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No, there has to be some grey area between fully functional and dead. Otherwise it's too much like that Star Trek episode where a population moves at hyper speed, but the slightest scratch allows a super infection casusing death within 24 hrs. You can't save someone from interrogation, cross a...

What I liked best about the Scarred Lands was that it made an honest effort to develop this theme: The gods had to work together to save the mortal races. They succeed, and must continue to cooperate to maintain their gains. What next? This gives us the city of Mithril, a town run by somewhat...

Whew! I though that this was about a Highlander remake... Living to 150+ would be great if I wasn't an invalid for half that span.

I've felt that attributes are an expression of talent and level is an expression of skill. At the beginning, talent is what lets you survive (or luck). As you gain experience it should be eclipsed by skill. I have an appreciation for that too. If, for example, fighters gain +1 to attack per...

"Snape is a character very much in love, actually" would be a guess.

The Problem of Wealth It can be hard to tie down a wizard’s true capability due to the flexibility inherent in the system. The main method is through a pretty strict management of what spells they recover or can research. The wizard can only customize their spell list through what is in their...

Ah, but part of my thesis is that magic is not like any other tool. It isn't a "tool" at all. As magic is inherhently Chaotic, it requires a special mindset to use. That mindset changes dependant not only on the goal, but also on the person using it. Hammers, bows, and other tools are...

I'll do that. For the most part I'm using color metaphorically. However, I find that when I describe magic items those that use garnets tend to be chaotic, jade ties to insight, and amethyst to law. Funny, that. :)

Themes and Systems Magic has always captured my imagination. I’ve loved fairy tales, adventure stories, and the like since I was a wee lad; much like most of you, I’m sure. What has struck me as I have read the stories is how different the various kinds of magic are, depending on what you are...

Thanks, guys! That's exactly what I wanted.

A Foundation I’ve been thinking a lot about magic recently. In particular, how I would like it expressed in my home game. Like many, I imagine, my D&D campaign is a pseudo- feudal milieu that is remarkably tolerant of other races, creeds and sexes. Everyone mostly gets along with each other...

I'm trying to track down some artists and books. Type "myrddraal" in the search engine of your choice. Examine the images that appear. One of the first is a picture of an eyeless man looking out from the picture, armored, holding his sword by the hilt on his chest, point down. There are dry...

I believe Ned had a chance to wrest power for himself and some allies when the chips were down. One of the known powerful nobles approached him and said something like "We know we can't have the Lannister's running the show, and we can seize power, but only if you are with us. And, it has to be...

One prophecy that I have wanted to weave in was that of the Scaled King and the slaying of the last dragon. The last great dragon was a old beast of Smaug-like porportions. It had its zone of terror and was content. It seems that there is a prophecy that an albino orc would be spawned* that...

I enjoy the use of alignment as well, but I have always considered it more of the "flag you fly" than a concise description of moral outlook. I do have an alternate alignment system as well. I use Law and Chaos in a semi-Moorcockian sense, as well as Insight, Evil and Neutral. Law emobidies...

I mostly handwave it too. I assume a relative competence in the PCs outdoors skills, and charge them a basic "supply fee" when they are in town. This means they have enough food, water and ammunition for their non-combat needs. If something goes awry or they are adventiring in a harsh climate...

SCIENCE! or rather ALCHEMY! I, too, have some problems with the idea of someone with "just the right training" beating the snot out of someone with armor and weapons. How does this happen, how widespread is the training, &c. Then, I read the dark elf / dwarf book for Scarred Lands (Burak...

I was sure that there was a new skill, power or something to shape the Elemental Chaos around you. I seem to remember it being one of the first things you needed to learn when trying to make your own demiplane. But, I can't find it in my books. Does this ring a bell, or am I misremembering...

I'm looking for some card lists for some capable but cheap decks. This is another situation where a former player's spawn is getting interested in the game. :) My goal is to get a set of 5 two-color decks so that he can see the basic themes and interactions of the colors. These decks would be...

I think you can as long as the players can feel a sense of accomplishment in their endurance. "We survived the goblins, the orcs, the ogres and the minotaurs. We're so clever it took the giants to wipe us out!" Beyond that, not so much. It could work to set the stage for a later campaign, but...