== Test Poll, on "Bookless Casting" ==
	by John Eure

* The big picture *

So, one of the things I'm going to bring up in a later discussion is the
notion of using polls as a way for the RC to get feedback.  This poll was
the inspiration for that.  And I think it'll also serve as a test case:  
to see how well the idea works, and how well it goes over with Questies.  
That's why I'm proposing it early in the season.  With any luck, by the
time we start discussing feedback, we'll know how well polls work.


* About this poll in particular *

Why this one in particuar?  Well, it's been written, for one thing.  And I
think it'd help resolve some of the questions raised last year

In any case, I'm proposing to hand out a poll to Questies at the next 3
games.  The poll's "internal" purpose is to get their feedback on a number
of issues regarding bookless casting.  The "external" purpose is simply to 
see how well polls work in general.

I've tried to target each question at a specific problem or issue, and to
keep it clear and unbiased.  If you have any suggestions, please speak up.  
We want this to be as good as we can make it.


* About my terminology *

After some reflection, I've come to the conclusion that part of the
problem was confusing terminology.  We were using "bookless casting" to
refer to 2 different things.  Sam Sherry's distinction between
"convenience" and "power" was the initial step in the right direction, but
the terms were still ambiguous, and still referred to "bookless casting"  
as a single entity.  I think we want our separate terms to address the
actual changes that people want to see.  Thus, I'm using the phrases
"replacing spell book props" and "instant casting" as the two things that
people want, which could each be called "bookless casting".  (You could be
more logically elegant and call them "casting with a different prop"  and
"casting with no prop", but I think being more specific about the
motivations would be best, at this stage.)  If anyone wants to help refine
these terms some more, it'd be appreciated, but I think that the current
ones are probably good enough for our purposes.

So, regarding the poll, I think that the middle two questions, which make
use of this terminology, will be more useful than the last two, which
still refer to "bookless casting" as some single entity.  However, I'm
still keeping the last two - in their current state, they can tell us
about the general wishes of the Quest community.


* The proposal *

1) Bookless Casting Poll

-- At the beginning of the next three games, we will distribute the
following poll to players.  The poll will also be posted on the Quest web
site during this time.  The purpose is to get their opinion on the general
concept of "bookless spell casting", and about a number of specific issues
which have come up in previous discussion.  The poll will be used to guide
future rules changes.


GENERAL BOOKLESS CASTING POLL

1) What's your name?

2) How do you feel about each of the following aspects of using a spell
book?  Rate the aspects from 0 (very unsatisfied) to 10 (very satisfied),
and include responses for not only Quest's stock spell books, but also (if
applicable) your own custom spell book:

    Stock/Custom
	_/_ Maintaining spell books in serviceable condition
	_/_ Updating spell book pages following rules changes
	_/_ Carrying your spell book during the game
	_/_ The ability to cast some appropriate spell quickly when in 
		immediate danger
	_/_ The ability to find a specific spell quickly while under 
		time pressure
	_/_ Having spell casting consist entirely of out-of-game actions

3) Currently you have to hold your spell book prop while you cast.  Which
of the following aspects of bookless casting would you be interested in?  
Rate the aspects from 0 (completely uninterested)  to 10 (very
interested):
	_ Allowing you to replace the spell book prop with a better
		or more convenient prop (wand, holy symbol, etc.)
	_ Being able to cast spells instantly, without any prop at all
		(like the Innate Power ability)

4) If we eventually were to replace our spell book props with simpler or
more convenient props, would it be worthwhile for Quest to have an ability
that allowed spell casting without having to use any prop at all?
	a) Yes, a propless "instant spell casting" ability would still be
		useful
	b) No, having the option of replacing my spell book with another 
		item would be enough

5) If someone devised a way to allow clerics, mages, and mystics to cast
spells without needing to use spell books, would you /in general/ prefer
to:
	a) Change the system to make it the default for all spell casters
	b) Add it as an separate ability to the current system
	c) Not let PCs have it at all
	d) It would depend upon the nature of the changes

6) If we decided that some form of bookless casting would eventually
become the default for all spell casters, but it would take longer than a
year to develop, would you /in general/ prefer to:
	a) Add bookless casting as a separate ability to the current 
		system, while the new system is being developed
	b) Do without bookless casting, until the new system is developed
	c) It would depend upon the nature of the changes

If you want to add explanations for any of your responses, or if you have
any other comments, just use the back of this sheet.