One of the things I love about the world of the wheel is the unique system of magic, into which we receive more and more insight with every installment. Over the last several months, I've had a rough time attempting to tinker with the Channeling system presented in the books and convert it into a d20 supplement that doesn't suck. My overall goal is maintain as much of the continuity as possible without turning game balance onto its head. The more and more I attempt to do this, however, the more and more I seem to be taken aback at how vastly powerful channelers really are.

In the Wheel of Time d20, normal characters are allowed a "Saving Throw" (essentially a representation of their ability to resist supernatural or extraordinary effects) against virtually every weave that's presented in the book. In some cases, I have to agree that this is only fair. In others...well, it's tough to say. I'm going to put out a few questions that will be difficult to answer, if it's possible at all. If you can present me with some evidence to lend weight to some of your answers, great. If not? Well, feel free to speculate.


1a. Do you suppose it's possible for a non-channeler to break free of restraints imposed by a channeler?

For example, if Elayne were to bind Lan's arms behind his back, would there be any way for him to snap the flows of air apart through sheer force of brute strength alone? Why or why not?

1b. If you believe that this is possible, do you believe that the relative strength of the channeler in question is a factor?

For example, if Lan couldn't break out of restraints imposed by Elayne, do you believe that he could break out of restraints imposed by Siuan Sanche?

1c. Do you suppose it would be possible to use some form of Escape Artistry to weasle out of bands of Air created in this fashion?

2a. Do you think it's possible to break free of a block of Hardened Air?

For example, when Jaichim Carridin is trapped by Liandrin in tSR, do you suppose that he might be able to snap out of those flows if she were to tie them off and leave him?

2b. Do you believe that the answer to the above question varies according to the relative strength of the channeler and the trapped subject?

2c. Do you think that a block of Hardened Air could be destroyed by people attacking it from the outside?

2d. How much time do you suppose it takes for a channeler to Harden the air around a subject? Do you think it's sufficient for a target to escape the area before it could be hardened?


In the Wheel of Time d20 RPG, any weave that deals damage to the target's body affords a "Fortitude Saving Throw" (a saving throw that measures your general hardiness, stamina, and pain threshold) for half-damage. While fair, I don't know that this representation is really accurate. If Semirhage decides that your organs aren't working anymore, is there really anything you can do? If a powerful healer decides to rend your insides, is there any way to keep from being slaughtered on the spot?

Here's a thought. If Nynaeve were being tortured to death by Semirhage, and Lan wanted to try and save her, do you think he would be able to attack Semirhage if she exclusively used weaves that rended his insides? I'm all but certain that Semirhage would be much more likely to resort to keeping Lan restrained under those circumstances, but the question is still valid.

These are just a few questions. I may have others as I continue to try hammering out the details.