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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: 67




On 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