I want to hear the best theories about the magical writing that appears around the hands of casters in the Wayne Reynolds cover art. It is always there. What is the source of this writing? Is it worked into the cosmology somehow? Is it tied to the verbal and somatic components?
Will we get answers in Ultimate Magic?
What's your take?
I want to hear the best theories about the magical writing that appears around the hands of casters in the Wayne Reynolds cover art. It is always there. What is the source of this writing? Is it worked into the cosmology somehow? Is it tied to the verbal and somatic components?
Will we get answers in Ultimate Magic?
What's your take?
For me , I see it as purely classic Vancian magic- as the words & symbols disappear from your mind they manifest physically as the spell is formed and cast.
It's basically how we show magic happening; it's partially influenced, I suspect, from how a lot of magical effects function in fantasy video games.
Oh, great going James... charge in with an Creative Director answer and now everyone will consider the matter settled! </snark>
I think it is really cool and it should be a mandate for all your art. I'm always kind of disappointed by the pieces where a ray is just a ray.
It's basically how we show magic happening; it's partially influenced, I suspect, from how a lot of magical effects function in fantasy video games.
I really can't think of alot of video games that use arcane symbols to signify spellcasting.
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Well the official answer is in. Now for the more in game issues.
I always felt magic in DnD and other fantasy games was like a sub element. Something that everything was a bit infused with. Alchemy learned to unlock it with the right mixtures, herbalism the same way. Wizards learned to unlock magic with words. The write combination of words would unlock the magic, while the gestures would direct it and the material fueled it.(for those needing those things) Sorc just had the words implanted within their mind.
Ok not the best explanation of what I meant but I think people will get it.
Maybe it is Draconic, or the language that ancient dragons derived Draconic from. There is precedent for the divine creative power of words in Golarion ("I shall then be Apsu" Pathfinder 4).
It fits very well with Pathfinder magic that both divine and arcane casters are tapping into some "language of creation", the grammar of which makes some esoteric expressions easier than others (and hence the strange uniformity of spells across both disciplines).
I imagine that all spells are already written in this language, and casters merely learn to speak it, either through personal initiation or divine revelation (and the source interacts with the results).
Creative Director
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It's basically how we show magic happening; it's partially influenced, I suspect, from how a lot of magical effects function in fantasy video games.I really can't think of alot of video games that use arcane symbols to signify spellcasting.
Warcraft creates circles of arcane writing on the floor to aid in targeting as one example.
Many other video games do the same; create intricate patterns that help you aim and place spells.
That said, I'm not sure how much computer gaming Wayne does—I don't think he's that heavy into it, so I suspect it's merely something he came up with to make the spellcasting act look unique and visual. It's one thing to show someone holding up their hands in weird contortions, but by adding those magical runes and lights and stuff it looks more like magic and less like flashing gang signs.
Reminded me of the Prince of Nothing/Aspect Emperor' books by R. Scott Bakker. As I remember it, when one of the main characters begins using magic it first manifests as words written in a sort of lit mist that spill out of his mouth as he speaks them, like an arcane ticker-tape. Need to reread those.
Actually, have to say that those books have the flat-out coolest descriptions and uses of magic I've ever read, anywhere.
but by adding those magical runes and lights and stuff it looks more like magic and less like flashing gang signs.
*spills some ale on the ground for his dead gnomies*
Barbara Hambly had some rather nice business with magesight in her old "Time of the Dark" trilogy. Nutshell description: mages can see these arcane patterns when other mages cast spells or in areas where spells have been cast. Those who aren't mages can't see them.
I'd say this is what you're seeing when you've got a Detect Magic up and someone's casting a spell. The exact visual display varies depending on the symbology you're using, the same as when you use Detect Evil, it doesn't specifically describe how the information is conveyed. One caster get the pricking in their thumbs that something wicked this way comes, another sees a black aura, a third smells sulfur and other nasty stuff, and yet another sees opera-style supertitles in dramatic gothic script with blinking arrows and the word EVIL!!! It probably all depends on the way you learned magic and possibly the way you set up your personal spell to work.
Are The Crimson Bands of Cyttorak spelt with one "c" or two?
I totally thought that was the Winds of Watoomb.
It's basically how we show magic happening; it's partially influenced, I suspect, from how a lot of magical effects function in fantasy video games.I really can't think of alot of video games that use arcane symbols to signify spellcasting.Warcraft creates circles of arcane writing on the floor to aid in targeting as one example.
Many other video games do the same; create intricate patterns that help you aim and place spells.
That said, I'm not sure how much computer gaming Wayne does—I don't think he's that heavy into it, so I suspect it's merely something he came up with to make the spellcasting act look unique and visual. It's one thing to show someone holding up their hands in weird contortions, but by adding those magical runes and lights and stuff it looks more like magic and less like flashing gang signs.
Eternal Darkness!
Eternal Darkness!
Yeah, but then you have to hear the creepy voice whispering the names of the runes as you cast them.
Actually, when Jason was describing putting together the syllables in the "Words of Power" magic system it reminded me of Eternal Darkness (I love that game . . . I really wish it had caught on a bit better than it had)
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It's basically how we show magic happening; it's partially influenced, I suspect, from how a lot of magical effects function in fantasy video games.I really can't think of alot of video games that use arcane symbols to signify spellcasting.Warcraft creates circles of arcane writing on the floor to aid in targeting as one example.
Many other video games do the same; create intricate patterns that help you aim and place spells.
That said, I'm not sure how much computer gaming Wayne does—I don't think he's that heavy into it, so I suspect it's merely something he came up with to make the spellcasting act look unique and visual. It's one thing to show someone holding up their hands in weird contortions, but by adding those magical runes and lights and stuff it looks more like magic and less like flashing gang signs.
It's also how some comics show the casting of magic. I know I have a few Doc. Strange titles where that happens.
==AKA 8one6
It would be cool if you did hear other voices incanting the verbal components along with the caster's voice. That would be intense...
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It would be cool if you did hear other voices incanting the verbal components along with the caster's voice. That would be intense...
In my game, this is explicitly what people hear when divine casters use spells: angelic choirs chanting along or demonic hosts screeching in pain. It happens for arcane casters of sufficient power too, though I've used the "mystic runes appearing in the air" thing for a long time before Pathfinder came out.
Jeremy Puckett
Yeah, but then you have to hear the creepy voice whispering the names of the runes as you cast them.
PARGON PARGON PARGON XELO'TOTH PARGON PARGON PARGON
...
...
Dammit....
. . . and if you Sanity is too low, your head blows up as the last word is said . . . bwa ha ha ha!
Eternal Darkness!
Yeah, but then you have to hear the creepy voice whispering the names of the runes as you cast them.
Actually, when Jason was describing putting together the syllables in the "Words of Power" magic system it reminded me of Eternal Darkness (I love that game . . . I really wish it had caught on a bit better than it had)
I prefer this. I too tend to have sounds such as this accompany spellcasting. I generally want the players to flavor the spell though, so if they don't want loud noises or voice it's whatever.
I have a druid whose [homebrew] deity's holy symbol is a spider, so she makes cat's cradles and such with string for her somatic component. Arcane magic is accompanied by illuminated images of the spell's mental focus, which is generally a circle/matrix/diagram.
Flavor, man! <3 I honestly never played Eternal Darkness, but I watched my best friend play it A LOT and I really enjoyed the magic system and watching the sanity effects.
Are The Crimson Bands of Cyttorak spelt with one "c" or two?I totally thought that was the Winds of Watoomb.
By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth
And by Ymir's Frozen SeaI invoke the Flames of Faltine
To produce....this cup of tea.
I remember a board (no I won't send you there) that had an argument about how non-mages go about detecting when spells being cast.
One side held that if you had the Still Spell and Silent Spell Feats you could cast a spell undetected. The other side claimed that there were other indications, such as a creepy feeling or a light show.
It's the sort of thing you'd want to ask your GM about before trying any sneak-casting.
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Eternal Darkness!
Yeah, but then you have to hear the creepy voice whispering the names of the runes as you cast them.
PARGON PARGON PARGON XELO'TOTH PARGON PARGON PARGON
...
...
Dammit....
MANTUROK PARGON MANTUROK XELO'THOTH PARGON
Loved that game.
Sung to the tune of a Conga beat:
Hastur, Hastur Has-tur!Hastur, Hastur Has-tur!
Hastur, Hastur Has-tur!
Hastur, Hastur Has-tur!