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NotFishing

NotFishing

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I still have to think of a plot, and am also working on the rules of how magic works...

How about this:

Magic is fueled by mana, but unlike most threads and RPGs, this isn't some hidden energy reserve that you can to channel into your spells or whatever. It is a chemical in a mage's blood, unique only to mages - normal human bodies are unable to produce it. Normal humans can't utilize mana either, even if they consume it - it actually poisons them if they try that option.

Basically, a mage's spell is powered by their blood. Every time they cast a spell, some of their blood vanishes. Cast too many, and they suffer the effects of blood loss.

That said, a mage does not necessarily have to use their own blood - they can use the blood of their fellow mages as well. This is highly illegal in most cultures, even if the person giving their blood is willing. Not only does it encourage people to go around cutting their fellow mages for a little bit of extra power, but when a mage casts a spell using someone else's blood the results tend to be much more unstable and unpredictable.

The reason for this is that not all mages have the same amount of mana in their blood, and some mages have stronger mana than others. So it's almost like you're an inexperienced mage again because you aren't used to that mage's blood and are unable to manage their reserves optimally.

Moral of the story: Don't mess around with a mage's blood.

How does this sound? It's definitely a different take on how magic works, isn't it? Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

07-Nov-2015 03:35:53 - Last edited on 07-Nov-2015 03:46:00 by NotFishing

Quick5ilvr

Quick5ilvr

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Oh Lasky, that magic system is purely delicious.

I've been toying with the idea of some type of Alchemical Mage...

In theory, would it be possible to infuse a non-mage with mana charged blood to poison them, perhaps channel magic through it after they've been infused? Because if so, get ready for one sick mage.

Sick as in cool...and actually sick. I want to play a character that is practically coughing up his lungs, because any hint at Chemistry requires tribute to "W.W my Star, My perfect silence." Cower, worship, or beg. All are valid choices.

07-Nov-2015 03:51:02

NotFishing

NotFishing

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Quick5ilvr said :
In theory, would it be possible to infuse a non-mage with mana charged blood to poison them, perhaps channel magic through it after they've been infused? Because if so, get ready for one sick mage.

I suppose you could, if the poison doesn't kill you. While it may not happen in the majority of cases, it still happens quite often enough.

Then there's also the fact that you would have next to no control over your power. You will only ever get to practice whenever you have a mage's blood in your system (which would only be temporary, as all chemicals that enter your body usually leave it one way or another), and even then it is a different mage's blood each time.

Finally, there's the small issue of having to track down a mage and cut them whenever you wish to cast a spell. A pretty difficult thing to do as a non-mage.

Still, I could make a small exception. As in, your character is a rare case of someone who's body does not reject mage blood (at least not as much as other humans, so you still get sick but it is far less likely to kill you.) Unfortunately, that still won't solve your character's lack of control.

And by lack of control, I mean you try to create a small flame to light a candle only to completely incinerate it with a fireball. Or you try to temporarily paralyze someone with a lethal blast of lightning, only to either give them a harmless jolt or accidentally kill them.

In short, you're not someone the other characters would want to be around, mage or non-mage.

Don't think too hard on it, though. I've yet to think of a plot, and I have a sad tendency to promise threads but not deliver. Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

07-Nov-2015 04:05:58 - Last edited on 07-Nov-2015 04:14:35 by NotFishing

NotFishing

NotFishing

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Inferi said :
It's essentially blood magic from dragon age.

Is it?

I just looked it up on the wiki and I can already see some differences. And it could also be argued that it is similar to blood magic that appears in any RPG ever, not just Dragon Age. Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

07-Nov-2015 04:13:29

Quick5ilvr

Quick5ilvr

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The idea was the character is a mage, but he kills people by using his blood as a potent poison. Alchemy is just a side thing, because I love alchemical characters...

Might have something to do with the fact that I'm currently working on a Chemical Engineering degree.

And they say we can't English very well ;) Pffft!

EDIT: On the Dragon Age note, that form of Blood Magic is usually characterized by the Taboo that Lasky has put in place, and it also works with any blood, mage or no.

There is also the whole thing about demonic possession, but that can wait for a later date.

And....still salty that there's no blood magic in Inquisition. My long tradition of Blood Mage - Spirit Healer is broken :( Cower, worship, or beg. All are valid choices.

07-Nov-2015 04:15:40 - Last edited on 07-Nov-2015 04:17:16 by Quick5ilvr

Inferi

Inferi

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There's always going to be differences with every incarnation because the worlds aren't the same. However, the principle is the same: use blood for creating magic, whether that blood is yours or that of another. The main difference is that there's no other way to make magic work apart from blood.

Arcane Warrior > everything else

And that applies to all games. Mechanics don't enter into the discussion. Done in by the dubious doings of destiny.

07-Nov-2015 04:17:35 - Last edited on 07-Nov-2015 04:18:31 by Inferi

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