Spellbinding: Magic technique used anywhere?

[taliesin15]

For want of a better word, the notion of Spellbinding seems entirely absent from AD&D and other RPGs. Let me explain: in heroic and fantasy literature, perhaps even historical RW, you have many examples where a group of magic-users (not limited to class from what I can tell) bind or combine their energies together to foment a much stronger blend of magic. It seems to me that this is a glaring omission, but then again maybe I've missed something. I can easily imagine groups of like minded clerics, druids or mages working together, and maybe even blends of them. Examples of this abound--from Marion Zimmer Bradley to even the EE "Doc"Smith Lensman series (though whether one would call it "magic" in a space opera conceit is hard to say).

Anyhow, does anyone know of a d20 mechanic already worked out (before I house rule my own version) to accomplish this, and further, why this sort of thing isn't fairly common (other than the obvious, that d20 games tend to be individual-centric).

 

[IcyCool]

Anyhow, does anyone know of a d20 mechanic already worked out (before I house rule my own version) to accomplish this, and further, why this sort of thing isn't fairly common (other than the obvious, that d20 games tend to be individual-centric).

The Red Wizard PrC's Circle magic, mitigating factors in Epic Spellcasting, and at least one Sorcerer/Wizard spell in the PHB (8th level Enchantment spell, Binding).

 

[ruleslawyer]

Two of (the, IMHO, best) d20 magic systems out there use the concept of cooperative magic: Elements of Magic and True Sorcery. IIRC, so does the Conan system, but IDHTBIFOM.

 

[BlackMoria]

In FR, the Witches of Rashemen and the Red Wizards can use Circle Magic (a form of cooperative magic).

Building Mythals and other instances of Elven High Magic and Epic Magic also are forms of cooperative magic (also found in various FR sourcebooks). So instances of cooperative or collabrative magic rules do exist

 

[Nyaricus]

Anyhow, does anyone know of a d20 mechanic already worked out (before I house rule my own version) to accomplish this, and further, why this sort of thing isn't fairly common (other than the obvious, that d20 games tend to be individual-centric).

Red Wizard Circle Magic in Forgotten Realms bears a close resemblence to this.

The Red Wizard is in the DMG (3.5e) and in the FRCS.

IIRC, there are also some other less common forms of magic in Faerun which can be made more powerful with multiple 'helpers', per se.

 

[Aaron L]

The Cooperative Spell metamagic feat, although it pretty much sucks.

 

[Starglim]

Relics and Rituals has combined ritual magic.