Grimores--books of power, books of spells

fictivefantasies

Here’s a fun idea. We have magic users already. But they need more spells, and in this system, spells are talents. Rather than come up with a half dozen new spellcaster templates, I realized you could make grimores–books of spells. With those books of spells, you could customize your magic user.

Perhaps they start with a different tradition than the one in the base template. The inherent ability remains the same. One of the most evocative shifts in the Magic User template concept is the “Book of Power” so I used that base notion to add a kind of information to the grimore as well.

Here you are. Five new spells, and a book geared for a kind of research. It is not a template, but it greatly expands options for the magic users. What do you think of this concept?

http://fictivefantasies.wordpress.com/2011/08/28/osh-aglatch-grimore-a-new-format-for-a-template/

BrownBeard

OK, I found this thread after reading through the Khuselb Grimoire presented in your "Road to Baffram" module, or Adventure Path, or whatever the kids are calling it these days. Questions:

1. Does the PC who claims the Grimoire have to be a Magic User, or can any Class make use of its powers?

2. Are the spells contained within the Grimoire new Talents that have to be learned separately as the character levels up, or can the Grimoire's owner access any or all of them right away?

fictivefantasies

Grimores can only be used by magic users. Once the magic user has the book, then they can cast out of it spending 3 APs, as using a talent in your class that you do not yet have.

Thanks for checking it out!

fictivefantasies

In my ongoing efforts to release "Fictive's Talents and Templates v.2" I have updated and clarified and generally improved how grimores work.

http://fictivefantasies.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/osh-from-magic-user-to-wizard/
http://fictivefantasies.wordpress.com/2011/12/17/osh-rebalanced-grimores/

allinonemove

the grimoires remind me of the "paths of power" article from dragon #216 circa 1995. if you haven't seen it, MU spells from across sourcebooks were collected according to themes through which spellcasting ability progressed - a more organic approach to spell casting/acquisition.

for example, an MU versed in the "road of swords" would learn scatterspray(1), bladethirst(2), flame arrow(3), enchanted weapon(4), tenser's transformation(6), and mordenkainen's sword(7).

btw - i really like what you've done with the fictive way

fictivefantasies

Glad you like it!

I have not seen that article, but I do like using themes rather than having generic spell lists. One interesting balance in Old School Hack is making the talents variously useful and all the same power level.

Howdy, Stranger!

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