11-27-2011, 11:21 PM
Alright, this has been a point of debate amongst the GMs for a good week or so now. However, we've finally reached a consensus on the question:
Since a Mage can wield Frost and Fire, can he use any other elements?
To answer, in simplest terms, they can. To an extent.
The GM team bounced the idea back and forth for a time but we eventually settled on this explanation:
Based on this logic a Mage can wield spells that deal with Water and Electricity. Those are allowed.
However, Mages who wield Earth, Wind or any other such state of matter are not allowed. Keep Shaman magic to the Shaman.
The mage would need to channel energy and use it to exert his/her will on nature. Think along the lines of telekinesis: A person would need to use their mind to move each single grain of sand or lift a boulder, which requires too much concentration and energy to be combat effective or, in some cases, even possible.
Also, another point for clarification: Unlike the shaman, a mage can only summon these energies, not manipulate them.
Anyway, I hope that clarifies a few points on this topic. I know the question has come up recently and we wanted to shed a bit of light on it.
We encourage people to use our Private Forum to post ideas and questions as well. If you want to do something with a character or explore the possibility of a variant class, make the idea known and we'll be happy to work with you!
Since a Mage can wield Frost and Fire, can he use any other elements?
To answer, in simplest terms, they can. To an extent.
The GM team bounced the idea back and forth for a time but we eventually settled on this explanation:
(11-27-2011, 09:38 AM)Grakor456 Wrote: [ -> ]My understanding of Mages vs. Shamans was that Shamans manipulate the elements with the spirits help, while Mages use the arcane to manipulate forms of *energy*. Fire is a form of energy, as is arcane magic. Frost is done by drawing heat away and causing the water naturally in the air to condense and solidify, just in a really rapid process. Granted, a lot of this is just a guess, but it fits with their whole "theme" and what their spells do. This would make "hydromancy" possible for the same reason frost magic is possible, same with using lightning as it's just a form of energy.
Based on this logic a Mage can wield spells that deal with Water and Electricity. Those are allowed.
However, Mages who wield Earth, Wind or any other such state of matter are not allowed. Keep Shaman magic to the Shaman.
The mage would need to channel energy and use it to exert his/her will on nature. Think along the lines of telekinesis: A person would need to use their mind to move each single grain of sand or lift a boulder, which requires too much concentration and energy to be combat effective or, in some cases, even possible.
Also, another point for clarification: Unlike the shaman, a mage can only summon these energies, not manipulate them.
(11-27-2011, 05:16 PM)Xigo Wrote: [ -> ]A mage can not 'control' ice, he attacks with it and summons it. The same for fire, arcane, lightning, and water.
He might be able to send a crushing wave at someone, but he can not manipulate natural water by such means.
Anyway, I hope that clarifies a few points on this topic. I know the question has come up recently and we wanted to shed a bit of light on it.
We encourage people to use our Private Forum to post ideas and questions as well. If you want to do something with a character or explore the possibility of a variant class, make the idea known and we'll be happy to work with you!