Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 (Tek) 9/26/83; site shark.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ucbvax!ucbcad!tektronix!orca!shark!hutch From: hutch@shark.UUCP Newsgroups: net.games.frp Subject: Creative Uses for Spells Message-ID: <546@shark.UUCP> Date: Thu, 23-Feb-84 19:44:29 EST Article-I.D.: shark.546 Posted: Thu Feb 23 19:44:29 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 25-Feb-84 03:54:20 EST Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR Lines: 67On the topic of interesting uses for spells . . . A suggestion was just made to me about a way to circumvent the ill effects of petrification. He suggests an "animate" spell. My personal analysis came out thusly: Of course, the victim must survive the system shock. The standard magical "animate" would animate a statued person, but the caster of the spell is the one who would be controlling the stone form, not the mind of the victim. The Clerical version might work better for this purpose, since it can be justified as the possession of the stone by a minor minion of the deity, in this case allowing the victim to move voluntarily. The victim would have to be of the same religion. A Druidic version might not have this trouble. It is absolutely necessary, if the intent is to be met at all, for the Animate to be made permanent (perhaps the Permanence spell) and it would probably require a Limited Wish or even a Full Wish to restore the now silicon-based lifeform to the full use of its senses. It would certainly be necessary if the victim is intended to live long, to include in the wish a clause allowing the stone person to heal from injuries. The safest way to administer this protection is to bind it all as a clause under a Conditional Spell. It would be easiest to affix it to an amulet, sword, armor, or some such thing. The victim would have a number of advantages and disadvantages. First, it is unclear what it would eat and excrete. Recall that the wish adapted the victim to being a living creature of stone. Second, the armor class of the victim, along with hit points, would probably increase. Armor class would be at least that of a Gargoyle, which is a similar creature. Third, there is the increased weight of the victim which could cause some problems. Normal horses balk, fragile bridges and floors break, and so on. Fourth, the victim would have increased strength, in most cases. This is speculative but it seems likely enough. Even if it were not the case, the increased damage due to the greater mass can be easily dealt with by assuming increased strength. Fifth, the victim may have problems with being fragile, and many magic items might not work properly (Rings of regeneration, etc). Sixth, the victim becomes vulnerable to some unpleasant magical side effects. Low-mana areas, if you have such, can immobilize or kill. A "Dispell Magic" can temporarily suppress movement. (I assume this effect applies to Golems and similar animated constructs, where the success of a Dispell causes a one-round immobility or stops the use of a single magical power. This is my own extrapolation of the nature of active and passive magics.) Finally, there are some social problems. (Ahem) Intercourse is rendered difficult or impossible, and people would tend to see the victim as somewhat of a freak. And so on. This led to an interesting notion: A familiar can be animated if it survives being stoned. If it is alive, its properties as a familiar remain in effect. Unfortunately the majority of familiars are avian. This could cause trouble. Envision a stone bat trying to fly. %-) (clatter clatter clickety clatter) Some supportive magic would have to be applied to allow them normal mobility. Oh well. Back to the grind. Hutch