Help on magic traditions, What do the tradition specifics mean? |
Help on magic traditions, What do the tradition specifics mean? |
Jul 21 2013, 05:00 AM
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#1
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Moving Target Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 205 Joined: 9-May 13 Member No.: 97,213 |
In the SR5 rulebook, there are two sidebars on pages 279 and 280, respectively, dealing with the hermetic tradition and the shamanic tradition. I understand the difference between the two in regards to the differing attributes used for drain. But I don't get what it means for the two traditions to tie the 5 spell types to different "elements" or spirit types. For example, what does it mean, in game or in fluff, that a hermetic tradition has combat connected with fire and shamanic has combat connected to beasts? I get that shamans can't summon fire and her ethics can't summon beasts, but beyond that, what is the point of the connections?
Thanks, Opti |
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Jul 21 2013, 05:11 AM
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#2
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Immortal Elf Group: Members Posts: 10,289 Joined: 2-October 08 Member No.: 16,392 |
I think this is a holdover from previous editions.
And it didn't mean jack squat then either. |
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Jul 21 2013, 05:43 AM
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#3
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 115 Joined: 5-March 09 From: Bay Area, CA Member No.: 16,942 |
It means two things, one RP and the other game mechanic.
The game mechanic is that you can only summon the five types of spirits listed in your tradition. So Hermetic magicians can't summon beast spirits. The RP one is that the tasks you ask of your spirits should be in line with the type of spirit your tradition links it to. Meaning if you are a Hermetic magician you should only ask your Fire spirits to attack things and ask your Air spirit to use its conceal power. |
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Jul 21 2013, 06:02 AM
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#4
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,351 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Behind the shadows of the Resonance Member No.: 17,653 |
Check under Reagents on page 316. It says in there that not all reagents are usable by all traditions, with a few examples. Once a magic supplement is released we'll likely see some details on what's what in the magical chemistry kit, but for now it seems to be more GM say so.
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Jul 21 2013, 08:40 AM
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#5
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 427 Joined: 22-January 10 From: Seattle Member No.: 18,067 |
The RP one is that the tasks you ask of your spirits should be in line with the type of spirit your tradition links it to. Meaning if you are a Hermetic magician you should only ask your Fire spirits to attack things and ask your Air spirit to use its conceal power. That's a little extreme. I wouldn't go further than saying that you should ask the fire spirit to attack things more often than any other type of spirit. Hermetics are all about the right tool for the right job, so if another spirit will perform better in this particular fight, pull it out. All else being equal, though, a hermetic wizard should call in the fire for fighting. Similar arguments would apply for most trads, really. There might be a few where it goes as far as saying calling a different type should be a rare and special occurrence, but for "only" I can't think of any, really. |
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Jul 21 2013, 08:53 AM
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#6
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 865 Joined: 31-December 03 From: Shadows of Britain Member No.: 5,944 |
As noted the Reagents section makes use of that chart.
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Jul 21 2013, 09:02 AM
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#7
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 115 Joined: 5-March 09 From: Bay Area, CA Member No.: 16,942 |
I did say "should."
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Jul 21 2013, 11:17 AM
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#8
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 598 Joined: 12-October 05 Member No.: 7,835 |
The spirit/spell type has to match on Aid Sorcery and Aid Study tasks.
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Jul 21 2013, 12:00 PM
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#9
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Prime Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,803 Joined: 3-February 08 From: Finland Member No.: 15,628 |
I think this is a holdover from previous editions. And it didn't mean jack squat then either. It did and still does. Aid Alchemy, Sorcery, and Study:As a service, the spirit can add its Force as a dice pool bonus to your Alchemy, Spellcasting, Ritual Spellcasting (for spell rituals), and Learning Tests if its type matches the spell’s category, as listed under your tradition (p. 279). |
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