[GRIM TALES] Magic questions

[Eloy]

1) I've since posted errata on Improved Caster Level, but for your "scarce magic" game just play it as written: Each time you take Improved Caster Level, you also get +1 spell burn resistance.

2) Allow the spellcasting ability modifier to improve caster level checks.

3) Download and use the free ley lines and power nexus rules from the Bad Axe Games website. Make sure your BBEG has a power nexus and plenty of Knowledge (arcana).

4) Increase the frequency and/or ease of learning new spells.

Any or all of the above in combination. Notice that you can add 3 and 4 even after the campaign begins-- perhaps the PCs will learn both more spells and the secret of ley lines from the BBEG.

Wulf

Thanks for all the replies!

1) I downloaded the errata as soon as I found it, which I think led to my confusion, hence the original question. Since the errata corrects the fact that spell burn does not increase with caster level, then changing the burn die from 'standard' d6 (2-skull option) to D8 would not help you, unless you have INT 26 !

However, using the increased spell burn resistance as a scarce magic option, then increasing the burn to D8 makes sense once spell resistance is >= 8.

2) This seems the best option. Yuan-Ti posted it on this board, and I had come up with it on my own as well. Nice to see Wulf agrees.

3) Oh, did that as soon as I read a post you made some time ago. If I may suggest, post something on the Bad Axe site, recommending the Ley lines download for GT, as well as maybe posting a preliminary errata document (though I bet you're just waiting to compile a more thorough list)

4) Yes. A definite must.

So, thanks to all for your replies!

Any more ideas for a scarce magic approach would be helpful. I think with the wizard background I propose and the fixes suggested here, we would be off to a good start.

I read Wulf is compiling a spell list for GT. I'm looking forward to that.

If anyone is looking for new spell ideas, though, I highly recommend the Elements of Magic (Revised) product from EN publishing. I think it does for spellcasting systems what GT does for D20. It gets under the hood and shows you how to put things together.

I am a fan of having players design their own signature spells (as it adds some mystique to the otherwise all-too-familiar D20 magic system). I hate it when a wizard casts and spell and everybody at the gaming table instantly knows which spell it is, what level, how much damage, DC, what save, etc... Even when you change the 'special effects' description.
EoM let's you have benchmarks and a system for building spells step by step and assigning a level to the result. The spell point casting system and the spontaneous spell casting are just nifty options, IMNSHO.

Again, thanks. I just love my GT!