Sounds like we missed some wacky Hangover-type action, but the antics of Loke, Halden, Sir Trolf and Zach Galifianakis will never be told. What happens in Ilstenford stays in Ilstenford.
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Ysgard RP Discussion Thread
- Thread starter Nimue
- Start date
AkamaruGames
Mystagogue
At least we didnt wake up with a tiger in the bathroom. Yet.
Addison can arrange that. Well, maybe a wolf. I don't think there are any tigers in the area.
AkamaruGames
Mystagogue
Use druid magic to enlarge a house cat and paint it into a tiger 
Chrissy could probably make a cat appear to grow into a tiger with illusion magic.
I don't think druidry can, since this game doesn't have shrinky-growy magic (as far as I know). I was checking out Pathfinder once, and noticed at level 18 or something like that a druid could become any creature of any size—anything from amoeba/nanopixie to blue whale/gigadragon. I never played Pathfinder, but the druid seems too godlike as the shape-shifting progresses. What stops a druid from crushing an entire town then becoming something that's humanly impossible to find?
Personally, I think shape-shifters should have the same limits as the T-1000.
I suppose beast-speak allows Addison to get into the head of any sized creature (though not dragons, of course), but I find it different from shape-shifting. Her human body is vulnerable since it's just her mind making a connection, and I think too strong (or too long) a connection should make her very weak. When she connects and her human body falls limp, I picture her like the people in the Matrix when they get unplugged (except for the dying part).
I don't think druidry can, since this game doesn't have shrinky-growy magic (as far as I know). I was checking out Pathfinder once, and noticed at level 18 or something like that a druid could become any creature of any size—anything from amoeba/nanopixie to blue whale/gigadragon. I never played Pathfinder, but the druid seems too godlike as the shape-shifting progresses. What stops a druid from crushing an entire town then becoming something that's humanly impossible to find?
Personally, I think shape-shifters should have the same limits as the T-1000.
I suppose beast-speak allows Addison to get into the head of any sized creature (though not dragons, of course), but I find it different from shape-shifting. Her human body is vulnerable since it's just her mind making a connection, and I think too strong (or too long) a connection should make her very weak. When she connects and her human body falls limp, I picture her like the people in the Matrix when they get unplugged (except for the dying part).
AkamaruGames
Mystagogue
Is there a particular thing that lists what the druids can/can't do? Pathfinder has the enlarge spell (though I think it might be a wizard spell only)
Shape-shift has a size limit which becomes less limited as you level. I think it's medium, then small/large, then diminutive/huge, then tiny/giant… and I forget the adjectives but basically the final size limit is limited only by what creatures actually exist.
I'm sure GMs can make calls like making shape-shift gradual instead of instant. I think Steerpike just doesn't use the size-change spells though they exist in C&C (with a +/-50% limit).
I'm sure GMs can make calls like making shape-shift gradual instead of instant. I think Steerpike just doesn't use the size-change spells though they exist in C&C (with a +/-50% limit).
- Thread starter
- #648
Nimue
Dark Lord
There's a sort of hierarchy to magical effectiveness that I like to apply to my writing, so it's also in effect for Ysgard... Magic is most effective and most powerful against other magic, then against minds/emotions, and least effective against actual matter. The more magic something has in it, the easier it is to affect, so an elf is more susceptible to magic then a dwarf, a living animal more than a rock, an enchanted mirror more than an ordinary apple, etc. Magical creatures like dragons are somewhat of an exception because their magic is deeply ingrained and less changeable than a human or elf's magic, and many of them have magical natural defenses.
(However, that thing about animals being more susceptible than rocks is mitigated by animals being slightly more complex in structure than a rock, if we're talking about the difficulty of making physical changes)
Long story short, growing or shrinking something would be really difficult in this world, and not casual magic. Projecting an illusion of growth would be far easier--that's mental. Influencing a tree to grow more quickly or a wound to heal would also be easier, because that's a living creature and a natural process. It's also easier to do things like move a rock or to store magic in a crystal than to change the nature or composition of a rock or to increase its mass. Materializing something out of thin air would be god-like magic.
I've got the sense (though this may be inaccurate) that tabletop RPG magic is more oriented towards certain kinds of scenarios and combat, and a bit less towards narrative. I'm trying to avoid stuff like exploitable magic or loopholes. Difficulty and power spent should be equal to the gravity of the situation in-story.
I haven't really got a list of what Druids can do specifically, but their general abilities tend towards mental powers, healing, natural magic, and pure elemental magic. Technically, all mages can achieve things within the boundaries of magical possibility, because the separate schools are differences in technique, not kind of magic. Wizardry is oriented towards complexity, sorcery towards power, and druidry towards depth.
Sounds like I should add some stuff to the lore, huh? Lord, I'm so lazy
(However, that thing about animals being more susceptible than rocks is mitigated by animals being slightly more complex in structure than a rock, if we're talking about the difficulty of making physical changes)
Long story short, growing or shrinking something would be really difficult in this world, and not casual magic. Projecting an illusion of growth would be far easier--that's mental. Influencing a tree to grow more quickly or a wound to heal would also be easier, because that's a living creature and a natural process. It's also easier to do things like move a rock or to store magic in a crystal than to change the nature or composition of a rock or to increase its mass. Materializing something out of thin air would be god-like magic.
I've got the sense (though this may be inaccurate) that tabletop RPG magic is more oriented towards certain kinds of scenarios and combat, and a bit less towards narrative. I'm trying to avoid stuff like exploitable magic or loopholes. Difficulty and power spent should be equal to the gravity of the situation in-story.
I haven't really got a list of what Druids can do specifically, but their general abilities tend towards mental powers, healing, natural magic, and pure elemental magic. Technically, all mages can achieve things within the boundaries of magical possibility, because the separate schools are differences in technique, not kind of magic. Wizardry is oriented towards complexity, sorcery towards power, and druidry towards depth.
Sounds like I should add some stuff to the lore, huh? Lord, I'm so lazy
I took the list question to be Pathfinder-related, but in any case I kinda like the lack of a list for Ysgard. I don't think I would've thought of a druid falling limp while controlling an animal if I were given "standard" druidry. If the magic were standardized, it would likely be a less humiliating magic where the druid just stands with her hand out or sits cross-legged in deep concentration.
Another druid player may want a water-mage druid to have that calm demeanor when she controls water. I don't want Addison to be like that because she's wild, untrained, and in the few stories I've written she's consistently pushed herself in ways that are both effective and self-destructive.
I like that you give us free reign (with GM'ing to tell us when we go too far) because that allows us to have magic fit the character. I also like that magic has cool names like "beastspeaking" and "stormcalling." Those words act as prompts, allowing the player to think, "What kind of spells can I come up with that fit the name?"
Another druid player may want a water-mage druid to have that calm demeanor when she controls water. I don't want Addison to be like that because she's wild, untrained, and in the few stories I've written she's consistently pushed herself in ways that are both effective and self-destructive.
I like that you give us free reign (with GM'ing to tell us when we go too far) because that allows us to have magic fit the character. I also like that magic has cool names like "beastspeaking" and "stormcalling." Those words act as prompts, allowing the player to think, "What kind of spells can I come up with that fit the name?"
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- Thread starter
- #650
Nimue
Dark Lord
Yeah, I mean, I write 70% by the seat of my pants when it comes to setting and magic and stuff like that, and I want to give you guys a lot of free reign. I like to focus on story and characters instead of policing tiny details. (Okay, though I have got kind of a perpetual bee in my bonnet about anachronisms)
The basic rules are: Does it fit with the setting? Is it appropriate for this character? Does it work with the story right now?
Everything else--sounding cool, not being overpowered, not derailing the scene, fun factor--are pretty much corollaries.
The basic rules are: Does it fit with the setting? Is it appropriate for this character? Does it work with the story right now?
Everything else--sounding cool, not being overpowered, not derailing the scene, fun factor--are pretty much corollaries.
Tom
Istari
Do you guys mind if I drop out of the RP for the moment? I'm going through a particularly bad few weeks--tons of schoolwork, volunteering for credits in one class, applying for a new job, AND a pretty nasty bout of sleep deprivation. (I have chronic insomnia.) I just need a while to sort everything out and get some breathing room. I'll be back, don't worry.
Good luck with everything, Tom! Of course real life trumps an RP game. Look forward to Einan & Troia's return, whenever it may be.
- Thread starter
- #653
Nimue
Dark Lord
No, absolutely! Life comes first, and we don't want to add to your stress. I'll leave room for Einan and Troia to pop back in, and mention that they're still along as needed.
Tom
Istari
Thanks. I really appreciate it.
- Thread starter
- #655
Nimue
Dark Lord
Creaking into gear again... No rush, obviously. I can arrange for a crowbar for Addy if necessary.
- Thread starter
- #656
Nimue
Dark Lord
Ooh dang Farrun's got the handsomer beard--I feel like those might be fighting words in Ysgard
That's why Addison didn't say them out loud.
AkamaruGames
Mystagogue
Beard honor duel! Defend your manliness!
At least you guys aren't dwarves...
At least you guys aren't dwarves...
- Thread starter
- #659
Nimue
Dark Lord
I'm imagining what a beard duel would look like, and...I don't know if I'm ready for that ship yet.
AkamaruGames
Mystagogue
Reminds me of the old Mad TV or SNL skit (can't remember which) where they did Beverly Hills 90210 and at the end they had a hair fight. Hair was all spiked up with gel and they would try to cut each other with it like some street knife fight.