Are all spells already in existence?

[Lordabdul]

7 hours ago, Shiningbrow said:

Well, possible claims of God Learnerism... Or even just atheism. I.E., if an LM sorcerer makes the spell - all good! If it's an ancient manuscript, maybe not. 

Yeah fair enough -- so I guess it's up to the GM to decide based on whether they want this kind of direction in their game.... a God Learners renaissance might be an interesting theme for a campaign! Do the players ally themselves with those NPCs who give them new spells and promises of power? Or do they heed the warnings of history and of the other NPCs, and turn on the hand that gives them accessible munchkinery?

[PhilHibbs]

18 hours ago, lordabdul said:

Does the difference matter between:

• The player/GM came up with a new spell. They interpret it as a spell that was used a long time ago but was forgotten, and found now on an old parchment.
• The player/GM came up with a new spell. They interpret it as a brand new spell that this priest the party just killed had invented, and written on an old parchment.

Or,

• The player has an idea for a spell that they want their character to have. The come up with something, and rationalise it as something that exists in the world already, and other people may well have it.

 

18 hours ago, lordabdul said:

In both cases the character has the new spell, it's an uncommon or possibly unique spell, and people are going to come after it once they learn about it, and that's what matters IMHO.

If you want to make the spell an ongoing scenario hook, if that's a route to more fun, then sure. Otherwise it's just something they have, like all the other cool magical stuff they have accumulated (any of which can, of course, be a scenario hook).

Edited March 2, 2020 by PhilHibbs

[Shiningbrow]

10 hours ago, lordabdul said:

Do the players ally themselves with those NPCs who give them new spells and promises of power? Or do they heed the warnings of history and of the other NPCs, and turn on the hand that gives them accessible munchkinery?

That's a rhetorical question, right...???