Re: Ability levels in magic; adversaries, bandits soldiers...

From: donald_at_azfMpwphZghjfZoJpbBv3DhdprgQYGHgteooAxmoqK4iXgm1ap5xzQfsHyS-myat6epeu
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:44:29 GMT

In message <f8beg1+e99d_at_eGroups.com> "valkoharja" writes:
><snip>
>> Barbarian Adventures gives some typical opponents. They generally
>> seem to have a similar level of magic to starting player characters.
>
>This seems wrong. Aren't the beginning character levels supposed to
>already produce guys that are more competent than average schmoes?

Only marginally so and in specific areas - basically that twenty points you get to improve skills. Many of those groups of opponents include more experienced individuals as well.

>> Someone outlawed by the tribe or for political reasons won't be
>> cut off at all.
>
>Theism needs sacrifice. You won't be there for the holy day
>ceremonies. I'm pretty sure that will mess up your connection to
>your god, at least at some level.

So you find a windy hilltop and make your sacrifice to Orlanth. Or find a dark cave and sacrifice to Ernalda. There are several subcults of Orlanth which are for wanderers and since the Lunar occupation all godi of Orlanth have been outlawed.

I can see some theistic cults requiring attendance at proper temples in the right clothes and with properly appointed priests performing exactly the right rituals. However Orlanth and Ernalda will place much less importance on that.

I don't see theism in general being anything like as structured as it appeared in RQ. Any initiate can lead a ceremony though it's usually the most experienced or someone from the most appropriate subcult for the particular ritual. Devotees or even disciples are even better but aren't always available for clan ceremonies.

>> >How unusual is the bandit or orlanthi fyrd member who
>> >actually fights with his/her "befuddle foe 19" rather than using a
>> >spear and shield?
>>
>> As the HQ rules stand most people's magic is augment only so the
>> use of magic on it's own is going to be pretty rare.
>
>Pretty rare, but if the bandits one encounters are equal in skill to
>the beginning player characters(?), wont't that mean they tend to have
>quite serious magics, even at the "throw lightning 5w" level"?

If an experienced bandit specialised in Gagarthi magic he could have something like that. Banditry isn't something which encourages devotion to anything, it's usually a desperate attempt to survive. A more typical bandit would have something like spear and shield fighting 17, augmented by +2 for an intimidate affinity* and +2 for a befuddle foe talent.

• seems an appropriate affinity for Gagarth

-- 
Donald Oddy
http://www.grove.demon.co.uk/