tRoS: Temporal category, wrong vagary

[Superfluous Crow]

In the Riddle of Steel RPG system, magic is governed by the Rule of Three. So there are three categories of spells, each with three vagaries (domains) and 3 effects for each domain. Now, in the temporal/physical category there is vagary called Growth. It basically revolves around making things age and making them bigger or smaller. I'm really not that fond of this vagary, but i kinda like the rule of three so i'm looking for something to subsitute with. Now, the problem is i don't know what. Other than moving stuff and shaping stuff (movement and sculpture, respectively, the two other vagaries in the temporal category) what can you DO in the physical world that can be used as a new vagary?

[Thanuir]

I assume changing the colour of materials is handled by some other form of magic, entirely.
What about changing the actual substance things are made of?

Out of curiosity, what's wrong with growth?

[Superfluous Crow]

I'm more or less okay with the growth/maturing/aging aspect of it, but it also involves splitting things into smaller or like versions of itself (which i find kind of weird) and making stuff smaller or larger, which is a bit stupid (i don't know about you, but suddenly enlarged PC's or weapons or rocks or whatever just seems... a bit too silly).
Coloring can be accomplished with the sculpture vagary. If you can come up with two alternative effects for growth, that'll be fine too. Oh, and as a note, you can't create matter from nothing so a Creation vagary is not really plausible.

[Raelifin]

Hmmm... I've thought about tweaking TRoS quite often, but I must admit that this is the first time I've heard of tweaking the magic rather than just replacing it.

I'd say that if you don't mind breaking the innate rules on magic presented, the third physical vagary could be creation.

[Superfluous Crow]

Hmm, but isn't Creation rather bland too? You end up looking like one of those stage magicians or whatever... Unless you happen to like creating big chunks of rock weighing a few tons. but then again, it would just be both funnier and more awesome to just lift that chunk from somewhere with movement. Maybe i should keep growth, since making plants grow and healing wounds naturally in a second isn't half bad (or making stuff fall apart because of decay). I just want to get rid of the dividing and expansion effects.

[Thanuir]

In your situation I would simply get rid of the expansion and dividing. Tell to your group, or write down, or whatever method you use, that the growth vagary only applies to nonliving stuff. That probably takes care of most problems.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

Supposedly Sorcery and Fey is coming out soon (or out now?) and will replace the magic system with something much closer to proficiencies.  I'd check that out as soon as it's available.

[Superfluous Crow]

Yeah, weren't they saying something in the companion about that book coming out soon? And the companion is from 2004 or something. But you're right, i should probably wait for that one.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

Yeah, it may win the most delayed book award. But their website says they're doing playtesting for those that have pre-ordered or something, so you might be able to get some advanced information if you dig around.