Rules Update: General Casting Rules

There are currently 6 methods to cast effects in Knight Realms: Verbal (the most common - Arcane, Divine, and Druidic effects), Surge Casting (used by Wild Mages, Elementals, and other beings that can channel effects inherently), Concentration (Used by Psions, Healers, and some other unique skills), Singing (Used by Bards),  Valence, and Rituals.  These rules cover the first four methods, Valence and Rituals are covered in their specific Higher Lists.

Verbal Casting: The caster must say, in a normal speaking tone and volume (or louder), a specific set of words to cast the effect they wish.  The words must be intelligible to others around them, including the target.  Once the incantation is complete, the caster has 5 seconds to release and deliver the spell.  If the caster is interrupted or struck at any point before the spell is released, the spell is lost.  If the caster aborts the spell before completing the verbal, or if they mis-speak the verbal or do not have enough career points to cast, no career points are expended and the effect fails.  If a verbal is completed, but the spell is then interrupted or failed to be delivered, career points are expended as normal.  A caster may invoke or use skills, including blocking with a weapon or shield, to defend themselves while casting.  A character casting verbally must be able to speak, hear, and use thier hands freely.

Singing: Singing uses the same general rules as Verbal casting, with the additional stipulations noted under the Bard rules.

Surge Casting: The caster may cast an effect immediately and instantly, without preparation.  Once the effect is called, the caster has 5 seconds to release and deliver the spell.  If the caster does not have enough career points to cast, no career points are expended and the effect fails.  If an effect is cast, but the caster is struck or otherwise interrupted, or the spell failed to be delivered, career points are expended as normal.  A caster may invoke or use skills, including blocking with a weapon or shield, to defend themselves while casting.  A surge caster must wait 5 seconds after delivering (or failing to deliver) an effect before they can attempt to cast again (Sometimes referred to as a "cooldown" period).  A character that is surge casting must be able to move their hands freely in order to cast, although they do not need to be able to speak or hear.

Concentration Casting: The caster must concentrate for a specific amount of time in order to cast the effect they wish (Usually 5 seconds per rank of effect, unless noted otherwise).  Once the effect is called, the caster has 5 seconds to release and deliver the spell.  If the caster does not have enough career points to cast, no career points are expended and the effect fails.  If an effect is cast, but the caster is struck or otherwise interrupted (Unless noted otherwise, such as Psions), or the spell failed to be delivered, career points are expended as normal.  A caster that is concentrating may NOT invoke or use skills, including blocking with a weapon or shield, to defend themselves while concentrating.  A character that is concentrating has no requirements in regards to freedom of movement, or being able to speak or hear, to cast.

Other rules covering casting:

Delivery: All effects, unless stated otherwise, must be delivered by spell packet.  A caster may choose to deliver an effect that does not have the Attack trait by touching a target.  Effects that are delivered by touch may be defended against by any defense that will protect against a physical attack, as well as the normal defenses against such an attack (The touch is never completed directly to the target, and the spell never delivered).

All Healer class abilities, unless stated in the skill description, must be delivered by touch.

Psionic Attack Ranks are considered to automatically hit, to a maximum range of 20 feet - all Disciplines and other effects must be delivered as above.

Wild Mages choosing to use a Wild Mage Envelope must concentrate for 5 seconds.  Striking a Wild Mage while they are doing so immediately releases the effects of the surge.

To Clarify (I've been asked in private): "Using your hands freely" means that they are not bound using a game mechanical effect, like Quickbind or Manacles.  You may hold a weapon in your hand and still cast, as long as you deliver the spell legally (with a spell packet or by touch with the hand, or by weapon if you have the skill Weaponcast).