Diversity of Magical Tradition

[JohnPaulB]

Originally Posted by TippetsTX

Yeah, I like the cooking analogy... different ingredients and cooking styles. There should be several ways to bake a Fireball after all.

From Brainiac TFT Archives 13 June 2000 John Paul

I did a little pondering on fire awhile back and it led to many things. What are some of the ways to make fire in gameplay?

Real = Torch, Molotail, etc
Magic-Illusion = [many people can see and feel it.]
Magic-Image = [many people can see it.]
Magic-TFT Fireball = Fire spell via fatigue
Magic-D&D Fireball = Fire spell via eather
Magic-Alchemy = Magic Fire via potions
Psionics-Perception = [only target experiences it]
Psionics-Pyrokenisis = Agitation of molecules to combust
Chemistry = Flourine and water, etc
Lasers = Light as heat
Vibratory = Sci Fi stuff
Projector = Holograms, etc
Miracles = Divine Intervention

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On another bent, I thought that a Wizard's Guild Classification of Magic Users might brighten up some of the GM storylines. These aren't necessarily the "Magic" dictionary terms and its not meant to be a jobs list. (Note: This was written before the Wizard's Guild discussions.)

Magic User - Generic Term
Magician - Generalist, knows a smattering of many different spells
Warlock - Military Arts magic user
Sorcerer - Dark Arts specialist
Witch - Small time solo "hedge" magic or Big Time Group magic
Wizard - Book Learned magic user
Alchemist - Deals with the elements & the magic that is inherent in physical matter [The alchemist philosopher ultimately deals with Elementals for his Great Work]
Prestigitater - Illusion Magic
Rune master - Glyph and Rune magic
Mage - Deep knowledge of magic manipulation
Necromancer - Death or Dead/Undead magic
Shaman - Religions that uses "Earth" spirits for magic
Demonologist - Uses demons to make magic
Satanist - Religion uses corrupted witch coven to worship demon who does magic
? - Thieving Magic
? - Healing magic
? - Construction magic
? - Detective magic
? - Protection magic
? - Persuasion/Sales magic
? - Trap magic

These could be used as conversation clues: "He's strictly a warlock, has no idea how to unlock the door other than blasting it open." "Our Finder noted they have a Sorcerer and a Necromancer, but no Demonologist. Rugar our Shaman, should be able to handle the Necro, and the Mage will need some time to set up defense against the Sorcerer."