<!-- MHonArc v2.4.4 --> <!--X-Subject: Re: [MUD-Dev] Magic as Metaphor --> <!--X-From-R13: "Xba O. Znzoreg" <Xba.O.ZnzoregNvk.argpbz.pbz> --> <!--X-Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 04:59:25 +0000 --> <!--X-Message-Id: 199803140459.WAA18889@dfw-ix13.ix.netcom.com --> <!--X-Content-Type: text/plain --> <!--X-Reference: 199803130005.QAA02166#under,engr.sgi.com --> <!--X-Reference: 199803130324.TAA03384#under,engr.sgi.com --> <!--X-Head-End--> <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN"> <html> <head> <title>MUD-Dev message, Re: [MUD-Dev] Magic as Metaphor</title> <!-- meta name="robots" content="noindex,nofollow" --> <link rev="made" href="mailto:Jon.A.Lambert#ix,netcom.com"> </head> <body background="/backgrounds/paperback.gif" bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000" link="#0000FF" alink="#FF0000" vlink="#006000"> <font size="+4" color="#804040"> <strong><em>MUD-Dev<br>mailing list archive</em></strong> </font> <br> [ <a href="../">Other Periods</a> | <a href="../../">Other mailing lists</a> | <a href="/search.php3">Search</a> ] <br clear=all><hr> <!--X-Body-Begin--> <!--X-User-Header--> <!--X-User-Header-End--> <!--X-TopPNI--> Date: [ <a href="msg00713.html">Previous</a> | <a href="msg00715.html">Next</a> ] Thread: [ <a href="msg00706.html">Previous</a> | <a href="msg00730.html">Next</a> ] Index: [ <A HREF="author.html#00714">Author</A> | <A HREF="#00714">Date</A> | <A HREF="thread.html#00714">Thread</A> ] <!--X-TopPNI-End--> <!--X-MsgBody--> <!--X-Subject-Header-Begin--> <H1>Re: [MUD-Dev] Magic as Metaphor</H1> <HR> <!--X-Subject-Header-End--> <!--X-Head-of-Message--> <UL> <LI><em>To</em>: <A HREF="mailto:mud-dev#null,net">mud-dev#null,net</A></LI> <LI><em>Subject</em>: Re: [MUD-Dev] Magic as Metaphor </LI> <LI><em>From</em>: "Jon A. Lambert" <<A HREF="mailto:Jon.A.Lambert#ix,netcom.com">Jon.A.Lambert#ix,netcom.com</A>></LI> <LI><em>Date</em>: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 00:02:10 -5</LI> <LI><em>Reply-to</em>: <A HREF="mailto:jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com">jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com</A></LI> </UL> <!--X-Head-of-Message-End--> <!--X-Head-Body-Sep-Begin--> <HR> <!--X-Head-Body-Sep-End--> <!--X-Body-of-Message--> <PRE> On 12 Mar 98 at 19:55, J C Lawrence wrote: > On Thu, 12 Mar 1998 16:07:50 PST8PDT > J C Lawrence<claw> wrote: > > > <A HREF="http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~jay/nephilim/metaphor.html">http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~jay/nephilim/metaphor.html</A> > > > Magic as Metaphor > > An Alternative Magic System > > by Jamie Norrish, 1995 > ...deletia... > > Sorcery is a general term which covers the processes by which > > Nephilim change reality as they wish, by drawing on the power of > > Ka. The individual procedures can also be generalised more > > descriptively by examining how Nephilim conceive of these changes to > > reality. Firstly, of course, the Nephilim must decide upon a change > > to effect. Then, as comes naturally to Nephilim, an appropriate > > analogy for the situation is thought of. This might either derive > > from their own experience, or from an external source, such as a > > grimoire (this is essentially the difference between inscribed and > > non-inscribed spells; see below, Inscribing Spells). Having created > > in its mind the analogy, the Nephilim then imagines the change it > > wants, and uses its abilities (and the energy of its simulacrum) to > > effect that change in reality. Essentially, the Nephilim forces > > reality to conform to the analogy in its mind - magic is metaphor. > > This does of course beg the question of whether the system could be > adtapted to no longer require an external GM/moderator/judge. > Lambert I seem to recall is using a variation on a sympathetic magic > system which is not entirely alien to the above, ("the spell has the > hardness of the rock you have in your hand, and the heat of the fire > you beside...). Comments? > I'm not familiar with the Nephilim magic system. I haven't posted much about magic systems other than on the threads related to alchemy and deity systems. The magic system I'm implementing is based on Rolemaster. Rather than explain Rolemaster, which some are familiar with anyhow, I'll just give the gist of my implementation. There are two types of magic, channeling and essence. Channeling is the transference of power by communion with deistic entities. Oracles, priests, healers and sorcerors typically derive their power via channeling. Channeling involves an exchange of energy and always has two costs to the caster. The first cost is power points (much like typical mud mana implementations), although the caster may determine the amount of points to be spent in casting. The second cost depends upon the spell and/or the entity channelled from and is paid in material, physical, mental, ritual costs. These secondary costs may be paid by personally by the caster or by others willingly (or unwillingly). Channeling can also be practiced and coordinated via a group effort. Channelers can willingly share power points with others and can even combine costs to cast spells of greater effect than they could on their own. Essence involves the tapping of aether by the caster. Aether is the substance from which all things are made. Free Aether is quite rare but the most basic elements of air, water, fire and earth are the simplest and easiest elements manipulated and comprise the majority of mundane magic. Aether is also known as Anima Mundi to those of the hermetic/alchemical bent. Mages, mystics, illusionists and alchemists typically derive their powers via essence tapping. The caster converts aether into energy, such energy can be the kinetic manipulation of base elements, alchemical building of more complex objects, and other more subtle forms. The cost is identical to the first cost of channeling and is also expressed in power points usage. There is usually no secondary cost, although some spells may require material components. There are also personal risks associated with overcasting or miscasting of spells. One risk is associated with frequent tapping and casting from too-pure pools of aether. This is known in mage circles as "tap addiction". For both types of magic, the available spells are organized into lists of related spells of increasing rank or power. Some of these lists are held in secret by various cults and guilds and are not easily available. When the opportunity arises to develop one's character, character development points are used to purchase portions of spell lists. The costs vary widely and are primarily dependent upon the character's adolescent social and cultural upbringing and local availability and willingness of mentors. Spells are somewhat analog to the power point expenditure of the caster. For example, my "Summoning spell list" contains 18 spells ranging from rank 1-50 of ever increasing summoning power. Spell rank is also the minimum cost to cast a spell in "normal" situations. Situational modifiers to casting are very similar to my action/static maneuver penalties and additions which I detailed in an earlier post. In addition to knowing specific spells (skills), the casting of them may be inhibited or enhanced by possessing additional category skills based on the type of spell. For instance casting a fireball would be greatly helped by having the "directed/targeted spells" skill. Well that's the basics, FWIW. :) -- --/*\ Jon A. Lambert - TychoMUD Internet:jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com /*\-- --/*\ Mud Server Developer's Page <<A HREF="http://www.netcom.com/~jlsysinc">http://www.netcom.com/~jlsysinc</A>> /*\-- --/*\ "Everything that deceives may be said to enchant" - Plato /*\-- </PRE> <!--X-Body-of-Message-End--> <!--X-MsgBody-End--> <!--X-Follow-Ups--> <HR> <ul compact><li><strong>Follow-Ups</strong>: <ul> <li><strong><A NAME="00730" HREF="msg00730.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Magic as Metaphor</A></strong> <ul compact><li><em>From:</em> J C Lawrence <claw#under,engr.sgi.com></li></ul> </UL></LI></UL> <!--X-Follow-Ups-End--> <!--X-References--> <UL><LI><STRONG>References</STRONG>: <UL> <LI><STRONG><A NAME="00692" HREF="msg00692.html">Magic as Metaphor</A></STRONG> <UL><LI><EM>From:</EM> J C Lawrence <claw#under,engr.sgi.com></LI></UL></LI> <LI><STRONG><A NAME="00706" HREF="msg00706.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Magic as Metaphor</A></STRONG> <UL><LI><EM>From:</EM> J C Lawrence <claw#under,engr.sgi.com></LI></UL></LI> </UL></LI></UL> <!--X-References-End--> <!--X-BotPNI--> <UL> <LI>Prev by Date: <STRONG><A HREF="msg00713.html">(no title) Time limits?</A></STRONG> </LI> <LI>Next by Date: <STRONG><A HREF="msg00715.html">Speaking of Avatars</A></STRONG> </LI> <LI>Prev by thread: <STRONG><A HREF="msg00706.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Magic as Metaphor</A></STRONG> </LI> <LI>Next by thread: <STRONG><A HREF="msg00730.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Magic as Metaphor</A></STRONG> </LI> <LI>Index(es): <UL> <LI><A HREF="index.html#00714"><STRONG>Date</STRONG></A></LI> <LI><A HREF="thread.html#00714"><STRONG>Thread</STRONG></A></LI> </UL> </LI> </UL> <!--X-BotPNI-End--> <!--X-User-Footer--> <!--X-User-Footer-End--> <ul><li>Thread context: <BLOCKQUOTE><UL> <LI><strong><A NAME="00694" HREF="msg00694.html">2Cyberconf: An article</A></strong>, J C Lawrence <a href="mailto:claw#under,engr.sgi.com">claw#under,engr.sgi.com</a>, Fri 13 Mar 1998, 01:32 GMT <LI><strong><A NAME="00693" HREF="msg00693.html">CT - A Hypothetical Session (mid 1995)</A></strong>, J C Lawrence <a href="mailto:claw#under,engr.sgi.com">claw#under,engr.sgi.com</a>, Fri 13 Mar 1998, 01:13 GMT <LI><strong><A NAME="00692" HREF="msg00692.html">Magic as Metaphor</A></strong>, J C Lawrence <a href="mailto:claw#under,engr.sgi.com">claw#under,engr.sgi.com</a>, Fri 13 Mar 1998, 00:05 GMT <UL> <LI><strong><A NAME="00706" HREF="msg00706.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Magic as Metaphor</A></strong>, J C Lawrence <a href="mailto:claw#under,engr.sgi.com">claw#under,engr.sgi.com</a>, Fri 13 Mar 1998, 03:24 GMT <UL> <LI><strong><A NAME="00714" HREF="msg00714.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Magic as Metaphor</A></strong>, Jon A. Lambert <a href="mailto:Jon.A.Lambert#ix,netcom.com">Jon.A.Lambert#ix,netcom.com</a>, Sat 14 Mar 1998, 04:59 GMT <UL> <LI><strong><A NAME="00730" HREF="msg00730.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Magic as Metaphor</A></strong>, J C Lawrence <a href="mailto:claw#under,engr.sgi.com">claw#under,engr.sgi.com</a>, Tue 17 Mar 1998, 01:57 GMT </LI> </UL> </LI> </UL> </LI> </UL> </LI> <LI><strong><A NAME="00691" HREF="msg00691.html">THE DARKWHOLE TESTS</A></strong>, J C Lawrence <a href="mailto:claw#under,engr.sgi.com">claw#under,engr.sgi.com</a>, Thu 12 Mar 1998, 23:44 GMT <LI><strong><A NAME="00690" HREF="msg00690.html">ANNOUNCE: DB</A></strong>, Robin Carey <a href="mailto:r.carey#dcs,napier.ac.uk">r.carey#dcs,napier.ac.uk</a>, Tue 10 Mar 1998, 20:29 GMT <LI><strong><A NAME="00689" HREF="msg00689.html">Random Generation Tools</A></strong>, Ling <a href="mailto:K.L.Lo-94#student,lboro.ac.uk">K.L.Lo-94#student,lboro.ac.uk</a>, Sun 08 Mar 1998, 21:51 GMT </UL></BLOCKQUOTE> </ul> <hr> <center> [ <a href="../">Other Periods</a> | <a href="../../">Other mailing lists</a> | <a href="/search.php3">Search</a> ] </center> <hr> </body> </html>