[Sorcerer] I don't get Necromancy
Paiku:
I haven't played with a Token yet, but... okay, I haven't played Sorcerer yet (first game starts next week), BUT: why doesn't the presence of a Token unbalance the game? A character with a Token has a great big bonus on almost every roll. Demons don't unbalance the game because the have Needs and Desires - and because every PC has one (at least...). Do you have to make a Humanity roll every time you use your Token? How is this balanced?
Thanks,
-Paiku
greyorm:
Quote from: Paiku on January 28, 2010, 06:04:56 PM
How is this balanced?
1) it's not about "balance", it's about story and theme; consider: demons do not have Needs and Desires because their use must be "balanced". That is exactly the wrong way to think about it.
2) note the bonus is gained "...as long as he uses the Token in a highly ritualized fashion evocative of the original killing..." and in situations where life/death are on-the-line (someone's, not necessarily the sorcerer's), for sorcerous and demonic stuff, and similar actions.
But if you don't "get" #1, trying to apply #2 is pointless and can even be harmful to good play, IMO.
The Dragon Master:
One thing to keep in mind about Sorcerer is that it isn't about "game balance". Don't think of the session as being about resolving a scenario, or playing through an adventure. Think of it as being about learning about the PCs and what they will do to get what they want.
GM: will you risk your soul to get what you want?
PC: Yes, and I'll do it by (insert sorcerous ritual here)
GM: Will you (insert humanity risking behavior here)?
PC: Why yes I will.
GM: Well how about (insert HRB here)?
PC: Well, no I won't do that.
GM: Well what about (insert HRB here)?
PC: Actually, that I'll do.
is the normal flow of the game. When you add in tokens though you are adding an extra step to the conversation though.
GM: Will you kill this person in this ritualized fashion?
PC: Yes I will.
GM: Will you turn a momento mori of them into a focus of your power?
PC: Absolutely.
GM: Will you kill this other person in the same way?
PC: Why not.
GM: Will you risk people discovering what you've done to all those people for power in order to get just a little more?
PC: Sure?
And a necromantic token takes that a step further.
GM: Will you sacrifice your sorcerous abilities in order to become immortal?
PC: ...
Now I've been in games where I had a chance to get an "uber item" for my character by having them take a morally questionable route. I've chosen to take that route. And I've had times where it didn't matter to me, and times where I became afraid of the character and how far they would go to get what they want. A good GM will take you down the latter path. The one that casts your character in a different light than you though of him in before. And that is the style of play Sorcerer is meant for.
Paiku:
Thanks Dragon Master, a light just came on for me. I was thinking about GMing Sorcerer as "adventure planning." So as not to divert this discussion about Necromancy, I've posted my response here. Thanks again,
-Paiku
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