Modern magic? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Modern magic? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aleolus
08-29-07, 02:31 AM OK, here's an idea I had, and I'm wanting to get some opinions on it. Modern day, real world setting (read, no magic), 1st level, any class (with the promise that spellcasters will get spells, just not right away), only human.

The storyline is basically the way the real world is. Magic is nothing more than a myth, with science and technology ruling as the strong power today (characters who start as Wizards will be considered Scientists, until magic actually shows up). Not too long after starting, however, something very odd happens, which occurs on a worldwide scale. All around the world, in an instant, people are transformed from normal people, into creatures with strange powers. Some become altered physically (race changing), others gain odd mystical powers (spells for classes like Sorcerer or Cleric), and so forth. The PCs are among those affected, however they were affected, and wind up gathering together to find out what is going on.

What is going on, which the PCs will have to find out for themselves, is that the heirs of 5 people, who's powers were sealed away before recorded history, in the age of magic, have found where their families powers were sealed and want them back. So they've started breaking the seals, resulting in returning magic to the world. The PCs will have to decide if they want to help them return magic to the world, and risk bringing back the dictators that their ancestors were, or if they want to reseal their powers, and take more steps to ensure the seals can't be broken again.

The main storyline is based off a comic I read at http://www.yoshsaga.com. I think it's a good idea, but I'd like other opinions.
Enchanter_Tom
08-30-07, 11:12 AM Sounds interesting, but, for a twist, I would encourage a twist or two.

1. It turns out that the ancestors--who weren't quite dead but sealed away with their power--want their powers more than the heirs do, and they don't care what is destroyed and who is killed in the process.

2. The ancestors were demonic in origin. By opening the seals, #1 occurs, or the powers granted to the heirs impregnate the heirs with a demonic seed that grows over time. Gradually, the heirs become more unstable as they become host to the spirit of the demon, and, at some point, the demons take over completely and begin performing bloody rituals to resurrect their original forms.

3. The ancestors get annoyed when, upon returning to their previous forms, they realize that their host bodies still contain some of their power. Go to #1.
Aleolus
08-30-07, 01:24 PM Good ideas, I'll think about them.

Anyone else have any ideas/suggestions?
taradusis
08-30-07, 07:42 PM I would consider getting D20 Urban Arcana,that way you don't spend to much time re-inventing the wheel.The msrd is downloadable for free and will help you to understand the Urban Arcana book.That said your campaign start seems perfectly acceptable.I might consider an Unlife bomb going off and creating a world of undead?Then the gods of magic come back and awaken the favored souls.RANDOM THOUGHTS.
soldyne
08-31-07, 03:37 PM will this become sort of a post apocolyptic setting? I can forsee that most people will start rioting, religious cults will begin to take power (perhaps worshiping D&D gods which turn out to be real, and now that they have growing numbers of followers will start to regain lost power).

also with monsters and undead walking around it would be very difficult to maintain society as we know it today. of course this is just how I would handle it. how do you plan on the world reacting to this?
Aleolus
08-31-07, 11:05 PM Well, hopefully the PCs will deal with the issue before it gets to that point, otherwise anarchy would reign for quite a while before someone could settle them down.
PerennialRook
09-01-07, 06:48 AM Instead of a world shattering event, you might have it happen more gradually. Have a veil slowly lifted, where people gain abilities as if they always had them. Thus all of the powerful monsters are already in power, and the changes become more dynamic.
Aleolus
09-02-07, 01:15 PM What I had in mind was that the changes gradually occured suddenly.

Yes, I do know what I'm talking about. What happens is that there are strange waves that go around the entire world instantly, and every wave adds more magic to the world. They're invisible, intangible, odorless, tasteless and inaudible, making them completely undetectable to everything. However, the effects of them are not. The effects, however, start off with gradual changes, that then get greater and more pronounced as more waves occur. The first wave only brings about slight changes (converting a few humans into Elves, bringing about weak magic (0-1st level spells), letting the weakest of beings travel the planes, etc), but each subsequent wave brings bigger and bigger stuff (higher level spells, more pronounced changes, opening up larger gateways for extraplanar beings, etc).
Aleolus
09-07-07, 02:40 AM OK, I've been coming up with professions and the like for the classes in the modern day. Here's what I've got.

Barbarian: Hired thug (bodyguard, bouncer, etc)
Bard: Any performer
Cleric: Priests, or other holy men of their religions
Druid: Any job closely linked to animals (Zookeeper, veterinarian, etc)
Fighter and Ranger: Military mostly, though some in law enforcement
Paladin: Emergency responce (Police, firefighters, etc) mostly, with some in the military
Wizard: Scientist
Monk: Varying belts of different martial arts schools.

Can't think of one for Sorcerer, anyone have any ideas? Also, any other base classes you can think of a modern day version of would be appreciated!
JulesCARV
09-07-07, 03:04 AM A wide-eyed young man looks at you, seeming to pick you out from the gawking crowds surrounding the masoleum. "You imperialists," he says, grasping a hammer and sickle necklace that hangs around his neck with one hand while he points an accusatory finger at you with the other, "thought you could kill socialism. You did not realize that the idea cannot die while the proletariat still suffers under your yoke."

Cheers of celebration erupt from the masoleum.

"And now our clerics have reanimated Vladimir Lenin himself as a mighty mummy lord," the young man says, "we will not be stopped again. You are too late, and the wheel of history has already turned."
JulesCARV
09-07-07, 03:36 AM Personally, I'd see modern day occultists (wiccans who are into that sort of thing, etc) as being more apt to become wizards than scientists. What does a biochemist who studies the diffusion of flourescent-dyed molecules across cell membranes know about casting disguise self? Occultists, though ineffective in real life since magic doesn't exist, at least do things which might be interpretted as relevant to wizardry, studying spells and such. Of course, many occultist types aren't all that bright (not necessarily dumber than most of us -- just not necessarily smarter either), but the fraction who are smart might become good wizards.

It would also be interesting to see the dynamics of turning people regarded as delusional losers by most other people into people who wield actual magical power they previously only fantasized about. I frankly don't anticipate things being pretty.
Aleolus
09-07-07, 12:06 PM Ah, but this starts off non-magical, therefore the occultists would not have any magic or spells or anything. The logic I used behind putting Magicians as Scientists is that they basically do the same thing, they just use different methods. Magicians study magic and develop new spells through experimentation. Scientists study science and tech, and develop new ideas based on hypothesizes and experimentation. The only difference between the two is the presence or absence of magic.
JulesCARV
09-07-07, 08:10 PM A scientist could become a wizard, but I don't really see them as having a head start on anyone else of comparable intelligence and determination. Then again, it's your campaign.
Aleolus
09-08-07, 03:22 AM *shrug* It just seemed logical to me. Besides, I'm trying to think up professions that would be equivilent to classes, and occultist is not a profession.
The9Circles
09-08-07, 04:06 PM *shrug* It just seemed logical to me. Besides, I'm trying to think up professions that would be equivilent to classes, and occultist is not a profession.

For some of the nuttier ones it is. =) Maybe make some of the Wiccas = sorcerers and Ocultists = Warlock?
Mariko
09-08-07, 11:09 PM For some of the nuttier ones it is. =) Maybe make some of the Wiccas = sorcerers and Ocultists = Warlock?

ok, i'm gonna try not to get *****y, i don't want to be one of those crazy pagans who is always whining about being persecuted or whatever, but this is hitting a little close to home. wiccans would really be closer to druids, or clerics even, because our magick is more of the natural/divine nature than the arcane. I think sorcerors and wizards would be about the same, like scientists or whatever, just sorcerors would have more of a natural inclination or something. also, an "occultist" could be anyone who studies/practices occult practices, including wiccans, so i don't think they'd be separate categories. but i mean, its your campaign, do what you want.
sorry bout the rant.
The9Circles
09-09-07, 10:28 AM ok, i'm gonna try not to get *****y, i don't want to be one of those crazy pagans who is always whining about being persecuted or whatever, but this is hitting a little close to home. wiccans would really be closer to druids, or clerics even, because our magick is more of the natural/divine nature than the arcane. I think sorcerors and wizards would be about the same, like scientists or whatever, just sorcerors would have more of a natural inclination or something. also, an "occultist" could be anyone who studies/practices occult practices, including wiccans, so i don't think they'd be separate categories. but i mean, its your campaign, do what you want.
sorry bout the rant.

OK, I've been coming up with professions and the like for the classes in the modern day. Here's what I've got.

Barbarian: Hired thug (bodyguard, bouncer, etc)
Bard: Any performer
Cleric: Priests, or other holy men of their religions
Druid: Any job closely linked to animals (Zookeeper, veterinarian, etc)
Fighter and Ranger: Military mostly, though some in law enforcement
Paladin: Emergency responce (Police, firefighters, etc) mostly, with some in the military
Wizard: Scientist
Monk: Varying belts of different martial arts schools.

Can't think of one for Sorcerer, anyone have any ideas? Also, any other base classes you can think of a modern day version of would be appreciated!

Do you see the Druid used in that list? Or Warlock?
I was just throwing a random idea out.

You seriously need to get over your issues and stop assuming the following:
1) Being a Pagan somehow makes you persecuted. Last time I checked no one is going around persecuting pagans of any denomination. You aren't being taken out in the streets and murdered. You're not being denied jobs. You're not being harassed by people whenever you go outside. You're not being dragged off the streets and arrested.

2) That I care enough about your religion to persecute those who believe in it or insult it. I do not dislike any religion enough to be bothered.
Mariko
09-09-07, 05:01 PM Do you see the Druid used in that list? Or Warlock?
I was just throwing a random idea out.

You seriously need to get over your issues and stop assuming the following:
1) Being a Pagan somehow makes you persecuted. Last time I checked no one is going around persecuting pagans of any denomination. You aren't being taken out in the streets and murdered. You're not being denied jobs. You're not being harassed by people whenever you go outside. You're not being dragged off the streets and arrested.

2) That I care enough about your religion to persecute those who believe in it or insult it. I do not dislike any religion enough to be bothered.

ok, you totally misunderstood what i was saying. i'm not saying that i'm being persecuted, that was the whole point of what i said at the beginning of my post. my point was, why would wiccans/occultists be considered different from priests or "holy men" of other religions. thats why i was saying it makes more sense for them to fall into the category of druid or cleric, since druids in real life are occultists, and its a religious thing, our magick being of a divine/natural nature, not arcane. thats all i meant. don't freak out.
btw, yes, i have been denied jobs, i've been to rituals where the police had to keep other people from harassing us, so don't tell me that stuff doesn't happen. just because you might not do it doesn't mean the world is so enlightened that things like that don't happen.
Aleolus
09-10-07, 02:07 AM Guys, lets not let this get into a war about being persecuted or not, lets try to stay on topic.

Now, I was asking about opinions, and Mariko has expressed his. If you have any opinions as to possible modern professions for the D&D classes, please express them. Thank you.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aleolus 08-29-07, 02:31 AM	OK, here's an idea I had, and I'm wanting to get some opinions on it. Modern day, real world setting (read, no magic), 1st level, any class (with the promise that spellcasters will get spells, just not right away), only human. The storyline is basically the way the real world is. Magic is nothing more than a myth, with science and technology ruling as the strong power today (characters who start as Wizards will be considered Scientists, until magic actually shows up). Not too long after starting, however, something very odd happens, which occurs on a worldwide scale. All around the world, in an instant, people are transformed from normal people, into creatures with strange powers. Some become altered physically (race changing), others gain odd mystical powers (spells for classes like Sorcerer or Cleric), and so forth. The PCs are among those affected, however they were affected, and wind up gathering together to find out what is going on. What is going on, which the PCs will have to find out for themselves, is that the heirs of 5 people, who's powers were sealed away before recorded history, in the age of magic, have found where their families powers were sealed and want them back. So they've started breaking the seals, resulting in returning magic to the world. The PCs will have to decide if they want to help them return magic to the world, and risk bringing back the dictators that their ancestors were, or if they want to reseal their powers, and take more steps to ensure the seals can't be broken again. The main storyline is based off a comic I read at http://www.yoshsaga.com. I think it's a good idea, but I'd like other opinions.
Enchanter_Tom 08-30-07, 11:12 AM	Sounds interesting, but, for a twist, I would encourage a twist or two. 1. It turns out that the ancestors--who weren't quite dead but sealed away with their power--want their powers more than the heirs do, and they don't care what is destroyed and who is killed in the process. 2. The ancestors were demonic in origin. By opening the seals, #1 occurs, or the powers granted to the heirs impregnate the heirs with a demonic seed that grows over time. Gradually, the heirs become more unstable as they become host to the spirit of the demon, and, at some point, the demons take over completely and begin performing bloody rituals to resurrect their original forms. 3. The ancestors get annoyed when, upon returning to their previous forms, they realize that their host bodies still contain some of their power. Go to #1.
Aleolus 08-30-07, 01:24 PM	Good ideas, I'll think about them. Anyone else have any ideas/suggestions?
taradusis 08-30-07, 07:42 PM	I would consider getting D20 Urban Arcana,that way you don't spend to much time re-inventing the wheel.The msrd is downloadable for free and will help you to understand the Urban Arcana book.That said your campaign start seems perfectly acceptable.I might consider an Unlife bomb going off and creating a world of undead?Then the gods of magic come back and awaken the favored souls.RANDOM THOUGHTS.
soldyne 08-31-07, 03:37 PM	will this become sort of a post apocolyptic setting? I can forsee that most people will start rioting, religious cults will begin to take power (perhaps worshiping D&D gods which turn out to be real, and now that they have growing numbers of followers will start to regain lost power). also with monsters and undead walking around it would be very difficult to maintain society as we know it today. of course this is just how I would handle it. how do you plan on the world reacting to this?
Aleolus 08-31-07, 11:05 PM	Well, hopefully the PCs will deal with the issue before it gets to that point, otherwise anarchy would reign for quite a while before someone could settle them down.
PerennialRook 09-01-07, 06:48 AM	Instead of a world shattering event, you might have it happen more gradually. Have a veil slowly lifted, where people gain abilities as if they always had them. Thus all of the powerful monsters are already in power, and the changes become more dynamic.
Aleolus 09-02-07, 01:15 PM	What I had in mind was that the changes gradually occured suddenly. Yes, I do know what I'm talking about. What happens is that there are strange waves that go around the entire world instantly, and every wave adds more magic to the world. They're invisible, intangible, odorless, tasteless and inaudible, making them completely undetectable to everything. However, the effects of them are not. The effects, however, start off with gradual changes, that then get greater and more pronounced as more waves occur. The first wave only brings about slight changes (converting a few humans into Elves, bringing about weak magic (0-1st level spells), letting the weakest of beings travel the planes, etc), but each subsequent wave brings bigger and bigger stuff (higher level spells, more pronounced changes, opening up larger gateways for extraplanar beings, etc).
Aleolus 09-07-07, 02:40 AM	OK, I've been coming up with professions and the like for the classes in the modern day. Here's what I've got. Barbarian: Hired thug (bodyguard, bouncer, etc) Bard: Any performer Cleric: Priests, or other holy men of their religions Druid: Any job closely linked to animals (Zookeeper, veterinarian, etc) Fighter and Ranger: Military mostly, though some in law enforcement Paladin: Emergency responce (Police, firefighters, etc) mostly, with some in the military Wizard: Scientist Monk: Varying belts of different martial arts schools. Can't think of one for Sorcerer, anyone have any ideas? Also, any other base classes you can think of a modern day version of would be appreciated!
JulesCARV 09-07-07, 03:04 AM	A wide-eyed young man looks at you, seeming to pick you out from the gawking crowds surrounding the masoleum. "You imperialists," he says, grasping a hammer and sickle necklace that hangs around his neck with one hand while he points an accusatory finger at you with the other, "thought you could kill socialism. You did not realize that the idea cannot die while the proletariat still suffers under your yoke." Cheers of celebration erupt from the masoleum. "And now our clerics have reanimated Vladimir Lenin himself as a mighty mummy lord," the young man says, "we will not be stopped again. You are too late, and the wheel of history has already turned."
JulesCARV 09-07-07, 03:36 AM	Personally, I'd see modern day occultists (wiccans who are into that sort of thing, etc) as being more apt to become wizards than scientists. What does a biochemist who studies the diffusion of flourescent-dyed molecules across cell membranes know about casting disguise self? Occultists, though ineffective in real life since magic doesn't exist, at least do things which might be interpretted as relevant to wizardry, studying spells and such. Of course, many occultist types aren't all that bright (not necessarily dumber than most of us -- just not necessarily smarter either), but the fraction who are smart might become good wizards. It would also be interesting to see the dynamics of turning people regarded as delusional losers by most other people into people who wield actual magical power they previously only fantasized about. I frankly don't anticipate things being pretty.
Aleolus 09-07-07, 12:06 PM	Ah, but this starts off non-magical, therefore the occultists would not have any magic or spells or anything. The logic I used behind putting Magicians as Scientists is that they basically do the same thing, they just use different methods. Magicians study magic and develop new spells through experimentation. Scientists study science and tech, and develop new ideas based on hypothesizes and experimentation. The only difference between the two is the presence or absence of magic.
JulesCARV 09-07-07, 08:10 PM	A scientist could become a wizard, but I don't really see them as having a head start on anyone else of comparable intelligence and determination. Then again, it's your campaign.
Aleolus 09-08-07, 03:22 AM	shrug It just seemed logical to me. Besides, I'm trying to think up professions that would be equivilent to classes, and occultist is not a profession.
The9Circles 09-08-07, 04:06 PM	shrug It just seemed logical to me. Besides, I'm trying to think up professions that would be equivilent to classes, and occultist is not a profession. For some of the nuttier ones it is. =) Maybe make some of the Wiccas = sorcerers and Ocultists = Warlock?
Mariko 09-08-07, 11:09 PM	For some of the nuttier ones it is. =) Maybe make some of the Wiccas = sorcerers and Ocultists = Warlock? ok, i'm gonna try not to get *****y, i don't want to be one of those crazy pagans who is always whining about being persecuted or whatever, but this is hitting a little close to home. wiccans would really be closer to druids, or clerics even, because our magick is more of the natural/divine nature than the arcane. I think sorcerors and wizards would be about the same, like scientists or whatever, just sorcerors would have more of a natural inclination or something. also, an "occultist" could be anyone who studies/practices occult practices, including wiccans, so i don't think they'd be separate categories. but i mean, its your campaign, do what you want. sorry bout the rant.
The9Circles 09-09-07, 10:28 AM	ok, i'm gonna try not to get *****y, i don't want to be one of those crazy pagans who is always whining about being persecuted or whatever, but this is hitting a little close to home. wiccans would really be closer to druids, or clerics even, because our magick is more of the natural/divine nature than the arcane. I think sorcerors and wizards would be about the same, like scientists or whatever, just sorcerors would have more of a natural inclination or something. also, an "occultist" could be anyone who studies/practices occult practices, including wiccans, so i don't think they'd be separate categories. but i mean, its your campaign, do what you want. sorry bout the rant. OK, I've been coming up with professions and the like for the classes in the modern day. Here's what I've got. Barbarian: Hired thug (bodyguard, bouncer, etc) Bard: Any performer Cleric: Priests, or other holy men of their religions Druid: Any job closely linked to animals (Zookeeper, veterinarian, etc) Fighter and Ranger: Military mostly, though some in law enforcement Paladin: Emergency responce (Police, firefighters, etc) mostly, with some in the military Wizard: Scientist Monk: Varying belts of different martial arts schools. Can't think of one for Sorcerer, anyone have any ideas? Also, any other base classes you can think of a modern day version of would be appreciated! Do you see the Druid used in that list? Or Warlock? I was just throwing a random idea out. You seriously need to get over your issues and stop assuming the following: 1) Being a Pagan somehow makes you persecuted. Last time I checked no one is going around persecuting pagans of any denomination. You aren't being taken out in the streets and murdered. You're not being denied jobs. You're not being harassed by people whenever you go outside. You're not being dragged off the streets and arrested. 2) That I care enough about your religion to persecute those who believe in it or insult it. I do not dislike any religion enough to be bothered.
Mariko 09-09-07, 05:01 PM	Do you see the Druid used in that list? Or Warlock? I was just throwing a random idea out. You seriously need to get over your issues and stop assuming the following: 1) Being a Pagan somehow makes you persecuted. Last time I checked no one is going around persecuting pagans of any denomination. You aren't being taken out in the streets and murdered. You're not being denied jobs. You're not being harassed by people whenever you go outside. You're not being dragged off the streets and arrested. 2) That I care enough about your religion to persecute those who believe in it or insult it. I do not dislike any religion enough to be bothered. ok, you totally misunderstood what i was saying. i'm not saying that i'm being persecuted, that was the whole point of what i said at the beginning of my post. my point was, why would wiccans/occultists be considered different from priests or "holy men" of other religions. thats why i was saying it makes more sense for them to fall into the category of druid or cleric, since druids in real life are occultists, and its a religious thing, our magick being of a divine/natural nature, not arcane. thats all i meant. don't freak out. btw, yes, i have been denied jobs, i've been to rituals where the police had to keep other people from harassing us, so don't tell me that stuff doesn't happen. just because you might not do it doesn't mean the world is so enlightened that things like that don't happen.
Aleolus 09-10-07, 02:07 AM	Guys, lets not let this get into a war about being persecuted or not, lets try to stay on topic. Now, I was asking about opinions, and Mariko has expressed his. If you have any opinions as to possible modern professions for the D&D classes, please express them. Thank you.