02-07-2008, 01:25 PM | #21 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: GURPS LOTR Magic
Most of the magic in chronicles is definitely performed by Maiar or Elves; in both cases, it could probably be handled as powers, Magery, Power Investiture, or some variation thereof (a lot of Elvish magic seems to involve crafting and singing, so Mysteries of the Trade from Fantasy might be appropriate).
What about Dwarves, Men, and Hobbits, though? Outside of Aragorn's healing hands, the dwarves in the Hobbit guarding the troll trove with protective spells, and some of the dwarf-crafted items in the Lonely Mountain supposedly being enchanted, what is actually attested to? Does the Witch-King of Angmar count, or can we assume that his power first stemmed from his ring? |
02-07-2008, 01:42 PM | #22 | |
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
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Re: GURPS LOTR Magic
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The crazy witch lady for example (lives in swamps, former colleague of the necromancer, name escapes me) learned her spell craft directly from the Necromancer. There is some text where she goes into detail on the sacrifices of old to him. She has some savvy direct attacks (immobilize/cripple, blind, suffocate), locating/tracking spells, and a pile of herbalism (poisons). But again this might also be all Herb Lore, the setting is quite insane with the 'find the blood moss from which hopeless yadda yadda blood was spilt' == 'death touch spell' I think she has a crazy dagger weapon as well with some back story to it which indicated enchantment ability on her part.
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02-07-2008, 03:46 PM | #23 | |
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Re: GURPS LOTR Magic
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I would certainly say the Witch-king has power independent of his ring. He isn't wearing it when he brings down the gate of Minas Tirith after all. I'd say as a "great king of Men" he was dabbling in magical arts, which perhaps made him easier for Sauron to entrap. No doubt his powers are greater because of his association with Sauron though. I think he would be a great example of some one who has, in a manner of speaking, sold his soul to the devil in enchange for unworldy power.
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Heath Robinson ----- I created a jumbo-sized HeroQuest board from foam and I also built a case for a 55 inch TV to display animated RPG maps. |
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02-07-2008, 04:13 PM | #24 | |
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Re: GURPS LOTR Magic
1. Song seems somehow more central than a simple restriction to the magery of some prominent characters. IIRC, the act of creation is described in The Silmarillion as a kind of symphony, and those prominent characters who sing their spells are (almost?) always immortals.
The game Burning Wheel looks in many ways like LOTR sans serial number. It treats song as the only mode of elven magic, and its elven songs do have a really nice (to me) M-E feel to them. (Of course, I played tons of MERP/RM in my youth, so my standard for authentic M-E magic feel may be a little lax...) As with most rpg elements, that stuff is easily adaptable to GURPS. 2. Some essays on magic in M-E, of which the ones I've read are thoughtful. 3. Quote:
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02-07-2008, 06:15 PM | #25 | |
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Re: GURPS LOTR Magic
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Of course, with the popularity of GURPS: Dungeon Fantasy, I might consider an appendix that is, "Dungeon Fantasy in Middle-earth, or Converting MERPS to GURPS". Or it might cause me to choke and die while writing it.
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Heath Robinson ----- I created a jumbo-sized HeroQuest board from foam and I also built a case for a 55 inch TV to display animated RPG maps. |
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02-07-2008, 06:23 PM | #26 | |||
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Re: GURPS LOTR Magic
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Heath Robinson ----- I created a jumbo-sized HeroQuest board from foam and I also built a case for a 55 inch TV to display animated RPG maps. |
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02-07-2008, 10:47 PM | #27 |
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Re: GURPS LOTR Magic
For simplicity (and to agree with my own personal interpretation, YMMV) I would treat the spells the Dwarves used to protect the troll horde as superstition with little to no actual "magical" power. I'd treat the Dwarven craftwork as a form of GURPS alchemy - it uses the natural magic of the materials, but doesn't require the craftsman to be magically adept. I'm not sure whether the Elven craft would work the same way, or be closer to GURPS enchantment.
I interpret Aragorn's healing as GURPS Herbology, First-Aid and/or Physician skills. I think it's less that he works with magic itself as he knows the healing properties of herbs from Numenorean lore lost to much of Middle-Earth. |
02-07-2008, 10:58 PM | #28 | |
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Olympia, WA
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Re: GURPS LOTR Magic
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There is reference to speaking words of power, but the power might come from the individual who is speaking the words as opposed to from the words.
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02-08-2008, 03:12 AM | #29 |
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Bologna, Italy
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Re: GURPS LOTR Magic
Let's face it: Middle Earth should be played as a cinematic game. Most of character's abilities as depicted in LotR are there for the sake of narration: Bard knows birds speech in order to be told the "soft spot" in Smaug's skin, Aragorn has healing powers 'cause he's the King, and so on. Building a coherent magic system on such premises is an haunting task.
And, unless you plan to play an Istari or an Elf Lord, said magic system is pretty useless. Sorry, no mortal mages here. By the way, here's my 2 cents... Make an extensive use of Influencing Success Rolls rules (B347). To add more flavor, make it aspected to language and "alignment": one can spend CPs only if he... - knows a "cool" language, such Qwenya, Sindarin, Adunaic or Black Tongue, for example; - properly roleplays his request to (or on behalf of) the Power he loves (or worships); -the intended effect is consistent with said Power's abilities, attitude and motivations. It's simple and flexible, but requires a lot of GM's judgement.
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02-08-2008, 11:06 AM | #30 | |||
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Re: GURPS LOTR Magic
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Heath Robinson ----- I created a jumbo-sized HeroQuest board from foam and I also built a case for a 55 inch TV to display animated RPG maps. |
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fantasy, magic |
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