Low Magic Settings?

[Akrasia]

Low magic can be two things: you can have pseudo-historical low magic, like Hârn or something like that. Real Medieval fantasy. Or you can have a variant of low magic I like to call "scary magic." I think there's actually more scary magic in print than simple low magic these days. Conan, Dark Legacies, Midnight, etc. all qualify, I think, as scary magic.

That's a useful distinction.

For 'pseudo-historical low magic' I'd vote for Warhammer. For 'scary magic' I'd vote for Conan.

 

[Funeris]

The Valus

 

[Red Spire Press]

For 'scary magic' I'd vote for Conan.

You want scary magic? All spells (and magic in general) in Dark Legacies are demonic in origin, and their flavor, casting processes (all of which are detailed), and components make that very clear. Spellcasting is extremely difficult and risky. Even if cast successfuly, all spells inflict various types of casting strain, from nonlethal damage to permanent ability drain (which cannot be restored in Dark Legacies), as well as corrupting taint. Should a spell go awry... well then, all hell breaks loose (sometimes literally). Here's a summary of the spell failure side effect names:

Abyssal Portal (out pops a demon)
Amnesia
Annihilation (very bad for you)
Area Shock
Backlash
Broken Bondage (carrying a demonic item? watch the bound demon within it suddenly break free)
Cascade (very bad for everyone else)
Chain Reaction (multiple very bad things)
Harmless Effect (though you may smell funny afterwards)
Internal Effect (potentially a source of comic relief)
Opposite Effect (^^^even more so)
Possession
Permanent Drain
Sensory Overload
Sickened
Stunned
System Shock
Unconsciousness

 

[GlassJaw]

All spells (and magic in general) in Dark Legacies are demonic in origin, and their flavor, casting processes (all of which are detailed), and components make that very clear.

Man, I have to get this book.

 

[Funeris]

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Mark Plemmons]

How would you say it's Low magic. One thing I was wondering as I was poking around in the setting is the what the ratio of arcanist levels compared to other classes, and what is the general level ratio to the rest of the world.

i.e.
Are there more 15th level fighters than 15th level wizards?
Are there fewer 15th level PCs/NPCs in the world than, say Greyhawk?
What level does the big drop-off occur?

I wonder about these things so that I can make some scale adjustments in my mind about the world so that it remains consistent. (I know, I know, all this is up to me as the GM, I just want to get some idea from the publishers as to their intent.)

The Kingdoms of Kalamar campaign setting supplement (the world book) lists all the major NPCs. These are the highest-level NPCs listed over 15th level. There are no Epic characters (like Forgotten Realms' Elminster, for example). So, this is every high-level NPC in the entire setting unless the DM wants to add somone more powerful.

15th level aristocrat: 5
16th level aristocrat: 4
17th level aristocrat: 2
18th level aristocrat: 1
19th level aristocrat: 1

18th level barbarian: 1

15th level fighter: 2
16th level fighter: 1
17th level fighter: 1
19th level fighter: 1

16th level rogue: 1

15th level divine spellcasters: 5
16th level divine spellcasters: 5
17th level divine spellcasters: 1
18th level divine spellcasters: 1
19th level divine spellcasters: 4
20th level divine spellcasters: 1

15th level arcane spellcasters: 2
16th level arcane spellcasters: 5
17th level arcane spellcasters: 1
18th level arcane spellcasters: 2
20th level arcane spellcaster: 1

Most of the arcane spellcasters keep to themselves (studying, not adventuring), while the divine spellcasters are usually running a temple. Both types of spellcasters also serve as "boosts" to the real powers - the aristocrats. After all, if you're a 5th level aristocrat with a wizard advisor, a handful of really skilled fighters, several dozen pretty good guards and several thousand average soldiers, your main threat is an invading army, not Joe Adventurer or Jim NPC.

 

[catsclaw227]

The Kingdoms of Kalamar campaign setting supplement (the world book) lists all the major NPCs. These are the highest-level NPCs listed over 15th level. There are no Epic characters (like Forgotten Realms' Elminster, for example). So, this is every high-level NPC in the entire setting unless the DM wants to add somone more powerful.

As PCs raise in level, though, I imagine that some of these NPCs might as well, especially the rogues and fighters. Is this the case?

Not that we need super-duper high level guys, just that it seems that they aren't just sitting there silent and static.

Also what kind of magic item levels are there? I hate "magic shops" and I believe that most magic items over +1 are unique and have some special history and characteristic. Is this how it is in Kalamar?

Most of the arcane spellcasters keep to themselves (studying, not adventuring), while the divine spellcasters are usually running a temple. Both types of spellcasters also serve as "boosts" to the real powers - the aristocrats. After all, if you're a 5th level aristocrat with a wizard advisor, a handful of really skilled fighters, several dozen pretty good guards and several thousand average soldiers, your main threat is an invading army, not Joe Adventurer or Jim NPC.

I get what you mean. Then is it safe to assume that a great portion of the RPing at higher levels is political/national/warlike?

 

[Desdichado]

Man, I have to get this book.

No . I'm with you 100% on that sentiment.

 

[catsclaw227]

Man, I have to get this book.

I picked up the first book from a fellow enworlder here in the trading forum just a few days ago. I am hotly anticipating it's arrival.

I really want to get the next book too, but I guess we must wait another week for it's release.

 

[tetsujin28]

Man, I have to get this book.

I've thought about crossing it with Iron Heroes. Though as mentioned above, I don't think it really qualifies as 'low' magic, but rather as 'scary' magic.