A few designer-type questions

[JQP]

1) I need suggestions on how to reconcile the power of magic (specifically arcane magic) with the fact that magic-users are only a faction and don't dominate the world or even the areas where they hold sway. I could do a cold-war thing between divine and arcane, but that seems like a patch. I've got some ideas about simply limiting arcane power and access to it, but that still doesn't work out why someone who can cast Wish once a day doesn't rule the world.

Divine magic seems much easier to control, what with the middleman and all.

2) I'd like suggestions on mechanics for the aforementioned limited power and access.


Basically I want the potential for high fantasy, but to keep it rare, and to make it fit into a generally low-fantasy world.

 

[jmucchiello]

Create an artificial barrier to level. No one can attain levels beyond 3rd. Some uncommon few can get to 5th. Only the truly rare can surpass 5th level (such as the PCs and their enemies). You also have to limit the types of monsters that terrorize the countryside though as a ghoul could convert a small town in a few weeks if the local cleric is only 3rd level.

One of my favorite campaigns had this flavor. The PCs were "destined" to unlock the magic and restore normal advancement to the world by released 8 gates set by the gods. It was a good premise well executed by one of our DMs.

 

[MarauderX]

Use the current mechanics as is. Have only 1 in 10,000 have the ability to use divine or arcane magic. Given that a large city with 100,000 people only has 10, 5 each of divine and arcane, among all levels, the characters should feel pretty special about being one of them.

In areas where magicians hold sway, perhaps the magicians are 11th level or above.

 

[ThoughtBubble]

1) People who can cast wish have better things to do with their time. This could range from world destroying ainceint monsters, held in check though strange rituals; to enjoing halfling tobacco and a nice pint down at the pub. Get in the heads of those high level guys and find out what's important to them.

2) Magic users are too busy being all magical (sudying, collecting components, paying guild dues, etc) to actually go about dominating.

3) Ruling is harrowing, so theey stay in advisory positions. Now they don't have to deal with couriers, taxes, or sneaky advisors.

4) "I thought about trying for a while, but you know what would happen? (Insert god of magic here) would strip my powers and tell me to sit in a corner and think about why I'm wrong.

5) If any one magic user did get too powerful, all the rest of the mages would turn on him, so everyone is guarded.

6) Level 20 rogues. Seriously, do you want to wake up to that much sneak attack damage? There are proabably about as many of these as there are level 20 wizards. You can set up a checks and balance system where the different factions all prevent each other from getting too much power.

Hope that helped!

 

[Herobizkit]

Make all magic spontaneous, and limit PC classes to those types with limited access to either. In effect, the Cleric, Druid, Wizard, and Sorcerer become NPC classes only. Adepts become your "core" spellcaster.

 

[Nifft]

1/ Dragons, demons or angels come and eat anyone who attains too much magical power. Say, 10th level or so. You will NOT find anyone above that level on Earth, though you may find them hiding on another plane somewhere.

2/ Magic takes its toll on your sanity. You'll see crazier and crazier wizards (and sorcerers, and even clerics) as they get higher level, until they self destruct. Many become paranoid and start hunting other high-level casters... which often kills more than birds with just the one stone.

3/ Phase of Magic: every so often (once every hundred years or so), magic stops working for a while (say, a hundred years). Magic has just returned, and no-one is currently trained in its uses, since such training was impossible until just last week. Still, the old texts are intact, and you can start learning magic now... and in 99 years or so, when you are all Epic level whatevers, you may want to look into this magic disappearing thing.

Cheers, -- N