The Ethics of Spellcasting: Balancing Power and Responsibility

A downpour of spells can be an overwhelming and powerful experience. Picture a storm cloud filled with an array of colorful spells, ready to be unleashed upon the world. As the clouds release their enchantments, the air becomes heavy with magic and the ground trembles beneath the weight of their impact. It is a sight to behold, as each spell weaves its own unique energy into the fabric of reality. In this torrent of spells, there is a sense of chaos and unpredictability. The spells can be both beneficial and destructive, depending on their intentions.

“The game is loosely inspired by me tramping around forgotten farms and abandoned places in Mississippi,” explains Sears. “I found artefacts from the Civil War, through the Depression, and more modern weirdness. Like a tree with doll heads nailed all over it. Why was that there in the middle of nowhere? Someone went to a lot of trouble to cart all these doll heads out into the middle of the woods, and then nail them to this tree. That’s the kind of stuff that you can expect from our world in South of Midnight. It’s based on the real world – but sometimes I think the real world is actually weirder than we’d like to think.”

I think part of the trouble of having limited representation is that it can put a lot of pressure on any one character to represent every aspect of a culture. Effectively Hazel s power isn t to simply destroy the monsters that have appeared in the world, but to repair the tears in the world itself that have let them spill through.

The spells can be both beneficial and destructive, depending on their intentions. Some might bring forth healing and protection, while others might cause havoc and chaos. It is essential to be mindful of the spells that surround us and understand their potential consequences.

Magical Artifacts

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TempestM

Procrastinator

First when I heard that Artifacts were going to be more realistic I liked it, hoping there would be no nonsense like a regular sword (which every feudal lord should have in abundance without commissioning anything) giving you +prowess. Considering that high prowess means your knights can kill 50+ people in one battle, which some explained as "it's also their retinue, not one person", implications of this are even weirder.

Well lets say +prowess is just how devs view importance of a weapon vs actual skill, and magnified that for players to have something to play for. However, I've found some magical artifacts after all:

Okay, I can deal with "defender advantage" bonus." Defenders become more patriotic in protecting their homeland or faith and refuse to run bla bla. But this is too much. Why suddenly your horse archers become SO much better than any other? Plain +20% bonus damage and steppe advantage even as attacking. Stuff like tactics is not present, Horse Lords tradition which means that your culture practiced horse archery for generations gives weaker bonuses. Having some spear is making your army most superior

Apparently, the more famous you are, the better you are at managing the realm and talking to people? Then if you lose level of fame you suddenly forget how to talk

Personal favorite of mine: turns out your default sailors are always slacking. But when you show them that specific sword they will row much more faster! Are they afraid to be banished to Poseidon's realm or something?

And finally the most magical of them all, the one that made me want to talk about them: and actual divination and immortality elixir!
Just think about it. Can't die from any disease. Can't be killed in a plot. Reducing a possibility to die from almost anything other than random event almost to zero

After seeing this one I was really surprised I didn't find Mjolnir on the list after all. Maybe saved for another DLC or eventual Northern Lords update?

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TempestM

Procrastinator

Also let's not forget about Artifacts that affect money.
Okay, the ones that reduce army upkeep, this is easy - people think you are so cool, it's an honor to serve you, they will ask for less. Although I though that IRL vassals had to provides their armies to their suzerains and money were spent on maintenance needed to be in a fighting shape, not just a salary that you can ask less for, because you need it, but lets this modifier checks out with how armies are made in game.

But "Babr-e Bayan giving +20% holding taxes in Desert Mountain and Drylands". huh? How does that work? Does this mean peasants or your vassals start giving you something extra with each payment or this means that your tax collectors become more effective? (because steward job with taxes does this). Why does this only work in Dryland specifically, and with any culture. People living in Drylands like this armor very much even though they are not Persians? But Persians living in regular Mountains don't like it anymore?

Minus to build cost is probably something "architects want to serve and are prepared to give you better prices". But what is "+10% development growth"? All administrators across the land become more diligent and crunch to develop cities better?

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sandro chronicler

Major

Some of this can be explained by gameplay reasons (like certain artifacts working only in certain terrain)

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TempestM

Procrastinator

Some of this can be explained by gameplay reasons (like certain artifacts working only in certain terrain)

All of them can be explained in-gameplay. However some of them are very much magical compared to the rest in general

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TempestM

Procrastinator

Magical powercreep as a first DLC will really do no good for the game. Just with one sword inherited from your father you somehow become a better fighter than most renowned Knights you can recruit in the game

stratigo

Colonel

Also let's not forget about Artifacts that affect money.
Okay, the ones that reduce army upkeep, this is easy - people think you are so cool, it's an honor to serve you, they will ask for less. Although I though that IRL vassals had to provides their armies to their suzerains and money were spent on maintenance needed to be in a fighting shape, not just a salary that you can ask less for, because you need it, but lets this modifier checks out with how armies are made in game.

But "Babr-e Bayan giving +20% holding taxes in Desert Mountain and Drylands". huh? How does that work? Does this mean peasants or your vassals start giving you something extra with each payment or this means that your tax collectors become more effective? (because steward job with taxes does this). Why does this only work in Dryland specifically, and with any culture. People living in Drylands like this armor very much even though they are not Persians? But Persians living in regular Mountains don't like it anymore?

Minus to build cost is probably something "architects want to serve and are prepared to give you better prices". But what is "+10% development growth"? All administrators across the land become more diligent and crunch to develop cities better?

Even in the middle ages, kings regularly paid out a salary for military service.

But also, people more invested in the legitimacy of a king (for, say, holding an artifact they think is important) will pay more. Or, specifically, there will be less people dodging taxes, which is extremely easy to do in the middle ages, even outside of europe in more centralized states with a bit of bureaucracy. I mean it's pretty easy to dodge taxes today and we have infinitely more bureaucracy then even the most bureaucratic premodern states, much less back when you had to physically go to a location and demand money, or random goods in kind, from someone.

Even in the middle ages, kings regularly paid out a salary for military service.

The downpour of spells also brings an opportunity for growth and transformation. The sheer abundance of magic in the air allows for experimentation and exploration. It encourages practitioners to push the boundaries of their abilities and seek new ways to harness the power of spells. With every drop of the downpour, there is a chance to learn and evolve, to understand the intricacies of different spells and how they interact with each other. However, with great power comes great responsibility. The downpour of spells reminds us of the need for caution and respect in wielding magic. Each spell cast has an impact, and it is our duty to ensure that our intentions are pure and aligned with the greater good. We must be mindful of the consequences that our spells might have on ourselves and those around us. In conclusion, a downpour of spells is a captivating and transformative experience. It is a reminder of the boundless power of magic and the opportunities it brings for growth and change. However, it is vital to approach this torrent of spells with caution and responsibility, mindful of the impact our actions may have. Let us embrace the power of spells, appreciate their beauty, and use them wisely to create a better world..

Reviews for "Spells and Meditation: Combining Magic and Mindfulness for Inner Peace"

1. John - 2 stars - "A downpour of spells" was a letdown for me. The story was slow-paced and lacked direction. The characters felt one-dimensional and had no depth or development. The magic system was confusing and poorly explained, making it difficult to understand what was happening in the story. Overall, I found the book to be uninteresting and boring. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging fantasy read.

2. Sarah - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "A downpour of spells". The plot was predictable and unimaginative, leaving no room for surprises or twists. The writing style felt amateurish and lacked sophistication. The dialogues were clunky and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. The book failed to capture my interest from the beginning and I struggled to finish it. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy novel.

3. Alex - 2 stars - I found "A downpour of spells" to be a disjointed and confusing book. The author attempted to create a complex magical world but failed to fully explain its rules and limitations. As a result, much of the story felt random and arbitrary. The pacing was off, with slow and tedious sections followed by rushed and chaotic ones. The lack of character development made it difficult to care about anyone in the story. Overall, I didn't enjoy this book and would not recommend it to others.

4. Emily - 2 stars - "A downpour of spells" was a disappointment. The plot was unoriginal and cliché, following the typical tropes of the fantasy genre without adding anything new or exciting. The writing was mediocre at best, and the prose lacked any sort of elegance or depth. The characters were forgettable and lacked motivation, making it hard to feel invested in their journey. I expected more from this book and was left wanting. I wouldn't recommend it to fellow fantasy enthusiasts.

Spells and Spirituality: Exploring the Connection between Magic and Religion