Well, it models magic specifically from those books. It was more an example of how one might approach the matter.
Adapting the Thomas Covenant setting
Well, it models magic specifically from those books. It was more an example of how one might approach the matter.
Aldarc
Legend
Are you talking about magic in the Dresden Files RPG (2010) or the later Dresden Files Accelerated (2017) book?
I would also check The Secrets of Cats, as it has a magic skill system with powers of Warding, Seeking, Naming, and Shaping. That may be a good start.
The Shadow
Hero
The former, I haven't really looked at the latter. Accelerated isn't really my thing.
Huh, that particular angle hadn't even occurred to me, good suggestion!
If there’s no extant RPG for a given setting already, my default system for modeling a setting’s complex and sometimes vaguely defined magic system would be to use HERO. Barring that (for whatever reasons), I’d use a “toolbox” RPG that I’m comfortable with.
Because IME, a lot of systems can handle 90% of the stuff needed to run a campaign, almost regardless of the actual setting. But if you can’t get the stuff that DEFINES the setting right, be it magic, technology or something else, it won feel right in play. And a toolbox RPG typically gives you the ability to customize the campaig-specific mechanics gou need with a minimum of difficult shoehorning.
Because IME, a lot of systems can handle 90% of the stuff needed to run a campaign, almost regardless of the actual setting. But if you can’t get the stuff that DEFINES the setting right, be it magic, technology or something else, it won feel right in play. And a toolbox RPG typically gives you the ability to customize the campaig-specific mechanics gou need with a minimum of difficult shoehorning.
Autumnal
Bruce Baugh, Writer of Fortune
For me, there are two crucial features of the Land:
First, it’s a deeply magical place. It’s not fundamentally naturalistic except where magic is bolted on, and it doesn’t have Gygaxian naturalism. Magic is essential, from the foundations of the world on up, and a bunch of things people do are part of that.
Second, it’s an intensely moral place. Many fantasy stories let protagonists get away with a lot of bad behavior because they’re the designated heroes. The Land doesn’t. And it doesn’t matter to the world whether victims or bystanders forgive the perpetrators of immoral acts: moral consequences are as real as any other consequences. Bad causes lead to bad effects until and unless the damage done can be repaired, and sometimes it can’t be. In the first series, Thomas is quite right to still regard himself as guilty despite others rushing to forgive him. He plays a necessary part in saving the Land despite his guilt, and that’s a rare balance to strike.
It occurs to me that something like Pendragon’s personality traits and passions would go well alongside whatever mechanics there might be.
First, it’s a deeply magical place. It’s not fundamentally naturalistic except where magic is bolted on, and it doesn’t have Gygaxian naturalism. Magic is essential, from the foundations of the world on up, and a bunch of things people do are part of that.
Second, it’s an intensely moral place. Many fantasy stories let protagonists get away with a lot of bad behavior because they’re the designated heroes. The Land doesn’t. And it doesn’t matter to the world whether victims or bystanders forgive the perpetrators of immoral acts: moral consequences are as real as any other consequences. Bad causes lead to bad effects until and unless the damage done can be repaired, and sometimes it can’t be. In the first series, Thomas is quite right to still regard himself as guilty despite others rushing to forgive him. He plays a necessary part in saving the Land despite his guilt, and that’s a rare balance to strike.
It occurs to me that something like Pendragon’s personality traits and passions would go well alongside whatever mechanics there might be.
The Shadow
Hero
Agreed!
This is a really good point! Actions have major consequences in the Land. In The Wounded Land, it's hard to tell if the damage to Joan has damaged the Land or vice versa!
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The Shadow
Hero
I took a look at Tales of Xadia, and Cortex Prime more generally. (They had not been on my radar before this.) Interesting stuff, the system basically strikes me as "crunchier Fate", a niche that I'm glad to see people staking out.
The rules of ToX seem to assume that you can produce only the most minor of effects without an actual spell, but I can see how to go about what you're suggesting - just apply only the Magic asset itself without a spell. The only trouble is, it's easier to extrapolate what "Fire" magic can do in general than "Lords' Lore".
One thing I really take away from ToX is that Values are a neat way to enforce the morality of the setting!
Values for the Land might be... Hmm. Loyalty, Peace, Courage, Hope, and Love. There's probably also a Despite value, but using it has nasty consequences long term.
The problem is that we aren't entirely sure what to expect, except it probably involves stone. Left to myself, I certainly wouldn't guess they could control the weather!
I'd have no problem with a Gravelingas repairing a pot, for certain. Likewise if they've got orcrest, I'd let them roll Will (against a pretty hefty difficulty) to control the weather. For anything else, I guess the table either wings it or one has to think up other things Gravelingases can do ahead of time.
Expending one's health or life to power a magical effect is kind of a Thing in the Land, so I'd probably add a rule that you can take consequences to get bonuses to a magical roll.
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In the setting one can have other Assets that can impact the result - like a magic staff as a focus, or an item charged with magical energy... or a white gold ring, etc...
Yeah. Rather like dark magic in Xadia.
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Thourne
Hero
I hate to be that guy but Dark Magic, not black magic.
Sorry
Fair enough.
