[DF] Path/Book mages in DF? - Page 2

aesir23 · 11-13-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

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.

Thank you, I'm thrilled to hear this!

~~Peter Knutsen~~ · 11-15-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aesir23

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

I agree.

I do believe Dungeon Fantasy can be made rather a lot "brainier" than how Kromm means it to be played, but there's a limit, and Path/Book magic is beyond that limit.

One could perhaps use the GURPS DF templates, though, but not the GURPS DF intended playstyle and implicit subject matter focus.

Ego Archive · 11-16-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Knutsen

I agree.

I do believe Dungeon Fantasy can be made rather a lot "brainier" than how Kromm means it to be played, but there's a limit, and Path/Book magic is beyond that limit.

One could perhaps use the GURPS DF templates, though, but not the GURPS DF intended playstyle and implicit subject matter focus.

I don't know If I agree with the idea that path/book magic is beyond the realm of DF. For most intents, all the Cleric and druid magic is, is a slimmed down version of those systems, isn't it?

PK · 11-16-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ego Archive

I don't know If I agree with the idea that path/book magic is beyond the realm of DF. For most intents, all the Cleric and druid magic is, is a slimmed down version of those systems, isn't it?

No, not really. In fact, the two have pretty much nothing in common except for (A) the word "magic" being used to describe both and (B) a lack of prerequisites (from a spell standpoint, at least -- P/B has its own prerequisites).

b-dog · 11-16-2009, 03:15 PM

I would go so far as to say that Path/Book magic might be perfect for clerics and druids because they are more or less using rituals to invoke divine power. Also, healing would seem a little more realistic because it might take some time to make the healing ritual work. I would actually be more interested in using Path/Book magic for all of DF. That way with a little time and preparation a mage could be truely terrible force to deal with.

sir_pudding · 11-16-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b-dog

I would go so far as to say that Path/Book magic might be perfect for clerics and druids because they are more or less using rituals to invoke divine power. Also, healing would seem a little more realistic because it might take some time to make the healing ritual work. I would actually be more interested in using Path/Book magic for all of DF. That way with a little time and preparation a mage could be truely terrible force to deal with.

Without tactical magic, I don't think it would be DF as most people expect. It might more greatly resemble DF's sword and sorcery roots, though. Tactical magic seems to be one of the most unifying features of the DF subgenre, IMO.

b-dog · 11-16-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

Without tactical magic, I don't think it would be DF as most people expect. It might more greatly resemble DF's sword and sorcery roots, though. Tactical magic seems to be one of the most unifying features of the DF subgenre, IMO.

I am just saying that I like the way that there are rituals and if you do them quickly you are less powerful but if you have time to prepare and have various magical foci then a mage with the Path of Fire or Path of Lightning could be pretty impressive. The Path/Book magic method of casting spells seems more magical to me than the GURPS Magic method

Kromm · 11-16-2009, 04:27 PM

Path/Book magic would work fine in DF. It isn't the system that's unsuitable, but the set of rituals offered in Thaumatology, which aren't meant for dungeons. Create a list of four or five good delving Paths, each with 8-12 solid rituals, and you'd be fine.

Preparation beforehand is hardly out-of-genre. D&D got by for years requiring spellcasters to prepare for hours or days in advance before they could let loose with spells. That's indistinguishable from Path/Book magic, if you think about it. And DF already has a scholar who requires prep time.

A Path/Book caster would enter adventures with charms prepared and use them up, not unlike how an artificer uses his Gizmos. Then he'd need time to set up new charms. The game effect would be a bit like a wizard who does everything via Delay, Hang Spell, and Link. Such a caster's ability to unleash prepared charms instantly and at no FP cost would be amazing, though! He'd just need to have other skills to fall back on after doing so.

Really, I think it all hinges on the rituals. Being able to hit the monster with a dead rat with a knotted string tied to it and have the monster cursed to -1 or worse on all dice rolls, or snapping a twig and unleashing a devastating blast of spirit energy, would be entirely cool. Don't think purely in terms of love charms and the like.

aesir23 · 11-16-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

It might more greatly resemble DF's sword and sorcery roots, though.

Okay, this and Kromm's statement make me really want to try this.

Stone Dog · 11-16-2009, 08:16 PM

Bards could play almost all of a song, leaving the harmonic vibrations clinging to them in the aether.

Then, they play the final cords and the effect cascades through their reality.

11-16-2009, 03:15 PM	#15
b-dog Join Date: Nov 2006	Re: [DF] Path/Book mages in DF? I would go so far as to say that Path/Book magic might be perfect for clerics and druids because they are more or less using rituals to invoke divine power. Also, healing would seem a little more realistic because it might take some time to make the healing ritual work. I would actually be more interested in using Path/Book magic for all of DF. That way with a little time and preparation a mage could be truely terrible force to deal with.

11-16-2009, 04:27 PM	#18
Kromm *GURPS* Line Editor Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Montréal, Québec	Re: [DF] Path/Book mages in DF? Path/Book magic would work fine in *DF.* It isn't the system that's unsuitable, but the set of rituals offered in *Thaumatology,* which aren't meant for dungeons. Create a list of four or five good delving Paths, each with 8-12 solid rituals, and you'd be fine. Preparation beforehand is hardly out-of-genre. *D&D* got by for years requiring spellcasters to prepare for hours or days in advance before they could let loose with spells. That's indistinguishable from Path/Book magic, if you think about it. And DF already has a scholar who requires prep time. A Path/Book caster would enter adventures with charms prepared and use them up, not unlike how an artificer uses his Gizmos. Then he'd need time to set up new charms. The game effect would be a bit like a wizard who does everything via Delay, Hang Spell, and Link. Such a caster's ability to unleash prepared charms instantly and at no FP cost would be amazing, though! He'd just need to have other skills to fall back on after doing so. Really, I think it all hinges on the rituals. Being able to hit the monster with a dead rat with a knotted string tied to it and have the monster cursed to -1 or worse on all dice rolls, or snapping a twig and unleashing a devastating blast of spirit energy, would be entirely cool. Don't think purely in terms of love charms and the like. __________________ Sean "Dr. Kromm" Punch <kromm@sjgames.com> *GURPS* Line Editor, Steve Jackson Games My DreamWidth [Just *GURPS* News]

11-16-2009, 08:16 PM	#20
Stone Dog Join Date: Feb 2008	Re: [DF] Path/Book mages in DF? Bards could play almost all of a song, leaving the harmonic vibrations clinging to them in the aether. Then, they play the final cords and the effect cascades through their reality.