Easy access magic [Archive] - Wizards Community

Easy access magic [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Delfedd
04-02-06, 02:23 PM What about a game without arcane magic? This Idea has always intrigued me. The Idea that any man with the right books could learn a bit of magic. This has been used in books like Abarat, quite a good read if you haven't heard of it. Even in R. A. Salvatore's book this has been referenced. I think it was in the first one, when Drizzt summoned a powerful demon. He is obviously not a powerful Wizard, or sorcerer. What if... what if you can take a feat to gain a spell level? Like...

Mage of the First level
Prerequisites: Knowledge: Arcana 4 ranks
You gain access to one 1st level spell and two zero level spells. You may cast them using your charisma or intelligence, but you must maintain a spellbook either way. You gain bonus spells depending on your choice.

Mage of the second levels
Prerequisites: Knowledge 7 ranks, Mage of the first level
You gain access to one second level spells, two 1st level spells, and three 1st level spells

and so on.

Wizard and sorcerer could probably be made into a prestige class so that even though their powers wouldn't be as readily avalable, they could still be felt.

This variant is meant to represent the level of study it takes to master magecraft.
Also, don't tell me to "just multiclass as a wizard." This is supposed to make magic at the same time more accessable and more distant, higher level mages being much rarer than low level commoners who pick up the feat for the purpose of summoning badgers to help them defend there homes.
Dragonsnack
04-02-06, 06:16 PM That's interesting, and it resembles some Norse legends and the writings of Tolkien (the dwarves knew various spells for opening locks and starting fires, etc.)

But it seems hugely complex, and would interfere with anyone who wants to play a pure arcane caster from the beginning. I don't know what to say because, well, it's a pretty radical change. If you try it let me know how it works!

I'd try a lot of test playing alone before offering it to your players, and make the wizard and sorcerer prestige classes easy to acquire. Good luck.
Delfedd
04-02-06, 06:47 PM Well, people can learn magic from the begining. In fact, they'll be slightly more powerfull untill they get the ability to cast 2nd level spells, at which point they advance as a normal caster.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Delfedd 04-02-06, 02:23 PM	What about a game without arcane magic? This Idea has always intrigued me. The Idea that any man with the right books could learn a bit of magic. This has been used in books like Abarat, quite a good read if you haven't heard of it. Even in R. A. Salvatore's book this has been referenced. I think it was in the first one, when Drizzt summoned a powerful demon. He is obviously not a powerful Wizard, or sorcerer. What if... what if you can take a feat to gain a spell level? Like... Mage of the First level Prerequisites: Knowledge: Arcana 4 ranks You gain access to one 1st level spell and two zero level spells. You may cast them using your charisma or intelligence, but you must maintain a spellbook either way. You gain bonus spells depending on your choice. Mage of the second levels Prerequisites: Knowledge 7 ranks, Mage of the first level You gain access to one second level spells, two 1st level spells, and three 1st level spells and so on. Wizard and sorcerer could probably be made into a prestige class so that even though their powers wouldn't be as readily avalable, they could still be felt. This variant is meant to represent the level of study it takes to master magecraft. Also, don't tell me to "just multiclass as a wizard." This is supposed to make magic at the same time more accessable and more distant, higher level mages being much rarer than low level commoners who pick up the feat for the purpose of summoning badgers to help them defend there homes.
Dragonsnack 04-02-06, 06:16 PM	That's interesting, and it resembles some Norse legends and the writings of Tolkien (the dwarves knew various spells for opening locks and starting fires, etc.) But it seems hugely complex, and would interfere with anyone who wants to play a pure arcane caster from the beginning. I don't know what to say because, well, it's a pretty radical change. If you try it let me know how it works! I'd try a lot of test playing alone before offering it to your players, and make the wizard and sorcerer prestige classes easy to acquire. Good luck.
Delfedd 04-02-06, 06:47 PM	Well, people can learn magic from the begining. In fact, they'll be slightly more powerfull untill they get the ability to cast 2nd level spells, at which point they advance as a normal caster.