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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>All in all I'm pretty dumbfounded
with all the info.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>I have not run
the core rules in a long while, so I can't add too much to this mass of
data.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Lots of time on your hands,
huh? :}<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=1 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Courier New"'> 1) Abandon: No
MDV Limit? Seems like this spell would do good with<br>
a MDV Limit. I had an optional rule for
this spell but think<br>
a new spell and family group might fit this
better. See below.<font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>This
question leads to an overall <span class=GramE>meta</span> question that has to
be answered - what are the various "rules" of magic in the
world, as enforced by the gods above? <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>These <span class=GramE>meta</span> rules
will define what sort of resistances targets have.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>For
example, there must be some sort of covenant or tie that keeps the gods
themselves from coming down and capping your ass if you get too big...they
must resort to champions or lesser avatars, of which they do not have an
unlimited supply (as seen in nearly all <span class=SpellE>fanatasy</span>
stories I know of, otherwise the <span class=SpellE>heros</span> would die as
soon as they flipped off the first god. :}).<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Who/what defines or enforces this
covenant?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>What limits are there on
the powers that be in their impinging of the middle world?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Looking
at this, let us assume for example the covenant for the middle world has a ban
that frowns on the elimination of free will.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>This means that users of <span
class=SpellE>magics</span> in the middle world will find limitations on spells
that remove free will (compulsion, abandon, fascination, etc). <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>How the ban is structured will tell you
what limits these spells need to observe, be it an MDV limit (skill in the
spell required to overcome a being's personal power) or a recovery rate
(spell does control "damage" that is "healed" at a
certain rate and control is lost when back to 0) or a simple chance to break
free (using INT or WILL rolls, per some time period).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>All
spells should be examined and properly classified. <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>This process will probably point out
spells that are out of whack as defined for the middle world covenant (the "default"
as far as the players go; for other worlds all bets are off as to what is
banned and what is not) that may need to be tweaked into line, or properly "priced"
as "covenant breaking" spells (that will get you all sorts of
unwanted attention from covenant enforcement and/or the other side).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Of
course, Richard is the final say as the Meta-god here. <span class=GramE>:}<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>But</span> it would be easier to make judgments
on spells once we were aware of the underlying laws that judge their use.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Having such a framework may also suggest
new spells or "loopholes" for other covenant breakers. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As a
side note, my brother runs a game using the lands and the list of gods, but
with his own system.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>In this game <span
class=SpellE>Tehuti</span> (sp? The big <span class=SpellE>Kahuna</span>
Balance God) is the ultimate judge of the covenant (much like <span
class=SpellE>Arachne</span> <span class=SpellE>Solara</span> in "<span
class=SpellE>RuneQuest</span>") and this does make sense, preventing the hideous
wars of law/chaos <span class=SpellE>sidhe/kototh</span> from shattering the
middle world.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Obviously
the gods (or Meta-god Richard) has to decide which is "worse" on a
scale - "control" is obviously worse than "influence",
and death by Fireball is probably worse than death by loss of soul.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>But is being instantly killed by a death
spell worse than being vaporized by a high-level fireball, or is it truly a
matter of degree?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=1 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><br>
2) Astral Paths: Should there be some form of this spell used to<br>
<span class=GramE>travel</span> via the Lower
World instead of Upper? I've thought of<br>
it but cna't reason out a good way but anyone
ever think about it?<br>
I know in theory this spell works on the godly
mystical aspects<br>
of the Upper World. but ther are also
supernatural forces of<br>
the Lower World. So <span class=GramE>a</span>
alternative or option might work, no? <font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I view
astral paths as a sort of "glass walkway" about 20 miles up.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>One can see the terrain and roughly
where you are, based on gross landmarks (and anything man-made big enough to
show.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>There is therefore no
counterpart for lower.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>I can't
remember if you can get encounters on the path, but I would at least make a
roll when you "re-enter" (either terrain or aerial, whichever makes
more sense).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=1 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><br>
4) Blindness: Optional rule suggestion - Since some animals like
Bats,<br>
Dolphins, etc. use radar/extrasensory things to
'see' how about<br>
an optional rule so this spell works on those
creatures. Maybe<br>
a x3 mana cost for this to be effected or a
x2? Say your swimming<br>
and suddenly a shark is coming toward you..you
cast this spell and<br>
its magnetic sense/blood sense is lost and it
goes off in some<br>
random direction. In some regard I
recall reading a myth about<br>
<span class=GramE>underwater</span> creatures
(like Mermen) that had this ability to use<br>
<span class=GramE>on</span> the sea creatures
when in danger.<br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![endif]><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I say it
should just be simplified to blinding the primary targeting sense.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>This will affect vision in humanoids, a
bat's sonar, and shark's blood smell.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>For 3x cost a secondary targeting sense
can be muted (hearing in humanoids, vision for a bat, sensing motion in the
water for sharks, etc).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=1 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><br>
<br>
13) Dark Sight: Alternative or optional suggestion.
How about<br>
a IR/heat night vision effecT? Instead of
a spell for night<br>
viewing how about something to see heat or UV
signatures like<br>
animals do? Maybe <span class=GramE>a</span>
x3 mana option or something.<font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I would
toss the "<span class=SpellE>infravision</span>" D&D stuff and
just say it increases your sensitivity to light (<span class=GramE>like a cat's
eyes</span>). <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Or we can just go the
"it's real magic" route and just say that darkness is as much
an element in the world as light is...<span class=SpellE>twighlight</span>
is an equal bending of light and darkness elements, but light is never truly eliminated,
only overwhelmed by sheer volume of darkness.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Thus the <span class=SpellE>darksight</span>
is actually the ability to filter out the volume of darkness out to that range,
presenting you with <span class=GramE>a<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span>candle</span>-level illumination in the area described.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>This suggests
a counterpart spell "Light Sight" that filters out the mass of
light in an area that might be too bright to see, down to the level of shade in
a deep forest in full daylight. <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Obviously an uncommonly used spell,
except for around the desert areas (<span class=GramE>an</span> <span
class=SpellE>dyou</span> would need to add ambush or spotting <span
class=SpellE>mods</span> if it is too bight to see properly (perhaps on the
same scale as "too dark" <span class=SpellE>mods</span>.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Only on the plane of light would one get
100% light and need this spell to not be absolutely blind.</span></font><font
size=1 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><br>
<br>
14) Fog of Death: How does weather affect this <span class=GramE>spell.</span>
Does it<br>
<span class=GramE>magically</span> remain say in
high gusts or will it blow away?<br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![endif]><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>It
should like any sort of poisonous miasma.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=1 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><br>
<br>
24) Fatal Spear: I always wondered if there is this and Elf-Shot why<br>
<span class=GramE>a</span> spear? Why not
dagger? It seems even the most lowly beggar<br>
can find and use daggers. Fatal Dagger
seems to be more common<br>
<span class=GramE>than</span> a spear :)<br
style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![endif]><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>In my
world elves use "<span class=SpellE>Ael</span>-metal" (sort of an
aluminum-bronze ally) for strong, let light weapons.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>They tend to use <span class=SpellE>Elvish</span>
<span class=SpellE>Longknives</span> (sot of a cross between a dagger and a
short sword) in matched sets or <span class=SpellE>Greatblades</span>. <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>The metal is precious, however, so they
use hardened wood * leather armor, with <span class=SpellE>Ael</span>-metal
rings or plates in the right places...no <span class=SpellE>elven</span>
plate.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=1 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><br>
26) Fire Ball: I always wondered what the logic of only 2 phases<br>
<span class=GramE>was</span> for the Fire
ball? I know a gaseous ball has to dissipate<br>
fast but theres no way to vary this based on EL
say a bit longer<br>
so it could do down a LONG hall? :)<font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I think
the spell should be redone such that speed is fairly constant, though distance
will improve. <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Unless it is a
burning ball of pitch it can travel only so fast and still hold together.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>But again, it's "real
magic", so it can do whatever it damn well wants in this world.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>We did have variants on this one that I
can't remember at the moment, but how about <span class=GramE>a <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>"</span>Fire Fan" where arc
is increased to 120 degrees and range cut in half. (1 phase spell)? </span></font><font
size=1 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><br
style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'>
<![endif]></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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