I also mentioned a sidequest into some sort of numerology. For those interested, it is a simply stated idea, though the execution involves a bit of work.

    I also mentioned a sidequest into some sort of numerology. For those interested, it is a simply stated idea, though the execution involves a bit of work.

1. Broadly determine the effect you want the spell to have.
2. Give the spell a name.
3. Use my own form of gematria, computer a number for the spell based solely on the name. Every letter has a value from 1 to 9. Spaces count as 1 point. If the number is has two or more digits, add the digits until there is a one digit number.
4. The number determines the spell's level.
   5a. Alter the spell effect the match the computed spell level
   or
   5b. Alter the name to match the desired spell level.

Example
1. I want a spell that has the same effect as fireball, but uses ice instead.
2. I name the spell Icy Blast.
3. Using gematria, I=1 c=4 y=8 [space]=1 B=3 l=4 a=2 s=2 t=3
1+4+8+1+3+4+2+2+3=28, 2+8=10, 1+0=1.
4. The Icy Blast spell is an 1st level spell.
5a. Make it an 1st level spell by lowering the effect:
Icy Blast does 1d4 damage per 2 caster levels to those caught in the tiny blast area. Save negates damage.
or
5b. Change the name until it is a 3rd level spell to maintain the 1d6 per caster level of damage. Save halves damage.
Working with the name, Chill the Bones will compute to a 3rd level spell. Osnar's Cold Wind also computes to a 3rd level spell as well as Letza's Wind Trap and Numbing Blast

The complication came when computing numbers for The Black Hack, which has 7 spell levels instead of 9. I figured it out, but that made it more difficult to explain and required a complex spreadsheet or homebrew program to computer.

Base 8 numbers. Bah!

Anyway, feel free to use if you like. Recommended for games with 9 spell levels. 🙂