[RPM] Spell Complexity

[Snaps]

Not sure if that is the best title, but here is my question:

I've been having a discussion with a player about how complex his spells can be, without being considered Conditional Spells, the best example is a Flaming Sword.

The idea is to have a Sword that Flames on when taken out of the Scabbard, then Flames off when put back in. Not too complex, but can this be done without using conditional magic?

If so, how would you build such a spell?

[Nereidalbel]

You'd just have to throw in a Lesser Control Magic to turn the fire on and off.

[Snaps]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

You'd just have to throw in a Lesser Control Magic to turn the fire on and off.

Would it also need some component to determine when its in the sheath and out of the sheath, or is that just a freebie? I was thinking a Lesser Sense Matter effect just to know when its in the sheath and when it's not, etc.

[Anaraxes]

Spells need Sense effects only for things that would not be obvious to a normal person watching and "automatically be aware of it happening".

So, for example, "if anyone comes in the room" will usually work as expected, but you could Stealth by it, never mind invisibility. If you want to be really sure that no one comes in the room, you'll want to add a Sense or Senses.

"Sword not in sheath" seems to me to fall into the "obvious to a normal person" category.

[ericthered]

For the flaming sword part, this thread is relevant

EDIT: note my opening post does it wrong and is corrected in the thread.