Suggestions for a Low Magic Official/Homebrew Setting

[JonathonWilder]

I'm looking for a low magic setting... yet before going on I'd like to define what this means to me.

When I say low magic I do not mean removing spellcasters, whether they be divine or arcane. I would much rather limit magic items, add setting restrictions, and give limitations to high level spells. Instead I mean a setting where the spellcasting mechanics are treated differently and where the gaining of spells is much slower process. Perhaps even corporate a mechanic for ritual magic, circle magic, or require others to join in the casting of higher level spells and greater length of time.

A good example of what I'm looking for is the Midnight setting, which there's actually been some conversion for Pathfinder. Yet my biggest issue with this setting is the fact of how they handle Clerics, mainly the fact that they're only evil Cleric called Legate. That and all spellcasting is limited to a single class called the channeler. Though it is also three in one: the spiritual channeler, the charismatic channeler, an the hermetic channeler.

So the question is what is a good low magic setting, even a homebrew setting?

[ddude987]

It sounds to me like you should play e6 or e8. The basic concept is the levels cap at 6 (or 8 or whatever you want, I perfer 10). In addition stack on some rules for negating the christmas tree effect, which would allow for more personalized and interesting items instead of the same old +X to Y stat items. Here are some helpful links:

The creator of E6 - read this (http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?206323-E6-The-Game-Inside-D-amp-D)
Removing the Christmas tree effect (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=1003.msg6651#msg6651)
Useful feat fixes (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=473.msg2216#msg2216)

I also encourage checking out the campaign journal I'm writing. I included all the homerules were using in there. Its a low magic setting, magic items are rare, and the house rules make that aspect of the setting so much better.

[JonathonWilder]

I have actually taken a look at this system and do feel it is a decent way of going about having a low magic setting. Though I also felt it limits a bit too much, and I will say I would likely go to at least level 10 if I used it.
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Let me show you how Midnight handles the idea of low magic in its setting: http://darknessfalls.leaderdesslok.com/class_channeler.htm

Instead of magic items/armor/weapons being given to players it offers the idea of Heroic Paths, with only one character (both PCs and NPC) having any single Heroic Path: http://darknessfalls.leaderdesslok.com/character_heroic-paths.htm

The above also means characters are likely to only find few artifacts here and there.

[Tvtyrant]

E6 for 3.5 or Heroic 10 for 4E work for this. 4E uses rituals to perform the high end magic, in E6 it is baked into the casters (although some people use the rituals as well.)

[JonathonWilder]

E6 for 3.5 or Heroic 10 for 4E work for this. 4E uses rituals to perform the high end magic, in E6 it is baked into the casters (although some people use the rituals as well.)

So another vote essentially for E6, also I see you're an MLP:FiM fan.

Actually the campaign I have planned would be an Equestian setting... which is why I'm looking for low magic. Despite the Equestria being a very magical place, when taking into consideration the power of magic in D&D and Pathfinder... it is a bit much to say the least.

My current plan is to actually look for low magic setting that would go well with the core Pathfinder rules and the book Ponyfinder Race Book.

[Tvtyrant]

So another vote essentially for E6, also I see you're an MLP:FiM fan.

Actually the campaign I have planned would be an Equestian setting... which is why I'm looking for low magic. Despite the Equestria being a very magical place, when taking into consideration the power of magic in D&D and Pathfinder... it is a bit much to say the least.

My current plan is to actually look for low magic setting that would go well with the core Pathfinder rules and the book Ponyfinder Race Book.

Then yeah, I would go with P8. Twilight S. uses dimension door and is a bit higher than P6 would allow for, so P8 would be excellent. P12 might be slightly more accurate (TS uses an Anti-Magic field on Discord I believe) but it also feels wrong (princesses might not have the same power cap.)

[JonathonWilder]

Then yeah, I would go with P8. Twilight S. uses dimension door and is a bit higher than P6 would allow for, so P8 would be excellent. P12 might be slightly more accurate (TS uses an Anti-Magic field on Discord I believe) but it also feels wrong (princesses might not have the same power cap.)

Probably P12 then as technically the royal sisters have been gone for about 15 years, Pinkie Pie killed (or so everypony believes), and the rest of the Mane Six turning against each other. With the rise the five Houses they would essentially become the antagonists of the setting.

For more information: http://pooryorickda.deviantart.com/gallery/37506217

[Tvtyrant]

Probably P12 then as technically the royal sisters have been gone for about 15 years, Pinkie Pie killed (or so everypony believes), and the rest of the Mane Six turning against each other. With the rise the five Houses they would essentially become the antagonists of the setting.

For more information: http://pooryorickda.deviantart.com/gallery/37506217

A little dark for Equestria isn't it? They are best friends too.

[JonathonWilder]

A little dark for Equestria isn't it? They are best friends too.
Yes that is true, though I feel the setting lends itself more towards the high fantasy of the D&D and Pathfinder as well as allowing for a stronger show the full variety of alignments that can be found in these roleplays.

One could argue whether or not Discord even really evil (in any roleplay I run yes he will be), and really one can also ask whether or not there is enough conflict to really have an adventure with much risk and danger.

Politics, intrigued, uncertainty, and danger are all things I like to have any campaign I run. In a setting like this it is not so much black and white then many shades of grey. This also gives an overall goal for the party, that of survival and at higher levels reuniting Equestria.

The ideal outcome being to reunite the bearers of the Elements of Harmony and finding the royal sisters in the process of fixing the land.