Spell Energy Cost Reduction

[JohnPaulB]

Originally Posted by Wayne

In GURPS there is the concept of decreasing the ST requirement for spells you know really well. I assumed it was in TFT as well but can't find it. Here's the GURPS rule:
I think it would be reasonable to carry this over to TFT, obviously there is no such thing as skill levels so you would have to base it on IQ.

If your IQ is five greater than the spell requirement – reduce the spell’s casting cost by 1. The cost continues to decrease by 1 per each additional five IQ beyond the spell's requirement.
Apply the same reduction to the cost to maintain a spell.

If you are allowing Arcane Training then it may also be counted to decrease spell casting ST cost.

Here is my musings on Magic and IQ that was posted on another thread back in August. Re: No magic point costs? Psionics


New ITL P142 says "If a wizard knows a spell, the ritual he must go through to cast a spell depends on the difference between his own IQ and the IQ required for the spell. ...Spell IQ at least 5 less than the wizards: The wizard may cast the spell without appearing to move a muscle."

No gestures or vocals
In my way of thinking, TFT magic is really a pidgin form of Psionics. It is for those who need symbols and actions to make it work (probably because they haven't realized they can do psionics.) Gestures and Incantations are the formulas for those who haven’t yet gotten the knack of Psionics. Psionics in GURPS uses a whole different gaming mechanic; Perhaps Superpowers from Supers in TFT article would work.]
I’m not saying put Psionics in the ITL book, but it’s almost there now.

No energy
As far as needing less energy, I have this modification:
GURPS 4e Magic: “each spell has an energy cost. When you cast the spell, you must pay this cost in either FP or HP. The better you know the spell, the less energy you need to cast it. If you know it well enough, you can cast it at no cost.”

This could be converted to TFT like:
Spell IQ at least 8 less than the wizard’s IQ: The wizard may cast the spell losing one less Fatigue.
At 10 less than wizard’s IQ, wizard may cast the spell losing two less fatigue.
At 12 less than IQ…. And on down the line.

However the risk is that Critical failure is worse for each fatigue empowerment. At the moment before casting, the wizard can choose whether to do the normal type of casting or psionic oriented. Automatic misses do regular miss results.
Roll result less IQ
14 automatic miss if 12 IQ less.
15 automatic miss if 10 IQ less
16 automatic miss if 8 IQ less
17 Consult Magic Backlash in TFT article for 17 Miss*
18 Consult Magic Backlash in TFT article for 18 Miss*
* http://thefantasytrip.game/tags/space-gamer/

Perhaps, once the high level wizard has an epiphany that it is doing psionic and what psionic is, maybe has a type of Apotheosis (New ITL 85) without dying and converts to Superpowers?

Sure, this is way overpowering on high IQ wizards.
Its just something I thought would be interesting.