Powers and Perils

Abysmal Failures

I came upon a bunch of abysmal effects for gurps, which has spells broken into several colleges. I pawed through this list and seperated out the garbage effects that did not go well with the P&P world. I then seperated out the effects that seemed to fit with each alignment. The result is a different abysmal table for each alignment, with a special table for creation/illusions and enchantments.

Balance Abysmals

RollBalance Abysmal Effect
12 or lessNo effect
13 to 16 Caster becomes target of spell (Roll again if inappropriate)
17 to 19 Caster drops anything he/she had in hands
20 to 22 Caster feels random pains for 3d6 mins (add 1d6 to skill rolls, 2d6 to spell rolls)
23 to 24 Caster unable to cast spells for 3d6 hours
25 to 27 Caster is absent minded for 3d6 days
28 to 30 Caster loses 3d6 Mana, losing Energy if not enough
31 to 33 Caster loses voice for 3d6 mins
34 Caster sends all thoughts to a single target for 3d6 minutes
35 to 36 Caster becomes truthful for 3d6 hours
37 to 39 Magic items in 1d6" radius lose magic for 3d6 hours
40 to 42 Spell affects or is centered on random target
43 to 45 Spell succeeds, but replace caster with target and target with caster
46 to 48 Caster loses 3d6 Energy and falls unconsious for an equal number of hours
49 to 50 All non-magical items in 1d6" radius scatter randomly for 3d6"
51 to 52 Caster changes handedness for 3d6 days
53 to 54 Caster loses function of hands for 3d6 hours
55 to 56 Caster loses voice for 3d6 hours
57 to 58 Magic items in 1d6" radius lose magic for 3d6 Days
59 to 60 Spell affects 1d3 random targets, using TWICE the Mana
61 to 62 Spell affects random subject, alter EL by 1d3-1d3 and with opposite effect
63 Target and caster exchange places, clothing, and items
64 to 65 The following 1d3* spells are delayed by 2d6 phases
66 to 67 The following 1d3* spells have opposite effect
68 All non-magical items in 1d6" radius scatter randomly for 3d6x10"
69 to 70 Caster ages 1d6 years
71 Caster must perform an intricate ritual to cast spell again (1 hour in purified location per BMC)
72 Caster is target of spell reversed
73 to 74 Caster loses function of hands for 3d6 days
75 to 76 Caster loses voice for 3d6 days
77 to 78 Caster makes noise uncontrollably for 3d6 days
79 Magic items in 1d6" radius drained of magic
80 Next 1d3+1 spells hang, then all trigger during casting of next spell after that
81 The following 1d6 spells are delayed by 3d6 turns
82 The following 2d6 spells have opposite effect
83 Cursed: all Casters spells are delayed by 3d6 turns
84 Curse: all Caster's spells have opposite effect
85 to 86 Caster ages 3d6 years
87 to 88 Curse: Caster goes deaf
89 Curse: Caster loses use of hands
90 to 91 Caster loses one MEL
92 Curse: Caster sees everyone as having the same face
93 to 94 Curse: Casters voice becomes Garbled
95 Magic items in 1d6" radius explode doing (EL+1)d6 explosion damage
96 or more Caster becomes possessed by force of balance

Chaos Abysmals

RollChaos Abysmal Effect
12 or less No effect
13 to 14 1d6 hostile creatures summoned, unsoothable and uncontrollable
15 to 17 Caster becomes hideous for 3d6 hours
18 to 19 Caster becomes target of Terror spell at same EL, fleeing in random direction
20 to 21 Caster craves blood for 3d6 days or until satiated
22 to 23 Caster feels random pains for 3d6 mins (+1d6 to skill rolls, +2d6 to spell casting)
24 to 25 Caster forgets all spells for 3d6 hours
26 to 27 Caster gains bizarre cravings for 3d6 hours
28 to 29 Caster glimpses Hellish dimension for 3d6 seconds (suffers from effects of Silent Terror for that time)
30 to 31 Caster loses 3d6 Mana, losing Energy if not enough
32 Caster raises uncontrollable zombie from nearest grave
33 to 34 Caster summons minor demon
35 to 36 Spell affects random target
37 to 38 Spell affects random target, unknown to caster
39 to 41 Spell visually warps and has bizarre/useless effects
42 to 43 Caster loses 3d6 Energy and falls unconsious for an equal number of hours
44 to 45 All sounds produced by caster include screaming wail for 3d6 hours
46 to 48 Caster becomes horribly hideous for 3d6 days
49 Caster summons 2D6 minor demons
50 to 51 Casters emotions psychically affect everyone in 1d6 radius for 3d6 hours
52 to 53 Everyone in 1d6" radius target of Terror spell at same EL, run in random direction
54 Spell affects 1d3 random targets, using TWICE the Mana
55 The following 1d3* spells are delayed by 3d6 phases
56 3d6 nearby plants immediately wither
57 to 58 Caster ages 1D6 years
59 Curse: Caster becomes Manic Depressive
60 Caster becomes allergic to sunlight as for Fey and Alfar
61 to 62 Curse: Caster becomes haunted by evil spirits
63 to 64 Caster must perform an intricate ritual to cast spell again (1 hour in purified location per BMC)
65 Curse: Caster has horrible nightmares every night for the rest of his/her life
66 to 67 Caster howls instead of speaking for 3d6 days
68 to 69 Caster is in agony for 3d6 days (+5 to skill rolls, +10 to spell casting)
70 to 71 Caster rouses all animals in 2d6" radius
72 Caster summons a major demon
73 to 74 Caster views Hellish dimension for 3d6 hours (suffers from effects of Silent Terror for that time)
75 to 76 Everyone in 2d6" radius hallucinates horrors for 3d6 hours
77 Next 1d3+1 spells hang, then all trigger during casting of next spell after that
78 The following 1d6 spells are delayed by 3d6 turns
79 The following 2d6 spells have opposite effect
80 2d6" radius becomes infertile - all plants die and none can grow
81 All animals immediately have hostile reaction to caster
82 Caster ages 3d6 years
83 Curse: Caster becomes mute
84 to 86 Curse: Caster becomes psychotic killer
87 to 88 Curse: Caster is in extreme agony for life (+10 on skill rolls, +20 on spell casting)
89 Caster loses one MEL
90 Casters body dies, and is trapped in spirit form
91 to 95 Casters body possessed by major demon
96 to 100 Caster becomes possessed by force of chaos

Creation Abysmals

Roll Creation Abysmal Effect
12 or less No effect
13 to 16 Any illusion or creation is a solid bright color
17 to 18 Caster appears to be on fire for 3d6 mins (or suffering some other effect)
19 to 21 Caster appears to turn a solid bright color for 3d6 mins
22 to 23 Caster creates bird with casters face which flees at earliest opportunity
24 to 25 Complex Illusionary skeleton attacks caster
26 to 30 Illusion is obviously phony, nothing happens if creation
31 to 35 Illusion/creation is uncontrollable and does all sorts of weird things
36 Illusionary Disguise for 3d6 mins of a household object for head of caster
37 to 40 Next spell cast fails, but appears to succeed to the caster
41 to 42 Any illusion/creation is covered in illusionary/real blood
43 to 44 Caster appears and believes s/he is on fire for 3d6 mins (or other similar effect)
45 to 47 Caster believes illusion (or next illusion) is real with no chance to disbelieve; creation is assumed to be a harmless illusion
48 to 49 Caster creates dog with casters face which flees at earliest opportunity
50 to 53 Caster has psychotic episode through illusions, and gains quirk
54 to 55 Illusionary disguise of caster as monster-faced humanoid for 3d6 hours
56 to 58 Next 1d6 illusions are obviously phony with no need to disbelieve
59 to 61 Replace words illusion with creation, and creation with illusion
62 to 64 All mounts in 2d6" radius (or single nearest) become bizarre creature mounts
65 to 67 Caster creates exact duplicate of him/herself for 3d6 days, GM control
68 to 71 Caster creates monster which attacks
72 to 73 Caster creates mount with casters face which flees at earliest opportunity
74 to 76 Curse: Caster gains phobia based on illusion/creation form
77 to 78 Illusion or Creation is exactly like casters mother/father/guardian
79 to 82 Illusion takes on own life, uncontrollable and permanent
83 Illusionary disguise of caster as demon for 3d6 days
84 to 85 Curse: All subsequent illusions are single bright color, but caster doesn't know
86 Caster creates 2d6 phantoms of him/herself which do bad things and attack caster
87 to 89 Caster creates appropriate creature, but it is possessed by major demon
90 to 91 Caster creates hoard of monsters which attack
92 to 93 Caster creates psychotic warrior with casters face
94 to 97 Curse: Caster gains severe phobia based on illusion/creation form
98 Curse: Permanent Illusion Disguise of hideous creature
99 or more Creation (illusion becomes creation) is permanent and attacks caster, dedicated to his destruction

Elder Abysmals

Roll Elder Abysmal Effect
12 or less No effect
13 to 16 1d6 hostile creatures summoned
17 to 19 Caster gains a voice in head repeating single message for 3d6 days (add day count to all spell rolls)
20 to 23 Caster gains bizarre cravings for 3d6 hours
24 to 26 Caster goes deaf for 3d6 mins
27 to 29 Caster is blinded for 3d6 mins
30 to 33 Caster loses voice for 3d6 mins
34 to 36 Caster receives electric shock (1d6+BMC damage) and is stunned (roll HC to recover)
37 to 38 Dancing lights blind everyone in 2d6" radius -- roll HC each minute to recover
39 to 41 Spell succeeds, but replace caster with target and target with caster
42 to 44 All sounds produced by caster include screaming wail for 3d6 hours
45 to 47 Caster becomes color blind for 3d6 days
48 to 50 1d6" radius of Caster swarmed by hundreds of stinging insects (Swarm size 3d6, 1 damage per phase)
51 to 53 Next spoken phrase in area is repeated over and over for 3d6 days
54 to 55 Permanent silence in 1d6" radius of Caster
56 to 57 Permanent amplify in 1d6" radius of caster
58 to 59 All non-magical items in 1d6" radius scatter randomly for 3d6 miles
60 to 61 Animals have hostile reaction to caster for 3d6 hours
62 to 64 Caster ages 1d6 years
65 to 66 Curse: Caster becomes Paranoid
67 to 68 Caster must perform an intricate ritual to cast spell again (1 hour in purified location per BMC)
69 Curse: Caster gains severe phobia related to spell or target
70 Curse: Caster generates an unwanted physical effect related to spell
71 to 72 Caster is in agony for 3d6 days (+5 to skill rolls, +10 to spell casting)
73 to 74 Caster rouses all animals in 2d6" radius
75 to 76 1d6" radius of Caster swarmed by hundreds of rats/bats/piranha (Swarm size 2d6, 1d3 damage per phase)
77 Magic items in 1d6" radius lose magic
78 Nearby wooden object or dead tree explodes sending slivers for 2d6 damage (1d6 if 1" away)
79 to 80 Next spoken phrase is heard by every living creature within 6d6 miles
81 to 82 Next spoken phrase is repeated over and over area for eternity
83 to 84 All animals immediately have hostile reaction to caster
85 to 86 All targets in 1d6" radius have all mana drained
87 All plants in 1d6" radius become permanently animated
88 2d6" radius of Caster swarmed by thousands of rats/bats/piranha (Swarm size 5d6, 1d3 damage per phase)
89 to 90 Curse: Caster is in extreme agony for life (+10 to all skill rolls, +20 to spell casting)
91 to 92 Caster summons hostile tonah (arrives in 3d6 hours)
93 to 94 Curse: Casters voice irritates animals into outright hostility
95 Magic items in 1d6" radius explode doing (EL+1)d6 explosion damage
96 to 100 Caster becomes possessed by elemental spirit

Enchantment Abysmals

Roll Enchantment Abysmal Effect
12 or less No effect
13 to 15 Item's unenhanced powers reduced by 50%
16 Casters soul is transferred to the item for 3d6 hours
17 to 19 Item becomes stuck to next item it touches for 3d6 hours
20 to 21 Magic items in 2d6" radius lose magic for 3d6 hours
22 to 23 Spell has opposite effect, possibly on random item
24 to 25 Spell succeeds, but on random target
26 to 28 Target item "sings" or is otherwise noticable whenever used
29 to 30 Target item becomes highly magnetic
31 to 32 Target item becomes stuck to caster for 3d6 mins
33 to 35 Target item becomes unusable when wet or in some other common situation
36 Target item gains spirit with INT 5
37 to 38 Target item is permanently dyed a bright single color
39 Target item possessed by minor demon
40 to 41 Target item uses double mana when used, or draws mana when used if enhancement
42 Caster becomes "addicted" to item
43 Casters soul is transferred to the item for 3d6 days
44 to 45 Magic items in 2d6" radius lose magic for 3d6 Days
46 to 48 Spell seems to succeed, but power fails on 1-2 out of 6 when used
49 to 50 Target item becomes stuck to caster for 3d6 days
51 Target item becomes transparent or translucent, tinted its original colour
52 to 53 Target item drains all mana from user whenever used
54 Target item gains INT 6, and telepathy
55 to 56 Target item is inscribed with casters truename
57 Target item possessed by demon
58 to 59 User has sneezing (or similar) fit for 3d6 mins whenever item is used
60 to 62 User smells like something foul for 3d6 minutes whenever item is used
63 Caster kills all green plants in 1" radius whenever item is used by anybody
64 to 65 Caster powers item with his mana whenever item is used by anybody
66 Casters soul is transferred to the item for 3d6 weeks
67 to 68 Magic items in 2d6" radius lose magic
69 to 70 Target item animates uncontrollably and attacks caster
71 to 73 Target item becomes stuck to caster for 3d6 weeks
74 to 75 Target item drains all mana from 2d6" radius when used
76 Target item gains INT 7, and 3 magical powers including telepathy
77 to 78 Target item permanently attached to next inanimate item it touches
79 Target item possessed by major demon
80 User loses 5-30 (1D6x5) pounds whenever item is used -- health threatened at 1/2 weight
81 to 82 Caster loses 1 point of Intelligence from current and maximum whenever item is used by anybody
83 Casters soul is transferred to the item for 3d6 months
84 to 85 Target item becomes permanently stuck to caster
86 to 87 Target item drains all of users Mana when used (3d6 Energy if no mana)
88 to 89 Target item explodes violently doing 3d6 explosion damage
90 Target item gains INT 7+1d3*, 10 spells in addition to telepathy
91 to 92 Target item turns against caster and tries to kill him/her
93 Caster loses 1 point of C from current and maximum whenever item is used by anybody
94 to 95 Caster loses 1 year of life whenever item is used
96 or more Target Item shatters or enchantment destroyed;
Caster must perform an intrikate ritual in a purified area, taking a number of hours equal to the mana expended before he can cast this spell again

Law Abysmals

Roll Law Abysmal Effect
12 or less No effect
13 to 16 Caster becomes Manic for 3d6 hours
17 to 20 Caster becomes Depressed for 3d6 hours
17 to 19 Caster forgets all spells for 3d6 hours
20 to 23 Caster is absent minded for 3d6 days
24 to 26 Caster loses 3d6 Mana, losing Energy if not enough
27 to 28 Caster receives electric shock (1d6+BMC damage) and is stunned (roll HC to recover)
29 to 31 Dancing lights blind everyone in 2d6" radius -- roll HC each minute to recover
32 to 33 Caster loses 3d6 Energy and falls unconsious for an equal number of hours
34 to 36 Caster becomes the center of a light spell at the same EL for 3d6 hours
37 to 38 Caster becomes colour blind for 3d6 days
39 to 41 Caster cannot lie (but can withold truth) for 3d6 days
42 to 44 Caster falls asleep for 3d6 hours
45 to 46 Caster falls into coma for 3d6 days
47 to 49 Caster is blinded for 3d6 hours
50 to 52 Caster becomes the center of a light spell at the same EL for 3d6 days
53 to 54 The following 1d3* spells are delayed by 3d6 phases
55 to 56 Caster ages 1d6 years
57 to 59 Caster must perform an intricate ritual to cast spell again (1 hour in purified location per BMC)
60 to 63 Curse: Caster cannot tell a lie, but can withhold the truth
64 Curse: Single foe may just think of caster and know his/her position
65 to 66 Caster goes deaf for 3d6 weeks
67 to 69 Caster is blinded for 3d6 days
70 to 71 The following 1d6 spells are delayed by 3d6 turns
72 to 74 Caster loses voice for 3d6 days
75 The next phrase spoken by caster becomes truth
76 to 77 Caster ages 3d6 years
78 to 79 Curse: Caster becomes blind
80 to 82 Curse: Caster cannot lie nor withhold the truth
83 to 84 Curse:Caster falls into coma
85 to 86 Caster has (1-3) brain hemorrhage (I) or (4-6) stroke (E), losing 2d6 from indicated attribute's maximum and current
87 to 88 Curse: Caster becomes deaf
89 Caster loses one MEL
90 Casters body dies, and is trapped in spirit form
91 or more Caster becomes possessed by force of law

Shadow Abysmals

Roll Shadow Abysmal Effect
12 or less No effect
13 to 15 Caster becomes Manic for 3d6 hours
16 to 18 Caster becomes Depressed for 3d6 hours
16 to 18 Caster feels s/he is better than everyone else for 3d6 hours
19 to 22 Caster loses 3d6 Mana, losing Energy if not enough
23 to 25 Caster loses voice for 3d6 minutes
26 to 29 Caster twinkles for 3d6 minutes
30 to 33 Caster becomes the center of a darkness spell at the same EL for 3d6 hours
34 to 37 Caster's head engulfed by darkness for 3D6 mins
38 to 40 Caster becomes Insubstantial for 3d6 hours
41 to 43 Caster becomes Manic (1-3) or Depressed (4-6) for 3d6 days
44 to 47 Caster becomes colour blind for 3d6 days
48 to 51 Caster becomes irritated whenever in bright light
52 to 55 Caster becomes pitch black for 3d6 days
56 to 58 Caster loses voice for 3d6 hours
59 to 62 Caster becomes numb for 3d6 weeks
63 to 65 Caster becomes translucent for 1d6 days
66 to 67 Caster ages 1d6 years
68 to 70 Caster becomes Insubstantial for 3d6 days
71 to 72 Curse: Caster becomes Manic Depressive
73 to 75 Curse: Caster becomes allergic to sunlight
76 to 77 Caster loses voice for 3d6 days
78 to 80 Curse: Subject becomes albino
81 to 82 Caster ages 3d6 years
83 Curse: Caster becomes Insubstantial
84 to 85 Curse: Caster driven insane
86 to 87 Curse: Caster is vexed. All influence rolls are made at +25
88 Curse: Caster loses shadow
89 Curse: Caster permanently Body of Shadow
90 Curse: Food tastes all right, but isn't filling at all, and gives no nutritional value
91 to 95 Caster's shadow becomes possessed
96 or more Caster possessed by a force of shadow

Sidhe Abysmals

Roll Sidhe Abysmal Effect
12 or less No effect
13 to 14 All people in 2d6" radius become allergic to magic for 3d6 days
15 to 18 All plants within 2d6" of the Caster grow the equivalent of 1 month in 1 minute
19 to 20 All sounds produced by caster include high pitched whine for 3d6 mins
21 to 24 Caster becomes intensely itchy for 3d6 mins, unscratchable (+10 to all rolls)
25 to 27 Caster becomes ravenous and must eat all available food
28 to 29 Caster chirps/squeaks instead of speaking for 3d6 mins
30 to 32 Caster feels irresistible urge to "mark territory"
33 to 34 Caster goes deaf for 3d6 hours
35 to 36 Caster is blinded for 3d6 mins
37 to 39 1d6" radius of Caster swarmed by hundreds of non-stinging insects (Swarm size 3d6, +5 to all rolls)
40 to 42 All food in 2d6" radius goes rancid
43 to 45 All stored water in 2d6" radius goes foul
46 to 47 Caster becomes gullible (believes everything) for 3d6 days
48 to 49 Caster becomes intensely itchy for 3d6 days, unscratchable (+10 to all rolls)
50 to 52 Caster falls asleep for 3d6 hours
53 to 54 Caster falls into coma for 3d6 days
55 to 58 Caster gains bizarre cravings for 3d6 days
59 to 60 Caster goes deaf for 3d6 days
61 to 62 Caster is blinded for 3d6 hours
63 to 64 Caster loses voice for 3d6 hours
65 to 67 1d6" radius of Caster swarmed by hundreds of stinging insects (Swarm size 3d6, 1 damage per phase)
68 to 69 Caster whinnies/barks/meows instead of speaking for 3d6 hours
70 to 71 Random item thrown at caster by Poltergeist
72 to 73 Animals have hostile reaction to caster for 3d6 hours
74 Curse: Caster affected by Iron as noted for Sidhe (DOUBLE effect if Alfar or Fey)
75 to 76 Caster falls asleep for 3d6 days
77 Curse: Caster gains severe phobia
78 to 79 Caster goes deaf for 3d6 weeks
80 to 81 Caster is blinded for 3d6 days
82 to 83 Caster makes noise uncontrollably for 3d6 days
84 to 85 Caster rouses all animals in 2d6" radius
86 Curse: Caster affected by sunlight as noted for Sidhe (DOUBLE effect if Alfar or Fey)
87 to 88 Random items thrown at caster by Poltergeist for 3d6 mins
89 Curse: Caster becomes blind
90 Curse: Caster becomes mute
91 Curse: Caster goes deaf
92 Curse: Caster must bury him/herself every evening to regain Energy and HP
93 Curse: Caster is vexed. All influence rolls are made at +25
94 Curse: Caster makes noise uncontrollably
95 Curse: Caster gains minimal nutrition from food
96 to 100 Caster becomes possessed by animal spirit

Burton Choinski