ZeroGear
2010-08-05, 04:56 PM
As I mentioned in my previous thread, I will be running a campaign where the PC's are students at a particular training school, using classes to explain how the PC's learn feats, skills, saves, and class features (simplyfied by the fact that we will be using Generic classes (and a slightly modified version of the psion, and a generic meldshaper class I designed)).
As I was thinking about the spellcaster learning spells, I was struck by inspiration: why not require a spellcaster make a spellcraft check the first time she casts a spell to see if s/he learned it properly?
Here is my reasoning: since the generic spellcaster can cast spells sontaneously, we are assuming that they are simply able to chanel X amount of magical energy (which I will refer to as mana) per day (easily simulated by the use of the spell point system described in UA). However, a spellcaster is still required to study the proper incantations, gestures, and ingrediants that make the spell work. As such, like in real life, accidents tend to happen. When casting a spell for the first time, there is a chance of succeding, but something could also go wrong. All spells have a chance of failing, causing a magical backlash that deals damage, or causing a random effect that does not actually do anything (like turning someone's hair purple) and waisting the spell points.
There are also some special cases:
-Since I will require specilized summoning lists, summoning spells have a chance of calling a completely different creature. (summoning a bager instead of a riding dog, for example)
-Spells that use energy have a chance of utilizig a different type of energy. (a fireball may end up as a coldball for example, or a orb of acid may end up being a orb of electricity)
-Utility spells will have no special changes, since their intentions are too specific.
If the check failed, the caster can opt to cast the spell again at a different time and retry the check, or immediately make a spellcraft check to see if he can memorize the altered version of the spell. a caster cannot intentionally fail their check, as it is rolled secretly by the DM (Me).
Im my opinion, this leads to a more realistic feel of magic, and some interesting situations for role playing when a spell ends up being something completely different.
What do you all think?
Ps: here is the link to my other thread.
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160778&highlight=magitech
As I was thinking about the spellcaster learning spells, I was struck by inspiration: why not require a spellcaster make a spellcraft check the first time she casts a spell to see if s/he learned it properly?
Here is my reasoning: since the generic spellcaster can cast spells sontaneously, we are assuming that they are simply able to chanel X amount of magical energy (which I will refer to as mana) per day (easily simulated by the use of the spell point system described in UA). However, a spellcaster is still required to study the proper incantations, gestures, and ingrediants that make the spell work. As such, like in real life, accidents tend to happen. When casting a spell for the first time, there is a chance of succeding, but something could also go wrong. All spells have a chance of failing, causing a magical backlash that deals damage, or causing a random effect that does not actually do anything (like turning someone's hair purple) and waisting the spell points.
There are also some special cases:
-Since I will require specilized summoning lists, summoning spells have a chance of calling a completely different creature. (summoning a bager instead of a riding dog, for example)
-Spells that use energy have a chance of utilizig a different type of energy. (a fireball may end up as a coldball for example, or a orb of acid may end up being a orb of electricity)
-Utility spells will have no special changes, since their intentions are too specific.
If the check failed, the caster can opt to cast the spell again at a different time and retry the check, or immediately make a spellcraft check to see if he can memorize the altered version of the spell. a caster cannot intentionally fail their check, as it is rolled secretly by the DM (Me).
Im my opinion, this leads to a more realistic feel of magic, and some interesting situations for role playing when a spell ends up being something completely different.
What do you all think?
Ps: here is the link to my other thread.
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160778&highlight=magitech