| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Brix |
Posted - 25 Dec 2010 : 21:56:54
Hi Sages.
I'm looking for a fluffy-realmish expression for Mana, the capacity of magic a mage can handle/unleash.
thank you! |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 28 Dec 2010 : 03:01:46
"Threads" and "patterns" (and "matrices") are the terms used in Earthdawn ... the game doesn't use traditional Vancian spellcasting mechanics (in short: a spellcaster has a matrix, or a number of matrices, which can hold spell patterns woven from interconnected spell threads) - these rules could be adapted to D&D with some work. The variant spellcasting systems presented in the 2E ToM (and probably a ton of OGL products) would probably be easier to use and retain more of the D&D flavour, though. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 28 Dec 2010 : 02:42:07
quote:
Originally posted by Arik
... alternately, "threads" or "patterns" could describe spells.
I like this as well. And it's kind of reflective of the kinds of magical terms unofficially used to describe the practice of artificers in the EBERRON setting. And, as seen as component extensions of "the Weave" itself, it wouldn't be too difficult to find a basis for such terms in the Realmslore.
|
| Ayrik |
Posted - 28 Dec 2010 : 02:02:51
I think "weave" (arcane magic), "the art" (arcane magic use), "mysteries" and "mystery depth" (arcane spells and spell-levels) works fine; alternately, "threads" or "patterns" could describe spells. Then of course there is "dark weave" and "dark mysteries" etc for shadow magic. Also "the faith" (divine magic use) and "calling", "conduits", "miracles", or "interventions" (divine spells).
The Earthdawn game used "circle" everywhere D&D would say "level" ... kinda cool at first, but a little awkward when talking about circles within circles affecting circles, etc. So many things in D&D have "levels" so it's much the same problem, but I'd think mixing both terms around would cause needless minor headaches. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 28 Dec 2010 : 01:00:37
quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Stars break down into points ...
Hmmm. To me, "points" sounds too "scientific" for an arcane practice.
Stars are also spheres, but I don't really think "spheres" is all that appropriate either.
What about the plasma composing a star's form? Plasmids?   |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 27 Dec 2010 : 16:11:03
Stars break down into points ... |
| The Sage |
Posted - 27 Dec 2010 : 15:39:47
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Brix
There are already some nice ideas. Thanks.
The idea is to collect terms, which can be used to talk in-game and off-game about game mechanics with regards magic.
Most terms are already covered (see below). But I'm missing a <b>noun</b> ( that describes spell points / slots.) in a realmish way.
Mystra is the Lady of Mysteries... Maybe spell levels could be Mysteries? And she's used stars in her symbol, so you could prolly come up with a term for spell points based on stars.
I like this interpretation.
And though it might be a little too heavy, I think "celestials" might be a useful term for spell points. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 27 Dec 2010 : 15:25:50
quote:
Originally posted by Brix
There are already some nice ideas. Thanks.
The idea is to collect terms, which can be used to talk in-game and off-game about game mechanics with regards magic.
Most terms are already covered (see below). But I'm missing a <b>noun</b> ( that describes spell points / slots.) in a realmish way.
Mystra is the Lady of Mysteries... Maybe spell levels could be Mysteries? And she's used stars in her symbol, so you could prolly come up with a term for spell points based on stars. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 27 Dec 2010 : 11:36:24
Plenty of words can mean "vital energy" - mana prana wakan chi ki qi psi chakra jing kundalini tantra pneuma animus etc |
| Brix |
Posted - 27 Dec 2010 : 10:58:41
There are already some nice ideas. Thanks.
The idea is to collect terms, which can be used to talk in-game and off-game about game mechanics with regards magic.
Most terms are already covered (see below). But I'm missing a <b>noun</b> ( that describes spell points / slots.) in a realmish way. Mana does work technically, but is imo not suitable for the FR:
Terminology so far:
Weave = omnipresent fabric of magic
The Art = arcane magic
The Power = divine magic
Practitioner of the Art = arcane caster, mage, arcanist
Practitioner of the Power = divine caster, cleric
Circles = could be used as an abstract term for power of mage in a hierachy? For spell levels maybe too crunchy
Arc = Spell (old term)
Arc Depth = spell level (old term)
Thessaurus query for Mana:
amperage, armipotence, authority, beef, black power, brute force, charge, charisma, clout, cogence, cogency, compulsion, dint, drive, duress, effect, effectiveness, effectuality, energy, flower power, force, force majeure, forcefulness, full blast, full force, huaca, main strength, manitou, might, might and main, mightiness, moxie, muscle power, nagual, pizzazz, poop, potence, potency, potentiality, power, power pack, power structure, power struggle, powerfulness, prepotency, productiveness, productivity, puissance, pull, punch, push, sinew, steam, strength, strong arm, superiority, superpower, tamanoas, validity, vehemence, vigor, vim, virility, virtue, virulence, vitality, wakan, wattage, weight, zemi
|
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 27 Dec 2010 : 08:09:48
By the Hoary Hosts of Haggoth!! By the All-Seeing Eye of Aggamotto!! (Am I banned yet? *giggles* Sorry, Sage- Had to do it!) |
| The Sage |
Posted - 27 Dec 2010 : 00:02:41
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
Terms for characters include things like "Will", "Desire" "By the Power of {Foo}" and "Calling on the Power". Oh I am sure there atr many others as to how characters would refer to magic.
Pick up any past or current issue of a Marvel comic featuring Doctor Strange, and you'll find a host of new references for what to call magic and other arcane castings. [I've compiled a select few of the more popular phrases, if any scribes are interested in obtaining a copy.] |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 22:32:49
Fluffy term, for the players or for the characters?
The players already have terms, magic, Weave and so on.
Terms for characters include things like "Will", "Desire" "By the Power of {Foo}" and "Calling on the Power". Oh I am sure there atr many others as to how characters would refer to magic.
If you are for some reason you need to give the players a new term, ideas have already been provided. Not sure why players need a new term. BAMF ((By A Magical Force), Will, Power and so on.
All in all Ed is the best to ask. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 17:30:16
quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Netheril used the term "arcs" for arcane spells and "arc depth" for arcane spell-levels; "weave" for divine spells.
I'd tweak that a bit, and refer to spell levels as either arcs or circles ("a fireball is a third circle spell" or "fireball lies on the third arc"). But even that is still calling it a level, in some way, and thus seems a little too game-y. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 17:15:59
Netheril used the term "arcs" for arcane spells and "arc depth" for arcane spell-levels; "weave" for divine spells. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 16:29:01
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
quote:
Originally posted by Brix
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
I used spell pts in my one campaign, though I called them Weave pts. They expressed how much of the the weave they could channel before becominng exhausted. The higher lvl the magic user is, the more Weave they can control.
I also had this in mind, but I try to avoid the word "Points".
"Force" would work well, but I fear that my players start to make Jedi Knights if I call it that way.
How about "pool"? A mage draws energy from the Weave and stores it in a pool of eldritch power for later use.
Or motes, or sparks... I'd be comfortable with those words, in such a system.
Or 'well...' since it's already a term with arcane/divine aspects in the Realmslore. |
| Sian |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 16:05:49
i'd just use the Psychic classes, play slightly around with the fluff and call it a day |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 15:41:08
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
quote:
Originally posted by Brix
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
I used spell pts in my one campaign, though I called them Weave pts. They expressed how much of the the weave they could channel before becominng exhausted. The higher lvl the magic user is, the more Weave they can control.
I also had this in mind, but I try to avoid the word "Points".
"Force" would work well, but I fear that my players start to make Jedi Knights if I call it that way.
How about "pool"? A mage draws energy from the Weave and stores it in a pool of eldritch power for later use.
Or motes, or sparks... I'd be comfortable with those words, in such a system. |
| Diffan |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 14:05:55
quote:
Originally posted by Brix
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
I used spell pts in my one campaign, though I called them Weave pts. They expressed how much of the the weave they could channel before becominng exhausted. The higher lvl the magic user is, the more Weave they can control.
I also had this in mind, but I try to avoid the word "Points".
"Force" would work well, but I fear that my players start to make Jedi Knights if I call it that way.
How about "pool"? A mage draws energy from the Weave and stores it in a pool of eldritch power for later use. |
| Brix |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 13:46:24
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
I used spell pts in my one campaign, though I called them Weave pts. They expressed how much of the the weave they could channel before becominng exhausted. The higher lvl the magic user is, the more Weave they can control.
I also had this in mind, but I try to avoid the word "Points".
"Force" would work well, but I fear that my players start to make Jedi Knights if I call it that way. |
| Diffan |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 12:58:19
If your looking for rules on using a SP system then d20SRD has all the v3.5e rules for it from the Unearthed Arcana supplement. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 10:17:50
Tome of Magic and Player's Option: Spells & Magic also offered some variant spellcasting systems, including some "mana" point-based methods; the rules were written for 2E by could easily be adapted to 3/3.5E. |
| Arioch |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 09:05:35
Fantasy Craft offers an interesting way to use spell points with the classical d20 spells.
Basically: there is a pool of mana/spell points available to a mage each "scene" (Scene is a concept similar to encounter but without the same temporal unity); the points are used in a ratio 1 x spell level. |
| Knight of the Gate |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 04:24:25
Netheril:Arcane Age had a SP/MP type system; you might want to find that and use it as a starting point. |
| Lady Kazandra |
Posted - 26 Dec 2010 : 02:27:33
If you search the web, I seem to remember some clever folks working on a d20 adaptation for the Magic: The Gathering Mana system. Maybe you could make use of that?
|
| Diffan |
Posted - 25 Dec 2010 : 23:15:57
I used spell pts in my one campaign, though I called them Weave pts. They expressed how much of the the weave they could channel before becominng exhausted. The higher lvl the magic user is, the more Weave they can control. |
|
|
