Posted by Airellani on November 30, 2000 at 13:56:17:
In Reply to: There is a way around it (text) posted by PINI on November 29, 2000 at 22:04:11:
Actually, most Sylvans can discuss why certain schools of magic are tabu, a prospectus for your reading pleasure: Necromancy: Here we are bending the cycle of birth and death through the use of a connection to the Negative Material Plane. Most Warders view themselves as stewards of nature, if not as nature themselves. As such Necromancy is just the opposite of the Warder philosophy that nature is to run her course without suffering the evil nature of Necromancy. An obvious choice between zombies of elite storm giants and dryads... Transmutation: Here the mage is seeking to assume an animal form or trying to revert to a form of being unfettered by the humanoid yearnings for weatlh, standing, prestige and so on -- a "back-to-nature" idea. The mage's doings serve no other purpose than to enable the transmutaion of her being to a natural creature. And, the enhancements the transmuter may grant are of the self. The direct connection to some plane of energy is lost. The transmuter transmutes through "mental gynmastics", as it were, (ie, doesn't "sell her soul" to the evil inherent in Necormancy) which culminates in turning into a wild creature. Invocation: Most Warders and the philosophy itself is tied to the Spheres of Spirit, Purity, Seasons, Storms, Fertility and so on. Another way to put this is that Therans are the realization of the combnation of these Spheres. Creatures here are embedded in the cycles they (the relevant Spheres) create and themselves are admixtures of the planes of Fire, Water and so on. Look at the graphic at the CF honmepage of the Spheres to drive this point home and remember that Warder philospohy is very much tied to Spirit regardless of the Sphere and indivual Wareder might follow. In any event, the Warder Invoker is merely drawing on that admixture of the elemental planes that is part of her being. Through mental discipline she learns to draw forth these energies in their raw forms and puts them to germane uses such as smiting drow and other nasties. The central idea is that the elements are within and they are merely being unlocked to further the goals of the Grove. The mage is able to project what is within, meaning that this projection is only possible because of how Therans are put together. Conjuration: Well, this is a bad thing. Warders, believe it or not, believe in freedom of will. The cycle of nature is the particular form of free will embraced and Warders no more defend it than they are part of it. Accordingly, a being whose central function is to enslave creatures is not a good thing. Alternatively speaking, even though the archon or devil is not a natural being (natural beings exist only on Prime Material Planes --to borrow a D&D reference) they do have wills (or dieties that govern them). To summarliy summon and bind an earth elemental is hardly letting the cycle of life, death etc. relevant to that being flourish. Think of the echos for the cojuration spells, many speak of binding into servitude and so on. Warders let nature run its course, there is no servitude.* Also, if an archon wished to be present to fight evil, Shokai would have to oblige for he is probably the top dog here (and not some two bit mortal). Anyway, my thoughts. * Warders summoning beasts is a tad differnt. This is the last power granted and assumes that you have proven yourself in some regard. Warders are expected to know when to intervene --anyone who has done an interview to get into the pack will understand this. There is a kinship with the wilds which can mean that the *nearby* beasts will help the Warder "defend nature." Calling on the ancient snow bear in the wastes to slay Imperials is a bit different than forcing an extraplanar to do your bidding....