I was wondering if anyone else had ever thought that the various Power Word spells (Stun, Blind, Kill) should be from the Invocation/Evocation school of magic instead of the Conjuration/Summoning school? As the Wizard's Handbook states, "Conjuration spells produce various forms of non-living matter, while Summoning spells entice or compel creatures to come to the caster, as well as allowing the caster to channel forces from other planes." This last part fits the Power Word spells somewhat, but I think a better fit for those spells is within the Invocation/Evocation school. This is really only important to specialist wizards, Invokers in particular since they can't use Conjuration spells, but I have run into this question a few times now so I am interested in anyone's thoughts on this. Thanks!
You know, this is an odd one, no doubt about it. I just popped open my OAD&D PHB and they are listed exactly the same there too. Normally the spell wording gives a definite clue as to why a spell is classified to a given school through a pretty clear cause-and-effect relationship. Not so with these spells though.
I do know that the spells came before the specialists were added in second edition and that Gary, Len Lakofka and Rob Kuntz had a hand in writing the original versions of a number of them. I also read a post somewhere from Gary where he stated that the only true specialist classes he had planned for during OAD&D were the illusionist, the conjurer and the necromancer. Since the specialists in 2E were put together after he left, it is likely that no one at TSR caught the error, so the spell schools for these three were never re-classified to fit with the new specialist system.
My personal opinion is: it's your game - if you think they should have their schools changed then go for it. It's all about making the game fresh and fun to play, after all.
(Just my 2 c.p. worth.) _________________ <div>Braggi, Swain and Varlet at Large<br /></div>
Though both the Summoning and Invocation descriptions fit the various power word spells, I think those spells are classified as they are to show that the wizard is taking and using that power from elsewhere, without any permission or dedicating of the spell required. These are words of power, sort of secrets to all things. The spells are later classified as Creation as well. You might say that these words are part of some sort of divine language. Clerics would ask to use such words(*Invoking* a patron god for the use of them), while a wizard would discover them and then use the word to tap into (Summoning) the energies which give them power- no permissions from higher powers required. It is like they have stolen something and can use it.
So I prefer the Summoning a tag for that reason. Besides, there are already a ton of Invocation/Evocation spells that hinder or harm enemies in more direct ways using various forms of energy, while the power word spells do not use energy types of any identifiable kind. That is yet another reason why Summoning better fits the various power word spells(in my opinion at least). I don't think there was a failure to reclassify these spells at all. _________________ - Moderator/Admin (in some areas)/Member -
Last edited by Cebrion on Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:17 pm; edited 1 time in total
I can certainly agree with Cebrion's take. I suspect Gygax and the others were drawing on the folkloric tales of certain magical traditions, in which one allows oneself to serve as a conduit for a god's spoken words. Certain other magical traditions - also possible inspirations for the spells - include similar tales of magical words of power, generally attributing them to some sort of "primordial reality". In those traditions the word itself is usually a conduit for power from somewhere or something other than the speaker.
I have to say, I think that Cebrion's take is a pretty fair one, as well.
Frankly, i never even occurred to me that Power Word spells might not belong in the school they're in. And, I can be a bit ... <ahem> pedantic about such things, on occasion. But, this one never even crossed my mind. Now that I am ased to think about it a bit, however, I think that Cebrion's got about the right of it ... it may seem a bit strange to those who have thought about it otherwise, but I can't imagine it in any other school.
As to the spell book thing and a one word spell taking up seven pages, think of it this way:
The seven pages in the spell book is taken up by arcane instructions that prepare one's mind to harness the powerful magical forces of the power word spell, such that the mere utterance of such a word of power does not cause one's head to explode.
So, spend the 350g.p. on the required spell ink, fill your seven spell book pages with the required arcane spell instructions, and quit your bloody whining already! _________________ - Moderator/Admin (in some areas)/Member -
Yes, thanks. _________________ My campaigns are multilayered tapestries upon which I texture themes and subject matter which, quite frankly, would simply be too strong for your hobbyist gamer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mp7Ikko8SI
I have to say, I think that Cebrion's take is a pretty fair one, as well.
Frankly, i never even occurred to me that Power Word spells might not belong in the school they're in. And, I can be a bit ... <ahem> pedantic about such things, on occasion. But, this one never even crossed my mind. Now that I am ased to think about it a bit, however, I think that Cebrion's got about the right of it ... it may seem a bit strange to those who have thought about it otherwise, but I can't imagine it in any other school.
Just my two coppers.
You?! Pedantic? Surely not! Unless, of course, you're talking about those thieving, backstabbing, sub-human, boot-licking Rhennee...
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