| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Sourcemaster2
Senior Scribe
USA
361 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Nov 2004 : 00:10:50
|
|
For most classes, it's easy to explain how they gain their skills. Fighters train with weapons, clerics are instructed in their religion, wizards study tomes of mojo. What I'm wondering about are the less clear classes. How, for instance, does a sorcerer or bard learn their magic? For 1st-level sorcerers, it makes sense that they would develop powers early on instinctively, but is it something that can be taught? How about bards? Is their spontaneous magic taught by a mentor or discovered on one's own? Can just anyone learn it? The same for psions; are they talented or taught? I doubt there's much solid info on these queries, so house rules, opinions, or other options are appreciated.
|
But what have all the passing years/Done, but breed new angers, fears?/Show me now an equal worth/To innocence I earned at birth. |
|
|
DDH_101
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1272 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2004 : 00:18:46
|
Sorcerers have magic in their blood from the moment they are born. It's said that the blood of dragons and similar creatures flows in their veins.
As for bards, they can be taught in bardic colleges or by a tutor. The skills are developed from singing or playing an instrument.
Psionics cannot be taught. This was said in many novels and sourcebooks. It is something that you either have or don't have from birth. Some people have psionic powers but may not realize their whole life because they cannot unlock that part of their brain. |
"Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes you an easy target." -Mask |
 |
|
|
Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2004 : 07:46:30
|
Bardic spells are music. They have to be played a certain way, exactly so, in order to work. They can be learned, but you need to have a certain feel for the magic in order to do it.
Sorcerers come in two flavors. First, there are those for whom it is a natural talent. These are the ones who manifest their powers early on, normally at the onset of puberty. Sometimes there are those who have more subtle powers, or less power overall, and so don't realize their potential until years later. Then there are those who can learn sorcery as a skill; these are always those with powerful minds and personalities, as well as the patience necessary to unlock the power from the Weave.
(Well, anyway, that's how I do it.  ) |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
|
|
|
Melfius
Senior Scribe
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2004 : 02:01:50
|
I always envisioned bards to be kinda like Ergo from Krull. They learned spells sproadically, and basically kept notes on them like recipies. Not a true spell book, but a set of loose notes that told them, "Do this, then this, then say this, and this will happen"
But that's just my opinion,  |
Melfius, Pixie-Priest of Puck - Head Chef, The Faerie Kitchen, Candlekeep Inn
"What's in his pockets, besides me?"
Read a tale of my earlier days! - Happiness Comes in Small Packages |
Edited by - Melfius on 20 Dec 2004 02:02:43 |
|
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4692 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2004 : 02:20:39
|
Under current system all are made, even if all 6 stats equal 3 one can select any class at first level and if somehow managing to gain another level can select another class.
The Sor example offered does not work as to being born, this was just a latent ability that until selecting the class was untapped.
There are racial abilities that one is born with, also favorire class but that does not prevent taking other classes.
No one is born with a class, just sometimes an advised class within the game system. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
Edited by - Kentinal on 25 Dec 2004 03:08:47 |
|
|
|
Lina
Senior Scribe
Australia
469 Posts |
Posted - 25 Dec 2004 : 01:36:01
|
| True that sorcerers have innate abilities. As to learning how to develop their powers, once they realise they have the potential, it can be either self taught which is really dangerous (they have to get their hands on spellbooks first) or apprentice themselves to a powerful sorcerer. |
“Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows! Buried in the flow of time. In thy great name. I pledge myself to darkness. All the fools who stand in our way shall be destroyed…by the power you and I possess! DRAGON SLAVE!!!”
"Thieves? Ah, such an ugly word... look upon them as the most honest sort of merchant."
-Oglar the Thieflord |
|
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4692 Posts |
Posted - 25 Dec 2004 : 03:15:34
|
The Sor of course is a new class to cores rules as well. In prior editions psionic of course was inate as well and did not require training. I do grant that indeed having an inate ability should have training, though also experimentation/pratice required, to become most effective. 3.x does not include any training rules so it becomes harder to explain how one can muti-class or even take a class. Something I consider a bug, though one that can be lived with as long as RolePlay is not distracted by such detail.
|
|
|
|
bloodtide_the_red
Learned Scribe
USA
306 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2004 : 14:55:03
|
Just about all classes can learn thier abilites and skills in two ways. They can stumble along and work it out themselfs or some one can teach them. So a sorcerer would likely get a hint that he has 'the magic touch'. Think along the lines of Harry Potter, even as a untrained wizard he was able to do a 'strange thing' or two. Sorcerer's would be much the same way...lighting a candle before touching it to a flame, moving small objects around, or fixing a hole in his hat.
A sorcerer can get along just fine with his 'homebrew magic'(by the rules it's exactly the same as all other magic). He can also get learning and wisdom from other sorcerers. This is a lot of non-game story stuff, like diffrent ways to have meditation, or how to think of something or such. Gamewise it's the rules. A sorcerer might be trying to be able to see in the dark, and sorcerer number two simply says 'Ah you need some dried carrots'.
Bard would work much the same way. You can simply make your own music(some of the greats never went to music school).
As far as the rules go, 'anyone' can learn/discover they are a sor or bard, as your free to pick a level in that class.
BT |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Born or Made?
