>--- In HeroQuest-rules_at_yahoogroups.com, Lightcastle
><light_castle_at_s...> wrote:
>
>I've long considered removing concentration from my games, instead giving
>the
>bonus when someone gives up magic from other gods, rather than tying it to
>the other world.
I'd been leaning that way up until lately. With the recent conversation, I understand better now that the choice between choising one otherworld or taking magic from multiple otherworlds does exist in play. In fact, mostly on the player level. That's key. You keep protesting that it has no in-game cognate as the characters are not aware of the distintions. And you're correct. The thing is that the player is aware of the distinction, and so he knows what the character is doing. So the decision in question is important to the player. Will my character be allowed to grow as a generalist, or do I decide to be a specialist?
Further there probably is some in-game representation of this, even if it's not the character consciously deciding to do this or that. The character is probably drifting off towards exploration of things that happen to be related to the one otherworld. He might not know why, but it happens nonetheless.
Now as for the specific rule, I'm not sure that's implemented well. That is, double cost, though it is the lowest integer multiplicative increase is still +100% in cost. Which might be prohibitive for too many players. I think with a smaller surcharge or some other limiter, you might get a better effect. For example, I really wouldn't double the cost for new abilities. What's key is the idea that characters rarely get really good at something without specializing in it - not that they learn fewer magic abilities (in fact, one might surmise that they'd learn more if they were generalized).
Yes, this sort of thing can theoreticall be left to entirely player decision-making, but I think it's interesting to have mechanical backup on it. Makes the decision to concentrate at least as momentous as the one on which diety to worship or the like. For the player, if not for the character.
Mike
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