From: Ian Jackson Date: Sun, 25 May 2025 00:04:47 +0000 (+0100) Subject: spell.md as posted X-Git-Url: http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/ucgi/~ijackson/git?a=commitdiff_plain;h=d9596cd19a073fede943842e79e838f1a6e023e0;p=the-pointy-bits.git spell.md as posted --- diff --git a/spell.md b/spell.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a742e59 --- /dev/null +++ b/spell.md @@ -0,0 +1,42 @@ + +I have been trying to work out what a proper talking to ghosts spell looks like. This is what I came up with: + +### Converse with the Uaunting Spirit + +InMe 25. + +You can converse with any one ghost within Voice range, for one Diameter. The ghost is not compelled in any way, but most will typically choose to reply, especially when questioned about their demise and their haunting. You do not need to Penetrate the target's magic resistance. + +### What even this spell and its level + +My attempts at fitting this into the system suggest it should be InMe Level 25, as above, or maybe L20. But it's not very clear. + +I looked at the following comparators and guidelines: + +Whispers through the Black Gate, InCo L15, AM p.130. + * The thing that has to be present is the ghost itself (Mentem) rather than a corpse (Corpus). + * Range Touch -> Voice: +2 + * Duration Conc -> Diam: equipotent. + * Suggests L25. + * Possibly the closest comparator, but speaking to the dead and departed does seem more powerful than talking to ghosts who are present. + +Vision of the Haunting Spirits, MuMe L40, AM p.150 + * _Converse_ is not so much "making the spirit \[audible]" - we're not altering the ghost. Instead, we are perceiving: allowing us to hear what they wish to say. (They can presumably hear us already?). So we're Intelligo rather than Muto. + * Hearing rather than vision => -1 + * Duration Sun -> Conc => -1 + * Target Room -> Ind => -2 + * Suggests L20. + +InMe Guidelines. (AM p.149.) I am not impressed with these Guidelines. They are almost entirely based on the scope of the information conveyed, but it also talks about that being limited by duration, so the scope is kind of doing double duty. The listed spells are largely nonconsensual, but the Guidelines are written without regard to consent. The levels of the listed spells seem reasonable but the choice of guideline base seems quite arbitrary, and probably a retcon. + * Guideline base L15 "Speak with any one human" maybe? + * +1 duration Mom -> Conc + * +2 target Pers -> Voice + * That would suggest L30. + +### Possible variations + +Would Concentration duration be better than Diameter? Diameter would make it possible to use this spell to try to calm down a ghost that's attacking us. And the spell could be cast again. + +This spell would allow only the caster (Kennocht) to converse with the ghost. A variant that let others do so would be much better but that would be, presumably, MuMe, like Vision of the Haunting Spirits. + +I had a thought that it might be possible to make a ghost-hearing earring in the lab.