Another Word for Magicka? Spells? Into a Modern Setting RPG

[WorldFree55]

People know that in a fantasy setting RPG, to use "magic" is called "Magicka", or "spells". From the Mass Effect series in a futuristic setting, you use "biotics". But is there another way in a RPG that takes place in a modern setting where instead of calling it "magicka" or "spells", or "biotics", you call it something else?

What is that something else if there is another way of saying it?

 

[Annoying Turd]

Mojo.

or Ego.

How would it be applied in a 'Modern' Setting? You mean like urban fantasy?

Someone could design a stoner RPG where a bunch of frat boys and girls smoke and start a trippy adventure using things like Mojo and/or Ego as a gaming mechanic.

 

[A Weakgeek]

Psyker ala WH 40K

 

[DEAD34345]

The Force is an obvious one...

Other than that I would say "feats", "skills", "abilities" etc are all usually magic substitutes, and allow you to have magical effects in a non-magical universe.

 

[TheIronRuler]

People know that in a fantasy setting RPG, to use "magic" is called "Magicka", or "spells". From the Mass Effect series in a futuristic setting, you use "biotics". But is there another way in a RPG that takes place in a modern setting where instead of calling it "magicka" or "spells", or "biotics", you call it something else?

What is that something else if there is another way of saying it?

Best thing to do is to derive the name from the culture of that group.
They worship a deity called Drunmer?
Call the power Drunmer Worshippers. In time it becomes Drewo. Here, you have a name.

 

[II2]

Well, modern urban occultists and pagans just go with "magick" with the k on the end. There's your answer.

That's what people who believe in it spiritually go by, so if you're doing an urban fantasy game with tangible results on said belief... bingo.

Also: Sigils, Karma, Rites, Will, Reagents, Ritual, etc.

Alternatively, you could do the psychic thing.

See: Psionics, Mediums, Telekinesis / Psychokinesis, Will, Concentration, Premonition, Pyrokinesis, Mind Reading, etc.

Suggest reading Grant Morrison's
"The Invisibles"
Shadowrun RPG accessory books
WoTC d20 Modern accessory books (out of print)

 

[WorldFree55]

Mojo.

or Ego.

How would it be applied in a 'Modern' Setting? You mean like urban fantasy?

Someone could design a stoner RPG where a bunch of frat boys and girls smoke and start a trippy adventure.

Exactly, like an Urban Fantasy. Except without the smoking weed and trippy adventure part

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

Probably mentioned a hundred times by now, but Earthbound was a modern RPG, and called it "PSI". As in "psychic powers".

 

[Jimmy T. Malice]

Magic in a modern setting? Call it 'SCIENCE' and be done with this discussion.

 

[GamingAwesome1]

I personally quite like the psychic powers thing.

Manages to fit with the setting nicely.

Worked well in the Earthbound games and didn't seem out of place.

Magic in a non-magic setting really isn't hard.

Will or Soul or something like that generally works as an "all-scenario" magic substitute.

 

[Sanctus Hospes]

The Force.

 

[Evangelium]

i would use the word adept like in unkwnon armies

 

[l3o2828]

I call it 'Reality Bending' or 'Reality Warping'

 

[Zakarath]

Localized physics disruption

 

[Armanox15]

SHAZAMING!

 

[TsunamiWombat]

*inhale*

Aether, Etherium, Abstracts, Cataract, Aquarian Forces, Dewa, Qui, Kai, Qi, Chi

 

[EightGaugeHippo]

Talents?

Abilities?

Physics Manipulation?

 

[WorldFree55]

Localized physics disruption

Too long haha. XD But interesting never the less.

 

[RThaiRThai]

JNA17, is there a specific reason you're asking? Thinking of a game idea? What exactly is the context for these spells?

I know *I* don't have any spells. Where did these urban characters get their powers?

As a programmer, I'm going to imagine that technology permeated the real world so much that programs are capable of influencing it in ways that resemble magic, as suggest programming related terms.

Programs is an obvious name.
Functions.
Methods.
Subroutines seems to have become popular in media somehow, but nobody actually uses subroutines anymore. Well, they do, but not in the popular programming languages.
Scripts.
Commands.
Classes.
Instances.
Modules are still kind of around.

 

[Nudu]

Miracles.