Andy Collins - Incarnum Support in Dragon Magic

[MerricB]

I had to sum it up on the fly, I'd say it's a system for giving a character customized, built-in magic items--sort of like magical cybernetics. That's probably doing the concept a disservice, but that's sort of the point.

Indeed.

The way I look at it is this: Incarnum allows you to share the abilities of other creatures of your ethical and moral outlook (for Incarnates & Soulborns), or to share the abilities of other magical creatures (for Totemists).

Thus, a Totemist takes on the attributes of the blink dog, the phoenix and the sphinx.

The Incarnate takes on the attributes of outsiders, dragons and other strongly-aligned creatures - gaining their ability to defend, attack, or suchlike.

The Incarnate in my campaign regularly takes on the attributes of the celestials - the ability to heal and recover from injury - and the attributes of the brass dragon - the ability to spit acid at his foes.

Cheers!

 

[Psion]

My first thought on reading that was 'psionics hadn't been in D&D for 25 years when TW&TW came out, had it?'

Never underestimate the power of hyperbole.

At any rate, I won't lie to you and say I wouldn't be happier to never see another soulmeld or invocation taking up my page count again.

That said, let me put my stance in another way that the warlock and incarnum fans might agree with. Right now, we need to add depth to the existing add-ons more than we need more add ons.

 

[D.Shaffer]

Wow, so we're finally going to get new Incarnum stuff? As a fan of the book, hurray!

I know a lot of people arent the biggest fans of it, but it's nice to see it get some support. I'm hoping we get some 'official' alt. flavor text suggestions on how the stuff actually works. That's been the major turn off for many people I know. I've already more or less completely redone the fluff text whenever I make up an Incarnum using character.

For example, My totemist explains his powers as gifts that are given by spirits of certain totem beasts. The hour meditation in the mornings are prayers to these totems, imploring them for their aid in the upcoming days.

 

[Mercule]

I was less than enamoured by MoI. I can't say that I'm unhappy to see it get a bit of love, though. That may be a precursor to some love for the Warlock, Ardent, Binder, or Shadowcaster -- all of which would be good, IMNSHO.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

I wonder if they'll take the feedback into account of how many people hated the visual aspects of the soulmelds. The XPH lost most of the stupid sensory descriptors from the 3.0 psionic handbook with its powers, I think Incarnum ditching the big glowy cartoon boots/gloves/masks would help increase its appeal.

Regardless, new soulmelds is a good thing. Hopefully comething for the soulborn to make the class interesting, but most likely we'll see stuff for the totemists.

 

[Razz]

That said, let me put my stance in another way that the warlock and incarnum fans might agree with. Right now, we need to add depth to the existing add-ons more than we need more add ons.

Here here!

 

[jokamachi]

Hey Andy, why don't you 'dip your toe' back into the Epic-level pool? Last time I checked, you co-authored that book, too.

 

[Vocenoctum]

Bah. I'd classify The Will & The Way and, to a lesser degree, Dragon Kings as support for the psionics system in 2nd ed.

I'd classify Will & The Way as a pretty decent sized change really, rather than support. Besides being setting specific, it's more like 3e psi book vs 3.5e psi book. I didn't get Dragon Kings, so can't say there.

I guess it comes down to what you consider an "edition" and "support".

 

[Remathilis]

Hey, isn't complete mage supposed to have new spells, infusions, incantations, and soulmelds as well?

 

[jokamachi]

Personally I find Incarnum to be an unwanted annoyance diluting an already over-filled pool of magic systems. No one asked for it, it fills no holes, and it does little to change the face of the game.