Here are a few examples of the sort of design I have been talking about:
Special Note: A deviation from the system I've been touting might be made for intelligence. Intelligence is more dearly bought in the basic rules. One point of intelligence grants understanding (to anything, even a teapot), two grants mortal perception, and four equals Chaos level. This is the only obvious rank change between the chart above and the original game charts. I can see abuses where the player might want to plug directly into the GM by buying a super-intelligent item. For myself, I don't mind, for it provides an opportunity in play for open discussion of information from many points of view-- and I have a small game, with few PC's. I recommend keeping the slant in place if you have any concerns about PC abuse. This is what I have done in the examples I provide.
Now our first example, since most tales describe a Dragon's canny comprehension, Chaos intelligence seems likely, i.e. greater than mortal wits.
| Dragon, lesser (shadow) This creature is formidable in every respect. Most qualities are above any man or beast that might face it. Most qualities are at a level that would be termed 'Double' or 'Chaos' level. Remember that Agression actually goes up a level, if the item has narrow fighting choices (claws, breath, etc.). | Vitality: Double (2) Movement: Double (2) Stamina: Double (2) Aggression: Reflexes (2) Armor: Vs Fire/Arms (2) Damage: Double (2) Intelligence: Chaos (4) Psy Sense: Danger (2) Psy Resist: Resist (1) | qualities: 19 |
| The special powers of this creature are not awesome, but are dangerous. It has spellcasting powers, but is hardly a potent threat to an Amberite who might simply Shadow Walk away. Note, it may trail someone passing thru Shadow. 26 pts total | Shad Move: Trail (1) Shad Manipulate: None Heal: Rapid (2) Shape: None Magic: Rack/Use (4) Trump: None | powers: 7 |
Quite a few points, eh?
But Morgenstern (from the rulebook), is faster, stronger, and more versatile in Shadow. Also several points cheaper. While this Dragon might be presumed to fly (only if described with wings, and expect to drop a rank of power in the air), Morgenstern might be said to be a better companion. OTOH, you can talk to the Dragon. And what young lady has not pictured herself with such a creature at beck and call?
Tougher example, a combat demon from the Courts of Chaos. I'm going to drop using the gamebook labels for costs.
| Demon, combat (Chaos) This creature is dangerous. Specific combat needs are bought. Remember that Agression actually goes up a level, if the item has narrow fighting choices (claws, breath, etc.). | Vitality: (4) Movement: (2) Stamina: (2) Aggression: (2) Armor: (2) Damage: (2) Intelligence: (2) Psy Sense: (0) Psy Resist: (1) | qualities: 17 |
| The special powers of this creature are more worrisome. It has spellcasting powers, may change shape, and move through Shadow under its own power. Tough to discount. 27 pts total | Shad Move: (2) Shad Manipulate: None Heal: (2) Shape: (2) Magic: (4) Trump: None | powers: 10 |
More or less the same points, eh?
But observe the cost impact of having multiple demons available. Double or triple this cost? Far too much sacrifice for a single PC.
Now let's look at something else. Constructs and other nasties.
| Mask of Daedalus, construct (Shadow) The mask is designed to add magical options to someone who already understands magic. But it also acts well to give magical abilities to those PC's who don't have them. Anything can be found in Shadow, given enough effort. In this case, it is a Psyche Barrier and Spell Casting. | Vitality: (0) Movement: (0) Stamina: (0) Aggression: (0) Armor: (0) Damage: (0) Intelligence: (0) Psy Sense: (0) Psy Resist: transfer(4+5) | qualities: 9 |
| The special powers of this item are spellcasting. The psyche barrier adds a nice defense. 13 pts total | Shad Move: (0) Shad Manipulate: (0) Heal: (0) Shape: (0) Magic: (4) Trump: None | powers: 4 |
Not many points at all. But don't the rules say you must be a magician to have a magic item?
Yes, they do. But that flies in the face of gathering realized desires from Shadow. Does Corwin know how to build a spikard? Probably not. Then why does he have one in Greyswandir? See what I mean? Tell a story with the item and there really are few limits.
IMC, I would rule that no transfer to PC is needed but the methods of using the racked spells must be designated. With an item like this, I would expect the 'powers' to be designated and frozen, unchangeble without any PC magical skills. A list of Named and Numbered spells would have to be created with the item, and approved by the GM.
OK. Speaking of Greyswandir. Let's take a look at it. What follows is just hypothetical. :-) Why not? That's the most fun of all. From RZ, we know that Greyswandir does a number of very cool things.
The blade is old enough that it hasn't always been a blade. Prior to its current form, it was a spikard that needed to be changed by the Pattern for the protection of the Grand Device, itself. This infers many things-- and we do learn a little about spikards from Merlin's tale. Slightly more information is in the short stories by RZ that extend past Merlin's chronicle.
| Greyswandir, construct (Primal) Few qualities. None transfer. It has intelligence enough to impart information, and choose not to do so. It has special senses that it typically uses in relation to Tir Na Nog'th. It also has a Psyche Neutral level of defense. No one can tell it is aware. Oh, yeah-- it can also kill you with a single wound. | Vitality: (0) Movement: (0) Stamina: (0) Aggression: (0) Armor: (0) Damage: (8) Intelligence: (2) Psy Sense: (1) Psy Resist: (2) | qualities: 13 |
| The special powers of this item are enough to concern the Pattern, or was it Dworkin? It has great powers over Shadow, and can act as a spell assembler/processor (much like Merlin's spikard in the second chronicle). 29 pts total | Shad Move: (0) Shad Manipulate: (8) Heal: (0) Shape: (0) Magic: (8) Trump: None | powers: 16 |
Questions about my examples? Please eTrump me.
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