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Title: Authentic Thaumaturgy by Isaac Bonewits ISBN: 1-55634-360-4 Publisher: Steve Jackson Games Pub. Date: November, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $20.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (8 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A valuable addition to any gamer's library
Comment: If you've ever wondered about the theory behind the magic systems used in your favorite RPG, this gem will surely enlighten you. Bonewits talks about the origins of the magic systems used in various games, shows how they are different from "real world" magic theories, and presents alternative approaches that will make your favorite game even more exciting. While he's obviously not a gamer himself, he gives those of us who are plenty of tools to modify our current games or create new ones. This requires work and imagination, but anything worthwhile does.
Rating: 4
Summary: Every magician needs a copy - For gamers, it's a resource,
Comment: If written today, this would be a simulation program - and it desperately needs one, ideally written to run on a Palm.
As a workable simulation system for role-playing, it just sucks; it's far too complex. It's far more accurate than any comparable system, but if you play it, all you will be playing IS magic.
As a workable simulation system to explain the process of magic in non-mystical terms, it is truly unique, and near as I can tell, accurate within the bounds of experimental error.
So as a means of developing a workable "spell list" for a campaign or a character, to then be expressed in other terms - magnificent. Likewise, it's great for designing effective rituals. (Um. This might be a "danger, will robinson, danger" moment for gamers - as it IS great for designing effective rituals.)
Authentic Thaumaturgy begs to be revisited and turned into a true gaming engine. It also begs to be revisited and turned into a resource aimed at truly pragmatic real-world spell design.
But until that's done, it's a great resource book, and the ideas it contains aren't easily found in any other single place.
BTW, I considered Bonewitz's uncensored opinions about nearly everyone under the sun to be hilarious, even when they annoyed me.
Isaac; "A spell is a THING, not a process!"
Don't confuse the spell with the ritual that produces it.
RITUALISTS! [snort]
Rating: 1
Summary: Skip it
Comment: The idea behind this book is interesting, to make a generic magic system based on real world magical beliefs. Boneswits failed miserably.
Bonewits spends most of his pages explaining how anyone who doesn't agree with him is either a fool or a liar. When he does get to game rules, they are too complex. Literally dozens of stats must be calculated, many of them vary from spell to spell and casting to casting. Furthermore, these stats are indexed and crossed referenced poorly or not at all.
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Title: Real Magic: An Introductory Treatise on the Basic Principles of Yellow Magic by Isaac Bonewits ISBN: 0877286884 Publisher: Weiser Books Pub. Date: 01 February, 1989 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: Witchcraft: A Concise Guide by Isaac Bonewits ISBN: 1594055009 Publisher: New Age World Publishing Pub. Date: January, 2003 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Rites of Worship: A Neopagan Approach by Isaac Bonewits ISBN: 1594055017 Publisher: Dubsar House Publishing Pub. Date: July, 2003 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Psybermagick: Advanced Ideas in Chaos Magic by Peter J. Carroll ISBN: 1561840920 Publisher: New Falcon Publications Pub. Date: 01 November, 1996 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Liber Kaos by Peter J. Carroll ISBN: 0877287422 Publisher: Weiser Books Pub. Date: 01 May, 1992 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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