> 'Magicians' were often 'scientists' and vice versa in our own history, when
> magic was still seen as more real, and where one left off and other began
> unclear and magic does follow rational principles in most campaigns where it
> is used. I think wizards would be 'scientists', a basic understanding of
> magic would probably be a prerequisite for any scholar or academic, even a
> naturalist, as magic offers so much assistance to other lines of inquiry.
> So the inventor of new technology would usually be a mage.
Hmmm... I suppose so, but would they be the kind of people to get
their discoveries out in the open market, so to speak? Or would they
keep it to themselves and their own advantage in the usual magical
power plays...... I dunno.

> Even if mages nonetheless tried to suppress gunpowder it would be about as
> effective as attempts to suppress crossbows, dum-dum bullets, poison gas or
> land mines. Mixed at best. Only weapons everyone capable of accessing
> agrees carry too high a price to use, or are not actually important enough
> to argue about, or have offensive moral implications out of proportion to
> their military value can be banned. A world that has even a few magicians
> running around is hardly likely to decide gunpowder is such a terrible
> menace - at least not before it's too late.
Aaah, but it's not the world that might decide. The wizards
themselves could well see it as a threat to their livelihoods.
Supressing it would be difficult, I agree, unless it was nipped in
the bud, so to speak, or unless horribly powerful
'erase-someone-from-history' type magic was employed.


> A better control on gunpowder in fantasy setting is the availability of fire
> magics that make carrying gunpowder hazardous.
That's a very Paranoia R&D thing you have there...... hmm......

I suppose, when it all comes down to it, it's just whether the
individual GM wants gunpowder or not. Personally, I tend not to
(although finding alternatives when you ~really~ want something blown
up can be a nuisance) because I have a sneaking suspicion that my
players would try their best to get away with anything they could
with the stuff, and I don't need that added hastle. Mind you, the
idea of 'the Ignitor' pyromancer arch-enemy is an interesting way
around that........ ;-)

John.

"Once I was a lamb, playing in a green field. Then
the wolves came. Now I am an eagle and I fly in a
different universe."
"And now you kill the lambs," whispered Dardalion.
"No, priest. No one pays for lambs."
- David Gemmel, Waylander