Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 anubis_reynard Dec 31, 2008 13:18:46	I have a supposition (It doesn't even qualify as a theory yet.) that the 8 "power sources" fall into 3 general oppositions. Whether the core crew intended it or not, I think it could work as a world-explanation for a homebrew setting, at the least, and I'd like some help filling it out and critiqueing it. Though I am calling it "planar magic", only two of the groops are opposing planar arrangements. The third groop was created as a byproduct of the creation of Mortal life. If someone can think of a better name for it, feel free to pipe in. Divine magic comes from the Astral sea, Elemental magic from the Elemental Chaos. They were the original powers, and the war between the gods and Primordials puts these power sources in opposition. Arcane magic comes from the Feywild, Shadow magic comes from the Shadowfell, and Primal comes from the Prime Material Plane itself. Created when the Primordials formed these planes from the stuff of creation. The feywild was fromed from those parts "too bright", the shadofell from the parts "too dark", yet all three of these planes bear striking similarities to each other, at least in general geography. Martial comes from the Mortal Body, Psychic comes from the Mortal Mind, and Ki comes from the Mortal Soul. These were created when the Gods ursurped the primordials' creation, and began adding Mortal Life. The body, mind and soul have a similar opposition to what the feywild, shadowfell, and material worlds have. Does anyone have suggestions of what I should add, or where I should go from here?
#2 Fedosu Dec 31, 2008 20:04:32	I drew exactly the same conclusions recently when I was thinking about the various power sources. It occurred to me that though there are 6 creature origins available, only 5 of the places of origin have an associated power source. I am considering work on a 9th power source which would be associated (perhaps only vaguely) with the Far Realm. After long thought and searching for an appropriate name for the power source I settled on Extrinsic. I don't know that I have any suggestions, but I thought I ought to say that you're not crazy and that others have noticed a similar phenomenon.
#3 anubis_reynard Dec 31, 2008 21:46:41	Given the nature of the Far Realm, I'm fine with it being the "unwritten" 9th power source, the one that doesn't follow the rules of reality. After all, reality is exactly what far realm radiations turn to sillyputty.
#4 Shiftkitty Dec 31, 2008 22:01:54	Ooh! You mean like a source for "Wild Magic"? I used to have sooooo much fun with that. "Magic Storms" were the bane and blessing of my 2e group!
#5 anubis_reynard Dec 31, 2008 22:36:58	Also known as "hand of the DM," sometimes... It makes a handy excuse sometimes, as long as you realize how contrived it can be...
#6 dirtyfrank Dec 31, 2008 22:42:24	As I see it the starlocks power source is both arcane and far realm. The way that I see the far realm a power source is that it is alien and uncompromisable enough to have the ability to manifest itself as any of the existing power source. The far realm can be another dimension, universe, or reality onto its own, which means that it can have 8 similar power sources within it. This would make the 9th power source from a 9th place but be special because it can manifest in a way similar to any of the other 8.