Magical Marvels [Archive] - Wizards Community

Magical Marvels [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BenjaminBinder
06-29-04, 03:18 PM Eberron contains new and exciting magic that mimics modern-day technology, such as the lightning rail and the banking system. What other magical "technology" could be introduced to the setting, without making it TOO modern? Here are some ideas.

Photography - Primitive black & white photography would be an invaluable tool to inquisitives tracking clues. You could even use special lenses to photograph magical auras and invisible objects/creatures.

Radio - Television is a bit too modern, but radio fits right in with the 1920's/1930's pulp feel of Eberron. Stations could broadcast stories of adventurers in the form of old-time radio serials. This would probably compete with newspapers like the Korranberg Chronicle.

Pinball - This is probably a bit silly, but I think the idea of a semi-magical/semi-mechanical form of entertainment fits nicely in Eberron. Think of all the interesting effects you could add to a pinball machine using magic. Of course, it would probably be pretty expensive, but I'm sure you could find pinball parlors in Sharn.
Nester of Erdrick
06-29-04, 04:15 PM Mine isn't a new thing for me i've used it in greyhawk and the forgotten realms, but
but here in Eberron it actually fits. I usually have a band of bards who's guitars have been enchanted by SONIC, and ELECTRICITY. and the drums which have been encanted with SONIC and THUNDER, making an modern rock band, its usualy Linkin' Park but i think in Eberron it's going to be Disturbed...heehee.
RaynerApe
06-29-04, 04:27 PM Originally posted by BenjaminBinder
What other magical "technology" could be introduced to the setting, without making it TOO modern?

I would suggest that instead directly bringing modern real-world technologies to Eberron, you instead try to set what problems and questions would the scientists and magicians of this world want to solve, and then come up with a solution based on their most accessible resources - in this case, magic.
bahamut_0
06-29-04, 04:37 PM Originally posted by Nester of Erdrick
Mine isn't a new thing for me i've used it in greyhawk and the forgotten realms, but
but here in Eberron it actually fits. I usually have a band of bards who's guitars have been enchanted by SONIC, and ELECTRICITY. and the drums which have been encanted with SONIC and THUNDER, making an modern rock band, its usualy Linkin' Park but i think in Eberron it's going to be Disturbed...heehee.

Hehehe, I love that. :)
Gilgiga of the Hunt
06-29-04, 06:35 PM Originally posted by BenjaminBinder

Pinball - This is probably a bit silly, but I think the idea of a semi-magical/semi-mechanical form of entertainment fits nicely in Eberron. Think of all the interesting effects you could add to a pinball machine using magic. Of course, it would probably be pretty expensive, but I'm sure you could find pinball parlors in Sharn.

From Sharn down to Karnack, I tought I played them all.
But man can I feel that this is gonna be an awesome PrC!
cybernetic
06-29-04, 09:24 PM You could look at Terry Pratchet's Discworld novels for examples of how magic can replicate moden tech....

for instance Commander Vimes of the Anhk-Morpork City Watch has a Personal (Dis)Organiser that is a small box that holds a tiny imp that has a magnificent memory and reminds him of appoints and such....

or another instance is in the book called "The Truth" a vampire photographer has a camera that consists of a camera like box that houses an imp that draws the picture when it is taken....
BenjaminBinder
06-29-04, 10:40 PM Originally posted by RaynerApe
I would suggest that instead directly bringing modern real-world technologies to Eberron, you instead try to set what problems and questions would the scientists and magicians of this world want to solve, and then come up with a solution based on their most accessible resources - in this case, magic.

Good idea, why don't you do that? :D
BenjaminBinder
06-29-04, 10:42 PM Originally posted by cybernetic
for instance Commander Vimes of the Anhk-Morpork City Watch has a Personal (Dis)Organiser that is a small box that holds a tiny imp that has a magnificent memory and reminds him of appoints and such....

or another instance is in the book called "The Truth" a vampire photographer has a camera that consists of a camera like box that houses an imp that draws the picture when it is taken....

Those examples sound more appropriate for "The Flintstones," rather than Eberron. :D
wdarkk
06-30-04, 01:25 AM I was thinking of two things - one is a sort of "camping hammock" made from two tensor's floating disks for the magical troops of the Last War; the other is a prestidigitation-based "general sanitation device", for when you really, really can't bathe (aka Last War).
Silverfury79
06-30-04, 02:12 AM I've been trying to figure out if an early type of printing press would be appropriate to the setting(for the various Chronicles) or if House Cannith would have created a magical version. Thought it might be interesting for a Sharn based group to investigate the sabatoging or theft of the presses from the offices of the Sharn Inquisitive(page 133 of the CSB in the Korranberg Chronicle Blurb). Might be an interesting respite from the usual begining of an adventure.

Sliverfury
:b:
Hrothgar the Dwarf
06-30-04, 02:12 PM for the printing press, I thought about this for FR.. there was a spell printed in MoF i think called something like "amaneuis" or something like that.. it copies non-magical text from a page to a blank page. A table enchanted with this could work like a printing press perhaps?

hrothgar
JohnnyONeal
06-30-04, 03:05 PM RaynerApe's point is well-taken. I don't see the first three examples as being particularly appropriate for the feel of the world, but to each his own. Starting with modern technology seems more apt to lead to Discworld silliness than anything.

I'm not sure how to best simulate photography. Perhaps a dancing quill capable of quickly drawing likenesses.

I think the speaking stones and Korranberg Chronicle are the closest you'd want to get to radio. Perhaps, though. you could use a network of magic mouths to relay important messages.

As for games, something like the animated chess in Harry Potter (or Star Wars) seems more appropriate than something specifically based on pinball. But the pinball idea is my favorite of the three.

Here's an idea that's been mentioned before: a prestidigitation chest that cleans clothes and/or warms food placed within (though preferably not at the same time).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BenjaminBinder 06-29-04, 03:18 PM	Eberron contains new and exciting magic that mimics modern-day technology, such as the lightning rail and the banking system. What other magical "technology" could be introduced to the setting, without making it TOO modern? Here are some ideas. Photography - Primitive black & white photography would be an invaluable tool to inquisitives tracking clues. You could even use special lenses to photograph magical auras and invisible objects/creatures. Radio - Television is a bit too modern, but radio fits right in with the 1920's/1930's pulp feel of Eberron. Stations could broadcast stories of adventurers in the form of old-time radio serials. This would probably compete with newspapers like the Korranberg Chronicle. Pinball - This is probably a bit silly, but I think the idea of a semi-magical/semi-mechanical form of entertainment fits nicely in Eberron. Think of all the interesting effects you could add to a pinball machine using magic. Of course, it would probably be pretty expensive, but I'm sure you could find pinball parlors in Sharn.
Nester of Erdrick 06-29-04, 04:15 PM	Mine isn't a new thing for me i've used it in greyhawk and the forgotten realms, but but here in Eberron it actually fits. I usually have a band of bards who's guitars have been enchanted by SONIC, and ELECTRICITY. and the drums which have been encanted with SONIC and THUNDER, making an modern rock band, its usualy Linkin' Park but i think in Eberron it's going to be Disturbed...heehee.
RaynerApe 06-29-04, 04:27 PM	Originally posted by BenjaminBinder What other magical "technology" could be introduced to the setting, without making it TOO modern? I would suggest that instead directly bringing modern real-world technologies to Eberron, you instead try to set what problems and questions would the scientists and magicians of this world want to solve, and then come up with a solution based on their most accessible resources - in this case, magic.
bahamut_0 06-29-04, 04:37 PM	Originally posted by Nester of Erdrick Mine isn't a new thing for me i've used it in greyhawk and the forgotten realms, but but here in Eberron it actually fits. I usually have a band of bards who's guitars have been enchanted by SONIC, and ELECTRICITY. and the drums which have been encanted with SONIC and THUNDER, making an modern rock band, its usualy Linkin' Park but i think in Eberron it's going to be Disturbed...heehee. Hehehe, I love that. :)
Gilgiga of the Hunt 06-29-04, 06:35 PM	Originally posted by BenjaminBinder Pinball - This is probably a bit silly, but I think the idea of a semi-magical/semi-mechanical form of entertainment fits nicely in Eberron. Think of all the interesting effects you could add to a pinball machine using magic. Of course, it would probably be pretty expensive, but I'm sure you could find pinball parlors in Sharn. From Sharn down to Karnack, I tought I played them all. But man can I feel that this is gonna be an awesome PrC!
cybernetic 06-29-04, 09:24 PM	You could look at Terry Pratchet's Discworld novels for examples of how magic can replicate moden tech.... for instance Commander Vimes of the Anhk-Morpork City Watch has a Personal (Dis)Organiser that is a small box that holds a tiny imp that has a magnificent memory and reminds him of appoints and such.... or another instance is in the book called "The Truth" a vampire photographer has a camera that consists of a camera like box that houses an imp that draws the picture when it is taken....
BenjaminBinder 06-29-04, 10:40 PM	Originally posted by RaynerApe I would suggest that instead directly bringing modern real-world technologies to Eberron, you instead try to set what problems and questions would the scientists and magicians of this world want to solve, and then come up with a solution based on their most accessible resources - in this case, magic. Good idea, why don't you do that? :D
BenjaminBinder 06-29-04, 10:42 PM	Originally posted by cybernetic for instance Commander Vimes of the Anhk-Morpork City Watch has a Personal (Dis)Organiser that is a small box that holds a tiny imp that has a magnificent memory and reminds him of appoints and such.... or another instance is in the book called "The Truth" a vampire photographer has a camera that consists of a camera like box that houses an imp that draws the picture when it is taken.... Those examples sound more appropriate for "The Flintstones," rather than Eberron. :D
wdarkk 06-30-04, 01:25 AM	I was thinking of two things - one is a sort of "camping hammock" made from two tensor's floating disks for the magical troops of the Last War; the other is a prestidigitation-based "general sanitation device", for when you really, really can't bathe (aka Last War).
Silverfury79 06-30-04, 02:12 AM	I've been trying to figure out if an early type of printing press would be appropriate to the setting(for the various Chronicles) or if House Cannith would have created a magical version. Thought it might be interesting for a Sharn based group to investigate the sabatoging or theft of the presses from the offices of the Sharn Inquisitive(page 133 of the CSB in the Korranberg Chronicle Blurb). Might be an interesting respite from the usual begining of an adventure. Sliverfury :b:
Hrothgar the Dwarf 06-30-04, 02:12 PM	for the printing press, I thought about this for FR.. there was a spell printed in MoF i think called something like "amaneuis" or something like that.. it copies non-magical text from a page to a blank page. A table enchanted with this could work like a printing press perhaps? hrothgar
JohnnyONeal 06-30-04, 03:05 PM	RaynerApe's point is well-taken. I don't see the first three examples as being particularly appropriate for the feel of the world, but to each his own. Starting with modern technology seems more apt to lead to Discworld silliness than anything. I'm not sure how to best simulate photography. Perhaps a dancing quill capable of quickly drawing likenesses. I think the speaking stones and Korranberg Chronicle are the closest you'd want to get to radio. Perhaps, though. you could use a network of magic mouths to relay important messages. As for games, something like the animated chess in Harry Potter (or Star Wars) seems more appropriate than something specifically based on pinball. But the pinball idea is my favorite of the three. Here's an idea that's been mentioned before: a prestidigitation chest that cleans clothes and/or warms food placed within (though preferably not at the same time).