Alt Magic: Spell Chains

[Krieg]

On the general board there is a thread titled Alternate (low) magic systems. Below is one of the ideas proposed on said thread...

Originally posted by Golem2176 :
Here's an idea: Make spell-chains. Basically make it so that unless you know spell x, you can't know spell y. Make your own custom lists that suit your campaign. Here's an example chain:

Obscuring Mist --> Fog Cloud --> Gaseous Form --> Solid Fog --> Cloudkill --> Acid Fog --> Control Weather (Fogs) --> Incendiary Cloud

I felt that this idea was intriguing enough that it deserved it's own thread.

How would mandatory thread chains effect the existing arcane classes? Obviously it would be tougher for the Sorcerer as he has fewer spells to burn, but beyond that?

In addition to the example chain listed Steveroo provided the following...

Agree with the spell lists (or chains). Firefinger must come before Burning Hands, which must come before Fireball. This means Wizards and Sorcerers must specialize. (Gandalf specialized in fire magics!)

What other spell chain possibilities are there?

When I get a chance I'm going to sit down & throw some ideas together but wanted to go ahead & start the thread in order to get some feedback and brainstorming from others on this idea.

 

[Chacal]

Interesting, but might require a lot of work and could be restricting , and not very easy to expand with new spells.

I'd use it only for new mysterious spells (read : homebrewed or from a resource the PCs don't know about ).
It could also plant seeds for an adventure:
"There are 2 cool spells in this spellbook I've found, but the description of the more interesting one refers to another spell from the author's master. Now I must found out who's this guy."
This would be akin to the Exotic spells from UA.


Variant

A somehow easier variant could be prerequisites for spells using only
level, school, subtype, and maybe other things like range.

At least you're not forcing someone to take burning hands, but just to have another fire spell of level 1.

The more qualifiers (subtypes) you use for spells, the more flexible and sensible it could be. I'm quite a fan of spell subtypes

I think this system could be used for creating thematics, or balancing a bit some spells.

About the sorcerer
I'm afraid that it would be harsh for a sorcerer. Since they have limited selection, I'd allow them to bypass one of the prerequisites, but not for named/exotic spells.


temporary end of my random thoughts...



Chacal

 

[Chacal]

temporary end of my random thoughts...

When I say temporary, I mean it

How about another variant for an optional spell chain system:
Let's say we have a spell chain (yes I know we only got one yet ),
like the one you mentioned.

The trick is not using the spell chains as prerequisites, but as benefits (sort of positive reinforcement). That is, if you already got the previous spells in the chain, you can do

- get a free slot with the 1st spell on the chain when you prepare/cast the 5th one

- have an extended effect (like weak versions of some metamagic)

- learn the higher spells at a reduced rate ( cost less to scribe/ faster to write/learn/whatever)

- can cast 2 of them (lowest/highest?) at the same time (obviously only when casting a high level spell and when the lowest on the chain is not too powerful) : I see this as a "beneficial power manifestation "


To be balanced on a case by case basis. Which shouldn't be a problem because making spell chains is on a case by case basis.


Chacal

 

[Jin]

There are a bunch of spell chains like this listed near the end of the ol' Encyclopedia Magica volume 4. They were taken from an article in Dragon Magazine.

 

[Corlon]

one I can think of is summon monster 1 - 9

 

[A'koss]

For ideas, or to use as is, go here: http://members.shaw.ca/infinity/Main_Page.htm under Path Magic.

The Talist Magi is well playtested and has been used by many other groups. It's a simplified Path Magic class with no "dud" paths that you see with some other iterations.

Cheers!