Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)
Okay, in my home-brew world, we have an elemental magic system. Here's a
quick overview:
- The primary arcane spell-casting class is the Mage. (No wizards; no
sorcerers.)
- Mages receive a number of channels as they progress in levels.
- Each channel must be attuned to an elemental node before the Mage
can use it to cast a spell.
- Spells have specific node costs to cast. For example, a simple illusion
might require 1 Light and 1 Dark. To add sound, you add an Air node.
- There are 9 elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Light, Dark, Life, Death,
and Spirit. (In this campaign setting, 9 is a very important number.
It abounds everywhere.)
(There is, of course, more to it than that, but it isn't relevant to this
post.)
The idea is that you select the other two (or more) elements, and then bring
this "Spirit" element to bear; it's the catalyst that makes the spell work,
as you bend it according to your will.
Now, the trouble arises when determining the node costs for Conjuration
spells--specifically, Summon Monster. In this case, you have to use an earth
and a life node, and I wanted to use Spirit for that added oomph. But then
it hit me. To me, spirit is indicative of life. What if I wanted to summon
an undead? Everything would break down at that point.
So then I began to think that maybe Spirit was a bad name for this element.
The idea was that it would be like primordial ether. You could use it to do
anything. I need a word for this element that is neutral; it doesn't lean
towards life or death, good or evil, anarchy or chaos, the physical versus
the spiritual. It would indicate raw power.
I thought that Ether would be a good choice. According to online sources, it
was (at one time) "the fifth and highest element after air and earth and
fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly
bodies". In Physics, Ether was "a medium that was once supposed to fill all
space and to support the propagation of electromagnetic waves;" this kind of
gives the idea of the all-encompassing pervasive field of energy. My buddy,
who often helps me with these projects, thinks that "Ether", however, is too
technical. (I argue, however, that "Attack of Opportunity" was too technical
when 3rd Edition came out, but people figured it out in due time.)
I also considered Force, but rejected it for fairly obvious reasons.
Can you guys suggest anything? Should I just leave it at "Spirit"? Is
"Ether" okay? Is there a better word?
Thanks for your help.
Okay, in my home-brew world, we have an elemental magic system. Here's a
quick overview:
- The primary arcane spell-casting class is the Mage. (No wizards; no
sorcerers.)
- Mages receive a number of channels as they progress in levels.
- Each channel must be attuned to an elemental node before the Mage
can use it to cast a spell.
- Spells have specific node costs to cast. For example, a simple illusion
might require 1 Light and 1 Dark. To add sound, you add an Air node.
- There are 9 elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Light, Dark, Life, Death,
and Spirit. (In this campaign setting, 9 is a very important number.
It abounds everywhere.)
(There is, of course, more to it than that, but it isn't relevant to this
post.)
The idea is that you select the other two (or more) elements, and then bring
this "Spirit" element to bear; it's the catalyst that makes the spell work,
as you bend it according to your will.
Now, the trouble arises when determining the node costs for Conjuration
spells--specifically, Summon Monster. In this case, you have to use an earth
and a life node, and I wanted to use Spirit for that added oomph. But then
it hit me. To me, spirit is indicative of life. What if I wanted to summon
an undead? Everything would break down at that point.
So then I began to think that maybe Spirit was a bad name for this element.
The idea was that it would be like primordial ether. You could use it to do
anything. I need a word for this element that is neutral; it doesn't lean
towards life or death, good or evil, anarchy or chaos, the physical versus
the spiritual. It would indicate raw power.
I thought that Ether would be a good choice. According to online sources, it
was (at one time) "the fifth and highest element after air and earth and
fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly
bodies". In Physics, Ether was "a medium that was once supposed to fill all
space and to support the propagation of electromagnetic waves;" this kind of
gives the idea of the all-encompassing pervasive field of energy. My buddy,
who often helps me with these projects, thinks that "Ether", however, is too
technical. (I argue, however, that "Attack of Opportunity" was too technical
when 3rd Edition came out, but people figured it out in due time.)
I also considered Force, but rejected it for fairly obvious reasons.
Can you guys suggest anything? Should I just leave it at "Spirit"? Is
"Ether" okay? Is there a better word?
Thanks for your help.
And I have several, and used them. Even the online 
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