From:	"Jason Carter, Nightstalker" <CARTER@***.EDU>
Subject:	Spell Weaving
Date:	Tue, 13 Jul 1993 10:46:47 -0700

Spell Weaving
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>> First off, I was told this term was/is used in D&D, if so I
>> apologize, I have not played that game for over a decade....

I don't recall the term in D&D.

>>Theory:
>> Using Magic theory, a magician can redesign a spell in their
>> repetoire for a 'one shot' casting. This 'redesigning' is nothing
>> more than altering the effects of the spell in accordance with
>> drain code adjustments:
>> - Turning an AOE spell sing/ target
>> - Adding/Removing the Voluntary Subject
>> - Adding/Removing Touch requirements
>> - Adding/Removing the Caster Only
>> - Toggling between Mana/Physical catagory

>> These are just a few examples.

This leaves the door open for extreme abuse of this power. The Mechanics
better make it really difficult.

>>Mechanics:
>> - The Magician declares he/she wishes to spell weave and begins
>> to cast the spell from a Astrally Perceptive position so that
>> he/she can manipulate the mana, in ways very similar to that
>> of the metamagic skill, Centering. This requires one simple
>> action (not including the simple to goes dual).

Makes sense.

>> - The magician declares at what force the 'altered' spell
>> shall be cast (No higher than what force the spell is
>> originally learned at.) This is important because it shall
>> take him/her 1 Turn per Point of force allocated to the new
>> spell (ie, A force 5 redesign spell will take 5 turns to
>> design.)

I don't think force should matter as for how long it takes to rewrite the
spell. The degree of modification would be a better indicator.

>> - The GM/magician calculates the new drain for the 'redesigned'
>> spell.

Alright.

>> - Using Magic Theory, the magician resists the drain of the new
>> spell. For every box *not* resisted the magician adds +2 to
>> all target numbers for casting the spell. Initiates may add
>> their Grade; Mages can enlist the aid of elementals; and
>> Shamans add their totemic bonus.

This I do not like at all.

>> - The magicians finishes casting the spell (1 simple action).

Casting a spell is a complex action.

>> - The redesigned spell is either cast or lost; no storing of
>> spells.

Do you realize that your example violates this rule?

>> - Each 'redesign' is linked to its environment with even the
>> slightest change rendering it useless. (ie Each time a magician
>> wants to do this they go through the above procedure. Just
>> because they have redesigned their Manaball to a physical spell
>> once does not negate the need to do it each time.)

Why not just say that using a weaved spell requires you to go through the
process everytime you cast the spell?


>> Well, it's only an idea.... Comments? Suggestions?

It's not a bad idea, but it needs some work.

I think the target number should be equal to 4 + (1 Per drain target change)
+ (2 per drain level change). This of course is in SRII terms. Time would be
the target number - 4 (the degree of change). Only one success on the Magical
Theory Test would be required to successfully cast the spell, but you get to
divide the time by the number of successes. However it will never take less
than two actions to cast a weaved spell.

I also think that Spell Weaving should not be awarded under the standard
Initiation and Metamagic Rules. It would be alright if it could be awarded at
a higher level of Initiation, but not at base level.

See Ya in Shadows,
Jason J Carter
The Nightstalker