Spirits in fetches and such

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From: Colin Watson (watson@csd.abdn.ac.uk)
Date: Wed 02 Nov 1994 - 16:13:21 EET


Simon:
> >Yes, but I thought these were just features of the different binding
> >enchantments rather than differences in the way the spirits worked. You
> >can't use the MP of a bound Intellect Spirit because that's not what
> >Bind Intellect Spirit is meant to do.
>
> That only takes into account bound spirits. Remember, these spirits can
> also be put into a shaman's fetch. In this case there is no binding
> enchantment to determine what the spirit can do, so it comes down to
> the nature of the spirit itself.

That's a good point, I hadn't considered spirits in fetches. But, the way I understand it, a spirit held in a fetch isn't nearly as useful as one which is bound into an item. A spirit held in a fetch will only perform 1 service before it must be freed eg. a Spell Spirit might cast 1 spell for you.

What does this mean in the case of an Intellect spirit? It allows you to store one spell using its INT before sailing off into the netherworld (with your spell)? Not entirely useful.

Admittedly, the creature's description says that Intellect spirits can be used when held in a fetch, but this somewhat contradicts the guidelines on Captured Spirits if it means they will serve indefinitely.


Erik:
> I do not like the thought of "POW spirits", "Magic spirits" etc
> either.... I prefer the thought of rabbit spirits, sundered dwarves,
> pieces of dead gods etc, with the way you use it being dependent on the
> spirit binding

That pretty-much says it all.

Of course, the munchkin in me asks: Why should my sorcerer bother binding an "Intellect spirit" with (typically) 1D6 INT when I can have a Magic Spirit with 3D6 INT or Ghost with 2D6+6 INT for the same price? That's the main upset I see in letting the binding spell (rather than nature the spirit itself) determine the functionality of the enchantment.

So I guess the cost of the enchantment should reflect the magnitude of the spirit. An "intellect binding" for a 3D6 INT spirit should maybe cost 3 times as much as that for a 1D6 INT spirit, or something.

> And maybe there is a similar function for a shaman who keeps spirits in
> his fetch

I think the "1 use" rule works fine for spirits held in a fetch: They'll cast 1 spell; or supply MP to power 1 of your spells (even if it's not a Power spirit); or perform 1 other service, then they are free (unless you command them into a proper binding enchantment).

___
CW.

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