Astrology rules: occult lore vs relics and rituals 2

[Olive]

Alrgiht:

i started a thread on this a while back, but now two books have done rules on it: Atlas Games' Occult Lore and Sword and Sorcery's Relics and Rituals 2...

Has anyone seen both these books? Anyone want to compare? I looked at Occult Lore today in the game shop, but it really seems to me that its centred around new classes. I want to be able to use it with my current classes...

Any feedback?

 

[Olive]

anyone?

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

I have both, but have only really just glanced at the Astrology sections so far. They are both great books. I will probably use material from both sections and combine them together if I use an atrologer type NPC/PC.

The strength of R&R2 is a really detailed , completely new house of the zodiac ( 16 houses - can be used whole cloth in non scarred lands campaigns ) with detailed descriptions and spell lists for each. Occult lore assumes you will add you own zodiac.

Occult Lore contains much "general" astrology stuff that R&R2 lacks, so definitely adds value. Keep in mind that the 2 prestige classes in Occult Lore for astrology ( Solar Hierophant and Lunar Mystagogue ) are for divine spell casters...

I'd be glad to answer any other specific questions for you if you wish...

 

[Nightfall]

I only have R&R2. What I can say is this gives a more specific feel to the Scarred lands, being able to say "Lycaeus acends as the moon wanes during the long cold night" Also the effect it has on certain schools is very interesting. I can't say if Occult Lore is better or not. What I can say, if you're looking for just regular Astrology, probably best to use Occult Lore. R&R2 is more for those that like to have specific effects or want to see how the stars can play a role in arcane magics.

 

[Olive]

Thanks guys:

on occult lore, what i don't want to do is introduce their new classes (PC and NPC). Do you think you could adapt the book so that the new skills are usable by say wizards?

 

[Nightfall]

It's possible. Wizards in the Scarred Lands are more likely to take the High Astrologer Pr-class. Though the thing is, the High Astrologer is about the STARS not necessarily Zodiac focused.

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

Thanks guys:

on occult lore, what i don't want to do is introduce their new classes (PC and NPC). Do you think you could adapt the book so that the new skills are usable by say wizards?

You do not need to use the new PC classes intoduced ( Astrologer/Computer ) to use most of the material in Occult Lore:

Any wizard can take the new skill: Astrology: INT- trained only

It requires 8 skill ranks of Astrology to utilize the new "Compute Spell Inception" feat ( Item Creation-Special )

That being said, it's pretty easy to use a new "class" as a prestige class dontcha think?

...edited for spelling..

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

It's possible. Wizards in the Scarred Lands are more likely to take the High Astrologer Pr-class. Though the thing is, the High Astrologer is about the STARS not necessarily Zodiac focused.

Not Zodiac Focused? Wow! I'd hate to argue Scarred Lands cannon with YOU Nightfall, but perhaps you shoud re-read the Star Lucky and Zodiac Focus feats along with the special abilities for the high astologer... The only power or ability where the appropriate zodiac house doesn't figure in is the "Starry-eyed" ability. I'm sure you already have all the sexier R&R2 stuff ( Lost Tomes, Psionics & Artifacts ) memorized though!

 

[Nightfall]

Doh! Good point Big! I was just thinking of it in another way. But you are right. They are Zodiac focused. My bad.

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

Doh! Good point Big! I was just thinking of it in another way. But you are right. They are Zodiac focused. My bad.

No worries. You know I love you man You will be happy to know that thanks to your influence, not only have I bankrupted myself buying every single SL product, but am starting a new SL campaign (based in Mithril ) with a new group of players ( we met on EN boards too! ) Thanks!

PS - Nightfall - do you know of any SL fan sites ( besides yours which I HAVE seen... )