RPM and Threshold Magic

[Finalsora811]

I was thinking of making a character that used a Path of Ritual Path Magic as well as using the Threshold Magic (since my GM allows both the regular system and Threshold). The thing I was wondering was are they mutually exclusive? Can I use the Threshold system with RPM?

[sir_pudding]

Energy Gathering and Threshold do seem to be somewhat conceptually incompatible. You could do something with tracking energy gathered against a threshold.

[Sunrunners_Fire]

Originally Posted by Finalsora811

I was thinking of making a character that used a Path of Ritual Path Magic as well as using the Threshold Magic (since my GM allows both the regular system and Threshold). The thing I was wondering was are they mutually exclusive? Can I use the Threshold system with RPM?

RPM using Threshold rather than Energy? RPM using Threshold -and- Energy? Threshold using Energy Gathering Rules? Something else entirely?

[Clarification Requested]

[vierasmarius]

I could see a few ways to handle this. One would be to allow all mages (including RPM mages) to draw on extra energy with a Threshold of zero. This gives them a bit more potential power, but at great danger. It actually benefits RPM mages less than College-based mages, since RPM tends to require more energy to achieve similar results. Another option would be to replace the normal 3 ER per Magery level with, say, 10 Threshold per Magery level. The recovery rate may be static (8 is the default, IIRC) or also based on Magery (1-2 per level, frex). Neither of these seem too unbalancing.

[Wraithe]

What a funny coincidence - I just mentioned I was considering doing this in another thread. :)

The trick is with RPM + Threshold, is that you end up with something similar to Realms + Threshold (which I don't have a problem with).

My thoughts along these lines, are to allow threshold casting, but to have the Energy Gathering left as a "safe" way of casting (sort of a "Slow and Sure" method).

The big question is (to me) how to apply the Threshold, I'm considering giving an actual threshold ONLY as part of the price of Ritual Adept, and any other caster has a Threshold of 0. This makes using threshold for non RA's very dangerous. Which I kind of like. :)

Alternately, I may just make buying threshold an option that I add to RPM.

Or, I may just say "heck with it" and go Realms + Threshold.

Kinda wish RPK wasn't taking sanity-time. :)

One thing though. You say your GM is allowing "Regular System" and "Threshold". Does "Regular System" = "GURPS Magic"?

Allowing RPM in a game where you're using the standard "GURPS Magic" system is a stretch much greater than just allowing Threshold powering of standard spells, so you really should check with your GM on that.

[Dammann]

Originally Posted by vierasmarius

I coudl see a few ways to handle this. One would be to allow all mages (including RPM mages) to draw on extra energy with a Threshold of zero. This gives them a bit more potential power, but at great danger.
[snip]

That is really cool. It lets you rush a ritual at extreme peril. I love extreme peril!

[vierasmarius]

Originally Posted by Dammann

That is really cool. It lets you rush a ritual at extreme peril. I love extreme peril!

Who doesn't? =P If all mages can tap into this risky "emergency" energy, it would just be a campaign option. I'm kinda split on whether individual access to it (in a setting where other mages don't have it) is just an Extra Option perk, or should require an Unusual Background. Either way, Threshold > 0 would need to be purchased separately.

[Sunrunners_Fire]

Originally Posted by vierasmarius

Who doesn't? =P If all mages can tap into this risky "emergency" energy, it would just be a campaign option. I'm kinda split on whether individual access to it (in a setting where other mages don't have it) is just an Extra Option perk, or should require an Unusual Background. Either way, Threshold > 0 would need to be purchased separately.

If its' not a campaign switch, Variable Energy Access [50] (GURPS Thaumatology, pg 79) is a published trait that allows the use of fatigue- and threshold- magic ... and would most closely match the ability to use both energy- and threshold- magic.

[vierasmarius]

Originally Posted by Sunrunners_Fire

If its' not a campaign switch, Variable Energy Access [50] (GURPS Thaumatology, pg 79) is a published trait that allows the use of fatigue- and threshold- magic ... and would most closely match the ability to use both energy- and threshold- magic.

That UB seems intended for a character with access to full-powered Threshold Magery - ie, a basic Threshold of 30. I was suggesting allowing access to extra energy with Threshold 0. I suppose calling it Variable Energy Access with Reduced Threshold 5 (-50%) could fit. [25] still seems pricy, but I guess it's fair.

[Humabout]

I mashed together an [i]unplaytested[i] syntactic magic system that used energy accumulation from Ritaul Path Magic (essentially just RPM, except both nouns and verbs contriubted to energy costs) and then treated all energy costs as counting against your Tally for Threshold Limited Magic. I also modified the Calamity Table to reflect the weird kind of stuff I wanted going on (it is heavily WH40K-inspired). On paper, it looks like it captures the random and dangerous feel of Psyker stuff, but it hasn't seen any game time. If you do happen to use this or somethign similar, I'd love to read about your experiences with it.