From:	Phil Smith phil_urbanhell@*******.com
Subject:	Spells above Force 6
Date:	Mon, 19 Jun 2000 18:40:30 GMT

>From: Achille Autran <aautran@*************.fr>
<snip>
>So, what about this (Tada !) Genuine Untested House Rule:
>Intertwined spell design and learning: the mage makes a design test as
>usual, and a learning test with a target number reduced by twice the
>number of successes (more, less ?) achieved on the design test.Design
>and learning times are added. The formula obtained is however somewhat
>customized for the designer, and any other mage learning it suffers a +2
>on her learning test target number. The author can still streamline his
>work in half the base time, to get a proper formula for sale. At GM
>discretion, the mage may 'field-test' his unfinished work, with either
>higher drain, lower efficiency and (most probably) spectacular fumbles.

Works for me, I might give them extra dice based on how many successes they
get when designing, but then that will only act to make this rule a bit less
effective.

>Oh yeah, I used the word mage, it should work as well for other
>traditions. So, what do you think of this ? Makes sense ? Utterly stupid
>?

Looking at this system, mages should be able to make formula that any other
mage can understand just as well, but all shamanic formulas not designed to
be sold should be tailored towards the spell's creator - it's a very
personal thing you know.

>has magic theory a big theoretical background as are mathematics for
>physics, or is it more a kind of art ? What do students in the MIT&T (or
>a similar college) actually learn ? MitS states that mages "draw on a
>vast library of cultural symbols and ideas". I have trouble figuring out
>what symbolism/paradigm a 'generic mage' from MIT&T uses to grasp the
>magical world. Any opinion will be gladly welcome.

I imagine they all sit around discussing how the views of the
caster/conjourer affect what they can do, which came first the totem or the
shaman and how the levels of magic change with time.


Phil

These are my principles; if you don't like them I have some others.
-Groucho Marx

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