Revisiting the Magi Carta
Recently I was looking back on the Magi Carta supplement for Heroes & Other Worlds. I think the book still has a ton of value, even with my improv magic system for Blades & Black Magic.
Magical Artifacts In the Improv Magic System
As I draft my rules for improvisational magic, the next step is to see how those rules fit with magic items or artifacts. Here is an attempt at doing that.
The New Untold Realms Grimoire
I am changing how the Untold Realms Grimoire will list spells. This will match with the new magic rules I have been working on for Blades & Black Magic.
Magic System Progress
I have been working with Jeff Vandine on a set of house rules for magic …
Magic In the Vales
Magic in the Vales setting is closer to a Swords & Sorcery feel, but with a few changes. It is rarely in the hands of humans, and is mostly found in monsters and the darker portions of the Vales and beyond.
Framework for a Magic System
Because there is no magic system for Blades & Black Magic (yet), Jeff Vandine and I have been discussing various ways to create one for it. Here is what we have started.
Basic Potions In the Middle Lands
In almost all fantasy roleplaying games, there are tons of different potions and elixirs that do wonderful or terrible things. But what kinds of potions are available in a low fantasy or swords & sorcery setting?
Magic Items In Blades & Black Magic
One of the more interesting things I am waiting for when C.R. Brandon publishes the Black Magic portion of Blades is how he will handle magic items. Until then here are my ideas for their use in that game--and the Middle Lands.
Spell Books in Blades & Black Magic
Spell books in fantasy roleplaying games are very intriguing things. Mechanically, they are usually sources of new spells. Game-wise, though, they are sources of setting color and story hooks. But what does that mean for Blades & Black Magic?
Should Player Characters Be Sorcerers?
The question of whether PCs should be sorcerers in a Swords & Sorcery campaign is an important one. To many people, it is high heresy--playing a wizard is why they play roleplaying games. Still, it is an important question to ask for low fantasy settings.
Magic In the Middle Lands
Blades & Black Magic is an excellent fantasy roleplaying game--but it does not have a magic system (yet). That is planned for later this year when C.R. Brandon releases the official "Black Magic" part of the game. In the meantime, I'm working out my own ideas for using improvisational magic with Blades... and keeping it within the spirit of swords & sorcery.
Alchemy Live!
Alchemy is kind of a side note in The Fantasy Trip. A couple pages for chemists and alchemists, but not really anything else--just a way for players to get Healing and Universal Antidote potions, along with the good old Universal Solvent. But alchemy could be so much more--from roleplaying to story hooks. Here are some ideas for adding flavor and depth to alchemy in your campaigns.
