A spontaneus casting Mage

[Terath Ninir]

That was a flame? I'm sorry, but that was downright polite. You'll have to try harder than that to flame me.

Now that my memory has been jogged, I accept your clarification on Divine magic, and I still say the system is the worst I've ever seen. (F.A.T.A.L. not included.) I remember quite distinctly that those spells were not at all powerful, at least by D&D standards.

 

[Zubkavich]

*shameless, yet on topic plug*

I created a Sorcerer-esque Advanced class for D20 Modern called the Eldritch Soul . It has casting like a sorcerer (no preparation of spells) and some extra abilities that attempt to replicate spontaneous casting without throwing this class out of balance with the Acolyte or Mage. I spent quite a bit of time trying to keep the class in line power-wise with the other Advanced spellcasting classes: some design details .here.

It may be in the right direction for what you're looking for. Feel free to offer some feedback if you like

 

[buzz]

That's just it.

That was a flame? I'm sorry, but that was downright polite. You'll have to try harder than that to flame me.

That's just it; it wasn't a flame. I was just vehemently disagreeing with you. Thankfully, a few other people got offended on your behalf.

Now that my memory has been jogged, I accept your clarification on Divine magic, and I still say the system is the worst I've ever seen. (F.A.T.A.L. not included.) I remember quite distinctly that those spells were not at all powerful, at least by D&D standards.

Well, you have to remember that Glorantha (as depicted in RQ, at least) is a much lower-magic setting than the standard D&D univese. By RQ standards, Divine/Rune Magic is pretty dang powerful.

Battle Magic works pretty much the same as D&D3e psionics and sorcery; you know X spells and can cast them Y times a day (be Y defined by points or by slots). Compared to 1e, RQ was light years ahead.

But, hey, you're welcome to your opinion.

Chtulhu d20 uses ability damage for its spell system. Is it the worst ever, too?

 

[Terath Ninir]

Chtulhu d20 uses ability damage for its spell system. Is it the worst ever, too?

Characters in the Cthulhu universe have lifespans only slightly longer than those in Paranoia -- and the Cthulhu ones don't have any clones to call in, either. Everything in that universe is out to kill you, so the spells should be, too. I don't think RQ was intended to be so violently against the characters. If it was, then I'll retract the Worst Ever designation. But I thought it was fantasy, rather than horror.

 

[Razuur]

In our system, we use a spell roll as well. Interestingly it is ver similar to weird wars (as befitting a difference in genre):

Spellcraft check versus a DC of 15 + (spell level x 2) to cast it successfully. If you fail the roll, you take 1 x spell level in HP. If you botch the spell roll, you take 3x spell level in HP.

Works rather well for us. They can cast what they want, and they get to roll, two favorites!

Razuur

 

[buzz]

Against?

I don't think RQ was intended to be so violently against the characters. If it was, then I'll retract the Worst Ever designation. But I thought it was fantasy, rather than horror.

I guess I don't see how the POW sacrifice is "violently against" the PCs.

Rune/Divine Magic usually isn't magic that PCs start the game with. It's magic used by advanced members of cults, mainly Rune Priests and Rune Lords. So, we're talking about characters who are sort of "high level" in RQ terms, characters who are consistent POW-users (meaning they probably have gained a lot of POW in their careers; in RQ, advancement is usually based on what skills/abilities you actually use in the course of an adventure). They aren't sacrificing POW to a point where it's detrimental, as their POW is already high to begin with.

And as they advance, they can regain the POW they sacrificed.

I always thought it was pretty cool. Basically, a priest is trading some of their power for their god's power. And in RQ terms, it's a good trade, as Rune/Divine Magic is the most powerful magic in the game.

If you ever get the chance, you should give the game another look. A great rules set for tis time, and one of the most developed fantasty worlds ever. It's too bad we'll never see "Glorantha d20."