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More flavourful names for some D&D spells

Started by Psikerlord, February 14, 2017, 04:15:14 AM

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Psikerlord

February 14, 2017, 04:15:14 AM
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Opaopajr

#1
February 14, 2017, 11:47:31 AM
I like some of them! Others are a bit purple, or over-reliant on "of" prepositions. Things like "Haze of Obscurity" is a bit cloying in redundancy. But one's like "Pierce the Veil," "Glimpse the True Gods," and "Shadows & Dust" are inspired.
:cool: Keep up the good work!
Just make your fuckin\' guy and roll the dice, you pricks. Focus on what\'s interesting, not what gives you the biggest randomly generated virtual penis.  -- J Arcane
 
You know, people keep comparing non-TSR D&D to deck-building in Magic: the Gathering. But maybe it\'s more like Katamari Damacy. You keep sticking shit on your characters until they are big enough to be a star.
-- talysman

Psikerlord

#2
February 14, 2017, 10:01:33 PM
Quote from: Opaopajr;945626I like some of them! Others are a bit purple, or over-reliant on "of" prepositions. Things like "Haze of Obscurity" is a bit cloying in redundancy. But one's like "Pierce the Veil," "Glimpse the True Gods," and "Shadows & Dust" are inspired.
:cool: Keep up the good work!
Thanks Opaopajr... yes perhaps you're right, I find it hard to avoid those "of's". Maybe something like Brimstone Haze, or Fog of the Ebon Pit. There's that of again!
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AaronBrown99

#3
February 14, 2017, 10:36:59 PM
Nothing tops "Take That You Fiend" or "Oh Go Way" from T&T.
"Who cares if the classes are balanced? A Cosmo-Knight and a Vagabond walk into a Juicer Bar... Forget it Jake, it\'s Rifts."  - CRKrueger

Psikerlord

#4
February 14, 2017, 11:01:56 PM
Quote from: AaronBrown99;945715Nothing tops "Take That You Fiend" or "Oh Go Way" from T&T.

It's been sooo long since I read T&T. Better take another look at it!
Low Fantasy Gaming - free PDF at the link: https://lowfantasygaming.com/
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Midlands Low Magic Sandbox Setting PDF via DTRPG http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/225936/Midlands-Low-Magic-Sandbox-Setting
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Opaopajr

#5
February 15, 2017, 05:16:07 AM
A surprisingly effective secret is standard possession ('s, or s'). So "Ebon Pit's Haze" could work. Also, if you throw on your own invented Proper Nouns you get copyright bonuses! (*cough* D&D *cough*)
Just make your fuckin\' guy and roll the dice, you pricks. Focus on what\'s interesting, not what gives you the biggest randomly generated virtual penis.  -- J Arcane
 
You know, people keep comparing non-TSR D&D to deck-building in Magic: the Gathering. But maybe it\'s more like Katamari Damacy. You keep sticking shit on your characters until they are big enough to be a star.
-- talysman

Simlasa

#6
February 15, 2017, 11:47:21 AM
I usually favor magic being mysterious and unreliable... so having a variety of names for spells is always nice.
I made a got a chart of AKAs for my Magic World setting... along with slight variations in how they work.
The idea of treating spells like monsters is appealing as well, a creature met in the darkness might be a goblin, might be something worse... even if it IS a goblin there's no guarantee it's just like any other goblin. So the same goes with spells they find... the listings in the rulebooks are just 'what my teacher told me.'

Psikerlord

#7
February 15, 2017, 02:53:14 PM
Quote from: Simlasa;945795I usually favor magic being mysterious and unreliable... so having a variety of names for spells is always nice.
I made a got a chart of AKAs for my Magic World setting... along with slight variations in how they work.
The idea of treating spells like monsters is appealing as well, a creature met in the darkness might be a goblin, might be something worse... even if it IS a goblin there's no guarantee it's just like any other goblin. So the same goes with spells they find... the listings in the rulebooks are just 'what my teacher told me.'

I like this approach a lot. A bit of unreliability in how a spell works (or identifying it) goes a long way to making it more mysterious I think. DCC went the whole hog and made spells highly variable, but I think I could get on board more with a less gonzo spell variation mechanic of some kind.
Low Fantasy Gaming - free PDF at the link: https://lowfantasygaming.com/
$1 Adventure Frameworks - RPG Mini Adventures https://www.patreon.com/user?u=645444
Midlands Low Magic Sandbox Setting PDF via DTRPG http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/225936/Midlands-Low-Magic-Sandbox-Setting
GM Toolkits - Traps, Hirelings, Blackpowder, Mass Battle, 5e Hardmode, Olde World Loot http://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/10564/Low-Fantasy-Gaming

Simlasa

#8
February 15, 2017, 05:15:19 PM
Quote from: Psikerlord;945817DCC went the whole hog and made spells highly variable, but I think I could get on board more with a less gonzo spell variation mechanic of some kind.
The DCC spells are variable, but IME not unpleasantly so. Once you advance a few levels you fail/lose the spell less often and can get at the higher spell results... and some of the spells let you choose from lesser results. Plus, you can 'spellburn' to get back lost spells.
DCC's Clerics seem a lot more swingy from what I've seen/played... but I suppose that fits the fickle nature of the gods.

finarvyn

#9
February 15, 2017, 05:30:30 PM Last Edit: February 15, 2017, 05:33:55 PM by finarvyn
Quote from: AaronBrown99;945715Nothing tops "Take That You Fiend" or "Oh Go Way" from T&T.
+1 to this. :-)

As far as spell names go, I'm torn:
(1) Love the "cool factor" of a nifty spell name because it adds flavor to a setting.
(2) Love the simplicity of a name that actually tells me what the spell does.
(E.g. "fly" is obvious, but "Drake's Ectomplasmic Wings" is cool.)

Not sure which one wins my preference. Maybe it changes with my mood.
Marv / Finarvyn
Kingmaker of Amber
I'm pretty much responsible for the S&W WB rules.
Amber Diceless Player since 1993
OD&D Player since 1975

Voros

#10
February 15, 2017, 05:34:57 PM
I prefer the names. All these year's later and one remember's Melf's Acid Arrow with a lot more vividness than Fireball.

Doom

#11
February 15, 2017, 10:45:12 PM
The spell I remember from T&T is "Yassa Massa," (aka, Charm Person) though it sucks that the current environment makes me almost too afraid to even mention it.
(taken during hurricane winds)

A nice education blog.

Spinachcat

#12
February 15, 2017, 11:45:33 PM
I nuked Yassa Massa day one.  Instead, I use "Obey Me!"

I absolutely love flavorful spell names. One of the main reasons I praise Carcosa.

Marleycat

#13
February 16, 2017, 12:25:54 AM
Arcane Aegis for Shield very nice. I like many of them if you mix and match the two choices. Generally Opa is correct usually shorter is better.
Don\'t mess with cats we kill wizards in one blow.;)

Opaopajr

#14
February 16, 2017, 11:04:44 AM
Marleycat, how was football this year? All I learned was "something something, the Pats won again!" That and Lady Gaga plus cloud of drones.
Just make your fuckin\' guy and roll the dice, you pricks. Focus on what\'s interesting, not what gives you the biggest randomly generated virtual penis.  -- J Arcane
 
You know, people keep comparing non-TSR D&D to deck-building in Magic: the Gathering. But maybe it\'s more like Katamari Damacy. You keep sticking shit on your characters until they are big enough to be a star.
-- talysman
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