Fun things to do to a wizard's spell book

[Saeviomagy]

For argument's sake, you have to remember that the first time a catastrophe hits, no one expects it. This would be the initial introduction of spell-bugs to a campaign world with zero preparation for such.

Second and third exposure? Sure, they'll be ready. But not until the unthinkable happens once.

But what you're describing is equal to the most pathetic of real-world virions - the ones which require the user to install them.

In actual fact, your idea is slightly less effective than that, because you're talking about trying to infect someone WHO READS THE SOURCECODE with a virus.

Viruses work because the computer just goes on executing statements, and never actually puts any thought into it's interpretation. You're trying to say that someone who's reading through a spell line-by-line is going to just MISS:
a) The fact that his spell looks different. In fact, he probably has to make a spellcraft roll to learn the new spell.
b) The fact that his magic missile contains spurious code for illusions.

Imagine - you're reading through a cooking recipe for (say) cookies, and it tells you to add half a pound of salt.

Are you going to do it? Hell no.

And then, even BEYOND that, the person using the computer is (effectively) a professional programmer with full access to the sourcecode of the virion. It's gone within a matter of hours.

And of course if anyone in the group is actually a programmer, they'll wreak havoc in your campaign world by creating virions which intentionally alter spells in beneficial ways - until of course you have to veto it with no good reasoning behind it.

Now - if you want to have something which actually makes some sense and ADDS to your campaign instead of ruining it, then try something similar to the following:

Simply have some spells out there that work normally (or even more powerfully than normal), and have a side-effect that will generally not have much of an effect, so that the memorising wizard will look at it, realise what it does, and memorise it anyway.

Naturally this particular breed of spell should eventually have some sort of nasty side effect which will be later triggered by the villain's plan.

For instance - a version of ray of frost which does 1d6 damage, and is still level 0. The side effect is that it raises the temperature around the wizard for 200 feet by (say) 2 degrees.

The spell is spread around the local wizard's guild. It's more effective, so therefore it's more popular.

At the final awards ceremony of the year (with all apprentices for the year present), the BBEG sics some sort of (illusionary) fire-beast on the gathering. The effect of 200+ apprentices casting their improved ray of frost spells at the creature raises the temperature of the award hall by some 400 degrees, burning down the guild.

Or at least that's the plan. Ideally a curious party member should investigate and defeat the evil-doer.

That sort of thing is good for a campaign.

Your idea is not going to be good for the campaign, and is likely to alienate the wizard player.

 

[Dinkeldog]

I find this idea about as funny as infecting someone's computer with a virus or pouring sugar in a gas tank.

I know if this happened to my wizard the group would retreat back to the big city and start making repairs on the books. Campaigns/quests/etc would go on hold, other PCs would have to take care of the immediate threat without the big wizard leader type. The GM and Players would all be pissed off as I would be for wasting my already slim gaming time.

On the otherhand, the GM can't be pissed off because he inflicted the little buggers. If the GM wanted a plot device to get the players to a nearby city, this might be just the trick.

Besides, it is funny. Admit it.

 

[Dinkeldog]

But what you're describing is equal to the most pathetic of real-world virions.

blah...blah...blah...

blah...blah

more blah...

blah...bah humbug

humbug...bah...blah...humbug...blah

Your idea is... terrible.

Could we perhaps be a little less mean-spirited. Or at least if we're going to be mean-spirited, could we be a little less wordy about it?

Edited disclaimer: I am a computer engineer.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Could we perhaps be a little less mean-spirited. Or at least if we're going to be mean-spirited, could we be a little less wordy about it?

Edited disclaimer: I am a computer engineer.

Is the edit better?

 

[Driddle]

Sheesh. Loosen up, Saev.
It's a MAGIC thingy concept. No one said it was a direct correlation to jen-u-wine computer code. ... That would just be silly.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Sheesh. Loosen up, Saev.
It's a MAGIC thingy concept. No one said it was a direct correlation to jen-u-wine computer code. ... That would just be silly.

Regardless which one you're going with, it sounds like you're introducing some spells which COULD have a really great benefit for a wizard to learn, especially if he researches alterations to them.

In fact the benefits are so large, you'll probably have to disallow it.

As a player, I really hate things which
1) Make no sense
2) Screw me over
3) Benefit me in no way whatsoever
4) Don't contribute to the plot

And it sounds like your proposal does all of those.

 

[Dinkeldog]

Is the edit better?

Yup. The real mean part is gone, thanks. Still, dude. Lighten up. It's humorous and it could be fun. It's more interesting than bookworms. And if the DM has to make sure that no one introduces unbalancing "virions" or whatever you choose to call them, then he should do so. On the face, they can be interesting in a group that likes to do fun, playful things. If you've got a hardcore gamist group, then don't introduce the idea.

Edit: Saev, I'm having a hard to finding your e-mail. Could you drop me a line at gdinke1 at uic dot edu? Thanks--Greg