Towers Book -- Soul Forge Physical Changes - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Towers Book -- Soul Forge Physical Changes

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Dec 09, 2004 14:29:50 I was wondering if you guys could help me out a little bit?

I just bought the Towers of High Sorcery book (which is AWESOME by the way--it is a definate buy). I was reading up on the test of high sorcery for my PC wizards and I wanted to know if you guys had any alternate physical changes to give out on a Soulforge and what kind of wizard would get it. The list in the book is kind of short, lol.

Thanks a bunch for helping me out! ^_^
#2
Sysane
Dec 09, 2004 14:40:24 Well I permanently blinded the wizard in the campaign I ran during his test.
#3
zombiegleemax
Dec 09, 2004 15:38:08 I, being not Quite so malishious as Sysane, merely gave him a painfull scar that forces him to, whenever he casts a spell, make a Concentration check(DC 13+level of spell) or loose the spell. He has never lost a spell yet, but it's a looming danger when he casts Dalamar's Lightening Lance.
#4
brimstone
Dec 09, 2004 18:01:02
I, being not Quite so malishious as Sysane[/i].

No doubt...that is cruel, Sysane!

Well, I was working on a Test for my group (before it ended) but I hadn't thought about what kind of crippling effect she would have if the Test was a Soulforge. I had worked it out though on how she was going to prove her loyalty to the magic (it involved a cliff, a dragon, her husband, and a powerful magical item she was sent to keep out of the dragon's hands). Unfortunately I never got to find out what she would have sacrificed for the magic (herself or her husband were the main choices. If she didn't protect the item with her life...that was going to be the moment that decided whether or not her death from the dragon would be real or not).

Anywho...my point is, I had worked out most of the Test...but I hadn't worked out how she'd be maimed (if at all). I figured that'd be something I'd either come up with on the fly or base it off her character (after all...before the test I would have had plenty of time to witness her character in action to see where she maybe needed to be knocked down a little)

If all else fails though...you could always just roll up a physical or mental change for the wizard using the Quirks and Flaws Tables from HackMaster...most of those would probably be appropriate. heh heh
#5
ferratus
Dec 10, 2004 19:33:08 I always thought that death and maiming were something that happened at a test when they lost, or nearly lost. The wizards didn't maliciously plan to cripple Justarius, he just hadn't exploited his natural talent to the fullest beforehand. Raistlin wasn't crippled by the test, he was crippled through his bargain with Fistandantilus and punished by Par-Salin with the cursed vision due to the bargain with Fistandantilus.

The test affects everyone who takes it, there is no doubt about that. It is a battle to prove that you have a right to your magic. However, not everyone comes home from a battle amputated.
#6
true_blue
Dec 10, 2004 20:55:21 I always thought mainly the same thing. Personally I thought Raistlin got the even worse health through miracously surviving a fireball. Also as ferratus said, Justarius got wounded in his leg by something that happened. But then again, they did say later on that Justarius was very proud about his physical prowess, so maybe they did it on purpose. Personally I think its wrong for the wizards to just maime or deform a person on purpose most of the time. Raisltin was a special case where Par-Salian was trying to show him compassion because he knew that Raistlin would be a major player in the growing conflict and the evilness that came back. So its *almost* understandable that he went to drastic measures to try to make sure Raistlin was compassionate and good. Didnt work so well.. but that happens
#7
darthsylver
Dec 11, 2004 6:31:26 My opinion on maiming, crippling, giving a limp walk... as an effect of the test is basically based on the duel and challenges the wizard face during the test.

For instance if a wizard breaks their leg or twists their ankle due to acting unwisely, such as trying to jump across to the other side of a cliff that is well beyond their jumping ability rather than looking for a way around or using their magic, and they break their leg or twist their ankle upon landing then they might wind up with some physical reminder after the test is over to remind them of the dangers of acting unwisely. Now if the wizard happened to be running from assailants I might be more lenient.
#8
frostdawn
Dec 21, 2004 14:45:16 I think a physical change should be dealt to a player character not for the sake of doing it, but to serve as a reminder or life lesson for that character. Doing something foolish or crazy might warrant it to try and temper their wild nature. Perhaps their personality has a major flaw that the test administrator sees might serve as an impediment to that character's progression with the art, so the change is something to help that character get past or become more cognizant of their inequity. Raistlin was a perfect example of this, as he was given the hour glass eyes to try and teach him compassion. The gold skin and weakened health were by products of his deal with Fisty. Dalamar's only true change was not due to the test, but rather his tutelage under Raist, when Raistlin burned the 5 holes in his chest. Sort of a painful reminder of being a stooge and potential backstabber.
#9
true_blue
Dec 23, 2004 2:45:14 I just had one of my PC's take the test and she ended up having her hands cut off. At the end of the test, she ended up getting hands that were made out of dragonmetal from the Conclave, which used to be owned by a white robe warlock. She's about to research where they came from and try to glean some of the powers also, which should be interesting. I have a few side quests made for this very thing.

I like the idea of things happening to a wizard when he takes the test, but I don't think "maiming" or physical changes should occur to each person who plays. My brother's draconian ended up dying, so he made up a Black Robe and it ended up being 7th level. So I had told him he already had taken the test. I could have gone the rout of having him take the test now and say he's been in hiding or some such thing, but chose not to. But I did give him his item of power, which ended up being a beefed-up bracelet, the very same one Dalamer had given to Tanis, with more added on. I even had Dalamar give it personally to him, so that he felt a little more special.

I dunno, as I've only had one test happen so far in my campaign, I don't really have a lot of experience with it. But I've made it clear to my players a big "soulforge" or whatever won't happen everytime a wizard takes the test. It will just depend on what actions my players make and what I have planned out.
#10
zombiegleemax
Dec 23, 2004 5:07:44 One of my players faced the test, and it went something like this:

After other tests, he was trapped inside a dungeon with a creature, with his spell list short. The creature was (i dont remember where i picked it) some kind of badger that projects mentaly to her target the taste that she is tasting at the moment (if it is human flesh, the target lose some temporary wisdom - if it is his own flesh, he loses a lot more). Well, the dungeon was undead style, and he defeated the creature, with a lot of luck and challenge (the duel was that one that the wizard cannot solve ith magic alone - and was supposed to teach him that magic is what he needs, not the sword).

So, after succesfuly getting out of there, he realizes that his skin is a little bit white and kinda "dead", and the mental influence of the creature turned him a little bit cold and distant. He lost some permanent points of Charisma, and his skin always reminds him of that challenge, that could easily be beaten with magic. "The fighter got his sword, the wizard, his magic", that was pretty fixed in his mind afterwards. Now he deeply realizes that magic is the most important thing in his life.

Just my story.

k, thats all...

Burger
#11
dragontooth
Dec 23, 2004 11:19:38 I had a red wizard back in early 2nd ed. That his skin went from like bone white to transparent (like a ghost not invis). He was also given a Cloak that granted him ethrallness (sp).
#12
zombiegleemax
Dec 30, 2004 11:07:30 I just ran a test, and the wizard had to use a scroll of contact other plane- which runs a risk of doing hefty intelligence and charisma damage for a couple of weeks.

Luckily he made his intelligence check. Instead of a physical change, i house-ruled that the strain of the spell gave him the Omniscient Whispers spell-touched feat from Unearthed Arcana.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Dec 09, 2004 14:29:50	I was wondering if you guys could help me out a little bit? I just bought the Towers of High Sorcery book (which is AWESOME by the way--it is a definate buy). I was reading up on the test of high sorcery for my PC wizards and I wanted to know if you guys had any alternate physical changes to give out on a Soulforge and what kind of wizard would get it. The list in the book is kind of short, lol. Thanks a bunch for helping me out! ^_^
#2 Sysane Dec 09, 2004 14:40:24	Well I permanently blinded the wizard in the campaign I ran during his test.
#3 zombiegleemax Dec 09, 2004 15:38:08	I, being not Quite so malishious as Sysane, merely gave him a painfull scar that forces him to, whenever he casts a spell, make a Concentration check(DC 13+level of spell) or loose the spell. He has never lost a spell yet, but it's a looming danger when he casts Dalamar's Lightening Lance.
#4 brimstone Dec 09, 2004 18:01:02	I, being not Quite so malishious as Sysane[/i]. No doubt...that is cruel, Sysane! Well, I was working on a Test for my group (before it ended) but I hadn't thought about what kind of crippling effect she would have if the Test was a Soulforge. I had worked it out though on how she was going to prove her loyalty to the magic (it involved a cliff, a dragon, her husband, and a powerful magical item she was sent to keep out of the dragon's hands). Unfortunately I never got to find out what she would have sacrificed for the magic (herself or her husband were the main choices. If she didn't protect the item with her life...that was going to be the moment that decided whether or not her death from the dragon would be real or not). Anywho...my point is, I had worked out most of the Test...but I hadn't worked out how she'd be maimed (if at all). I figured that'd be something I'd either come up with on the fly or base it off her character (after all...before the test I would have had plenty of time to witness her character in action to see where she maybe needed to be knocked down a little) If all else fails though...you could always just roll up a physical or mental change for the wizard using the Quirks and Flaws Tables from HackMaster...most of those would probably be appropriate. heh heh
#5 ferratus Dec 10, 2004 19:33:08	I always thought that death and maiming were something that happened at a test when they lost, or nearly lost. The wizards didn't maliciously plan to cripple Justarius, he just hadn't exploited his natural talent to the fullest beforehand. Raistlin wasn't crippled by the test, he was crippled through his bargain with Fistandantilus and punished by Par-Salin with the cursed vision due to the bargain with Fistandantilus. The test affects everyone who takes it, there is no doubt about that. It is a battle to prove that you have a right to your magic. However, not everyone comes home from a battle amputated.
#6 true_blue Dec 10, 2004 20:55:21	I always thought mainly the same thing. Personally I thought Raistlin got the even worse health through miracously surviving a fireball. Also as ferratus said, Justarius got wounded in his leg by something that happened. But then again, they did say later on that Justarius was very proud about his physical prowess, so maybe they did it on purpose. Personally I think its wrong for the wizards to just maime or deform a person on purpose most of the time. Raisltin was a special case where Par-Salian was trying to show him compassion because he knew that Raistlin would be a major player in the growing conflict and the evilness that came back. So its almost understandable that he went to drastic measures to try to make sure Raistlin was compassionate and good. Didnt work so well.. but that happens
#7 darthsylver Dec 11, 2004 6:31:26	My opinion on maiming, crippling, giving a limp walk... as an effect of the test is basically based on the duel and challenges the wizard face during the test. For instance if a wizard breaks their leg or twists their ankle due to acting unwisely, such as trying to jump across to the other side of a cliff that is well beyond their jumping ability rather than looking for a way around or using their magic, and they break their leg or twist their ankle upon landing then they might wind up with some physical reminder after the test is over to remind them of the dangers of acting unwisely. Now if the wizard happened to be running from assailants I might be more lenient.
#8 frostdawn Dec 21, 2004 14:45:16	I think a physical change should be dealt to a player character not for the sake of doing it, but to serve as a reminder or life lesson for that character. Doing something foolish or crazy might warrant it to try and temper their wild nature. Perhaps their personality has a major flaw that the test administrator sees might serve as an impediment to that character's progression with the art, so the change is something to help that character get past or become more cognizant of their inequity. Raistlin was a perfect example of this, as he was given the hour glass eyes to try and teach him compassion. The gold skin and weakened health were by products of his deal with Fisty. Dalamar's only true change was not due to the test, but rather his tutelage under Raist, when Raistlin burned the 5 holes in his chest. Sort of a painful reminder of being a stooge and potential backstabber.
#9 true_blue Dec 23, 2004 2:45:14	I just had one of my PC's take the test and she ended up having her hands cut off. At the end of the test, she ended up getting hands that were made out of dragonmetal from the Conclave, which used to be owned by a white robe warlock. She's about to research where they came from and try to glean some of the powers also, which should be interesting. I have a few side quests made for this very thing. I like the idea of things happening to a wizard when he takes the test, but I don't think "maiming" or physical changes should occur to each person who plays. My brother's draconian ended up dying, so he made up a Black Robe and it ended up being 7th level. So I had told him he already had taken the test. I could have gone the rout of having him take the test now and say he's been in hiding or some such thing, but chose not to. But I did give him his item of power, which ended up being a beefed-up bracelet, the very same one Dalamer had given to Tanis, with more added on. I even had Dalamar give it personally to him, so that he felt a little more special. I dunno, as I've only had one test happen so far in my campaign, I don't really have a lot of experience with it. But I've made it clear to my players a big "soulforge" or whatever won't happen everytime a wizard takes the test. It will just depend on what actions my players make and what I have planned out.
#10 zombiegleemax Dec 23, 2004 5:07:44	One of my players faced the test, and it went something like this: After other tests, he was trapped inside a dungeon with a creature, with his spell list short. The creature was (i dont remember where i picked it) some kind of badger that projects mentaly to her target the taste that she is tasting at the moment (if it is human flesh, the target lose some temporary wisdom - if it is his own flesh, he loses a lot more). Well, the dungeon was undead style, and he defeated the creature, with a lot of luck and challenge (the duel was that one that the wizard cannot solve ith magic alone - and was supposed to teach him that magic is what he needs, not the sword). So, after succesfuly getting out of there, he realizes that his skin is a little bit white and kinda "dead", and the mental influence of the creature turned him a little bit cold and distant. He lost some permanent points of Charisma, and his skin always reminds him of that challenge, that could easily be beaten with magic. "The fighter got his sword, the wizard, his magic", that was pretty fixed in his mind afterwards. Now he deeply realizes that magic is the most important thing in his life. Just my story. k, thats all... Burger
#11 dragontooth Dec 23, 2004 11:19:38	I had a red wizard back in early 2nd ed. That his skin went from like bone white to transparent (like a ghost not invis). He was also given a Cloak that granted him ethrallness (sp).
#12 zombiegleemax Dec 30, 2004 11:07:30	I just ran a test, and the wizard had to use a scroll of contact other plane- which runs a risk of doing hefty intelligence and charisma damage for a couple of weeks. Luckily he made his intelligence check. Instead of a physical change, i house-ruled that the strain of the spell gave him the Omniscient Whispers spell-touched feat from Unearthed Arcana.