Re: Uses of Magic (was Roads, Better Vingans)

From: contracycle <gamartin_at_...>
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002 20:46:42 -0000

> limits and opportunity costs. If you are spending lots of MP
> maintaining a road, you have less MP to fight off Malia, make the
> apple trees grow, stop those cold winter winds, etc.

If the roads are holding the nation together, both materially and magically, then the magic expenditure might be considered investment.

As an aside on raods, some cultures have barred all but VIPs and license-holders from travelling on roads, precisely becuase of the damage caused by mass traffic. I don't think this is at all appropriate for Heortlings, but it might be used as a plot device, the Mean Chief Over The Hill bans anyone from using the road becuase of a personal desire not to pay the upkeep costs; this might be a legitimate grievence for other clans in the neighbourhood and a source of conflict. A sherriff may have to request assistance from local clans, especially if set against the backdrop of full-scale war vs the Lunars, or any other circumstance where Royal forces may not be available or inclined to intervene. This might be a good plot device for Peace clans, who tend not to provoke fights I presume, or clans whose main strength is otherwise engaged.

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