magic for idiots

[alsih2o]

would you ever allow any class to have access to magic under limited circumstances?

i found this fantastic fluffy history page- http://www.shee-eire.com/Magic&Mythology/Spells&Charms/main.htm and it describes several magic "charms"

for instance, how to go invisible "Gather the dandelion plant on the first full moon after the flower-heads have appeared. Call on the powers of the Goddess Bridget and ask her to grant your wish to be invisible. Walk three times right-hand wise around a sacred well. Scatter the dandelion plant around the well as you walk wishing all the time to be invisible."

now that is pretty limiting. would you let it work? would you let it work if you used shambling mound teeth instead?

or this, for finding stolen goods- "Place two keys in a sieve cross ways. Two people hold the sieve while another makes a crossed sign on the forehead of the suspected thief, calling out their name loudly three times. If the person is innocent the keys will remain stationary; but if the person is guilty the keys will start to revolve slowly round the sieve."

would you allow this type of magic in your world?

would you have an interest in a world where this type of magic was available to all and only npc's were spellcasters? a world where many of the spells in the phb could be cast by almost anyone if they have knowledge of the right lore and harder to get ingrediennts or narrower times when the spells can be cast?

 

[fusangite]

Clay,

I'd answer 'yes' to all of your questions. But I sure wouldn't use a D20 system for this kind of magic; I would use a magic system that could be designed from the ground up.

 

[Chroma]

Well, that sounds like people using Knowledge: Arcana to perform magic... I suppose there could be some Knowledge: Religion in there as well. It could be skill based magic, you just need the know-how!

 

[Varianor Abroad]

would you ever allow any class to have access to magic under limited circumstances?
...
would you allow this type of magic in your world?

would you have an interest in a world where this type of magic was available to all and only npc's were spellcasters? a world where many of the spells in the phb could be cast by almost anyone if they have knowledge of the right lore and harder to get ingrediennts or narrower times when the spells can be cast?

Provocative question. I second what Fusangite said. Many players would not however like this to be restricted to NPCs no matter what the system.

Then again, how is this different from Use Magic Device to activate a wand, scroll, or magic item? Or in many circumstances drinking a potion, using a blade oil, or having a temporary charmed item? The main difference is that it doesn't require a skill but it has a lot more detail and time involved to gather ingredients and make it happen. So I guess I could see doing it in regular D&D.

 

[alsih2o]

i am thinking that this magic would not be limited ot pc's. onl;y wizards and sorcerers would be npc only. maybe clerics too.

for pc's magic is always this complex

 

[Dirigible]

Midnight, anyone?