03-20-2013, 08:00 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lexington ky, U.S.A
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Ritual magic and literacy
I've been thinking of trying to incorporate ritual magic in our game. I've only skimmed it but a friend of mine says the system implies that you should be literate. The genre that we are playing is GURPS Ice Age with some magic, so the players are all illiterate.
Is this true? |
03-20-2013, 08:32 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Yukon, OK
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Re: Ritual magic and literacy
It could go either way depending on campaign setting. Most works and research assumes literacy but you can have an oral tradition or other method such as inspiration for learning.
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03-20-2013, 08:34 PM | #3 |
☣
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Southeast NC
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Re: Ritual magic and literacy
No more than the basic magic system does. I.e. there is a standard assumption that mages have the option of learning from books, but there is nothing that really hinges on that assumption.
If you're looking for a magic system for shaman-style casters, you might want to take a look at Path/Book Magic if you have Thaumatology. And even with that name, literacy isn't required. Books are merely presented as one way rituals can be organized, for things like traditional grimoires.
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RyanW - Actually one normal sized guy in three tiny trenchcoats. |
03-20-2013, 09:07 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lexington ky, U.S.A
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Re: Ritual magic and literacy
I have Thaumatology. My question is about path magic and Shamanism. So I'm assuming literacy is not required?
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03-20-2013, 09:56 PM | #5 | |
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lawrence, KS
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Re: Ritual magic and literacy
Quote:
You can even use "book magic" to represent an oral tradition. Bill Stoddard |
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03-21-2013, 12:18 AM | #6 |
Dog of Lysdexics
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Melbourne FL, Formerly Wellington NZ
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Re: Ritual magic and literacy
LOL I know you meant all he player characters are illiterate, but that still gave me a chuckle.
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03-21-2013, 09:59 AM | #7 | |
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Midland, MI
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Re: Ritual magic and literacy
Quote:
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"I'm gonna go rescue all the babies in town. Only the babies." -Jake the Dog |
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03-21-2013, 12:42 PM | #8 | |
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Europe
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Re: Ritual magic and literacy
Quote:
I personally suggest a Perk for lesser mnemotechniques (such as are taught to most children in pre-literate or anti-literate societies) that gives a modest bonus to IQ rolls to recall prepared material. Upgradable to the limited Eidetic Memory version when/if desired. The question is, how is Ritual Path Magic penalized for characters who only have the Perk? And how is it further penalized for those who lack even the Perk? |
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03-21-2013, 01:03 PM | #9 | |
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lawrence, KS
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Re: Ritual magic and literacy
Quote:
Bill Stoddard |
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