(TFT) Re: TFT Digest V3 #513

[Mark Tapley <mtapley@swri.edu>]

> Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2003 03:00:18 EDT
> From: ErolB1@aol.com
> Subject: Re: (TFT) A Thought on the St Cost to Renew Spells
>
> In a message dated 8/15/2003 9:32:00 PM Central Daylight Time,
> rsmith@lightspeed.ca writes:
>
> [re my idea of letting the subject of a spell pay the renewal cost for ben
> eficial spells]

Love it.

My criteria for "is it too powerful" is: would it become "standard 
practice" if it were adopted? If so, it's too powerful.

I don't see why this one would *not*, without at least one limitation 
on it. But I think any of:

recipient knows spell, or
recipient needs a transfer-acceptance magic item, or
Caster needs an advanced version of same spell

would do it. For the last, I'd say "Transferrable" versions of the 
spell include the original version, and can be learned at an IQ level 
4 above that of the original version. I think this idea is my 
favorite, because it doesn't require "teaming" (ie, what fighter 
would buy a Transfer-acceptance item unless he *knew* there was going 
to be a transfer-providing wizard around that knew the corresponding 
spell?)

Metaphysically, the wizard is binding the spell energization to the 
life-force of its subject, rather than to the wizard's life-force. I 
think The Little Death sets a good precedent for this. But that's a 
pretty high-IQ spell, ergo the +4 IQ requirement. A wizard still can 
get Transferrable Blur at only IQ 12, but I think using up an action 
of an IQ-12 (or above) Wizard in a combat is probably enough cost to 
balance the utility of the spell.

> IME, beneficial continuing spells cast by wizards are weak compared to the
> same spells granted by magic items - terribly weak if the item 
> grants the spell with no St cost.

There is truth to that, but the costs of acquiring a spell are zero 
(if the wizard starts with it) vs. something substantial for the item.

> This is something my own opinion has firmed up on: It really *should* be
> automatic if the casting wizard is willing and the receiving wizard knows the
> spell.

In any case, I agree it should be automatic. Else the cost in total 
actions consumed is too large to make it practical (either in 
comparison to other magic or in comparison to taking actions more 
likely to affect the enemy).

--
					- Mark
			210-522-6025, page 888-733-0967
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