[Magical Styles] Stabilizing Skill Expansion

scc · 05-30-2018, 05:45 AM

While this rule first appears in Thaumatology, Magical Styles is where we get a comprehensive list of Colleges and what skills may be used to stabilize spells from them, it's lacking in a couple of areas.

Most notably is Enchantment, where we are told to refer to section on Experimental Styles. The problem here is that the only one that really fits is Thaumatology and as a GM and really isn't a satisfying pick as it's something any good Mage will have at high level to begin with. Fortunately I have a solution here: make the skill whatever is need to craft the item being enchanted, with each skill needing it's own perk.

The other one is the Summon Demon spell, this spell is somewhat strangely a Necromancy spell, so the usual Stabilization Skill options don't really fit for it, and it's probably the one spell you WANT a Stabilization Skill for.

ericthered · 05-30-2018, 07:01 AM

Hidden Lore (Demons) is suggested in Magical Styles, and that's a good fit for managing demon summoning botches.

Summon Demon may properly belong in Gate magic, and some of the options given there are a good fit.

For enchantment spells, the enchantment "spell" itself may actually be the best option.

On page 4, I'd think that Alchemy and Hazardous materials (magical) are strong candidates for stabilizing enchantment failures. Hazardous materials makes you think of bubbling liquids you don't want to spill, but it could just as easily apply to complex half-finished spells that could blow up if you cross your legs at the wrong moment.

In most cases, you will use that skill primarily for stabilizing, so what you call it is mostly a matter of fluff. Hidden Lore probably works for almost everything, and Hazardous Materials is similarly broad.

Kelly Pedersen · 05-30-2018, 09:51 AM

For stabilizing Summon Demon spells, if your setting is one where demons are legalistic and interested in making bargains with humans (signed in blood), I like Law (Demonic Contract) as the skill.

dataweaver · 05-30-2018, 11:35 PM

…which suggests the possibility that in less legalistic settings, some sort of social skill (possibly with a specialization) might work.

05-30-2018, 05:45 AM	#1
scc Join Date: Mar 2013	[Magical Styles] Stabilizing Skill Expansion While this rule first appears in *Thaumatology, Magical Styles* is where we get a comprehensive list of Colleges and what skills may be used to stabilize spells from them, it's lacking in a couple of areas. Most notably is Enchantment, where we are told to refer to section on Experimental Styles. The problem here is that the only one that really fits is Thaumatology and as a GM and really isn't a satisfying pick as it's something any good Mage will have at high level to begin with. Fortunately I have a solution here: make the skill whatever is need to craft the item being enchanted, with each skill needing it's own perk. The other one is the Summon Demon spell, this spell is somewhat strangely a Necromancy spell, so the usual Stabilization Skill options don't really fit for it, and it's probably the one spell you WANT a Stabilization Skill for.

05-30-2018, 07:01 AM	#2
ericthered Hero of Democracy Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: far from the ocean	Re: [Magical Styles] Stabilizing Skill Expansion Hidden Lore (Demons) is suggested in Magical Styles, and that's a good fit for managing demon summoning botches. Summon Demon may properly belong in Gate magic, and some of the options given there are a good fit. For enchantment spells, the enchantment "spell" itself may actually be the best option. On page 4, I'd think that Alchemy and Hazardous materials (magical) are strong candidates for stabilizing enchantment failures. Hazardous materials makes you think of bubbling liquids you don't want to spill, but it could just as easily apply to complex half-finished spells that could blow up if you cross your legs at the wrong moment. In most cases, you will use that skill primarily for stabilizing, so what you call it is mostly a matter of fluff. Hidden Lore probably works for almost everything, and Hazardous Materials is similarly broad. __________________ Be helpful, not pedantic Worlds Beyond Earth -- my blog Check out the PbP forum! If you don't see a game you'd like, ask me about making one!

05-30-2018, 09:51 AM	#3
Kelly Pedersen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Saskatoon, SK, Canada	Re: [Magical Styles] Stabilizing Skill Expansion For stabilizing Summon Demon spells, if your setting is one where demons are legalistic and interested in making bargains with humans (signed in blood), I like Law (Demonic Contract) as the skill.

05-30-2018, 11:35 PM	#4
dataweaver Join Date: Aug 2004	Re: [Magical Styles] Stabilizing Skill Expansion …which suggests the possibility that in less legalistic settings, some sort of social skill (possibly with a specialization) might work. __________________ Point balance is a myth.[1][2][3][4]