Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Romulus LoneWolf 01-24-04, 09:00 AM	All right, I know everyone's tired of the idea of Wizards Memorizing, then forgetting the spells they cast from their spellbooks. And so am I. But rather then dump Spell Preperation, I simply have a better explanation for it, gleamed from authentic spellcasting practices by real world "mages" (aka the neo-pagans). My reasoning is this: casting a spell in battle isn't really the act of casting the actual spell, it's just using it. The -Real- casting occurs back when the wizard spends about an hour or less to prepare them. The "Preperation" isn't just the wizard sitting with his open spellbook, reading and memorizing the spell in his mind. It's the wizard sitting with his open spellbook, having traced a magic circle on the ground in which he places his material components, calling out ancient Names of Power and beseeching mysterious entities of magic to empower him with the ability to use the requested spells, which they then become able to use at any time during the day... In short, Spell Preperation becomes Ritual Magic, rather then rote memorisation. Which makes much better sense to me. This idea works perfectly for Divine Spellcasters as well, since they're supposed to be using rituals to call out to their divine patrons for help, after all. Any opinions?
sjogren 01-24-04, 10:51 AM	As far as I can remember, it's never been called "memorization" in 3E, only "preparation". I.e. it already works the way you suggest.
Romulus LoneWolf 01-24-04, 11:09 AM	Originally posted by sjogren As far as I can remember, it's never been called "memorization" in 3E, only "preparation". I.e. it already works the way you suggest. I know, but I've found there are still people who see it as being "memorization" in spite of what the official stance is, and find it an excuse for condemning it. I'm just trying to help defend a system I like, s'all.
sjogren 01-24-04, 01:27 PM	Beat them over the head with the PHB repeatedly. ;)
Mutant for Hire 01-24-04, 03:36 PM	You're almost there, but unfortunately, you're not quite there. The basic idea is that wizards pre-cast their spells and then work out a triggering mechanism that does the final invocation of the spell. The main issue with that is that the "preparation" should be the part where the wizard is doing all the verbal, somatic and material component business, and then all spells should be a standard action, verbal, as they issue some word that triggers off the spell, not unlike using a wand (in fact, almost exactly like using a wand). There's also a question of whether a wizard could cast a spell straight from their grimore, exceeding their spell slot limit a day.
sparkster4242 01-25-04, 04:08 AM	Who says the trigger cant be a combination of sounds, gestures, and objects? In fact, requiring more components could actually be seen as a safety precaution to help prevent accidental discharge. I tend to agree with the 'missing piece' view; it makes sense to me to that a wizard would spend some calm time setting up spell energies so that when the missing pieces are provided, the spell takes effect. Of course, if all those prepared energies are hanging around, you might ask 'can they be detected?'... but that's another issue :P Actually, 3e _does_ have a mechanism for casting directly from a spellbook, sortof. If a spell-slot is left un-prepared, a wizard can whip out his spellbook, spend a few minutes preparing, and then cast the spell. This is almost the same thing as direct-casting, without the issue of 'more than all his spells per day'. I see preparing (and un-preparing) spells as alot of (mental) work, which is why it takes a well-rested mind to accomplish. Keep in mind that 'spell-slots' are a meta-game thing, to help the player keep track. In-game, the character just wouldnt feel up to preparing/casting a spell unless he had a slot available.
Romulus LoneWolf 01-25-04, 08:32 AM	Nice to see my thread's gathered some momentum. First off, I need to precise some things: I haven't done anything to alter the game mechanics of spellcasting in my campaign: Most spells still need a full action to cast and require their components anyway. ...Which is a moot point, since my PC group consists mostly of fighting/rogue types, with our only wizard being a barbarian multiclass who, thus far, prefers the sword to the spell, and a psionist/rogue who prefers using the variant psi rules from Monte's Psiscapes. I could kill for a traditional wizard in this party. Perhaps I should explain my viewpoint... My conception of D&D-style wizards is inspired primarily by one of my favorite fictional wizards: Uncle, of Jackie Chan Adventures. He's a classic exemple of how such spellcasters can work. When he's actively casting a spell, he just points that Blowfish of his at the target and chants "Oomogweigwaifaimisaoh" over and over again as the spell does it's trick. But before he can do that, however, he always has to do "more research", spending a long time poring over his mystical tomes to find the magical formulae and gathering the ingrediants for the spell. And that's exactly how I think Wizards should work, in my book: research the spell, prepare it ahead of time, then cast it as needed. The Wizard should always be the master of Prep Time spellcasting. As for Spontaneous Spellcasting - Sorcerors don't prepare their spells ahead of time like Wizards, but instead spend 15 minutes concentrating to gather their mystic energies. They don't research their spells, but instead "Charge up their batteries" as it were. Bards also require a 15 minute concentration period consisting of singing, reciting or playing an instrument for that period. To me, the Sorceror's preperation should have a completly different "feel" from the Wizard's, fitting the Sorceror's personal backstory/concept. Take your classic "dragon blooded" Sorceror. His meditation could consist of sitting in a drawn circle filled with his possessions and personal wealth, his "hoard" if you will, while uttering a mantra in Draconic as he meditates. A Sorceror with Demon Blood, on the other hand, could sit in a pentacle chanting the names of Demon Princes while invoking their power, etc... This goes to the basic conceptual difference between the Wizard and the Sorceror: The Wizard's power lies in his mystic knowledge, while the Sorceror's power lies within his mind, body and/or soul.. The Quicken Spell metamagic feat's application is likewise unchanged, since all it does is reduce the Casting time to a free action. It doesn't affect Spell preperation, and as I've explained, I've kept the mechanics of spellcasting as they were. Hope I've explained my position a bit better...