Put a number on free will (magic)

[Cerbie]

I've got a system going well for classless skill-based magic (and metamagic-like effects on good rolls). After giving up on complex point-based systems, it was pretty easy .

Enchantments, however, lack solid numbers with which I can compare other spells. So basically, I'm fishing for ideas on how to classify, and figure out the magnitude of, magical infringements on free will.

 

[Verequus]

I doubt that you will any see an useful post, if you don't make your system available to others. For example, scaling alone is impossible, because for this a comparison is needed.

 

[Arkhandus]

What do you mean by "lack solid numbers by which to compare"? Are you trying to make some Enchantment spell-skill that does something vaguely like dooms the subject if your skill check beats their Will save by less than 4, dazes the subject if you win by 4-6, charms them if you beat their save by 7-9, compels a suggestion upon them if you win by 10-12 points, or dominates them if you succeed by 13+ points? Vaguely speaking I mean...... As in a spell-skill that scales in effect based on how much you succeed by, or do you mean making skills that produce varying degrees of the same effect based on what DC you roll against and beat, or something else altogether? Your initial description is entirely too short and unclear for us to really comment on effectively.

 

[Cerbie]

OK, here's what I've got so far:
1. I'll be using a WP/VP system, spending VP for magic.
2. There are currently four magic-specific skills:
Presence
Empathy
Charge
Discharge

Magic used will have a power level and difficulty class, based on minimum features. I haven't decided whether to go with DCs or not, as just dividing rolls by 5 (rounding down), and using the small number, will probably be easier in play--it pretty much amounts to the same thing. Anyway, the associated skill will be rolled. If meeting the difficulty class, the effect goes off; if it is not met, nothing happens. If going above it, the effect can be enhanced, effectively spending the extra.

So, a basic fireball, because nobody can get tied of those :
Skill: charge
Time: 1 action
Range: long (+3)
Area: radius 20ft (+1)
Effect: fire damage in area (d6).
Save: reflex half

Range
Touch or self are nothing.
Touch and self will add 1 to the power level.
Close adds 1.
Medium adds 1 more.
Long adds 1 more.

Area
Single target is nothing.
Cone adds 1.
20ft radius adds 1.
40ft radius adds 1 more.
...haven't gotten beyond that.

Save: all fire area of effect spells will be reflex for half.

Damage:
Minimum dice/bonuses will be based on ranks in the associated skill. I'm currently working with +1 per two ranks (though that may be too much for low levels).
For increases, 2 dice per power level.

Cost:
I haven't come to a real decision. I'm not sure whether to make for blanket costs, or make more powerful stuff cost more, but have reasonable DCs. Making the cost equal to the base power level would work, but with the DCs as well, doesn't make things too good for the players.

DC:
(power level - 1)*5.

So, let's say a level five character with all that can be put into the charge skill:
8 ranks, 4 base dice.
Taking a +10 for the skill as a whole, the spell will typically go off (72.5%), and usually with some added effect to spare. With a modified 20, that's 5 more than the required, so there could be one power level worth of effect added. Two more dice(4d6->6d6) or more area (20ft->40ft), in this case (I haven't decided if adding to the DC should be allowed w/o a feat).

The above's actual stats aren't set in stone (though they appear to work quite well, ATM), of course.

How would this be applied to enchantments that affect the behavior of a target? Ultimately, such enchantments directly affect the target's ability to exercise free will. Yet, in what way or ways is that, for example, Suggestion is that much more powerful than Charm Person? For the most part, a Charisma check seems to be most of the two-level difference.