I'd agree with this, and I get the idea that many have done this in their p-Harns. Historical role-playing, just with a different map.



Don't agree at all with this. The amount of canon documentation on the history of Lythia is rather small, and it could easily be argued that magic was not mentioned, either on purpose, or by accident. The same guy that wrote the obviously biased account on the gods wrote the history after all... Magic could be widespread and obvious, but also have little ability to affect the big items in history. In this theory, there are big spells that could destroy castle gates and win battles, but there's only one person per 100 years that ever learn them, and they aren't interested in doing so. If 99% of spells ever cast are little ones (although many are obvious), then magic may not be important in the long run. We know that battles occur between Kanday and Rethem. We know who won them. We don't know if this was due to superior tactics, better longbows, desertions on the losing side, bribery, divine intervention, battle mages casting illusions, or because the main priest of the losing side was sick that day and therefore unable to offset the winner's prayers.

There is much that has little to no documentation in canon. That can mean it is rare, but also can mean it is so common as to be not worth mentioning, or of so little power it can do nothing. Anyway, just a different viewpoint from one that uses a good amount of magic on Harn without needing to modify anything important.

Possibly one of the biggest indications to the presence of a moderate magic presence and religious channeling of powers in Harn is the lack of overall change in technology over an extended period of time.

I see both sides of the discussion.. One thing mentioned was Harn is a "real" fantasy world... and I agree with that.. The back ground makes it seem more realistic than any other system. Most fantasy things are just rumors to common folks, this allows players with minor power as "special" and with a small advantage over the world. When playing in normal D&D worlds you have to be super powered just to beat the average citizen. And that is what RPG is all about being a hero in the story..
But I do see where the original poster is coming from on magic in harn. Not trying to turn Harn into another high fantasy world but just looking for normal common spells to be used easily in the game. But the other fact is I feel magic should be treated as it would be in reality.... Mostly feared... Meaning you would be burned on a post or ran out of town if people saw you using it.. I think the Warhammer world does this best.. just keep this in mind the next time your players want to ramp up the magic use in your game.