What's in a (Spell) Name? - Poll

[Invisible Stalker]

I'd like to keep the name spells already listed kept as a nod to the game's past. I would not extend the list except for a PC spell creation.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Eff yes! Keep the names and the nostalgia, as they're a link to the past and deep history of D&D, and a great hint for the DM -- change the names when you want to tailor spells to your campaign.

In my campaigns I always let player name spells they created after their PCs ... and those names would like on even after the original PC died.

 

[Lanefan]

In my campaigns I always let player name spells they created after their PCs ... and those names would like on even after the original PC died.

We've even changed a few spell names to honour characters who had nothing to do with their creation.

Example: in some 2e supplement or other there's a spell called Presper's Moonbow. Well, we've never heard of Presper; but we once had a character round here named Paxper - and it's been Paxper's Moonbow ever since.

Lan-"and I don't think Paxper was even the right class to use the spell"-efan

 

[mkill]

The spell names are quirky, but in a good way. Sure, there are other settings... But these can just invent their own iconic Wizards and spell name. Wouldn't mind an Elminsters something something in the Realms. In fact, it's rather surprising if there is no spell named after the guy.

And it's not like we don't have that in the real world: the Rittberger, the Tesla coil, Ampere and Ohm, Curium, Murphy's and Godwin's Law, Rickrolling, the sandwich, JFK Airport, Chewbacca Defense, Mt. Everest, Washington DC, the Kalashnikov...

 

[Tony Vargas]

A lot of people have disliked the "implied setting" concept of 4e, with "Bael Turath" and "Arkhosia" and other things floating around in the core fluff and crunch.

Did they feel the same way about Greyhawk being the default setting in 3.5? Or spell names, artifacts, and the like implying history in AD&D?

 

[Hassassin]

Did they feel the same way about Greyhawk being the default setting in 3.5? Or spell names, artifacts, and the like implying history in AD&D?

It annoyed me that they spent at least 40 pages of 3.5 PHB and DMG on setting specific stuff like gods, cosmology and prestige classes. Names in spells or items are just one word.

 

[Starfox]

Because sorcerers have to learn their spells too. They might not need to memorize them each day but until they choose the spells they know they can't cast them.

IMC Sorcerers "find" their spells on the astral plane - this is an automatic, subconscious process. But the spell has to be there, has to be designed. You cannot find a spell (astral construct) that hasn't been shaped yet.

There is a lot of Earthdawn/Shadowrun in this view.