"Discovering the Power" for Psions, PsyWars, Bards and Sorcs

[Jeph]

I'm considering using this varient of "You gain a level. You learn some spells cuz your special" for the magic/psionic classes that don't study.

When a member of one of these classes would learn a new spell due to level, they instead gain an Open Spell (or Power) Slot (OSS) of that level.

Whenever a character with an OSS is under heavy stress or need, they may select a spell (or power) that they haven't learned of the same level as the OSS. They then make a Spellcraft (or Psicraft) check (DC 10 + 2x spell's [or power's] level). If they succeed, they immediately cast (or manifest) that spell (or power), and they learn it, too. Then, they lose one OSS of the same level as the spell (or power).

Basically, they don't learn the stuff when they gain a level, but rather when they are under stress and have great need.

I probably made this impossable to read and terribly unclear, sorry I'm kinda exhausted right now, just ask for clarification if you want it.

 

[Spatzimaus]

It's not a bad idea, and it reinforces the "innate" nature of the magic, but there's one small problem, IMHO: if the spell you want is a non-combat one, when exactly would you "need" it?

I mean, I want to learn Fabricate. Great spell, has lots of uses (depending on how loosely you read the "raw material" part; if I want to make a pile of toothpicks, can I use your wooden door as the ingredients?), but because of its long casting time, it's not the sort of thing you'll be hoping for in the middle of battle. Or pick any of the 8-hour-casting time divinations. Not the sort of spell you're desparately hoping to manifest.

I've never liked the "you level up, you gain a spell!" concept either, but I went with a more traditional "find a teacher or do some research" route, with a big bonus if the spell is thematically linked to the rest of your spells.