I LOVE the three sources of magic that the Occultist picks in Arcana Unearthed!
A new take on a classic idea, Fantasy World is roleplaying Powered by the Apocalypse for the 2020s. · By
I LOVE the three sources of magic that the Occultist picks in Arcana Unearthed!
In Arcana Unearthed:
“Fetishes” is not commonly used to mean “objects believed to have supernatural powers” (I had to look it up!). Some people may know what you mean, but most people will probably think of sexual fetishes, which does not seem like what you’re going for here.
I might replace it with “talismans” or something like that.
I would split the “Arcana Unearthed” move into two separate moves: One called “Secret Lore” (to help players remember that their “secret lore” is a thing, for later moves like “Strange Wisdom”), and the other called “Arcana Unearthed,” which starts with “When you perform a lesser act of magic.” As it is, the Arcana Unearthed move is very long and difficult to parse.
Darkness Within is a big, long move! It’s quite hard to parse as it is. Here are my suggestions for what would make it easier for me at least to parse:
Take the section that begins “During the End of Session move…” and ends with “…say how and mark growth.” and move that section to the very end of the move. It’s a rule that refers to a different move in the rules, so it should be outside the rest of the move. Also: Replace “use this alternative:” with “replace your Step 1 with this step:”. I don’t think that’s an alternative step, since they don’t have a choice–they have to use that Step 1!
Take the section that begins “When you are [Corrupted]…” and ends “…you have 2 points.” and move it to the Metamagic move. As it is, it’s very unclear what move it applies to. Also: The language in that section is pretty unclear. Do you have extra “points” for Metamagic? What are “points” in Metamagic (“points” are never mentioned in that move)? How this specific rule works in confusing to me.
Can you select to be [Tainted] multiple times on the same roll? Or, just multiple times, one roll after the other? Right now, it’s unclear. I can suggest a rewording for this part, once I know how the rule is supposed to work. :) Thanks!
Yeah, that all changed a bit >_>
There is no more "Metamagic" move. In its place there is something else.
Instead the whole Arcana Unearthed move got an explanatory box that looks like this:
Lesser Magic Empowerment Table
One point on this table allows the Occultist to modify one parameter by one step:
Duration = [fleeting] (seconds) > [lingering] (minutes) > [lasting] (hours)
Force = [moderate] (Temp) > [violent] (Serious) > [overwhelming] (deadly)
Range = [reach] > [near] > [far]
Target = [individual] > [small group] > [medium group]
So now the Darkness Within move (and others that might empower your Lesser Magic) all use this common table as a reference, and simply grant you points to spend on it.
IS this clearer then?
When you work Lesser magic >>>
<<< on a 1-6 or 7-9 you can elect to be [Tainted] even if you already are:
if you are clean you get [Tainted]
if you are [Tainted] you additionally get [Corrupted]
if you are [Tainted] and [Corrupted] you additionally get [Rotten]
Describe how each Tag further affects your physical appearance.
Being [Corrupted] grants you one permanent point on the Empowerment Table. Being [Rotten] grants two.
In Ritual:
I would add the phrase “at least” here:
Rituals are always possible but require at least a few hours of time
and then replace the first option in the list with:
It will take days/weeks/months
That way, the time isn’t being replaced (which feels more jarring), it’s being extended (that is, “it will take months” and “it will take at least a few hours” can both be true at once). Just seems a little more clear to me. Thanks! :)
In Talismonger:
I would change the trigger here:
When you finish crafting an item
to this
When you finish crafting a talisman
That way, when you reference a talisman in the move, we know exactly what you’re talking about! Not sure if this works for what you’re looking for?