Re: [DL] Questions on Deadlands Metaphysic (Goff) (spoilers)

["John Goff" <JohnGoff@deadlands.com>]

> I have a few questions on Deadlands/HoE
>
> first, welcome back
>
> second, unrelated to the other two: Epitaph #3 is supposed to have "New
> Spells"  are these Black Magic, Voodoo, or Witch?
>

Voodoo. I don't want to go too heavy on Marshal-only material (especially in
the 64-page incarnation), and Black Magic definitely fits that category. We
want to do a good deal on the Witches--maybe not a full source book, but
definitely more than the paltry space I currently have available. Look for a
lengthy bit (probably the size of the new AB sections in Hexarcana) next
year--maybe the Halloween issue...

> I have noted that in Deadlands, two trends for powers exist:
>

Fair enough.

> Column A "Dark"  Hucksters, Mad Scientists, Black Magicians, Harrowed,
> Abominations (in HoE Witches) ect.
>
> Column B "Spiritual" Blessed, Shamans, Voodooists, Anhuaks,  (in HoE
> Doomsayers, Templars, Junkers) ect.
>
> since those heady days, a new column C has formed, of Miscellaneous:
> Sykers, Martial Artists, Knacks.
>
> The question is, how do I classify them...here is why I ask:
>

Good split, but here's how I've always seen them:

Column A: "Friendly" or "good" powers grant the spells/favors/miracles in
exchange for appeasement/
behavior/sacrifice/etc. The good contact on the other side largely protects
the practitioner from the worst of the effects and strengthens the potency
of the magic. This encompasses Blessed, Shamans (including Anhuacs),
Voodooists, Templars, and Doomsayers.

Column B: Gain powers either by consorting with the dark forces (peaceably,
forcibly, or unconsciously) or directly contacting the Hunting Grounds
themselves. This makes the character more susceptible to negative effects
and makes the magic produced slightly less perfect (IOW, more easily
dispelled). In this group you get Hucksters, Mads (including Junkers),
Martial Artists, Black Magicians, Witches, and Sykers.

Now, unfortunately, anti-magic powers and effects don't always divide along
these columns (For instance, Voodooists are usually susceptible to the same
effects that Hucksters are) but I try to keep them along these lines.If you
have doubts (and the books don't contradict it specifically) you're probably
pretty safe working those divisions.

By the way, Voodooists are subject to the effects because they are sort of
line-crossers themselves; their magic calls on both spirits (rada loa) and
manitou (petro loa) for effect.

John