Author Topic: List of thematic thaumaturgy  (Read 4593 times)

Offline Mrmdubois

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Re: List of thematic thaumaturgy
« Reply #15 on: April 08, 2013, 12:39:03 AM »
Sure, I'd be more than happy to discuss in a new thread or in PMs.

Offline Vairelome

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Re: List of thematic thaumaturgy
« Reply #16 on: April 08, 2013, 01:34:01 AM »
There's really not that clean a distinction.

It is precisely that clean a distinction.  From YS284, Thematic Thaumaturgy, which I have already cited in this thread:

Quote from: YS284
All the types of thaumaturgy listed so far are divided along functional lines.

For reference, these are Summoning and Binding, Conjuration, Divination, Veils, Wards, Crafting, Transformation and Disruption, and Transportation and Worldwalking.

Quote from: YS284
A thematic specialization looks at the subject matter in which all the various functions of thaumaturgy are applied--an ectomancer will be particularly effective with summoning, binding, divining, veiling, warding, crafting, transforming, disrupting, and transporting ghosts and other non-demonic spirits, for example.
...
The main thing the GM needs to watch out for here is ensuring that the theme is both strongly expressed and limited in scope; a theme which really amounts to "everything" in application is not theme at all--it's a cheat.

The list of suggested themes follows: Biomancy, Diabolism, Ectomancy, Entropomancy, Necromancy, Photomancy, and Psychomancy.  Entropomancy covers the luck/fate theme discussed earlier.  The list is explicitly not exhaustive, but the distinction between dividing thaumaturgy by function or by theme is perfectly clear, as is the reason for it: making sure that a given theme doesn't creep into "everythingmancy."

Offline Mrmdubois

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Re: List of thematic thaumaturgy
« Reply #17 on: April 08, 2013, 02:04:44 AM »
A theme, by definition can't do everything because its thematic.  A function of thaumaturgy that I am expanding upon by turning it into a theme will operate under similar limitations.

Just as a necromancer cannot create gold from thin air neither can the devoted divinomancer.  Although both could creatively employ their magic to get their hands on some.  This should assuage your fears of everythingmancy I think.

In terms of contributing to the original purpose of the thread:
Avianmancy
Sludgeomancy
Geomancy
Alchemy
Crafting

Going to need time to think of others.

Offline Mrmdubois

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Re: List of thematic thaumaturgy
« Reply #18 on: April 08, 2013, 03:42:10 AM »
Holomancy

Offline UmbraLux

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Re: List of thematic thaumaturgy
« Reply #19 on: April 08, 2013, 05:13:04 AM »
There are more which double as function or theme:
 - Illusion
 - Translocation
 - Temporal / Chronological

In the end, it's merely a matter of how it's described.
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“As our circle of knowledge expands, so does the circumference of darkness surrounding it.”  - Albert Einstein

"Rudeness is a weak imitation of strength."  - Eric Hoffer