From: Chad Underkoffler Date: Tue, 17 Jun 1997 10:37:26 -0400 Subject: Rage's Rune Rules! Okay. As I was preparing for this week's upcoming session, I was looking over my notes and noticed that I had given one of my players a rune to puzzle over. Also, Rune Lore (MVH) is included in my "planet o' mages" mage template. Initially, I had wished to incorporate the Rune Magic rules from G: Magic. But now, after the multitudinous tweaks to the magic system I've made, Rune Magic as it is present it the books is redundant. However, without retconning the universe, I need to have runes and the Rune Lore exist, since it seems they'll be important in the coming sessions. Thus, Rage's Rune Rules have been born. Some opening remarks: 1. I've always seen runes-- along with alchemy-- as an adjunct of standard wizardly magic. Sure, you can have a specialist-- Alchemist or Runist, but a Real Wizard (tm) should be able to swing both those skills plus spells. 2. Also, in my game, I've allowed a skill bonus on spontaneous spell-casting when the mage takes extra time. I've decided to combine this with runes. What better way to preserve my take on symbology, yet integrate it neatly into the campaign? === RAGE'S RUNE RULES * Runes are symbols/pictograms composed of many smaller elements that aid concentration and focus. * When a mage takes extra time (usually 10 times casting time) to increase his chance to cast a spell, he will concentrate on an appropriate rune or symbol, usually by drawing or carving the rune. [ Note = Optional: the GM can require actual knowledge of individual runes as Hard manuevers off of the Rune Lore skill, using the Futhark runes in GURPS: Magic as a guide. Or he could do what I'm doing: just use the Rune Lore skill.] * The media in which the rune appears modifies the Rune Lore roll. MEDIA MODIFIER Thought only +0 Air -drawn +1 / +2 Air spells only Water-drawn +1 / +2 Water spells only Candle-drawn +1 / +2 Fire spells only Impermanent +2 Semi-permanent +3 Permanent +4 "Air-drawn" means traced in the air with a finger or stick of incense. "Water-drawn" means either traced on a surface with water OR traced on water's surface "Candle-drawn" means traced on a surface or in the air with a candle. "Impermanent" means traced in dust, sand, pebbles, etc. "Semi-permanent" means painted OR drawn with ink or chalk. "Permanent" means carving the rune onto a surface. * At this point, the mage rolls vs. Rune Lore skill. By every point he makes his roll by, add 1 to his spell level. Fatigue and casting time level breaks do NOT count here; ie, if Bob rolls really well on Rune Lore, sufficient to bring the spell level up to 15, he does not get -1 Fatigue cost (but see critical success). For every point he fails by, subtract one. If he rolls a critical success, the Fatigue and casting time reductions for high skill WILL count. If the mage critically fails, he lacks the necessary concentration or focus to cast the spell at all. Alternatively, the mage has misdrawn and focused on inappropriate elements in the rune, and automagically causes a backfire when he attempts the spell. * Finally, when used in enchantments, runes halve Enchantment cost. However, anyone with Rune Lore skill can identify all the "runed" spells/enchantments on the item. Furthermore, any time the runed item takes damage, there is a chance (6- on 3d6, +1 per point of damage done), that the rune will be destroyed, rendering the spell/enchantment tied to it useless. EXAMPLES: Fritz wants to cast the Watchdog spell, but his spontaneous casting level is only 7. He decides to take extra time and use his Rune Lore to help him out. He squats down into the dust of the campsite and begins tracing out the appropriate rune. Now, his Rune Lore skill is 10, plus 2 for an "impermanent" rune, yields 12. After 10x casting time for Watchdog, he makes his Rune Lore roll, coming up with a 9. He succeeded by 3, which adds to his Watchdog spell attempt, bringing his effective level to 10. Much better!