"actual obstacle" and tax

[rafial]

Okay, my convention demo of BW was actually the first time I ran a game where a PC had magic (in all my previous games any magic had been off stage), and I suddenly realized I didn't know how to interpret a crucial clause in the spellcasting rules.

To wit, the statement that Tax is rolled at the "actual obstacle of the spell".

Does that mean "the obstacle of the spell after all modifiers are applied" i.e. the actual number you had to beat on the dice, or does it mean "the obstacle of the spell before modifiers are applied" i.e. the actual number if these modifiers hadn't come in to play?

To wit: if an Ob 6 spell is cast carefully for x4 syllables, reducing it to Ob4, is the tax test against Ob 6, or Ob 4?

I looked for examples in the book to clarify this, but I couldn't find one.

Also (and this may well be in the book but I don't have it to hand) are Tax rolls open ended?

[Kublai]

It refers to the obstacle determined after all the modifiers have been taken into account. If I had an Ob5 spell that I cast Patiently and Carefully down to Obstacle 3, then my Tax would be at Obstacle 3. Continuing, it would also count as an Obstacle 3 test towards skill and stat advancement.

[rafial]

Okay, so this was the interpretation I went with. The question came up when the Spirit Priest in my demo went to summon his air spirit, and we started with an Ob7 calling spell, which was then cast carefully down to Ob4 (maximum reduced by half) and then carefully for -3 on tax, taking Tax down to Ob1. Total multiplier was x90 resulting in a spell that took 30 minutes to cast, which perfectly fit my idea of long drawn out religious ritual. By the time the binding was included, the Priest and the Guardian were at it for nearly an hour.

[luke]

your interpretation was correct, Wilhelm.

However, once you start casting Patiently and Carefully the Tax and Casting obstacles become independent.

Casting Carefully from Ob 7 down to Ob 4 leaves the Tax obstacle at Ob 7.

Casting Patiently can only reduce the obstacle by three from the starting base obstacle. Not by three from the reduced carefully obstacle.

sorry about the confusion; hope that helps.
-L

[rafial]

your interpretation was correct, Wilhelm.

Thanks, but...


However, once you start casting Patiently and Carefully the Tax and Casting obstacles become independent.

Casting Carefully from Ob 7 down to Ob 4 leaves the Tax obstacle at Ob 7.

Casting Patiently can only reduce the obstacle by three from the starting base obstacle. Not by three from the reduced carefully obstacle.


...this means my interpretation was wrong.

So in this case, the best the priest could have done was Ob4 to cast and Ob4 for tax for the 30 minute ritual on a spell that started at Ob7. Wow, spell casters in BW have to be tough as nails.

[luke]

Wow, spell casters in BW have to be tough as nails.

Not necessarily. Players of spell-casters simply have to be prepared to pay the price for their immense power.

-L

[rafial]

Not necessarily.

Well, if they weren't before, they soon will be after scoring all those challenging fortitude tests.

[Kaare Berg]

they soon will be after scoring all those challenging fortitude tests.

If they don't kill themselves first.

[Thor Olavsrud]

Well, if they weren't before, they soon will be after scoring all those challenging fortitude tests.

Burning Wheel spellcasters are TOUGH! That's why my sorcerer has been able to take two crossbow bolts to the chest (Kublai, I'm looking at you :evil: ), although both Incidentals, admittedly, and only taken Superficials. It is well worth it to give a starting spell caster a high Forte.