Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silveras" data-source="post: 1543734" data-attributes="member: 6271">It is not just about who can directly pay for the action, or how easily. It is about the fact that such spells are available for those who choose to use them that causes the social changes. People today cannot afford their medical bills... but their families insist on going into debt to pay for them, neighborhoods hold fund-raisers, charities donate the necessary funds, and so on. The availability of such magic would encourage the same kinds of behaviors in the game world. Consider... if raise dead/resurrection/true resurrection are available...<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The custom of weregild takes on a whole new meaning. In the real world, people paid a cash penalty for accidental maiming or death of another. In a world where raise dead, etc., are available, the weregild could be extended to raising the cash for the necessary spell. Whole families and clans would be expected to contribute, and could be bankrupted to pay for an accidental death. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">In the case of a murder, the laws might well require the convicted person to liquidate all assets toward bringing the victim back to life. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The inheritance traditions of the poor usually reflect those of the wealthy. The wealthy might generate a tradition like a 10% resurrection rule (liquidate 10% of the assets; if it is enough for a raise dead/resurrection/true resurrection, then one is performed). </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The inclusion of a stipulation "I do/do not want to be raised if I am killed" might become a standard part of the wills of the wealthy. In the case where such a clause is missing, it might become tradition to assume the dead want to be raised, or it could just as likely become tradition to assume they do not want to be raised (influenced by the general alignment of the population). </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Burial rites could take on ancient-Egyptian-like aspects, with more liberal use of Gentle Repose spells. A whole side industry in permanent gentle repose shrouds or the like would not be far-fetched. Certainly, the wealthier nobles would be likely to fund the research.</li> </ul>The blacksmith in your example raises another interesting point. People have to agree to be raised in order to come back; very few would be willing to risk 5,000 gp in diamonds on the chance that the recipient would say "No". So, there would also be customs for indicating your preference before you die, and about assuming a Yes or No answer if there is no specific indication. Perhaps all accidental deaths/murders are supposed to at least try a raise dead, while all old age/natural causes deaths are supposed not to. In short, the implications of having the spells around go far beyond simply who can pay for them.</blockquote>

Verification