Eugenics and Magic

[Daniel Stoker]

So this is a simple-ish question, the Eugenic's category allows you to buy psionic powers in different categories and I'm trying to decide if I should allow a player who wants a more 'mystical' character to do the same thing, but with spell casing ability. I'm looking at limiting it to them only learning a certain set of spells (say levels 1-4 then get one more per level), but I wanted to tap into the hivemind here and see what others thought about the idea. Good idea, bad idea, taco idea?


Daniel Stoker

[jaymz]

Go for it.

[Daniel Stoker]

Well figured you'd think it's ok.


Daniel Stoker

[zerombr]

i don't see this happening myself, BUT if you had an appropriate reason like say....we fused a basilisk head to the creature, or something, I could let it slide.

[Nekira Sudacne]

So this is a simple-ish question, the Eugenic's category allows you to buy psionic powers in different categories and I'm trying to decide if I should allow a player who wants a more 'mystical' character to do the same thing, but with spell casing ability. I'm looking at limiting it to them only learning a certain set of spells (say levels 1-4 then get one more per level), but I wanted to tap into the hivemind here and see what others thought about the idea. Good idea, bad idea, taco idea?


Daniel Stoker

I would say...Kind of? Creatures of Magic as biological creatures with some magic/spellcasting in their DNA is a thing, but it seems Eugenics hasn't quite cracked that code.

I'd honestly say no myself, unless they're supposed to be a half dragon thing.

[Daniel Stoker]

Well the character is part of an ancient race serpent people.... so technically almost yes?


Daniel Stoker

[eliakon]

It would depend on the 'special effects' too.
If you replace "Eugenics" with "bio-alchemy" and say that its some sort of 'biomancy' that 'magically alters their life code'...
...the effect is the same, the source is different and instead of psionics you would generate magic.

Aka why should the scientist have all the fun?

[zerombr]

It would depend on the 'special effects' too.
If you replace "Eugenics" with "bio-alchemy" and say that its some sort of 'biomancy' that 'magically alters their life code'...
...the effect is the same, the source is different and instead of psionics you would generate magic.

Aka why should the scientist have all the fun?

I'm down with that.

[RockJock]

I've never used a magic version of Eugenics like you are discussing, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. What I have done is use Nightbane in place of a sort of mystic eugenics class. Basically, humans bred for special abilities to fight the supernatural. So Eugenics background, Nightbane stats if you follow. Just food for thought.

[Daniel Stoker]

That could work too.


Daniel Stoker

[RockJock]

Same sort of idea of a magically bred super soldier would work for a supernatural slayer type. I think one of the Nightbane books actually had something like this?

[taalismn]

I'm good with the idea.
Splicing genes from a. magic creature or individual won't make you Merlin, but it might make you more receptive on a cellular level to magic energies and effects, and also make you more vulnerable to certain magic problems.

[zerombr]

I'm good with the idea.
Splicing genes from a. magic creature or individual won't make you Merlin, but it might make you more receptive on a cellular level to magic energies and effects, and also make you more vulnerable to certain magic problems.

agreed, you might get supernatural effects, like petrification or something, but not necessarily a spellcaster

[Curbludgeon]

It's suggestive to me of DC Comics' homo magi, being a naturally magically adept subspecies of humanity. If a HU Splicer (The E-word being both inaccurate and inappropriate for a power category) gets, say, a grafted pituitary from a child mystic in order to access a spell or two, I think that's fairly evocative.

[drewkitty ~..~]

I agree with taalismn, that IF it was possible, it would only give the recipient a single CoM's 'natural ability'. Yes, it would also be limited to just powers from CoMs (declared or undeclared [undeclared being those races that have the abilities and powers of CoM, but are not specifically said to be CoM.])
However, I would also limit these eugenic chars from cultures/societies/polities that are inherently magic in nature (like the UWW).

If I was the GM, I would have the Player draw up rules to follow to make such CoM ability enhanced chars. To see how they would go about making things balanced. (Limited while also accessable.)
What costs limit the character build? Perm PPE burn off like with the BTS1 Psi's, Bio-E costs like from TMNT/HU/Splicers, or monetary costs with credits/dollars.

[Stone Gargoyle]

I agree with the other who have said that if you allow it it should be limited to abilities and not spellcasting per se.

[Daniel Stoker]

Just to be clear, I wasn't thinking of allowing a splice of some sort to be done and bam, you know Globe of Daylight and Blinding Flash, but that more that it would convey you the ability to learn (limited) magic. Granted it ends up they get those spells, but storywise it wouldn't be that fast.


Daniel Stoker

[Stone Gargoyle]

Just to be clear, I wasn't thinking of allowing a splice of some sort to be done and bam, you know Globe of Daylight and Blinding Flash, but that more that it would convey you the ability to learn (limited) magic. Granted it ends up they get those spells, but storywise it wouldn't be that fast.


Daniel Stoker

So you're thinking more of something that allows them to dual class as a mage? I'm not seeing why there is a necessity to make it something Eugenics based when there are already categories which allow you to have powers and spells.

[dreicunan]

Wouldn't a "magic eugenics" character just be a bioborg (like the ones made by the Splugorth)?

[Daniel Stoker]

So you're thinking more of something that allows them to dual class as a mage? I'm not seeing why there is a necessity to make it something Eugenics based when there are already categories which allow you to have powers and spells.

Nah, the character wouldn't be a full caster with all the bells and whistles you get in HU and also really no more then they're ALREADY a dual class with all the psionics they can buy.


Daniel Stoker

[drewkitty ~..~]

Wouldn't a "magic eugenics" character just be a bioborg (like the ones made by the Splugorth)?

Nope, bioborgs, and other bio-wisardry things already in the books, would fall in the bionics or super soldier power cats.

[Stone Gargoyle]

So you're thinking more of something that allows them to dual class as a mage? I'm not seeing why there is a necessity to make it something Eugenics based when there are already categories which allow you to have powers and spells.

Nah, the character wouldn't be a full caster with all the bells and whistles you get in HU and also really no more then they're ALREADY a dual class with all the psionics they can buy.


Daniel Stoker

You have a point. Immortals already get a lot and can be considered dual class, so why not Eugenics? I guess it comes down to how limited you make it whether it is balanced or not.

[dreicunan]

Wouldn't a "magic eugenics" character just be a bioborg (like the ones made by the Splugorth)?

Nope, bioborgs, and other bio-wisardry things already in the books, would fall in the bionics or super soldier power cats.

An error on my part, as I should have written "essentially" in there. I was planning to suggest that one could look to those rules as inspiration for a "magic eugenics" character, hit submit instead of save when I had to stop writing it to attend to something else, then forgot to come back and finish it.

[Daniel Stoker]

You have a point. Immortals already get a lot and can be considered dual class, so why not Eugenics? I guess it comes down to how limited you make it whether it is balanced or not.

Yeah, I'm not going to let them get that many spells, and I figure the cost will be close to or more then what you need for the Psionics if I do go with it. Sadly the games been put on hold because our D&D game is running longer then we thought it would. Which is good for me, it gives me more time.


Daniel Stoker

[RockJock]

This seems like you are looking more towards a Goblin Cobbler, or the limited spell casting of the Danzi from PF.

[Daniel Stoker]

Which book is the Danzi in?


Daniel Stoker

[drewkitty ~..~]

Library of Belthariad
Eastern Ter.

[dreicunan]

Library of Belthariad

Bletherad doesn't have the info. It is Eastern Territory p. 25-37.

[Daniel Stoker]

Thanks, I'll look them up for inspiration.


Daniel Stoker

[RockJock]

Basically a race with a few minor magic abilities/spells built in.

[AlanGunhouse]

Danzi and Cobblers are both Faerie folk stripped of immortality and with their natural magic limited, FYI.

[Rogerd]

You could almost look at magic like the force - it is essentially the same in many respects. Anakin lost force ability due to losing body parts. in the same way that the Asgard in Stargate could not ascend due to genetic tinkering.

In fact there is a mechanic in the Alpha Omega RPG which could easily be an alternate Earth and part of Palladium multiverse very easily. What they have is something called Impurity which relates to alteration whether genetic engineering, cybernetics etc. It also has an opposing mechanic called Evolutionary which allows the player to buy evolutionary improvements.

[Yukon]

I agree with most everyone. My first thought was no. But, then reading on, it made sense that using parts or DNA or whatever from magical creatures to give access to a handful of spells or magic abilities. The numbers for ISP from the psionic options might not be bad to use as a point for point base of PPE. Lesser psionics bought might give you equivalent numbers of spells (lower level 1 or 1-3 or so). The options giving a Super Psionic or two might give a spell or two up to 5th level or thereabouts. Just as a first thought.

[Daniel Stoker]

Sadly the game got waylaid due to Covid 19 and half the group not being able to make the sessions, but I'm still plotting this character. Some day!!!


Daniel Stoker