Questions about Spellcasting and Changelings

[Tempestaire]

Hello, I'm now trying to build a character (some kind of changeling mystic, with a more oriental flavor rather than using the usual british/celtic inspiration)  and I have some questions I'd like to have a few clarifications on a few points, before deciding what kind of powers I'd like her (or him, I'm still not sure) to have.

I was wondering if a changeling could use Evocation or Channeling and Thamaturgy or Rituals, or if they had to take Seelie/Unseelie Magic? Can changelings naturally acquire the use of Seelie/Unseelie Magic, or does it have to be granted by one of the Queens?

Also, does a Channeling/Rituals dedicated to the spirit element allow for both telekinetic (blunt) and psychic (subtle) effects or just one of the two?

I know that regarding the Accords, Changelings depend from the Court of their Faerie parent, but what if they can learn mortal magic? Do they suffer from breaking the Laws of Magic? Are they considered mortals for the purpose of summoning demons and Outsiders?

Finally, I'd like to know if Glamour is only about illusions or also about other kinds of effects; the write-up for Jenny Greenteeth seems to suggest there is some sort of overlap or redundancy with Incite Emotions, as does Harry's accusations the first time he met her at Maeve's place. Is it a mistake, or perhaps just that all Fae magic is refered to as glamour in the fluff?

[PirateJack]

I was wondering if a changeling could use Evocation or Channeling and Thamaturgy or Rituals, or if they had to take Seelie/Unseelie Magic? Can changelings naturally acquire the use of Seelie/Unseelie Magic, or does it have to be granted by one of the Queens?

If you want your Changeling to have regular magic rather than Sponsored Magic then you're perfectly able to. The major difference between the two is the lack of specialisations in Sponsored Magic in favour of Sponsor Debt, to model the way that type of magic comes with strings attached.

Also, does a Channeling/Rituals dedicated to the spirit element allow for both telekinetic (blunt) and psychic (subtle) effects or just one of the two?

If you have Channelling/Ritual (Spirit) you can do anything that falls under that category. So yes, you can be just as proficient in telekinesis and psychomancy with that power. If you want to limit your character so that you're only able to perform telekinesis you could take Channelling (Telekinesis) or the Telekinesis custom power on the dfrpg wiki.

I know that regarding the Accords, Changelings depend from the Court of their Faerie parent, but what if they can learn mortal magic? Do they suffer from breaking the Laws of Magic? Are they considered mortals for the purpose of summoning demons and Outsiders?

That is a grey area that has been argued over a dozen times on this forum with no clear answer either way. The common consensus is basically to go with the rule of the table. Talk it over with your GM/friends and decide before game start whether your Changeling can break the Laws or not. Note that that doesn't mean you'll necessarily lose your head to the Wardens; if you're connected to a powerful faerie or spirit of the Nevernever you can have effective diplomatic immunity, up to a point.

Finally, I'd like to know if Glamour is only about illusions or also about other kinds of effects; the write-up for Jenny Greenteeth seems to suggest there is some sort of overlap or redundancy with Incite Emotions, as does Harry's accusations the first time he met her at Maeve's place. Is it a mistake, or perhaps just that all Fae magic is refered to as glamour in the fluff?

Lore-wise, all Faerie magic can be referred to as glamour. Mechanics wise the power is basically illusions and veils all wrapped up into a nice, neat package. Greater Glamours can mimic conjuration, though.

[Tempestaire]

Thanks for the answers, they were very helpul. 

[Tempestaire]

I was wondering: is it possible to take Channeling/Rituals (Seelie/Unseelie)? Basically, half of the Seelie/Unseelie Magic power?

[Haru]

Sure. Not per RAW, but as long as it's ok with the rest of your group there's nothing speaking against it. I would allow it, if it fits the character. Though there might be other ways to model this, depending on what parts of the magic the character is supposed to have. Breath Weapon (Summer Fire), Glamor, things like that.

[dragoonbuster]

Sure. Not per RAW, but as long as it's ok with the rest of your group there's nothing speaking against it. I would allow it, if it fits the character. Though there might be other ways to model this, depending on what parts of the magic the character is supposed to have. Breath Weapon (Summer Fire), Glamor, things like that.

This is what I'd say as well.

An issue that comes up is that Seelie/Unseelie magic (a) provides evothaum and (b) provides an extra benefit of reducing the toughness of the opposite court by 1 level. If I had a player splitting the power up into Ritual and Channeling, I don't think I'd grant either of those extra options. I might give the evothaum to a PC taking Channeling: Seelie/Unseelie. Regardless of your opinion on that--those two things should be discussed between player and GM and decided on.

[Haru]

I wouldn't give evothaum on any of the split powers, that's why you split them. The magic acting as a sort of catch would be ok to me though.

[Tempestaire]

Sure. Not per RAW, but as long as it's ok with the rest of your group there's nothing speaking against it. I would allow it, if it fits the character. Though there might be other ways to model this, depending on what parts of the magic the character is supposed to have. Breath Weapon (Summer Fire), Glamor, things like that.

The decay and slumber aspects of Unseelie Magic and the growth and renewal aspects of Seelie Magic are tough to model with other power, though.

[Haru]

The decay and slumber aspects of Unseelie Magic and the growth and renewal aspects of Seelie Magic are tough to model with other power, though.

Not necessarily. Doing this with other powers would only make sense if you only want to highlight certain aspects of the magic and not all of it. So if you want to only use Summer Fire, Breath Weapon should do the trick. Of course you can't do anything else, but maybe your sponsor just didn't give you access to more. If you want the full range of possible effects, just take channeling/ritual as you suggested.