[FantasyCraft] Divided Magic

[Dhampire]

New Campaign Quality:

Divided Magic

Magic is separated into two sets of harmonious balance. Black and White, as well as Red and Green.  When an arcane character gains his first Casting Level, he must immediately choose which division of magic he will study.

It is highly recommended that a player give a lot of thought as to which course of magical study his character will delve into.  Black Mages focus on destruction, while White Mages focus on life.  Red Mages focus on trickery, while Green Mages focus on nature.

(click to show/hide)

Reaper
     Affliction
     Necromacy
     Shadow
Trickster
     Illusion
     Secrets
     Shapeshifting
 Conjuror
     Compass
     Conversion
     Creation
Channeler
     Energy
     Force
     Weather

(click to show/hide)

Preserver
     Glory
     Seals
     Warding
Prophet
     Blessing
     Calling
     Foresight
Seer
     Artifice
     Divination
     Word
Enchanter
     Charm
     Healing
     Nature

(click to show/hide)

Channeler
     Energy
Enchanter
     Charm
Preserver
     Glory
     Seals
     Warding
Reaper
     Affliction
     Necromacy
     Shadow
Seer
     Artifice
     Word
Trickster
     Illusion
     Secrets

(click to show/hide)

Channeler
     Force
     Weather
Conjuror
     Compass
     Conversion
     Creation
Enchanter
     Healing
     Nature
Prophet
     Blessing
     Calling
     Foresight
Seer
     Divination
Trickster
     Shapeshifting

The above magic division was developed to see if a roughly equitable division of magic in FantasyCraft could be made, for replicating the themes of magic in Final Fantasy.

Green Mages/Magic derives inspiration Summoners from FFIV.  Inspiration has also been drawn from 8-Bit theater, especially from Red Mage.

[Doublebond]

So, basically, a caster is limited in what spells he can learn by his color?

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

Will this be an example of Color-Coded for Your Convenience?

[Dhampire]

So, basically, a caster is limited in what spells he can learn by his color?

That's the idea, yes.

I ended up deciding against letting a few spells in of another type.  I figured if someone really wanted X & Y, they should probably reconsider what type they wanted to play.

[Jake]

Have you considered using something along the lines of a Blue Mage? Let the player pick three different schools (instead of 4), allowing him to make his own specialization.

[Dhampire]

Have you considered using something along the lines of a Blue Mage? Let the player pick three different schools (instead of 4), allowing him to make his own specialization.

I'm not opposed to the idea of a Blue Mage.  Strago was one of my favorites from FFVI.

While I had considered having a Blue Mage, I thought it would distract from the nice duality the others have.  Also, I did not want to create a mechanic for acquiring spells from monsters fought.

Picking 3 schools (or 9 disciplines) would not be unreasonable for the versatility it could offer, but it's not for my game.


Also, of note, if you rename Red to Blue, and Black to Red, you'd only have to create Black for a 5-color Magic system.

[Doublebond]

Is there any overlap in the selections?

[Dhampire]

Is there any overlap in the selections?

Black and White do not have any overlap.  Niether do Red and Green/Summoner.

Red and Green each have 1 full school in common with White and 1 with Black.

[agent oni]

New Campaign Quality:

Divided Magic

Magic is separated into two sets of harmonious balance. Black and White, as well as Red and Green.  When an arcane character gains his first Casting Level, he must immediately choose which division of magic he will study.

It is highly recommended that a player give a lot of thought as to which course of magical study his character will delve into.  Black Mages focus on destruction, while White Mages focus on life.  Red Mages focus on trickery, while Green Mages focus on nature.

(click to show/hide)

Reaper
     Affliction
     Necromacy
     Shadow
Trickster
     Illusion
     Secrets
     Shapeshifting
 Conjuror
     Compass
     Conversion
     Creation
Channeler
     Energy
     Force
     Weather

(click to show/hide)

Preserver
     Glory
     Seals
     Warding
Prophet
     Blessing
     Calling
     Foresight
Seer
     Artifice
     Divination
     Word
Enchanter
     Charm
     Healing
     Nature

(click to show/hide)

Channeler
     Energy
Enchanter
     Charm
Preserver
     Glory
     Seals
     Warding
Reaper
     Affliction
     Necromacy
     Shadow
Seer
     Artifice
     Word
Trickster
     Illusion
     Secrets

(click to show/hide)

Channeler
     Force
     Weather
Conjuror
     Compass
     Conversion
     Creation
Enchanter
     Healing
     Nature
Prophet
     Blessing
     Calling
     Foresight
Seer
     Divination
Trickster
     Shapeshifting

The above magic division was developed to see if a roughly equitable division of magic in FantasyCraft could be made, for replicating the themes of magic in Final Fantasy.

Green Mages/Magic derives inspiration Summoners from FFIV.  Inspiration has also been drawn from 8-Bit theater, especially from Red Mage.

this reminds of the division in Dragon Lance

[Sletchman]

While I had considered having a Blue Mage, I thought it would distract from the nice duality the others have.  Also, I did not want to create a mechanic for acquiring spells from monsters fought.

That could be either an origin, or a 1st level only feat.

Blue Magic [Spellcasting feat]
Something Pithy.
Prerequisites: 1st level only, Spellcasting ranks 1+
Benefits: You don't gain spells normally, instead you start with a number of spells known equal to your Wisdom Score.  Whenever you are the target of a spell and survive the effects you gain it as a spell known.