Great idea.KaiserKris wrote:I wonder if one could make two spells out of the "Wish" spell- the first being a spell with the ability, essentially, to mimic any other spell on the spell list, create certain types of magical items or perhaps resurrect a few allies. This spell would be available to characters of high level. Say, perhaps that this spell is the result of millennia of magical investigation in creating a "safer" version of the Wish spell. Make it expensive in material components, maybe also have a year or so in aging.
Then there is the real Wish spell, which is completely open-ended and can only be accessed through the intervention of powerful outsiders- which can fundamentally alter reality, but at a high and often unknowable cost. This also makes the blandishments of those beings (various types of jinn, demons, devils) more and more tempting.
Some thoughts on C&C's version of 'Wish'...
Re: Some thoughts on C&C's version of 'Wish'...
Re: Some thoughts on C&C's version of 'Wish'...
AD&D had two percentile rolls based upon Constitution: System Shock Survival and Resurrection Survival. System shock Survial rolls were required for the following: aging, petrification (including flesh to stone spell), polymorph any object, polymorph others. Resurrection Survival rolls were required when a character was raised from the dead or resurrected.
Failing a System Shock Survival roll resulted in the death of the character. That character however could subsequently be raised or resurrected.
Failing a Resurrection Survival roll resulted in the permanent death of the character. Successfully making this roll reduced Constitution by 1 and left the character bedridden for a significant period of time. The character's initial Constitution score is the maximum number of times the character can be raised or resurrected.
For unnatural aging, the DMG had this:
Casting alter reality: 3 years
Casting gate: 5 years
Casting limited wish: 1 year
Casting restoration: 2 years
Casting resurrection: 3 years
Casting wish: 3 years
Drinking a speed potion: 1 year
Affected by a haste spell: 1 year
I've long wished for System Shock to be returned to the game, because one of the biggest issues with the d20 System was the lack of permanent effects to the character for attempting certain activities. Castles & Crusades goes halfway and introduces Constitution penalties back to the game, but that simply isn't enough. Therefore, in my games I rule that a character affected by unnatural aging, petrification and polymorph, or subjected to a raise dead or resurrection must roll equal to or less than his Constitution score on 1d20. A failed roll means death for the character, permament death in the case of raise dead or resurrection. Success on a resurrection roll permanently lowers their Constitution score by 1.
Failing a System Shock Survival roll resulted in the death of the character. That character however could subsequently be raised or resurrected.
Failing a Resurrection Survival roll resulted in the permanent death of the character. Successfully making this roll reduced Constitution by 1 and left the character bedridden for a significant period of time. The character's initial Constitution score is the maximum number of times the character can be raised or resurrected.
For unnatural aging, the DMG had this:
Casting alter reality: 3 years
Casting gate: 5 years
Casting limited wish: 1 year
Casting restoration: 2 years
Casting resurrection: 3 years
Casting wish: 3 years
Drinking a speed potion: 1 year
Affected by a haste spell: 1 year
I've long wished for System Shock to be returned to the game, because one of the biggest issues with the d20 System was the lack of permanent effects to the character for attempting certain activities. Castles & Crusades goes halfway and introduces Constitution penalties back to the game, but that simply isn't enough. Therefore, in my games I rule that a character affected by unnatural aging, petrification and polymorph, or subjected to a raise dead or resurrection must roll equal to or less than his Constitution score on 1d20. A failed roll means death for the character, permament death in the case of raise dead or resurrection. Success on a resurrection roll permanently lowers their Constitution score by 1.