One of the great pirate novels is "On Stranger Tides". In it, the idea of magic is quite prevalent with bocors (voodoo priest) being the primary "spell casters".
I was thinking a great way to branch this game is to allow for bocors. They could have a specialized skill learning tree - and it would be open to every person.
Now, before we get the idea of "magic missiles" and "giant fireballs raining from the sky" - the magic was more subtle. They essentially filled a role for the crew - and they could do the same in SoT.
Ideas:
- Help Speed the Ship: A bocor can help speed a ship slightly. While casting, the player would basically be involved in a minigame of button pressing. Missing a key or pressing the wrong key will interrupt the spell.
- Increase Resistance of Crew: A bocor can help increase the damage resistance of a particular crew member by focusing on them. Maybe a minigame of keeping a "spirit target reticle" on the individual player. While on - it increases damage resistance.
- Stun Skeletons: A bocor can spiritually fight undead. This type of combat won't kill a skeleton, but might make them stunned.
Things like this. I would make it so that while filling the role of the 'bocor' you can't do much else as your concentration is taken.
None of the skills should be too powerful to unbalance the game, but give another unique role to a crew member. A support role of sorts.
I don't know ... maybe I'm reaching ... probably so.
