Per the Local Idiom, "Caning" or "Gicking"
"Caning" or "Gicking" is what happens when a person reaches a critical mass of arcane or magical energies from casting spells, from which there is no return. It is a serious concern, given that the end result of "caning" is essentially a massive, arcane explosion centered on the person capable of extreme destruction. Steps are taken to reduce this risk. Most commonly, an iron collar is put around those who, for whatever reason, regularly practice magic. All temple or palatial individuals who regularly cast magic are always collared. This collar will, if too much arcane energy is condensed in a person, cause excruciating pain to them if they attempt to cast anymore spells. Others, often among the more nomadic, turn to branding the hands to inhibit the ability to cast spells once too much arcane energy is present. Both methods are efficient, cruelly so, some might say. Usually a "handler" is also present who acts as a further deterrent against using too many spells in too little time.
How It Works
When a person casts a spell, roll magic dice (or their equivalent) as usual. Instead of losing the MD on a 4-6, the person retains all MD. If a 4-6 is rolled on any MD, a "point" of Arcana remains within the caster. A person can have [# of MD] Arcana within them without ever risking "caning". One "point" of Arcana dissipates after a long rest.
Caning 1
If a person has Arcana equal to the number of MD they have and accrues another point, they risk "caning". From here, they accrue further points of Arcana on 3-6. If they reach double their amount of MD in points of Arcana, they "cane".
For the following list of effects, choose the effect of the highest rolled number on any of the MD rolled.
- On a 1-2, the spell is cast normally.
- On a 3, either the spell or the target of the spell changes (randomly chosen).
- On a 4-5, both the spell and the target of the spell changes (randomly chosen).
- On a 6, the one casting the spell "canes".
If the spell changes, the random choice is from any known spells of those within eyesight of the caster. If the target changes, the random choice is from any creature within eyesight of the caster.
Caning 2
If a person "canes" or "gicks", they will die. It is always a death sentence to "cane". Alongside their death, the person casts all known spells at once, randomly targeting, with each spell being cast with MD equal to [# of MD] + [points of Arcana]. Additionally, anyone within 30 feet of the user suffers the result of the roll as damage. It is a phenomenal explosion as all the magic goes "nuclear", so to speak, and bursts out of the user in one moment.
Comments
Clearly, this assumes a setting where magic is volatile and dangerous. It works best in a setting which leans into this. Those who fling spells around like confetti would be perceived as either extremely powerful (due to high MD), a threat to everyone around them, suicidal, or some combination of the three. Regular magic use would be suspicious, especially without any of the above mentioned external restraints.
The idea in the mechanic (which is probably too clunky and needs refinement) is to remove the mechanic of losing MD and instead place "downward pressure" on casting too many spells. This influences magic use toward only when necessary, to be seen as a last ditch effort in most cases. Ideally, this influences the players to use their surroundings and other resources to problem solve instead of "I magic the problem away". It also allows for a player to "cut loose" at pivotal moments and to go out in a "blaze of glory", if they so choose.