[Torg] The Magic Axiom Chart (Magic Axiom, 4 of 9)

[Phil Dack]

I do wonder if the magic axiom would benefit from a tabular form that offers real clarity. You'd have 1 column with the narrative description, and then 2 further columns; one describing the tools available (spells, rituals, hexes, whatever) and one describing the range of effects achievable (or possible degree of control). Although perhaps the fallacy here is my assumption that at any given axiom in any given realm there will be a singular number of tools at any given axiom. The reality might be much more complex, more like the tech axiom, where you can have myriad tool forms to achieve a given result.

This highlights something else I'm interested in, which is tool enhancement as well as tool creation. Does everyone at Axiom 14 use Spells, or are there still people using Rituals because they offer certain benefits - a poor parallel might be dedicated nerds writing their own programming languages rather than using handy C++ compilers!?



----- Original Message ----
> From: Jones Jasyn <jasynj at gmail.com>
> 1- Magical beliefs are now possible, including belief in luck, the symbolic 
> manipulation of luck, omens, and so forth. The folk lore skill is possible.

Presumably linking back to what we've discussed before, about the nature of magic being patterns and the belief that by repeating patterns you can recreate events. Do you think at Ax1 this is possible, or merely that at Axiom 1 people can construe the belief that this can happen. At Axiom 0 they can't even consider the possibility of magic. Here they can believe, but it doesn't work?

> Omens, spontaneous events that prefigure good or ill luck, first manifest. The 
> skill of omen reading is possible, which allows individuals to understand the 
> import of omens.

Low Axiom magic is intriguing. How do you think different axioms affect the reliability of the omens, and to what extent is it "pattern / interpretation / prediction" and to what extend "pattern / interpretation / belief / influence"?

> 8- The rudiments of spells and spellcasting are developed. Specially trained (or 
> talented) individuals can devise and cast spells. Spells allow precise control 
> over when, how, and how powerfully a magical effect manifests. The spellcaster’s 
> Tradition limits what effects are possible.

Do you think that Magic progression is limited by Tech / Social axiom requirements around communication technology and the physical tools to support that? Or can an oral tradition develop spell casting? Presumaby, pattern space (whether you use that term or not) can be accessed through multiple senses, so a pattern could be perceived through smell if that was a dominant sense for a species? Is this an interesting way to create some unique complimentary AKs!?

> Divination effects are possible. Some types of magical creatures are now 
> possible.

Do you have any thoughts on what "some" might mean here? Presumably not elementals, but perhaps low end magical creatures like ogres or unicorns?

> 9- Apportation effects are possible. Spells can be translated between 
> Traditions. Focusing is possible.

While I like the idea of traditions, I do wonder if that is merely one possibility of magical interpretation. A high tech, high social society who stumble across magic and build axioms gradually might begin from an assumption of "single unified theory" using their scientific understanding as a basis, meaning that traditions never occur. Have you had any thoughts how your proposal would model / reflect this?

> 15- Spell formulae develop. A formula is a spell that can be manipulated at 
> will, with no extra effort or concentration.

I like this idea and it feels akin to something I think I discussed before, about having a flexible AK within the spell pattern. 

> 21- Wish magic becomes an innate ability. Anyone can evoke a wish, simply by 
> concentrating.

Are there any limits at all at Axiom 21? Or is this a true imaginarium, where every individual lives within his own ever changing pattern space?

Glad to see you're better and feeling creative! I'm not sure I'll ever go back to Torg as a game, but it continues to influence my thoughts on every game I still actively tweak!!

Phil