Fantasy Craft Q&A Thread!

[Wolverine]

On a personal note, I don't have that much of an issue with Prodigal Spellcasting as it allows for the build of a truly gifted Mage (potential Archmage material).

And if you're happy ruling it that way in your home game, go for it That's the great thing about house rules.

[Arakor]

On a personal note, I don't have that much of an issue with Prodigal Spellcasting as it allows for the build of a truly gifted Mage (potential Archmage material).

And if you're happy ruling it that way in your home game, go for it That's the great thing about house rules.

For my Shadows in Mystara game, I'll do that.
The sole purpose for the question was to get a clarification from the Crafty guys as to the original intention of the feat.

[Crafty_Alex]

Prodigal Skill

Can the above feat be applied to the Spellcasting skill for Mages?

No. Spellcasting uses skill points, but it is not a skill in the same way as others. This is why it's in Chapter 3 and not Chapter 2.

[Deral]

In the other hand: All the spell caster's types can learn any spell??

Mages casting healing spells?? Shamans conjuring undeads? Priest throwing lightning bolts??

Even if this is true then a Priest have advantage against a Mage 'cuz the later have a miss chance the priest don't have Don't you think??

The casting class that came with FC, the Mage, is the generalist caster and can choose from any school, I think this was to give the players a chance to use any kind of magic right off the bat, and to allow a whole bunch of useful skills, plus it just makes sense to have Mages be your release caster. The other casters that are out (Seer and Channeler) and the ones that are coming can pick spells from 3 disciplines each (see pg 111), but only from those, for an example check out the Alchemist.

Priests have an easier time casting than mages, but only those few spells they gain from their paths, usually 1 or 2 per step (often not including the first step, if not more), and those spells are pretty much always 1/scene. The only exception is the Magic path, which uses the Spellcasting skill just like an Arcane caster. So, between the far narrower choice (Basically wisdom+3+lvl spells known vs about 1/2 your level at maximum, often far less), and the much more limited effective "spell points," the mage is a far more effective caster, but the differences in style and feel between the priest and the mage I think is pretty intentional.

A very important thing to remember, I'm sure you've heard it said, but don't think "Cleric" when you see "Priest," that class is almost entirely divorced from the idea of the D&D cleric that it's not even funny, the biggest thing they have in common is their name and devotion to a cause. The D&D cleric is more similar in concept to a religious version of one of the upcoming casting classes, Preserver, Protector, Reaper, Enchanter all have aspects of it, but even for the time being you can manage the same feel with Mage. Classes from that other game are pretty simple and really easy to replicate, take the Cleric specialty and you're pretty much done.

[Morgenstern]

Prodigal Skill

Can the above feat be applied to the Spellcasting skill for Mages?

Nope. Pat was extremely proud of the linguistic gymnastics of that feat text .

[Crafty_Pat]

Following up on a couple related items Alex and I have been discussing in the background...

Priest Spellcasting: At present, the official "errata" (clarification) will be that every time a spell requires a Spellcasting result for any reason, the lowest possible successful result will be used (though some spells, like the Disguise one, will also apply minimums). This mirrors the previous ruling about Priests and attack spells.

Sage's Breadth of Experience and Spellcasting: We're going to remove circle of power as a BoE option. Sages can cast cantrips (Level 0 spells) but nothing else - on their own.

[Sletchman]

Following up on a couple related items Alex and I have been discussing in the background...

Sage's Breadth of Experience and Spellcasting: We're going to remove circle of power as a BoE option. Sages can cast cantrips (Level 0 spells) but nothing else - on their own.

How does this interact with a sage taking Path of Magic 1, and then Subtle and Quick to Anger?  Does he gain circle of power 1, but retain only 4 spell points? Or does it become Path of Magic 2?

On the same note, what happens to a priest [with Path of Magic] who multiclasses mage?

[spinningdice]

I can't see how it does, they both grant Subtle & Quick to Anger which isn't a legacy ability, so doesn't stack with itself. The Path of Magic option is better since it also grants spell points (though they don't really do anything - except maybe let you boost with Spellcasting feats?) but not all campaigns will allow Miracles or may not have a compatable alignment for you to take.

[mach1.9pants]

An easy one as my mind is numb: How does a Priest use his spell points? He gets caster level and spell points but no ability to cast spells....

[Sletchman]

An easy one as my mind is numb: How does a Priest use his spell points? He gets caster level and spell points but no ability to cast spells....

The only way for the Priest to gain spell points is via the path of magic, the first step of which gives the player the ability to buy spellcasting ranks.

Edited for more clarity: Step 1 gives you Subtle and quick to anger.  Check the Mage [Page 43], in the ability description it says "you may purchase spellcasting ranks...etc...".

[Morgenstern]

How does this interact with a sage taking Path of Magic 1, and then Subtle and Quick to Anger?

Arg. Text for stacking Subtle and Quick to Anger is missing - forgot you could get it from a path. Same principle as stacking 2 Path of the Crucible (or any two identical 'caster-starter abilities'): it gives you an extra Spellcasting feat, not Circle of Power. That correction should resolve all of your questions.

[tenebrae]

Ogre, Sorcerer and the Fire Brave/Elder feats seem to be a good combination, flavour-wise, but both Fire Elder and the Sorcerer speciality link the Intimidate and Spellcasting skills. Is there any alternate benefit to be gained here (like when you are granted a specific feat you already have)?

[OverNinja]

Ogre, Sorcerer and the Fire Brave/Elder feats seem to be a good combination, flavour-wise, but both Fire Elder and the Sorcerer speciality link the Intimidate and Spellcasting skills. Is there any alternate benefit to be gained here (like when you are granted a specific feat you already have)?

You gain another feat of the same group that you qualify for.

[tenebrae]

Neither of these benefits are a feat though. I'm asking whether gaining the same benefit from two sources (speciality and feat) grants any further benefit.

Upon examination, one grants Intimidate->Spellcasting, and another grants Spellcasting->Intimidate. Can this set up a recursive loop that grants max ranks in both for the cost of 1 skill point? [/blatant powergaming]

[spinningdice]

Errr, no, I can't see that working.
It does give the very minor benefit that you can do it either way, which might be useful if your multiclassing and don't have both skills on all your lists.