From: Colin Watson (watson@computing-science.aberdeen.ac.uk)
Date: Fri 05 Nov 1993 - 17:15:52 EET
This is an addendum to my last post about "Rune Sorcery".
It should be apparent that the basis of the Rune Sorcery idea can be used as a guide to developing new sorcery spells. Basically, if you start with an existing spell, then change one of the runes, this alters the area of influence of the spell. Add some common-sense modifications for the purposes of game balance and you and up with new spells. eg:
Shadow (Ranged, Temporal, Passive) [Rune:Darkness]
Based on the Glow spell, but focuses on Darkness rather than Light. It
creates a globe of darkness with radius equal to the intensity of the
spell. Underground, indoors or at night the shadow produced creates a
-75% darkness effect. On a cloudy day or in the presence of magical light
it creates -50% darkness. In direct sunlight or in the glare of a Lightwall
it creates -25% darkness.
Popular with Troll & Dwarven sorcerers. ;-)
Earthwalk (Ranged, Temporal, Active) [Runes:Movement, Earth] Based on Fly, but in the medium of Earth rather than Air. Objects and creatures affected by this spell can freely pass through earth. The base intensity moves 1 SIZ at 1m per melee round. Each level of intensity can encompass 1 greater SIZ, or can increase speed by 1m/round. Creatures passing through earth will begin to suffocate as per the normal rules unless they are protected (eg. by a Skin of Life spell). [Maybe this spell could allow movement through rock, but I'm not too sure: depends whether you think stone=Earth or stone=Stasis. Stonewalk might be another variant.]
Obviously some discretion has to be used: If you simply replaced Light with Fire in the glow spell you end up with a Fireball spell which is way too powerful for RQ. In this instance the common-sense option is to make the Fire fairly cool (at least at low intensities); maybe make the spell instantaneous rather than temporal; and possibly reduce the area of effect. Call it something unimaginative like "Burn" and you're onto a winner.
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