Two questions to DMs

[Plecak]

Hello everybody,

My first question is as follows:

When building your own worlds, do you try to come up with some logical explanations for how arcane/divine magic works (of course logical with regard to the world itself)? Especially I am concerned about some explanations underpining spell effects.

For example:
Fireball spell could be possibly viewed as a creation of a small rift to the elemental plane of fire through which a some amount of element progresses to Material Plane.

How do you handle this?

My first question is as follows:

Do you try to explain sources of special abilities of creatures in your worlds?

Thanx in advance.

 

[Epametheus]

1st. It's magic. Magic pervades everything, but your faith, your learning, or your bloodline gives you some means of control over it. What the spell does is far more important than how.

2nd. Creatures are able to do whatever they do simply because of what the they. We don't seek to explain why dragons have breath weapons or many outsiders can teleport, though we do come up with explanations for home-brew monsters.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

When building your own worlds, do you try to come up with some logical explanations for how arcane/divine magic works (of course logical with regard to the world itself)? Especially I am concerned about some explanations underpining spell effects.

For example:
Fireball spell could be possibly viewed as a creation of a small rift to the elemental plane of fire through which a some amount of element progresses to Material Plane.

How do you handle this?

I don't. Mainly because "the spell creates a rift to the Elemental Plane of Fire, allowing a portion of that flame to pass through to the Material Plane" isn't any more logical or believable to me than "the spell makes a little bead appear, shoot over to where you point, and explode in a ball of fire."

Do you try to explain sources of special abilities of creatures in your worlds?

Do you mean something along the lines of "what makes the troll regenerate?" No. It's a magical creature. The magic makes it regenerate. I don't find a need to try and develop some kind of pseudo-scientific explanation for magic.

At least, that's my take on it.

 

[Beholder Bob]

1....do you...come up with...logical explanations for how...magic works
2....concerned about some explanations underpining spell effects.
3....explain sources of special abilities of creatures in your worlds?

1) Yes. I prefer to have the rough mechanics worked out. Once the players know it and that you follow it, it can become a tool to use in game - rather then the lame 'well, it does because it is magical'

2) Yes. What you describe (opening a gate to the plane of fire) would be a conjuration in my game. Evocations cause reactions between objects. Conjuration brings in from elsewhere. Transmutation alters what is. Yada yada.

3) Yes. Though, some creatures are tougher then others to explain.

*) You do not have to do this, 98% of the players will not notice nor care. If you chose to make an internally logical magic system, you do it to satisfy your own passions, not those of the players. I do it - but I enjoy the task and it allows me to make magic feel like a part of nature in my game, rather then an eclectic grab bag of special effects. I'd do it even if the players didn't notice.


BB