dexterity save, taking 8d6 lightning damage on a failure or half on a success. The bolt ignites flammable objects and can bounce off stone walls at the DM's option.

lightning_bolt:
create Lightning bolt instant        -- tier 3 + line≤100'(+6) + instant = 9; ×1.5harm = 14 SP
move bolt to me              -- free
shape bolt                   -- structural: +1 SP
  lineto 6"thick 100' pointdir  -- structural: +1 SP
  fill                          -- structural: +1 SP

# instantaneous flash
wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy bolt                 -- free

# Effects: Lightning×harm(14) = 14
# Structural: shape(1) + lineto(1) + fill(1) = 3
# Special: none
# TOTAL: 17 SP

Notes: The shape is a 6-inch-thick line (canonical 5-foot lane rendered in SDL inches for visual accuracy) extending 100 feet in the caster's facing direction. The spell is instantaneous; the 1-second hold represents the visual arc before dissipation.

Lightning×harm(14) + shape/lineto/fill(3)

14.15 Polymorph (D&D 4th-level Transmutation)

One creature within 60 feet that fails a Wisdom saving throw is transformed into a beast of the caster's choice with a Challenge Rating no greater than the target's own. The transformation lasts up to 1 hour or until the target drops to 0 hit points, at which point it reverts.

polymorph:
create Polymorph shell duration 1 hr    -- tier 3 + surface(+1) + long(+12) = 16 SP
surface 2"thick lookat target  -- structural: +1 SP
mask shell as Aura           -- special: +2 SP

# hold for up to 1 hour; collapses if target dies or is dispelled
wait until (target dead) or (effectcreated Dispel) or (after 1 hr)
                             -- structural: +1 SP (wait-until)

destroy shell                -- free

# Effects: Polymorph duration 1hr(16)  |  Structural: surface(1) + wait-until(1) = 2  |  Special: mask(2) = 2
# TOTAL: 20 SP

Notes: The Polymorph effect wraps the target's body. When target dead fires (the beast form reaching 0 HP) the script ends the transformation. A Dispel event from an opposing mage also ends it prematurely.

Polymorph duration 1hr(16) + structure(2) + mask(2)

14.16 Invisibility (D&D 2nd-level Illusion)

A creature the caster touches becomes invisible until the spell ends or until the target attacks or casts a spell. Anything the target is wearing or carrying is also invisible. Duration: 1 hour.

invisibility:
create Invisibility veil duration 1 hr    -- tier 3 + surface(+1) + long(+12) = 16 SP
surface 1"thick lookat target  -- structural: +1 SP

# veil ends if target attacks, casts, or an hour passes
wait until (target attack) or (target cast) or (after 1 hr)
                             -- structural: +1 SP (wait-until)

destroy veil                 -- free

# Effects: Invisibility duration 1hr(16)  |  Structural: surface(1) + wait-until(1) = 2
# TOTAL: 18 SP

Notes: The Invisibility surface covers the target entirely. The target attack and target cast combat events (Section 5.4) break the spell the instant the target acts offensively, matching the canonical rule.

Invisibility duration 1hr(16) + structure(2)

14.17 Fly (D&D 3rd-level Transmutation)

A willing creature the caster touches gains a flying speed of 60 feet for up to 10 minutes. Concentration required; the target descends safely if the spell ends mid-flight.

fly:
create Air lift concentrate          -- tier 2 + surface(+1) + conc(+0) = 3; sustain ⌈3÷5⌉=1 SP/rnd
surface 1"thick lookat target  -- structural: +1 SP
tag lift flight = active     -- free

repeat                       -- structural: +2 SP
  move lift to lookat target   -- free  -- tracks the flying creature
  wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
until (me loseconcentration) or (after 10 min)
                             -- wait-until event: included in repeat(2) above

destroy lift                 -- free

# Effects: Air concentrate(3)  |  Structural: surface(1) + repeat(2) = 3
# TOTAL: 8 SP base + 1 SP/round

Notes: The Air effect enveloping the target represents the magical levitation field. The repeat loop keeps the field tracking the target as they move. On concentration loss the SDL ends naturally; game rules handle the graceful descent.

Air concentrate(3) + structure(3)

14.18 Dispel Magic (D&D 3rd-level Abjuration)

Choose one creature, object, or magical effect within 120 feet. Any spell of 3rd level or lower ends automatically. For spells of 4th level or higher, the caster makes an ability check, DC 10 + the spell's level.

dispel_magic:
create Dispel wave instant           -- tier 3 + tiny≤5'(+2) + instant = 5; ×1.5harm = 8 SP
move wave to lookat target   -- free
sphere 5'                    -- structural: +1 SP

# instantaneous suppression pulse
wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy wave                 -- free

# Effects: Dispel×harm(8) = 8  |  Structural: sphere(1) = 1  |  Special: none
# TOTAL: 9 SP

Notes: The Dispel effect is a small sphere centred on the target. Whether it actually terminates any given spell is a game-system ability check; SDL simply delivers the effect. To suppress an entire area rather than a single target, replace lookat target with an anchor point and increase the sphere radius.

Dispel×harm(8) + sphere(1)

14.19 Wall of Fire (D&D 4th-level Evocation)

A wall of fire rises from the ground, 60 feet long, 20 feet high, and 1 foot thick, in any direction within 120 feet. One side of the wall (chosen at casting) deals 5d8 fire damage to creatures that end their turn within 10 feet; passing through deals the same. Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute.

wall_of_fire:
create Fire firewall concentrate     -- tier 2 + line≤60'(+4) + conc(+0) = 6; ×1.5harm=9; sustain ⌈6÷5⌉=2 SP/rnd
move firewall to 120' pointdir  -- free
shape firewall               -- structural: +1 SP
  lineto 1"thick 60' pointdir  -- structural: +1 SP
  fill                         -- structural: +1 SP
scale firewall 60'x 20'y 1'z -- free

# concentration: up to 1 min
repeat                       -- structural: +2 SP
  wait 6 sec                 -- free (fixed duration)
until (me loseconcentration) or (after 1 min)
                             -- wait-until event included in repeat(2) above

destroy firewall             -- free

# Effects: Fire wall×harm(17) = 17
# Structural: shape(1) + lineto(1) + fill(1) + repeat(2) = 5
# Special: none
# TOTAL: 15 SP base + 2 SP/round

Notes: The shape block draws the 60-foot base line; the scale sets the canonical dimensions (60 wide × 20 tall × 1 deep). The hot side and damage zone are game-system mechanics; SDL positions and sustains the structure.

Fire concentrate×harm(9) + structure(6)

14.20 Cure Wounds (D&D 1st-level Evocation)

The caster touches a living creature. That creature regains 1d8 + spellcasting-modifier hit points. No effect on undead or constructs.

cure_wounds:
create Blessing glow instant         -- tier 2 + surface(+1) + instant = 3 SP
surface 2"thick lookat target  -- structural: +1 SP
tag glow healing = active    -- free

# instantaneous pulse — one frame of golden light
wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy glow                 -- free

# Effects: Blessing instant(3)  |  Structural: surface(1) = 1
# TOTAL: 4 SP

Notes: Cure Wounds has no area, no duration, and no moving parts — it is a single touch. The SDL renders this as a momentary Blessing surface on the target, flickering gold before vanishing. The hit point recovery is a game-system consequence of the effect landing.

Blessing instant(3) + surface(1)

14.21 Raise Dead (D&D 5th-level Necromancy)

The caster touches a dead creature that has been dead no longer than 10 days. The creature returns to life with 1 hit point. The spell closes all wounds, neutralises poisons and diseases, and reverses the cause of death unless it was old age. The ritual takes 1 minute to perform.

raise_dead:
# 1-minute ritual: build the effect gradually
create Radiance ritual duration 1 min    -- tier 3 + surface(+1) + moderate(+5) = 9; ×3 MIRACLE = 27 SP
surface 2"thick lookat target  -- structural: +1 SP
tag ritual phase = 1         -- free

# first 30 seconds: soft golden pulse, building in intensity
for 3 times                  -- structural: ⌈3/3⌉ = 1 SP
  scale ritual 1.5'          -- free
  wait 10 sec                -- free (fixed duration)
  scale ritual 1'            -- free
end

# final surge
tag ritual phase = 2         -- free
power raise_dead 2           -- special: +3 × (2−1) = 3 SP
scale ritual 3'              -- free
wait 6 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)

destroy ritual               -- free

# brief moment of silence before the returned life
wait 2 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)

# life-spark: Blessing flicker marks the return
create Blessing spark lasting            -- tier 2 + surface(+1) + lasting(+20) = 23; ×3 MIRACLE = 69 SP
surface 1"thick lookat target  -- structural: +1 SP
wait 2 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy spark                -- free

# Effects: Radiance duration×miracle(27) + Blessing lasting×miracle(69) = 96 SP
# Structural: surface(1) + for(1) + surface(1) = 3
# Special: power ×2 (+3) = 3
# TOTAL: 102 SP

Notes: The 1-minute ritual is modelled in three 10-second pulsing loops followed by a final power surge. The Radiance effect represents the divine or necromantic energy knitting the body back together; the Blessing spark marks the actual moment of revival.

Radiance duration×miracle(27) + Blessing lasting×miracle(69) + structure(3) + power(3)

14.22 Animate Dead (D&D 3rd-level Necromancy)

This spell creates undead servants. Choose a pile of bones or a corpse within 10 feet. The remains become a skeleton or zombie under the caster's control for 24 hours, after which it must be re-commanded or becomes an independent undead.

animate_dead:
create Necrotic animforce instant    -- tier 5 + surface(+1) + instant = 6 SP
surface 2"thick lookat target  -- structural: +1 SP

# binding takes 1 round (6 seconds)
wait 6 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy animforce            -- free

# mark the newly raised servant
create Undead binding lasting        -- tier 4 + surface(+1) + lasting(+20) = 25 SP
surface 1"thick lookat target  -- structural: +1 SP
tag binding master = me      -- free
seal animate_dead duration 24 hr  -- special: +3 SP

# re-command within 24 hours or binding expires
wait until (after 24 hr) or (me "arise again" 30')  -- structural: +1 SP (wait-until)

if me "arise again" 30'      -- structural: +1 SP (if)
then
  # reset the 24-hour timer
  destroy binding            -- free
  create Undead binding lasting    -- tier 4 + surface(+1) + lasting(+20) = 25 SP (re-command branch)
  surface 1"thick lookat target  -- structural: +1 SP
  tag binding master = me    -- free
  seal animate_dead duration 24 hr  -- special: +3 SP (second seal)
  wait until (after 24 hr) or (me "arise again" 30')  -- structural: +1 SP

destroy binding              -- free

# Effects: Necrotic instant(6) + Undead lasting(25) + Undead lasting re-cmd(25) = 56 SP
# Structural: surface(1)+wait-until(1)+if(1)+surface(1)+wait-until(1) = 5
# Special: 2×seal(6)
# TOTAL: 67 SP

Notes: The Necrotic surface animates the remains; the Undead binding represents the ongoing command relationship. The seal protects the control link, and tag binding master = me records ownership. The inner loop handles a single re-command; a full implementation would use repeat.

Necrotic instant(6) + 2×Undead lasting(50) + structure(5) + 2×seal(6)

14.23 Banishment (D&D 4th-level Abjuration)

One creature within 60 feet that fails a Charisma saving throw is banished. If the target is native to the current plane it is transported to a harmless demi-plane for the duration (Concentration, up to 1 minute); if it is from another plane it is sent home permanently if concentration is held for the full minute.

banishment:
create Dimension cage concentrate    -- tier 4 + tiny≤5'(+2) + conc(+0) = 6; sustain ⌈6÷5⌉=2 SP/rnd
move cage to lookat target   -- free
sphere 5'                    -- structural: +1 SP
tag cage target = target     -- free

# concentration: up to 1 minute
repeat                       -- structural: +2 SP
  wait 6 sec                 -- free (fixed duration)
until (me loseconcentration) or (after 1 min)
                             -- wait-until included in repeat(2) above

if after 1 min               -- structural: +1 SP (if)
then
  # full minute held — permanent banishment for extraplanar targets
  create Rift exit instant       -- tier 8 + tiny≤5'(+2) + instant = 10; ×1.5harm = 15 SP
  move exit to lookat target -- free
  scale exit 5'              -- free
  wait 2 sec                 -- free (fixed duration)
  destroy exit               -- free
  destroy cage               -- free
else                         -- structural: +1 SP
  # concentration broken — target snaps back
  destroy cage               -- free

halt                         -- free

# Effects: Dimension cage concentrate(6) + Rift exit instant×harm(15) = 21 SP
# Structural: sphere(1) + repeat(2) + if(1) + else(1) = 5
# TOTAL: 26 SP base + 2 SP/round

Notes: The Dimension cage envelops the target. If concentration is maintained for the full minute, the Rift opens to permanently send an extraplanar creature home. Dropping concentration early simply collapses the cage and returns a native creature.

Dimension concentrate(6) + Rift instant×harm(15) + structure(5)

14.24 Misty Step (D&D 2nd-level Conjuration)

Surrounded by silver mist, the caster teleports up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space they can see. Bonus action. Instantaneous.

misty_step:
# origin mist: brief visual at departure point
create Mist departure instant        -- tier 1 + surface(+1) + instant = 2 SP
surface 2"thick me           -- structural: +1 SP
scale departure 3'           -- free

wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)

# disappear
destroy departure            -- free

# arrival mist: brief visual at destination
create Mist arrival instant          -- tier 1 + surface(+1) + instant = 2 SP
move arrival to 30' pointdir -- free
surface 2"thick arrival      -- structural: +1 SP
scale arrival 3'             -- free

wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy arrival              -- free

# Effects: Mist instant(2) + Mist instant(2) = 4 SP
# Structural: 2×surface(2) = 2
# TOTAL: 6 SP

Notes: Two Mist pulses — one at the origin and one at the destination — represent the silver flash. The actual teleportation of the caster's body is a game-system outcome; SDL models only the visual magical phenomena at each location.

2× Mist instant(2+2) + structure(2)

14.25 Meteor Swarm (D&D 9th-level Evocation)

Blazing orbs of fire plummet to the ground at four points the caster can see within 1 mile. Each point suffers a 40-foot-radius explosion dealing 20d6 fire and 20d6 bludgeoning damage. Creatures make a Dexterity save (half damage on success). The mightiest evocation spell in the standard ruleset.

meteor_swarm:
# four simultaneous impact points — create all before detonating
create Firestorm m1 instant          -- Firestorm(7) + point + instant = 7 SP
create Firestorm m2          -- 8 SP
create Firestorm m3          -- 8 SP
create Firestorm m4          -- 8 SP  [4 streaks total = 32 SP]

# position all four meteors high above target zones before impact
move m1 to 200'x 0y 300'z   -- free  -- above impact zone 1
move m2 to -100'x 150'y 300'z -- free
move m3 to 100'x -150'y 300'z -- free
move m4 to -200'x 0y 300'z  -- free

# streaks fall simultaneously — scale as falling bolts
scale m1 4'x 4'y 50'z       -- free
scale m2 4'x 4'y 50'z       -- free
scale m3 4'x 4'y 50'z       -- free
scale m4 4'x 4'y 50'z       -- free

wait 2 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)

# impact: all four detonate into 40-ft spheres
foreach Firestorm in 1000' as mx  -- structural: +3 SP
  destroy mx                 -- free
end

create Fire blast1 instant           -- tier 2 + huge≤40'(+14) + instant = 16; ×1.5harm = 24 SP
move blast1 to 200'x 0y 0z  -- free
sphere 40'                   -- structural: +1 SP

create Fire blast2           -- 24 SP
move blast2 to -100'x 150'y 0z -- free
sphere 40'                   -- structural: +1 SP

create Fire blast3           -- 24 SP
move blast3 to 100'x -150'y 0z -- free
sphere 40'                   -- structural: +1 SP

create Fire blast4           -- 24 SP
move blast4 to -200'x 0y 0z -- free
sphere 40'                   -- structural: +1 SP  [4 blasts×harm = 96 SP]

# craters persist briefly
wait 3 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy blast1               -- free
destroy blast2               -- free
destroy blast3               -- free
destroy blast4               -- free

# Effects: 4×Firestorm instant(28) + 4×Fire blast×harm(96) = 124 SP
# Structural: foreach(3) + 4×sphere(4) = 7
# TOTAL: 131 SP

Notes: Each meteor is a Firestorm composite (Fire + Wind + Thunder) falling from altitude, scaled as a long narrow pillar to suggest a streaking fireball. On impact each becomes an independent 40-foot blast sphere. The foreach cleanup pattern simultaneously removes all four falling streaks before the ground detonations appear.

4× Firestorm instant(28) + 4× Fire blast×harm(96) + foreach/spheres(7)

14.26 Time Stop (D&D 9th-level Transmutation)

The caster briefly stops the flow of time for everyone but themselves. No time passes for other creatures while the caster takes 1d4+1 turns. The effect ends if the caster affects another creature or object, or if a spell that affects another creature is cast.

time_stop:
# create the stasis field — all creatures except the caster
create Stasis worldfreeze duration fleeting    -- tier 4 + vast(+14) + fleeting(+1) = 19; ×1.5harm = 29 SP
sphere 300' hollow           -- structural: +1 SP  -- enormous radius, excluding caster at centre
tag worldfreeze caster = me  -- free

# the caster acts freely during the frozen interval
# SDL models the visual: everything shimmers to a halt

# visual shimmer on initiation
create Timewarp sheen instant        -- tier 4 + vast(+14) + instant = 18 SP
sphere 300' hollow           -- structural: +1 SP
wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy sheen                -- free

# stasis holds for the duration of the caster's free turns
# (1d4+1 turns = 6-30 seconds; use a moderate hold)
wait 18 sec                  -- free (fixed duration)

# ends early if caster targets another creature
# (effectcreated event fires when caster's next spell lands)
wait until (effectcreated Arcane) or (after 18 sec)  -- structural: +1 SP (wait-until)

destroy worldfreeze          -- free

# time resumes: brief ripple
create Timewarp ripple instant       -- tier 4 + vast(+14) + instant = 18 SP
sphere 300' hollow           -- structural: +1 SP
wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy ripple               -- free

# Effects: Stasis duration×harm(29) + 2×Timewarp instant(18×2=36) = 65 SP
# Structural: 3×sphere(3) + wait_until(1) = 4
# TOTAL: 69 SP

Notes: The Stasis sphere excludes the caster's position (the hollow qualifier leaves the centre empty). Timewarp pulses at start and end mark the visual signature of time resuming. The 18-second wait approximates three average free turns; a game-system implementation would hook into the initiative counter instead.

Stasis duration×harm(29) + 2×Timewarp instant(36) + structure(4)

14.27 Wish (D&D 9th-level Conjuration)

The most powerful spell a mortal can cast. By speaking aloud, the caster can alter reality itself. Safe use duplicates any spell of 8th level or lower. Wider uses risk permanent Constitution loss, the inability to cast Wish again, and other calamities. SDL can only model the magical manifestation, not the reality-altering outcome.

wish:
# Wish has no fixed spatial form — the effect takes any shape
# This script models a canonical "duplicate Fireball" safe use,
# followed by the signature visual: a cascade of all effect types.

# Phase 1: the utterance — prismatic aura surrounds the caster
create Prismatic corona duration brief    -- tier 8 + surface(+1) + brief(+3) = 12 SP
surface 3"thick me           -- structural: +1 SP
seal wish against Dispel     -- special: +3 SP

# Phase 2: the wish propagates outward as a wave of raw arcane energy
create Arcane wave instant            -- tier 8 + small(+4) + instant = 12; ×1.5harm = 18 SP
                             -- (grows from 5' to 60'; max reached is huge, but initial create at 5')
move wave to me              -- free
sphere 5' hollow             -- structural: +1 SP

for 6 times                  -- structural: ⌈6/3⌉ = 2 SP
  scale wave 10'             -- free
  wait 1 sec                 -- free (fixed duration)
end

destroy corona               -- free

# Phase 3: deliver the duplicated effect (Fireball at a target point)
create Fire wish_blast instant        -- tier 2 + medium≤20'(+7) + instant = 9; ×1.5harm = 14 SP
move wish_blast to 150' pointdir -- free
sphere 20'                   -- structural: +1 SP
wait 1 sec                   -- free (fixed duration)
destroy wish_blast           -- free

destroy wave                 -- free

# aftermath: lingering Arcane shimmer — the cost of reality-alteration
create Arcane fatigue duration fleeting    -- tier 8 + surface(+1) + fleeting(+1) = 10 SP
surface 2"thick me           -- structural: +1 SP
wait 10 sec                  -- free (fixed duration)
destroy fatigue              -- free

halt                         -- free

# Effects: Prismatic duration(12) + Arcane instant×harm(18) + Fire instant×harm(14) + Arcane fatigue(10) = 54 SP
# Structural: surface(1)+sphere(1)+for(2)+sphere(1)+surface(1) = 6
# Special: seal(3)
# Script total: 63 SP  — Wish Rule enforces minimum 150 SP (see §11.16)
# TOTAL: 150 SP (minimum enforced)

Notes: Wish is modelled in three phases: the Prismatic corona of the utterance, an Arcane shockwave propagating outward (the reality-bending pulse), and the delivered effect (here: a Fireball). The seal reflects that Wish cannot be dispelled mid-utterance. The Arcane fatigue aura represents the canonical enfeeblement that follows casting. A different safe use would simply swap the delivered effect in Phase 3.

Script total 68 SP; Wish minimum enforced at 150 SP (§11.13)

15. Quick Reference

15.1 Operator Summary

15.2 Effect Type Quick Index

End of SDL Reference Manual v2.0  ·  "Magic is nothing more than well-structured intent."