Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="FoxWander" data-source="post: 8554002" data-attributes="member: 1356">Thank you for all the replies. I guess I should have specified at least a rule set for my thinking. My original thought for this question was for the Pathfinder rules, since that's what I mostly play with, but it would apply to any 3.5 or higher ruleset.According to those rules, here are the main points that lead to my thoughts that an actual D&D world would be different than most published settings.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Anyone with a casting stat of 11 or higher can cast spells, the only impediment is learning them.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Anyone can switch classes when they level up. So switching to a spellcasting class isn't an issue by the rules. So NPCs can switch from whatever to Adept.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The general population rules show that most villages will have some kind of spellcasters, so magic is available and accessible to most people- assuming those spellcasters are cooperative.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Any caster that makes it to 4th level can choose an item creation feat and craft wonderous only requires 3rd level</li> </ul>Those four factors point to a world that would have a lot more permanent magic than is currently in most setting- especially low-level utility magic. This is barring of course any setting-specific reasons why this HAS NOT happened. I'm only talking about what is possible by the rules as presented. Most settings probably have some reason why the world isn't like this, and that's fine. I'm interested if there is a world, or at least a resource, that explores what's possible. Yes, item creation and even low-level permanent magic (like continual flame) are expensive, but it's easy to imagine scenarios where that wouldn't be a problem.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A wizard could live at the local inn indefinitely by providing them with Continual Flame lanterns.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Temples might be tax-exempt in the city by providing free healing to the population once a week</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wizards could get the same deal by providing a certain amount of enchanted items per year</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">And so on and so on. </li> </ul>There are hundreds of ways to mitigate the cost of magic that would provide vast benefits to individuals and society- beyond making a +1 sword. Heck, an eccentric, altruistic caster my provide some casting or creation services just because it makes a place nicer and more comfortable to live in.And the thing is, humans at least would do this. I'm not saying there would be a magical "industrial revolution"- that requires a seismic shift in societal thinking coupled with widespread, common "technological" advancement. Magic, at least in the rules as presented, is inherently personal in scope, and a limited daily resource. So that would bare magical factories churning our self-heating cooking pots. But even at a trickle of advancement, the cumulative affect would make a change in the world.</blockquote>

Verification