Dying Earth: Primer of Practical Magic

[Krieg]

Dying Earth: Primer of Practical Magic

Has anyone gotten a glimpse at this one yet?

The possibility of implementing real Vancian magic within D20 is certainly intriguing.

I've been waiting expectantly for it for quite some time, and was hoping to see if their is any buzz or spoilers out there to tide me over til my copy arrives!!

 

[Razuur]

Surprisingly I have never even heard of it.

When is it due out?

Razuur

 

[Krieg]

Online stores are listing it as available now.

I already put in an order with FRPGames.

 

[Razuur]

Hmmmm. That is interesting. I didn't see it at my game store yesterday. They must have had it filed with the rest of the non-D20 stuff. They usually get *everything* in.

I would be real interested in seeing your comments on it, Krieg.

Thanks for the info.

Razuur

 

[Krieg]

I'll be more than happy to post my thoughts once I get my copy & have a bit of time to digest the info.

FWIW the I only learned about the product a little over a month ago. It's kind of odd that this one seems to have slipped through the cracks so far. I would have thought it was a product that a lot of folks would be talking about.

 

[mmadsen]

From that Dying Earth: Primer of Practical Magic promo:

These spells are sometimes discreet in their effects, sometimes flashy and powerful, but always clever and amusing in their application. They range from the subtle, thinking magician’s cantrips and low-level charms, such as spells to calm a barking dog; put the smell of wine on a rivals breath; instantly clear the roadside dust from one’s garments; or cantrips to curdle a neighbors soup, or make a frog take on the temporary appearance of a beautiful maiden; through the unwholesome and dangerous summoning magic of the Diabolist, such as The Spell of the Ominous Enthusiast, which conjures forth a small blue demon which can perform any single task with the greatest of skill, but then demands and attempts to forcibly acquire the liver of its summoner as payment.

Finally, the Primer includes a few of the truly mighty spells which made the Magicians of the Dying Earth individuals to be both feared and respected: Phandaal’s Gyrator, The Evocation of Blue Havoc, The Charm of Forlorn Encystment, The Charm of the Omnipotent Sphere and the original Excellent Prismatic Spray (not to be confused with another spell with a similar name.)

 

[mmadsen]

I'd also like to see how the optional spell-failure system works. From the promo:

For those who always felt there should have been some element of danger and uncertainty to spellcasting, the Primer introduces an optional spell failure system, based on the system in the Dying Earth RPG™. No longer is casting a spell automatic guarantee of its routine success. Rather, the outcome is a function of the power of the spell contrasted with the skill of the caster, and results can range from Dismal Failure to Illustrious Success. The latter may be an unexpected boon, while the former can cause dire consequences indeed, which is why inexperienced spell dabblers and hedge wizards should think twice before attempting to wield the more powerful arcane magical formulae found in this book.

 

[mmadsen]

In some ways, the Primer of Practical Magic sounds like a typical D&D supplement. From the promo:

In addition to spells, there are numerous new magical items. Over 40 new Ioun Stones convey a variety of powers and skill effects, and dozens of other curious magic items fill the pages of the Primer. These again range from the very subtle, such as a sheath to wear over your tongue so that one can endure the most disgusting repasts without crying out or vomiting (and thus potentially offending the wrong person), or books containing insulting verses so scathing they can bring a strong man to his knees; through such powerful and useful artifacts as the ever lengthening rope; Laccodel’s Rune, which protects the wearer against nearly any form of caustic magic; Mieux’s Pantelloons which puff up to frustrate arrows or darts, and can allow the wearer to float away to safety; or the much feared Schiavona of Kavic which conveys superb fighting ability to even the most inept fencer.

Those players not satisfied with the magical creations of others can dabble with the manufacture of their own Vat Creatures, and through the medium of magic and living flesh, create anything from a comely concubine with whom to while away the twilight hours, to a burly and hirsute guard – beast to chase away uninvited solicitors.

Finally, The Primer includes three remarkable prestige classes for those interested in fully immersing themselves in the Dying Earth milieu. The Sharper is a con artist and a thief, whose natural abilities make it just as easy for her to earn a living taking down marks in any big city as creeping around in the wilderness on a foolhardy adventure. The Diabolist is that rather scary individual who specializes in the control, banishment, and / or binding of Demons and creatures from the outer planes. Thanks to the invaluable contributions of Ian Thomson, The Primer includes several of the unique spells and abilities from the DERPG Demons of the Dying Earth book, from which are formed a deadly arsenal of abilities and skills for the formidable Diabolist. Finally, the mighty Arch-Magician class allows players to flex true magical muscles, and become the kind of character you thought of the first time you ever heard Black Sabbath’s ‘The Wizard’.

 

[trancejeremy]

I heard of it a little while back, when someone from the company posted a note about it over at RPG.net. I probably should have suggested they post about it here, since being d20, it would generate more interest.

It sounds pretty neat, since the regular D&D magic system is fairly vancian, it would be cool to see some of the stuff from the books (like that magical vat) in d20 terms. I probably would prefer a d20 version of the setting - the DE game itself is too, er, artsy, for my tastes.

 

[The Lemon Merchant]

Oh boy, I've always wondered what Blue Concentrate actually did.