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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11829 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Nov 2005 : 13:30:20
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I picked up Magic of Incarnum, figuring it would be neat to see another system of magic (though I was very skeptical). Of the races that it presents, they're pretty much stupid, so I just don't feel an overwhelming need to introduce them into the realms. Then I got into the classes section.... I really like the ideas here for the incarnate and the totemist. I've skimmed through the various soulmelds you can make, and I like the idea that a character has access to all of them at 1st level... but can only bind them to chakras as those chakras open. Combined with the fact that you can only do a handful of soulmelds at one time makes your choices VERY important, but the use of essentia allows you to at least modify what you do on the fly a BIT. I then skimmed through the prestige classes at a very high level. So far though, I'm impressed and figured I'd see what others see as possibilities.
My primary question is where do you see this having appeared in the realms. They specifically place the Sapphire Hierarchs within the Shaar (why an extremely lawful group in the Shaar... not sure, but the place is very underdeveloped). My first thoughts came to the totemists, and they remind me of the society in Myth Drannor that used to capture animals for study (perhaps some were totemists). Its also rumored that in Evermeet that some elves work with a kind of animal totem magic that never got great detail... this would seem to work. I can also see this magic amongst the Uthgardt. In all these groups though, it would be rare. I can also see both incarnates and totemists amongst the witches of Rashemen. They've always had a link to the spirits of their land and the use of soul energy would just seem to be a perfect tie in. It would also explain how their use of masks got started. I can also see a good-aligned version of the sapphire hierarchs amongst the wychlaran, for those who would develop as both cleric and/or druids and soulmelders (I can see many totemist/druids of Miellikki, totemist/clerics, and incarnate/clerics of the Hidden One (Mystra)). Similarly, I can see soulcasters being common for those who would study wizardry and soulmelding.
Similarly, I can see the twisting of soulmagic (necrocarnatism) amongst the followers of Shar, Velsharoon, and Set, and thus amongst their groups might exist many necrocarnates, soulcasters, and perhaps an evil version of the sapphire Hierarch. Amongst the followers of Malar I can see totemist/druids being a very natural possibility (though in this instance, a slower progression in both spellcasting classes and more combative ability might be worth looking into.... such a prestige class would seem to fit).
In all, it wouldn't seem hard to incorporate into the realms. Anyone else see another interesting way to introduce them?
Phillip aka Sleyvas
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Mystery_Man
Senior Scribe
USA
455 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2005 : 14:08:14
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| Run a game of Star Wars instead. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2005 : 15:16:48
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| I've avoided most of the non-Realms books, so I can't help you here. In fact, this is one I would have avoided even if I had been in the habit of buying non-Realms books... It just failed to grab me. |
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Sanishiver
Senior Scribe
USA
476 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2005 : 20:56:15
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Excellent and helpful posts, everyone. Keep them coming. 
On to something more useful....
I can definitely see the Witches of Rashemen using Incarnum in some fashion. The place seems perfectly suited to it.
It also seems reasonable that any tribal/barbarian culture would have access to Incarnum, even if only rarely.
I think Incarnum is good for the Realms because it gives yet another face to the multi-varied nature of magic in the Realms.
Unfortunately I've only had brief chances at skimming the Incarnum book, so I can't say more (yet).
J. Grenemyer
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09/20/2008: Tiger Army at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. You wouldn’t believe how many females rode it out in the pit. Santa Cruz women are all of them beautiful. Now I know to add tough to that description.
6/27/2008: WALL-E is about the best damn movie Pixar has ever made. It had my heart racing and had me rooting for the good guy.
9/9/2006: Dave Mathews Band was off the hook at the Shoreline Amphitheater.
Never, ever read the game books too literally, or make such assumptions that what is omitted cannot be. Bad DM form, that.
And no matter how compelling a picture string theory paints, if it does not accurately describe our universe, it will be no more relevant than an elaborate game of Dungeons and Dragons. --paragraph 1, chapter 9, The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene |
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Mystery_Man
Senior Scribe
USA
455 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2005 : 21:24:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Sanishiver
Excellent and helpful posts, everyone. Keep them coming.
 LOL!
It's basically "The Force" rules from SW revised with a "magical" feel to it. So, if you're going to play Incarnum, you may as well just play Star Wars. 
And you're right, I don't have anything productive so I'll bow out now. Very sorry! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2005 : 22:00:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Sanishiver
Excellent and helpful posts, everyone. Keep them coming.
Hey, I was at least trying to keep it on topic... |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Brother Ezra
Learned Scribe
USA
268 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2005 : 04:49:30
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I don't have the Magic of Incarnum release, and hadn't planned on purchasing it, but some of your ideas were interesting, particulary the Wyrlachan. I've always wanted to make something a little different about the witches of Rashemen. My campaign seems to be heading in the direction of Rashemen in the future, and Incarnum might be the different feel I've been looking for in them. At very least, I'll have to spend some time at the local Barnes & Noble and have a read through.
On a side note, welcome to Candlekeep Sleyvas! I don't know if the community at large knows your reputation, but this scholar is aware of certain activities in the city of Praka concerning the former Baroness Sylvia Bacanth a few years ago... |
"Suffering is the touchstone of all spiritual growth."
-St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11829 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2005 : 21:32:19
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>>On a side note, welcome to Candlekeep Sleyvas! I don't know if the community at large knows >>your reputation, but this scholar is aware of certain activities in the city of Praka >>concerning the former Baroness Sylvia Bacanth a few years ago...
Some do and I'm still trying to put names to "faces" again. I do remember George Krashos from the realms-L list (for which I applaud his works in the east). I'm wondering how you know about my relatively recent forays (lol, are ye by chance Lord Abercrombie?) |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Brother Ezra
Learned Scribe
USA
268 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 04:50:47
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| Nay, not Lord Abercrombie; just someone who happened to stumble across some of your exploits while researching his current campaign in Damara. We've not met before, but you will soon be making an appearance in Damara to pay a visit to the Baroness (the current year in my campaign is DR 1361). |
"Suffering is the touchstone of all spiritual growth."
-St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred |
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Incarnum in the Realms
