HQ25 spell sets poll

[Daedalus]

The monsters are finished, so choosing the spells is next. This poll is concerned with general preferences regarding spell sets/groups for the download files. Select one option for each question, unless otherwise marked. Changing votes is allowed.

Later polls will handle specific spell choices to fill the sets. Meanwhile, anyone can check this post to find links for all of the proposed spells.

[knightkrawler]

In regards to the description text style:
I think ti should be NA style, which is very much smarter because it reduces the amount of text.
Those clarifications you list in the vote point should go as rules in the front of the quest book
under the chapter "New Spells".
Simple as that.

[Daedalus]

As an NA player, I agree with your point about lightened text on the cards. Your suggestion could work. I think the die used to reduce magic damage/effects may be more problematic in terms of a consensus. Maybe I should split that as a separate question.

[Anderas]

Thanks that you still continue with HQ30. I just voted - I gave an opinion, really, but any format and any understandable wording would be good for me.
I also love Mohawk's HQ symbols and use it wherever i have a repeating set of sentences or words, but of course that reduces compatibility.

[Daedalus]

In regards to the description text style:
I think ti should be NA style, which is very much smarter because it reduces the amount of text.
Those clarifications you list in the vote point should go as rules in the front of the quest book
under the chapter "New Spells".
Simple as that.

It has occurred to me that it would be desirable to create both EU and NA versions of the Quest Book. The EU version could contain both supplemental NA spell rules (LoS and discarding a Spell Card) and NA Game System monster Body Point values, while the NA version wouldn't include those features as they are redundant to that rules set. The EU Quest Book would also contain familiar EU stylizations such as black and white maps, Mentor seals, EU fonts and Wandering Monsters denoted by text. The NA Quest Book would instead contain NA stylizations.

[Daedalus]

Thanks that you still continue with HQ30. I just voted - I gave an opinion, really, but any format and any understandable wording would be good for me.
I also love Mohawk's HQ symbols and use it wherever i have a repeating set of sentences or words, but of course that reduces compatibility.

Too bad I already filled out the maximum lines for the poll. Your choice is a valid one. Perhaps an icon version of the Spell cards could also be included in a Spell Card folder after the standard Spell Cards are set.

[Daedalus]

The poll remains open, but at this point it's possible to draw some conclusions. There are many points, so I'll start with poll questions concerning spell set organization and Quest presentation.

What spell organization method should be used?

North American Chaos spell deck . . . 2 votes
Both EU and NA methods in separate folders . . . 3 votes

We should go with both EU spell sets and a single set of NA Chaos spells in separate folder for a win/win.

What new spell sets should be included?

None--any new spells are merged into Chaos spells . . . 2 votes
Swamp spells . . . 5 votes
Kobold Trickster spells . . . 4 votes
Wild (Beastman) spells . . . 4 votes
Cultist spells . . . 5 votes
Daemonsmith (Chaos Dwarf) spells . . . 3 votes

Swamp and Cultist spell sets are strong front-runners, and for good reasons. Swamp spells were the first ones everybody jumped into, and spell-wielding Chaos Cultists also started in relatively early, so both should be included in Quests.
Kobold Trickster and Wild (Beastman) spells also show enough support for at least optional inclusion, though we could take or leave Deamonsmith spells. How to do so is part of the last poll question of this post.
All included spells should also be made as Chaos Spell Cards to match NA format.

How many spells should each set contain?

Six . . . 4 votes
Nine or less--any combinations . . . 1 vote
Any number . . . 2 votes

Most members want spell sets to contain 6 spells. This fits well with most spellcasters, requires less printing/crafting, and lessens the need for art. That's three big pluses.
Perhaps we could also include a separate folder of up to 8 alternate spells (a printed sheet) [or more -edit] for each set to satisfy those who want to see more contributions. Art priority should go to the core set of 6, though art for alternate spells could possibly be worked up afterwards.

How should the new spells be presented in the Quest Pack?

New spells are listed in Quests . . . 3 votes
New spells are listed in Quests, Chaos spells may be substituted which are chosen from an optional spell list folder . . . 3 votes
Published Chaos spells are listed in Quests, new spells may be substituted which are chosen from an optional spell list folder . . . 1 vote

A Quest will directly list new spells for the spellcaster. Spell alternates, including a list of 6 Chaos spells for those who don't want to print a set, could instead be used. An entry in the introductory section of the Quest Pack would detail how to implement these options.
Another method to cut out unwanted spell sets is to reference alternative monsters in the note for the room. For instance, 2 Minotaurs could be substituted for a Beastman shaman if Wild spells weren't desired.

[Daedalus]

Now on to poll questions regarding Spell Card content and format/look.

How should the spell descriptions be worded?

NA magic rules only--line of sight and discard not mentioned . . . 4 votes
Combat dice reduces damage/effects . . . 2 votes
Red dice reduces damage/effects . . . 2 votes
EU and NA conventions mixed as one style . . . 1 vote
EU and NA conventions both available separately . . . 1 vote

Separate EU and NA Spell Card folders can accommodate differing combat dice and red dice spell mechanics. Mention of any LoS casting requirement and discarding of the card should be moved off EU Spell Cards to the EU introductory section of the Quest Pack.

Should cards with Chaos Spell backs have a spellcaster icon on the text side for set identification?

Yes . . . 5 votes

NA Chaos Spell Cards will have monster icons added: Fimir (Swamp spells), Cultist (Cultist spells), Kobold (Kobold Trickster spells), Beastman (Wild spells), and possibly Chaos Dwarf (Daemonsmith spells.)

What border and fonts should the new Spell Cards have?

Both EU and NA formats available separately . . . 4 votes
A new format . . . 1 vote

File folders for both EU and NA Spell Cards should support both styles separately.

What art should the text side contain?

Published, re-purposed HQ art only . . . 1 vote
Any art (HQ or otherwise) from published HQ artists . . . 1 vote
Any black and white images reminiscent of HQ style . . . 4 votes
Art newly created by Inn members . . . 3 votes
Any art . . . 1 vote

Any black and white image with the Hero Quest look has been a go-to for card projects at the Inn. It should probably remain a safe enough choice for our fan work. Of course, inn-created art would be great if competently executed and within the style range.

What art should the card backs contain?

EU spell set backs similar to Wizards of Morcar . . . 2 votes
NA Chaos Spell backs . . . 2 votes
Art created by Inn members . . . 2 votes

Separate file folders for EU and NA spell cards can support both WoM style cards as well as Chaos spell cards. Goblin-King has set the standard with the Swamp Spell Card back image. We'll need another image for Cultist spells at least, though Wild spells, Trickster spells, and even perhaps Daemonsmith spells also will need images should we include them.