Some help here please to get the communities opinions after a recent character death. Mainly a question RM2/Classic folk here but welcome general thoughts RE RMSS etc too
Way back in 2012 there was a discussion on the Ice Forums entitled "Death, Stat Loss and Lifegiving" (see: https://ironcrown.co.uk/ICEforums/index.php?topic=11521.20)
One of the key points that came out of that debate was if there was any way to get a revived characters stats back (including potential stats). The consensus was that, short of divine intervention, there is no way to bring the potential stats back once they reach "0".
One of the other points made in the debate is that the Lifegiving Spells (or Herbs I guess) are kinda useless as, yes you may be able to give life to someone who has been dead for 1 year but if their potential stats are at "0" why bother.
In RM Classic Character Law p.149 it says: "If potentials have deteriorated, stats cannot be raised above the new, inferior potentials until the potentials are restored (usually only by very powerful spells)."
Four questions from me, building on that discussion:
1. What are the "very powerful spells" mentioned and where can they be found? I can't seem to locate in the core RM Spell Law book. In the old 2012 discussion it does reference the Restoration spell (level 19, Life Mastery, Cleric Base, p.118 Spell Law). Could that be the "Very high spells"? The description talks about "mental capabilities" but doesn't specifically mention stats. Assuming that works for the mental stats where are the "Very high spells" for restoring physical stats? Also assuming that Restoration, assuming that is what the designers were thinking of in terms of stat recovery, only covers temp and not potential stats?
2. On page 115 in the Herb section under "Stat Modifiers" is listed the following: Lestagii, (a-Z-9), Cryst/ingest, 520gp, AF45. "Restores any stat losses other than those due to age. Affects only one stat." Do you think, the way that its written, that herb is designed to recover/heal potential as well as temp stats?
3. What is your opinion of the use of Lifegiving Spells (or Herbs) in your games, particularly in refrence to "0" ptoential stats
4. How do you handle stat loss and recovery (either temporary or potential) in your games? Do you play RAW or house rule or something in between? Why?
Thanks and very keen to hear your thoughts!
Ps - also posted on the IceFacebook too.