New Campaign

Well, we've been playing for awhile now but haven't had combat.

This is about to change. As a result the following is a stupid question...

The book seems fairly quiety about spellcasting in the midst of combat. Is there an initiative value for spellcasting? Any difference between formulaic and spontaneous? Does Spell Mastery - Fast Casting have any impact?

Thanks again for any assistance.

Yes. Quickness + stress die (+3 if Fast Caster Virtue). See page 174.

No.

Yes, it enables you to fast cast a Formulaic spell. See page 83 and 87.

Fast casting can, in effect, allow a mage to cast several spells while their mundane opponent only takes one action. Not exactly that easy, but basically.