Looking for any suggestions on shortening this spell format.
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Name : Magic Missile
Level : 1
Cost : 5 MP, Gestured
Time : 1 Turn
Duration : Instant
Charges : 1 for every 3 caster levels
Damage : 1d4+1
Range : 40 Meters
Description : With a quick flick of the wrist and an outstretched arm a spellcaster is capable of channelling magical energy through their index finger in a direct path.
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Name : Light
Level : 1
Cost : 3 MP, Verbal
Time : Instant
Duration : 5 + 1d4 Turns
Range : Touch
Domain : 5 Meters Sphered
Description : An object the character touches begins shine with a fiery aura.
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If no suggestions praise works just as well =D
On a more productive note
First: Use two columns, as the DnD format uses too much column space and limits descriptors.
Name
Quick Summary:
Level * Cost
Time * Targeting
Full Descrption Text: Start with the look and effects of the spell, then go into the range, areas, duration, touches. This way only the tactical numbers I need to spell cast are up top. The rest are in the spell description, which will be from about 4-8 lines long.
Name: self explanitory
Quick Summary: 1-10 words to explain it
Level Minimum expertise level to cast
Cost: Magic Points per level of effect or straight points
Time: to cast the spell
Targetting: How is the spell targetted, touch/ missle/ thrown/ area/ mind link/ what ever.
Second: If you have an emphasis for roleplay, then try to de-emphasize the mechanics of your magic (and other elements). Sure they are there and you need them, but don't make them a focus. This helps keep people from taking the numeric/ tactical approach, as it makes them deal with the description and words.
In action:
Firebolt
A fire dart flys forth
Lv 1 * 1MP per level
1 action * Missile
With a quick throwing motion, the caster produces a firey bolt of yellow flame the size of a hand. If it strikes successful it does 1d3 per level used. Each 3 rolled gives a 10% chance of anything flamable the target is wearing to catch aflame.
This format uses less space on the page. It puts the minimum mechanical requirements up top. It also eliminates listings that not every spell is going to use or really needs.
Note: having a little issue with the formatting. There should be 5 character spaces, or a about that much) between the end word of column one (level and casting time) and column two (cost and targetting)