[Torg] Conversions (Magic Axiom, 5 of 9)

[Jones Jasyn]

Conversions

Because the axiom chart has been altered, conversion notes are necessary. The following notes allow gamemasters to convert Magic axiom ratings from the old axiom to the new axiom.

Each entry lists two values. The first is a relatively “straight-line” conversion (in as much as this is possible). The second is a "Suggested" value, which aims for a thematic or practical match (matching either the theme or the current tools as closely as possible).

In many cases, the Magic ratings listed in the official Torg material were off from what the given cosm should have. For some cosms, the “Suggested” value thus reflects a Magic rating more in line with the cosm’s history or setting. 

Also remember that, because the assumptions behind the chart have changed, differences between the old cosm and the new cosm are to be expected, both in available spell effects and available mechanics.

Note: As not all subsections of rules have been finalized, the numbers below might have to be adjusted. For right now, they will suffice.

The Cosms

Aysle
Torg: 18
Straight Conversion: 14
Suggested: 16
Notes: A Magic of 14 allows for all tools Aysle currently has, with the exception of “on-the-fly” spellcasting. A 16 would allow for “on-the-fly” spells, but would also include spell formulae, something the original cosm didn’t have. Gamemasters who wish to portray the cosm mostly as it was can use the 14 and disallow “on-the-fly” spellcasting or use 16 and ignore spell formula. However, a 16 does allow for some very interesting options for Aysle, which are more fully explored in the next section.

Core Earth
Torg: 7
Straight Conversion: 5
Suggested: 5
Notes: A 5 includes fortunetelling and Traditions, both of which Earth has (whether or not magic works in the real world). Anything higher is too advanced for a "Near Real World" cosm, though (as in the official material), some areas of Earth might have crossed over to a 6 or 7.

Cyberpapacy
Torg: 10
Straight Conversion: 10
Suggested: 10
Notes: Despite the relatively high Magic axiom of the Cyberpapacy, there are no spells in the sourcebook and only two creatures have spells listed (both gospogs). A 10 allows for the creatures listed in the sourcebook (Cygoyles, demons, etc.) as well as substantially the same spell effects available at a Torg 10.

Land Below
Torg: 12
Straight Conversion: 11
Suggested: 11
Notes: The creatures observed in the Land Below, like Ungrosh, require a 9. However, an 11 allows for the spell effects available under the original axiom (such as the wards of Engineering).

Living Land
Torg: 0
Straight Conversion: 0
Suggested: 3
Notes: There is no compelling reason for the Living Land to be a 0, and the superstitions of Magic 3 suit its primitive and tribal nature well. With this rating, eidenos might hunt only on lucky days or they might eat the right berries before the hunt, for luck. Such superstitious rituals could actually bring good or bad luck, though this is hard to prove (not that an eidenos would try).

Nile Empire
Torg: 12
Straight Conversion: 8
Suggested: 11
Notes: Most engineering effects (such as maat matrices) are technically wards, which the Nile didn't have access to. An 11 allows for the existence of Wards, which Engineering should have, but means Traditions are still restricted by their theme (as they are in the Nile Sourcebook.)

Nippon Tech
Torg: 2
Straight Conversion: 1
Suggested: 1
Notes: A 1 indicates that Nipponese can believe in superstitions and fortunetelling, but they don't actually work. People can knock on wood, but it's pointless. This seems apt for the reality.

Orrorsh
Torg: 15/20 (for the Occult)
Straight Conversion: 12/16
Suggested: 6/12
Notes: The Occult could be seen as spontaneous magic, making the cosm 12/16 (as per the world laws).  However, the murky rituals of 6, in which people have to guess at what symbols are appropriate, seems apt, though this does restrict the possible effects.

The best suggestion is to have the cosm be a 6, meaning poorly understood rituals are the norm and spells are aberrations (and all spells are contradictory, as they don't develop until Axiom 8).  However, the cosm's Magic axiom is treated as a 12 for occult effects and occult rituals (in a manner similar to the axiom boost it now gets), allowing the Occult to do very magical things, within its theme and limited to the casting method of Axiom 6 rituals.

At a 6, the essence of magic is unknown, so no one knows who's behind the Occult.  Which is just how the Gaunt Man likes it.

Space Gods
Torg: 7
Straight Conversion: 5
Suggested: 0
Notes: The Space Gods cosm shouldn’t have a Magic of 5 (and should never have had a 7 under the official chart). Whereas Earth has various magical Traditions and practitioners of the same, the Star Sphere does not. Add to this its status as the “Reality of Science Fiction”, including the Akashans scientific (and hence natural law) orientation, a 0 is far more apt.

A 0 means the Akites don't believe in superstitions, good or bad luck, or folklore. They quite likely regard Earth's acceptance of the same as evidence of humanity’s primitive nature. The Akashans are rationalists, to the core.

Tharkold
Torg: 12
Straight Conversion: 8
Suggested: 12
Notes: An 12 allows for the creatures appropriate to Tharkold as well as the effects present there.

Tz’Ravok
Torg: 7
Straight Conversion: 5
Suggested: 2
Notes: Tz’Ravok is just as unsuited for a Magic of 7 as the Space Gods reality is. Magic is just not a focus for ravagons. For example, no magical skills are included in their “allowed” skill list and neither spells nor magical effects appear in the sourcebook. Ravagons worship Ravok alone, and the concepts of magic are utterly alien to them. A 2 means that they can be superstitious, but these superstitions have no effect. Good and bad luck can exist, but appear at random.

Jasyn Jones
jasynj (at) gmail (dot) com

"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
Ulysses, Alfred Lord Tennyson