Received on the Palladium List: Tue 19 Sep  06:12  (  67) M T

From:    "J. OHRT 


Subject:  Magic Music

A friend once asked me a similar question.  He wanted to play a 
character that cast spells via playing an instrument.  Sure no 
problem, this is what I did - made him a mystic.

Mystics, from what I remember (ie feel free to correct me), 
intuitively learn their magic spells.  So I just reasoned that this 
particular Mystic could only 'cast' spells when playing his flute.

There were a few other kinks as well -

1) Only one type of music instrument could be used but was not
specific.  ie one guy uses a flute while another may use a harp.
So if the flute guy lost his flute he couldn't cast using a guitar.  
However a similar instrument, say a recorder, could be used but the 
effects were unreliable. (what ever struck my fancy as a good side 
effect)

2)The musician had to play for the duration 
of the spell casting time before it came into effect.  After that the 
musician had to play for however long the spell would last and to 
extend it beyond cost half the PPE again.  eg lets say a Fear spell 
costs 10 PPE takes 1 melee to cast and lasts 1 min/lvl (completely 
made up I don't remember the fear spell and I'm supposed to being 
doing statisitics right now so I can't get my books)  5th lvl mystic 
guy must play some 
hauntingly scarey music for 1 melee before the spell begins.  He then 
must play for however long he wants the spell to last, the first 5 
min costs 10 PPE, the next 5 costs 5 PPE ...

3)Other neat things - area of effect : The area of effect changes so 
that all who hear must save vs magic or be affected.

4)No instant spells - fireballs, lightning and the like are more 
difficult because atleast 1 melee is required before the spell can be 
cast.  The idea is to use the spells as subtly (sp??).  This is not 
to say offensive spells are possible.  The mystic I originally made 
this up for had a preference for elemental type spells and enjoyed 
calling storms ...

All in all in worked quite well because the player wanted the essence 
of the character and did not abuse the vagueness of the rules.