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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Jun 2013 : 16:27:26
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I remember in The Netheril trilogy, Lady Polaris once “staged” an ostentatious show/play all made of illusory magic to entertain her fellow archwizards.
How hard is it for an illusionist or a group of illusionists to create a film-like show such as that? I mean, “civilized” or relatively advanced realms (like Thay, Cormyr, Waterdeep, and Aglarond) can, I suppose, institutionalize such form of art, right? It can generate coins. Many people would love a good show. It may even be categorized to cater to all classes: the affordable, near half-baked short ones will target the bottom rung; the expensive long ones will target the nobles; and something balancing those two extremes will cater to the middle class. I wonder why the pre-Szass Tam Thay never implemented this, given that they had a bunch of competent illusionists who loved to show their talents and earn coins for doing so.
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Every beginning has an end. |
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Ze
Learned Scribe
Italy
147 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2013 : 16:54:22
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Given the magic skills of bards, I have always assumed that the plays staged in theaters are commonly supported by illusions, especially in cities, festivals, or at courts.
Low level bards would at least accompany their tales and stories with Prestidigitation.
About the illusion-only show you propose, however, length would not be related to costs in 3.5, as Major Image has no duration limit (IIRC) and no Material Components cost (checked), and it can be cast by a 5th level wizard or a 7th level bard... so, yes, that might actually be some good thinking.
It would probably be considered a rather unconventional show though, and I see it more as the quirk of some specific artist, or the fashion in some Calimshite city, rather than common practic across the Realms.
I like it. 
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2013 : 15:38:02
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Not that it's a movie per-se, but I only conceived a story wherein a few my FR characters used bardic music and illusion magic to put on a rock-and-roll light show concert whilst a few others were fighting a battle (that most people thought was part of the show).
And PCs in my home FR game have been known to put on the occasional drag show.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2013 : 16:21:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Ze
It would probably be considered a rather unconventional show though, and I see it more as the quirk of some specific artist, or the fashion in some Calimshite city, rather than common practic across the Realms.
I like it.
Maybe like a RW magic show with laser lights or holographic computer F/X projections? Kinda techy stuff like that is within the realms of possibility of most magicians these days, but you still don't see most of them doing it. |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2013 : 16:22:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Not that it's a movie per-se, but I only conceived a story wherein a few my FR characters used bardic music and illusion magic to put on a rock-and-roll light show concert whilst a few others were fighting a battle (that most people thought was part of the show).
And PCs in my home FR game have been known to put on the occasional drag show.
I'm envisioning Troy set to "Bohemian Rhapsody"!   |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2013 : 16:33:31
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quote:
Originally posted by BEAST
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Not that it's a movie per-se, but I only conceived a story wherein a few my FR characters used bardic music and illusion magic to put on a rock-and-roll light show concert whilst a few others were fighting a battle (that most people thought was part of the show).
And PCs in my home FR game have been known to put on the occasional drag show.
I'm envisioning Troy set to "Bohemian Rhapsody"!
As both a traditionalist Homeric-fan and a Queen-fan, I'm already sold on this.
Just tell me where the venue is and how much the tickets are... okay?  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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BadCatMan
Senior Scribe
Australia
407 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2013 : 03:31:16
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| You can do a lot with cantrips. My bard uses prestidigitation to make his own music videos, by conjuring simple props and moving colours and images on the walls as a backdrop to his performances. He also uses dancing lights to turn the place into a disco or rave. :D He can usually get a bonus on his Perform check for it, and extra tips. |
BadCatMan, B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc.
Scientific technical editor
Head DM of the Realms of Adventure play-by-post community
Administrator of the Forgotten Realms Wiki |
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Emma Drake
Learned Scribe
USA
206 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2013 : 05:22:28
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In my home campaign recently, an NPC used Programmed Image to deliver a Star Wars-style hologram message via an enchanted gem. I was surprised and impressed, even if it was relatively simple, because I'd never paused to contemplate the non-combat applications that those spells could take.
As for movies... Major Image is a 3rd level spell and Programmed Image is a 5th level spell. To me that's like the difference between a play and a movie. It wouldn't be particularly easy, because it would require showmanship, skill with illusions, and creativity. But, for someone who has those skills, it seems like it would be a profitable enterprise and not one I see any barrier to. |
"I am always here, all about you. You are never truly alone. I flow wherever life flows, wherever winds blow and water runs and the sun and moon chase each other, for there is magic in all things."
- Mystra (Ed Greenwood, Silverfall) |
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Movies, the Realms Style
