Goodman Games

Back when bholmes4 had asked what was to stop someone from using massive spellburn to get a good result on the patron bond spell. Well, that thread (http://www.goodman-games.com/forums/vie ... 67&t=15311) is in a locked forum now, but I recently had the answer turn up in play (http://unseenservant.us/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=757).

One player, having an elf PC and 4 weeks downtime, decided to reduce Strength, Agility, and Stamina to 3 by spellburn, and then use the remaining time to heal, thus allowing the best possible spell check for patron bond. Unfortunately, the die roll for spellburn was 13 - the caster "develops a bleeding sore that will not heal until he pays back the aid of the power that assisted him." So, I have ruled that the spellburn will not even start to heal until the PC completes a specific transaction for the newly acquired patron.

Even if the chances of true disaster are small, spellburn is not a sure thing. There are reasons to use it; there is no certainty in the outcome. While I am sure that the player will appreciate the long-term benefits if he survives the short-term drawback, it becomes clear that one is gambling each and every time one attempts something so drastic.

Kudos, Mr. Goodman, for making magic feel dangerous and unpredictable!

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SoBH pbp:

Cathbad the Meek (herbalist Wizard 1): AC 9; 4 hp; S 7, A 7, St 10, P 17, I 13, L 8; Neutral; Club, herbs, 50' rope, 50 cp; -1 to melee attack rolls. Hideous scar.

Yeah. Also, there was no guarantee of a 32+ result... I had to roll >= 9, and I rolled a 10. Yeah, it was a good risk. And, long term, it's worth it. But man... being completely gimped suuuuuuucks.

I concur wholeheartedly on the magic system though, very well done.

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RoM pbp:
Hamun Ry (Wiz 4)
Str 10 Agi 15 (+1) Sta 11 Per 11 Int 17 (+2) Luc 10 (Unholy House). Align: C. AC: 14. HP: 13. Melee +1, Ranged +2. Crit: d8, I. Save: Ref +5, Fort +3, Will +4.
Spells: 1: Choking Cloud, Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic (odd crystal growths), Magic Missile (mirror images), Runic Alphabet (Mortal) (ravenously hungry), Ventriloquism (rain of frogs)
2: Detect Invisible, Levitate (extremely difficult, d14), Mirror Image (20% chance to raise/lower luck by 1d3 points).
Equip: Ring of the Sand Djinn: +2 AC/saves, Invisibility for 1min/spellburn point, or unmake for great, unknown effect. Padded Armor, Longsword, Longbow, quiver w/20 steel-tipped arrows, 10 silver-tipped arrows, backpack, spellbook, quill and ink, sturdy parchment (10 sheets), 5 days rations, high leather boots, belt w/ belt pouch, gray robe, dark gray hooded cloak. Also carries 3 small mechanical toys: wind-up mouse, wooden puzzle cube, small jewelry box that plays a little tune.

Any system that encourages Faustian bargains like this is A-Okay with me!

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SoBH pbp:

Cathbad the Meek (herbalist Wizard 1): AC 9; 4 hp; S 7, A 7, St 10, P 17, I 13, L 8; Neutral; Club, herbs, 50' rope, 50 cp; -1 to melee attack rolls. Hideous scar.

Awesomeness!

My favorite spellburn related incident revolves around a player burning 20 points of physical scores and electing to roll with +20 on top of his normal bonus rather than simply treat the roll as a natural 20 as allowed by the rules... and he rolled a 1.

Players are their own worst enemy most of the time - he could have just taken a result of 25 with no chance of mishap, but he wanted that 32+ result so bad that he talked himself out of it and wound up with his spell failing and a brand new crab claw to keep him company.

They could have burned a point of luck to avoid the corruption, correct?

Why would you EVER burn luck to stop CRAB CLAW?!?!?!?!

COOLEST THING EVAAAAARRRRRR

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RoM pbp:
Hamun Ry (Wiz 4)
Str 10 Agi 15 (+1) Sta 11 Per 11 Int 17 (+2) Luc 10 (Unholy House). Align: C. AC: 14. HP: 13. Melee +1, Ranged +2. Crit: d8, I. Save: Ref +5, Fort +3, Will +4.
Spells: 1: Choking Cloud, Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic (odd crystal growths), Magic Missile (mirror images), Runic Alphabet (Mortal) (ravenously hungry), Ventriloquism (rain of frogs)
2: Detect Invisible, Levitate (extremely difficult, d14), Mirror Image (20% chance to raise/lower luck by 1d3 points).
Equip: Ring of the Sand Djinn: +2 AC/saves, Invisibility for 1min/spellburn point, or unmake for great, unknown effect. Padded Armor, Longsword, Longbow, quiver w/20 steel-tipped arrows, 10 silver-tipped arrows, backpack, spellbook, quill and ink, sturdy parchment (10 sheets), 5 days rations, high leather boots, belt w/ belt pouch, gray robe, dark gray hooded cloak. Also carries 3 small mechanical toys: wind-up mouse, wooden puzzle cube, small jewelry box that plays a little tune.

Only as long as it didn't interfere with spellcasting. But yeah, it sounds pretty kewl. I'd give the character a claw attack.

Disagree... crab claw is cool no matter what.

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RoM pbp:
Hamun Ry (Wiz 4)
Str 10 Agi 15 (+1) Sta 11 Per 11 Int 17 (+2) Luc 10 (Unholy House). Align: C. AC: 14. HP: 13. Melee +1, Ranged +2. Crit: d8, I. Save: Ref +5, Fort +3, Will +4.
Spells: 1: Choking Cloud, Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic (odd crystal growths), Magic Missile (mirror images), Runic Alphabet (Mortal) (ravenously hungry), Ventriloquism (rain of frogs)
2: Detect Invisible, Levitate (extremely difficult, d14), Mirror Image (20% chance to raise/lower luck by 1d3 points).
Equip: Ring of the Sand Djinn: +2 AC/saves, Invisibility for 1min/spellburn point, or unmake for great, unknown effect. Padded Armor, Longsword, Longbow, quiver w/20 steel-tipped arrows, 10 silver-tipped arrows, backpack, spellbook, quill and ink, sturdy parchment (10 sheets), 5 days rations, high leather boots, belt w/ belt pouch, gray robe, dark gray hooded cloak. Also carries 3 small mechanical toys: wind-up mouse, wooden puzzle cube, small jewelry box that plays a little tune.

Yes, the player could have burned Luck to avoid the crab claw... he decided that having a crab claw was too cool to pass up, especially because it came with a claw attack.

It doesn't directly hinder his ability to cast spells, yet, since its only restriction is inability to hold and use things normally with that "hand."