| From: | Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Magic Questions |
| Date: | Mon, 15 Dec 1997 13:18:37 EST |
> For starters, as I said above, because it frags with game balance.
> Second, even if you ignore that issue, there's more to it. How exactly
> does the spell work? What side effects does it have? Do you have a +2 TN
> for sustaining the spell while using it? Does it open you to astral
> attack while using it? Does the spell allow you to see directly, or does
> it simply provide you with specific information remotely (i.e. Detect
> <object>, Detect Magic, etc.)? I might allow a spell that gave you astral
Answer to all of those questions above, yes....+2 modifier for sustaining (as
it is a sustained spell), yes it can be grounded through, yes it could be
designed as an Anchoring/Quickening (which can still be grounded
through)....it doesn't grant Astral Projection, just Astral Perception...the
information is like putting a "Lens" allowing you to "focus" upon the
Astral
directly. Please note, I did NOT say access to Metaplanar sight...
> info, there's a basis for that (Detect Magic, Magic Sense, Detect Foci,
> etc.). But not a spell that allowed you to side step a basic limit of the
> character you chose at creation. If you want a character with astral
> perception, play one that has it. Trying to get around such a basic
> limitation of a character could be considered munchkin by some.
Actually, it isn't unless you decide to "PC" (as in politically correct) away
a limitation and a handicap and a restriction. Character's try and develop
beyond what they have otherwise there is no such thing as growth and character
development. GM's who do not even give solid consideration are doing their
players a severe injustice.
> > You could do LOTS beyond that.
>
> Oh I'm sure you could, *if* the GM allowed it. We all could, and
> that's
> why it part of a GM's job to decide what to allow.
No argument there, but it is also -NOT- the GM's job to restrict a character's
options to the point of utter loss. Face certain facts, if a Sorceror Adept
-REALLY- wants to get the benefits from Initiation, as an example (as in
Dispelling, Quickening, Anchoring, etcetera), then s/he is going to -NEED- to
have astral sight access in some form.
> > Put it on an anchoring effect (say a pair of glasses or a monocle), then
> > you could do spells like "Nightvision" (Low Light) "Thermal
Sight"
> > (Thermographic) "Starsight" (Ultraviolet) "Acuity" (Optic
> > Magnification...level it to work just like the cyber implant so that a +1
> > is Moderate, +2 is Serious, +3 is Deadly (which is a bit much IMHO),
> > "X-Ray" (which is mentioned in the book).
>
> Those are all fine... none of them allow astral perception, which
> was the
> original point. In fact, that list of ideas are all things I'd allow, all
> good ideas and a few of which I've seen done.
Yes, but "X-Ray" vision isn't clairvoyance, which is "sight beyond
LOS", it's
the ability to see through a solid, otherwise opaque, substance. X'Ray is
equally difficult as Astral Perception, if not in some fashions more so.
> > Come on, time to let an obstacle be a challenge, not a chain.
>
> Obstacles are one thing... limitations on ability are another.
Which is my statement earlier exactly...you are seperating the two far to
much. It won't be nearly as munchkin as you might believe and would lend
itself for interesting side effects.
Let the imagination of the players cut loose a bit, and while you are at
it....do so yourself.
-K (yes, this may be a rant or flame war initiation, but it is honest and
upfront...more than most would give credit)
