Skills and Powers to Level 130––and a New Power

[Arik]

Part of what I like about Sryth is that it takes a while to attain Legendary status (in fact, it took me 10 months––for one skill!) In games like WoW, you can become very powerful in a very short time, but in Sryth it actually takes work.

So, now that so many people are getting very high skills and powers, these are the levels up to 130 for skills and powers (the amount of XP does need work, though):

SKILLS
101-104: 550,000 xp
105-110: 1.2 million xp
111-114: 2.6 million xp
115-120: 6 million xp
121-124: 13 million xp
125-130: 29.5 million xp

POWERS
101-104: 950,000 xp
105-110: 2.2 million xp
111-114: 4.9 million xp
115-120: 12 million xp
121-124: 29 million xp
125-130: 68.5 million xp

A New Power (and this section REALLY needs tweaking:

This is a new power I've been thinking of. Like Shadow Magic, you won't be able to learn it from the Grey Circle or the AC; you'll need to get it from a quest (maybe PG VII?)

The power will be called Mind Control, and you will be able to use it to take over people's minds, directing them to do your will. But because of this sphere's power, it costs twice as much to train as other powers, and it costs a certain amount of XP each time you use it. In addition, in combat, it takes 3 full rounds of concentration to cast.

Any suggestions regarding this idea?

[zmflavius]

What would you call the the next 3 levels?

Also, if there were thirty more levels, xp level-up rates would probably be starting around 128k and doubling every 4 levels or so. 950k xp for powers would be too astronomically high to level up.

It would actually make getting to lvl 130 practically impossible.

Q13: A rumour was generated about a new discipline of magic called “goblin magic” or “dark goblin magic”. This rumour has persisted to the extent that adventurers have suggested it could transpose to availability for utilization by human spell-casters. What is your take on these rumours?

Interesting...

Q14: What about the possibility of other skills and powers; is there anything new in the pipeline?

Yes.

Goblin magic or dark goblin magic are most likely to be implemented next.

Mind control is not a bad idea though, although I think that it's too narrow to be described in a sphere.

[Arik]

Getting to level 130 is supposed to be virtually impossible––and those are the xp levels with no xp percentage bonus. Though if getting to 130 is ever allowed, the required xp should be less than what I suggested. As soon as I posted those numbers, I realized how extreme they were.

Dark goblin magic will be interesting, though. Maybe we'll learn it during PG VI?

[zmflavius]

Getting to level 130 is supposed to be virtually impossible––and those are the xp levels with no xp percentage bonus. Though if getting to 130 is ever allowed, the required xp should be less than what I suggested. As soon as I posted those numbers, I realized how extreme they were.

Dark goblin magic will be interesting, though. Maybe we'll learn it during PG VI?

I doubt we'd learn it during the PG. The only basis for it is because it's mentioned in the docs for Fogbough, where that lady of the wood whatever her name is apparently was expelled from the Grey Circle for practicing dark goblin magic...though this is unlikely now.

[jimyred]

Didn't I read somewhere that the GM was thinking about letting us get the psionic power that we faced in Saarngard?

[Arik]

Zmflavius asked what I would call the levels beyond 100.

Maybe Unrivaled, Superhuman and Godlike?

[Badstench]

The GM never commited himself to the advent of "Dark Goblin magic". He only said that a new ability/ power would become available.

I mention this because I don't want anyone to be disappointed when a new power/ ability is made available, and it turns out to be something like... oh, crochet?

[thingirl]

I mention this because I don't want anyone to be disappointed when a new power/ ability is made available, and it turns out to be something like... oh, crochet?

What's wrong with crochet? Huh? You could make a net. Or a rope. Or some armor.

[zmflavius]

What's wrong with crochet? Huh? You could make a net. Or a rope. Or some armor.

Wouldn't crocheted armor be really...crappy?

[Young Ned]

I don't think it actually counts as "armor" if it gives less protection than ordinary clothing... :)

[Oldschool]

Well you could crochet it outta adamantite and mithril. :cool:

[zmflavius]

Well you could crochet it outta adamantite and mithril. :cool:

How can you crochet adamantite or mithril?

[Oldschool]

You have a master Dwarven or Elven smith forge them into the appropriate thread and then you have to weave or crochet them using secret alchemical forumulas while channeling secret and unspecified amounts of elementalism, shadow magic, fortification and conjuration. :cool:

[Lightwielder]

How can you crochet adamantite or mithril?

That's why it's a sphere of MAGIC! It's not just regular crochet. Yes, that must be it, and...I can't ever remember seeing a dwarf in Sryth...

[Young Ned]

I can't ever remember seeing a dwarf in Sryth...

Oakaruks are really only two feet tall... they're just tough little buggers. ;)

[Zedalion]

This whole sequence about crocheting reminds me of a story about my sister. She was working at a local craft store and they put her in charge of the crochet department. However, they made an unfortunate spelling error on her nametag.

It said; "Hi, I'm (her name). I'm the head crotcheteer."

[wetheril]

Oakaruks are really only two feet tall... they're just tough little buggers. ;)

LOL! I agree there, but I can't imagine them doing crochet. :D

[Young Ned]

LOL! I agree there, but I can't imagine them [Oakaruk] doing crochet. :D

Haha, no, I think you have to have a mind to be able to crochet. :cool:

[Arik]

Could you please keep your comments on topic?

[Young Ned]

Could you please suggest some additional aspect of the original topic to talk about?

See, once everyone's said everything they can think of about the original topic, we tend to drift off-topic. So the easiest way to get things back on-topic is to say something about the topic yourself to which people can respond. :)

[Oldschool]

Well technically :cool: we were never off topic because (finger pointing begins) Badstench originally said.....

The GM never commited himself to the advent of "Dark Goblin magic". He only said that a new ability/ power would become available.

I mention this because I don't want anyone to be disappointed when a new power/ ability is made available, and it turns out to be something like... oh, crochet?


Now if we get a new power and it is crocheting (finger pointing escalates to wagging ;)) I'm both blaming Badstench and subscribing to the theory that HE is the member of the forum that is actually the GM.

No offense intended Arik as your idea is a good one especially since Havoc has Magical maxed out at Legendary in AS&P and the upcoming year may see some others follow suit. Also both skills and powers over 100 and another power or skill has been speculated about before and event hinted at by the GM.

[scout1idf]

.....Now if we get a new power and it is crocheting (finger pointing escalates to wagging ;)) I'm both blaming Badstench and subscribing to the theory that HE is the member of the forum that is actually the GM......
That would mean that Badstench and Havoc are one in the same because Havoc is the GM......:D

[Badstench]

Badstench has been guilty (with his mod powers) of deleting posts that were irrelevant to the topic started.

I'm tempted to excercise my powers here.

Arik hypothesised a good theory, which deserves more consideration than the posts added so far.

I started it through a flippant remark, for which I apologise.

But getting back to what Arik suggested... which was the possibility of ability scores over and above 20.

Arik: I can see you are a "game player", and have a good understanding of incremental adventure based role-playing games. And I read your ideas with interest.

The suggestion is not new, and conversations have been engaged as to the merits, or otherwise, of letting humans gain ability scores above 20.

The fact is, we can already do this through the augmentation of magic items and spells. However, the benefits of said augmentations are not obvious.

I'm going to state my stance on this in simple terms, then say why.

I'm against it!

Why?

Sit back and formulate your argument from my hypothesis.

Humans have physical and physiological limits to their abilities. Those humans who, for example, have a strength ability score of 20 are considered to be 'strong'... they can lift weights that ordinary humans can't, and they can make it look easy.

Similarly, Dexterous humans can dodge and weave and react to situations that just might save their lives better than someone who is... not so dexterous.

Intelligence and Wisdom could manifest in the realisation of a way to overcome a situation other than using brute force, or to recognise a better way to achieve an end.

But, we are Human... and limited by our experiences and our mental and physical capabilities.

Magic items can enhance this, but only so far.

It is ridiculous to think that a Human could out-wrestle a giant. or for a human to act faster than an Air Elemental.

What you suggest takes Humans beyond the capabilities of humankind into the realms of quasi, or demi, godhood.

I don't want to see Sryth become a background for godlike characters to necessitate greater villains. I've seen this in too many novels... where the villain reacts to the hero.

It's boring!

There should always be a chance for the strongest character to die.

[Arik]

I never mentioned ability scores going above 20. I mentioned skills and powers going above 100.

[scout1idf]

Why skills and powers to 130? Why not make it an even 200?

With a top end of 200, the GM wouldn't have to think about requests to raise it (probably) ever again. That would be the problem of whom ever he sells/gives the game to when he retires.

Since leveling up doesn't have any effect until you hit a "10 level milestone" I don't think anyone would have an advantage for quite a while except maybe Magical (Havoc) with all his locked up specific XP and a few of the General XP hoarders.

With the suggested XP to advance (amended to fit Sryth progression) I doubt that even the the hoarders/mega grinders would be able to reach level 110 very soon.

SKILLS
101-104: 550,000 xp
105-109: 1.2 million xp
110-114: 2.6 million xp
115-119: 6 million xp
120-124: 13 million xp
125-129: 29.5 million xp
130-134: ???????????

POWERS
101-104: 950,000 xp
105-109: 2.2 million xp
110-114: 4.9 million xp
115-119: 12 million xp
120-124: 29 million xp
125-129: 68.5 million xp
130-134: ????????????I guess with that kind of progression, I wouldn't be opposed to the change.

******************************

As far as Badstench mentioning raising abilities above 20, I don't know how I feel about that. I would like the ability to raise them to 20. One example he used was a human's strength.

Say I rolled an 18 in strength when I made my character. I should be able to raise that to 20 over time through adventuring, lifting weights or what ever.

A beginning Adventurer doesn't have much wisdom (for example) about adventuring but after a while (if you survive long enough) I would think that you would gain wisdom. So if you roll a 15 in the beginning it sucks to keep that 15 forever (besides GM given raises and special gear).

The occasional (GM given or special gear) bonuses to raise abilities are great, but time and experience should also be a factor in the process.

Just a thought........

[Arik]

A more detailed description of Mind Control (I'm not detailing power checks, and the amounts of damage need help):

Mind Control costs more to train than other powers––twice as much. It also costs 3 NvR to use.

Mind Control can be resisted.

Levels 0-30: If you use this in battle, it will always fizzle.
Levels 31-50: If you use this in battle and succeed, you will be able to make your opponent damage himself/herself/itself for 25 to 50 damage.
Levels 51-60: If you use this in battle and succeed, your opponent will damage himself/herself/itself for 45 to 90 damage.
Levels 61-70: If you use this in battle and succeed, you will cause you opponent to damage himself/herself/itself for 60 to 140 damage OR cause your opponent to stop attacking you for a long-enough period of time for you to safely flee.
Levels 71-80: If you use this in battle and succeed, your opponent will damage himself/herself/itself for 85 to 175 damage OR stop attacking for a long enough period of time for you to safely flee OR become your ally for the next 5 minutes, after which time he will attack you.

(Not sure about remaining levels.)

[Scarbrow]

See, once everyone's said everything they can think of about the original topic, we tend to drift off-topic. So the easiest way to get things back on-topic is to say something about the topic yourself to which people can respond. :)


Not to mention that the derailing was extremely humorous en well-done. It is most forgivable. I have suffered similar derailments in the past and my two cents on the matter are: It's better to have Badstench derail you than to be left alone and forgotten :(. At least, we get a good laugh and more attention, and everybody thinks better after laughing. :D

Having said that, I really don't think that Powers should escalate further - a redesign of the highest powers (as suggested on Legendary Skills and Powers (http://www.srythforum.com/showthread.php?t=610)) and/or other abilities besides powers (the special combat items are an example of such ability) seem better suited to me.

A new power, on the other hand, would be interesting. I would, however, suggest the GM that he implemented that new power with a different leveling mechanic than the existing ones - harder to get, harder to level up, a completely different effect. For one, all but one of the powers can be used in combat - I would prefer a heavily non-combat effect with maybe a small side-effect useful (but not overly-useful) for combat.

[Arik]

Maybe the ideas on Legendary Skills and Powers could be combined with the ideas here––the powers you get for having a legendary skill/power are increased as you level up past 100.

[Zedalion]

I really don't think that Powers should escalate further - a redesign of the highest powers (as suggested on Legendary Skills and Powers (http://www.srythforum.com/showthread.php?t=610)) and/or other abilities besides powers (the special combat items are an example of such ability) seem better suited to me. A new power, on the other hand, would be interesting.

Just in case anyone is tallying responses here, I agree completely with Scarbrow. I'd prefer to see the skills and powers cap remain at 100, but would like to see additional skills and powers.

[thingirl]

Just in case anyone is tallying responses here, I agree completely with Scarbrow. I'd prefer to see the skills and powers cap remain at 100, but would like to see additional skills and powers.

Ditto.

[taproot97]

Ditto.

Double ditto.
P.S. i think Mind control is quite similar to a very very advanced divination.

[Oldschool]

From Random Chat,

I think there have been rumors floating around for a while that a new power was planned in the nature of Goblin Magic or something similar. I assume that's fallen by the wayside.

I believe it was actually dark goblin magic, and it was brought up briefly in a Questions for the GM. However, the in-game mention was extremely passing in nature, and the GM handed back a vague response.

You might find some of the following interesting......

Mild Spoiler Warning - if you're not current on content particularly with Fogbough Forest/Ashlyre there are a couple content mentions and a game text quote.

June 08 Questions for the GM,

Thinking a moment, Shalok-Gul continues: “Will we acquire the power that has been used against us several times in Saarngard?”

Answer: There may indeed be the opportunity to acquire and wield a psionic attack power.

February 08 Questions,

Young Spencer the wanderer brings forth a walking stick to wander about with as his offering and asks if we will get any new powers or skills??? Will he? Will he??? As you can tell, he is quite anxious...Ah, the restlessness of youth... <wink>

'Answer: Yes, there are more skills and powers that will eventually be added, and some of them will be subskills/powers, requiring the mastery of one or more others skills/powers of particular levels before they can be acquired.'


From this forum (click the white carrot which says "view posts" to be taken to the specific post),

The motley group of people gathered to one side the camp-fire have arranged themselves in a roughly semicircular design, all facing a seated figure who waits patiently for questions to be asked of him.

Everyone seems unduly reticent or too shy to be the first supplicant for knowledge, until a slight cough draws the attention of all to Nathair ap Dubh (Makhazarhael)…

Q1) Nathair ap Dubh: Dread Master, I humbly request your insight on the following matter.

In our never-ending quest for power, certain paragons of the adventuring profession have, through the medium of experience, pushed the limits of mind, body and psyche to human perfection. Some whisper that such limits can be transcended.

I admit that I am not close to achieving the levels of perfection attained by some, but I cannot help wondering whether human abilities are truly restricted by physiological and mental capacities, or if we might hope to achieve more.

I am Nathair ap Dubh, Lord of Larkgnoll and Fernplain, disciple of Ezerok. Blessings of blood and fire be upon you, in the unholy name of my Master.

The Gamemaster responds: It is anticipated that adventurers will, at some point, be able to push past the limit of 100 in skills/powers and past the limit of 20 in attributes. Being able to surpass this limit will require a couple of things, including that a character possess a Quickstone and that the Quickstone has had a special power unlocked.

Nathair ap Dubh resumes his seat after a flourish of bows and curtsies. A stifled snort of derision follows this display, upon which the adventurer known as Hawk (Oldschool) stands…

From Theories on this forum - like the previous passage click the white carrot which says "view post" to be taken to the post,

True, Koro-Tul only recently moved into Fogbough, but who says she wasn't alive when Umdurol was? Wizards in Sryth tend to have long lives, so she could have been working with Oakaruk for centuries before recently getting the idea to overthrow the Grey Mage. Though that would tend to quash the idea that she's only used them for self-defense, if they were such a menace in Umdurol's time that he created a weapon against them.

On the other hand, there are rumors that she has learned "dark goblin magic", with an implication that this may have been how she learned to create Oakaruk. If so, then other practitioners of said goblin magic may have created Oakaruk in the past, before her time. If those practitioners were located in or around Fogbough, that would explain how Umdurol knew of Oakaruk, and might also explain why she fled to Fogbough in particular -- she may have been hoping for help from other goblin magic practitioners, if any were still living, or perhaps the raw materials for Oakaruk (wood and iron) are both common there. (While wood is common in all forests, you don't find iron in forests too often, so it would be an unusual combination of available resources.)

At any rate, she seems to have learned how to create new ones, as she supposedly fled to Fogbough with a few dozen Oakaruk and we saw at least fifty at one time in the first Ashlyre scenario -- and have probably killed more than a hundred since then.

From the Fogbough Forest thread (hit the carrot),

Goblin Magic came up in-game too, during the Adventure "Attack on Ashlyre" when the town first opened up.

Originally Posted by Attack on Ashlyre
Tirimey tells you that Koro-Tul, a master of several magical disciplines, has long been suspected to have acquired proficiency in the ancient and dark art of goblin magic. While the practice of such magic is forbidden by the Grey Circle, the ambitious sorceress secretly acquired her dark knowledge -- and put it to use constructing the foundations of her sinister endeavours.
"She created a race of wood and iron beings which have become known as the Oakaruk," says Tirimey. "Many hundreds of Oakaruk were created in secrecy and brought to life with her magic. They formed a powerful army guided only by her command -- an army that was to overthrow the Grey Mage and ultimately plunge much of this world into chaos. I don't think I overstate the peril upon the brink of which we've nimbly danced these past few months."
Intrigued by the master mage's account, you ask him about Koro-Tul's staged coup and the Oakaruk.
"The coup was discovered just before Koro-Tul's most sinister plans were set afoot," he says. "Swift action and no small measure of good fortune disrupted her efforts and helped us to rout her army of Oakaruk. She fled north, and we tracked her to the very edge of Fogbough. The remnants of her wooden army, perhaps five dozen Oakaruk, delved into that cursed wood with her."
Tirimey tells you that it is believed a handful of conspirators aided Koro-Tul's escape and that when discovered, they will certainly face trial -- and likely death.
You ask him why it is he has sought you out.
"Koro-Tul's Oakaruk are on the march," he says, repeating what he told you only moments ago. "There has has been an incident in Ashlyre..."

From Updates 2010 with a *DEJINX* tossed in for good measure,



1/19/10 - The Tome of Attainment
The Tome of Attainment, a grand artifact with a value well beyond estimation, is an ancient book long believed to be the product of dark goblin magic.

The Tome is divided into chapters and each chaper is made up of one or more separate parts.

As adventurers progress through their adventures, their accomplishments (and different combinations of their various accomplishments) will unlock chapters within the Tome.

An adventurer in possession of the Tome of Attainment may (from any SAFE location) press his or her hand onto the pages of an unlocked chapter and be instantly transported into the tale.

Completing each of the invdividual stages of a chapter will earn adventurers a reward. Completing a chapter in its entirety will earn another reward. Completing a chapter stage and/or an entire chapter can also unlock new chapters within the Tome.

Adventurers do not need to be in possession of the Tome at the time they complete the adventures/events that will unlock its chapters. The Tome knows what you've done -- for better or worse. Upon acquisition, it will unlock all appropriate chapters for that adventurer, based upon what he or she has accomplished to that point.

There will be a limit to the number of chapter parts that can be completed on a single calendar day -- such is the nature of the mysterious and powerful Tome.

Finally... from 7 Questions. I "found" this thread and Zm's quote which led me to this post after all the other necro'ing - go figure.... :rolleyes: Still it was an interesting trip. And yep you guessed it - hit the carrot,



Q13: A rumour was generated about a new discipline of magic called “goblin magic” or “dark goblin magic”. This rumour has persisted to the extent that adventurers have suggested it could transpose to availability for utilization by human spell-casters. What is your take on these rumours?

Interesting...

Q14: What about the possibility of other skills and powers; is there anything new in the pipeline?

Yes.

And from the old forum's update thread,

5/4/09 - Magical Email Mishap
If you've sent a message to the gamemaster in the last couple of weeks that required a response and have not yet received one, please resend the message.

A glitch (entirely the fault of the gamemaster) has resulted in quite a few lost emails.

The gamemaster officially blames dark goblin magic for the strange incident that led to the loss of the messages...though there is little evidence to support such a claim.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you in advance for resending any unanswered messages requiring a response. ;)

[Tetracapillactomist]

Motioning towards the white carrots still, frantically... :)

"Master, master! You forgot to close a couple of quotes - I see the stick, but not the carrot!

The donkey won't budge, Master, as the carrots are inedible! Master?!"

:D ;)

ER, -DIT: "Ah... done... Well, never mind." :)


As to one of the originally or subsequently expressed Qs: nomenclature, quickly...

100 - 110: "Mythical" (? might be too close to "Legendary"...)
110 - 120: "Titanic"
120 - 130: "Divine" (?) "Olympian" (? Hm...)

(Not so sure... Got to move along, but... Ah... Later.)

[Tetracapillactomist]

Also (?!? - don't ask... And double-post be d'ned, if that turns out to be the case), I must take issue (light-heartedly), and defend two friends against the the good-spirited derision that ensued (ages ago, sure, but I live outside of time and space constraints, as I'm a mythical ghost, that's right. You've tuned into the 'imagination station,' so what do you expect? Socrates lecturing on civic duty?) :)...

[now where'd that bowl of fresh-brewed hemlock got to!?...] ;)

I don't want anyone to be disappointed when a new power/ ability is made available, and it turns out to be something like... oh, crochet?

What's wrong with crochet? Huh? You could make a net. Or a rope. Or some armor.

Well , some of the most beautifully useful Norse, Viking, Scandinavian 'woven' chain mail-like armour might qualify as 'crochet' - and even the tools used to make such pieces might be reminiscent of oversized crochet tools.

Then there is the braided silk rope component (and such) design of traditional Samurai armour (complemented with hard lacquer plates, platelets and guards, yes, but still...), that were able to withstand the slicing slash of a hundreds of times perfectly folded and honed katana, no less...

Those are just two regional examples of what has already been achieved by real - and truly mortal - human beings; of what has already been made possible within the realm of our limited, non-fantastical world, hundreds of years ago! ;)

So, for the above examples we did not even need to resort to fantasy and fantastical materials, much less magic...

But, as Oldschool (and others) mentioned, we are discussing possibilities in the realm of the fantastic, where the limiting factor is... What?

Imagination. :)

Mithril, Adamantium, Dragonbone - how about dragon hair, even harder to gather in sufficient quantity (one singed pluck at a time! :D), or, borrowing some real-world Oriental flavour from 'tweaking the tiger's whiskers' - yes: pieces crocheted out of incredibly tough whiskers tweaked and plucked from fantastical tigers (or what's the cat-like creature's name appearing occasionally in the world of Sryth and its 'Neverness?').
------
Whaaat...on earth?! Got sidetracked by so many things, I forgot there even was an unfinished post waiting forlornly to be... Posted!
So I'll leave it as is, and hit submit before my head explodes in a 'stress-related injury.' Sorry if it's wonky, can't help it right now. (Maybe later-ever-never.) I've got to go and pantomime a scream, roar, shout, wha'ever. ;)

[darkrkngl]

Motioning towards the white carrots still, frantically... :)

"Master, master! You forgot to close a couple of quotes - I see the stick, but not the carrot!

The donkey won't budge, Master, as the carrots are inedible! Master?!"

:D ;)

RDIT: "Ah... done... Well, never mind." :)


As to one of the originally or subsequently expressed Qs: nomenclature, quickly...

100 - 110: "Mythical" (? might be too close to "Legendary"...)
110 - 120: "Titanic"
120 - 130: "Divine" (?) "Olympian" (? Hm...)

(Not so sure... Got to move along, but... Ah... Later.)

Another possible set:
101-110: "Epic" (similar problems in closeness to Legendary)
111-120: "Otherworldly"
121-130: I'd go with Divine for Neutral to Saintly and Demonic for those under Neutral

[darkrkngl]

One other thing I thought of with next tiers of powers, what if instead of the regular 10 per tier it was 20 or 25. You know showing how much more work you have to put in before moving up to the next rank and +4 or so in MR. This would also give a lot more room within expanding for time to develop other powers and allow the challenge to grow without requiring the best of tally's gear.

[Tetracapillactomist]

One other thing I thought of with next tiers of powers, what if instead of the regular 10 per tier it was 20 or 25. You know showing how much more work you have to put in before moving up to the next rank and +4 or so in MR. This would also give a lot more room within expanding for time to develop other powers and allow the challenge to grow without requiring the best of tally's gear.

I don't know if that'd be necessary, and it would imply from the onset levels such as 200 or more. And with such near-astronomical numbers representing the amounts of XP required for progression, it might call into question the practicability of such a distant progression where parallels might well end up intersecting. :) I mean, look at the suggested XP numbers required - phew!

Makes me think again about the true nature of infinity, trying to wrestle with the endless string of Pi, doing differentials with googolplexes, &c....

Kidding aside, I doubt keeping stat-bonus occurrences ten-based would run a high risk of unbalancing things - considering we're not exactly elves of Rivendell (excepting Father Elrond, of course - may you live your endless years in good health and prosperity, good elf! :))

(All right, I guess my intent to put kidding aside doesn't often work - well, hopefully it's for the better, as there's altogether too much frowning about, and many reasons to do it.. :))

[darkrkngl]

I can understand, I was also partially mixing up combat and roll bonuses thinking of it adding less after 100 so that some rolls don't become instant success after adding a couple of skills worth of extra points.

[Tetracapillactomist]

Good point, and definitely something to be avoided. I'd just introduce a negating trigger-variable, a flip-switch, double-roll in case of max value rolled; something that if anything, would make lucky maximum value rolls even less likely to occur once the skill or power on which they act reaches a certain level deemed mythological, superhuman, improbable.

For the rational behind such a curtailing measure, decimating lucky rolls, think of it along the lines of 'with great powers come great responsibilities,' and greater chances must also be taken - everything is on the line, all must be risked, and there are heavier consequences riding on every decision and every roll. Translated to actual rolls, this would mean fewer blockbuster ones.

The greater the power, the more difficult it becomes to control it completely. Yes, 'in life you make your own luck,' but that refers to the actual skill, power, thought, creating the opportunities for a 'lucky strike' to occur and have an impact - you don't actually 'make luck,' as in a mathematical probability, a chance and random occurrence: you can set the stage, even provide it, but entropy, randomness, the whole lot, continue to exist. So all is fair, as long as the algorithms are the right ones, and things become balanced through fine tuning.

[darkrkngl]

Since I've been playing in the forest and have gone a little MAD I was thinking Mist magic would be an interesting addition and have thought of a way for it to be used that would seem too much like a repeat of another power. The idea is that you would summon some mist that would form into one of two shapes depending on luck.

The first form would appear as a mist copy of you that would last for a couple rounds depending on skill level who would do a second attack for you each round at the same level of MR as you, but without any bonuses or special attacks from your gear.

The second form would be a barrier of mist which would have sp based on your skill level and would take damage for you until it was destroyed or time ran out for it.

In order to keep the power balanced you couldn't cast mist magic again until the round after it had dissipated so you could never have extra attacks and shield at the same time.

edit: well with the new set-up for powers I'd say single use be the second attack and sustained be the mist barrier