[Adonthell-general] Magic revisited

[Kai Sterker]

As there were different thoughts on the magic system, partly opposing each 
other, I'll try to sum up the discussion we had so far. Hope that will make 
things clearer.

However, that summary itself is subject to discussion and by no means final.


The workings of magic
=====================

Actually, there seem to be two different variations of my original 
suggestion. I'll write down both, then we can decide on one, or combine them, 
or whatever.

-- Creating Foci

That's what I first suggested. You'd have a number of reagents (different 
gems, minerals, etc.) that are use in order to enchant a focus (either ring, 
amulett or staff).

Depending on the mixture, the focus would then contain a more or less 
powerfull spell, and depending on the item enchanted, it would be weaker or 
stronger. Rings result in the weakest spells, staffs in the strongest.

The resulting spell is determined by the modification and combination of the 
four elements (water, fire, earth and air) and the 'power' of the reagents.

The primary element of the enchantment will determine the spell category
(fire - offensive, earth - defensive, water - healing and status magic, air - 
meta-spells and enchanting). The second highest element would then define the 
actual spell out of the category.

For example, 
* fire and air -> fireball
* fire and water -> acid rain

Of course, higher values of the primary (and secondary) elemets would lead to 
different, more impressive spells.

The foci, once enchanted can no longer be modified or combined. However, a 
pretty old idea was that they need to be charged before using them. On 
casting a spell, you could specify how much of the charge should go into that 
spell, thus increasing it's effect. Certain spells, like light or various 
protective spells might slowly consume the charge as long as they are in use. 

Over time, this idea has evolved to

-- Combining Foci

There are a number of foci with different properties. Like Fire, Water, 
Earth, Wind, Poison, Antidote, ... . Each of those foci has a (weak) effect 
on it's own. However, really impressive magic can be created by using several 
foci at once.

For example,
* Stone + Rain + Area -> meteor shower

That way, magic resembles more the 'combos' of melee combat, with the 
difference that a combination of foci results in one great spell, whereas a 
combo in melee will execute several basic moves in a row.

So far the two ideas (or interpretations of the same idea). Here's a proposal 
that combines the two:

We still start with reagents that have no special use on their own (gems and 
so on). Those are forged into the different Foci that have basic magical 
properties (Fire, Water, ...). Finally, several Foci can be used together to 
create advanced spells.


Learning Magic
==============
(or: The Schools of Magic)

Note that in this context, school does not refer to a building, but rather to 
a philosophy. More on this a bit further down.

Independant from the workings of magic, there are items that need to be 
gathered and combined to form powerful magic. So the process of learning 
magic requires the collection of items and knowledge how to use them.

There are several ways to achieve that:

-- The Easy Way

Magic items that are ready for use can be found in shops or as treasure on 
the map, gained through battle or as reward for completed quest.

-- The Normal Way

Different teachers will be more or less ready to pass on their wisdom to the 
worthy alcolyte. However, most of these teachers would follow a certain 
school of magic. They may reside in the same physical building, but their 
field of research will differ, and so will the spells they have to teach.
The more extreme teachers might refuse to pass on their knowledge to those 
that follow an opposite school of magic.

What you would learn from teachers are recipes only, you still have to aquire 
the necessary reagents or foci.

In a similar fashion, recipies can be bought in shops, found in treasure 
chests or gained from slain enemies.

-- The Hard Way

Pick up some reagents, mix them together and see what comes out. A few unique 
spells should be made available on by that way.


Okay, I think this covers the most important points. If I missed anything, 
feel free to add it. And tell me what variant of magic you prefer.

Kai