Re: Magic items (was Transforming abilities)

From: flynnkd2 <flynnkd_at_...>
Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 22:02:23 -0000

• In HeroQuest-rules_at_yahoogroups.com, "Light Castle" <light_castle_at_s...> wrote:
  > Continuing the everlasting discussion. :-)
  >
  > On 24 May 2004 at 10:11, Roderick and Ellen Robertson wrote:
  >
  > >
  > > > But look at those suggested Combat affinities: Armor of Woad,
  Enchant
  > > Silver,
  > > > Flickering Blade, Leaping Shield, Overbear Foe, Throw with
  wind, [Weapon]
  > > Help.
  > >
  > > Orlanth Adventurous (Destor) isn't the be-all, end-all of
  Orlanthi magic!
  >
  > No, but since you mentioned him as an example, figured I'd use him.
  >
  > > You think "Overbear foe" can't be cast directly at your enemy?
  >
  > Possibly. But I would interpret more as "I overbear foe", so it is
  really about me, not my
  > foe.
  >
  > > "Flickering Blade"?
  >
  > Of course Flickering Blade isn't cast at your enemy. It's cast on
  a blade. Either yours to
  > make it flicker with lightining and be deadlier, or your enemy's
  to make it flicker in and
  > out of reality so it is easier to pierce his guard (haven't
  decided which interpretation I
  > like). Then you either use the blade or the opening to stab him
  in the head.
  >
  > Or make your foe's shield leap out of the way?
  >
  > Cast on the shield, not your foe.
  

You are suffering from "rigid definitions syndrome", this is a mental condition inflicted by various tightly defined RPG's (humour). HQ requires a lateral mind shift, and it took me some time to do that... in fact there are still areas where I have yet to make the shift...

Flickering Blade can be used to do anything your players can imagine. So yes it can be cast on your sword to make it better, either by making it flicker with lightning, or to make it flicker in and out of reality... cast by two different people it may do different things. What it does in this augment mode doesnt matter really. However the magic can be used 'actively', all by itself, as a direct attack on an enemy... you conjure a flickering blade into existence and attack with it. The skill of that attack is based on your magic ability with that magic, augmented by your sword skill (and any other combat related skill).

One of your players may decide he wishes to use Leaping Shield to make an opponents shield "leap" away from him, that would be a direct magical attack with the spell, and the opponent might defend with either combat skills or with a magic defence.

Decapitate Foe, which is a Humakt magic, CAN be used at range, but it is just another attack, it doesnt decapitate the foe in an extended contest unless they are reduced to -35 AP, but it will naw away at their neck in the mean time. OR it can be used as an augment, especially effective againast foes who can only be killed by decapitation.

Dont restrict yourself to the first (or second) idea that pops into your head when your read a spell heading. It is just a heading, not a definition of the spell, your players and your imagination provide the definitions... and as it is magic, these may change.