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The Future of Magic (Patreon)

Published:
2023-03-16 20:00:04
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

This week's early video: a look at the future of magic in Oerth.

https://youtu.be/4KWcE6mhtS0

Files

Previews only

The Future of Magic in Greyhawk

I discuss the evidence for the eventual fading of magic from Oerth, and some contradictory evidence. 0:00 What's today's video about? 0:30 Pluffet Smedger's Glossography 3:10 The Magic Fades Away 5:33 Greyhawk 2000 6:45 Gunpowder? 9:48 Thanks Want more Greyhawk and OSR content? Check out the links below. Free downloads on the blog! Blog: http://www.greyhawkgrognard.com Store: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/3728/BRW-Games Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Greyhawk_Grognard Find me on the Tavern video network: https://tenkarstavern.substack.com #Greyhawk #D&D #OSR #DnD

Comments

Anonymous

I personally hate the idea that the future of Oerth is pre-destined somehow. I hated it when Carl Sargent said in Ivid The Undying that there would be a "final battle" between good and evil, I hated it when it implied that magic would eventually fade, and I particularly hate the idea of a post-industrial Greyhawk with xenophobic halflings and eco-terrorist elves. According to the Greyhawk Wiki, the "dimensional accelerator rifles" involve portal and time travel technology that both seem pretty high level by 576 CY standards, and would contradict the whole "fading magic" motif. Plus, they're way too high-level for my liking in the first place. That would go so completely and utterly against what I want to do with my Greyhawk that it's completely, totally and utterly out of the question for my Oerth. It. Will. Never. Happen.

Anonymous

Thanks for the video! I was actually just thinking about this yesterday. With regard to the fading of magic, many assume that it is fading away. However, I prefer to view it as a cyclical waxing and waning. Moldvay notes that "a spell is a formula for collecting and using magical energies" (B15). In my games, the magical energies required to cast spells in Greyhawk fluctuate, sometimes increasing to astonishing levels while at other times dwindling to a feeble trickle. The fluctuation in magical energy levels affects the number of individuals who possess an innate ability to harness and manipulate magical forces. When magical energy wanes, this is also tends to be followed by cultural and social changes that discourage the development of such talents. During the year -422 CY, the Twin Cataclysms marked the last peak of magical power. From that time onward, the magical energies began to dwindle until the lowest point of magical potency, evidenced by Smedger, occurred sometime around the year 1000 CY. However, from that point onward, magic would gradually begin to regain its strength, gradually increasing in potency until it reached its zenith in the next "high," anticipated to occur around the year 2500 CY. No correlation between these cycles and natural phenomena have yet been noticed. LGG (p. 167) notes that Boccob, "sees that Oerth's magic is declining and will eventually fade away; he combats this effect and suspects that Tharizdun is responsible." I extrapolate upon that answer. The cycle of decrease in magical power is the handiwork of Tharizdun, while the corresponding cycle of increase in magical energy is due to the intervention of Boccob. I take a different route on Greyhawk's future than Dragon 277. Instead, I propose that in a world like Greyhawk, technological development remains stagnant. My reasoning is that the collapse of civilizations and empires results in a regression of technological advancement. When a civilization falls, crucial aspects such as infrastructure, knowledge, and resources that support technological development may be lost or destroyed. Consequently, the remaining population might be compelled to revert to more primitive technologies, reminiscent of the Dark Ages or Iron Age. Within Greyhawk's recent history, there have been several destructive wars. Realms like the Great Kingdom, Almor, Geoff, and the Sea Princes all collapse after the Greyhawk Wars. This recurring pattern of societal decline and resurgence leads to a situation where technology is continuously lost, rediscovered, or never fully developed, maintaining the world in a state of technological stagnation.

Timotheos

Everything written after 1985 has been extremely terrible fanfiction.