Just wanna reply to Joe's message, most of which I agree with (I am not even
going into possibility #2, hehe.)

Joe K Revesz wrote:

> First of all, this is my personal opinion.  And, if it sounds like I am
> trying to completely debunk your idea, it is not intended.  Rather, I am
> trying to discuss this point by point.

Eh, debunk or not, you've pointed out problems with it, so it doesn't matter
what the intent was, but the end result-- you found bad ideas, and that is the
important thing.  (In case that's ambiguous, I am complimenting Joe, not
criticizing him, hehe.)

>
>
> David Cole writes:
>
> >OK, anyway, this may take a little time explaining.  Anyway, since, I
> >have had nothing better to do with my time, I came up with a rather
> >flexible character class.  I see 2 possibilities for it.
>
> Then, get a job ;-)
>

Noooo, I am too young!  I mean I have nothing better to do when I am not at
school, or playing on my computer, or babysitting, or-- OK, I'll just shut up
now.

>
> >The character is called a "RuneMaster," or something to that effect.
>
> WordRune Master, if anything.  Rune by itself denotes magic - one of the
> definitions in my dictionary anyway.
>

I concede you the point :-)

>
>
> >He
> >is a character who has memorized many WordRunes and understands very
> >well what they mean.  The requirements would probably be a large
>
> Which is what DR intends for every player anyway.
>

Well, it should be the focus of every Christian, but what I mean here is not
"I understand what they mean" but a truly God-given wisdom as to the reality
and truth of them.  Think of it as the gift of the Spirit that is wisdom.  I
mean, there's knowledge, discernment of spirits, tongues, healing,
interpretations of tongues, etc.  There is also wisdom as a gift of the
Spirit, and I am not talking about your "mundane," every-Christian-has-it
wisdom.  Healing has been given an extra class, the Renewer.  I don't find it
too far a jump to allow wisdom a separate class.  Wisdom would be a high
requirement for this class anyway.

>
> >number
> >of WordRunes memorized (50, maybe?) and a SS of 3 or so.
>
> >Anyway, possibility #1:  He gains double MU on either SS, character
> >strength (or both?) when reciting WordRunes.  Additionally, he may
>
> Why?  There are enough rewards in what you propose he can do with the
> WRs.  You note unselfishness below, then this class need not receive
> double MUs and rewards for unselfishness.

Another good point.  We can cut that; after all, it's just an idea :-)

>
> >transfer the effects of a WordRune to another person in the party.
> >For
> >instance, if he used the "Purge Evil" WordRune, he could let another
> >in
> >his party do extra damage instead of himself (he still gains the MUs
> >though.)  I see an up side and a (rather large) down side to this.
> >In
> >keeping with tradition, I'll give the bad side.  The other PCs do not
> >have to worry about WordRune memorization.  To counter this, I wold
> >probably allow the frequency of this based on SS level  (i.e. at SS 5
> >the character may do it 5 times per week, or maybe even rate SS on
>
> As you note, this can make the other players rely on this class too much.
>  I think that players should have to recite their own WRs if they want
> the benefits from them.
>
> >the
> >1-5 chart so he can only do it 3 times per week.  Since WordRunes are
> >used much more frequently than this it probably wouldn't be too great
>
> A good limitation on something that could cause problems.

Thanks.

>
>
> >a
> >problem.)  The up side is that it gives a good chance to reward
> >players
> >for unselfishness, and to teach that in the right hands, the Word of
> >the
> >Lord can give everyone hope, not just those who know it by heart.
>
> But everyone is to memorize Scripture anyway.  Saying some words over a
> person is not the same as them internalizing the Scripture and living it.
>  Reciting WRs for someone else is too much like magic.
>

But I (and I am sure everyone else on the list does too) feel that WordRunes
should be given respect and have feeling put into them, which shows an
understanding.  I guess first off I don't even like the idea of "reciting"
WordRunes, because to me it sounds too much "I memorized it and now I will say
it."  I think (look, even I don't know what I am talking about :-p) what I am
trying to say is that, for example, if you go to a church service and are
afraid of something, say a burglar just broke into your house and you fear he
will come back, it's not like you have to memorize and say Psalm 27:1 yourself
to gain its benefits (which is what WordRunes are all about.)  You might have
a bud at the church service who offers you advice and that Scripture, and it
will reassure you.  I never tried to imply that the WordRune Master should be
the only one to memorize WordRunes, but if someone needs that extra bit of
help, he gives it to him.  It's actually more realistic that way than
otherwise, I think.  A party of LightRaiders is walking down a road, and they
meet a man who is lying in pain.  One of the LRs is a doctor (I know it won't
actually happen in DR, but it is a hybrid real-life/DragonRaid example.)
Unfortunately, he is also a bit less caring about anyone but his friends.  He
also hasn't taken time to memorize any but the most basic "Miraculous"
WordRunes.  He doesn't want to help the man until someone in his party says
John 15:12.  This makes him REALIZE that the man really needs help, and all in
need should be helped.  So the doctor helps the man.  I think I created this
class out of recognizing the fact that for some reason, in DragonRaid,
WordRunes cannot be used to help counsel others, except where sin enchantments
that have already taken place are involved.  Intercession BEFORE the player
makes a bad move is more valuable.  Perhaps before the effects take place, the
player must give a short summary of what it means (i.e., in our doctor
example, he says, "The WordRune means that we should be willing to die for
others just as Christ did.")  Would that make it more viable in your mind,
Joe?  Just a suggestion for alleviating your fears.  Thanks a lot for your
time, everyone who read this.

David Cole
P.S.  Paul Turner, I'd just like you to know that Kevin and Cheryl Thomas are
my Youth Pastors.  AHHH!!  Run away, I've already been infected!