This idea just struck me, and I may never get to use it, but it is cool none the less: I'm imagining a campaign about the supernatural, but having actual supernatural elements quite rare. There are mad wizards and secret cabals, shadow demons and rune-covered blades of power--but not a whole damn many, even though those that do exist are the focus of the campaign.
EVERY player character would have spellcasting ability, and they would all have access to EVERY spell. However, in order to cast a spell, they must spend a number of Hero Points equal to the spell's level. They may take a point of temporary ability damage to Int, Wis, or Cha in place of a hero point, or a point of permanent damage to one of the mental scores in place of three hero points. The character's total level would count as their caster level, and the best of their three ability score modifiers would be added to the spell's DC. The maximum spell level that a character is capable of casting is equal to their character level, capped at 5. 1 temporary Ability point or Hero point is enough to cast two 0 level spells.
I'm also thinking a Smart Hero talent tree that lets a character specialize with a few spells, and a Charismatic Hero talent tree that gives you a few free levels of spells per day. Somethign like
Internalize Spell: The Smart Hero may choose one level 1 or two level 0 spells. Whenever they cast these spells, they may make an Intelligence check (DC 21), to which their Smart Hero level applies as a bonus. If they succeed at this check, they do not have to pay Hero Points or temporary Ability points to cast the spell.
Internalize Greater Spell: As Internalize Spell. However, you may choose a level 2 spell, and the DC to cast it without expenditure is 23. Prerequisites: Internalize Spell.
Internalize Powerful Spell: As Internalize Spell. However, you may choose a level 3 spell, and the DC to cast it without expenditure is 25. Prerequisites: Internalize Greater Spell.
Fuel Spell: The Charismatic Hero may cast 1 level of spells per day without spending Hero Points or Ability Points. 0 level spells count as if they were 1/2 level for the purposes of this talent.
Extra Fuel: You may cast 1 additional level of spells per day, for a total of 2 levels. Prerequisites: Fuel Spell.
Tremendous Spell Fuel: You may cast 1 additional level of spells per day, for a total of 3 levels. Prerequisites: Extra Fuel.
Or maybe those would be better off as feats..?
Thanks,
--Jeff
EVERY player character would have spellcasting ability, and they would all have access to EVERY spell. However, in order to cast a spell, they must spend a number of Hero Points equal to the spell's level. They may take a point of temporary ability damage to Int, Wis, or Cha in place of a hero point, or a point of permanent damage to one of the mental scores in place of three hero points. The character's total level would count as their caster level, and the best of their three ability score modifiers would be added to the spell's DC. The maximum spell level that a character is capable of casting is equal to their character level, capped at 5. 1 temporary Ability point or Hero point is enough to cast two 0 level spells.
I'm also thinking a Smart Hero talent tree that lets a character specialize with a few spells, and a Charismatic Hero talent tree that gives you a few free levels of spells per day. Somethign like
Internalize Spell: The Smart Hero may choose one level 1 or two level 0 spells. Whenever they cast these spells, they may make an Intelligence check (DC 21), to which their Smart Hero level applies as a bonus. If they succeed at this check, they do not have to pay Hero Points or temporary Ability points to cast the spell.
Internalize Greater Spell: As Internalize Spell. However, you may choose a level 2 spell, and the DC to cast it without expenditure is 23. Prerequisites: Internalize Spell.
Internalize Powerful Spell: As Internalize Spell. However, you may choose a level 3 spell, and the DC to cast it without expenditure is 25. Prerequisites: Internalize Greater Spell.
Fuel Spell: The Charismatic Hero may cast 1 level of spells per day without spending Hero Points or Ability Points. 0 level spells count as if they were 1/2 level for the purposes of this talent.
Extra Fuel: You may cast 1 additional level of spells per day, for a total of 2 levels. Prerequisites: Fuel Spell.
Tremendous Spell Fuel: You may cast 1 additional level of spells per day, for a total of 3 levels. Prerequisites: Extra Fuel.
Or maybe those would be better off as feats..?
Thanks,
--Jeff
