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From: lori@hp-pcd.UUCP (lori)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Gripe
Message-ID: <24400011@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 22-Mar-85 00:08:00 EST
Article-I.D.: hp-pcd.24400011
Posted: Fri Mar 22 00:08:00 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 4-Mar-85 20:13:24 EST
References: <4899@ukc.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard - Corvallis, OR
Lines: 66
Nf-ID: #R:ukc:-489900:hp-pcd:24400011:000:3120
Nf-From: hp-pcd!lori    Mar  1 21:08:00 1985

>I've had many gripes about the magic system for a while and I've started
>thinking about a new system.  It isn't finished at all, but here's the
>basic outline:
>
>Get rid of the illusionist and create 5 subclasses: incanters, gesturers,
>alchemists, enscribers and willers.  The description of each:
>
>Incanters:	The class of magicians who perform magic through the use of
>		the spoken word.  This subclass is the easiest.  Its also the
>		most defensesless.
>Gesturers:	The class of magicians who perform magic through the use of
>		bodily gestures.  Harder than the above because of the
>		precise movements required.  Its just as defenseless, but
>		invokes stronger magic.
>Alchemists:	The class of magicians who perform magic through the use of
>		potions and such.  Requires time to prepare.  Potions created
>		in labs are generally more stable than those prepared in the
>		field.  Also limited as to amount of materials available.
>Enscribers:	The class of magicians who perform magic through the use of
>		the written word.  Requires a bit of alchemy to create special
>		inks and fixatives.  Has similar limitations as alchemy.
>Willers:	The class of magicians who perfrom magic through the use of
>		pure willpower.  This is the hardest subclass of them all
>		and requires the most experience points to raise levels.
>
>Characters may overlap subclasses.  I haven't worked out how yet, but I
>believe they should.
>
>Now, instead of starting them off with a set of basic spells, give them a
>set of 'building blocks'.  The blocks can be modified and put together in
>various ways in order to create spells, based on a set of natural laws.  I
>haven't defined all the building blocks yet, nor the laws.  Of course, the
>laws would vary depending on what subclass the character was in.  Some of
>the blocks would be things like Energy Manipulation (from which things like
>Fireballs and Magic Missles are developed), Matter Control (Animation and
>maybe Magic Missles), and Mind Control (Illusions).  As an example, a
>spell of Resurrection could be done using Matter Control to animate the
>cells in a body up to the point where they will start working for themselves
>(a weaker variant would produce zombies) or it could be done with Energy
>Manipulation to shock the heart into pumping again.
>
>A magician would start off not knowing any of the laws which govern how
>spells are created.  He would have to learn those laws by himself through
>experimentation or from other magicians.  Magicians are, by nature, jealous
>and protective of their knowledge, so that would control their power.
>
>Obviously, it isn't quite finished.  But I'm open to comments/suggestions.
>
>
>				robert
>-- 
>Robert Viduya
>Georgia Institute of Technology
>
>...!{akgua,allegra,amd,hplabs,ihnp4,masscomp,ut-ngp}!gatech!gitpyr!robert
>...!{rlgvax,sb1,uf-cgrl,unmvax,ut-sally}!gatech!gitpyr!robert
>/* ---------- */


	Isn't quite finished, you say?  My God, Bob, it sounds like it
	isn't quite started!  Let me know when you get it done (if I'm
	still alive!).

				Sort'a from the World of Vindarten

					Mark F. Cook