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View Full Version : For those who like both Philosophy and RPGs - a class exercise

Firseal
10-23-2009, 05:00 AM
Alrighty. I know you folks are out there. I know you appreciate these sorts of things.

For those that know me, I have always been interested in the concept of 'classes' as an RPG mechanic. Its just one of those niggling things that appeals to me. I also appreciate pendantry, philosophy, and insight - why I occasionally fit in around here.

This comic/ (http://dresdencodak.com/2009/01/27/advanced-dungeons-and-discourse) has long since stuck in my mind, and made me wonder about, if it was actually part of a AD&D game, what other classes would be present? I mean, we have a Probability Mage, a Knight of Resignation, an Ultimate Evil Literalist, and a Classical Dreamwalker. What else could fit?

And, as always, this is a thought exercise. Actual citing of philosophy, game mechanism and explanations for use are expected, and bonus points for actually making sense and using the material in interesting and/or intelligent ways. Now, go forth!

(Now if only we can get all the Progessive Entrophists around here playing...)

Edit: (Fixed the link)
GonzoTheGreat
10-23-2009, 05:11 AM
You messed up the URL for that website.

I think that I might fit into your list as a Fundamentalist Atheist, since most D&D games seem to assume the existence of supernatural entities. Having a player who is totally unaffected by, and unable to use, anything supernatural could be quite interesting. Or annoying, depending on your viewpoint.
Sarevok
10-23-2009, 05:30 AM
You messed up the URL for that website.

I think that I might fit into your list as a Fundamentalist Atheist, since most D&D games seem to assume the existence of supernatural entities. Having a player who is totally unaffected by, and unable to use, anything supernatural could be quite interesting. Or annoying, depending on your viewpoint.You should note there, that in most RPGs there is usually both divine and arcane magic.
I'm guessing you'd only be immune to the divine kind?
yks 6nnetu hing
10-23-2009, 05:39 AM
You should note there, that in most RPGs there is usually both divine and arcane magic.
I'm guessing you'd only be immune to the divine kind?
a la the old joke:

Sartre: "God is dead"
God: "Sartre is dead"

Seriously though, if divine magic were, say, "white" then the opposite of that would be "black". 'course, there'd me modifiers for which god the divine magic refers to (for the Judaeo-Christian god, you'd have a bluish tint, for the Buddhist variety a yellow one etc etc) Also makes sense because white is composed of all colours and therefore is not a colour, whereas black is the lack of all colour. Hence finding a caster of pure white would probably be impossible becasue it would be too close to black.

Religion according to the laws of physics - how awesome is that?
Firseal
10-23-2009, 05:40 AM
You should note there, that in most RPGs there is usually both divine and arcane magic.
I'm guessing you'd only be immune to the divine kind?

And actually, in that comic example there wasn't any divine magic (there was an earlier one with an Evangelical) so Fundamentalist Atheist might not be as effective as one would presuppose. More, a fantasy world based on philosophy would probably handle theology very differently. Monolateralist Burkists hunting Nietzechian Dedicants across plains of saturated belief, true Militant Agnostics ("I don't know, and you don't either) facing the brunt of the Armies of Predestination (We Have Already Won) at the walls of Free Will, and so on.
GonzoTheGreat
10-23-2009, 07:46 AM
You should note there, that in most RPGs there is usually both divine and arcane magic.
I'm guessing you'd only be immune to the divine kind?Of course I would be immune to all magic. That's what being a true fundamentalist means: not accepting any of the superstitions that others foolishly cling to.

Of course, it could be a bit annoying when all Healing potions turn out not to work on me.
yks 6nnetu hing
10-23-2009, 07:49 AM
true Militant Agnostics ("I don't know, and you don't either)
me! me! me!
GonzoTheGreat
10-23-2009, 08:01 AM
me! me! me!Me too, I think, though I'm not really sure. Which is why I went with Fundamentalistic Atheist; that saves me from a lot of uncertainty.
yks 6nnetu hing
10-23-2009, 08:05 AM
ah.. then I suppose all divine magic would slither off of you, 'cause you'd counter with Supreme Logic.

edit: as opposed to Blind Faith
Crispin's Crispian
10-23-2009, 08:23 AM
Of course I would be immune to all magic. That's what being a true fundamentalist means: not accepting any of the superstitions that others foolishly cling to.

Of course, it could be a bit annoying when all Healing potions turn out not to work on me.
Please allow the Hegelian Synethesist to interject.

True fundamentalism is untenable, and the Universalist Apologant has no moral backbone. There must be something that can bring them together to find the truth.
Sei'taer
10-23-2009, 08:27 AM
Please allow the Hegelian Synethesist to interject.

True fundamentalism is untenable, and the Universalist Apologant has no moral backbone. There must be something that can bring them together to find the truth.

The strict moderate?
Zanguini
10-23-2009, 08:28 AM
Sophisticated Redneck Taer
Gilshalos Sedai
10-23-2009, 09:14 AM
The Theory of Everything?
Ivhon
10-23-2009, 09:42 AM
The Maieutic Mystic
Crispin's Crispian
10-23-2009, 09:50 AM
The Theory of Everything?
The Hegelian Synthesist is the highest achievable level for a Dialectic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic)Alchemist.
Gilshalos Sedai
10-23-2009, 09:52 AM
The Hegelian Synthesist is the highest achievable level for a Dialectic Alchemist.

So, I use that every time I communicate with Sinistrum. :) I should be a master at it by now.
Firseal
10-23-2009, 03:38 PM
Define, define! How do these classes work!
Ivhon
10-23-2009, 04:09 PM
Define, define! How do these classes work!

The Maieutic Mystic is a Priest-Mage class that uses arcane magics to define and manipulate what is. (S)he knows that every new definition of what is is also a definition of what cannot be used to bind and describe the ineffible NO-thing, thus deepening and affirming the Mystery of the divine and bringing him/her closer to Communion.

Practical (working from old and rusty RPG concepts): Has access to Alteration, Conjuration and Divination schools of magic. Upon depletion of his/her arcane energies, the Maiutic Mystic goes into a communing trance with the diety and gains limited access to divine spheres.

Roleplay: Delights in discovery and definition of the physical world as it further reflects the grandeur of the spiritual which is all/not/part/apart of/from it. Example: Einstein. Corrupted form: Intelligent Designers