| From: | "Dylan Norhtup (PHY)" <norhtup@*****.CAS.USF.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Gather Magic and AT |
| Date: | Fri, 13 Aug 1993 10:44:07 -0400 |
> Dave, your mechanics are kinda sketchy, hard to understand, and appear to be
> missing things that you use in the example. I'm going to try to rephrase what
> you said more clearly. Tell me if that's what you meant.
>
[phrased stuff deleted]
>
> To use Gather Magic the magician must using Astral Perception. When the
> magician begins to gather magic he must delare the force of the spell. He may
> then use complex actions, no more than his Magic Attribute Rating, to gather
> magic energy for the Spell Success Test. On each action, the magician rolls
> dice equal to his Magic Attribute Rating against a Target Number equal to the
> force of the spell. When the magician cast the spell, reduce it's force by
> the total number of successes gained in all the gather magic test for purposes
> of determining Drain. The adjusted force is used to determine both the target
> number of the spell and whether the drain is physical or mental.
>
> Is this what you meant? If it is, I find the power to be extremely useful for
> spells with high drain codes (Hellblast anyone?), but practually useless for
> any low drain spells (like sleep and most detection spells). It is also more
> useful for spells cast at high force, but next to useless for low force spells
> (unless your casting Hellblast). Lastly, you can't cast the spell at a force,
> even effective force, higher than you learned it at.
>
[alternative plan deleted]
>
> >> EX: Mage declares Fireball at Force 6, then spends a few rounds
> >>Gathering - gets 2 successes. He roles drain against the spell as normal,
> >>but the victims of his spell role against TN#8 (6 + 2)
>
> This idea has more merit since it increases the effective force of the spell.
> It also takes the force of the spell out of the equation. However I think that
> the drain code of the spell should be increased by the increase in force.
>
> How about giving a drain target modifier of +1 per two points of force gained,
> but allowing this target modifier to be reduced or elminated by centering?
> Thus to use the power to its fullest advantage, you need use centering in
> conjuction to it. This could lead to an explanation as to why this metapower
> becomes available at Grade 1 instead of 0. Gather Magic uses techniques
> developed in centering (extra manipulation of etheric energies) and quickening
> (holding spell energy at bay for special uses).
Ummm. I am not really a mage so take this in mind when I ask these questions.
Doesnt this mean that the mage only has to learn the spell at level one
and if he has a high enough magic attribute, then he can cast the spell at
effective levels while getting a break on the Drain? I mean, if the mage
is casting a spell at a Level 3, he has a target number of 3 to resist
drain. If he casts the spell at Level 7, he has a TN of 7. If he casts
it at a Level 11, he has a TN of 11. Now if he casts the spell at Level
one and Gathers, the TNs become 2, 5, and 6 respectively. Quite a break,
I think. And if the number of successes determine the maxing of the Force
and not the Magic attribute of the casting mage then you get REALLY
large Force spells being tossed around taking relatively little time (for
a relatively epxerienced iniatiate).
If I missed anything or my question seems unclear, feel free to tell me.
If you really want to yelland screem and flame me, eat my shorts :)
(for the sarcastcally challenged) ^^
Doc X
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* Witty Remark * Dylan Northrup <norhtup@*****.cas.usf.edu> * This space *
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