[Glorantha] The POW characteristic

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by Anders

The problem with the POW characteristic is that it ends up being impossibly complicated and/or expensive. For instance, it gives ability in three different domains of magic, willpower and Destiny/Fate/Luck Points. That's three power talents (10/level each), Will (5/level) and Destiny Points (5/level). So... 40 points per level. That might work in a 400-point supers campaign, but in a more ordinary fantasy campaign (100-300 points), it's just too expensive.

The other way to go the GURPS Voodoo route, and build a complicated hierarchy of powers. That might work, but I don't know where to start.

I wouldn't do it like that. First, ignore the Talent side of this - by basing the skills/powers/etc. off your POW you are giving them a bonus; this is a feature. Second, since POW is also used to fuel spells make it a Energy Reserve (3/level) and then make that a alternate ability of Destiny Points (5/level) you can use it to fuel magic or change outcomes, but not both. That's 5.6/level. Basing Will off of POW is a 0-point feature if Will is a separate attribute (Which I don't think there is) so it adds 5/level. That's 10.6 or 11/level. But I'd round it down a bit, since when your spend your POW you're also losing your resistance to outside magic. So 10/level is probably right on.