Re: Jumping over Trees

From: Benedict Adamson <badamson_at_...>
Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2000 12:13:45 +0000

Mikael Raaterova wrote:
...
> What would please me is that the relationship between magical and
> mundane abilities is decided one way or the other, so that we have a
> common understanding of this core element of HW (whether people then
> decide to change that in their own games is another thing entirely).
> The "it depends" solution that we have know is not flexible, it's
> just frustrating.

...

At the risk of breaking a posting rule, I must agree with Mikael. Crying 'Narrator decides' is just a cop out in this circumstance. The relationship in question is not merely a rules question or a minor fact about Glorantha, it is fundamental about the way that magic works in Glorantha and would have consequences very obvious to Gloranthans.

FWIW, I strongly favour treating magic and mundane abilities the same. Perhaps Vinga could run on treetops, but then Orlanth could slay Yelm. Mortals, even Heroes, are not as good as the gods they emulate. Treating magic and mundane abilities differently leads to an inelegant doubling of abilities (characters having 'do X' and 'Magically do X' abilities for all X). Treating them the same means re-examining the example resistances; for example, Uz are insufficiently able to withstand cold to survive through a Dragon Pass winter.