Libram Magica

[shadowmane]

Any chance we can get the Libra Magica on the downloads page?

[SmootRK]

Any chance we can get the Libra Magica on the downloads page?

That is the intent for very soon. That's why I want to get to a good cutoff point and clean up the page layout, the spell lists (as appendixes) and hyperlink the final indexes and such to make navigation easier.

[SmootRK]

addtional tweaks for this Energy Blast Spell. Realized that the damage capacity of the spell as suggested outstripped Magic Missile (1d6+1/missile, extra missile at 4th, 7th, etc.) so reduced to d6/2levels. There are saves to reduce damage and potential for resistances by spell/creature... so I am happy about the overall damage at the d6 point. So, does it pass with the crowd's approval before I move on to next victim?

Energy Blast
MU 1
Range: 20 feet +5'/level
Duration: instantaneous

This caster draws energy from elemental forces to send out a blast or bolt of energy to damage a single target. Each energy type is a separate spell to be learned and should be denoted as “Energy Blast (type)”. The damage (of the appropriate type) equals 1d6 per 2 levels rounded down; 1d6 at 1st level, 2d6 at 3rd, 3d6 at 5th, to a maximum of 5d6 at 9th level. A save vs. Spells will reduce damage by half. Any creature immune to the appropriate type of energy is likewise immune to its bolt. Resistant (but not immune) creatures may have saving throw bonuses (see appropriate ability, spell, or monster entry) and take half damage from the effect on a failed save, 1/4 damage if successful.

Normally a spell caster must memorize spells (even related ones) individually in order to call upon its magic, however, Energy Blast is special in that the caster may decide upon which energy type is summoned at the time of casting from those types he has learned. If the caster has not learned a particular type of energy blast, then that type is not available until that spell is first learned.

For random determination roll d8, the energy types are:
1-2 Fire/Heat – burns the target with fire.
3-4 Electrical – shocks the target.
5-6 Cold/Frost – freezes the target.
7 Negative/Shadow – drains life away. Undead creatures are immune.
8 Positive/Radiant – effectively burns a living target from excessive life energies. Undead creatures take additional 1 point of damage/die.

[Dimirag]

Instead of "memorize" use "prepare" as Solo said in BFRPG MU's don't memorize spells.
I believe the damage of the spell is result of rounding UP not DOWN:
Level 3 divided by 2 = 3/2 = 1.5 rounded down is 1 (1d6)
Level 9 divided by 2 = 9/2 = 4.5 rounded down is 4 (1d6)
The damage mechanism presented on the spell corresponds to 1d6 at level 1 plus an extra 1d6 per two full extra levels gained.

I understand the problem with codification, but for spells that only changes on the particular element is almost a necessity in order to not recreate the same spell for each possible element/energy.

I'll personally go with
Element Blast
Each spell is learn separately and encounter with the particular element replacing the word "Element" on the spell name, ex: Fire Blast, Ice Blast, etc.
Each Spell is prepare individually, so it doesn't "brake" the spells way of function, doesn't add a new gamma of spells and doesn't gain such versatility of choosing the element on the casting moment (the way I see it is that the caster draws the energy from the elemental plane at the moment of preparing the spell, not at the casting time).
The side effects of the elemental type are left to the GM but it doesn't give any special and immediate effect.

[Joe the Rat]

It messes with alphabetizing, but you could make that [Element] Blast. Sets a style precedent for other insert-specific-quality-here spell families.

[SmootRK]

I have fixed the Prepare/Memorize thing... good call.
Also adjusted the wording of the damage dice so that it is more clearly defined.

Not changing the choosing the type at the time of casting thing (at least just yet). I somewhat like the slightly different (quirky) mechanic (again, a matter of character or flair). One can counter by saying one draws the energy from the elemental forces at the moment of casting the spell, not at the time of preparing.... effectively the opposite. There is no right or wrong here.

I think adding in additional side-effects (from the particular energy form) would make this spell move from being a simple 1st level damaging spell to something that would need to be higher level.

[Dimirag]

Yes, I agree that both points of view are perfectly acceptable...
As you said, the spell should remain as a damage only thing, for specific effect spells we can come up with different ones (there already are a couple) instead of creating a mega-spell with possible elements and related special effects...

BTW I'm putting some draws for the Libram Magica (they aren't really great but I'll try to do something presentable) as soon as I can I'll send you the sketch or the finished product

[SmootRK]

It messes with alphabetizing, but you could make that [Element] Blast. Sets a style precedent for other insert-specific-quality-here spell families.

Yes, that does mess up the flow a bit.

[SmootRK]

Yes, I agree that both points of view are perfectly acceptable...
As you said, the spell should remain as a damage only thing, for specific effect spells we can come up with different ones (there already are a couple) instead of creating a mega-spell with possible elements and related special effects...

BTW I'm putting some draws for the Libram Magica (they aren't really great but I'll try to do something presentable) as soon as I can I'll send you the sketch or the finished product

Please let me know when you have any drawings that might fit it. I have been in the process of locating old/vintage or otherwise free of copyright images to utilize as I clean up the page layouts and fill in spots (to the extent that I can with such hit/miss art).

[Dimirag]

I've made most of the basic drawing, I need to clean them up, redraw, scan, clean the scan and done, for the moment it is one page with 10 pictures on it. I know there's lots of good drawing for free on the net so I won't complain if none of mine appears on the book.
Do I upload here a preview of the material or shall I surprise you with the finished one?