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BioWare Forums  Forum Archives Old Dragon Age Forums Dragon Age (Old) Questions on magic in Upcoming Dragonage
Dragon Age (Old)
Badmeditations
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 Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 03:04PM |
First I'd like to say that this is my first post on this forum though I've been lurking for awhile, a couple of days I think.
The reason for me actually posting is...omg! Dragon Age sounds so f-ing awesome. Second omg! when is this coming out, why did I have to become aware of it's existence, it's driving me crazy. New gritty dark romance (as is Gothic not romance as in between NPC's) style rpg? A good rpg not in a known genre? I had to look didn't I, I just had to "I wonder what bioware is up to?" and there's totally not enough information on it out!!! why! 
Okay...so anyway, my question on magic is this, when you say low magic I get the understanding that there's not gonna be teleporting, you can't summon creatures outta thin air and etc.
But is it gonna be handled like say, David Eddings? Like the main wizard dude in those books (Belgarath I think) He's really powerful. There's a question posed in the book to him by another character about building a house I think. "Belgarath, can't you just, you know ,swing you're hand and make this house built?" Belgarath replies "Well yes of course I could, however I would still feel the effects on my body as if I actually done all the work, and doing that much in an instant might kill this old body."
Is that more of what magic is gonna be like in the upcoming dragonage? Say for instance you can't summon a fireball outta thin air, but if there's a fire somewhere around you could stretch the fire out and turn it into a fireball? Or like, you can't summon a friendly creature outta thin air, but you could look at a tiger and go "hey buddy, you're gonna kill stuff for me now ,cool?"
Just a thought. Please forum people, don't eat me...   | 
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Willpower-in-Japan
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Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 03:09PM |
You aren't likely to be eaten, but we've all been sitting around waiting for answers to the questions you've posed once more.
So, dont' hold your breath, but do hang around, it's a friendly community around here for the most part. Some have even commented on the fact that these forums may even be more entertaining for more hours than the game will be when it finally does arrive in all its glory.
I don't hold to that, personally, but the forums will have the game beat hands down in length measured in hours.
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Badmeditations
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Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 03:12PM |
Has my magic question been asked before, I might have missed it, there a-lot to go through.
I think that it would be pretty cool though, I mean like limitations on it like that would be pretty awesome. Good example is like the movie "Thirteen Ghosts" Sure I'm psychic and that great, oh yea except I can't touch anything at all ever without having a migraine so painful you might think I'm going into labor. | |
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David Gaider
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Joined: 17 Oct 2001
From: Edmonton, AB |
Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 04:19PM |
Quote: Posted 12/14/07 15:04 (GMT) by Badmeditations
But is it gonna be handled like say, David Eddings? Like the main wizard dude in those books (Belgarath I think) He's really powerful. There's a question posed in the book to him by another character about building a house I think. "Belgarath, can't you just, you know ,swing you're hand and make this house built?" Belgarath replies "Well yes of course I could, however I would still feel the effects on my body as if I actually done all the work, and doing that much in an instant might kill this old body."
Is that more of what magic is gonna be like in the upcoming dragonage? Say for instance you can't summon a fireball outta thin air, but if there's a fire somewhere around you could stretch the fire out and turn it into a fireball? Or like, you can't summon a friendly creature outta thin air, but you could look at a tiger and go "hey buddy, you're gonna kill stuff for me now ,cool?"
There are a couple of questions in there, but let me see if I can sort them out.
As far as the power of the individual mage goes, I would say that, yes, they can be quite powerful. A lot depends on the sort of magic they specialize in, but in general magic tends to be pretty blatant in its effect. By and large, spells are crafted for use in battle -- but that is primarily because that is what is taught. Other magics do exist, like mind control, but they are forbidden and obviously not the sort of thing one gets taught at Hogwart's (so to speak).
Which is not to say that an interested mage couldn't learn such forbidden arts, just that he's not going to start off with it.
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fluffyamoeba
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Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 04:25PM |
Quote: Posted 12/14/07 16:19 (GMT) by David Gaider
Which is not to say that an interested mage couldn't learn such forbidden arts, just that he's not going to start off with it.
Did you just say "prestige class" there by any chance? 
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Badmeditations
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Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 04:26PM |
Quote: Posted 12/14/07 16:19 (GMT) by David Gaider
There are a couple of questions in there, but let me see if I can sort them out.
As far as the power of the individual mage goes, I would say that, yes, they can be quite powerful. A lot depends on the sort of magic they specialize in, but in general magic tends to be pretty blatant in its effect. By and large, spells are crafted for use in battle -- but that is primarily because that is what is taught. Other magics do exist, like mind control, but they are forbidden and obviously not the sort of thing one gets taught at Hogwart's (so to speak).
Which is not to say that an interested mage couldn't learn such forbidden arts, just that he's not going to start off with it.
Sorry let me see if I can't break my questions down.
1. Can a Mage call fire from thin air? Or does there need to be a source present to manipulate. So I guess what I'm asking is, where do you draw the line between high magic and low magic. What's possible in DA and what's not.
2. Is there say, a story reason for why magic is limited. Like for instance, in the David Eddings take, there really ins't a limit for what a person can do as far as magic goes, but there are consequences. Like, yes you could call lightning out of the sky, but you're also screwing up weather patterns when you do so. Sorry if my question isn't clear.
3. Are there any limitations to mages as far as how much power they can wield at one time? If a mage tries to wield to much power at once is there a negative effect, for instance if you don't have enough "mana" to cast the spell, does it drain you're health instead?Edited By Badmeditations on 12/14/07 16:39 | |
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David Gaider
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Joined: 17 Oct 2001
From: Edmonton, AB |
Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 04:41PM |
Quote: Posted 12/14/07 16:26 (GMT) by Badmeditations
1. Can a Mage call fire from thin air? Or does there need to be a source present to manipulate.
Effectively, yes, you can call fire from thin air. Transmutation of such energies is the meat and potatoes of the Primal school, but regardless of the explanation the end result is the same.
Quote: 2. Is there say, a story reason for why magic is limited. Like for instance, in the David Eddings take, there really ins't a limit for what a person can do as far as magic goes, but there are consequences. Like, yes you could call lightning out of the sky, but you're also screwing up weather patterns when you do so. Sorry if my question isn't clear.
Hmmm. There are limitations as to the scope of magic in Dragon Age -- it's not a power that let's one just "do anything". You couldn't, for instance, just whip up a house... or change the weather patterns, for that matter. Spells are often more blunt in their nature, the application of (or transformation of) energy, and any repercussions are going to be local and immediate. There is also the sort of enchantments practiced by the Tranquil, but that is way on the other end of the spectrum and even less like what you're talking about.
As I said, however, the reason for this is largely because this is what mages are taught -- as in this is what they are allowed to be taught. There are likely more things that magic can be employed for, even going so far as breaking the "rules" of magic -- certainly your average renegade would claim such -- but none of that is going to be common knowledge you start off with.
Does that answer your question?
Quote: Posted 12/14/07 16:26 (GMT) by Badmeditations
3. Are there any limitations to mages as far as how much power they can wield at one time? If a mage tries to wield to much power at once is there a negative effect, for instance if you don't have enough "mana" to cast the spell, does it drain you're health instead?
No, if your mana is used up, it's used up. There are ways to slow down your mana use, but no ways to simply replenish your mana unless you-- well, no. That would be forbidden. Mustn't discuss that.
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Zevran: "Hello my stocky little friend!"
Oghren: "Huh. You got small breasts for a gal."
Zevran: "Ah. This is where we begin the typical dwarven/elven rivalry, is it?"
Oghren: "Nahhh."Edited By David Gaider on 12/14/07 16:43 | |
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Chokladglass
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Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 05:00PM |
Quote: Posted 12/14/07 15:04 (GMT) by Badmeditations First I'd like to say that this is my first post on this forum though I've been lurking for awhile, a couple of days I think. (snip) Please forum people, don't eat me...
The forumites are very hungry... for Dragon Age info.
Welcome to the forums, Badmeditations! It is as Willpower said a friendly place, with the odd exception. The quality of the discussions is also great, since bad threads get locked and many posters are both knowledgable and witty. Have you encountered the zombie kittens yet? 
These questions are very interesting, especially to me since I have stayed out of the magic threads so far.
It sure would be lovely if mr G could give us some more answers... *bambi eyes* Oops, already done! Man, he is fast!
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Edit: I won't tell you what I edited!  Being a perfectionist I have the right to edit as much as I want!Edited By Chokladglass on 12/14/07 17:01 | |
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ZoneGhost
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Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 05:04PM |
Quote: Posted 12/14/07 16:41 (GMT) by David Gaider
No, if your mana is used up, it's used up. There are ways to slow down your mana use, but no ways to simply replenish your mana unless you-- well, no. That would be forbidden. Mustn't discuss that.
I feel that is terribly unfair... just leaving us hanging like that.  | |
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Juhy
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Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 05:06PM |
so, will different mages you fight cast different spells at you? coz, in most games they all cast the same stuff (they also look and sound the same, but nvm that).
It gets kind of annoying when its always the same stun, and the same fireball.. especially when you learn to minmize its effects
this isnt so much a question as a hint - *wink*wink*
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DA is a zombie musical!Edited By Juhy on 12/14/07 17:08 | |
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Badmeditations
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Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 05:13PM |
Quote: Posted 12/14/07 16:41 (GMT) by David Gaider
Hmmm. There are limitations as to the scope of magic in Dragon Age -- it's not a power that let's one just "do anything". You couldn't, for instance, just whip up a house... or change the weather patterns, for that matter. Spells are often more blunt in their nature, the application of (or transformation of) energy, and any repercussions are going to be local and immediate. There is also the sort of enchantments practiced by the Tranquil, but that is way on the other end of the spectrum and even less like what you're talking about.
As I said, however, the reason for this is largely because this is what mages are taught -- as in this is what they are allowed to be taught. There are likely more things that magic can be employed for, even going so far as breaking the "rules" of magic -- certainly your average renegade would claim such -- but none of that is going to be common knowledge you start off with.
Does that answer your question?
Yes that does, thanks for answer man. It's very nice that you show up and give up nice little tidbits like this.
Quote: No, if your mana is used up, it's used up. There are ways to slow down your mana use, but no ways to simply replenish your mana unless you-- well, no. That would be forbidden. Mustn't discuss that.
You bastard..  teasing me....like that.. 
look at him over there with his smuggly smile "I know stuff you don't, haahha." | |
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David Gaider
Lead Writer
Joined: 17 Oct 2001
From: Edmonton, AB |
Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 05:34PM |
Quote: Posted 12/14/07 17:00 (GMT) by Chokladglass It sure would be lovely if mr G could give us some more answers... *bambi eyes* Oops, already done! Man, he is fast!
My coffee was good this morning. Ahhhh, coffee. My one weakness. My Achilles heel, as it were. w00t! (<-- now in the dictionary)
_________________
Zevran: "Hello my stocky little friend!"
Oghren: "Huh. You got small breasts for a gal."
Zevran: "Ah. This is where we begin the typical dwarven/elven rivalry, is it?"
Oghren: "Nahhh." | |
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Avenger_teambg
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Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 11:06PM |
Ok, there are no mana potions.
I wonder if it will be possible to draw mana from other, living or dead creatures  | |
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ZoneGhost
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Posted: Friday, 14 December 2007 11:52PM | |
More importantly, if it doesn't regenerate then presumably once you have used it up (say in a big fight) you are screwed from then on because you have none left.. | |
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Badmeditations
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Posted: Saturday, 15 December 2007 01:40AM | |
Better for strategy worse for being able to win. If they do it well it could be neat, if they don't it might just turn out frustrating. | |
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