Partial literacy in Sorceror's Tounge

[hcobb]

Wizards are taught the basics of Sorceror's Tounge in their training so whataboutism -2 DX for each IQ point below IQ 17 when casting a spell from a book written in this if the wizard hasn't spent a memory point to learn spell or tongue?

As with scrolls that -2 makes IQ trump over pure DX plays.

[David Bofinger]

The whole "learn a language for free at some IQ" rule is a nightmare and not how TFT does anything else. I'd rather force wizards to spend 1 point on the language, or give it to them free for being wizards, or (probably my choice) say that learning the language is the requirement for having some of the special "only wizards can do this" abilities. Anything more complex and bespoke is I think a mistake.

[David Bofinger]

Also, isn't it your belief that very high IQ is already something the mechanics force wizards to get at generation, and this is undesirable? If you believe that, why add reasons for high IQ?

[Bill_in_IN]

Originally Posted by David Bofinger

The whole "learn a language for free at some IQ" rule is a nightmare and not how TFT does anything else. I'd rather force wizards to spend 1 point on the language, or give it to them free for being wizards, or (probably my choice) say that learning the language is the requirement for having some of the special "only wizards can do this" abilities. Anything more complex and bespoke is I think a mistake.

At PC generation, I assume that the PC has their native language and, depending upon the area from which they come, they can have a second language for free. If a human PC travels with an elf, his second language can be elf. It somewhat sets the initial backstory for the PC. Any additional language costs an IQ point. This applies to spoken language. Per some of the discussion in ITL, I assume that the wizard's tongue is included at generation for wizards unless there is some circumstance that would exclude it.

If the PC has literacy, which I highly recommend for every wizard, it opens up more possibilities. Not only can they read and write in the languages that they know, it could open up some possibility of limited learning or understanding of words/phrases in other languages that are commonly heard/read or show up text as a pattern (GM call or roll). Of course, Scholar Talent would help this out even further.

[TippetsTX]

Originally Posted by hcobb

Wizards are taught the basics of Sorceror's Tounge in their training so whataboutism -2 DX for each IQ point below IQ 17 when casting a spell from a book written in this if the wizard hasn't spent a memory point to learn spell or tongue?

Howaboutism NO casting spells from books?

Has that actually come up in play for anyone?

[David Bofinger]

Originally Posted by Bill_in_IN

At PC generation, I assume that the PC has their native language and, depending upon the area from which they come, they can have a second language for free.

I hand out free mundane talents to heroes but sure, languages might be a good idea. And I think for a wizard, or at least one from the wizard's guild, Literacy + Sorceror's Tongue + Aid should be either free or compulsory buys. For a hedge wizard, druid, insane herbalist with magic, etc., the rules would be different.

[David Bofinger]

Originally Posted by TippetsTX

Howaboutism NO casting spells from books? Has that actually come up in play for anyone?

I'm not sure what you mean, but if you're asking, "Have you ever had a wizard character who accumulated enough wealth to buy and attune a wizard's chest and buy a book of spells," then yes. Not often, but at least once. It's quite nice to have, and easy enough to spend about $8,000 on it, but like so many capabilities in TFT it would be a lot nicer if you could generate the character that way because then you wouldn't need to waste memory on essential out-of-combat spells like Light. Where are you going with this?

[TippetsTX]

Originally Posted by David Bofinger

I'm not sure what you mean, but if you're asking, "Have you ever had a wizard character who accumulated enough wealth to buy and attune a wizard's chest and buy a book of spells," then yes. Not often, but at least once. It's quite nice to have, and easy enough to spend about $8,000 on it, but like so many capabilities in TFT it would be a lot nicer if you could generate the character that way because then you wouldn't need to waste memory on essential out-of-combat spells like Light. Where are you going with this?

My questions have nothing to do with all the other applications of magical tomes. I really like the flavor they add to the game.

My stance is simply that casting spells from a book is not only impractical, it is also an unnecessary mechanic IMO. Are you really going to spend 60 turns to cast LIGHT? We never saw any PC take that action in play and although I'm sure that's not universal, scrolls get the job done much more efficiently and economically.

I mean, we are talking about house-rules here, right? Eliminating this particular rule seems perfectly reasonable to me.

[David Bofinger]

Originally Posted by TippetsTX

casting spells from a book is not only impractical, it is also an unnecessary mechanic IMO. Are you really going to spend 60 turns to cast LIGHT? We never saw any PC take that action in play and although I'm sure that's not universal, scrolls get the job done much more efficiently and economically.

Light spells are handy partly because they can be thrown on as many items or people as need them, routinely. A wizard can cast from a book half a dozen in half an hour, while other people are making camp for the night, or before entering the labyrinth, or to throw one down a well to see what's at the bottom.

It's expensive to set up: $5,000 to $6,000 plus some time spent attuning plus $10 a week will get you the ability to cast a dozen or so useful spells: Light, Detect Magic, Analyze Magic, Summon Gargoyle, Dark Vision, Aid, Glamour, Open Tunnel, Repair, Look Your Best, Scour, Meal...

But casting light from a scroll costs $300 a shot. That's not cheap even if you cast one, and quite impractical for adding plenty of light.

[TippetsTX]

Originally Posted by David Bofinger

Light spells are handy partly because they can be thrown on as many items or people as need them, routinely. A wizard can cast from a book half a dozen in half an hour, while other people are making camp for the night, or before entering the labyrinth, or to throw one down a well to see what's at the bottom...

But casting light from a scroll costs $300 a shot. That's not cheap even if you cast one, and quite impractical for adding plenty of light.

I think you've made my point for me. LIGHT and most of those other spells are handy (if not foundational) for any wizard. You're putting mages at a disadvantage if you expect them to wait for when they can afford their own chest and spellbook before having access to those spells.