Sorcery Question

[tcabril]

I am not sure if this has been covered before but I thought I'd throw it out there....

My understanding of Sorcery in Amber is that it works everywhere - in any shadow - that is if a character paid the pts for Sorcery then they can cast a memorized spell (or hung spell) anywhere they are - Amber, Chaos or any Shadow.  That is why Sorcery spells are so difficult to cast and use.

This is as opposed to a character like Eliminster (from Forgotten Realms) or Gandalf - both of which can cast lots of spells but only in the particular Shadow they exist in (Faerun or Middle Earth) - take they out of those Shadows and they have no mojo (probably better to say that they need to be taken to a non-magical Shadow).

Also a character with Pattern could easily nullify their powers even in their respective Shadows.

Do I have this right?

[Jason D]

I am not sure if this has been covered before but I thought I'd throw it out there....

My understanding of Sorcery in Amber is that it works everywhere - in any shadow - that is if a character paid the pts for Sorcery then they can cast a memorized spell (or hung spell) anywhere they are - Amber, Chaos or any Shadow.  That is why Sorcery spells are so difficult to cast and use.

This is as opposed to a character like Eliminster (from Forgotten Realms) or Gandalf - both of which can cast lots of spells but only in the particular Shadow they exist in (Faerun or Middle Earth) - take they out of those Shadows and they have no mojo (probably better to say that they need to be taken to a non-magical Shadow).

Also a character with Pattern could easily nullify their powers even in their respective Shadows.

Do I have this right?

Yes, and no.

Yes, the Pattern or Logrus could nullify their powers, so long as those powers are present/powerful. However, remember that when you create a Shadow, there's that worksheet which lets you define a Shadow as Resistant or Malleable to Pattern and Logrus, as well as determining whether magic is easy or more difficult. A Shadow where one of the Great Powers was weak and magic is strong might make it difficult.

No, because for the most part, magic is a case of nearly-instantaneous effects like Power Words and spells using minor linchpins, whereas bringing the Pattern or Logrus to mind is more time-consuming. However, once they are in mind, they should be pretty capable against most magic effects.

All of that aside, I tend to look at spell's effects versus the modes the Pattern or Logrus are being used to defend with. A shield is great against arrows and swords, but not always so useful against napalm or hand grenades.

[Headless]

Aren't contests supposed to be decided by: rank in appropriate attribute, then major power, then minor power (ie sorcery), then power words, allies, artifacts etc.

So in a sword fight, an un ranked in war fair wizard couldn't hit the first ranked in war fair swords man before he closed and decapitated him.  Even if he was first ranked in psyche.  (Have to make eye contact or something to get a lock)

Or the first in strength could just take it and keep coming.  

Just asking.  Other wise sorcery seems a cheep short cut.