Looking for a magic system . . .

[Dannyalcatraz]

HERO system!

Ah..you mean for D20. Well, HERO still has an answer for you- the Focus.

Foci in HERO are a little different from those in D20. They are sources, enhancers, or conduits for powers. Using that concept in D20 would involve creating magic items that allow a PC use a feat or feats as if they had taken it. If the focus is stolen or lost, the ability to use those feats embodied in the object are also lost- much like a Ranger donning Full Plate and losing his 2WF ability.

Example: if you wanted to create a mage who had access to ALL of the Energy Substitution feats, he would make (or have made for him, or go on a quest for) "The Lens of the Elements," a concave lens of black opal set in platinum which would allow the spellcaster to change the elemental nature of a spell he is casting as he casts it through the lens. (Details up to the DM & player creating the item.) Perhaps, instead, it would allow use of the feat Energy Admixture.

If the player is serious about it, have him take the Feat Craft Wonderous Item, a few craft skills (like metalworking or glassblowing) and start turning out the Foci!

*sigh*...I miss Austin & Dragon's Lair. So few places like it in D/FW- and you have to drive forever to find them.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

The Black Company Campaign Setting uses feats for access to spells that is pretty unique. Each spell is essentially a feat, and the caster can change aspects about the spell to make it more effective as you go up in levels. It has some serious balance problems, so you may wish to amp up the effects, drop the drain, and decrease the casting times to make it more viable in conjunction with the rest of the party.

Green Ronin is releasing the magic system of BC as an independant system usable with standard d20, first thing in the new year.
I'm looking very much forward to it!

 

[Griffonsec]

You could also try the Powered by Spycraft version of Dark Inheritance by Mythic Dreams. It's based on Spycraft 1.0, but you can find an update to the 2.0 rules at: http://www.alderac.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27928 It's under section 5, The Craft. It will also serve as a good intoduction to the system to see if it's what you are looking for.

Basically you have two classes. One casts spells from a focus item, a staff or the like. Spell casting is a skill that, along with feats, allows you to cast spells the equivalent of DnD spells level 1-5.

The second class is somewhat clerical in nature who serves as their own ocus item. They don't need an object to cast spells.

 

[philreed]

Phil, in case it helps, I'll shoot you a copy of Mythic Earth. It's feat/skills-based, where there are 10 magical skills, and different feats give you 1 or more of the skills as class skills. I know it's not quite what you're looking for, but it might help.

Thank you. Unfortunately, each time I try to open the file Acrobat Reader tells me that it's corrupt.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Sorry for the hijack

Hey Mouse! Are you or Phil going to annouce your Witch PDF? I've been waiting so I can ask a question.

The question is: How does it compare / contrast to the Green Ronin Witch that I am already using? If you answer in the Publisher thread, I'll look there as well.

Very shortly now--soon as it's up on the EN store, in fact.

Any/all questions will be accepted at that time.