From: garydj@ditard.dit.gov.au
Date: Wed 06 Jul 1994 - 14:55:43 EEST
Gary James here.
Cullen O'Neill asks some questions about my idea of runepaths being laid out in worship ceremonies.
Me:
"The number of worshipers present would affect the number of
runepaths available in a given ceremony. The particular paths would
vary depending on the needs and desires of the worshipers and the
priestesses leading the ceremony."
Cullen:
"Would the priest(ess) be able to recover one point per ritual? How
long is this ritual?"
In terms of rules mechanics, a worship ceremony takes as long as the participants want, but it must be at least one hour. The longer the ceremony, the higher the chance of success. Also, I think the more runepaths which are opened, the longer the ceremony.
I like Joerg's idea of a successful ceremony roll being required to regain each spell. This would represent correctly following the runepath. I also like the idea of the participants sacrificing MPs as part of the ceremony. A rule of thumb could be the priest(ess)es (I don't think it need be just one) must each sacrifice one MP (and one point of fatigue?) per hour of the ritual. Other participants would only need to sacrifice one MP.
I would prefer to leave how many spells a priestess can recover in the hands of the GM. This way the GM has carte blanche to decide just how much rune magic will be available in the campaign. My preference is for priestesses to have lots of rune magic (particularly spells like Bless Crops) and to be casting spells for all who need and deserve them. So, I would allow a priestess an attempt to regain a spell from each runepath open during the ceremony.
Me:
"The important point, in terms of magical ecology, is that the only
limit on how often ceremonies are held is the willingness of
worshipers to attend. Where there are many worshipers, ceremonies
may be held weekly or even daily (nightly?). Thus, an Ernalda
priestess can easily recover her Bless Crops spell at plowing time."
Cullen:
"Hmm, this does have appeal. But seems open to abuse by powergaming
players with lots of followers."
I agree it is open to abuse. Its up to the GM how much powergaming to allow.
Me:
"However, consistent with Sandy's (and others') arguments, Resurrect
is not readily available because Chalana Arroy worshippers while
widespread, are a tiny minority in most cultures."
Cullen:
"Worshippers here is initiate status or simply lay. Does an
initiate count for several lay members?"
I don't want to reopen the initiation debate so I will cop out and say its up to the GM.
Gary James
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