Image by: Konstantin Vavilov (DeviantArt link)
Okay, not really. But the magic system in Fantasy AGE, as written, certainly makes it harder to try and capture the feel of magic in the Elder Scrolls. I've wanted to stay as close to the Fantasy AGE rules as possible, but with the 4-spells-per-arcana "rule", it is pretty hard to do. When writing new magic arcana I find that an arcana either has too many spells to choose from, or not enough. This issue is one of the most infuriating things about this project, almost makes me want to step away from both AGE of Tamriel and Fantasy AGE. So, I took time away from magic and tried working on different bits of AoT here and there, like alchemy.
During this break, I also spent time reading up on the magic rules for Dragon AGE and Blue Rose. Both of these seem better suited for AoT, each has a large list of available spells and characters get to choose their spells. But I am not sure about how they handle magic talents and specializations, so I still got more reading to do.
But that still doesn't stop me from coming up with an rough magic system based on Dragon AGE. Here is a basic overview of that idea:
Dragon AGE-style Magic Rules
Much of the ideas I had laid out in my preview of AoT still apply, but the changes are:
* Magic arcana are gone. Spells now fall under one of the six schools of magic.
* Each school of magic has two magic talents, "[School] Training" and "[School] Expertise". These talents allow a mage to learn 8 spells from a single school of magic.
* When a character gains a degree in a talent that grants a new spell (or two), characters get to choose which spell(s) they learn.
* Spells may now have their own requirements before they can be learned.
* There is an "Archmage" specialization that allows a mage to learn an additional 4 spells from a single school of magic.
* Mages can learn a total of 21 spells with the proper magic talents and with the "Archmage" specialization.
* Rogues and warriors can now learn spells through two talents, "Spell Training" and "Spell Expertise". This allows them to learn a total of 8 spells.
* Magic-using rogues and warriors cannot learn Master-level spells, nor can they gain an ability focus in any school of magic, except through a racial trait or specialization.
* There are a few rogue and warrior specializations, like the "Nightblade" and "Spellsword", that grant extra magicka and new spells.
And here are the new spell talents and a quick idea for the "Archmage" specialization. As always, everything is subject to change.
SPELL TRAINING [Talent]
Classes: Rogue or Warrior.
Requirement: Intelligence 2 or higher.
You learned a few magic spells.
* Novice: You learn one spell of your choice that you meet the requirements for.
* Journeyman: You learn one spell of your choice that you meet the requirements for.
* Master: You learn two spells of your choice that you meet the requirements for.
SPELL EXPERTISE [Talent]
Classes: Rogue or Warrior.
Requirement: Intelligence and Willpower 2 or higher, Spell training (Master) talent.
You have delved deeper into the magical arts.
* Novice: You learn one spell of your choice that you meet the requirements for.
* Journeyman: You learn one spell of your choice that you meet the requirements for.
* Master: You learn two spells of your choice that you meet the requirements for.
[SCHOOL] MAGIC [Magic Talent]
Classes: Mage.
Requirement: Intelligence and Willpower 2 or higher.
You have had magical training in a school of magic. There is one magic talent for each of the six magic schools; Alteration magic, Conjuration magic, Destruction magic, Illusion magic, Mysticism magic, and Restoration magic. When choosing to learn a spell, if it has any requirements you must first meet those in order to learn the spell.
* Novice: You learn two spells of your choice from the chosen school of magic.
* Journeyman: You learn one spell of your choice from the chosen school of magic. You also gain the Intelligence focus for the chosen school of magic.
* Master: You learn one spell of your choice from the chosen school of magic.
[SCHOOL] EXPERTISE [Magic Talent]
Classes: Mage.
Requirement: Intelligence and Willpower 4 or higher, Master in the magic talent for the chosen school.
You delve into the deeper mysteries of a school of magic. There is one mastery talent for each of the six magic schools; Alteration mastery, Conjuration mastery, Destruction mastery, Illusion mastery, Mysticism mastery, and Restoration mastery. When choosing to learn a spell, if it has any requirements you must first meet those in order to learn the spell.
* Novice: You learn two spells of your choice from the chosen school of magic.
* Journeyman: You learn one spell of your choice from the chosen school of magic.
* Master: You learn one spell of your choice from the chosen school of magic. In addition, you generate +1 SP when casting spells from the chosen school of magic.
ARCHMAGE [Mage Specialization]
Classes: Mage.
Requirement: You must be a Master in the both magic talents relating to your school of magic ("[school] Training" and "[school] Expertise").
You have achieved a masterful level within a single school of magic. Choose one school of magic to become an archmage in. You can only be an archmage in one school of magic.
* Novice: You learn two spells of your choice from your chosen school. You also gain access to special spell stunts related to your chosen school (similar to Advanced Spell Stunts like in Dragon AGE).
* Journeyman: You learn one spell of your choice from your chosen school. In addition, when casting spells from your chosen school their magicka cost is reduced by 1, to a minimum of 1.
* Master: You learn one spell of your choice from your chosen school. In addition, you gain +1 Spellpower with spells from your chosen school.
As these are rough ideas, comments and suggestions are welcome.
2 comments:
I always thought an Archmage was a master in all schools of magic or am I wrong?
Also I agree that FAGE has a weak magic system that limited it's magic users spells that they can know. Dragon AGE magic system is more open. What about perks for schools of magic are you going to use them?
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