Magic's not a bullet, Its Magic (a Discussion)

Dracharla · Post by **Dracharla** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 6:00 pm

Ok so I got this idea from Raynens Post on Mace (thanks to him for spawning this up in my brain!) 
 
 
Often times i think because magic is most often wielded in combat where we don't have a chance to RP it out, it can be easy to slip into the mindset that magic is simply another weapon in our arsenals. Magic is much more than that its all encompassing. It has causes, and it has effects. 
 
Take the example from a previous post ( I don't recall which) where they talked of the fact that using the spell haste ages the spells recpient (or at least it used to i believe) 1 year. The spell is quite powerful, but it has quite an effect. 
 
Or Consider when someone creates a cloud of black gas from nothing that renders people stunned, and someone then conjures up a great swelling of air that blows it away (cloud of bewilderment and gust of wind respectively) Those would be awe inspiring sites to see, and would have great and lingering effects. Or when someone conjures a great ball of fire that kills enemies but also leaves the earth scorched and pockmarked. or when someone calls down the fury of the clouds. 
 
Clearly theres something more to this then a caster pinting clicking and shooting. 
 
We can't always emote our magic, sometimes its in the middle of combat and you just need to cast CMW to keep your friends alive. But whenever we can emote it, shouldn't we? 
 
I would love to see other peoples thoughts on ways we can a.) emote the casting of magic so it is not merely an exercise in pointing and clicking but either a graceful powerful art form, or contrastingly a sign of ultimate devotion to a higher power and b.) how we can play out the effects both insignificant and those more severe and lasting of the magics we use. Both the effects it has on our characters physically, mentally, and also on the enviroment in which they live.

~Dracharla, Bushwhacked Wild Elf 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
Hello my name is Isendyl and I will be your Meat Shield for the day. In case of emergency please cower! The exits are located directly behind me. Thank you for Flying Pwnge Airways and please come fly with us again!

AtraAngelis · Post by **AtraAngelis** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 7:01 pm

Well...I have angelo who is a mage that i have been developing VERY slowly....but i use the following emotes...when casting... 
 
Magic Missile i use the following... 
 
"removes a small crystal from his belt ...palming it...* 
As he cast or soon after.... 
"Wipes the crystal dust from his hands" 
 
Thats about the extent of emoting that i have for spell casting ... but i have been working on others...

AtraAngelis AKA: (Keldorn Battlehammer, Angelo Sabatine, Shen Ju)

Reason · Post by **Reason** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 8:16 pm

Interesting query....... 
 
However I think we must remember this, the first time Paul saw a Cure light wounds spell cast, it was a wonderous and magical event. The seventh time he saw CLW cast, they might as well have used a band-aid. People become used to almost anything through prolonged exposure. I think it's natural to over time come to see magic in just such a light. When it's everwhere all the time, it loses it WOW factor pretty quickly.

TrooperMaxx · Post by **TrooperMaxx** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 8:32 pm

Magic's not a bullet, yes.... 
 
But at the same time, our characters live in a world where magic is a very real thing. A common part of life/the world. (Unless they come from a more primitive society, but even those seem to have magics *coughs* Lizardkin Sorceress *coughs*) 
 
Do emote things when you can, but one need not get too overdramatic about it either. 
 
I said before I think the haste aging one a year is just silly. It doesn't make sense to age an entire year for a spell that is quite short-lived relative to a year. It seems to me like it is something added for the sake of creating a cost to the spell and spawning great drama, rather than for the sake of sense. IMO, such overdramatic costs of spells, lessens the effect of any more sensible costs of spells. One need not overdo it to invoke drama. 
 
I do agree that when possible it is nice for things to be more than pointing and clicking, but at the same time don't make too big a deal of it either. 
 
A good example of a.) Subtle things like brushing your hand over a tree as you cast barkskin or such (seen a number of characters do this) 
 
An example of b.) When Melreen casts combust, which isn't very often, she will always make an effort to stay there and watch until the flame burns out. 
 
~Troop

TheRingBearer · Post by **TheRingBearer** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:37 pm

Reminds me of something I read, about a campaign world that was so filled with wizards and magic that barkeepers would actualy ask wizards to disposite their components neccessary to cast spells like invisibility and fool's gold so they couldn't get out of not paying for their ale. Or where the maids will cantrip dust under the rug and magic can basicly be used by many people for simply brushing their teeth. In such a world, magic is TAKEN FOR GRANTED and it loses its awe and mystic. 
 
So how can we increase its awe and msytic? How can we make that fireball seem terrifying, or that polymorph disturbing. Wizards hold awesome and terrirfying power... and yet... 
 
Somehow this makes me think of the Dogma of Mystra... 
 
<blockquote>Quote:<hr> Love magic for itself. Do not treat it just as a weapon to reshape the world to your will. True wisdom is knowing when not to use magic. Strive to use magic less as your powers develop, for often the threat or promise of its use outsripes its actual performance. Magic is Art, the Gift of the Lady, and those who wield it are privileged in the extreme. Conduct yourself humbly, not proudly, while being mindful of this. Use the Art deftly and efficiently, not carelessly and recklessly. Seek always to learn and create new magic. 
<hr></blockquote> 
 
I know I don't do much with emoting this... although I might finger a component in my hands to give a clue to what spell I'm thinking of doing. But to actualy go though a long emote about the effects of that spell? hmmm.... Unforuantely... I'm really using up most of my 36 of my hotkeys. Three of which are text macros, which are My bubble gone, EveryMan for himself, and DUCK! 
But... The idea of emoting the actual spell itself... has merit... I will have to think on it. 
 
But I think this also a two way street. I mean, If I cast fireball, and the rest of the party simply yawns... It kind of degrades magic as a whole. The Mystic of magic must be upheld by the wizard who uses it with revence and hulmility and by the awestuck audiance.

The_Ring-Bearer (EST) 
(Vincent Ap'ren Dista, Mat Bastoni, and Barliz Starlow)

RaynenArrows · Post by **RaynenArrows** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 3:11 am

Excellent topic... 
 
 
I tend to think along the same way that Reason does. As for Mace, seeing someone else use magic is not very unusuall and therefore not all that awe-inspiring. HOWEVER, not to turn the subject to him , but when he casts a spell it really is. 
 
I think being able to emote something about the spell, or how its cast would be an great choice. I know I am trying to find different ways to do so with the limited number of spells at Mace's disposal. Now for someone with a larger selection like Ring or Faelar or the like...that may prove a bit more difficult. With the way the game engine works for NWN, casting a flashy looking spell is left to the players discription. 
 
Personally I think it would be great for that kind of detail even if its just words, but I know that in combat of all things typing really sucks, exspecially if you want to be discriptive. 
 
I dont know...thats why I did the whole glowling holy symbol thing.

darkspyr · Post by **darkspyr** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:15 am

I like the idea put forward about the audience showing some reaction to the spell. I know that when Boppinogan took Kris south of the gates at night and set a goblin into a pillar of flame with a simple touch and murmur of words he was spellbound. I tried to emote the reaction as best I could watching the goblin writhe and collapse amidst the flames. "His eyes reflecting the flames earily as he reaches out and murmurs Kossuth". He never quite thought of Bop the same after that. 
 
I have thought of quick slotting some emotes for certain spells and gestures but it keeps coming across so flat in my mind. Also the number of open quickslots can become very limited for a spellcaster. 
 
I think we need to seize the moment and use it, both from the casters end and the observers. When that lightning decends from the sky to dance with our enemies or the field explodes into a rolling ball of fire, we need to acknowlege it in some way even if it is a bit after it is done. Treat that shy little hin with a little distance or fawning respect, I don't know but something should change. Unless we as characters are so jaded that nothing surprises or impresses us, and that would be sad. 
 
I like this thread and hope it will cause me to think a bit more about what those Magikers are doing around me, and reacting to it. 
 
One last thing and I do not know if it has to do with this thread. Are all the effects floating around a character visible or not? I know that barkskin has a visible effect, but if rain is not bouncing off your Protection From Elements is it and others like it visible to others? Just wondered what others thought. Don't mean to steal the thread. 
 
Darkspyr

jccaton · Post by **jccaton** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:52 pm

I've never played a mage before--even soloing--so Rhistel is brand new for me, but I find the RP opportunities for magic users to be incredible. For one, there are the magic schools (for wizards, anyway) which can bring up rivalries and prejudices. Rhistel is also condescending toward divine spellcasters for relying on a God's whim for their magic. 
 
I too always try to RP the spell components, even reaching down and catching some dew on his hand before castign Ray of Frost. 
 
But more than anything, I like RPing the research aspect. I'm planning on taking Extend Spell at level 3 to increase the duration of his conjurings, so when chatting about reserach much of Rhistel's dialogue involves frustration about Shelgarn's blade disappearing and a desire to make his spells last longer. Similarly, I'm probably going to put some points into appraise for language skills, so Boppinoggan and I and others traveled to Vesper, Rhis bougth a book on Netheril, and is learning those ancient languages. To me, RPing the buildup makes the achievement of a level that more satisfying--and more realistic than, "Oh, wow, I suddenly know two more languages." I think that could go for all classes--a fighter who's planning to take weapon focus could RP the level before as being extra devoted to training with his sword. Just my thoughts.

Aramil Nailo · Post by **Aramil Nailo** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:27 pm

Hrm this topic has taken particular interest to me with the dawn of my using particular spells... Invisibility or ghostly visage to be precise. For one thing when Aramil appears out of nowhere next to you, I'm pretty sure the average person is not going to know whether it was invisibility or teleportation, same for when he disappears... basically if your spellcraft check doesn't say what it is and you aren't particularly knowledgable on a mages levels of power... I have had instances when I appear out of nowhere next to someone with only a casual reaction.... And ghostly visage... I've walked around with it active to have people only react normilly to it (I acknowledge the fact that unveiling it during the tournament will make some people lack suceptablility to it, but...) Basically when you see the blue transparent form walking along you're seeing what most people would assume is a ghost :P *shrug* just some of my thoughts... and as emoting or remarking to each and every spell I cast... when I'm in combat i find I need each second I can get... I'll emote at the end or out of combat, but otherwise I don't want to be spending time emoting instead of helping to fight.

The Vast

Magic's not a bullet, Its Magic (a Discussion)

Magic's not a bullet, Its Magic (a Discussion)

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