I mean, does it really have any interesting effects on gaming situations? I cant see any.
Also, it is not IMO a particularily good way to portray magic becoming weaker in the world. A better way would be to have all Arcane Spell casters make concentration rolls to cast their spells, even if they are not being distracted. Further weakening of the magic on Mystara could result in the Concentration Check DC being raised by 5 or more. The D20 Dragonlance Setting uses this system to illustrate the time when the Gods of Magic were absent from Krynn.
IMC I simply ruled that the magic drain caused my the Doomsday Device was only temporary. Also, after the change in the Radience, there would be no further Magic Drain.
Havard
After that, the Day of Dread becomes less useful as an adventure hook, I agree, as PCs and NPCs alike will come to expect the annual event and learn how to cope with it. However, it still serves as a distinctive bit of campaign flavor that is uniquely Mystaran. I can't wait until my players experience it for the first time, and to see how they cope with it.
(NOTE: I am playing in AC 1000 and do not intend to use the WotI. I like Alfheim and the rest of the Known World more or less the way it is ;) )
:-) Jesper
What if the Brotherhood of the Radiance figured out that the transcend lifeforce spell can prevent the drain by sacrificing the caster?
Because Glantri is so heavily dependent on magic there would be a heavy pressure on the Brotherhood to solve the problem. Perhaps they would hold a lottery or some kind of contest amongst themselves to see who would sacrifice themselves to the Radiance to preserve the power of magic. Perhaps they would seek victims to sacrifice to the Radiance.
Promising students from the school of magic may be indoctrinated and brainwashed, then tricked into casting the spell.
The political dynamics would alter drastically. No member would dare show any weakness lest they become a sacrifice and those that refuse to go willingly may be hunted down.
One possible high level scenario might be the brotherhood sending a party of adventurers to hunt down powerful wizards to capture them and bring them to the Radiance for sacrifice.
The Princes of Glantri must be a pretty resourceful bunch to get where they are. I'm certain that they would investigate any opportunity to preserve magic and prevent radiance drain that does not involve them having to give up any portion of their power. In summary they really have 3 choices
1. Stop using the Radiance
2. Continue using the Radiance and suffer further magic drain
3. Sacrifice some fool to the Radiance and essentialy have the best of both worlds.
There might be some amongst the Brotherhood that may balk at the 3rd choice, but some ( Prince Brannart springs to mind) would have no problem at all with it I think.
Oh by the way - Hi all - I'm new
Rick
Originally posted by Richard Hannah
The Princes of Glantri must be a pretty resourceful bunch to get where they are. I'm certain that they would investigate any opportunity to preserve magic and prevent radiance drain that does not involve them having to give up any portion of their power. In summary they really have 3 choices
1. Stop using the Radiance
2. Continue using the Radiance and suffer further magic drain
3. Sacrifice some fool to the Radiance and essentialy have the best of both worlds.
There might be some amongst the Brotherhood that may balk at the 3rd choice, but some ( Prince Brannart springs to mind) would have no problem at all with it I think.
Oh by the way - Hi all - I'm new
Rick
Hi Rick! Welcome to the forum!
Interesting ideas! This whole sacrifice business makes me think of the Azcans. Imagine a dark magocracy version of that empire in which foreign wizards (and low-level Glantrian ones) are being dragged to Glantri City to be sacrificed to the Radiance? Scary thought. But it might just deplete the wizardly ranks enough for the Followers of the Claymore and other sects to rise up against the Princes? With the help of an Ethengarian/Rockhome invasion the fall of the magocracy could be at hand?
:-) Jesper
I was thinking of another way to have the same war, but couldn't figure it out. That idea you had was really good, I'm going to have to brainstorm on this. :whatsthis
Originally posted by Richard Hannah
What if the Brotherhood of the Radiance figured out that the transcend lifeforce spell can prevent the drain by sacrificing the caster?
Hi Rick, welcome to the boards!
The problem with your theory is ofcourse that the Radience itself is not common knowledge, nor is the Brotherhood. OTOH, the DoD could lead to a system of internal justice within the Brotherhood which enforced a similar system of what you describe.
A less dramatic alternative would be that the brotherhood modified their receptacles slightly so that rather than drain the world of magic, it would drain lifeforce from the users. This would not mean sacrifice, but rather a temporal or permanent loss of constitution. This would also help manage game balance if the Radience is introduced in a campaign.
Actually, this change could be part of the "Old One" modifications to the Radience instead.
In any case, I think the DoD needs to go. Like I said this could happen after a few years as it would take that amount of time for the magic level to stabilize itself, or it could be part of a quest in which some young heroes manage to bring back the missing magic to the world....
Havard
A less dramatic alternative would be that the brotherhood modified their receptacles slightly so that rather than drain the world of magic, it would drain lifeforce from the users.
Alternatively, if the Glantrians were to learn of the existence of Shadow elf soul crystals they would surely attempt to make use of those, which in turn would set the campaign up for a good war between the two. It would also be interesting to see which way the surface elves would jump - would they aid their elven brethren? The desecration of elven souls would surely be abhorrent to them, but at the same time the shadow elves are sworn enemies.
Thinking more about how to handle DoD though - I can see it fairly easily becoming the DoMI (Day of Mild Inconvenience). But only if it happens on the same day each year. If it occurs on a random day (which really is more in keeping with the chaotic nature of magic) it would certainly keep the known world on its toes.