I have been tinkering with the urban magic in Warlock Corner, thinking of bringing an Ars Magica verb + noun vibe but with a Solar System spin.
So, the verbs and nouns are bought like Secrets, 5 XP a shot.
The verbs are Destroy, Create, Heal, Talk, Change, Travel, Summon
And the Nouns are: Dead, Living, Art, Buildings, Crime, The Man, Subway, Utilities, Streets, River
There will be a touch of Mortal Coil with a price for each spell and failure will likely mean the GM get’s to choose between a heavier price, a success but with a serious wrinkle or a total arcane mess.
There’s something else in my head about being able to cast spells through City Saints, thus giving the failure some color to it. The City Saints being The Performer, The Cop, The Politician, The Hellion, Old Scratch, The Hobo as kind of Unknown Armies archetypes who see over the city’s magical going’s on.
It’ll all be congealed by Dreamation.
Githyanki Diaspora 
Oh man, I wanna give that a shot at Dreamation! 😀
Face to face
Sign on up!
I can’t wait to get to meet you face to face and see where you are with Do.
Re: Face to face
Where do I sign up? I’ve been so wrapped up in logistical planning for being a GM that I haven’t even looked into being a participant. 😛
Re: Face to face
I don’t think registration is open just yet.
I’ll post it here when I find out.
Re: Face to face
Cool beans. 😀
Re: Face to face
Cool beans. 😀
Re: Face to face
Cool beans. 😀
Re: Face to face
I don’t think registration is open just yet.
I’ll post it here when I find out.
Re: Face to face
I don’t think registration is open just yet.
I’ll post it here when I find out.
Re: Face to face
Where do I sign up? I’ve been so wrapped up in logistical planning for being a GM that I haven’t even looked into being a participant. 😛
Re: Face to face
Where do I sign up? I’ve been so wrapped up in logistical planning for being a GM that I haven’t even looked into being a participant. 😛
Face to face
Sign on up!
I can’t wait to get to meet you face to face and see where you are with Do.
Face to face
Sign on up!
I can’t wait to get to meet you face to face and see where you are with Do.
Oh man, I wanna give that a shot at Dreamation! 😀
Oh man, I wanna give that a shot at Dreamation! 😀
Oh man, I wanna give that a shot at Dreamation! 😀
I totally want to Summon The Subway and then Heal Crime! 🙂
Spells with names…
Sounds awesome.
And naturally, the spells themselves would be on a pretty small scale at first but would increase to city-effecting stuff as the campaign progresses.
Also, naming spells should give a bonus die. Spells with names rock.
Re: Spells with names…
I’ve always liked the idea of noun + verb, it can just lead to some goofy-sounding stuff, not that, y’know, Mordenkainen’s Hound or Bigby’s (insert verb or adjective here) Fist isn’t ludicrous. . . .
I like the bonus for naming spells idea.
Re: Spells with names…
It sounds goofy out of context, until you are being chased by a gang, so you (Summon Subway) create a subway entrance out of the city’s heart in order to escape or (Heal Crime) heal the wounds within a family because of their sibling’s murder.
Re: Spells with names…
That’s exactly what I thought Summon Subway would do. It would make a subway appear when you need it to.
Heal Crime was harder, though I thought it would make a crime that starting to get bungled (perhaps made to much noise and a guard is coming to investigate) right itself – the guard gets a call and goes to another room or something.
Re: Spells with names…
Not to say that some spells aren’t more useful than others. “Talk to Utilities” makes me amused at the idea of waterpipes just going “flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow”.
On the other hand, talk to utilities sounds great for finding out that there’s a secret room in a building (that happens to be wired for electric)
Re: Spells with names…
Not to say that some spells aren’t more useful than others. “Talk to Utilities” makes me amused at the idea of waterpipes just going “flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow”.
On the other hand, talk to utilities sounds great for finding out that there’s a secret room in a building (that happens to be wired for electric)
Re: Spells with names…
Not to say that some spells aren’t more useful than others. “Talk to Utilities” makes me amused at the idea of waterpipes just going “flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow”.
On the other hand, talk to utilities sounds great for finding out that there’s a secret room in a building (that happens to be wired for electric)
Re: Spells with names…
That’s exactly what I thought Summon Subway would do. It would make a subway appear when you need it to.
Heal Crime was harder, though I thought it would make a crime that starting to get bungled (perhaps made to much noise and a guard is coming to investigate) right itself – the guard gets a call and goes to another room or something.
Re: Spells with names…
That’s exactly what I thought Summon Subway would do. It would make a subway appear when you need it to.
Heal Crime was harder, though I thought it would make a crime that starting to get bungled (perhaps made to much noise and a guard is coming to investigate) right itself – the guard gets a call and goes to another room or something.
Re: Spells with names…
It sounds goofy out of context, until you are being chased by a gang, so you (Summon Subway) create a subway entrance out of the city’s heart in order to escape or (Heal Crime) heal the wounds within a family because of their sibling’s murder.
Re: Spells with names…
It sounds goofy out of context, until you are being chased by a gang, so you (Summon Subway) create a subway entrance out of the city’s heart in order to escape or (Heal Crime) heal the wounds within a family because of their sibling’s murder.
Re: Spells with names…
I’ve always liked the idea of noun + verb, it can just lead to some goofy-sounding stuff, not that, y’know, Mordenkainen’s Hound or Bigby’s (insert verb or adjective here) Fist isn’t ludicrous. . . .
I like the bonus for naming spells idea.
Re: Spells with names…
I’ve always liked the idea of noun + verb, it can just lead to some goofy-sounding stuff, not that, y’know, Mordenkainen’s Hound or Bigby’s (insert verb or adjective here) Fist isn’t ludicrous. . . .
I like the bonus for naming spells idea.
Spells with names…
Sounds awesome.
And naturally, the spells themselves would be on a pretty small scale at first but would increase to city-effecting stuff as the campaign progresses.
Also, naming spells should give a bonus die. Spells with names rock.
Spells with names…
Sounds awesome.
And naturally, the spells themselves would be on a pretty small scale at first but would increase to city-effecting stuff as the campaign progresses.
Also, naming spells should give a bonus die. Spells with names rock.
I totally want to Summon The Subway and then Heal Crime! 🙂
I totally want to Summon The Subway and then Heal Crime! 🙂
I totally want to Summon The Subway and then Heal Crime! 🙂
Spells with names…
Sounds awesome.
And naturally, the spells themselves would be on a pretty small scale at first but would increase to city-effecting stuff as the campaign progresses.
Also, naming spells should give a bonus die. Spells with names rock.
Face to face
Sign on up!
I can’t wait to get to meet you face to face and see where you are with Do.
Re: Face to face
Where do I sign up? I’ve been so wrapped up in logistical planning for being a GM that I haven’t even looked into being a participant. 😛
Re: Spells with names…
I’ve always liked the idea of noun + verb, it can just lead to some goofy-sounding stuff, not that, y’know, Mordenkainen’s Hound or Bigby’s (insert verb or adjective here) Fist isn’t ludicrous. . . .
I like the bonus for naming spells idea.
I really, really look forward to gaming with you at some point.
New Englander
Right back atcha.
Hell, you are not too far away at all. Any chance of making it to Dreamation or Dexcon in ’09?
New Englander
Right back atcha.
Hell, you are not too far away at all. Any chance of making it to Dreamation or Dexcon in ’09?
New Englander
Right back atcha.
Hell, you are not too far away at all. Any chance of making it to Dreamation or Dexcon in ’09?
I really, really look forward to gaming with you at some point.
I really, really look forward to gaming with you at some point.
I really, really look forward to gaming with you at some point.
This may sound odd, but the main thing I like about your journal is seeing how what your brain does to RPG concepts to turn them in to something awesome.
You have a real gift.
Not odd.
It doesn’t sound odd, J.C. but very flattering.
Thanks.
Not odd.
It doesn’t sound odd, J.C. but very flattering.
Thanks.
Not odd.
It doesn’t sound odd, J.C. but very flattering.
Thanks.
This may sound odd, but the main thing I like about your journal is seeing how what your brain does to RPG concepts to turn them in to something awesome.
You have a real gift.
This may sound odd, but the main thing I like about your journal is seeing how what your brain does to RPG concepts to turn them in to something awesome.
You have a real gift.
This may sound odd, but the main thing I like about your journal is seeing how what your brain does to RPG concepts to turn them in to something awesome.
You have a real gift.
Re: Face to face
I don’t think registration is open just yet.
I’ll post it here when I find out.
Re: Spells with names…
It sounds goofy out of context, until you are being chased by a gang, so you (Summon Subway) create a subway entrance out of the city’s heart in order to escape or (Heal Crime) heal the wounds within a family because of their sibling’s murder.
New Englander
Right back atcha.
Hell, you are not too far away at all. Any chance of making it to Dreamation or Dexcon in ’09?
Not odd.
It doesn’t sound odd, J.C. but very flattering.
Thanks.
Re: Spells with names…
That’s exactly what I thought Summon Subway would do. It would make a subway appear when you need it to.
Heal Crime was harder, though I thought it would make a crime that starting to get bungled (perhaps made to much noise and a guard is coming to investigate) right itself – the guard gets a call and goes to another room or something.
Re: Spells with names…
Not to say that some spells aren’t more useful than others. “Talk to Utilities” makes me amused at the idea of waterpipes just going “flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow flow”.
On the other hand, talk to utilities sounds great for finding out that there’s a secret room in a building (that happens to be wired for electric)
Totally up to you, of course, but I wonder if “The Man” is a city saint, more than a noun.
Totally up to you, of course, but I wonder if “The Man” is a city saint, more than a noun.
Totally up to you, of course, but I wonder if “The Man” is a city saint, more than a noun.
Totally up to you, of course, but I wonder if “The Man” is a city saint, more than a noun.
Re: Face to face
Cool beans. 😀
Spitballin…
“Sense” as a new verb? (sense living tells you how many people are in that building (or other area) for example?)
“bureaucracy” as a new noun?
Re: Spitballin…
After reading the “talk with utilities” posts I was just thinking that the *lack* of sense made things kind of interesting. The information might be out there, but you’ve got to convince someone to give it to you. You could talk to the building and ask it how many people are inside, and it might help you, lie, or demand something in return…
And I think bureaucracy would fall under “The Man”.
Random other thoughts:
I like “Subway” more than “Public Transit” but it should probably also cover Buses, Trolleys, etc.
Regarding growing power: Early on, Travel Utilities might get you into a locked steam tunnel, while the most powerful mages could use it to zip through wires like The Atom.
Speaking of Travel, do you need both Summon and Travel or are they two sides of the same verb? One moves you to (or through) it, the other moves it to you…
For more locally-based mages, individual neighborhoods, buildings, or streets might have their own nouns/True Names. These might be cheaper to buy, or have some other benefit – someone who knew the Name of City Hall should have a bonus in a confrontation over it with someone merely using the generic noun “building”, and he probably ought to get some kind of synergy with (or from) “The Man”.
Re: Spitballin…
Interesting, re: sense. I can see that being a fun way to play. It might depend on the mood you want of the campaign – if you want a more suspicious mood, then having to get and evaluate your information’s veracity is intriguing. I’m reminded of a line in Ex Machina where Mayor Hundred is sure a gun isn’t loaded because the gun tells him so… but it is loaded. The gun lied.
Maybe Bureaucracy is a replacement for “The Man” if “The Man” becomes a city saint. I think that may have been where my head was.
Re: Spitballin…
Bureaucracy was my original name for it but I went with The Man due to the style it conveys.
Also, it is a game about kids and I thought Bureaucracy wasn’t in the mood of kids casting spells.
Re: Spitballin…
I see. You’re probably right, in context.
Re: Spitballin…
I see. You’re probably right, in context.
Re: Spitballin…
I see. You’re probably right, in context.
Re: Spitballin…
Bureaucracy was my original name for it but I went with The Man due to the style it conveys.
Also, it is a game about kids and I thought Bureaucracy wasn’t in the mood of kids casting spells.
Re: Spitballin…
Bureaucracy was my original name for it but I went with The Man due to the style it conveys.
Also, it is a game about kids and I thought Bureaucracy wasn’t in the mood of kids casting spells.
Re: Spitballin…
Interesting, re: sense. I can see that being a fun way to play. It might depend on the mood you want of the campaign – if you want a more suspicious mood, then having to get and evaluate your information’s veracity is intriguing. I’m reminded of a line in Ex Machina where Mayor Hundred is sure a gun isn’t loaded because the gun tells him so… but it is loaded. The gun lied.
Maybe Bureaucracy is a replacement for “The Man” if “The Man” becomes a city saint. I think that may have been where my head was.
Re: Spitballin…
Interesting, re: sense. I can see that being a fun way to play. It might depend on the mood you want of the campaign – if you want a more suspicious mood, then having to get and evaluate your information’s veracity is intriguing. I’m reminded of a line in Ex Machina where Mayor Hundred is sure a gun isn’t loaded because the gun tells him so… but it is loaded. The gun lied.
Maybe Bureaucracy is a replacement for “The Man” if “The Man” becomes a city saint. I think that may have been where my head was.
Re: Spitballin…
After reading the “talk with utilities” posts I was just thinking that the *lack* of sense made things kind of interesting. The information might be out there, but you’ve got to convince someone to give it to you. You could talk to the building and ask it how many people are inside, and it might help you, lie, or demand something in return…
And I think bureaucracy would fall under “The Man”.
Random other thoughts:
I like “Subway” more than “Public Transit” but it should probably also cover Buses, Trolleys, etc.
Regarding growing power: Early on, Travel Utilities might get you into a locked steam tunnel, while the most powerful mages could use it to zip through wires like The Atom.
Speaking of Travel, do you need both Summon and Travel or are they two sides of the same verb? One moves you to (or through) it, the other moves it to you…
For more locally-based mages, individual neighborhoods, buildings, or streets might have their own nouns/True Names. These might be cheaper to buy, or have some other benefit – someone who knew the Name of City Hall should have a bonus in a confrontation over it with someone merely using the generic noun “building”, and he probably ought to get some kind of synergy with (or from) “The Man”.
Re: Spitballin…
After reading the “talk with utilities” posts I was just thinking that the *lack* of sense made things kind of interesting. The information might be out there, but you’ve got to convince someone to give it to you. You could talk to the building and ask it how many people are inside, and it might help you, lie, or demand something in return…
And I think bureaucracy would fall under “The Man”.
Random other thoughts:
I like “Subway” more than “Public Transit” but it should probably also cover Buses, Trolleys, etc.
Regarding growing power: Early on, Travel Utilities might get you into a locked steam tunnel, while the most powerful mages could use it to zip through wires like The Atom.
Speaking of Travel, do you need both Summon and Travel or are they two sides of the same verb? One moves you to (or through) it, the other moves it to you…
For more locally-based mages, individual neighborhoods, buildings, or streets might have their own nouns/True Names. These might be cheaper to buy, or have some other benefit – someone who knew the Name of City Hall should have a bonus in a confrontation over it with someone merely using the generic noun “building”, and he probably ought to get some kind of synergy with (or from) “The Man”.
Spitballin…
“Sense” as a new verb? (sense living tells you how many people are in that building (or other area) for example?)
“bureaucracy” as a new noun?
Spitballin…
“Sense” as a new verb? (sense living tells you how many people are in that building (or other area) for example?)
“bureaucracy” as a new noun?
Spitballin…
“Sense” as a new verb? (sense living tells you how many people are in that building (or other area) for example?)
“bureaucracy” as a new noun?
Re: Spitballin…
After reading the “talk with utilities” posts I was just thinking that the *lack* of sense made things kind of interesting. The information might be out there, but you’ve got to convince someone to give it to you. You could talk to the building and ask it how many people are inside, and it might help you, lie, or demand something in return…
And I think bureaucracy would fall under “The Man”.
Random other thoughts:
I like “Subway” more than “Public Transit” but it should probably also cover Buses, Trolleys, etc.
Regarding growing power: Early on, Travel Utilities might get you into a locked steam tunnel, while the most powerful mages could use it to zip through wires like The Atom.
Speaking of Travel, do you need both Summon and Travel or are they two sides of the same verb? One moves you to (or through) it, the other moves it to you…
For more locally-based mages, individual neighborhoods, buildings, or streets might have their own nouns/True Names. These might be cheaper to buy, or have some other benefit – someone who knew the Name of City Hall should have a bonus in a confrontation over it with someone merely using the generic noun “building”, and he probably ought to get some kind of synergy with (or from) “The Man”.
Re: Spitballin…
Interesting, re: sense. I can see that being a fun way to play. It might depend on the mood you want of the campaign – if you want a more suspicious mood, then having to get and evaluate your information’s veracity is intriguing. I’m reminded of a line in Ex Machina where Mayor Hundred is sure a gun isn’t loaded because the gun tells him so… but it is loaded. The gun lied.
Maybe Bureaucracy is a replacement for “The Man” if “The Man” becomes a city saint. I think that may have been where my head was.
Re: Spitballin…
Bureaucracy was my original name for it but I went with The Man due to the style it conveys.
Also, it is a game about kids and I thought Bureaucracy wasn’t in the mood of kids casting spells.
Re: Spitballin…
I see. You’re probably right, in context.
My socks are not knocked off by the Saints… if that is who we play. What about the Reporter? What about the Healer? (the eternal nurse or doctor or paramedic)? Or my personal fav (and one I’ve been in Gotham itself), the Messenger?
And for verbs, what about “Search”?
As for nouns; Docks, Bridges, Parks and Pulse?
As a once upon a time New Yorker, I would want this game to tap into the energy of 6 o’clock Friday get out of work… the 2 o’ clock city that never sleeps…
kids
I am thinking that the Saints are more like lenses that you cast magic through.
No, the PC’s are Harry Potter age kids, dealing with life and magic in the city.
Re: kids
ah.
Still, I think Reporter should be in there. But then again, maybe I’m biased. Millie used to serve coffee to Jimmy Breslin at the Daily News building…
The Reporter
Rather than the reporter, I have The Media, a floating lovecraftian television that spills a baleful light from its screen.
The Reporter
Rather than the reporter, I have The Media, a floating lovecraftian television that spills a baleful light from its screen.
Re: kids
ah.
Still, I think Reporter should be in there. But then again, maybe I’m biased. Millie used to serve coffee to Jimmy Breslin at the Daily News building…
Re: kids
ah.
Still, I think Reporter should be in there. But then again, maybe I’m biased. Millie used to serve coffee to Jimmy Breslin at the Daily News building…
kids
I am thinking that the Saints are more like lenses that you cast magic through.
No, the PC’s are Harry Potter age kids, dealing with life and magic in the city.
kids
I am thinking that the Saints are more like lenses that you cast magic through.
No, the PC’s are Harry Potter age kids, dealing with life and magic in the city.
My socks are not knocked off by the Saints… if that is who we play. What about the Reporter? What about the Healer? (the eternal nurse or doctor or paramedic)? Or my personal fav (and one I’ve been in Gotham itself), the Messenger?
And for verbs, what about “Search”?
As for nouns; Docks, Bridges, Parks and Pulse?
As a once upon a time New Yorker, I would want this game to tap into the energy of 6 o’clock Friday get out of work… the 2 o’ clock city that never sleeps…
My socks are not knocked off by the Saints… if that is who we play. What about the Reporter? What about the Healer? (the eternal nurse or doctor or paramedic)? Or my personal fav (and one I’ve been in Gotham itself), the Messenger?
And for verbs, what about “Search”?
As for nouns; Docks, Bridges, Parks and Pulse?
As a once upon a time New Yorker, I would want this game to tap into the energy of 6 o’clock Friday get out of work… the 2 o’ clock city that never sleeps…
My socks are not knocked off by the Saints… if that is who we play. What about the Reporter? What about the Healer? (the eternal nurse or doctor or paramedic)? Or my personal fav (and one I’ve been in Gotham itself), the Messenger?
And for verbs, what about “Search”?
As for nouns; Docks, Bridges, Parks and Pulse?
As a once upon a time New Yorker, I would want this game to tap into the energy of 6 o’clock Friday get out of work… the 2 o’ clock city that never sleeps…
kids
I am thinking that the Saints are more like lenses that you cast magic through.
No, the PC’s are Harry Potter age kids, dealing with life and magic in the city.
Re: kids
ah.
Still, I think Reporter should be in there. But then again, maybe I’m biased. Millie used to serve coffee to Jimmy Breslin at the Daily News building…
I totally want to sign up.
I totally want to sign up.
I totally want to sign up.
I totally want to sign up.
The Reporter
Rather than the reporter, I have The Media, a floating lovecraftian television that spills a baleful light from its screen.
The Reporter
Rather than the reporter, I have The Media, a floating lovecraftian television that spills a baleful light from its screen.