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General Tabletop Discussion
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Should magic be "mystical," unknowable, etc.? [Pick 2, no takebacks!]
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<blockquote data-quote="Leatherhead" data-source="post: 8542439" data-attributes="member: 53176"><p>Always seems to me that the questions in these kinds of threads are backwards.</p><p></p><p>What does "magic like a science" mean?</p><p></p><p>For a working model of magic in a game you have three options:</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Magic is a pseudo-science, where people can test things in order to figure out a reliable way of doing things.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Magic is a pseudo-religion, where people are told the rules. These rules can seem arbitrary and non-sequitur (Put a green left shoe on your head and spin three times to summon lightning!), or they can be sympathetic (if you burn this lock of hair from person X in the magical brazier , you will make them burn) But either way, if you obey the rules, you get a reliable way of doing things.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><p style="text-align: left">Magic is random chaos that no sane person would ever attempt to use, unless they were already going to die. But you can reliably do <em>something</em> by performing this ritual that is likely banned. </p> </li> </ol><p></p><p>It's<em> always </em>cause and effect: You do the thing, then the magic happens. Even when your head has a 5% chance to explode into a demon when you try it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Leatherhead, post: 8542439, member: 53176"] Always seems to me that the questions in these kinds of threads are backwards. What does "magic like a science" mean? For a working model of magic in a game you have three options: [LIST=1] [*]Magic is a pseudo-science, where people can test things in order to figure out a reliable way of doing things. [*]Magic is a pseudo-religion, where people are told the rules. These rules can seem arbitrary and non-sequitur (Put a green left shoe on your head and spin three times to summon lightning!), or they can be sympathetic (if you burn this lock of hair from person X in the magical brazier , you will make them burn) But either way, if you obey the rules, you get a reliable way of doing things. [*][LEFT]Magic is random chaos that no sane person would ever attempt to use, unless they were already going to die. But you can reliably do [I]something[/I] by performing this ritual that is likely banned. [/LEFT] [/LIST] It's[I] always [/I]cause and effect: You do the thing, then the magic happens. Even when your head has a 5% chance to explode into a demon when you try it. [/QUOTE]
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Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*Dungeons & Dragons
Should magic be "mystical," unknowable, etc.? [Pick 2, no takebacks!]
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