Elric of Melnibone - Rune of Reflection

[Maedhros]

Some elements of Elric's Rune Magic system seem a bit out-of-balance.

For example: the Rune of Reflection.

Cast verbally, it will Reflect one attack per round for every POW invested. This effect lasts one hour, and can be extended with additional POW.

Written, the effect will persist as long as the caster dedicates POW to the Rune.

There is no way to dispel a Rune, other than to counter it with its opposite.

In my game, I can't see a way to allow this Rune without wrecking the game. What would prevent a character from inscribing this rune on four breastplates (for example), dedicating 3 POW to each and then distributing them to himself and each of three comrades? The result would be a party of adventures who would be immune to three physical attacks each round.

That would get old fast. For all intents and purposes, melee combat would no longer be any fun in the game - the PCs would win every fight without a hint of challenge. I'm sure some extreme example can be cited that would negate the advantage of the Runes, but it would destroy suspension of disbelief to arrange those conditions more than once.

I don't think the Rune of Reflection was very well conceived. I'm wary of other elements of the magic system that may also be broken.

 

[Mongoose Pete]

I don't think the Rune of Reflection was very well conceived. I'm wary of other elements of the magic system that may also be broken.

This is the Young Kingdoms where magic is extremely powerful, sorcerers are feared and this spell is based on exactly what was described in Bane of the Black Sword.

It is not broken. You can still be shot from behind, poisoned, caught in a trap, back stabbed or even immolated by a fire elemental. The spell only stops x attacks per round, so two or three foes against the sorcerer will soon swamp his magic.

Is it powerful? Yes.

Is it better than some of the other Runes? Yes.

Can a GM who doesn't like it restrict its access to PCs? Of course!

This is Elric where you can gain immunity from edged weapons with a single Gift. The game over its many incarnations has never been about mechanical balance. Its always embraced the over the top powers of sorcery. This latest version is no different, it just mimics the way magic was done in the saga better. :wink:

 

[PhilHibbs]

This is Elric where you can gain immunity from edged weapons with a single Gift. The game over its many incarnations has never been about mechanical balance. Its always embraced the over the top powers of sorcery. This latest version is no different, it just mimics the way magic was done in the saga better.
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Nice to get a reminder that these rules were written assuming a quite different sort of campaign from the munchkin "It's in the rules so you have to let me do it, look at me buffing my character I'm going to go kill now arrgrgrgrh" approach. -dbhoward

Your sig appears to be contradicting your post. :wink:

 

[daxos232]

How do you think Elric's magic would compare with MRQ2's other magic systems in a homebrew setting? Would there be anything to be concerned about for gameplay?

 

[Loz]

How do you think Elric's magic would compare with MRQ2's other magic systems in a homebrew setting? Would there be anything to be concerned about for gameplay?

This is an almost impossible question to answer for an outsider: only you can really answer it. Read through the Elric magic chapters and note how it works and the power levels; compare it with RQII's core magic, and then look at how you want magic working in your campaign. Therein lies the answer.

The Elric magic can be easily ported into any setting you want: the question is, should it be? Should it be ported as is or tweaked? Remember that the magic is modelling the Elric stories; as Pete's pointed out, game balance and balance against other magical styles were not top priorities for us - reflecting the power of magic as described in the Elric books was far more crucial.

So read, compare and contrast and then make a decision based on your conclusions is the best advice I can offer.

 

[Loz]

Your sig appears to be contradicting your post.

Does it?

 

[PhilHibbs]

Your sig appears to be contradicting your post.

Does it?

OK, not strictly a contradiction. And I was making a humorous observation, not a serious accusation, hence the winky.

 

[Loz]

OK, not strictly a contradiction. And I was making a humorous observation, not a serious accusation, hence the winky.

Yeah, I know you were, but even so, it was sort of odd because there wasn't a contradiction between subject and sig at all... :wink: