Elements of Magic: Questions for the Designer

[Kemrain]

EoMr Classes Houserule!

I posted a new EoM Houserule I'm using to the Houserules forum, but in retrospect I should have probably just posted it here. I don't know which Mod I should grovel to, or even how, so I doubt it'll get moved (hint hint, please!).

Oh well.. Instead of posting it all here again, I'll just Link to it!

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=92981

That should bring you to my Mage and Wizard class Houserule Thread. I'm hoping for some sort of comment on it. Don't make me beg, people.

- Kemrain the Desperate for Attention.

 

[astriemer]

Spell Design Questions

Rangerwickett-
I was wondering what your thoughts were on my attempt to simulate the Shield spells a few posts back?

Also, I had a few design questions for you in my (long) post in the Elements of Magic - Spell Creation and Critique section (regarding entrapment spells and a spiritual weapon like effect), any chance you'll have time to answer the questions?

Thanks,

 

[Kemrain]

Here's a question a friend of mine asked, Ranger Wickett...

Why is there no Charm, Compel, Create or Move Specialist feats?

What might they do, if they did exist? Can we expect to see them in Lycean Arcana?

- Kemrain the Move Specialist.

 

[RangerWickett]

There are no charm, compel, and move specialist feats because I couldn't think of anything for them to do. Oh, and because Move only has like 8 spell lists possible.

Astriemer, I'll reread what you posted and try to get back to you with an answer tomorrow.

 

[Kemrain]

There are no charm, compel, and move specialist feats because I couldn't think of anything for them to do. Oh, and because Move only has like 8 spell lists possible.

Astriemer, I'll reread what you posted and try to get back to you with an answer tomorrow.

Oooh, he didn't mention Create! I still have hope for Create!

Also, I think that many of the Move lists are very worthwhile, and I'd love to see a feat for them. I'll set my friend to brainstorming, and maybe we'll come up with some feats for ya.

- Kemrain the Create Specialist.

 

[RangerWickett]

To touch again upon this old question:

I've come up with another question, based on the Blur spell. Is there a way to grant consealment less than total in EoM? You can become invisible with Illusion Shadow 3 (I think), but could I simply grant myself partial consealment (20% miss chance) so I could hide in a lit alrea without cover, or prevent myself from being sneak attacked?

- Kemrain the Hidden.

Ah, yes. It was not fully spelled out, but:

"Simple Illusion (1 MP/0 MP). If used to conceal something, generally this provides a +5 bonus to appropriate skill checks. For example, a simple visual illusion to make you blurry would give a +5 bonus to Hide checks, . . ."

So a blur would be a 0 MP Illusion Shadow spell, but you'd need to add 3 MP of Illusion Lightning or else the first time you hit someone, they would automatically disbelieve.

 

[RangerWickett]

How would you go about creating Mage Armor that doesn't require armor proficiency without spending a lot of MP to get a magical suit of armor created out of force?

Sadly, you don't. If you want an AC bonus that doesn't require armor proficiency, you have to use Abjure, and to get +4 AC from Abjure Nature costs 3 MP.

Similarly, how would you create a Shield effect? Create Force would let you create a shield out of force, but as I understand, it would require that the mage put it on (and thus probably need proficiency) and wield it. Would Move Force let you use the shield without paying any attention to it (as in the standard Shield spell)? For example,

Shield
Create Force 2/Move Force 1/Gen 1
Total MP: 4
Range: 0
Area: shield of force
Duration: 10 minutes
Save: None
Spell Resistance: No?
Description: Creates a tower shield of force that moves to intercept attacks made at the caster providing a +4 shield bonus to AC. The shield is virtually weightless and moves of its own accord to block attacks as long as the caster is aware of the attack. Costs: 2 MP elemental object, 1 MP effective strength, 1 MP duration.

Granted that is now a "2nd level" effect. If that works then this should as well right?

Shield
Create Metal 1/Move Force 1/Gen 0
Total MP: 2
Range: 0
Area: tower shield
Duration: 1 minute
Save: None
Spell Resistance: No?
Description: Creates a tower shield that moves to intercept attacks made at the caster providing a +4 shield bonus to AC. The shield moves of its own accord to block attacks as long as the caster is aware of the attack. Costs: 1 MP gear, 1 MP effective strength.

The second is a much better option. Good thinking. While the rules as written don't officially say you can give a Move spell simple instructions (like, "stay around me"), if I'd thought of it, I would've included it.

 

[Kemrain]

Maybe I'm reading this wrong.. If I cast Move Life 1, Move Force 1, Gen 1, to spirit wander within a 10' radius, and move force to bring the area of effect along with me, can I travel as far as I want? I can drag the AoE along with me, so my range shouldn't be limited anymore. Am I reading this wrong?

- Kemrain the Incorporeal.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Move Life

No, your not, altho I think using Move Life/Gen 1 would be for the Discriminating enhancement would be a better and cheaper way of doing this. The difference would be that you could bring your friends on a spirit wander, altho as you drag the AoE around others could gain the ability...

Actually that would make an interesting visual

"As you walk across the street, suddenly your body drops out to the ground and you are left staring at it, your body translucent and wavering in an unfelt breeze. An aged mage hustles past you, muttering to himself something to the tune of 'I am late, for a very important date..'. You stare at his retreating back and suddenly find yourself back in your flesh. People on the sides of the street stare at you with questioning looks."

 

[RangerWickett]

That is perhaps the weirdest idea I've ever heard. Screwhead's idea doesn't quite work, because the area of effect would just let people leave their bodies, it wouldn't force them. And I'd never considered costing out a rolling area of effect Move Force spell that constantly changes who it affects.

As for Kemrain's idea, I'll have to reread the exact text of the spell, but I guess maybe yeah that could work. Weird.