Secret Spells learned in Game
 

If a character were to learn a spell considered "secret" in the campaign would they still need to pick up the Secret Spell perk? Or do they get a pass?

Also if a character creates a spell known only to them do they need a theoretical "Unique Spell" perk?

This just came up in game and I wanted some opinions while we had a break.

Thanks everyone who answers.

Ghostdancer

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

What difference does it make? Does the character have an Ally or something that will also get points? Otherwise 1 "free" CP pre-spent on a perk that doesn't actually do anything seems completely pointless (heh) to me.

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

Handle it the same way you handle gain an Allie or Contact in game.

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

I consider that a GM call and highly situational. If a player happened to acquire the spell (or a means to learn/study it through books/teachers) during the course of the game I'd say either don't worry about the perk or give it to him for free (especially if you feel he earned it).

If a player expresses a desire to pick up such a spell and keeps trying to steer the game towards that end... he'd need the perk (again granted free if you feel he earned it through gameplay or make him pay for it with earn CPs if you feel his personal quest inconvenienced the other players).

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

Bingo! ^_^ we have a winner. Thats pretty much what I was curious about. After the game begins, to me its GURPS Who's Line is it Anyway, a game you play to have fun where the points don't matter.

I usually just give those free if earned (for Allies really earned), Contacts are a sometime reward I give instead of bonus CP for completed missions/goals.

I will probably go with this. Anyone else dealt with something like this? Like a similar situation where a mundane got access to something that would need a UB at the beginning of play.

Ghostdancer

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

I've never had any issue with giving out appropriate Ads, once play starts the fact that a player picked up a $5k weapon from an enemy is way more valuable than that 1 point Perk, UB, Contact, etc., and I rarely worry about those much.

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

And I agree, if its something you got in game I either give it free or reduce the cost to get it (but not the actual cost). Like in my last session one of the PC's went out of her way to save a high value target who was marked for assassination. I offered either a favor for free, or buying him as a Patron for half the normal points. She choose the latter.

What I am trying to grok here is if I should notate Secret Spell [1] plus the Spell [1] on the character sheet. Or just say Spell [1] and be done with it. Since this particular setting has *multiple* characters and games and characters frequently "guest star" in other games...I was doing the former way before, and probably will now but I just want opinions on how folks do this in there games.

Ghostdancer

Note: Also, for no reason whatsoever. I have Low-Tech now. Mwhahahahahaha!!!!

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

I would note the "Secret Spell [1] plus the Spell [1]" Becuase they have gained the UB, and it helps them remember it's secret.

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

Ditto. For the purpose of point balance alone that's valid (point balance meaning comparing the power level of said character, not making sure all are equal point values - rather the reason you don't record disadvantages gained in play as 0 points on the sheet but instead lower the value).

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

Yep, keep the accounting consistent.

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

Thanks folks! I appreciate the views/insights/opinions very much.

Ghostdancer

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

My preference is that the "Lost is Lost/Found is Found" rules from 3rd Editoins' Supers editions apply to all items not purchased with CP. A spell is an item for this discussion. It entered the game through actual roleplaying and is open season.

Yes, you do have a secret: knows a forbidden spell, but this is an acquired disad that can be resolved away through play, not points.

(Though points may be used instead it's still in the roleplayable camp.)

You're character got the spell in game, it's his or hers.

In game consequences for getting it are also his or hers.

Don't mess up point values if you don't have to.

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

Secret Spell is NOT forbidden spell, it's a 1 unusual background for a spell that keep hidden by those that know it, not because they would get in trouble but because they don't want others to know it.

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

In the course of the campaign, the secretness of the spell is represented by the stuff you have to go through to persuade someone to teach it or find a book that has it. It will be much more difficult to even find a source for the information. But it won't take more hours to learn it. I probably wouldn't let them be bought with exprience points though, because you can't have experience in something you've never done.

Re: Secret Spells learned in Game
 

For those, no I require study time which is a precious commodity for my PC's. Want to learn that super secret spell from the Archmage you did a favor for (or) make some more temp. enchantment fireball coins?

If anyone is curious I decided to require the time spent for the spell itself but a earned CP if you are looking for the spell or a freebie if you just learn it from a grimoire or something like that. It's worked out well so far and my next "cross-over" is two weeks from this Wednesday. I can't wait!

Thanks for everyone who helped me out.

Ghostdancer