Theme for Channeling?

[Haru]

Of course, fate points make-a da world go round. But it's an addition to the original power, not an inherent property of it.

Hmm, Deadmanwalking might be onto something. I'd kind of included all the properties of water and such automatically. If you take those out and really treat it as a storm element, it should work.

Good to have you on the board again, Deadmanwalking

[Deadmanwalking]

Of course, fate points make-a da world go round. But it's an addition to the original power, not an inherent property of it.

Hmm, Deadmanwalking might be onto something. I'd kind of included all the properties of water and such automatically. If you take those out and really treat it as a storm element, it should work.

That's what I think, anyway. 

There's even that little box on p. 253 talking about alternate elemental systems to back up the idea as viable (though if you ever progress beyond Channeling you'll need to work out what the full array is in your system...or switch out for the typical system and grab Air, Water, and maybe Spirit).

Good to have you on the board again, Deadmanwalking

Thanks. It's good to be back. 

[JDK002]

I don't personally see any issue with taking a "storm" theme for channeling.  Treat it as having water and air evocation but limited to what storms are capable of.  Storms aren't subtle or quiet.  They are wild and raw forces of nature.  You aren't going to be doing anything subtle or sneaky with storm magic.  I think that is a fair trade off personally.

[Deadmanwalking]

I don't personally see any issue with taking a "storm" theme for channeling.  Treat it as having water and air evocation but limited to what storms are capable of.  Storms aren't subtle or quiet.  They are wild and raw forces of nature.  You aren't going to be doing anything subtle or sneaky with storm magic.  I think that is a fair trade off personally.

That's not a theme, it's an alternate element. There's a distinct difference between the two. "Seelie Magic" is a theme, not an Element. It's a manner of using potentially all the Elements (with fire most common and likely, but still). Storm is not a manner of using other elements, it is not a theme. It is an Element in it's own right with the appropriate thematic scope that implies...just not one of the traditional five. Which is fine, you're allowed others.

This is an important distinction because, sans Sponsor, you can't get thematic Channeling (nor should be able to, probably) but can get alternate Elements. And because of how it interacts with buying up to full Evocation.

[JDK002]

That's not a theme, it's an alternate element. There's a distinct difference between the two. "Seelie Magic" is a theme, not an Element. It's a manner of using potentially all the Elements (with fire most common and likely, but still). Storm is not a manner of using other elements, it is not a theme. It is an Element in it's own right with the appropriate thematic scope that implies...just not one of the traditional five. Which is fine, you're allowed others.

This is an important distinction because, sans Sponsor, you can't get thematic Channeling (nor should be able to, probably) but can get alternate Elements. And because of how it interacts with buying up to full Evocation.

while I do agree that "storm" mechanically fits better with sponsored magic.  I would argue that a necromancer, chloromancer, ectomancer, biomancer, ect. don't fall cleanly into the "single element" classification, but are clearly under the Channeling power.

Maybe taking a "self-sponsored" mechanic with a storm theme would be the way to go.

[Deadmanwalking]

while I do agree that "storm" mechanically fits better with sponsored magic.  I would argue that a necromancer, chloromancer, ectomancer, biomancer, ect. don't fall cleanly into the "single element" classification, but are clearly under the Channeling power.

Maybe taking a "self-sponsored" mechanic with a storm theme would be the way to go.

No, those are all examples of Ritual (which, as a sub-variety of Thaumaturgy, is allowed a theme), not Channeling. If they have Channeling, it uses an element as normal. Ectomancers or focused necromancers usually have Channeling (Spirit) if they have Channeling at all, for example.

But there's no need to get wonky. Storm works fine as an Element.

[Taran]

Things I wanted to do:

-Zone-wide maneuver:  "heavy fog"
-Use fog as a Veil and/or as a block against attacks
-spit lightning (attack evocation)
-spout bursts of wind to knock people down (targeted maneuver)
-cause slippery surfaces by making things wet "scene/zone" aspect
-Create sonic booms to possibly "stun" or "deafen" people (maneuvers) using the lightning
-depending on the ambient temperature, I would be able to make icy or slippery surfaces/snow etc...

WIth ritual/sponsored magic (which I plan to eventually take)
- create actual storms
-change ambient temperatures
-rain, snow etc...

[Deadmanwalking]

That first list all looks fine for 'Storm' as an Element.

The second all looks fine with something like 'Weather Control' as a ritual.

[nick012000]

That's not a theme, it's an alternate element. There's a distinct difference between the two. "Seelie Magic" is a theme, not an Element.

Actually, it's both. Actually read the entry; it says that it can be used as an element for Evocation. This shouldn't be terribly surprising, given that the book says that taking Sponsored Magic is equivalent to taking both of the appropriate the Channeling and Ritual powers.

[Deadmanwalking]

Actually, it's both. Actually read the entry; it says that it can be used as an element for Evocation. This shouldn't be terribly surprising, given that the book says that taking Sponsored Magic is equivalent to taking both of the appropriate the Channeling and Ritual powers.

Sorta. It's used as an element...but is really more of a thematic statement of available effects. It definitely gives you Channeling...but it's channeling based on a theme, based on kinds of effects not what element you use to grant those effects. This kind of thematic channeling is, per the rules, only available to Sponsored Magic. Normal magic has to be an element (a means of achieving effects) not a theme (a set of types of effect)...which is a big difference in how the two operate, much like the difference between functional/thematic specialties in Thaumaturgy only if the thematic ones were only available via Sponsored Magic.

So, yes, you can Channel with it. It is used as an Element. But that doesn't make it precisely the same thing.

Now, luckily, Storms/Weather is a perfectly valid element, so the OP doesn't need to worry about any of this, but it's still a valid and important distinction to draw.