Low-Magic World: Spirits instead of Magic Items?

[Krieg]

Magic items in Midnight are very rare, so it would be a good fit in that regard. And I think it has a tinge of "grim" to it, so it'd fit the grim+gritty "Midnight" flavor well.

...especially when you take into account the fact that spirits of the dead don't move on to a different plane, therefore they have to go somewhere.

 

[Gez]

If magic takes talking to a spirit to get it done than it's still lower than the DnD, 'Yep, works every time,' style.

In term of practicality, maybe. In term of immersion? A sword sheathed in flames is in my opinion less fantastical than a sword sheathed in flames wich sasses at you.

 

[Aeric]

The Stormbringer game by Chaosium handled magic in a similar fashion. Sorcerers in that game didn't create effects directly with spells, they summoned demons (spirits) and commanded them to create the effect. They also bound demons into items such as rings and swords, effectively creating magic items. It makes for a nice alternative magic system.

 

[barsoomcore]

Very, very good idea. Consider it yoinked.

 

[ptolemy18]

Whether the spirits were more or less quiet or whether they spent all their time arguing with/trying to control the characters is up to the individual DM, I guess. Maybe when they possess an item they sort of lose their individual consciousness? But obviously this couldn't be permanent, or it'd spoil some of the potential ideas.

I think one of the main questions with this idea is "How hard is it for the spirits to actually manifest in the physical world?". I don't have my BOOK OF VILE DARKNESS handy, so I don't remember its rules on the subject, but I seem to remember that the idea is that the spirits are on the astral plane while they're possessing stuff and can't easily bust through to the other side and kick ass. There's still a way they can do it for that "whoa cool" special occasion, unless I remember incorrectly, but it'd have to be rare.... I think the DM would want it to be rare, since a player having an 18,000 gp demon-possessed magic item is a lot easier to handle than a player commanding a 9 HD demon.

First stage of introduction into my campaign: a Chaos-Beast-possessed sword.

Jason

 

[hong]

See Magic of Rokugan, chapter on Nemuranai.

Also: http://www.zipworld.com.au/~hong/dnd/imbued_magic.htm

 

[jonesy]

Makes me think of Morrowind and Daedra souls.

 

[Silver Jester]

Hi, long time listener, first time caller. I think you should take a look at the Akari Spirits (Eyes of God and Devil's Armor) novels by John Marco. He presents a magic system pretty much in line with yours in those. Good idea, by the way.