(Message rqd:7)
Return-Path:
Received: from Holland.Sun.COM (sunnl) by homeland.Holland.Sun.COM (4.1/SMI-4.1)
id AA08655; Thu, 3 Jun 93 17:18:17 +0200
Received: from glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM by Holland.Sun.COM (4.1/SMI-4.1e)
id AA07702; Thu, 3 Jun 93 17:17:57 +0200
Received: by glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM (4.1/SMI-4.1)
id AA09216; Thu, 3 Jun 93 17:15:23 +0200
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 93 17:15:23 +0200
Message-Id: <9306031515.AA09216@glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM>
From: RuneQuest-Request@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM (RQ Digest Maintainer)
To: RuneQuest@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM (Daily automated RQ-Digest)
Reply-To: RuneQuest@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM (RuneQuest Daily)
Subject: RuneQuest Daily, Thu, 03 Jun 1993, part 2
Precedence: junk
Status: O
The RuneQuest Daily and RuneQuest Digest deal with the subjects of
Avalon Hill's RPG and Greg Stafford's world of Glorantha.
Send submissions and followup to "RuneQuest@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM",
they will automatically be included in a next issue. Try to change the
Subject: line from the default Re: RuneQuest Daily... on replying.
Selected articles may also appear in a regular Digest. If you
want to submit articles to the Digest only, contact the editor at
RuneQuest-Digest-Editor@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM.
Send enquiries and Subscription Requests to the editor:
RuneQuest-Request@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM (Henk Langeveld)
---------------------
From: awr0@aberystwyth.ac.uk
Subject: Sorcery
Message-ID: <9306021432.AA19104@uk.ac.aber.fronta>
Date: 2 Jun 93 16:32:12 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 929
Guys and Gals, sometime ago I wrote up a sorcery system. It was going to
be refined and added to when my exams were finished. During the time since
I have written the system, I have learnt slightly more about Glorantha and
the various runes, so some of the Rune representations are slightly wrong
or even completely wrong. The mechanics fit with glorantha and just about
any other world I can think of. I would ignore the introduction about
beliefs...that doesn't fit now with what I believe. I did not get a copy
of Paul's sorcery system so don't know what his was like.
There are a number of things I would remove from my system. Firstly the
reduction in ability if you sacrifice for a rune which opposes any runes
you already have. (This refers to the elements only) Increases in ability
would only be 1d6% for a runic sacrifice, and finally damage combination
should be calculated when using elements which are explosive when put
together as 1d10 not the combined amount of damage possible.
Within the system are a number of holes. Ie the use of ceremony, and I haven't
provided a fumble table. I considered a good one to use, as a modification
of the MERP spell table. Although we are talking a complete revamp!
Spell casting will differ, as to where you come from within your world.
The symbolism/casting could be enhanced to make things more interesting.
Anyway, enough rambling....here it is.
PS: Coudl somebody send me Paul's system?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\documentstyle[twocolumn]{article}
\title{Sorcery}
\author{Adam Reynolds \and Stephen Hunt}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
\newpage
\tableofcontents
\newpage
\twocolumn
\section{Runequest Sorcery}
Compiled by Adam Reynolds from discussions with Steve Hunt with contributions from Mark Plowman.
Beliefs
You are what ignorant people would consider to be a 'God Learner'. You
must hide what you are from the world yet the world is beginning to accept
unusual feats of magic and many times have you explained how you travelled with
a hero from a far away country who taught you a new style of magic and fooled
the questioner.
You cannot understand how those ignorant peasants can simply believe in
the gods as mighty beings of unfortold power. All they are, are manipulators of
the powers just as you. What's so impressive about that. You find it difficult
to cast their type of magic. It seems to go against the grain. You've tried many
times to learn their magic but never succeeded. Anyway, yours is a superior
power. It is on par with the gods and with time maybe you will show the world.
You'll readily accept the casting of spirit magic and divine magic on you, but
don't talk about it much afterwards. It acknowledges a certain weakness in your
sorcery.
Sorcery is based on the basic runes from which the whole of glorantha
was made. The elements are devided into four classes; Elements, Forms,
Conditions, and Powers.
Elements
A Sorcerer aligns himself with a particular element. Naturally certain
races will already have themselves aligned with certain elements. There are six
elements within Glorantha these are shown below with their relation to each
other.
\begin{verbatim}
FIRE MOON
\ /
\ /
EARTH ---------- AIR
/ \
/ \
DARKNESS WATER
\end{verbatim}
A sorcerer aligned to one element will find it difficult to use other elements.
The further he moves around the spoke away from his element the harder it
becomes.
Bob is a human and was born under the Water Element( Based on when
during the year and on which day he was born. Trolls automatically are aligned
with the Darkness rune etc.). He discovered sorcery and found it reasonably easy
to learn to control the water rune when he attempted to train in the other
elements he came to this conclusion:
\begin{verbatim}
Darkness,Air :- Medium Difficulty Skill
Earth,Moon :- Hard Skill
Fire :- Very Hard Skill
\end{verbatim}
\subsection{Forms}
A sorcerer is tied to his particular rune that is relevant to his
species. Learning in this skill is a medium skill, but is a hard skill for all
other forms.
\subsection{Conditions}
These runes will usually be present within the formula that the sorcerer
uses when casting. Reasoning being that these runes effect the final outcome of
the spell. The following is the difficulty to learn each rune:
Mastery :- Medium
This rune is the way a sorcerer forms the shape that he
wishes his spell to take(The shape of a fire bolt). It also represents the
independence of the sorcerer.
Magic :- Medium
This rune is used in the subtle aspects of sorcery. The
changing of an object (for example healing.).
Infinity :- Extremely Hard/Impossible
The sorcerer becomes a god. It is a lost art. Why do you
think the god learners were killed. They discovered this rune and began using
it. (A GM should start having unusually powerful people after anybody who knows
how to manipulate this rune.)
\subsection{Powers}
These runes are are formed in mutually antagonistic pairs. These powers
affect the way a spell acts.
Bob combines Fire + Mastery + Movement to create a missile of
flame which he then directs towards a target.
A sorcerer may align himself to a power but may not align himself to the
opposing power. This would cause an internal conflict which would quickly
destroy his soul and body in an appropriate manner. If a sorcerer wants to
align himself with Luck when he has 2 levels of Fate then he must first 'delete'
the 2 levels of Fate, by sacrificing 2 points of POW before the sorcerer can
align himself with Luck.
The runes are :
\begin{verbatim}
Harmony -------- Disorder
Fertility ------ Death
Stasis --------- Movement
Truth ---------- Illusion
Luck ---------- Fate
\end{verbatim}
Learning these skills is a medium skill.
Please note that the only exception to the above ruling is Stasis and Movement.
These runes only oppose each other and thus have the same mechanics as opposing
elements.
\subsection{Mechanics}
A sorcerer aligns himself with a particular rune by sacrificing a point
of permanent power to a particular rune. (The exception being the first level of
one element and one form). This alignment can shift somebody from being aligned
to a Fire element to the Earth element if the sacrifice of power for earth
alignment means his level in the Earth is higher than fire. Sacrificing 1 point
of power gains you 1d10\% in the relevant rune skill.
This also sets the minimum skill level that a rune can be at. The reason I
mention this, is that by gaining skill in one rune by sacrifice makes it more
difficult to use other opposing runes.
Sorcery skills all start at 0\%. Initial training is needed from an
appropriate teacher. You must find a master of the appropriate rune and must
then sacrifice a point of permanent power to the particular rune to allow
yourself to manipulate that rune.
This means that the sorcerer automatically gains Training Gain + Spell
Bonus for the initial training in a particular rune skill.
Bob could easily sacrifice 10 points of power into the Water element,
but could still only have 15\% skill with water.
Alignment within elements can cause problems. Somebody aligned to
Darkness sacrificing for Moon will potentially add 10\% to Moon but subtract
2+1d3\% from Darkness. They are opposing forces, and thus, more difficult to
control within one mind. At the same time 1+1d2\% is both taken from Fire and
Air and 1d3-1\% from both Earth and Water.
One thing that must be considered is how much power can be put behind
each rune. For every power point above a level, half the skill chance. For spell
casting only consider the lowest percentage from the runes used in the spell.
Bob has 2 levels in Fire(@60\%), Movement(@40\%), and Mastery(@80\%).
He's worried, his opponent is hard. He decides to put 3 points of power behind
his Fire rune. As he has only 2 levels trying to control more than 2 points of
fire is hard. (For each point above halve the sorcerers skill). Bob therefore
only has a 30\% chance of pulling this off. He rolls a 29 and a bolt of flame
goes flying towards his opponent. He gets a random experience tick in a rune
used.
\subsubsection{Specialing and Criticaling with a spell}
This allows the sorcerer to do something particularly well so may add 1
extra level on a special and 2 on a critical to the runes of his choice or
damage/dice rolls can be full value (Special) or full value + rolled value
(critical).
\subsubsection{Casting Time}
One SR for every power point behind the spell and one additional SR
for every rune used in the spell.
\subsubsection{Spell Creation }
Ok let's put it this way. It's limitless. Go with what feels right. Most
runes cannot be cast on there own. Usually they must be combined. Obviously the
combination of two elemental runes is more powerful but is also more difficult.
It requires a controlling rune which is equal to the level to be applied + 1 and
the final resulting chance is halved again.
Bob has decided to combine water and fire to produce a jet of steam
(Knockback/scalding etc). Bob is at 80\% in Fire (level 4) and 68\% in
Water(level 2). He also has mastery at 90\% and level 3. He decides to put 2
points of pow into Fire, 2 into Water, and needs 3 points in mastery. (He would
only of needed 2 if he had only put 1 into both runes. He would still have had
to put 3 in if he had put 2 in Fire and 1 in Water). This gives Bob a 34\%
chance to pull this spell off.
Spell concocting cannot be done on the spur of the moment. It requires 40 hours
per rune used. Half this time if the sorcerer is a master of that rune, and any
spell can be learned from someone who already knows that spell and is a master
of that spell within a week. To become a master of that spell requires mastery
in all runes used in that spell. Spell creation allows the creator experience
in the relevant skills for that particular spell.
\subsubsection{Spell Control}
Missile spells all hit at Missile Control skill + plus Movement Level
* D10. Missile Control skill starts at DEX + INT.
Bob has movement at level 4 and a Missile Control @57\% . If bob casts
a missile with 4 pow in the movement rune he has the potential hit chance of
87\%. Then again he may wish to add damage to rather than increase his chance
to hit.
Missile spells can also have there speed increased, similarly to speedart. Each
speed increase adds +3 to damage factor only. No 15\% increase to hit.
Using particular form runes in spells allows the spell to be applied to
particular races. Therefore, healing spells have a greater chance of being
successful as each level used of a particular form adds 25 \% chance to the
success of a spell or the amount of healing to be added on 50\%, then 100\%
then 150\% etc. This healing is accumulative. The sorcerer must touch the
recipient for such a spell to succeed. This only works if the recipient is
willing and not resisting a sorcerer.
\subsubsection{Other effects}
Most spells will require the Mastery rune or the magic rune.
A mastery level is needed to shape 3 m$^3$ of material into a particular
shape.
The Magic rune is used to transform runes into other aspects of those runes.
( Magic and Moon will create a befuddle/madness spell).
Most mind effecting spells will require the Magic rune and most physical
spells will require the Mastery rune.
Some spells may require the stasis rune to allow the effect to stay
around for a particular number of minutes. 10 minutes per level of stasis up to
level 6 and then double the time.
Most spells have a particular range. Rather than define particular runes
as being associated with range, all spells have a range of 50m. If a sorcerer
requires a spell to go beyond that range then adding a level to the appropriate
rune will increase the range by 100m.
\subsection{Spells}
Experienced is gained in the various runes, not in particular spells. It
is the combination of the runes which is the spell. A focus is needed for a
spell. This is usually a symbol containing the correct combination of runes for
that particular spell. Rune symbols themselves can also bee used.
Power versus Power is still necessary when casting mind/body effecting
offensive spells.
Also note that it is possible to cast spells which do not contain any
element runes.
Illusionary spells are unusual in that the number of Illusion levels
defines the size of the illusion, 20 size points per level.
Spells can be prepared and held back. No other action may be taken as
the caster is controlling the power and is aware only of what he can sense
(See/Hear/Smell/etc). If he disturbed in a way that causes him to loose
concentration (Is hurt.) Then roll on the spell fumble table.
Yes fumbles are possible. Modified version of the attack fumble table
to come up.
\subsection{Power Gain}
Due to the attitude of the Sorcerer, they have the same power gain rolls
as a priest. This means they gain power more readily.
Examples of spells are listed although it is easy to make up your own.
The name is given followed by wether the spell is ranged or touch. If a
condition is given in brackets then a optional rune may be added and affect will
be changed as described in the spell.
In most cases, the magic or mastery rune will effect range.
\onecolumn
\begin{verbatim}
Healing : Ranged (TOUCH)
Magic + Fertility + Earth/Water/Fire/Air (+ FORM)
Does 2 points of healing per point of fertility. FORM rune works as
previously described. One point to make, the form rune also allows the
heal to affect the whole body not just one location.
Disruption : Ranged (TOUCH)
Magic + Death + (FORM)
Does 1d2 points of damage per point of Death. Form has similar
effect to healing spell
Nightmare : Ranged Area
Magic + Moon + Illusion + FORM + stasis
Causes one or more people to have there worst nightmare come true.
Consider character and extrapolate. E.G. Storm Bull worshipper suddenly
sees all his friends turn into Chaos beasties. Person covered in horrifying
spiders etc. Per point of FORM, allows one more person of the FORM rune
to be affected. Affected is allowed a INT * (6 - points in (MOON+
ILLUSION)/2) per round to recover.( Round Up.)
Mental Harmony : Touch
Harmony + Form + Stasis + Magic
Creates a link between people so they know excactly what each of
them is doing, thinking, about to do. Both parties must cast this on each
other or else nothing occurs. More than 2 people may do this, as long as
each has Mental Harmony cast on them, ie a rune loop.
Spirit Binding : Touch
Harmony + Magic + Spirit + FORM
This spell allows a sorcerer to bind a spirit into a suitable item. The form
rune must be the sorcerers rune.
Wall of (MOVING) Element : Ranged
Element + (Movement) + Stasis + Mastery
This spell creates a wall containing 1m^3 of element per level of Element.
Effects of particular types of walls are listed below.
Earth 1 AP/Level of Element
1d6 HP/Level of Element
Fire -1 PT to Damage done by weapon/ Level of Element
1 PT Heat Damage to Objects/ Level of Element
1d6 Damage/Level of Element
Random Hits only for missile fire.
1 Extension Spell reduces 2 levels of Wall.
15 Litres of water reduces 1 level of Wall.
Air -5% chance to hit/Level of Element
1d8 STR/ Level
Match STR of wall vs. SIZ + ENC/3 to penetrate wall.
If failed consider STR of wall as knockback in random
direction (1d3) from which victim came. Knockback Damage.
For each metre still to travel, target takes 1d4 damage.
Armor protects.
Water -5% chance to hit/Level of Element
-1 pt to damage done by weapon/ Level of Element
Drowning Possible.
For each level of movement used to move water add 1d3 STR
Example:
Rurik stands in a wall of water to fight Bob the sorcerer. In round one, he has prepared, so he has a breath of air. He is immersed in water.
If Rurik does not make a successful asphyxiation roll he will begin
drowning, taking 1d8 damage in the chest.
Dark Random Hits only.
Cold -1 AP/Level per Element to someone in wall.(All Equipment)
-1 HP/Level of Element to overall HP of person in wall.
Level * 5% chance of armour breakage each hit for level * 1 min
(Each min 1 level drops off)
Wall is slightly dark area.
Moon -10% chance to hit for Weapons passing through wall /Level
of Element
1d6 POW/Level matched vs. POW of individual moving through.
No magic helps. If successful, move through, else caster
redirects target. If caster does not concetrate on wall, target
emerges randomly (1d8 for direction).
If individual is inside wall, +10%/Level chance of hitting
target, he is at -10%/Level to hit.
Bolt of Element: Ranged
Element + Movement + Mastery
Fire 1d6/lvl of element + 5%/lvl to ignite target location if
flammable.
Earth 1d6/lvl + 1d3 STR for knockback
Water 1d3/lvl + 1d4 STR for knockback + - 10%/lvl from chance not to
fall over + 5%/lvl to disarm.
Air 1d8 STR/lvl for knockback + -5%/lvl from chance not to fall
over + 10%/lvl to disarm.
Moon No effect.
\end{verbatim}
\twocolumn
I could develop anti-magic shells, telekenesis. You could have an anti-magic
bolt rather than a Element bolt. The whole point is that if you think it works,
then discuss it with the GM/ other players. If it doesn't seem unreasonable, use
it.
\subsection{Combination Magics}
Two sorcerers can combine there magic to produce something that would
not be possible on there own. ie the combination of Fertility and Death to
create undead creatures. Sorcerers can also cast simultaneously into the same
space (Ie earth wall and air wall). The effects are tremendous and powerful, and
surprisingly easy to achieve as there is no internal conflict.
There are only a number of ways of going about this.
Using the spell mental harmony, the casters know exactly when each other are
ready and can time the casting at to the right moment. In this way only can
power runes be combined.
The sorcerers can hold the power within until a particular signal and
then let go. The effect is instantaneous and requires the power contest
described below to allow continuation.
One sorcerer can cast his spell within the area being affected by the
other sorcerer's spell. They then do POW versus POW checks and if they both
succeed then they both continue there spells. If both loose the spells stop
and if one wins then that spell is only working.
Bob and Bill have snuck up on a Malia worship and have decided to
combine spells. Bob, now a Air Master and Bill a Earth Master decide to just
create a humongous wall above the heads of the 50 Broo. Bob casts and holds the
power waiting for Bill. Bill takes 5 SR longer and holds back on his 15 point
Earth wall. On the signal they cast together at a particular point directly
above the altar. The walls appear horizontally over half of the congregation
within each other. There is a humongous explosion. There is a total of 10d10
damage done to all area around the explosion. 20 metres away from the explosion
only 1d10 worth of damage is done.
In this instance the elements have annihilated each other and the spells
go down. Now all Bob and Bill have to worry about is the collapsing cave system.
\subsection{Spell Interaction}
There are two aspects to Sorcery spell interaction. Sorcery to Sorcery
and Sorcery to Spirit/Divine magic. Sorcery spells are temporary creation of
magical elements. These elements vanish at the end of the spell duration as the
power which is holding these elements in the real world has been used up.
Therefore, although a sorcerer creates an amount of water which may last for one
hour, the water will seap away at the end of the hour.
\subsubsection{Sorcery to Sorcery}
One other aspect of sorcery to consider. It is building block magic.
I.e. if somebody cast a protection spell on a person somebody could happily
cast another protection spell on the user, which would add to the original
protection spell.
Spells with particular elements within them will distort other spells
with similar effects, either beneficially or benanely.
Bob casts a protection spell which incorporates the fire rune (heat
protection) onto himself. Bill trying to be helpful casts a protection spell
incorporating the darkness rune (Cold protection). In this case the spells are
at conflict. The power within each spell is matched against each other, if both
fail they both go down, if both succeed then they both go down. If one wins
Naturally in certain instances where the spell is active i.e. Walls of ...
combination should create new effects, darkness + water = ice. Of course even
then cancellation of effects is possible.
Because the elements thus called up are magical, it is possible to cast
elements within elements with the relevant effects.
\subsubsection{Sorcery to Spirit/Divine}
Sorcery magic can be considered on par with spirit magic when pow
considerations are taken into account. (Ie Shield, countermagic ) Dispelling
sorcery works on the most dominant level within the spell.
Bob has Rurik cornered and calls up a Fire(5th level) wall and sends it
towards Rurik. Rurik has never seen this magic. He only has Dispel Magic 1, but
decides it's his best chance. He casts it, and realises the wall gets smaller.
Rurik continues casting dispel magic. The wall will shrink to level 1 strength
at which point the Stasis level will be reduced. On the next dispel magic, one
rune will be reduced to level 0 and the spell goes down.
For countermagic and shield spells, sorcery spells are considered by the total
amount behind the spell.
Sorcery and Divine/Spirit spells are incompatible. Somebody may have a sorcery
spell and a spirit spell working at the same time as long as the spells do not
interact together (Fireblade and a Protection spell). This is due to the
refinement of spirit/divine magic from the often cruder form of sorcery magic.
The spell already in effect takes precedence.
\subsection{General Rune Rules}
Level increases are not combined effects you must choose to put a number of
levels into each effect described for each rune. Ie Bolt of Fire in the shape of
a house range 450m would require 11 levels in Mastery. 9 for range and 3 for the
shape.
All spells need to have either a Mastery or Magic rune within them.
Mastery
Each level increase range by 50m up to 500m, then double range thereafter.
1000m, 2000m, 4000m ....
Each level increases the complexity of an object created.
LVL SHAPE
1 Ball,block,square,triangle. Maximum 6 faces.
2 Spike protruding from block. Max 12 faces
3 Simple house shape 24 faces
4 48 Faces
5 96 faces
Magic Range as per Mastery rune.
Form
Each level increases: one location per lvl. Where spells have
specific locations to work on. (healing) 5 SIZ/lvl Where spells work on general
areas. (Protection) 5 INT/lvl Where spells effect the mind.
\subsection{Elements}
The elements can best be described by their use within spells given. If
a spell uses elements in an unusual way that cannot be defined from the example
spells supplied, consider the relevant aspects of each element.
\begin{verbatim}
Air Air, storm, violence
Darkness Darkness, cold
Earth Earth, solids
Fire Light, Heat
Moon Illusion, balance
Water Water, liquids
\end{verbatim}
\newpage
\subsection{Powers}
In the same way that sometimes it will be difficult to define exactly
how a particular element will effect a spell, use the same ruling here. Look at
the individual aspects of each rune.
For spells where the main rune used is not a power, for every 3
lvls of the rune 1 lvl of power is needed.
Bob casting a level 4 fire bolt against Rurik, who is beginnig to wonder where
Bob is getting all this power from has to put atleast 2 levels into the movement
rune.
Movement
For every lvl increase the movement factor by 1. ( For missile effects
add 3 to damage(or 10/% to hit). For walls add 3 more movement factors.)
Stasis
For every lvl increase duration by 6 minutes until 60 minutes, then
double duration (2 hours,4,8,16,32)
Fertility
For every lvl increase effect by 1 pt.
\end{document}
Hope you like it! And Yes I have used latex!
Adam