| From: | Doctor Doom <JCH8169@*****.TAMU.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | A Magical Proposition....rasfoylip |
| Date: | Fri, 16 Apr 1993 01:54:21 -0500 |
A local Game Master (and good friend of mine) who does not,
incidentally, participate in the discourse on this list approached me with a
request as to modification of the ShadowRun Magic System.
(Ahhh...hearken unto the groans from the audience!)
Part of her motivation was due to the feeling that Initiates should
receive far more tangible benefits--true, the become privy to the powers of
Metamagic, but this is rather removed from day-to-day spellcasting, with the
possible exception of Centering--although its effects are rather indirect for
my taste.
Another motivation of this is that the Magic Attribute, or as expressed
in ShadowRun II, the Magic Rating, has precious little bearing on everyday
spellcasting. She is of the opinion (a sentiment which I share, incidentally),
that Magic is, or rather should be, composed of a three-tiered system:
Aptitude: The Sorcery Skill
Experience: The Magic Attribute, raised via Initiation
Power Level: The Force of the spell
All three should be important to the role and implementation of magic in the
System. And this is the assumption from which I shall be drawing conclusions
in this proposal.
SHADOWRUN I:
Magic Pool: Sorcery Skill
Casting-- Magic Pool + Force of Spell
Resist: Force of Spell
Not bad...really. Force & Sorcery aptitude are both important, due to their
presence in the process of casting the spell. Magic Attribute plays an
pivotal role: Astral Pool. Considering that Initiation does not yet exist,
a limited role such as this does not seem unfair.
GRIMOIRE I:
Magic Pool: Sorcery Skill
Casting-- Magic Pool + Sorcery Skill
Resist: Sorcery Skill of caster...
From the prospect of striving for a three-tiered system, this is obviously
flawed, as it completely discounts the Force of the spell being cast
(permitting Force 1 Firebolts to burn with a vengeance). Moreover, the Magic
Attribute has been almost completely divorced from the system, save for the
earlier determinates of radius of area of effect and Physical Drain threshold.
However, now there is Initiation, the ability to raise the Magic Attribute, and
yet, it plays NO substantial role--considering how much it cost to Initiate,
and the supposed natural potency of Vampires, it SHOULD be more important.
GRIMOIRE II:
Magic Pool: Sorcery Skill
Casting-- Magic Pool + Force of Spell
Resist: Force of Spell
Sounds familiar, eh? The force of the spell has been re-integrated into the
system, after a long absence. However, NOW the Magic Attribute determines
precious few things: Radius of spells and maximum spell force cast without
physical drain... and how many dice of one's Magic Pool may be brought to bear
into spell casting. Experience and aptitude only count as far as the Sorcery
skill is considered.
THE PROPOSAL...
Magic Pool: Magic Attribute
Casting-- Sorcery Skill (for casting only) + Magic Pool (for drain or casting)
Resist: Force
This way, all three tiers in the system are salient. Initiates will have an
easier time making spells hurt, as they simply possess more dice.
In this way, EXPERIENCE COUNTS both ways... Adroitness with the skill of
Sorcery is obviously a great boon. In addition, the new Magic Pool gives the
magician the edge that such experienced and INITIATED magic-users should have.
Further, the innate magical capabilities of Vampires are facilitated using
this.
Force has not lost its importance. With the Force still being part of the
resistance test, the magnitude of thaumaturgical force which is brought to bear
is conveyed. An experienced Mage casting a Force 1 fireball, unless he has a
box full of dice, shall witness his targets shrugging the spell off without
issue. Therefore, a Magician shall still be inclined towards throwing Force 6
spells, if for no other reason than he wishes his targets to have a difficult
time rolling them down.
RATIONALE
Casting is, in my opinion, a test to determine with what degree of ability did
one successfully manipulate the thaumaturgical forces. Obviously, Sorcery
skill belongs there. The resistance test determines how well the target's body
can withstand the magnitude of the damaging metaphysical energies that are
being channeled into his aura. Force is the best definition for this.
Following this idea, it still shall behoove a Magician to cast high-force
spells, to assure that his target will experience at least some difficulty in
resisting the damage.
Now, as to Magic Attribute. If the level of Magic determines one's level of
affinity with the Astral Plane--whe'er it is the level of the relationship to
one's Totem, or the degree to which one is attuned and knowledgeable as to the
nature and laws of Magic. This explanation also extends to the peculiar
instance of Vampires, as due to their increased Essence, or Life Force (putting
aside the rather questionable circumstances under which it was acquired) they
possess an innately greater proximity to the Magical Realm.
In the case of all magic users, it stands to reason that this affinity, this
familiarity can be employed in the process of the wielding spells, and hence
it is logical that it occupies a place in the Casting spell test. Also, being
attuned to the _nature_ of preternatural energies, it is not unreasonable to
argue that one may receive insight as to methods by which one may utilize the
metaphysical forces while lessening the impact upon the corporeal form. The
closer one is, the greater ability one has to wield it without harm. This
translates into the ability to use the Magic Pool to reduce drain.
Why am I inclined towards this system? Initiates receive a more tangible edge
in the day-to-day of magic for all their efforts. Also, neither Sorcery or
Force has been discounted, as happened in Grimoire I.
Now, as to disclaimers:
If you are content with the present system, FINE. My desire is to formulate an
equitable alternative for those who question the small role Magic Rating
occupies in the system. My purpose is not to have members extolling the
virtues of the present system and vilify me for impinging upon its pristine
beauty...etc, etc.
I have not railed out against the present system, calling for reform and
revision. I approached this problem as a theoretician would, that upon
encountering a problem, proposed a solution, which is then put to the tests
that it must be logical, rational, as well as both feasible and equitable in
its role in the system. Note that I am not floccinaucinihilipilificating the
present system--In truth, I am actually rather fond of the apparatus as
presented in Grimoire II; what I put forth here is only intended as a viable
alternative.
Colonel Count von Hohenzollern und von Doom, DMSc, DSc, PhD.
Doom Technologies & Weapon Systems -- Dark Thought Publications
>>> Working on solutions best left in the dark.
<<<
[ Doctor Doom : jch8169@********.tamu.edu ]
