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(TFT) Wizard Scans
In our group the presence of iron question led to a bigger question that we
have yet to adequately resolve. First some definitions are in order.
Definition 1: A wizard is a person who has been trained to cast magic and
understand the theory behind it. As such spells cost the wizard 1 IQ point
while talents cost double.
Definition 2: A magic-user is a person who has NOT been trained to cast
magic and does not understand the theory behind the spell. A magic-user can
learn spells at the cost of 3 IQ points per spell assuming he can find a
wizard who will teach him.
Now the questions.
Can a wizard sense the presence of another wizard or magic user:
in a crowded tavern
on a busy city street
around the corner in a dungeon?
Can a wizard sense a magic-user at all?
Can a wizard cloak his presence from other wizards who might be trying to
sense him.
Our group has decided magic-users are not in touch with their magic aura
and thus cannot sense anything at all. As such there is nothing magical
about them for a wizard to sense either.
The rest of the questions have been the topic of much debate . We didn't
want to see wizards become automatic wizard detectors so that has always
been a primary consideration in our discussions. We played around with a
battle of wills concept but couldn't agree on whether a wizard should get
this automatically or whether he needed to consciously attempt it. The
wizard players were for the automatic, unconscious scan. As GM, I could
imagine my players walking into The Magic Unicorn tavern during WizCon and
automatically scanning everyone in a battle of wills. GMs rule: Players
rue. };-)
At present, I allow the scan only if the wizard calls for it. It is an IQ
roll with a modifier based on the wizard being scanned. It is a secret roll
made by the GM. If the roll, whether a failure or a success, lies within
the modifier range of the scanner's IQ, then the target will know he has
been scanned. If the roll succeeds by less than half the modifier, the
target will know who scanned him. If the roll fails by more than half the
modifier, the target will know who scanned him. If the modified roll equals
16, the target will know the scan failed. If the modified roll equals 17,
the target will know the scan failed and the scanner's IQ. If the modified
roll equals 18, the target will know the scan failed, the scanner's IQ and
the scanner's ST. There is no fatigue cost to scan. This is still in the
brainstorm stage and has not been fully playtested.
It works like this.
Young Willim, fresh from his apprenticeship, is off to see the world. His
first stop is The Magic Unicorn, well-known haunt of wizards and
magic-users. As he steps through the door, he sees the room is full of
people. Being young and arrogant, he scans the room for other wizards. This
is an area scan that takes one turn. The size of the area is still an issue
of debate.
Willim's IQ is 10. I told you he was arrogant. There are presently three
wizards and one magic-user among the 10 patrons in the room. The GM makes a
"roll" for every person in the room but only the wizards count.
Morgan the Mundane IQ 8: Willim's IQ is 2 higher than Morgan's so he
subtracts 2 from the dice when he rolls. Willim's roll is a 7 - 2 = 5. He
detects Morgan's presence. Since 5 is outside the parameters of the
modifier (8-12, Willim's IQ 10 + or - 2) , Morgan does not know he has been
scanned.
Boris the Brash IQ 12: Willim's IQ is 2 lower than Boris' so he must add 2
to the dice when he rolls. Willim's roll is 8 + 2 = 10. He detects Boris.
Willim's roll of 10 is within half the modifier range (9-11, Willim's IQ 10
+ or -1). As a result Boris not only knows he has been scanned, he knows
who did it. He does not know if the scan was successful. Since scanning is
considered rude and socially unacceptable among wizards, Boris decides to
teach the young whelp some manners and shouts an appropriate challenge.
Maudib the Malevolent IQ 18: Willim's IQ is 8 lower than Maudib's so he
must add 8 to the dice when he rolls. Willim's roll is 10 + 8 = 18. He
fails to detect Maudib and since he failed by more than half the modifier,
Maudib knows he scanned him. Since the roll was 18, Maudib knows the scan
failed and that Willim's IQ is 10 and his ST is 10. Observing the impending
duel, Maudib decides it will be amusing to play puppet master with some
undetectable Aid spells.
Madam Marie IQ 9, the owner of the Magic Unicorn, is in the water closet
and therefore shielded from the scan by the wall. She is totally unaware of
the escalating events.
No one is aware of the bounty hunter Egon Streele aka The Witch-Hunter.
Streele is a wizard-hating magic-user who knows Spell Shield. As he watches
the unfolding duel, he takes note of the combatants and spectators.
According to his source, his quarry is here tonight.
The Magic Unicorn is a great place to go on a Saturday night.
Points of debate:
Can you scan around corners? Presently, we say no but it is by GM decree.
Do all walls shield from scans or only a certain thickness or material? The
GM says any wall shields for playability.
What should critical successes reveal? Right now a 4 reveals the target's
IQ and a 3 the IQ and ST.
What can a wizard do to shield himself from a scan? Nothing outside of the
influence of relevant magic items (another area of debate).
As you can see this can create some interesting situations and some
interesting questions.
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