Post by captaincrumbcake on Jan 8, 2016 15:01:35 GMT -5
(Since I haven't posted anything in this thread--till now--I thought I would offer this perspective on the matter.)
While this deals with dragons, and might just as likely be appropriate for the "Monsters" folder, it is the distribution mechanic being proposed, and thus I feel it could be more helpful, here.
How dragons acquire which spells and how they can use them--since most dragons do not likely read/speak/understand the language of magic--is likely the subject of another discussion, elsewhere. What I am suggesting, here, is simply how to deal with choosing what spells a speaking/magic-using dragon might be prepared to use, given the number of spells it might have--accumulated.
RANK of spell casting.
This is the mechanic I intend to test play, and hope to find it successful and beneficial.
The Rank of a spell is the order in which it is most likely to be in the mind of a given dragon, under certain circumstances/conditions and a given times. I'm breaking this into 3 categories (1-2-3) but you could easily add another one or two...for variation.
Note that this system assumes that conditions exist wherein the dragon has the time to regain/learn spells for the day, and can alter its choice/s in relation to the current situation.
Ranking
1 High Alert. This condition presupposes that the dragon's surroundings (caves, lair, etc.) have been penetrated by characters, and alarms have been raised, and the presence of intruders is strongly suggested. In this posture, the dragon will choose what it feels are the best of its spells to have ready, expecting an encounter with adversaries and with the hopes of annihilating them.
2. Moderate. Under this condition, the designated spell is given equal chance (50/50) of being readied for use. It is not a "high alert" spell, but its use could have major benefits to the dragon.
3. Low Alert. Generally, this condition signifies that the dragon's holdings are not under threat, and the spell noted is only intended for casual use if it gains something in doing so. A dragon will never hold a Rank 3 spell in conditions of High Alert.
At this point, the GM should then go through the entire spell lists per spell-levels, assigning each spell a Rank according to the definition described. Thus, when conducting a one-shot/off the cuff encounter with a dragon, spells can be assigned with a specified purpose in mind, rather than allow random dice to fill the dragon's mind with worthless magic.
In the planned scenario, where a dragon's actual spell-books might be in consideration, the GM should have each spell that the dragon knows recorded ahead of time; thus, as the characters enter the scene and time runs its course, the changing of spells will result as a logical progression/choice to deal with the dragon's situation and intruder-threat.
(I'll get back to this again. I fear I may have rushed my fingers ahead of my brain and things might not appear as I intended.)
While this deals with dragons, and might just as likely be appropriate for the "Monsters" folder, it is the distribution mechanic being proposed, and thus I feel it could be more helpful, here.
How dragons acquire which spells and how they can use them--since most dragons do not likely read/speak/understand the language of magic--is likely the subject of another discussion, elsewhere. What I am suggesting, here, is simply how to deal with choosing what spells a speaking/magic-using dragon might be prepared to use, given the number of spells it might have--accumulated.
RANK of spell casting.
This is the mechanic I intend to test play, and hope to find it successful and beneficial.
The Rank of a spell is the order in which it is most likely to be in the mind of a given dragon, under certain circumstances/conditions and a given times. I'm breaking this into 3 categories (1-2-3) but you could easily add another one or two...for variation.
Note that this system assumes that conditions exist wherein the dragon has the time to regain/learn spells for the day, and can alter its choice/s in relation to the current situation.
Ranking
1 High Alert. This condition presupposes that the dragon's surroundings (caves, lair, etc.) have been penetrated by characters, and alarms have been raised, and the presence of intruders is strongly suggested. In this posture, the dragon will choose what it feels are the best of its spells to have ready, expecting an encounter with adversaries and with the hopes of annihilating them.
2. Moderate. Under this condition, the designated spell is given equal chance (50/50) of being readied for use. It is not a "high alert" spell, but its use could have major benefits to the dragon.
3. Low Alert. Generally, this condition signifies that the dragon's holdings are not under threat, and the spell noted is only intended for casual use if it gains something in doing so. A dragon will never hold a Rank 3 spell in conditions of High Alert.
At this point, the GM should then go through the entire spell lists per spell-levels, assigning each spell a Rank according to the definition described. Thus, when conducting a one-shot/off the cuff encounter with a dragon, spells can be assigned with a specified purpose in mind, rather than allow random dice to fill the dragon's mind with worthless magic.
In the planned scenario, where a dragon's actual spell-books might be in consideration, the GM should have each spell that the dragon knows recorded ahead of time; thus, as the characters enter the scene and time runs its course, the changing of spells will result as a logical progression/choice to deal with the dragon's situation and intruder-threat.
(I'll get back to this again. I fear I may have rushed my fingers ahead of my brain and things might not appear as I intended.)