I'll admit when the spell first came out I had similar misgivings. They were partially assuaged when I found out that the boost is, at best, moderate, and is a percentage-based boost.

Weak + (percentage of Weak) = only slightly less weak.

Also, its pretty much as fair as it could be, considering spell casting Togs have access to it as well.

That said, I wouldn't mind at all seeing some kind of abilities analogous to the analogous spell patterns that would be available only to non-magic-using guilds, with their own set of minor boosts and functionality.

---

"Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd,
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why,
But I need to know the reason not to try."
- John Popper, Onslaught

Your analysis is flawed, Caraamon. With equal stats, the races are equal in every way, except for some minor racial modifiers for things like poison and who knows what else. If 20 strength for a tog means more than 20 strength for a gnome, then the gnome should learn faster with equal stats. Is that really what you want?

Also, do agility boosting spells somehow undermine the halfling bonus to agility?

How is my analysis flawed? Here's an example:

Elothean, weak, carrying too much, has two options:
1) Spend a limited pool of TDPs on an expensive stat like strength or stamina
2) Cast a spell using a regenerating pool of mana

Thus, their penalty that they have to balance their mental stat boost is partially (we could argue how partially) negated.

Gor'Tog, begins strong, is easy to boost it, but has a high penalty to experience contributing stats. If they way to learn they have to:
1) Spend a limited pool of TDPs on an expensive stat like intelligence or wisdom
2) Nope, that's it.

What does racial bonuses have to do with anything? I'm talking about TDP costs. We have to pay more for Wisdom and Intelligence, and other races have to pay more (relatively) for strength and stamina. With this spell, they can achieve the equivalent of having more Strength/Stamina without having to pay for it.
And between the generally better performing high balance weapons (compared with high suitability weapons) as well as the rarity of serious poison/disease, carrying capacity is one of the few reasons to raise either (for the general population).

As for the belief that it helps Gor'Togs more.... you're a Gor'Tog, why do you need more strength? Seriously, how much are you trying to carry? At a certain point, most people cap their need for strength, which is usually pretty low. And with this spell, it can be even lower.

---

Magic's Death Caraamon Makdasi,
Gor'Tog Barbarian Extrordi...Well somewhat average
Hunta Talna Kortok, built by Gor'Togs, for Gor'Togs
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/home.html

The flaw is in that the same arguments can be made about all stat boosting spells and abilities. If they were to take away Ease Burden because it negates the Tog strength/stamina bonus, they'd also have to take away Heroic Strength, Courage, Bear Strength, Bear Dance amongst others, most of the Berserks, etc. Because all of those are fueled by regenerating pools of mana/inner fire/whatever else.

Then there's the issue of spells/abilities that boost agility/reflex, because, as has been pointed out, those negate the bonuses given to Halflings/gnomes/prydaen/elves, etc.

Personally I think Togs need something to set us apart a bit more than just the claim to being naturally the strongest out there (though that shouldn't be played down, of course). I hate to sound like a broken record but what Togs need is more lore/history, though we're far better for that in general than we were several years ago. Also, if the "feats" system ever gets implemented, I think that's where racial differences will be allowed to shine the most, from a mechanical standpoint.

---

"Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd,
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why,
But I need to know the reason not to try."
- John Popper, Onslaught

>> Ease Burden is available to 70% of the guilds, therefor any specific race is immaterial.

Why is this in the Gor'Tog folder then?

---

Rev. Reene

A drunken cleric says, "Huldah. He is one mean poker player, I hear."
A drunken cleric says, "He cheats, of course."
A drunken cleric says, "Phelimmm. He doesn't cheat. Stupid, if you ask me."

My primary character, as an elf who carries a lot of stuff, no longer needs to use EASE at all. I think of it more as a way to make life easier for beginners than as an excuse not to train particular stats. EASE is also not a stat booster, meaning you don't get any of the other benefits of higher strength. In fact, as it takes a percentage off your burden, people with higher strength will get more bang out of it than others.

.. not that we want to encourage you to carry around more junk!

---

GM Lohkrian

"In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth."