Where Is Harkan
[OCs] Character/setting concept time.
Where Is Harkan
I've made vague mentions of this in the past but I might as well formalize it
Where Is Harkan
A D&D-esque fantasy universe
Where Is Harkan
In this setting, Sorcerers are aristocrats whole are in charge because they have all the arcane magic
Where Is Harkan
there's also Divine magic but that's like the Church's thing and they're an accepted check and balance to the sorcerers' power
Where Is Harkan
And other nations might have shit like psionics but that's out of the scope of what we're looking at right now
Where Is Harkan
Right NOW
Where Is Harkan
Someone just discovered how to Wizard
Where Is Harkan
IE how to do arcane magic without being a sorcerer
Where Is Harkan
And holy shit the sorceres don't like that because if ANYONE can do arcane magic then their grip on society is going to start eroding
Where Is Harkan
So this story is about the first wizard
Where Is Harkan
who is like a super angry/passionate revolutionary student
Where Is Harkan
and their friends/body guards
Where Is Harkan
as they try to stay one step ahead of the aristocracy
kamikasei
Have you ever heard of the Hex Coda
Where Is Harkan
Because the aristocracy can blow you up with their minds
Where Is Harkan
I have not
Where Is Harkan
But you know what there are no original stories left
Princess Emily
cool I'm in
kamikasei
It's not really the same thing but might be of interest as a point of comparison/inspiration - it's a couple of NWN modules about magic hackers trading experimental scrolls underground.
Where Is Harkan
Our hero gets in fights with people twice their size constantly because they cannot leave well enough alone
You're Quinner
does this revolution lean more Akame ga Kill or Les Miserables in tone
Where Is Harkan
Les Miz
You're Quinner
rad
Where Is Harkan
Like the country isn't TERRIBLE
Where Is Harkan
There are good sorcerers and bad sorcerers
Where Is Harkan
but the sorcerers are firmly in charge
Where Is Harkan
and even the nice ones are a little nervous about these rumors of Wizards
Where Is Harkan
And then the Church is torn
You're Quinner
a good sorcerer is still a gear in an evil system
Where Is Harkan
Just so
Where Is Harkan
because on one hand official doctrine is supporting that the sorcerers have the divine right to rules
Where Is Harkan
rule*
Where Is Harkan
but on the other hand if wizards become a thing then the sorcerer's power base will weaken
Where Is Harkan
and the church will be ascendant
Where Is Harkan
So like they're officially condemning this wizard
Where Is Harkan
but also certain more politically minded clerics are trying to subtly help them
Where Is Harkan
not out of kindness but out of pure machiavellian trickery
You're Quinner
I'm imagining wizard magic working via complex and consistent systems and principles and sorcerer magic being just, like, anime superpowers
Where Is Harkan
yeah probably
Where Is Harkan
In my head Wizardry is kinda like FMA alchemy
Where Is Harkan
not exactly like it but kind of
kamikasei
I was going to ask, did the wizard need some kind of access to learn arcane magic, and was that a crazy sorcerer
kamikasei
But it might have been a subversive priest
kamikasei
Also I assume the canon title is Class Warfare
Where Is Harkan
It might well be
Where Is Harkan
Sorcery is very unscientific
Where Is Harkan
Sorcerers go on about how their power comes from their passion and emotions
Where Is Harkan
They couldn't TELL you how it works because they don't really know
Where Is Harkan
It's like explaining to someone how you move your arms
Where Is Harkan
You just do
Where Is Harkan
Wizardry, on the other hand, is basically about tricking the universe into doing what you want it to via elaborate rituals and spell circles
moontouched
sorcerer: i like this 'wizardry' thing better cos you can actually explain it - oh man this is gonna get me super kicked out
kamikasei
So this isn't like D&D where sorcerers and wizards cast the same spells via different means
Where Is Harkan
no
You're Quinner
"It's not real magic if you think about it" --a sorcerer
Where Is Harkan
wizards and sorcerers are tapping into the same power but they're using it very differently
Where Is Harkan
though to the uneducated, the difference between a well prepared wizard and a sorcerer would be hard to spot
moontouched
tbh i just find the idea of a sorcerer just really disliking all this Emotions and Passion shit and finds wizardry's structure much more appealing really funny
kamikasei
Imagine the differences in spirit summoning
kamikasei
Sorcerer: "I bind you by the right of my name and the oaths you swore to my ancestors and by my own force of will"
Where Is Harkan
I imagine spirit summoning is more of a divine magic thing
kamikasei
Wizard: "Says here I get one free boon"
Where Is Harkan
Sorcerers are more shooting fireballs from their hands and flying
Where Is Harkan
Clerics bind spirits to their will via true name magic
Where Is Harkan
Wizards make deals and haggle
Where Is Harkan
Right now though there's only one wizard
Where Is Harkan
and maybe an apprentice or two
Where Is Harkan
the Wizard has NO IDEA what they're doing and is very much just making it up as they go
NekoIncardine
I like this idea
Where Is Harkan
They went to a good university and eventually got kicked out in their senior year for arguing with professors too much
Where Is Harkan
all "FINE"
Where Is Harkan
"I'LL MAKE MY OWN SCHOOL"
Where Is Harkan
"AND IT'LL HAVE BLACKJACK AND MAGIC"
Where Is Harkan
"IN FACT, FORGET THE BLACKJACK"
Where Is Harkan
I'm feeling like Wizard is missing an arm
Where Is Harkan
but built a magic prosthetic after they became a wizard
Where Is Harkan
I'll be honest Edward Elric is def an inspiration here
Where Is Harkan
Because we must never forget October 3rd, 1911
Where Is Harkan
ANYWAYS
Where Is Harkan
A sorcerer probably was behind the missing arm, which they SAY is why they're so mad at sorcerers
Where Is Harkan
and want to fuck the system
Where Is Harkan
But really it was more of an excuse because they're just a naturally angry person
Where Is Harkan
So sorcery is basically just, like
Where Is Harkan
superpowers
Where Is Harkan
you just have Some Things You Can Do
Where Is Harkan
similar powers tend to run in bloodlines
Where Is Harkan
One family might have a bunch of sorcerers who can all fly and control the wind
Where Is Harkan
another might have a specialty in healing or making force fields
Where Is Harkan
Miracles (divine magic) I'm still working on a unified aesthetic for
Where Is Harkan
I'm thinking a specialized divine spellcaster is just
Where Is Harkan
not a thing
Where Is Harkan
But that god just kind of watches out for their followers
Where Is Harkan
Haven't figured out what god's deal is in this universe
Where Is Harkan
but God is definitely NB, and to refer to them as "he" or "she" is technically blasphemous
MundersOWundus
I am reminded in a good way of the bullshit noble bloodline magic from 7th Sea
Where Is Harkan
I'm thinking Miracles are more tied to places than to people
Where Is Harkan
So like a cleric isn't powerful
Where Is Harkan
his church is
Where Is Harkan
And in the church he can do amazing things
Where Is Harkan
but if he gets too far his powers rapidly dwindle
Where Is Harkan
Wizardry is very vancian
Where Is Harkan
or not EXACTLY but like
Where Is Harkan
A spell takes, on average, like 10-20 minutes depending on how complex/powerful it is
Where Is Harkan
but
Where Is Harkan
some spells you can do like 90% of it
Where Is Harkan
and then stop
Where Is Harkan
and then finish it when you need it and it'll just go
ArtIsArt
Yeah, that checks out.
Where Is Harkan
There is, in theory, no limit to what Wizardry can do
ArtIsArt
a barbarian. What's the racial balance like?
ArtIsArt
... Thanks plurk.
Where Is Harkan
but each spell is HUGELY complex and takes tons of research to learn
Where Is Harkan
Races hmmmm
Where Is Harkan
I'm thinking this part of the world, at least, is like 99% human
Where Is Harkan
Occasionally you get elves and shit as travelers from distant lands
Where Is Harkan
But they probably get stared at in the street
Where Is Harkan
because "Wow I've never seen a real elf before"
Where Is Harkan
Not really a lot of like
Where Is Harkan
prejudice
Where Is Harkan
just "woah weird"
Where Is Harkan
Oh shit here's an idea
Where Is Harkan
Golems
Where Is Harkan
Those are a thing
Where Is Harkan
but they are basically mobile churches
Where Is Harkan
A "church" shaped like a person and given life and will by god
Where Is Harkan
to protect their servants
Where Is Harkan
Okay there's a setting
Where Is Harkan
And GO:
Where Is Harkan
Wizard is a girl, because Necrobot in Prof's thing is a boy
Where Is Harkan
As I mentioned, she technically has access to an infinite variety of spells
Where Is Harkan
But has a few stand-bys that she usually has armed and ready
❆𝒮𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝒴𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻
so question- if other races do exist, what is magic like for them? like for elves, do they also have the same kind of wizardry? etc etc
Where Is Harkan
I'm thinking for most races magic just works the same
Where Is Harkan
you could have elven sorcery families
Where Is Harkan
elven clerics
Where Is Harkan
and an elf could also learn wizardry
Where Is Harkan
well, not elven clerics but churches in elven lands
Where Is Harkan
I mean they COULD be clerics but you know what you get what I'm saying
❆𝒮𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝒴𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻
yeah
ArtIsArt
What about spell-like abilities, if we're basing this on D&D?
Where Is Harkan
sorcery
Where Is Harkan
this isn't specifically based on D&D it's just got a vaguely similar aesthetic
Where Is Harkan
I'm thinking magical creatures with spell-like abilities are very rare, though
Where Is Harkan
and largely unique
Where Is Harkan
There aren't medusas there's just The Medusa
Where Is Harkan
I want this story to be mostly about people vs people
ArtIsArt
OK, cool!
Where Is Harkan
I like the idea of a revolutionary power nerd
Where Is Harkan
Wizard's go-to spells:
Where Is Harkan
Phase Door: /teleports you to a random location nearby, usually within 100 feet
Where Is Harkan
usually at ground level. She's still working the kinks out
Where Is Harkan
Thunderwave: sends out a sonic blast that stuns and knocks down anyone near you
Where Is Harkan
Wear ear plugs before casting
Where Is Harkan
Shield: Covers you in a force field bubble. Lasts as long as you concentrate on it, or until it just takes too much damage. Can be rolled.
Where Is Harkan
from the inside or the outside
❆𝒮𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝒴𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻
oh my god, phase door
Where Is Harkan
Levitate: fly up or down. Moving side to side is an exercise left to the caster
Where Is Harkan
I'm trying to make all the spells be useful but also a little finnicky
ArtIsArt
Grease. Greases everything. You have to clean up afterwards. There's a lot of grease. Good luck.
Where Is Harkan
I'm thinking more like it greases everything in a radius around you
Where Is Harkan
everyone has trouble standing up
Where Is Harkan
including you
ArtIsArt
Yes, exactly. And it doesn
ArtIsArt
*doesn't just go away.
Where Is Harkan
She once cast it in someone's house just to spite them
Where Is Harkan
Oh right going back to the prosthetic arm thing:
Where Is Harkan
Magic Items are also a new thing
Where Is Harkan
ish
Where Is Harkan
blessed items exist, but those are very rare
Where Is Harkan
and controlled by The Church
Where Is Harkan
and aren't very utilitarian
Where Is Harkan
great if you want to banish evil and shit
Where Is Harkan
but not so much if you just want a flaming sword
Where Is Harkan
But wizards can just attach magic to a thing and make it work
Where Is Harkan
like, for example, an arm that attaches to your shoulder stump and does what you want it to
Where Is Harkan
Or a flying carpet
Where Is Harkan
she has a flying carpet
Where Is Harkan
useful but anyone who knows the proper phrasing can shout commands to it and it'll obey them
Where Is Harkan
Which she really doesn't want anyone to know
Where Is Harkan
Anyways Wizard (who I really need a name for) needs friends
Where Is Harkan
and body guards
Where Is Harkan
and students
Where Is Harkan
and rivals and antagonists
Where Is Harkan
Join me join my cast
ArtIsArt
I'll play the person who was a barbarian until they got therapy for rage issues and went on alchemical mood stabilizers. /half joking
Where Is Harkan
I should mention that by andlarge most sorcerers are just people
Where Is Harkan
Not particularly good or evil. Just usually a little out of touch with what normal people think like
Where Is Harkan
But most of them are condemning our hero for being a revolutionary. And the ones that aren't aren't really helping her
Where Is Harkan
Name she needs a name
Where Is Harkan
Will brainstorm more while working
kamikasei
Magic items are the Internet of Shit?
Where Is Harkan
kamikasei
I have no idea what you mean by that
NekoIncardine
I want to make someone for this. Not sure who yet but
Where Is Harkan
I'm gonna say Wizard lost her arm when a sorcerer accidentally and drunkenly summoned phantom swords
Where Is Harkan
So like. The sorcerer was sorry
Where Is Harkan
But got out of it without any real repercussions
Where Is Harkan
Meanwhile she's down one arm and basically just has to live with that
Where Is Harkan
And she has, with the magic prosthetic arm and all, but she's still mad that that sorcerer kind of ruined her life and got off Scott free
kamikasei
Internet of Shit = the Internet of Things (that are horribly poorly secured and easy for people to remotely compromise)