Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: paul collins paulcollins@*******.com
Subject: Designing and learning spells
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2000 15:06:17 +1000
Hoi chummers.

While working last night I was thinking about this and came up with the
following analagy. (I'll point out that I've never really played American
Football, so I could be off in a few spots but what the hey)



Coach Bob decides that his team needs a new play. So he digs out his pen
and paper, his resource material, and what ever else he needs and sets about
doing so. After a while, the inspiration comes, and he figgures out his new
play, slowly working through the steps and the timing to make sure it hangs
together.

A few days later Bob introduces it to the team. Now everyone (Including
Bob) has to memorise it. But he wrote it I hear you say, shouldn't he
already know it? Well, he probably does to some extent, but does he know it
well enough to use it under fire (as it where). To instantly know what
stage it's up to and what comes next, without having to think about it? To
recognise that it is applicable (or not) right now. Basically for it to be
executed by the brains automatic pilot, while he (and the players)
concentrate on other things?

Basically, if he designed it, it should be a little easier for him to learn.

So I thought of the following, genuine untested house rule :o)

When trying to learn a spell that you yourself have designed, you should
lower the target number by half of the force of the spell (round down).

ie: For a level 5 spell, with no other bonuses , the target is: 8 instead
of 10
For a level 8 spell, with no other bonuses , the target is: 12 instead
of 16
For a level 10 spell, with no other bonuses , the target is 15 instead
of 20

Too much, too little?

Annachie


Understanding is a 3 edged sword
Message no. 2
From: Mike & Linda Frankl mlfrankl@***.com
Subject: Designing and learning spells
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2000 17:33:15 -0400
Annachie proposed:
> So I thought of the following, genuine untested house rule :o)
>
> When trying to learn a spell that you yourself have designed, you should
> lower the target number by half of the force of the spell (round down).
>
> ie: For a level 5 spell, with no other bonuses , the target is: 8 instead
> of 10
> For a level 8 spell, with no other bonuses , the target is:
> 12 instead
> of 16
> For a level 10 spell, with no other bonuses , the target is
> 15 instead
> of 20
>
> Too much, too little?

My experience with electronics design engineers and electronic designs that
are too complex for many people to grasp supports your theory. Usually
questions about a design go bouncing back to the originator no matter how
well it is documented.

On the other hand I worry about player abuse. So my call would be that I
might allow it on a case by case basis, perhaps for a player that has a
great spell for the team and the campaign, but just can't hit a target to
save their lives. I wouldn't allow it regularly though.

Nice thought,

;)

Smilin' Jack
Franklin Isshinryu School of Karate
http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/RallyRd/mlfrankl/fiskhome.htm

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about Designing and learning spells, you may also be interested in:

Disclaimer

These messages were posted a long time ago on a mailing list far, far away. The copyright to their contents probably lies with the original authors of the individual messages, but since they were published in an electronic forum that anyone could subscribe to, and the logs were available to subscribers and most likely non-subscribers as well, it's felt that re-publishing them here is a kind of public service.