Looking for the longer term effects of magic on the environment and cultures of Kulthea, I started thinking about the usefulness of the Symbolic Ways Channeling list and how Symbols could affect everyday gameplay.
There are a couple of intriguing possibilities, apart from the obvious "Wayshrines" which no doubt dot the roads and byways of Kulthea, offering daily Protection, Resistance to Elements, Frost/Burn Relief, weather prediction and basic Healing - all of these are Symbol I or II effects, and thousands of years of Channeling culture means that even low level priests will be called upon to do their part for pilgrims and their flock.
What about Plant Growth?
At Symbol II (level 7), V (level 11) and IX (level 19) we have Plant growth I, II and III effects available to Animists. This will utterly revolutionise farming.
Crops will be planted in 10' or 100' radius circles with a Symbol on a stone post in their centre. (Many types of stone are dense enough for a 6'x1'x2' post to mass around 2000lbs; i.e. granite is 170lbs per cubic foot - RMCI 6.42)
Symbols which affect other beings, heal or do damage work once per day, and these spells last for one day.
So, at level 7 we have 10' radius regions where all plants 'of one type' will grow 10x faster. NO weeds or unwanted plants, just that one crop. Growing seasons become 10x more productive.
At level 11, this gets out of hand - 100x growth in the same area; that is a full year crop in 2-3 days! At level 19 for Symbol IX, we can cover 100' Radius circles at 10x growth. BIG crop Circles.
Assuming the availability of ritual magic, then even the level 11 and 19 effects could be fairly easily achieved by a large congregation at an annual festival. Symbols might be damaged by the environment or enemies, and may need replacing or renewing, giving more reasons for regular ceremonies and attending priests/animists to wander the region.
A single level 7 Animist can cast at least one of these Symbol II effects and Plant Growth I DAILY, probably several more. I propose that farmland in Kulthea will be dotted with intersecting 10' and 100' circles of super-fast growth monoculture! Maize, Rye, Wheat, Grapes, Orchard fruits... Kelp...
Elven forests could spring up out of nothing in a just few years to full growth. Coppiced trees could have their growth directed and shaped for stronger hulls or wooden implements. Wildfire-blasted regions can be brought back to lushness in months instead of decades. Deserts might be seeded with hardy, resistant mature growth plants and turned into fertile zones (just add more weather magic)
What are your thoughts?
What other interesting things have you done with Permanent or regular spell effects?