Magic User "Special Effects"

[philotomy]

I've recently been experimenting with "special effects" for magic users. These are basically very minor magical effects that a MU can "have going" at will while he as an appropriate spell memorized. For example, a MU that has fireball memorized might be able to make smoke come from his ears when he's annoyed, or light his pipe with a small flame from his thumb. A MU with gust of wind memorized might have her hair constantly blowing, as if in an unseen breeze. Et cetera. Using the special effects doesn't use up the spell -- it's still memorized.

Right now, I don't have formal rules for this. The players just know I allow such things, ask, "hey, can I do such-and-such as a special effect?" and we go from there. So far, there's been nothing outlandish (i.e. they're not abusing it) and they players think it's cool.

I could see making this a more formal and defined system, but I'm not sure if I want to. I could give each spell a minor special effect or two that doesn't "use up" the memorized spell. It could even be a really low-powered variant of the spell. For example, a sleep spell could have a special effect of "daze one target" (give him a -1, or whatever) of appropriate HD for 1 rnd. This would let low-level MUs do some magic stuff in multiple encounters, and still have the full spell for situations where they really need it. At higher levels, MUs probably wouldn't bother with such special effects, but it might be useful for the low-level guys.

I have mixed feelings about it, so I'm throwing it out here to solicit some opinions.

[coffee]

I like what you're doing. It makes the mage feel special, and that's a good thing.

I'm not so sure about making a formal system of it, though. While your players are not presently abusing it, if there are actual rules it might bring out the rules-lawyer in one.

That's just my opinion, based on my experience, of course. You go ahead and set such up a system if you want. All I ask is that you let us know how it works out!

[serendipity]

This is such a neat idea; I feel certain our mage (the DM's wife--gotta keep her happy!) would love it. I agree with coffee, though. If you write any rules down, someone will be tempted to start using them in a way you didn't intend. Also, I'd let each mage choose the effects; that gives them the opportunity to be inventive and adds to the "that's so kewl" factor experienced by the rest of the group.

[calithena]

This is actually the best 'spontaneous magic' rule I've ever read for D&D in 30 years of playing.

GREAT stuff, Philotomy.

I'm planning to publish my own D&D house rules under the OGL and might like to include this. Would you mind if I gave you credit and did so?

(Keeping in mind that the chances of my actually getting the thing even to POD publication are probably less than 50/50, of course.)

[philotomy]

calithena said:

This is actually the best 'spontaneous magic' rule I've ever read for D&D in 30 years of playing.

GREAT stuff, Philotomy.

I'm planning to publish my own D&D house rules under the OGL and might like to include this. Would you mind if I gave you credit and did so?

No, I wouldn't mind at all. I'd be very flattered (indeed, I'm already flattered by the praise; thank you).

[grodog]

calithena said:

I'm planning to publish my own D&D house rules under the OGL

Oh?---do spill a few more beans on that front, please, Sean!

PJ: a cool idea, definitely worth lifting for use in my upcoming Maure Castle campaign!

[calithena]

philotomy said:

calithena said:

This is actually the best 'spontaneous magic' rule I've ever read for D&D in 30 years of playing.

GREAT stuff, Philotomy.

I'm planning to publish my own D&D house rules under the OGL and might like to include this. Would you mind if I gave you credit and did so?

No, I wouldn't mind at all. I'd be very flattered (indeed, I'm already flattered by the praise; thank you).

Thankee kindly. As I said, we'll see if this ever reaches the light of day, but if it does and I use the idea, I'll definitely give you credit. I think this is totally great.

Gro, not sure this is the place, but if the thing really gets going I'll keep you in the loop. It's along familiar lines in some respects (C&C, Basic Fantasy I think are projects in similar directions) but I've got a few twists and procedural simplifications/advancements that I think may be worth my own document. It's very much designed to be infinitely customizable and focuses on open-ended creativity in play (why I like Philo's idea so much) rather than stock maneuvers, etc.

[crimhthanthegreat]

I think as a written rule the players have access to, "No", but as a private ref document so that you don't forget what special effect goes with what spell and to share with other refs, "Yes".

I have never used anything like that, per se (I do give magic-users some simple spells that they can use frequently, such as, they can always light a fire in pouring rain, etc) but this is a great idea and I would love to see more details if you post them or if not I will just make up my own (now that the idea is out there) I know my players will love this.

[philotomy]

crimhthanthegreat said:

...this is a great idea and I would love to see more details if you post them or if not I will just make up my own (now that the idea is out there) I know my players will love this.

I'll be writing a "musing" on spellcasters, soon. I probably won't be adding much detail on the idea of "special effects," though. I'm going to leave it nebulous, in the grand OD&D tradition.

[crimhthanthegreat]

philotomy said:

crimhthanthegreat said:

...this is a great idea and I would love to see more details if you post them or if not I will just make up my own (now that the idea is out there) I know my players will love this.

I'll be writing a "musing" on spellcasters, soon. I probably won't be adding much detail on the idea of "special effects," though. I'm going to leave it nebulous, in the grand OD&D tradition.

Your musings are always well-thought out, looking forward to it.

[kent]

This is a great idea especially as it rewards inventive players. I would leave it up to players to concoct these secondary effects rather than sweat over them as a DM, after all low level MUs are crying out for a bit of sparkle and wow. It could be amusing to replicate some of Stan Laurel's magical effects, 'smoking his thumb', 'eating wax fruit' etc..

[kenmeister]

I'd switch from 'memorized' to 'known'. That makes just knowing a spell something special.