Another kind of magic

I've already mentioned that I think too much about different ways of doing fantasy magic, so it should be no surprise that I'm at it again. Why do I enjoy doing this? Well, the idea of magic is so malleable, and ultimately, it's a literary concept, since it doesn't apply to anything real.  I'd argue that, by definition, magic is unreal.

Thus, the act of defining "magic" and even daring to tie it down with game mechanics is both seductive and frustrating. Seductive, because that which is innately mysterious is bound to attract curiosity, but frustrating because understanding is ultimately elusive.

Anyway, today's take on magic is to replace all those spells and magic items in traditional RPG fantasy with two tools: potions and scrolls.

That's the stuff

The basics are very bog-standard: there was an ancient empire with great magical know-how, and they had actual wizards. Unlike D&D wizards who speak a few words and shoot lightning from their fingers, these wizards did their thing by crafting magical items, which they proceeded to use. Or to give to their kings, because wizards here are nerds easily bullied out of the fruits of their labor.

But modern mages? No such thing, really. Instead, there is a profusion of magical potion recipes out there. While these tend to be family secrets, anyone can theoretically learn them, and brew potions if they spend the time and money. Or you can just spend the money and buy them in town.

Anyone can use a scroll by reading it aloud, but only sorcerers can create them, and they are even more expensive than potions. The reason for this is that every scroll represents a one-time pact with a devil, and the sorcerer must offer proper tribute or service for every single scroll they create.

They must have made a deal with the devil to brew this potion...check out the ABV

The techniques of the wizards of old are all but forgotten. Only a dwindling few know how to create any magical artifacts, and these are only toys compared to the wonders of the lost age. Using magic items, however, requires no special talent. A knowledge of the dead tongue of the ancient empire is extremely useful, and scholarship of magical artifacts and history are very helpful. It's kind of like monkeys trying to figure out how to use a laser rifle — some risky trial-and-error is often unavoidable.

But someone who calls himself a "wizard" in this age is usually just someone who has amassed a small collection of plundered magic items, and learned how to use them.

None of this, now

Anyway, at no point was there the traditional D&D wizard who could shoot magic missiles out of his butt and make people fall asleep without even talking to them (much). These guys were more like engineers in times past, and these days, they are just dabblers and hackers.

This doesn't preclude a fantasy menagerie; just because humans cannot shoot lightning from their fingers doesn't mean there aren't dragons, or flailsnails. In a setting like this, I like to give priest-types some low-level miracles that are kind of like spells. They would have access to very limited set of spells that depend on their cult, and are either very low-level spells that they can spam or more powerful ones that they can only perform once per ritual purification.

I spoke its name, and it appeared

Anyway, that's it for now. For this one, I might come up with some B/X style mechanics. Wouldn't that be fun? Stay tuned for that.