Topic: How does RMC Spell Law Option 2.2 work?

[Fnord]

Hi,

I find the wording of Spell Law Option 2.2 a bit confusing.

My questions regarding this option are:

How many lists per level can be studied? (it says 3 ranks per list per level, but no number of lists is ever mentioned)

The last restriction is applied each level or it refers to the lists the character learns through his/her lifetime?

Cheers.

[Rasyr-Mjolnir]

Under that option, there is no limit on the number of lists that may be learned each level. However, the costs for learning each list DOES increase based on the number of lists learned THAT level.

Come the next level, you start over as the initial revised cost (i.e. 2/* for Pures, etc...)

[kevinmccollum]

Did they go with the "buy each spell individually" idea in RMC or was that just an option?

[PiXeL01]

Just another option

[Fnord]

I really like this option. It solves what in my gaming group we call the "Soup-making Magician syndrome".

Typical level 1 Magician with only one spell: Boil Liquid.

[Rasyr-Mjolnir]

I really like this option. It solves what in my gaming group we call the "Soup-making Magician syndrome".

Typical level 1 Magician with only one spell: Boil Liquid.

It is even better if you include at least a limited version of ESF, allowing for casting spells above your level. Otherwise you are in the same fix as using the core spell list acquisition rules (i.e. you know the list to xx level, but cannot cast any spell that is above your level).

[Fnord]

I think I will go along with almost all ESF options. Those poor semi-spell users wearing no armor because of the casting requirements were always a sad thing for me

[kevinmccollum]

I really like this option. It solves what in my gaming group we call the "Soup-making Magician syndrome".

Typical level 1 Magician with only one spell: Boil Liquid.

How do you have a 1st level caster character with only one spell?

[Fnord]

How do you have a 1st level caster character with only one spell?

If you don't use any of the optional rules for spell list adquisition, it's quite common to have casters with only 1 spell.

For instance, look at the example character in RMC Character Law, Linthea. If she had failed the 60% spell adquisition roll for "Detecting Ways". she would have been stuck with only one spell.

The game that is Not-ICE had the same problem, and there were no optional rules for fixing it. The soup-making level 1 mages were quite common back then.
Well, smart players usually went for Spirit Ways, as that list had the only level 1 useful spell: Sleep V.

[kevinmccollum]

In any game I have played, the casters spent over 20 dp for spells each level. Minimum of two lists at level one.

[Rasyr-Mjolnir]

In any game I have played, the casters spent over 20 dp for spells each level. Minimum of two lists at level one.

Even so, unless you are using the ESF rules to allow for casting spells above one's own level, that only gives them 2 usable spells to start with, even if they know 20 spells (2 lists to 10th level). 

[kevinmccollum]

Even so, unless you are using the ESF rules to allow for casting spells above one's own level, that only gives them 2 usable spells to start with, even if they know 20 spells (2 lists to 10th level). 

Not quite true. According to the core rules, if you pay for 20 ranks in the list, you immediately learn and can use the first level spell from that list.

[Rasyr-Mjolnir]

Not quite true. According to the core rules, if you pay for 20 ranks in the list, you immediately learn and can use the first level spell from that list.

So, 3, maybe 4 whole spells possible.

Still isn't a lot when most first level spells are mainly utility in nature.

[kevinmccollum]

Three or four spells to use at first level? a far cry from one.

If you don't use any of the optional rules for spell list adquisition, it's quite common to have casters with only 1 spell.

Well, smart players usually went for Spirit Ways, as that list had the only level 1 useful spell: Sleep V.

That shows a simple lack of imagination. How about Lofty Bridge?  Instant Leaping spell. How about Rune Mastery? Spell Store. How about Repulsions? Repel Undead 5. The list goes on.

[Fnord]

That shows a simple lack of imagination. How about Lofty Bridge?  Instant Leaping spell. How about Rune Mastery? Spell Store. How about Repulsions? Repel Undead 5. The list goes on.

When talking about Sleep V as the only useful option I was referring to that game that shall not be named.

Repulsions was not available in Not-RM.

Lofty Bridge was available, but... A leaping mage?  "There come some orcs, wait, I'll leap away and let the warriors handle them."
Useful for self preservation, sure. But I don't see it as the best choice.

As for spell store, how is that useful in any way if you only have one spell? You use "spell store" to store "spell store"? Is this a recursive spell joke?

Believe me, for a Mage, Sleep V was the only useful option. Or you could just go the crazy way and get Light Law, hoping to make to level 2 alive and get Shock Bolt. In the meantime, good luck with being a walking flashlight (projected light).

For the Animist, Heal 10 was the way to go.

Not-RM: Hard times for casters, cool gaming nonetheless