Spell Automation
The Activity tab turns a Spell, Scroll, Wand, Potion, NPC Feature, or NPC Spell into a declarative workflow: choose targets, roll saves and damage, apply effects, track duration, summon creatures, give items, and run macros.
- Enable Enhance Spells and reload.
- Open the item from a world actor or editable world item.
- Use the Activity tab.
- Save after changing each major section.
- Test with one caster and one target before adding templates, auras, or multiple effects.
Scrolls and Wands can reference a Spell by UUID. If the referenced source moves or is deleted, inherited behavior cannot resolve. Medkit can refresh stale owned copies.
The normal mode uses Foundry's current target set. Decide whether the item affects all valid targets, one random target, or a prompted selection where the section offers that choice.
Template targeting creates a measured template when the item is cast:
| Option | Examples |
|---|---|
| Shape | Circle, cone, ray, rectangle |
| Size | Distance/width appropriate to the shape |
| Placement | Caster-origin or interactive placement, depending on configuration |
| Cleanup | End of turn, after rounds, after seconds, or manual |
| Visuals | Texture, opacity, TokenMagic filter stack |
| Effects | On creation, enter, leave, or turn-boundary behavior |
On Foundry v14, SDX pairs templates with native Regions. The Region is the automation surface for containment, turn triggers, effects, and elevation-aware behavior.
The Edit TMFX Stack control opens the TokenMagic filter editor for a full stack rather than a single filter.
A configured template save can roll against the tokens caught when the template is created. Set:
- ability or target defense;
- DC/formula;
- success behavior, such as half or no damage;
- which targets receive linked effects.
“Target Defense” lets an ability use the target's defense value when the item needs a contested/defense-style calculation rather than a fixed DC.
An aura remains centered on its source or chosen target. Configure:
- radius;
- ally, enemy, or all disposition;
- line-of-sight requirement;
- triggers: enter, leave, source turn start/end, target turn start/end;
- damage/healing and saving throw;
- effects/conditions;
- Sequencer animation;
- TokenMagic filters for affected tokens.
Aura processing is GM-authoritative to avoid every client applying the same effect. A headless/no-canvas GM does not process canvas geometry; another canvas-capable GM must be present.
SDX supports three authoring styles:
| Mode | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Basic | Dice plus bonus, with simple level scaling |
| Formula | A custom Roll formula using supported actor/target variables |
| Tiered | Different formulas for level bands |
Common variables include caster level and abilities; target variables are available where a target exists. Add a damage type so resistance/immunity logic can process the result correctly.
Additional controls can include:
- a requirement formula;
- critical multiplier;
- every-level or every-other-level scaling;
- healing type;
- per-target roll/application choices.
Avoid JavaScript in a Roll formula. Use Foundry Roll syntax and supported data paths; SDX evaluates formulas as rolls, not arbitrary code.
Drag effect documents into normal and critical slots. For each group, choose:
- target or self;
- all, random, or prompted selection;
- optional requirement;
- normal or critical outcome.
Effects can also be marked to break when their bearer next loses HP. The public API exposes the same break-on-damage primitive for integrations.
With Enable Focus Spell Tracker on:
- A successful focus spell starts a tracked focus entry.
- Linked effects are associated with that focus instance.
- The caster makes Shadowdark's native focus check when required.
- On success, configured per-turn damage/healing can apply.
- On failure or manual end, the focus entry and linked effects are cleaned up.
Auto-Roll Focus on Turn fast-forwards each active check at the caster's turn. It is off by default.
The Token Toolbar and selected sheet surfaces can display active focus icons. Do not model the same ongoing spell as both a focus entry and an unrelated duration entry unless you intentionally want two lifecycles.
Non-focus ongoing spells can be tracked by rounds or time. Configure:
- duration;
- turn-start or turn-end trigger;
- per-turn damage/healing;
- effect reapplication if needed;
- manual/automatic expiry.
Duration icons appear in the Token Toolbar when enabled. Their controls can end the tracked instance.
Each summon profile can define:
- Actor UUID;
- quantity;
- placement behavior;
- token lifecycle;
- automatic deletion when the spell expires.
Use a world/compendium actor with a stable UUID. Interactive placement depends on portal-lib and the current scene. Summoned token cleanup uses the tracked spell/expiry state, so deleting that state by hand can orphan a token.
An item-giving entry grants a configured Item to the caster after the required cast result. Use it for conjured weapons, temporary tools, or spell-created resources. Decide separately how and when the granted item should be removed.
Spell configuration can carry alignment-related rules where the item's behavior depends on caster or target alignment. Treat blank as no gating; test homebrew labels against the values your Shadowdark actors actually store.
Spell-like items can run macros on:
- cast;
- success;
- critical success;
- failure;
- critical failure.
Run-as-GM is intended for authoritative document changes. The macro context
includes caster, item, result, targets, and token/scene data when resolvable.
Current behavior keeps token as a Token placeable on both local and GM paths.
Do not also configure declarative damage/effects if the macro applies the same payload, or the target will receive it twice.
- Scrolls resolve their referenced spell and consume/use the physical item according to the system workflow.
- Wands can track uses when Enable Wand Uses is on and can contain one or more spell references.
- Potions use the SDX Potion sheet with Details, Activity, Description, and Macro tabs.
The Animation FX panel on Scroll and Wand Activity tabs supports the same preview, sound, and override controls as a Spell.
Medkit compares owned automation against registered source packs:
- Spells can be replaced from their matching source;
- Scrolls and Wands retain their physical item data while SDX enhancement flags are refreshed from the referenced spell;
- the UI previews what will change;
- the GM can scan all world actors from settings.
Activity tab is missing. Enable Enhance Spells and reload. Confirm the item type is one SDX extends.
Template appears but nothing happens. Confirm it has a paired Region, valid effect triggers, and caught tokens at the correct elevation.
Aura does not process. A canvas-capable active GM must be connected. Check radius, disposition, line of sight, scene, and elevation.
Scroll/Wand panel is blank. Its spell UUID is missing or stale. Re-link the spell or update the item through Medkit.
Run-as-GM affects the wrong token or none. Keep the caster on the scene the GM client can resolve. Cross-scene placeables are intentionally not guessed.
Per-turn focus damage happens before the check. Update SDX and refresh the owned spell; current behavior applies it only after a successful native focus check.
Related: Combat & Damage · Animation FX · Compendium Packs