Scorpio Rising
08-05-2005, 07:14 PM
Hello, all.
Apologies if this has come up somewhere. I couldn't find anything about it using Search.
I am confused about the Elven Skill-Song, Antiphon Union.
Specifically, the text on p89 of the BWR Character Burner says:
Once the Artisan ... finishes his making, the spell must be sung. The singer has one chance to transfer his power. The song is sung at its base obstacle. Extra successes are assumed to be the "enchantment". They are the dice rolled when the item is used. (emphasis mine)
I find that I can read this two ways, and I can't tell which one is correct:
1) The more generous way.
Putting a Spell Song into an item using Antiphon Union is just like casting it on the spot: The successes from the roll go into the item and can then be used by the item's bearer.
So if I create a Battle Standard imbued with Anthem Of Courage and roll 9 successes (4 over the Obstacle of 5) then everyone within 100 yards of the Standard gains +4D to Steel tests. Done.
2) The stingy way.
Putting a Spell Song into an item is hard. I have to roll against the Base Obstacle for the Song but my extra successes only go into the item as Spell Song dice. Then, when someone wants to use the item they get to roll those dice just as if they were casting the Spell Song on-the-spot.
So in this case I roll 9 successes (4 over the Obstacle of 5) to place Anthem of Courage in the Battle Standard. Then whoever ends up carrying it into battle can try to use its power. He gets to roll those 4D against the Obstacle of 5, just as if he knew the Song at 4D, and if he beats the Obstacle then his extra successes count as bonus Steel dice for those within 100 yards.
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So. Obviously, there is quite a big difference between these two readings. Way #1 is much, much better. It also leads to Items of Power (or whatever they should be called) with static, predictable abilities. Way #2 is noticeably harder and will force Elven craftsmen to Work Carefully, leverage Song of Songs and consider spending Artha if they want to create truly useful works.
Which is right?
Or is there a third reading that I'm missing?
- Scorpio powerful confused.
Apologies if this has come up somewhere. I couldn't find anything about it using Search.
I am confused about the Elven Skill-Song, Antiphon Union.
Specifically, the text on p89 of the BWR Character Burner says:
Once the Artisan ... finishes his making, the spell must be sung. The singer has one chance to transfer his power. The song is sung at its base obstacle. Extra successes are assumed to be the "enchantment". They are the dice rolled when the item is used. (emphasis mine)
I find that I can read this two ways, and I can't tell which one is correct:
1) The more generous way.
Putting a Spell Song into an item using Antiphon Union is just like casting it on the spot: The successes from the roll go into the item and can then be used by the item's bearer.
So if I create a Battle Standard imbued with Anthem Of Courage and roll 9 successes (4 over the Obstacle of 5) then everyone within 100 yards of the Standard gains +4D to Steel tests. Done.
2) The stingy way.
Putting a Spell Song into an item is hard. I have to roll against the Base Obstacle for the Song but my extra successes only go into the item as Spell Song dice. Then, when someone wants to use the item they get to roll those dice just as if they were casting the Spell Song on-the-spot.
So in this case I roll 9 successes (4 over the Obstacle of 5) to place Anthem of Courage in the Battle Standard. Then whoever ends up carrying it into battle can try to use its power. He gets to roll those 4D against the Obstacle of 5, just as if he knew the Song at 4D, and if he beats the Obstacle then his extra successes count as bonus Steel dice for those within 100 yards.
----------------------------------
So. Obviously, there is quite a big difference between these two readings. Way #1 is much, much better. It also leads to Items of Power (or whatever they should be called) with static, predictable abilities. Way #2 is noticeably harder and will force Elven craftsmen to Work Carefully, leverage Song of Songs and consider spending Artha if they want to create truly useful works.
Which is right?
Or is there a third reading that I'm missing?
- Scorpio powerful confused.