Team players.

Ok Rob, based on your advice, I worked this out:

Some ritual spells may be cast by one or more shamans casting in unison. Each spell has a 'multiple caster' rating. 1-3 indicates that one two or three may cast the spell.

In this case, each shaman can contribute one or more spell points, depending on the spell. For each shaman casting, the resist modifier for the spell is multiplied. Thus, whereas a 2nd circle Fear spell has a resist modifier of willpower +2, if three shamans cast it, the resist modifier would be +6.

Also, there are going to be some spells rated like 3-6, meaning at least 3 shamans must cast it together. -These could be much more powerful. You might get a 8th circle effect with a 5th circle spell if three 5th circle shamans were required to cast it.

I dig this shit. We've got your chanting monks.

BTW, the working spheres for ritual spell points are Blood, Dream, Gaea and Stitch.

Count ritual

I think I know where you are coming from. And I agree, that stuff looks cool. However, it's hard to put it into useful mechanics, or something fun for PCs to play.

I do think these spell points are working. I say this for 2 reasons. First, they are subdivided into 4 types. That makes things a bit more complicated. If a ritualist thinks he is going to be doing a lot of divining, he needs to go heavy on the 'dreams' points for that day (these names are not final). -They aren't as convertible as old fashion spell points.

Second, 1st circle spells cost 2, up to 5th circle which cost 6. There isn't a big differential. -It's not like it's 'wish' or 9 'magic missiles'. More like one 5th circle, or three 1st circle.

Say the 4 types are Blood, Dreams, Spirit and Thorns. A 1st circle beguile spell might cost: DS. A 4th circle drain spell might cost: BBSTT.

Each spell has a formula.

-I could make a sacrifice spell or ability that does replenish spell points as well. That's not bad.

On that note, I could also make ritualists able to pool their spell points and cast together. -Maybe I can make some spells specific for multiple casters. -There are your monks.

If your system can't support Count Dracula, your system is shit

Sorry, I don't have time to make lots of great spells. I do have the time to bitch about whatever your ideas are, apparently, so I'll keep on that tip.

I'm not sure about spell points, but I like the idea of Ritual Mages acquiring 'capital' or saving up 'spell points' once they do rituals. One guy might sacrifice babies, one guy might bathe in blood, one guy might whip himself, one guy might eat some guys. Then, magic!

The coolest NPC and movie magic is ritual magic anyway. You know, the spell that for some reason, takes one hour to cast and the PCs arrive when there are 10 rounds left before the spell goes off and the gate opens. It's all about gates opening. Or becoming super human. Make sure you stress the waves of energy and spectral voices and monks chanting that's part/parcel of Ritual Magic.

Venger was a Ritual Mage. Count Dracula was a Ritual Mage. Greg Vrill's second boss form was a Ritual Mage. All the greatests. Make it shine.

Got it.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Anyway, I think I have it. Ritual is going to have a version of spell points. However, they are going to be divided into something like 4 types. Something like: Blood, Dreams, Metal and Fire. Not those, but something similar.

Anyway, a ritualist will decide what combination to take each day. If he has 10 spell points he might take: 2B, 3D, 4M and 1F.

Spells will cost a combination of points (like Magic). 1st circle will just cost one. However, 2nd circle and up will be combinations. Thus, a 3rd circle mind-reading spell might cost BBD.

This way ritualists need to do some planning ahead. Also it creates a sort of formula-feeling without silly spell components.

I just need to work on the cost for buying spell points.

BTW, I like Blood and Dreams. Any suggestions for the other two? (useful suggestions)

Yes absolutely, please make a Lawful Good cannibalism spell.

Check, check... is this thing on?

Yeah, maybe not a check. Even so, the check would only possibly enhance the spell. -No check for failure. Still, I don't only want different types of spells. I am looking for something fundamentally different. Since they get their spells from ritual observance, I'm trying to tie that in.

Maybe some type of draw on their abilities. That might be more annoying than a check though.

Any good cannibalism spells?

Also, I am thinking that spell components are only annoying. They make sense for ritual, but we never used them.

Eh

If you were playing a mage, would you want to have to make a check to cast a spell? Negative.

It's 'Ritual magic'. Focus on performance of rituals, like cannibalism?

Ritual and Cha?

Maybe something like a Cha check when Ritual spells are cast to determine success or potency?

Ritual Magic

About 1/3 done with ritual magic. However, I am not completely satisfied.

At a minimum, I am looking for good spell ideas.

Also, is there some way to make it intrinsically unique? I was thinking about somehow linking it to attributes. In some sort of spell point way or something. -It just seems flat.

Ritual casters get their magic, not from absolute devotion, but from transient observation or servitude to extraplanar beings. Formulae of devotion or something.

My goal is to make each of the 4 magics unique.

-Hermetic has metamagic (counterspell & such), horology (time) and evocation (blast). Wizards also have a broad selection: summoning, divination, abjuration etc... Book learning of spells. Resistance to hermetic spells is modified as +1 per circle.

-Hedge has illusion and is strong in charm, artifice, and mental tweeks. Book learning of spells. Resistance to hedge spells is modified as +1 per circle.

-Priest has healing, augmentation, powerful divination, protection, also nature affecting, -depending on the priest's domain. Also, priests can trade 2 spells of one circle for one of the next higher at will (some fluidity). Auto-learning of spells. Resistance to priest spells is modified by +1 per circle of the priest casting (+1 to +8).

-I want ritual to be unique in a significant way.

Thoughts?

uncle

Ok, ok. You won that one, remember?

Some of the cliches are funny. Still, I'd like to see that guy make an awesome gaming system. Somehow, I doubt it would escape his list.

Roll 1d4 for awesomeness

In-depth reviews of horrible game systems:

http://atrocities.primaryerror.net/

They back me up on random rolling, yo.

Keepin' on.

Still rocking it out. Priest spells are near finished. Time to move on to ritual. Any thoughts would be appreciated, of course. I want ritual to have its own special flavor.

So far, I dig wizards: they have horology and meta-magic, theurgists: hedge magic seems really fun to play, and priests: they are more 'priesty' now. -Not just 'other' wizards.

I really want ritual to feel different. v4.4 will be up this weekend.