[Rq-rules] Music as a Focus

[Simon Phipp]

MB:

> I have the AH copy of RQ3, and in the creatures book, under Satyrs, it talks about the creatures using 
> pipes and music as a focus for spirit magic spells.

> I was thinking of doing the same thing for players to create Bard like characters. Characters would need 
> to succeed in an instrument roll, and then (I was thinking) a casting roll for every potential target in 
> hearing range to see if they are affected.

Sounds like a reasonable idea. Perhaps you might not need a second roll for the effect to take place - it might just be a magical property of the Bardic character of his magical pipes or lyre or whatever. If you have a roll to make the music, a roll to make the magic and a POW vs POW roll it seems like a lot of rolls.

> Bardic Spells would be kind of limited to things that seem appropriate (Fanaticism, Demoralize, 
> Endurance, Befuddle, Control, Maybe even characteristic increases like glamor). I don't see music as 
> being able to ignite swords or heal wounds. Once the music stopped the effects would wear off quickly.

You could be very inventive with this and create different types of effects. I'd add Sleep, Convince and Manic Dance as common effects that I have seen in fairy tales and legends. Some effects might wear off quickly, others such as Sleep might still have an effect.

> Have people done this sort of thing? What do you think would be appropriate in MP cost for a Music 
> focus spell that has the potential to affect multiple targets. Should it have the normal MP cost? Double 
> the MP cost? Normal MP cost +1 for each target affected?

I haven't done it personally, but there's no reason why it wouldn't work. It's a common staple of folk tales after all.

It should probably have a MP cost depending on the number of people affected and the duration of the magic. Perhaps 1 MP per person for every 10 rounds plus an additional amount for the type of effect, but I'd probably not have the additional amount jus tot keep it simple.

> What is your opinion on using music as a focus? How best do you think it could work?

It could work really well.

You'd have to decide whether the magic came from the Bardic character or his instrument. Does he have a Magical Voice, Magical Heart, Magical Lyre, Magical Bagpipes or whatever? Where did the ability come from? Was it god-given, did he steal it by licking a roasted salmon or did he just find a magic item? Does he have a fixed set of magical effects or can he learn new ones? Is each effect tied to a specific tune so he has to learn new tunes to learn new effects? Are there any limitations - does it work on all species or just humans, what about tone-deaf people or people who hate music?

Once you've worked out the basics, the rest will probably come out during play.

But, it sounds like an excellent idea, very open and fluid, an interesting use of RQ.

See Ya

Simon
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