[DF] Path/Book mages in DF?

[Greg 1]

Do you think path/book mages are appropriate for dungeon fantasy or do they not belong?

Why or why not?

[aesir23]

Personally, I love Path/Book Magic, but it is seriously unoptimized for hack and slash.

For a fantasy game it's awesome, for a low fantasy, urban fantasy, gothic fantasy, or modern horror game; it's the only way to go.

For Dungeon Fantasy? Not going to work without a serious reassessment of the genre.

[SCAR]

Originally Posted by Kromm

• Paths and Books -- the whole chapter -- would be an entirely fair basis for a new class of casters with a suitably impressive name ("sorcerer," "warlock," whatever you like). Not flashy in a fight, but valuable between fights; I can't see too many thieves saying "no" to a Hand of Glory charm or knights being against accepting a Ghost Shirt, Ghost Sword, or Warrior's Blessing charm.

Lots of other Thaumatology/DF ideas in that post!

[aesir23]

Okay, I'm open to being convinced; let's build a Path/Book 250 point Template and see how he stacks up. I'd happily do it myself, but I'm participating in NaNoWriMo, so I may not have the opportunity.

My prediction is that he'd be a lot less attractive than the traditional spell casters. In a toned down, less cinematic campaign without traditional spell casters, I could see things very differently though.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by aesir23

Personally, I love Path/Book Magic, but it is seriously unoptimized for hack and slash.

Agreed, but that can be changed. The most serious unoptimization issue is the time it takes to cast stuff. However, 1 level of Path Adept lets you sidestep that. Use Effect Shaping, add a pantheon of useful spirits for him to control with Path of Spirit, and the path adept could really come into his own.

[Kuroshima]

Let's hope that the next issue of Pyramid adds some more Path/Book magic. I certainly would appreciate it. Only one week remaining!

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by aesir23

Okay, I'm open to being convinced; let's build a Path/Book 250 point Template and see how he stacks up. .

There are other applications than actually being a delver. For example as encounters. D&D had a bunch of NPC character classes.

[PK]

Originally Posted by Kuroshima

Let's hope that the next issue of Pyramid adds some more Path/Book magic. I certainly would appreciate it. Only one week remaining!

I can safely say with no exaggeration that if you're a fan of Path/Book magic, Pyramid #3/13 is a must-buy. You get some serious pathbookiness in the form of multiple articles.

And, since this is a DF thread and Antoni can't blow his own horn politely, let me do it for him -- his new DF template for the Imbuement-using mystic knight is a work of art. The template itself is awesome, but the most impressive thing about it is how it fits right into DF as its own niche, without seriously stepping on anyone's toes. Yet another reason why Pyramid #3/13 is going to rock some worlds.

[Greg 1]

You have convinced me! It must be mine!

[Kuroshima]

Originally Posted by Rev. Pee Kitty

I can safely say with no exaggeration that if you're a fan of Path/Book magic, Pyramid #3/13 is a must-buy. You get some serious pathbookiness in the form of multiple articles.

And, since this is a DF thread and Antoni can't blow his own horn politely, let me do it for him -- his new DF template for the Imbuement-using mystic knight is a work of art. The template itself is awesome, but the most impressive thing about it is how it fits right into DF as its own niche, without seriously stepping on anyone's toes. Yet another reason why Pyramid #3/13 is going to rock some worlds.

You're too kind, Rev
It wasn't anything anyone couldn't have cobbled together with a little effort. After all, that's what I did!

The hard part was writing it, since English is not my primary language, and there was a HUGE gap between my campaign notes and what I considered worthy of publication, even if such notes are written with the intention of turning them into a published article, as it was in my case. Wording had to be tightened, adapting to SJG's style guides wasn't easy, ...

Still, it was a wonderful experience, and one that I personally will try to repeat! The best, seriously, was SMarsh's job as an editor. Professional, and yet friendly and kind.
To all those that think that they have an idea that is Pyramid-worthy, go on, if I could write one, anyone who is ready to spend some time facing a blank page can do it.