What does “low magic” mean and should everyone know who/what Conan is?
When I describe my preferred setting I often fall back on the tags “low magic” and “Conan-like” but I have encountered a fair bit of misunderstanding recently. Some players have also hesitated to join because they do not know the terms or never read the Conan books. I wanted to explain what these terms mean to me in this context and see what they may mean to others. I should also point out that you are not required to read or watch anything to play in one of mine and probably any Gauntlet game.
Low magic just means that obvious magic is rare and unusual (esoteric?). The players can be wizards but the average NPC is as mundane as they get. They may even view spell casters as strange and dangerous. Magic wielding NPCs are likely to be rare and powerful either having been driven into the wilderness or establishing themselves in a position of authority. Magic items are also rare and often subtler. You’re very unlikely to find a +3 flaming sword anywhere. In comparison, Baldur’s Gate is a fairly high magic setting. Every town has a cleric able to cast resurrection, a mage shop and an armory where you can buy several magic items for less than a thousand gold pieces. Every other random encounter will include at least one guy firing off magic missiles and no one raises an eyebrow when a wizard sends his animated iron golem to pick up his dry cleaning.
Conan to me just means that the enemies and plots revolving about the players are generally human and cruel. Instead of dungeon diving under a mountain in the wilderness to slay a dragon, you are more likely robbing a crypt under a temple in an effort to secure some relic for another cult. Life is cheap and people are cruel, especially to foreigners or those who can’t defend themselves. Superstitions abound and strangers are not to be trusted. Non-human monsters are rare and terrifying. Often large magically created abominations or giant animals from another time.
These are just how I read these terms and your definitions may vary. What do you think? Feel free to tell me how you would define them or what terms you think I should use. What other role playing concepts do you think people get confused about?
For what it’s worth, that’s how I would interpret “Low Magic” and “Conan” too. But then again, I have read the books.
For what it’s worth, that’s how I would interpret “Low Magic” and “Conan” too. But then again, I have read the books.
Low magic also precludes PC wizards to me, at least the nowadays standard variety. I think the “magic is strange, subtle and subject to the whims of gods and spirits” rule applies to everyone, not just NPCs. In Dungeon World terms, Cast A Spell would be out, but Ritual and Divine Guidance would be very cool.
Low magic also precludes PC wizards to me, at least the nowadays standard variety. I think the “magic is strange, subtle and subject to the whims of gods and spirits” rule applies to everyone, not just NPCs. In Dungeon World terms, Cast A Spell would be out, but Ritual and Divine Guidance would be very cool.
The way I see it, a low magic setting could be compared to our own history if magic existed. It’s rare and requires rituals and dedication. Gods, demons, or older and stranger entites are pobably involved in most cases. Power is real but unexplained and shrouded in mystery.
Its wielded by witches, mediums and old hermits as well as high priests, cult leaders, and tribal shamans. These rare individuals are powerful and feared. They probably use their magic to beguile, curse, and enchant rather than cast flashy fire spells and lightning.
All this is exciting if you ask me. Facing the unknown is way scarier.
The way I see it, a low magic setting could be compared to our own history if magic existed. It’s rare and requires rituals and dedication. Gods, demons, or older and stranger entites are pobably involved in most cases. Power is real but unexplained and shrouded in mystery.
Its wielded by witches, mediums and old hermits as well as high priests, cult leaders, and tribal shamans. These rare individuals are powerful and feared. They probably use their magic to beguile, curse, and enchant rather than cast flashy fire spells and lightning.
All this is exciting if you ask me. Facing the unknown is way scarier.
James Etheridge I used to forbid my players from the wizard or mage but I think it is fine now. its not like the whole party is wizards and it makes sense to for the PCs to be unusual. I may be a little tougher on them than the other players though.
Maxime Lacoste agreed. in addition there are a lot of actual “superstitions”. the villagers might believe all manner of things that are not real and sometimes have grimmer explanations. I once had a tribe of people worshiping a giant ape as a god and had a lot of trouble explaining that it was basically just a giant ape to a player.
James Etheridge I used to forbid my players from the wizard or mage but I think it is fine now. its not like the whole party is wizards and it makes sense to for the PCs to be unusual. I may be a little tougher on them than the other players though.
Maxime Lacoste agreed. in addition there are a lot of actual “superstitions”. the villagers might believe all manner of things that are not real and sometimes have grimmer explanations. I once had a tribe of people worshiping a giant ape as a god and had a lot of trouble explaining that it was basically just a giant ape to a player.
Well even with no magic a giant ape is strong and massive. I would not take him slightly.
Well even with no magic a giant ape is strong and massive. I would not take him slightly.
Fire and Suffocation Immunity I’d say, rather.
Otherwise, I don’t have a problem with your explanations. Seems clear and precise.
Fire and Suffocation Immunity I’d say, rather.
Otherwise, I don’t have a problem with your explanations. Seems clear and precise.
Also, you should always look at monsters you put into a low magic setting with the motto CCKI (Could Conan Kill It) in mind lol
Also, you should always look at monsters you put into a low magic setting with the motto CCKI (Could Conan Kill It) in mind lol
I think the answer is nearly always yes
I think the answer is nearly always yes
Maybe WWCD? What would Conan do?
Maybe WWCD? What would Conan do?
That would also be acceptable, though less to the point :p
That would also be acceptable, though less to the point :p
well explained, though it seems odd that anyone into roleplay in general would need ether of these terms explained to them. 🙂
I perfer to run “Low-magic” games myself when magic comes up it is fantastical
well explained, though it seems odd that anyone into roleplay in general would need ether of these terms explained to them. 🙂
I perfer to run “Low-magic” games myself when magic comes up it is fantastical
Have you ever used the term Sword and Sorcery? Or Sword and Sandal? I think those are both actual genre terms, but probably not ones that everyone would understand. Low magic on its own brings to mind ‘gritty’ fantasy with little to no pc use of magic, a setting type that I quite like, but that some of my regulars aren’t as fond of. Conan is of course the best descriptor ever, but I might be biased.
Have you ever used the term Sword and Sorcery? Or Sword and Sandal? I think those are both actual genre terms, but probably not ones that everyone would understand. Low magic on its own brings to mind ‘gritty’ fantasy with little to no pc use of magic, a setting type that I quite like, but that some of my regulars aren’t as fond of. Conan is of course the best descriptor ever, but I might be biased.
Well, Planescape: Torment has a lot of gritty in it and is high on magic. If low on magic sword businesess (on a contrary to PnP setting).
I think, the lines are actually blurry if you don’t try to follow some specific genre script all the time.
It’s about how your barbarians and magic affect your stories. What those can and cannot both in hands of the of the players and out in the world.
Well, Planescape: Torment has a lot of gritty in it and is high on magic. If low on magic sword businesess (on a contrary to PnP setting).
I think, the lines are actually blurry if you don’t try to follow some specific genre script all the time.
It’s about how your barbarians and magic affect your stories. What those can and cannot both in hands of the of the players and out in the world.
Come to think of it… maybe it’s a question of taste, but I can’t get behind the term “generic fantasy” nor understand, why it can be appealing to some people.
Is it a subgenre, greatly prone misunderstanding or a sign of intellectual laziness, like I think?
Come to think of it… maybe it’s a question of taste, but I can’t get behind the term “generic fantasy” nor understand, why it can be appealing to some people.
Is it a subgenre, greatly prone misunderstanding or a sign of intellectual laziness, like I think?
I used to use the term “Universal Fantasy World” way back when. I prefer to think of it as a comfort food. It saves a lot of time describing non-essential stuff when everyone agrees to draw from a common pool of knowledge.
I find myself rebelling against the notion most of the time, but I can understand the appeal.
I used to use the term “Universal Fantasy World” way back when. I prefer to think of it as a comfort food. It saves a lot of time describing non-essential stuff when everyone agrees to draw from a common pool of knowledge.
I find myself rebelling against the notion most of the time, but I can understand the appeal.
Oddly enough, I think you could use Tolkein to describe a low magic world. Wizards are these rare strange creatures who have strange agendas, and anything magical is either an artifact of power or a lost link to the past.
In contrast high fantasy is Dragon Age if magic is feared and to be shunned or controlled, or Forgotten Realms if as common as rain.
Oddly enough, I think you could use Tolkein to describe a low magic world. Wizards are these rare strange creatures who have strange agendas, and anything magical is either an artifact of power or a lost link to the past.
In contrast high fantasy is Dragon Age if magic is feared and to be shunned or controlled, or Forgotten Realms if as common as rain.
Personally, Tolkien misses my Low Magic mark. The Big Magic is all around, even if it isn’t in the hands of the PCs(hobbits). Elves aren’t just another race, they are immortal godlings that radiate their otherwordliness. The Dwarves poked holes into subterranean kingdoms of supernatural horror. Heck, just having other races tends to be a knock against my own low magic checklists…but mileage definitely varies.
Personally, Tolkien misses my Low Magic mark. The Big Magic is all around, even if it isn’t in the hands of the PCs(hobbits). Elves aren’t just another race, they are immortal godlings that radiate their otherwordliness. The Dwarves poked holes into subterranean kingdoms of supernatural horror. Heck, just having other races tends to be a knock against my own low magic checklists…but mileage definitely varies.
I don’t mind other races in low magic but 90% of my npcs do tend to be human.
I don’t mind other races in low magic but 90% of my npcs do tend to be human.
I don’t think it is races per se, but they have to feel ‘human’. Tolkien elves and dwarves feel high fantasy to me somehow.
I don’t think it is races per se, but they have to feel ‘human’. Tolkien elves and dwarves feel high fantasy to me somehow.
The point is… even with loosely defined High fantasy and low fantasy, Low magic doesn’t necessary means low fantasy, depending on who you ask.
Tolkien’s Middlearth might be considered low magic high fantasy. At least, at the time of the Hobbit and LotR.
Again. There are no genre scripts. A general understanding of a genre doesn’t necessary assures, that works assosiated with it would fit right into it. Any of the works.
The point is… even with loosely defined High fantasy and low fantasy, Low magic doesn’t necessary means low fantasy, depending on who you ask.
Tolkien’s Middlearth might be considered low magic high fantasy. At least, at the time of the Hobbit and LotR.
Again. There are no genre scripts. A general understanding of a genre doesn’t necessary assures, that works assosiated with it would fit right into it. Any of the works.