Itemize trait

[Thor Olavsrud]

The name sucks? Fine, you don't like Tax jokes. Sue me. :lol:

Die trait, 5 pts (rule breaking 5, pitap +1, cool beans -1)

Characters with the Itemize trait have relentlessly studied the flow of arcane power. This understanding allows them to deduct successes over the Obstacle when casting a spell, and add those successes to the Tax roll. Successes deducted in this manner DO NOT contribute to the effect of the spell.

[luke]

neat.

[eruditus]

I think it should be two successes = +1D vs Tax and a 4 pt trait.

The point of Tax, mechanically, is to divert some focus character burning resource into an under developed stat (or pay the price later). And to have a second roll to a spell with consequences other than the effect of the spell.

You ostensibly allow sorcerers to cast spells that ignore this and allow them to basically make all their tax rolls at the same time they make their G6 sorcery tests.

Would this effect advancement at all?

[Thor Olavsrud]

I don't think it's that bad at all. They actually have to take excess successes AWAY from their result and apply them toward tax. And it is pretty expensive under the new trait rules.

Why do you think it should be a 4 pt trait? I showed the reasons for pricing it the way I did, as per the Monster Burner rules. What would you change?

[Kublai]

It's real inherent power is when you cast capped spells. Instead of having useless extra casting successess, you know have extra Forte dice.

[Thor Olavsrud]

It's real inherent power is when you cast capped spells. Instead of having useless extra casting successess, you know have extra Forte dice.

Absolutely. It's a real advantage there. Fortunately, capped spells are not really damaging spells. But I think it would be perfectly fair to restrict it only to 'up' spells.

[Viper]

nice trait!

[eruditus]

Has anyone used this in a game yet?

It was capped spells that I was most worried about. So I think either limitation would work - either keep the trait to upped spells or make it an Add 2 ability towards Tax.

[eruditus]

Would this effect advancement at all? I take it "Itemizers" would not have the patented BW uber-Forte that many BW Sorcerers get? I like that.

[Redoid]

Would this effect advancement at all? I take it "Itemizers" would not have the patented BW uber-Forte that many BW Sorcerers get? I like that.

Getting automatic successes is the same thing as reducing the obstacle by one. So both methods would slow Forte advancement.

I like the way experimented sorcerers get a high Forte, because wizards are very rarely pictured with a round belly. They live old, are lean and healthy for their age, all denoting a good Health : the result of Will and Forte above average. On the other hand, I fail to see why a wizard spending his life in books studying and scribing scrolls should end up with B8 Forte and (if he has only average Power) a superficial wound of 5, ignoring you average joe punches unless he gets a superb result... So overall, I am quite split on this question.

With this trait, the most likely result will be that experienced sorcerers will gather the successes needed to pass the Tax test without sweating too much (so they won't automatically have great Forte). This means that when they pushes their magic to their limit, or when they fail to cast a spell, they will have a full Tax test to do, and it will all the more dangerous, as their Forte won't be that high.

As it is now, a B4 Forte wizard can't levitate safely in the current rules. His Will+Sorcery will certainly meet the ob 4 to cast the spell, and if he casts carefully, he'll resist the initial Tax test (at actual obstacle). But it's a sustained spell, and as the base obstacle is equal to its Forte, he won't be able to sustain it. Same with Arcane Kindness if the target has average Will, all stat-enhancing spells, even walking on water or speaking with birds is too taxing for our average-bodied sorcerer... And a man as sturdy as a dwarf, an orc, or a governor of California would faint around 1 in 3 times trying to sustain these spells... Let's hope noone is fool enough to speak with and anthill : this is a feat at the limit of human ability. :)

Helping the sorcerers to cast those spells and devote successes to Tax would help in this department, at the risk of emboldening them to cast these spells often, until they inevitably fail and have to bear the Tax test in full... I like that, especially because the more skilled the wizard, the more confident he'll be in his magic, the more powerful the spells he'll cast, until he makes a mistake. It's stereotypical, I love it!