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Old 04-13-2014, 04:53 PM   #1
tantric
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Default Localized Thresholds for Nature Priests (geolocal mana, again)

I'm revamping this to use for my version of Elemental Sorcerers, so I'm giving it another viewing for critiques.

Ecomancy

The energy source used by Druids and other nature priests is a variety of Threshold Limited Magic per Thaumatology page 76. The major difference is that the Threshold is dependent on the land rather than the individual. In Druidic Cant, the ecological soundness of an area is referred to as its 'Balance'. Perception + Power Investiture is the base statistic for determining Balance. The Druid may added the bonuses from one acute sense to this roll (some Druids can literally smell Balance). A perfectly Balanced area with abundant life, such as an old growth forest, has a Threshold of 40. An area severely damaged, such as a forest that has been ravaged by some wood-eating monster has a Threshold of 5. Areas that are fully Balanced but with relatively sparse life, such as a deep desert or the open ocean will have a Threshold of 30. Most cities, with pigeons, mold, cockroaches and the like, are Threshold 25.

The area that a Druid draws from is called his Domain. Domains are equal to 1 divided by Power Investiture in km, meaning that an Initiate with PI 1 draws from an circular area with a 1km diameter. All Druids whose areas overlap share a Threshold. Because of this Druids tend to be loners.

When a Druid makes a Balance check and succeeds by more than 2, he also learns the Domain Threshold (not his Threshold, which he knows innately, but the degree of energy which has already been tapped by another Druid). If he doesn't succeed by enough on the first roll, he may try again, making a Domain Balance check with no penalty. If he succeeds at this by more than 2 or the original roll by more than 4, he also learns the area of the established Domain and how much of it intersects with his Domain.

Fortunately, Gaia regenerates energy rapidly. Healthier areas actually regain energy much faster than damaged areas:


Threshold - Time for full recovery
5 pts - 5 days
10 pts - 4 days
20 pts - 3 days
30 pts - 2 days
40 pts - 1 day

Druids can only sanctify areas that are fully Balanced. This is particularly useful as it changes the basis of the the Threshold from being geolocal to egocentric. In sanctified areas, each Druid has his own person Domain limited to his body. This Threshold is equal to whatever the local Domain Threshold would ordinarily be. Recovery, however, is MUCH slower. Druids recover 1 point of Balance per hour of meditation + his margin of success.

Rather than ordinary enchanted items, Druids create Foci. Foci allow certain spells to be cast at drastically reduced costs, typically 50% of the original cost. The best Foci are essentially self powered. The caster still must perform the ritual, however. Druids with very high skill levels and appropriate Foci draw very little energy from the environment. With all rituals, there is a minimum cost of 1.

Note to GM's about handling Thresholds

The best way to handle Thresholds is to record them on a map. Before a session begins, load a hex map into a paint program, create a blank layer, and divide up the areas according to their innate Thresholds. Fill in the different levels with different colors, then print it out. Depending on the size of the area, set the scale to between 200m to 1,000m per hex.

When a Druid casts a spell, draw a circle with him at the center out to the limit of his Domain and note the new Domain Threshold. Any other Druid whose Domain intersects the Domain of the first one at all, no matter how little, works with the new Domain Threshold throughout his entire Domain. This means that a Domain with a lowered Threshold may actually extend out nearly another kilometer. There's a reason why Loner is the favorite disadvantage of Druids. Note that in cities, these affects almost always apply to people (example - all animals attack caster = horde)

Naturalism Disaster Table

3-10 Nothing happens
11-12 Vegetation in the immediate area wilts slightly
13 The Domain Threshold temporarily drops by 2d for 1d days *
14 As per 13, but with a 4d drop for 1d weeks *
15 All beings within the Domain make a Will check or be stunned for 1d seconds
16 Caster gains the Frightens Animals disadvantage or loses all Animal advantages for 1d days.
17 Caster gains the Lifebane Disadvantage or loses all Plant advantages for 1d days
18 As per 17, but for 1d months
19 As per 16, but 1d months
20 As per 16, but permanent
21 As per 17, but permanent.
22 Randomly select one plant or animal species with a 10m radius of the caster. All members of this species make a HT check or die (or, more accurately, a percentage of them die). Assume all forbs have HT 12 and trees HT 14.
23 All animals in the Domain flee at maximum speed.
24 As per 22, but 100m area
25 All animals in the area attack the caster
26 As per 22, but throughout the Domain
27 A new disease is created. Randomly select one species of plant or animal in the Domain.
Roll 2d6:
2 highly contagious minor illness but causes some permanent damage, typically scarring
3-4 highly contagious minor illness
5-7 mildly contagious minor illness
8-9 mildly contagious serious illness
10-11 - highly contagious serious illness
12 highly contagious lethal illness

28 Select on random species within the Domain. All members of this species have their germ plasm mildly mutated, so that the next generation will be a slightly different species. This is NOT X-men style mutation, but, for instance, a change in the shape of leaves or the color of a flower. Minor changes do not significantly affect survival fitness
29 As per 28, but the changes are significant. Fitness is affected roll 3d6, on a 18 only is this a positive change.
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Old 04-13-2014, 05:02 PM   #2
tantric
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Default Re: Localized Thresholds for Nature Priests (geolocal mana, again)

I'm thinking about using this for elemental sorcery, which would heavily limit fire magc (unless you're in a volcano or forest fire) OR healing magic, where the 'domain' would involve the number of healthy people in the area.
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Old 04-13-2014, 06:44 PM   #3
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Default Re: Localized Thresholds for Nature Priests (geolocal mana, again)

A bit much bookkeeping but gives a wonderful style.
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Old 04-13-2014, 07:27 PM   #4
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Default Re: Localized Thresholds for Nature Priests (geolocal mana, again)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dcarson View Post
A bit much bookkeeping but gives a wonderful style.
It's one of my better ideas, thanks. I'm looking for ways to make it more practical. In my campaign, it will be used by Elemental Sorcerers, whose powers come from elemental familiars.
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