Thought Experiment: Magic appears

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2003-01-14 12:23pm

Just an idea to roll around in everyone's head. What would happen if tomorrow the dread power known as 'magic' reappeared in the world? Would we see witch hunts? Nations trying to raise armies of people who can control this power? Widespread panic? Talk of the apocalypse?

As far as power of it goes, consider it equal to AD&D's stance: With a highly intelligent person and some training, you can make simple effects, but truly epic power comes from decades of dedicated training.

Alyrium: A NORMAL AD&D world, not your Epic campaign.

DocHorror · Post by **DocHorror** » 2003-01-14 12:33pm

You mean like in Shadowrun?

It would make things interesting...

Suddenly my dream of harem of beautiful women would become a reality...

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2003-01-14 12:35pm

I would like to see this happen...

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2003-01-14 12:40pm

Mr Bean wrote:I would like to see this happen...

As would I, but unless you believe the prophecies about me, don't bet on it.

Xon · Post by **Xon** » 2003-01-14 12:45pm

Because of the worlds population, there will be millions or hundreds of millions of mages/wizards/whatever.

China never ever, attacks collage students again after taking massive loses when a student rally gets out of hand.

Christian Fundies collectively have a heart attack.

New age crap & psuedo-science gets a huge boost.

For the average Joe Blow, it just means more ways to get ripped off/conned/robbed/etc by.

Western society finds a way to make a bollar out of it.

Scientists spend a few decades figuring out how it works, then engineers mass produce the stuff.

Mostly magical items at novelty items, not cost-effective enough to mass produce.

Balrog · Post by **Balrog** » 2003-01-14 12:47pm

It would bring about the rise of the Nerds, and the downfall of the Jocks (the Airheaded Cheerleaders would be taken by the Nerds, though

)

Darth_Shinji · Post by **Darth_Shinji** » 2003-01-14 01:28pm

I can picture someone getting a degree in magic in a techinical college.

On a more serios note, I imagine alot of chaos as the gov tries to get the handle on it while lots of people are running around with magic powers.

And can anyone learn magic as long as he/she is well educated in D&D? If

Jason von Evil · Post by **Jason von Evil** » 2003-01-14 01:56pm

This is similar to a story idea I have, so I guess great minds do think alike.

The Dark · Post by **The Dark** » 2003-01-14 03:29pm

Read Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality, particularly On A Pale Horse. It seems fairly feasible, in that both magic and technology are used, often for similar purposes (airplanes and magic carpets, television and crystal balls).

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2003-01-14 03:33pm

It would pretty cool, and the amount of people you could scare off.

Though I see religons going apeshit over this and just going manacial...for the first few decades it would be pretty nasty given how religons in general would take it vs the reaction of said users of magic.

Post by **Lagmonster** » 2003-01-14 03:37pm

Religions wouldn't likely 'flip out' as many have suggested.

They live and breathe the divine miracles and so forth, so they'd probably be divided between those who try to establish that these 'phenomena' were divine in origin (since good Christians could use magic), and those who always believed in magic anyway and believe it's Satanic (see Jack Chick's D&D tract).

Darth_Shinji · Post by **Darth_Shinji** » 2003-01-14 04:30pm

Anyone has Monster Brigade 3000? Its part of a series of novels done by ACE which are compilation of different authors doing warfare with a different theme each book. Monsters did it on supernatrul monsters (zombies, vampires, ect) in warfare. One of the stories is a great vision of WW2 fought with magic along side science. Great stuff and alot like this question... though it dealt more along the lines of supernatural creatures and substances then spell magic, though it was there.

Post by **weemadando** » 2003-01-14 05:25pm

Everyone here has played Arcanum I'm guessing?

Thats what I'd like to see happen when magic returns...

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-01-14 05:39pm

There is no magic, only undiscovered laws of physics.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2003-01-14 05:48pm

It would depend on how quickly it infiltrates society. If its like X-Men mutants, I would expect a lot of similarities. Secretive cabals would probably form after 5 years or so, and conspiracy theorists might gain some merit from the coverups the government(s) will undoubtably be performing. Maybe after a few generations it will be more fully integrated into society. Hell, magic-users might even create something akin to the Jedi Order

... well, maybe not.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-01-14 06:52pm

I would immediatlyn begin trying to master it before everyone else. Becoming the stereotypical haughty arrogant, power-hungry mage. By killing other mages, and taking spellbooks, i ould quickly learn a vast repertoir of spells.

I would then use my magical might to take control of a piece of land, and controling it much like the Red Wizards of Thay do.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-01-14 07:02pm

Barring my personal involvment. go here and read my fanfic on the subject.

http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?t=7159

paladin · Post by **paladin** » 2003-01-14 07:52pm

kojikun wrote:There is no magic, only undiscovered laws of physics.

Agreed. Magic like from D&D has never existed in the world. "Advanced technology to a less developed society would be magic." I forget which Sci-fi author said that.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2003-01-14 07:53pm

paladin wrote:
kojikun wrote:There is no magic, only undiscovered laws of physics.
Agreed. Magic like from D&D has never existed in the world. "Advanced technology to a less developed society would be magic." I forget which Sci-fi author said that.

Clarke, in 3001.

Captain Cyran · Post by **Captain Cyran** » 2003-01-14 08:24pm

Does this mean I get to Hadoken things?

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2003-01-14 08:25pm

Yes...eventually

Necro99 · Post by **Necro99** » 2003-01-14 08:29pm

It would be similar to Shadowrun.
Ohh life is heaven.
Necromancy, Elfs, Death Magick For Adepts, CTHULHU DAWN!!!!!!!

Captain Cyran · Post by **Captain Cyran** » 2003-01-14 08:34pm

Ghost Rider wrote:Yes...eventually

WOOHOO!!! Can't wait for this day to happen...must...Hadoken something...

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-01-14 09:06pm

Quick find out you d20 ability scores! http://www.co.jyu.fi/~np/rpg/abilities.html

mine

str 11
dex 12
con 13
int 17
wis 12
char 12

Yes! A good mage I will make! Now to be considered an 18 int I must learn one more language! Draconic here I come!

Necro99 · Post by **Necro99** » 2003-01-14 09:10pm

THANKS A GAZILLION TIMES FOR THAT LINK!!!!