Freeform Magic in GURPS possible?

KjetilKverndokken · 10-23-2009, 06:29 AM

So I have ordered Basic Character/Campaign, Fantasy and Space.

But what I'm wondering about is how do GURPS handle magic?

I have a fantasy setting, where the magic is more freeform like in flavor (Think Dresden Files or even oWoD/nWoD Mage).

So can a sorcerer/Wizard/Enchanter/etc - create his or her own magic formulas, or even design one on the fly in tight situations with GURPS magic system?

If so is it covered in the Basic books, the Magic book or something else?

PK · 10-23-2009, 06:46 AM

Improvisational Magic is covered in a few different places, including Fantasy, but the book that goes into the most depth is Thaumatology, with many different worked examples of freeform magic.

KjetilKverndokken · 10-23-2009, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev. Pee Kitty

Improvisational Magic is covered in a few different places, including Fantasy, but the book that goes into the most depth is Thaumatology, with many different worked examples of freeform magic.

Thank you very much :) - is it a good companion with Gurps Magic or is it doing everything fine just alone?.

RyanW · 10-23-2009, 07:31 AM

Thaumatology is a great companion to Magic if you are doing a variant based on standard spell magic (that presented in abridged format in GURPS Characters). For other styles of magic, GURPS Magic might be helpful for comparison, but Thaumatology will be doing most of the legwork.

KjetilKverndokken · 10-23-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanW

Thaumatology is a great companion to Magic if you are doing a variant based on standard spell magic (that presented in abridged format in GURPS Characters). For other styles of magic, GURPS Magic might be helpful for comparison, but Thaumatology will be doing most of the legwork.

Good info, thanks :)

Irioth · 10-24-2009, 07:28 AM

Symbol or Syntactic Magic, in Thaumatology p. 166-195, is waht you need to have a nifty freeform magic system in GURPS. You won't need Magic at all, except to have a handy set of pre-done examples for freeform magical effects.

The Bearded One · 10-26-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irioth

Symbol or Syntactic Magic, in Thaumatology p. 166-195, is waht you need to have a nifty freeform magic system in GURPS. You won't need Magic at all, except to have a handy set of pre-done examples for freeform magical effects.

The OP is referring to the magical style if Mage: the Ascention (and its nWoD equivalent). The Thaumatology magic system I'd recomment would be Realm Magic (Thaum p. 188-192).

Irioth · 10-26-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bearded One

The OP is referring to the magical style if Mage: the Ascention (and its nWoD equivalent). The Thaumatology magic system I'd recomment would be Realm Magic (Thaum p. 188-192).

If a Mage-style magic system is sought, I heartily second the suggestion for Realm Magic. NMage Arcana fit nicely as Realms.

10-23-2009, 06:29 AM	#1
KjetilKverndokken Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sotra vest of Bergen in Norway.	Freeform Magic in GURPS possible? So I have ordered Basic Character/Campaign, Fantasy and Space. But what I'm wondering about is how do GURPS handle magic? I have a fantasy setting, where the magic is more freeform like in flavor (Think Dresden Files or even oWoD/nWoD Mage). So can a sorcerer/Wizard/Enchanter/etc - create his or her own magic formulas, or even design one on the fly in tight situations with GURPS magic system? If so is it covered in the Basic books, the Magic book or something else?

10-23-2009, 06:46 AM	#2
PK Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dobbstown Sane Asylum	Re: Freeform Magic in GURPS possible? Improvisational Magic is covered in a few different places, including Fantasy, but the book that goes into the most depth is Thaumatology, with many different worked examples of freeform magic. __________________ Reverend Pee Kitty of the Order Malkavian-Dobbsian (Twitter) (LJ) MyGURPS: My house rules and *GURPS* resources. #SJGamesLive: I answered questions about *GURPS After the End* and more! {Watch Video} - {Read Transcript}

10-23-2009, 07:31 AM	#4
RyanW ☣ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southeast NC	Re: Freeform Magic in GURPS possible? Thaumatology is a great companion to Magic if you are doing a variant based on standard spell magic (that presented in abridged format in GURPS Characters). For other styles of magic, GURPS Magic might be helpful for comparison, but Thaumatology will be doing most of the legwork. __________________ RyanW - Actually one normal sized guy in three tiny trenchcoats.

10-24-2009, 07:28 AM	#6
Irioth Join Date: Oct 2005	Re: Freeform Magic in GURPS possible? Symbol or Syntactic Magic, in Thaumatology p. 166-195, is waht you need to have a nifty freeform magic system in GURPS. You won't need Magic at all, except to have a handy set of pre-done examples for freeform magical effects.