How would you employ the effects of the Moons of Magic in this new version?
There is precedent for varying effects of Moon Magic in different editions of the game. In moving from Dragonlance Adventures (1st ed) to the Dragonlance Campaign Setting (3rd ed) you get streamlining of the Waxing/Waning phases, streamlining of moon alignment benefits, and elimination of additional spells from both phases and alignments.
In the Dragonlance Campaign Setting (3rd ed) High Sanction grans wizards of that moon's order +1 caster level and +1 to save DCs. At Low Sanction wizards are at -1 caster level with -1 to save DCs. Waxing/Waning provides no benefit or penalty.
Alignments of any two moons causes wizards to cast at +1 caster level with +1 to spell DCs. All three moons aligning grant +2 caster level with +2 on save DCs. All moon alignment effects are cumulative with phase effects.
In DLA the Waxing and High Sanction moon phases are similar to the above plus grant additional spells of any level the wizard can cast (+1 and +2, respectively). For moon alignments, Lunitari aligning with another moon is similar to DLCS plus grants +1 additional spells. Solinari aligning with Nuitari only receives +1 to saves (no other benefit), however. A triple alignment grants +2 to saves, +2 additional spells, +1 effective level. Alignment effects are cumulative with phase effects in DLA too.
For the campaign I am planning I am leaning towards hybridizing modifiers between the two sourcebooks. I would keep the DLCS modifiers for spell save DCs at all phases and alignments. I would add additional spell slots (of any level the caster can cast, or simply the highest) similar to the additional spells benefit from DLA. With the changes to spellcasting in this edition modifiers to effective caster level are irrelevant and will be discarded.
I am debating between keeping the spell slot modifiers at +1 for Waxing and none for Waning (similar to DLA) or simply make Waxing and Waning have no modifiers. I also intend to streamline the benefit for moon alignment to match the Lunitari alignment modifers. I may penalize the caster one spell slot for Low Sanction.
Something you could consider is that when your moon is in High Sanction, any saving throws made by the target suffer disadvantage; in Low Sanction, they would make them with Advantage.
For bonuses when your moon is waxing or in High Sanction, you could allow the caster to prepare 1 additional spell, and then 1 additional for each moon in alignment. Do the opposite when your moon is in Low Sanction.
If 5e is about simpler mechanics, that might be an alternative to spell slots, DC modifiers, etc.
As for the effect on caster level, or whatever -
You could simplify it and say that when your moon is in High Sanction, you can 1 bonus spell slot of your highest level, and when it's in Low Sanction, you lose 1 bonus spell slot of your highest level. When moons are aligned, just add or subtract as applicable.
So, for example, if it's the night of the eye, when all 3 moons are aligned in high sanction, you would get 3 additional spell slots of your highest level.
Here's a simpler adaption of the Moon Magic system i came up with;
Moons and MagicEach of the three Orders of High Sorcery receives its powers
from one of the three magic moons. Wizards of the White
Robes gain power from Solinari, Red Robes from Lunitari,
and Black Robes from Nuitari.
The phase and alignment of a specific moon affects the
power level of a given order. For example, Lunitari in low
sanction provides penalties to Red Robes, but does not affectthe other two orders. It specifically affect the proficiency bonus
they get to add to their spells DC and attack bonus.
MOON PHASE EFFECTS TABLE
Moon Proficiency
Phase Bonus
Waxing +0
High Sanction +1
Waning +0
Low Sanction -1
Only wizards of 6th level or higher and with Intelligence of
15 or greater receive high sanction bonuses. Others default to
the waxing bonuses.
MOON ALIGNMENT EFFECTS TABLE
Proficiency
Alignment Bonus
Sol with Lun. +1
Nuit with Lun. +1
Sol with Nuit. +1
All Three Moons. +2
Note that all alignment effects are cumulative with all
phase effects. Thus, when all three moons are aligned in high
sanction, a wizard would gain a +3 proficiency bonus. This singularevent is called the Night of the Eye-the three moons line up in front-to-back
order (Nuitari, Lunitari, and Solinari), resembling a huge white eye
with a black pupil and a red iris. It is a terrifying sight. Most
nonspellcasting folk fear this night, for it sets all magic is at its
peak.
Use the following chart to determine the moon cycles. The
outer ring represents the cycle of the largest and farthest
moon, Solinari, whose orbit is shown divided into 36 days.
The second ring represents the cycle of the second largest
moon, Lunitari, whose orbit takes 28 days. The inner ring represents
the cycle of the smallest and nearest moon, Nuitari,
whose orbit takes only 8 days. To determine alignment, find
the moons’ relative positions and phases on a given day, then
add (or subtract) an equal number of days on each track to
determine the positions on another day.
What are the digits 1-8 on the cycle chart for? So what level should a wizard in dragonlance setting be required to select which Order they belong? Im in the middle of reading the first book, Dragons of Autuom twilight (on loan from father). And is it possible to no belong to any of the orders>
cowleymen wrote:
As a player I like the idea of bonus spells. Just sayin. Bonus spells would make me ask or keep track. I dont think caster level would. A 1 or 2 point descrepancy on a roll, or another fireball? fireball.
Plaguescarred1 wrote:
Did the one moon disappear when Takhisis died? I've kind of felt that if DragonLance is to be set with 5E as a setting, the whole idea of the power of the moons kind of has to go away. Almost everyone has access to magic in some way or another, with some having arcane and others having divine. We know that with the power of the heart there can be sorcerors, and now warlocks, are they subject to the moons as well? Since the Conclave no longer really exists after the War of Souls what reason do the wizards of Krynn have to actually follow the White, Red, Black rules?
gamileo wrote:
Or both.
Yeah, both.
Have new heroes doing things, and they mostly win in the end, but the world is basically in a state like it was before the war of the lance, so the world feels the same, and is prepped for telling the same kinds of stories.
and for Fizban's sake, let Weiss and Hickman write it.
DoctorBadWolf wrote:
On the old forums, I posted what I still think is a damn good writeup of what new DL should look like. I'll see if I can find it. At this point...I may just build a homebrew storyline and campaign notes and post them here and at the nexus.
Found some of my ideas in an old thread:
"Basically, events move forward, a new War is brewing, new Dragon Highlords have risen, serving their dark goddess like before, Paladine walks the world somewhere, but who knows where, and...start campaign here. Basically, set it up in a full circle sort of thing, rather than retcons or the like, and the sort of "main story" of the setting, should you choose to use it, is to fight the forces of evil, restore Paladine to his rightful place, and in general set things right. The PCs are like the heroes of the lance, right in those first few pages of the Chronicles."
and
"
The coming war could even have rumours of involvement of that other continent, where the Minotaurs live, but not make it clear which side they're on, or if they are coming as opportunists, or whathaveyou. The Knights could be recently weakened by some event, but still a real power. Some could wonder if, with Palidine having given up godhood, the Solamnians can stay the course and live up to their history, while others have faith, etc.
Seems like an awesome place to play some Dragonlance DnD."
Sadly, not my original writeup, but this is what I think should happen with DL.
Or you could make a „River of time“ campaign and send the PC to your favorite times/places in the books to fix stuff.
Hell, like this you can even justify some of the later events that you don’t like NOT taking place (if you had a gnome or kender with you)…