> I agree with the one part of this statement - it is difficult to
> justify a theory that Common Magic as weaker than the three other
> systems, though in practice, it is generally true that it is so.
No real argument from me on this.
> There is huge power in the Inner World - however the Inner World is
> much more dynamic than the Other Worlds and hence, for the most
> part, this huge power is much more diffuse/spread out among the
> inhabitants. In the Other Worlds, the power is generally statically
> concentrated in the Great Gods, Majestic Spirits, the Invisible God
> etc., but each of these have hordes of lesser followers. And this
> hierarchy can only be changed by inhabitants of the Inner World.
That's an interesting way to look at it; diffuse vs concentrated.
> The story in your campaign could be about how one hero was able to
> concentrate on Common Magic and make it a source of vast personal
> potency.
Well, it wouldn't be the story of THIS campaign, but it could be an interesting one to do.
> However, I'll argue against several parts of the statement... :-)
Please do. :)
> 1 - Weird mixed up systems are likely to become more common as
> cultures further from the center are explored. Just wait and see
> what the Lunars are like - as already mentioned by RR, the Lunar
> otherworld is the moon and that otherworld grants access to all four
> HQ magic systems, occasionally all in one cult/religion.
Trolls appear to be similar, and I suspect the Elves as well. Mostali seem pretty much pure sorcery though. And, I would argue that leaving the centre gets you mixed, but when you hit the edges you get purity again.
> 2 - Mysticism is not what _anyone_ thinks it is(*) - there will
> _never_ be a workable set of mysticism rules.
Yes, I've gotten that impression. :)
> My understanding is that the only interesting stories about mystics
> are about those that failed (can I mention Sheng Seleris...) and
> then, for a time, wield extra-ordinary power. But their power is
> understandable in the context of the 4 existing systems.
Certainly. In fact, it seems that all the other systems are going to be done by mix and match off the existing systems.
> Teshnos, Kralorela and the "mystical" East of Glorantha are
> certainly influenced by mystics and the path of the mystic is
> admired by most as the best, most pure, path to Transcendance. But,
> in the meantime, they have to feed their children, keep the village
> safe etc. And the best route to this is through one or a mix of the
> four existing HQ magic systems.
I'd be perfectly ok working with that. The only issue I have with some of this "mix and match" idea, is that it seems to render concentration a bit pointless, if you every system that is a mix just is "another otherworld". I don't know if this is how it is going to end up, but it does seem that the Moon is that case, as is Darkness (although that's not canonical). If part of the point of concentration is giving up breadth for focused power, then that idea needs to be preserved.
Again, having not seen ILH2, I don't know how it is going to work in practice, but I worry.
LC
Powered by hypermail