Café de Nuit

Has anyone else on these boards picked up Tome of Magic yet? I've been reading through it and have found it very intriguing. I'm already planning on incorporating all three new types of magic into my Ravenloft campaign.

I have been reading through Shadow magic for the past day now and noticed a nice little sidebar with Dread Possibility written all over it: The Creeping Darkness optional rule. I could definately see this being applied to members of the Fraternity of Shadows, characters that originally start our as illusionists but who uncover the deeper mystery of shadow and have had it become their sole focus over time. And reading through the mysteries, I deifnately think this caster type fits in with the "uncover the dark truth behind reality" philosophy that the FoS espouses.

Anyone else out there see any potential story uses to this new magic-user class?

BBG

I haven't had a chance to get my grubby hands on the book yet.

But from what I've read about the Shadowcaster, I can definitely imagine the fraternity using that.

Wow! Finally got to read it today!

The Shadowcaster is simply awesome. I can't wait to buy the book so I can use it for my character. I think the "Creeping Darkness" rule should also apply for characters who take level in the FoS prestige class.

The Binder is about as magical as the Incarnum users from the other new "magic system". In other words: Not At All. Dunno about anyone else, but I don't consider a class "magical" unless it can blow things apart from a distance. The Binder seems like just another fighter/rogue-wannabe with flashy toys.

The Truenamer is the opposite, it's waaaaaaaaaaaaay too overpowered and destructive. I can imagine it as some sort of epic level thing, but the kinda stuff it does seems like too much for a core class.

From WotC's web site, about this new book:

Tome of Magic introduces three new magic subsystems for the D&D game. Any or all of these systems can easily be inserted into a campaign. Pact magic gives characters the ability to channel lost souls, harnessing their abilities to gain supernatural powers. Shadow magic draws power from the mysterious Plane of Shadow. Truename magic gives characters that learn and properly use the true name of a creature or object immense power over it. All three systems introduce new base classes and spellcasting mechanics. Also included are new feats, prestige classes, magic items, and spells.

Anybody who read it from cover to cover: is it worth buying for RL?

Joël

I posted something on this a little while ago.

I've always felt that Conjuration was getting the short end of the stick in Ravenloft, since it is supposed to be one of the dark arts. With the Binder, you can re-capture the feel of Faust without automatically screwing the character over. It lends for some great roleplaying moments since a bad pact results in you showing a sign of your deal (can result in a sixth finger on each hand, looking sickly and ill, or even temporarily change your feet into goat hooves, or grow horns). I like the idea of putting together Vestiges of dead darklords and legendary beings from false history. Imagine the fun that can be had from an enemy that has bound itself to Bakholis, or even Sergi.

The Shadowcaster has access to some really powerful spells that further the abilities of, you guessed it, shadow. And not just in illusion. Considering the "metaplot" the Fraternity has currently added it would make sense for this class to start showing up in their ranks. As a side note, the adaptation section suggests that if you don't like shadowcaster, you could change the flavour to use Mist.

Finally the Truenamer. I like this class a lot, as it seems to have a much more subtle touch on magic. With a slight adjustment to the flavour they can become travelling scholars and fit nicely into the demiplane.

I got the book yesterday. From a preliminary peek, indeed the shadowcaster reeks of the FoS

For use in RL, I think the shadowcaster is very fantasy. I don't think a Shadowcaster 8th level would fit in RL. But I see it as a cool add-on for villains in the way of Necromancer 6 / shadowcaster 5.

This said, I will also use it a lot in this way: I will take a few of the darker features and sprinkle them for some special villains, or even some creatures like vampires. Some of them are very cool.

Joël

Joël of the Fraternity wrote: Anybody who read it from cover to cover: is it worth buying for RL?

Joël

In a word, "yes".

Pact magic would slide perfectly into many domains of the core, as well as some of the islands, without fail. The vestiges are typically quite creepy and have tons of potential to be altered for RL, or just dropped right on in. With them, the Order of Seropaenes makes for a great adverserial group, but the faiths might need adjusting (they're based off of the Greyhawk pantheon right now).

Shadow magic, as mentioned earlier, has a great deal of potential. The shadowcaster itself seems a tad bit underpowered, compared to a mage of similar level, but it still packs a kick. The Child of Night PrC looks particularly good, as well.

Truenaming....meh. I personally didn't like it so much, and don't think it could fit very well into RL, but that's just my opinion. Someone else might find a use for it.


PS. It's good to be back.

Pact magic sounds perfect for Ravenloft. Just replace the name "vestiges" with sprits and demons and throw in some drawn circles. Very cool.