Andrew E. Larsen
On Oct 13, 2012, at 7:56 PM, John Biles <john_at_6mBAvJz2OkA3PC0RYnT16gnvj0xSQuLvDPpPeNRzEBXRKyPnRcER94dwkmpzIKuuLA_8hiev9g.yahoo.invalid> wrote:
> On Sat, Oct 13, 2012 at 12:37 PM, Andrew Larsen <aelarsen_at_LFp3KIrIuuUnE5t-oMbc1HMEF5yWgFjtIkWZBeveqHUJdR-6a94hSzTZUW3JUP-r7CSsj6hN.yahoo.invalid> wrote:
>
> > Am I missing something about what balances out Wizardry against Theism? Theism just seems much more flexible than Wizardry. Only a very experienced wizard will have anything approaching the range of options that even a relatively new Theist will have.
> >
> 1) Theist magic reduces your free will. If Thorvald is an initiate
> of Yelmalio with the Truth rune at 18, he has to overcome the Truth
> Rune in order to not tell the truth all the time; if he does succeed
> in overcoming the Truth Rune... well, he just applied a lingering
> penalty to his Truth magic. If Jon is an initiate of Orlanth with the
> Air Rune at 18, he has to be passionate even when it would be wiser to
> stay calm or else he will damage his connection to Orlanth and his air
> magic. And the stronger he gets at magic... the more he is limited by
> his runes as to what he can do without messing up his abilities.
> Assuming he can actually overcome his Rune to act against it in the
> first place. He may well get to where he can never manage to overcome
> his runes to act against what they want of him.
>
> By contrast, if Pierrin is a Servant of the Hidden Fire (a sorcery
> order) with access to the Book of Firey Wrath 18 (Spells: Immolate
> House, Bolt of Fire, Wall of Purple Flame, and Protection From Fire),
> his spells can't make him do anything. He won't lose his magic
> because he didn't burn someone today or because he isn't loyal,
> honest, or pure (the traits of the Fire Rune). He can invite someone
> over to his house, then set it on fire to kill them while he runs off
> with their wife and it won't hurt his magic.
>
> Remember, every Theistic Rune Trait is also a personality trait and it
> compels you to do what your god wants, whether or not it's a good
> idea. Theistic Magic is what you do.
>
> 2) In Heroquest 2, specific abilities trump general ones. Whichever
> one is more specific gets a +3 or +6 bonus depending on the degree to
> which it is more specific. If Pierrin uses Bolt of Fire to zap Jon,
> while Jon uses his Air rune to fly out of the way of the bolt, Pierrin
> is going to get at least a +3 bonus. If a troll tries to use Tough 18
> to survive it, he might well get a +6 against the Tough.
>
> This stacks on top of any augments.
>
> So in a direct Sorceror vs. Theist fight, the Sorceror will generally
> be getting a bonus to his spell use against the Theist.
>
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