HP d20M

[Crothian]

My plan is to actually have each spell be a skill and each level characters would get spell points to add ranks to their spells...I may implement something similar to Call Of Cthulhu (the brp version) where the more you use the skill, the better you get at it (by allowing improvement checks for each time it was used...but only allowing it to improve by a max set amount each level..perhaps this cap could be based on Int..)

If you go this route, I'd think that instead of each spell, do each school or other grouping. You do have wizards who are good at Memory Charms or other such group spells.

 

[digitaldark]

If you go this route, I'd think that instead of each spell, do each school or other grouping. You do have wizards who are good at Memory Charms or other such group spells.

But even within the groupings they are better at some of those spells than others...

as far as groupings I was thinking Advanced Classes (or maybe PrC's).. for instance McGonagall might be a Transmuter...while Lord Voldemort would be a Dark Sorcerer.....

 

[Crothian]

But even within the groupings they are better at some of those spells than others...

as far as groupings I was thinking Advanced Classes (or maybe PrC's).. for instance McGonagall might be a Transmuter...while Lord Voldemort would be a Dark Sorcerer.....

I just think having a skill for each seperate spell is too much. There are 23 arcane spells of 0 and 1st level alone. And that's just from d20 Modern. We know from experiecne within the hobby that number will increase tenfold with the expansions. So, I think there needs to be a different way of doing this then for each spell. With groups of some sort people can at least use the new spells in the group they fit into.

 

[nsruf]

and as far as it taking away an extra feat...I don't really see the problem because HP is a lot less hack n slash than DnD...it is more skill based...so their would be less feats and less use for feats anywayz... IMHO at least

Depends on the type of feats you want to use. Both the various magic related feats and the skill-bonus feats like Athletic or Trustworthy introduced e.g. in CoC and d20 Modern make a lot of sense for HP, IMO. It just feels wrong to me to deny wizards the full flexibility of the human race.

 

[Gez]

Make several magic-affinity feats. Like:
Broomstick Adept to make stars of quidditch (Harry probably has it)
Bookworm give bonus to learning and pronouncing formulae (Hermione probably has it)
Potion Focus to get alchemy and potion browing bonus, etc.

The human bonus feat at first level must be taken into one of these affinity feats, but other may be taken later.

 

[Gez]

Maybe you could do one base class for each school, rather than using the tough/strong/smart/etc. heroes class.

Using skills for each class seems a good idea.

 

[evildmguy]

Good idea!

Okay, from what I have heard, the best thing to do might be to wait until all of the books are out. The rumor was that JKR, the author, has BOOKS on each character and their background. That she wrote the full rules of Quidditch, its famous players, etc. I don't know if she will ever release these but that is what I heard. (She supposedly let the director of the movies see these backgrounds for inspiration on what to do with the movies.)

Hmmmm. I did like the suggestion of having all heroes be wizards, and therefore not taking away a feat from them. (Or, perhaps all characters get the feat for free, since that is the point.) I also thought replacing the base classes for something else was good. Granted, Hagrid might be a Tough or Strong hero but most of the others are Smart or Dedicated.

Okay, let's look at this:

Classes: Not sure. Just one class? With advanced classes to show specialties?

Skills: Magic should be a skill, as someone suggested, with a spell being a DC.

Ideas for skills:

Knowledge (History of Magic)
Knowledge (History of Hogwart's)
Knowledge (Quidditch)
Knowledge (Magic)
Craft (Wand) - I would not make this a feat, like DND, where it is automatic.
Craft (Potion) - this includes knowledge so it is one skill instead of two.
Craft (Wondrous Item) - might be most things. (Cloak of Invisibility, secret chamber openings, etc.)
Arithmancy
Divination
Transmogrification
Defense against the Dark Arts
Muggle Studies
Animagus - Perhaps it requires a feat as well.
Charm
Curse - lingering effect or death seem to define curses.
Spellcraft - ability to learn spells

(Haven't figured out where misc spells, like levitation, calling, open lock, repair, etc. fit. perhaps a General Magic skill? Also, need attack and defense spells, as per the dueling club. )

Feats
Animagus - type of animal
Luck - + 1 luck bonus to a particular skill.
Skill Feats (+3 to skill)
Quidditch ability - all positions
Spell ability - beyond being able to be a mage, ability to learn spells. Hermione would have this.
Parceltongue - in general, all abilities to speak with animals as seperate feats. If they have been listed, I don't remember them.
Gifted - Generic +1 to all wizard skills. Might be too powerful. Seems as if Harry has it but so do Ron and Hermione to some extent. Maybe this one won't work.

Spells

All require Verbal, somantic (even if just pointing) and focus to be able to cast.
Spells are rated by DC. Must be learned before they can be used. Cannot take 10 or 20.

In general, here is where things break down from the literary to the role playing. While it can be argued for potions that they lower their own save because they drink it, all spells don't seem to allow a save. That makes magic very deadly! At least, I can't think of a time when someone hit by a spell resisted it. The exception of course is Harry. The difference is that there are cures or counter curses for things but no real resistance.

Adventures

Would actually be wrapped around stopping a big evil. Minor points could be to maintain friendships, figure out a spell or potion, get through classes, don't lose points for your school.

Adventures would involve breaking the rules that you need to for the greater good.

I am not sure what to do after school. There are teaching positions, various ministry positions and working with dragons that are mentioned. I was actually thinking of this independent of an RPG and what most of the magic world isn't really described. We don't know what most people who graduate from Hogwart's do. Is there a magic college? Or is this all a person needs? I am not sure.

Just some ideas to get this going.

Good discussion!

edg