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[Devastator]

(Can I have my Spell Resistance spell cast?  Standing orders are to keep that up at all times, if possible.  If it'd take an extra turn, don't do it, don't want to waste this opportunity.)

Sweet!

Go beat up on one of the trees.  Dive from the side where the tentacles are stuck, but swing around to the other side, using my Infighter skill to disable the one I'm attacking from up-close.

[Sarrak]

Ulkas smiled politely at the gifts, even as inside giddy excitement raised alongside crown-caused apprehension:

”We will definitely put those to good use. You have my thanks.”

It was time to go, as testing new weapons is better done in proper place. That said…

(Are you ready, my Queen? We have much to share and discuss, but it waits until we blast something into cinders~

Liel, are there coordinates for Ancient facilities where we can go wild and use our new boons to heart content? Even I am feeling such desire and Astrosa certainly needs it as well.)

Teleport to Ancient facility that could serve as testing ground for our weapons and outlet for Astrosa frustrations. Essence gathering is secondary, as training ourselves is even more important.

We shall continue honing Astrosa appreciation of finer aspects of mind warfare while we are at it - both as a means to share knowledge and helping her find more outlets for rage within. For to defeat ones enemies, one must learn more of themselves first.

[Dustan Hache]

“Tic toc! Tic toc! Big dog!”
Azarian chanted urgently in goblin as he reacted to the new threat with Psi siphon, hoping to neutralize it’s magical potential and weaken it in preparation for devouring it’s mind.

[Nakéen]

Adjustment to the previous update.
- Attack Levels will no longer be increased by the base Attribute used for an attack.
- Attack Levels will still be increased by the Attribute difference.

(It led to Offensive Attributes being vastly superior to Defensive Attributes.)

I'm working on adding this information to the first post, then I will work on reviewing everyone's Traits and Skills. It will also be a good occasion to see if there are some things you are not satisfied with in your sheet!

Before I finish writing the current turn, I will clarify the combat mechanics.

Combat mechanics

Let's ignore the temporary combat mechanics I used for a few turns, which could be summed up to:
1) Determining a hit: d20s against a target difficulty modified by 2*[attributes difference].
2) Damage: damage dice levels, attacks have a base damage dice, which increases/decreases in level based on attribute difference.
3) Criticals: Epic failure/success [1 / 20] leads to a free failure or critical.

What I don't like: 1) leads to swingy randomness sometimes.

Compared to the Old Mechanics, where:
1) Determining a hit: dX vs dY, where X and Y are respectively modified by attributes.
2) Damage: Attacks have base damage dice, which is multiplied by a factor based on attributes difference.
3) Criticals: Epic failure [1] leads to a free critical for the other party.

What I didn't like: 2) led to bizarre damage, and annoying to deal with multipliers.

Now the new mechanics will in short be a mix of the two old attempts (refered to as OLD and NEW).
1) Will use OLD: dX vs dY, where X and Y are respectively modified by attributes.
2) Will use NEW: Damage dice levels. AKA Attack Levels.
3) Will use OLD: Epic failure [1] leads to a free critical for the other party.

Another point: failed attacks will give a variable advantage to the defender for their counterattack.

1. Attack Levels and Damage Rolls

The Attack Level represents the overall strength of an attack.
The Attack Level is determined based on the used Attribute, the Weapon used, and Combat modifiers.
The starting Attack Level is 1, which is a damage roll of a single d4.

Every points in the used Attribute increase the level by 1.
In Combat, the Attack Level is increased or decreased by the Attribute difference.
Basic weapons will generally increase the Attack Level by 1, with better quality weapons increasing the Attack Level further.

Attack levels 1 to 3:
d4: light attack (2.5)
d6: normal attack (3.5)
d8: heavy attack (4.5)

Attack levels 4 to 6:
2d4: light superior attack (5)
2d6: normal superior attack (7)
2d8: heavy superior attack (9)

Attack levels 7 to 9:
3d6: light devastating attack (10.5)
3d8: normal devastating attack (13.5)
3d10: heavy devastating attack (16.5)

Attack levels 10 to 12:
4d8: light fatal attack (18)
4d10: normal fatal attack (22)
4d12: heavy fatal attack (26)

(etc...)

Spoiler: Attack Template (click to show/hide)

Att attribute: x (dice)
> Skill:
> Situation:
Defender attribute: x (dice)
> Skill:
> Situation:
Attack Roll: [roll]
Defender Roll: [roll]
Outcome: <description>
Damage xdy: outcome

Spoiler: Attack Example (click to show/hide)

Ogre STR: 2 (1d14)
> Skill: Novice Clubber (2)
> Situation: No advantage (0)
Goblin CON: 0 (1d10)
> Skill: None (0)
> Situation: Tripped (-2)
Attack Roll: 7 = [5]+2
Defender Roll: 2 = [4]-2
Outcome: Successful Level 6 Attack
Damage [2d8]: [9]
Level 6 Attack? What's that?
The attack level determines the damage dice used.

Base Attack Level is 1.
Increased by 2 due to STR 2.
Increased by 1 due to Weapon.
Increased by 2 due to Attributes difference.
Final Attack Level is 6, which on the chart means a 2d8 is used for damage

2. Talent, Skill, and Situation

What I want for combat is for players to feel the influence of three components: Talent, Skill, and Situation. To that end I define these three components as follow in an attack/defence roll:

Talent [Base Roll]: based on Attributes, innately swingy with highs and lows.
Skill [Skill Mod]: based on Skills or Traits, consistent.
Situation [Situation Mod]: everything else, variable.

Talent + Skill + Situation
[Base Roll] + [Skill Mod] + [Situation Mod]

Talent and Base Roll

The Base Roll starts from a d10, and 2 is added/substracted to the die size for each points of Attribute above 0.
That way every 1 in an Attribute increases the average of the base roll by 1.5.

Skill
First off, there are 4 levels of Skill. Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master.
Skills offer flat bonuses.
+0: No skill
+1 to +2: Basic
+3 to +4: Intermediate
+5 to +6: Advanced
+7 and more: Master

The idea behind Skills is that they offer consistency, and allow someone to bridge the gap with a talented but unskilled adversary.
So far the idea is that:

A Basic level can close the gap of 1 Attribute.
An Intermediate level can close the gap of 2 Attribute.
An Advanced level can close the gap of 3 Attribute.
A Master level can close the gap of 4 Attribute.

Situation
The idea behind Situation is to reward or punish the decisions of players and NPCs, as well as add another layer of unpredictability to combat.
So far we have the following levels of advantage, but unfortunately I am yet not confident I can give proper guidelines. I don't want Situation modifiers to completely negate Talent and Skill, so I will be experimenting with the modifiers.

Decisive disadvantage (-4): +6
Strong disadvantage (-3): -4
Medium disadvantage (-2): -2
Light disadvantage (-1): -1
Balanced (0): +0
Light advantage (1): +1
Medium advantage (2): +2
Strong advantage (3): +4
Decisive advantage (4): +6

3. Magic... this wizardry

There is still a point which I'm really not satisfied with, and it's magic. I feel a lack of feedback from the system discourages players to attempt to invest in it, because they don't really know what to expect (and to be fair neither do I, which is not good!). My notes were a mess on that front, and here is a coherent draft.

Magic Mastery Skills will have four tiers: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Master.
Mastery tiers will affect MP cost, target casting difficulty, and the intensity of effects.
1. It is likely I will rebalance HP and MP if I standardize Magic mechanics.
2. It is very likely Skills will be affected by the addition of a <Magic> tag to tell it consumes MPs.

Level: [Damage] / Skill equivalent / Cost
Basic: [Normal] / Novice / Low
Intermediate: [Superior] / Intermediate / Moderate
Advanced: [Devastating] / Expert / High
Master: [Fatal] / Master / Very High

Magic characteristics:
Magic Types will have four characteristics: Cost, Translation, Idea, and Difficulty. These should help get an idea of what to expect from a magic.
Each Magic will of course have their own particularities or prerequisites.

Cost: the energy requirements of the magic. Determines casting cost.
Translation: the energy to effect conversion. Determines spell power.
Idea: a measure of how easy or hard it is to learn this magic's fundamental concepts. Determines learning difficulty.
Difficulty: a measure of the degree of skill needed to successfully cast a spell. Determines casting difficulty.

Examples:
Glyph: a magic using Glyphs and Mana as a medium.
> Cost is Cheap, Translation is Efficient, Idea is Easy, Difficulty is Hard.
Arcane: a magic using Words+Formulas and Mana as a medium.
> Cost is Balanced, Translation is Balanced, Idea is Intermediate, Difficulty is Variable with a low ceiling.
Song: : a magic using Voice and Mana as a medium.
> Cost is High, Translation is Variable, Idea is Intermediate, Difficulty is Hard

More musings
Somewhere along that, I would like for players to be able to choose to cast a spell "safely", or "randomly". The difference between the two being RTD rules.
A safe spell will either fail or succeed within expected parameters.
A random spell will be subject to RTD madness.

Trying to cast a spell above your skill mastery will definitely use the Random parameter, if the casting is even successful.



Now I can't start working on the turn haha.

[Nakéen]

First draft of the tentative rework. Feel free to have a look, protest, and be promptly ignored!

Spoiler: Eximius Res, the Ego Ring (Stage 3) - (Hawk132) (click to show/hide)

Name: Eximius Res
Species : Ego Ring -stage 3-
Appearance : A ring made out of a dark grey, near black material and set with a small multi-colored jewel. There doesn't seem to be anything particularly special about it, aside from ancient runes engraved on the outside and inside, along with silver-gold decorative patterns. The same runes can be faintly seen on his wielder's ring finger, as if tattooed onto the skin.

Max HP: 25
Max MP: 21

STR 2
CON 2
POW 1
RES 1
INT -1
IND -1

Traits:
Bonded Weapon [Innate] - Eximius is an ancient magical artifact and gains all the advantages and disadvantages of being such. His very existence is also bonded to his wielder. Aside from his form as a ring, he can also morph into his wielder's preferred melee weapon. They live and die together, unless the wielder expires due to natural causes - in which case Eximius will sooner or later happen upon another wielder due to the powers of fate. If Eximius and his wielder fall, Eximius himself will be found by a new wielder in a few centuries - fate itself twisting the facts to make Eximius continue existing.
>Passive: Since Eximius and his wielder are technically one entity, they supplement each other's stats during rolls.
Of Ambition [Innate] - Eximius intensifies the wielder's inner desires, driving him or her to pursue their ambitions, whether they be things as simple as protecting/slaughtering the weak or something more involved, like gaining control over a kingdom and such.
Of Vigilance [Innate] - Eximius (and by extension, his wielder) is able to detect powerful beings, along with those who have murderous intent towards the wielder.
Regenerating [Innate] - Along with lessening fatigue and improving his user's pain threshold, Eximius now grants them supernaturally fast regeneration.
Inventory <Bag> [Innate] - Eximius has a special dimension inside of him in which items can be stored by simply touching them. They will not degrade due to time and wear and will be kept in the exact same state they were when put inside the space. It is currently the size of a large pouch.
Slaying - [Innate/Combat] After making contact with a foe, Eximius adjusts his material structure to one said foe is weak to, should it have such a weakness. Can grant a Medium advantage after the first hit.
Of Protection [Innate/Armor 2] - Eximius' wielder enjoys heightened protection as his body grows unnaturally tougher. Reduces the Attack Level of most attacks by 2.
Of Erudition [Innate] - Eximius increases his wielders mental capabilities, mainly comprehension - allowing them to learn faster.
Hawk-eyed [Innate] - Eximius' wielder gain superhuman perception, allowing them to see further with clarity and notice minute details that might be otherwise overlooked.[/b]


Skills:
Limiter Release [Active] - Eximius can temporarily disable his wielder's physical limiters, inflicting slight amounts of damage but increasing their abilities overall. While active increases physical attributes by +2 at the cost of 1d4 damage per action.
Blink [Innate Basic Magic] - Eximius' wielder can increase his speed to inhuman levels for a moment, appearing as if he had teleported.
Illusion [Innate Basic Magic] - Eximius can create an illusionary person to confuse, distract and divert the attention of others. It can appear anywhere, even appearing in the exact same position the wielder is standing in. It takes the appearance of his wielder, though it can also take the appearance which the wielder always sees - a humanoid shadowy silhouette wreathed by faint silver-gold flames, complete with a pair of white glowing eyes. When the wielder is the only person who is supposed to see the illusion, it takes no mana to use.
Intermediate Mana Manipulation
> Mana Shield [+1 Armor / Innate Basic Magic] - Eximius can protect his wielder with a simple, but effective shield made out of hardened mana.
> Mana Wave [+2 AL / Innate Basic Magic] - For those out of reach of melee, Eximius can emit a sharp wave created with pure mana when swung.
> Mana Burn [Innate Basic Magic] - Eximius can coat himself with silver-gold flames that burn away both mana-based projectiles and the mana stored by people or objects. Can be used simultaneously with Mana Wave to disable magic at range. Can inflict a Medium disadvantage to magic.
> Mana Burn Wave [+2 AL / Innate Intermediate Magic] - A skill combining Mana Wave and Mana Burn.
Regeneration Overdrive [Innate Intermediate Magic] - With a burst of mana and a dash of his own lifeforce, Eximius amplifies the already quickened healing of his wielder, repairing internal damage and closing wounds within seconds.
Sever / Crush - [+4 AL]
> Sever: Eximius is able to momentarily become impossibly sharp, allowing him to cut through most man-made material.
> Crush: Eximius can momentarily multiply his weight, allowing him to crush through plate armor with ease or act as a two-man demolition team together with his wielder.

Spoiler: Ulkas, the Horned Demon (Stage 6) - (Sarrak) (click to show/hide)

Name: Ulkas
Species: Horned Demon -Stage 6-
Appearance: A lean tall humanoid demon with scaly skin, sharp claws, and a barbed tail. His skin is blood red with black tint, and several ornate markings adorn it. His horns are straight and quite sharp. His wings are mostly vestigial, yet he can fly regardless through magical levitation.

Attributes:
Max HP 39
Max MP 63
STR 0
CON 0 (+1)
POW 1
RES 1
INT 7
IND 2

Traits:
- Demonic Ancestry [Innate] - Blood of Demons courses through his veins. Demons can sense the presence of one another.
- Poisoned Claws -paralyzing venom- [+3 AL / 2 vs CON] Claws tipped with powerful paralyzing venom.
- Stinger -corrosive acid-  [+3 AL / 2 vs CON] A vicious stinger at the end of his tail, coated with corrosive acid.
- Advanced Levitation [Innate]
- Expansive Mind [Advanced/Innate] - It is easier for him to understand concepts far from the usual field of experience.
- Life Burn [Innate] - Lifeforce he loses through wounds will "ignite", turning into energy to empower him for a very short duration, increasing the potency of next action. Can also be activated willingly. Grants a varying Advantage.
- Regeneration [Innate/Active] - An innate very fast healing factor. Allows recovery of HP during combat, and for limbs to regrow. Extensive use will drain energy resources.
- Mana Regeneration [Innate/Active]  - An innate ability to attract mana. Allows recovery of MP during combat and doubles natural mana regeneration.
- Born Tactician [Innate] - When taking part in the battle, he sees opportunities he can take advantage of.
- Silver Tongue [Innate] - He finds it easy to use and twist his words to get an advantage. Most sentients could be compelled to strike up a conversation.
- Hardened Mind [Innate] - Even supernatural events hardly affect him, granting emotionless analysis in almost all situations.
- Overpowering Mind [Innate] - Each creature touched by his mind feels an oppressive aura. Enemies find it harder to resist mental manipulation.
- Highly Developed Brain [Innate] - With the constant influx of information, his brain matter adapted, becoming more resilient and enduring
- Mind Targeting [Intermediate/Combat] -  Instead of using fickle senses, his established target is an enemy mind, so that spells are cast right at the target body.
- Self-Control [Innate] - Using his abilities on his own body, he can adjust its potential to any possible threat and situation
- Empathy [Innate] - Due to his developed perception and mental prowess, he can feel a slight emanations of feelings from surrounding minds

Skills:
- Extreme analysis - When activated, he enters a state of heightened perception, seeing, hearing and smelling everything around, producing a dangerously high amount of information flooding into the brain. INT starts to influence actions in combat, but an overload of information may have adverse effect
- [Intermediate] Mana Manipulation
> Violent Mana Absorption [POW vs RES] - He can absorb a portion of MP used by other beings, even as they use it, weakening their spells.
> Mana Overcharging - He can use twice more MP than normally needed, gaining a bonus to his spells.
- [Basic] Soul Tinkering:
- [Advanced] Mental Techniques:
> Mind Separation - He became so adept at the control that even separating and readjusting Mind and Body is withing his grasp
> Advanced Mind Field [INT]: He is an expert at using Mind Field as both shield, weapon and battleground. Grants a Strong Advantage in mental combat.
> Total Control - He has attained mastery of control and can manipulate his victims in many ways. Gains bonus to mental manipulation.
- [Advanced] Innate Translocation Magic:
- [Advanced] Innate Illusion Magic:
- [Advanced] Innate Warp Magic:
> Warp Rift Creation [Advanced] - he is naturally proficient at opening rifts in reality and suffers fewer hardships doing so.

Spoiler: Azarian, the Imbued Thoughtling (Stage 2) - (Dustan Hache) (click to show/hide)

Name: Azarian
Species: Imbued Thoughtling -Stage 2-
Appearance: A small, shifting reddish-brown mass of tendrils with a single large eye in the center. It's characteristics shift and deform occasionally while tapping into something's mind.

Max HP: 17
Max MP: 17

STR 0
CON -1
POW 1 (+1)
RES 1 (+1)
INT 1
IND 0

Traits:
Purity of mind [Innate]: resistance to illusions and mind altering effects, combining both individuality and intelligence.
Magical Foci [Innate]: Passive effect that enhances spells being cast within a small area around him, mainly his own. +1 to Attribute when casting a spell.
Unity of mind [INT vs IND]: defeating an enemy using a mental attack puts them into a mind-controlled trance sustained with Mana. Targets released from this state for any reason immediately fall unconscious. No essence is dropped by enemies defeated this way.

Skills
Mind eater [+2 AL / INT vs IND]: A crude mental transfer that serves as his main attack. It slowly drives the target to insanity before putting them in a coma. +2 Attack Level.
Psi Siphon [+1 AL / Basic Innate Magic]: A simple spell that steals the target's vitality, draining their Mana and using it to lower their mental resistances. If the target has no Mana available, drains Mana from the user and transfers health from the target. +1 Attack Level, temporarily reduces IND by 1.
Warping Shield [Basic Innate Magic]: Creates a magic field to disrupt incoming projectiles, causing most to veer wildly off course using a brief pulse of magic. Imposes a light disadvantage on incoming projectiles.

Spoiler: Squacks the Carrion Bird (Stage 2) - (Devastator) (click to show/hide)

Name: Squacks
Species: Carrion Bird
Appearance: A dirty grey medium-sized bird with an all-purpose sharp beak.  It eats carrion and anything that looks sufficiently defenseless to be pecked or torn to death in groups. Compared to before, it is slightly longer in the chest, wings, claws, and tail.  Still not much larger and still the same colour.
Attributes:

HP: 17/17
MP: 17/17

Str. 3
Con. 0

Pow. -1
Res. 1

Int. -1
Ind. 0

Traits:
Aerobatic flyer [Intermediate/Combat]:  Some changes in wing geometry (more triangular and a longer more v-ish tail.), as well as multiple oil glands to allow for improving wing performance characteristics with proper grooming. Equivalent to an Intermediate Flying Skill.
Diamond Claws [Natural Weapon]:  Disposable claw sheaths, like on felines, with extreme sharpness and hardness.  Wear off after the first few hits in a battle, but will regrow naturally. +2 Attack Level, +4 Attack Level for the first attack.
Carrion Eater [Innate]:  Can eat rotten or tainted food that would be passed up by others.

Skills:
Squack [None vs INT]: Call echos oddly, making it difficult to tell its point of origin. Can inflict a light disadvantage to the target.
Infighter [STR vs CON]: Can disable opponents with a successful strike to a vulnerable location. Improved performance against larger foes, and can use larger foes as temporary cover. Can inflict a Medium disadvantage or more on a successful hit.

Lesser Spell Resistance [Basic Innate Magic] Temporarily increases Resistance by 1 against Basic Spells.
Spell Resistance [Intermediate Innate Magic] Temporarily increases Resistance by 2 against Intermediate or lower Spells.
Hit and Run [Combat]  Can attack and attempt to disengage, preventing a follow-up attack by the target.  Cannot be used on first turn after it was last used successfully. Impose a Medium disadvantage to counterattacks.

Spoiler: Kori? the Elemental Spirit of Ice (Stage 2) - (TricMagic) (click to show/hide)

Name: Kori?
Species: Elemental Spirit of Ice (Stage 2)
Appearance:
HP: 14/14
MP: 20/20

STR 0 
CON 0 

POW 0 
RES 0 

INT 1 
IND 1 


Traits:
[FF]Nature Spirit+ (Ice): Can disperse into an icy mist. POW/RES & INT/IND increases over time to a max of 2, particularly in Cold icy and/or misty areas.
Innate Ice Resistance: Its nature grants it resistance to Ice-elemental damage, reducing the Attack Level of Ice attack against it.
Mana Attunement: An attunement to Mana allows it to feel it, and increase its affinity to it. Passively increases mana recovery (+1).
> One of Mana: Its consciousness is closely linked to its relation with mana. Passively increases mana recovery, can be activated as a Skill to focus and recover mana based on IND.

Skills:
Cold Mist: Used as a counter when in Mist form. Only useable in a counterattack, use POW, Attack Level +1.
Natural Force [Magic]: can convert its magic energy into ice, allowing it to heal itself. Equivalent to a Basic Innate spell.
[Intermediate] Innate Ice Magic: a form of elemental magic.
> Antarctic Wind [Basic]: Inflicts minor Ice elemental damage.
> Arctic Wind [Intermediate]: Inflicts moderate Ice elemental damage. Range can scale with MP cost. Antarctic Wind replaced.

[Dustan Hache]

I like it, it clarifies a lot of what to expect from my abilities given the semi-magic focus of my current character.

[Sarrak]

Decided to update with some suggestions. Noted traits/Skills which can give Advantage.

Also changed traits & skills into 5 tabs:

Innate Traits - these are always active, offer general benefits, do not change
Combat Traits - these are only applicable in fights, can be otherwise ignored
Utility Traits - these are always active, but offer varying benefits

Mental Skills & Magical Skills - Affected by INT & POW+INT abilities, correspondingly

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

 Name: Ulkas
Species: Horned Demon -Stage 6-
Appearance: A lean tall humanoid demon with scaly skin, sharp claws, and a barbed tail. His skin is blood red with black tint, and several ornate markings adorn it. His horns are straight and quite sharp. His wings are mostly vestigial, yet he can fly regardless through magical levitation.

Attributes:
Max HP 39
Max MP 63

STR 0
CON 0 (+1)
POW 1
RES 1
INT 7
IND 2

Innate Traits:
- Demonic Ancestry [Innate] - Blood of Demons courses through his veins. Demons can sense the presence of one another.
- Advanced Levitation [Innate]
- Silver Tongue [Innate] - He finds it easy to use and twist his words to get an advantage. Most sentients could be compelled to strike up a conversation.
- Empathy [Innate] - Due to his developed perception and mental prowess, he can feel a slight emanations of feelings from surrounding minds
- Hardened Mind [Innate] - Even supernatural events hardly affect him, granting emotionless analysis in almost all situations.
> Resistant to mental afflictions, such as fear
- Highly Developed Brain [Innate] - With the constant influx of information, his brain matter adapted, becoming more resilient and enduring
> Resistant to informational overload and mental strain

Combat Traits:
- Poisoned Claws -paralyzing venom- [+3 AL / 2 vs CON] - Claws tipped with powerful paralyzing venom.
- Stinger -corrosive acid-  [+3 AL / 2 vs CON] - A vicious stinger at the end of his tail, coated with corrosive acid.
- Born Tactician [Innate, Advantage] - When taking part in the battle, he sees opportunities he can take advantage of.
> Can get advantage depending on combat situation
- Overpowering Mind [INT vs IND, Advantage] - Each creature touched by his mind feels an oppressive aura.
> Enemies find it harder to resist mental manipulation.
- Mind Targeting [Intermediate/Combat] -  Instead of using fickle senses, his established target is an enemy mind, so that spells are cast right at the target body.

Utility Traits:
- Expansive Mind [Advanced/Innate, Advantage] - It is easier for him to understand concepts far from the usual field of experience.
> Can give advantage in situations that require knowledge, learning and comprehension
- Life Burn [Innate+Active, Advantage] - Lifeforce he loses through wounds will "ignite", turning into energy to empower him for a very short duration, increasing the potency of next action. Can also be activated willingly.
> Grants a varying advantage for one action.
- Regeneration [Innate/Active] - A very fast healing factor that can even regrow lost limbs.
> Allows recovery of HP during combat. Extensive use will drain energy resources.
- Mana Regeneration [Innate/Active]  - An ability to attract mana. Doubles natural mana regeneration.
> Allows recovery of MP during combat.
- Self-Control [Innate, Advantage] - Using his abilities on his own body, he can adjust its potential to any possible threat and situation
> Gives Light advantage [All] or Strong advantage [One task]. Can change at will. Only can pick strong advantage once per fight

Mental Skills:
- Extreme analysis [INT] - When activated, brain enters a state of heightened perception, seeing, hearing and smelling everything around, producing a dangerously high amount of information flooding into the brain.
> INT starts to influence actions in combat. Overload of information may have adverse effects.
- [Advanced] Mental Techniques:
> Advanced Mind Field [INT, Advantage] - he is an expert at using Mind Field as both shield, weapon and battleground
>> Grants Strong advantage in mental combat.
> Total Control - He has attained mastery of control and can manipulate his victims in many ways.
>> Grants bonus to mental manipulation skill.
> Mind Separation - He became so adept at the control that even separating and readjusting Mind and Body is withing his grasp
- [Basic] Soul Tinkering

Magical Skills:
- [Intermediate] Mana Manipulation
> Violent Mana Absorption [POW vs RES] - He can absorb a portion of MP used by other beings, even as they use it, weakening their spells.
> Mana Overcharging [MP] - He can use twice more MP than normally needed, gaining a bonus to his spells.
- [Advanced] Innate Translocation Magic
- [Advanced] Innate Illusion Magic
- [Advanced] Innate Warp Magic:
> Warp Rift Creation [Advanced] - he is naturally proficient at opening rifts in reality and suffers fewer hardships doing so.

[Nakéen]

Yep as you saw, I started dabbling with tags.

[Knightwing64]

Name: Moretti

Species: Mimic

Appearance: A treasure chest with teeth able to communicate with its prey through explained reasons. Maybe the creation of a mage?

Surely you don’t need me to explain what a mimic is?


Attributes:
HP: 10/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 0/2

STR 0 -Strength : increases physical damage-
CON 1 -Constitution : increases physical resilience-

POW -1 -Power : increases special/magical damage-
RES 1 -Resistance : increases special/magical resilience-

INT 0 -Intelligence : increases your ability to submit others to your will-
IND -1 -Individuality : increases your ability to resist to others will-


Traits:
Totally A Treasure Chest: A slight SEP field designed to make people think this is a normal chest of loot.

Surprisingly Sharp Teeth: A mimics teeth are extremely sharp and durable, able to chomp through even the hardest of materials.


Skills:
Minor Mimicry: Can obtain the properties of objects by eating them.

Identify: Able to magically gain information about something with concentration.

[Hawk132]

"This thing isn't very bright, is it? Still, I'd rather not tangle with it, depleted as we are... let's get out of here before it catches on—try to avoid shadows, it seems to like those."

GTFO in progress. Entertain the Shadow Lurker by making the illusion try to evade its blows, coincidentally moving away from us while doing so.

[I really need to check Bay more often now. Also, the changes seem reasonable, they make our abilities a bit less vague and more transparent in their effects. *nods sagely*]

[FAKEEDIT: I just realized I inadvertently caused Eximius to make a terrible pun and I love it.]

[Nakéen]

Sharing interesting theorycrafting because I think there is value in sharing.

Oh, actually there is one thing.  I wanted Infighting to provide benefits against groups, because other enemies would be at risk of hitting their buddy.  Would it be okay if it granted a lesser bonus against all enemies in a fight, instead of just the one I'm hitting?  Or is that something to wait for another level?  Or does it already do that if the target is big?

I would translate what you are saying into a situational disadvantage to hit if the target you are fighting is big enough.

Exemple:
1) Against a pack of goblins, you can't take advantage of their size to use Infighting.
2) Against three ogres, or an ogre and a pack of goblins, the defensive aspect of Infighting would likely trigger if you are explicitely fighting a big target.

Also I would really like if these discussions could occur in the thread! I think it could give ideas to other players, as well as maybe produce some additional feedback.

[I really need to check Bay more often now. Also, the changes seem reasonable, they make our abilities a bit less vague and more transparent in their effects. *nods sagely*]

[FAKEEDIT: I just realized I inadvertently caused Eximius to make a terrible pun and I love it.]

Once the mechanics update stabilize, I intend to aim for an update every two days (or every day if somehow I manage). With maybe some compilation posts from time to time (so never).

[Sarrak]

[After leaving Sateris]

“Astrosa, I wanted to share some understanding I have gained while accessing Sateris Zeos. As you remember, there was a question that we answered. I do not know your answer, as it is your secret to share, but I was surprised by mine.”

“While my destitiny/purpose never changed from the moment I woke up in the mountains near Pandemonium, the way to reach it certainly did.”

“And this is important, because it happened thanks to your presence. My thirst for Knowledge defines my existence. I want to grasp whole world in my hand to learn its intricacy and splendor - yet there were many ways to achieve this. A bloody warlord, a reclusive mage, an aloof controller…”

“With your presence and willpower, I realized I do not want to reach this enlightenment alone. No, I want to share it, make others realize the world as I see it myself. Yet there is only one I want to share the world with fully… Only you, my Queen. I wish to gift you a whole world and its marvels.”

“Yours is the path of Power, but Knowledge is Power, if used right. Allow me to further elaborate…”

[Nakéen]

Update 48:

Squacks the Carrion Bird - (Devastator)

(Can I have my Spell Resistance spell cast?  Standing orders are to keep that up at all times, if possible.  If it'd take an extra turn, don't do it, don't want to waste this opportunity.)

Sweet!

Go beat up on one of the trees.  Dive from the side where the tentacles are stuck, but swing around to the other side, using my Infighter skill to disable the one I'm attacking from up-close.

Brimming with confidence you dove on one of the tangled trees, crossing the canopies separating the skies from the realm of the jungles.

Under was a sea of green, so much denser than any forest you had seen before that flying around the countless obstacles was in itself an incredible feat. The dark foliage surrounding you was too dark to see where you were exactly, and through walls of leaves it seemed countless eyes were watching you. Continuing further, you saw the body of the tree through all this greenery, a great trunk that dwarfed even the tallest trees you knew of, with white bark covered with strange growths bigger than you, like pustules on a toad's body. Still you couldn't see the ground, and wondered how old that tree was.

[Infighting is Active]

[Squack: Diamond Claws (First Strike)]

Spoiler: Rolls (click to show/hide)

Squacks STR: 3 (1d16)
> Skill: Aerobatic Flyer (4)
> Situation: Difficult Environment (-4)
> Other: Diamond Claws First Strike (+4 AL)
"Tentacle Tree" CON: 4 (1d18)
> Skill: None
> Situation: None
> Other: Dense Bark (+1 AR)
Attack Roll: 5=[5]
Defender Roll: 8=[8]
Outcome: Failed attack

[Squack: Diamond Claws (First Strike)]

Spoiler: Rolls (click to show/hide)

Squacks STR: 3 (1d16)
> Skill: Aerobatic Flyer (4)
> Situation: Difficult Environment (-4)
> Other: Diamond Claws First Strike (+4 AL)
"Tentacle Tree" CON: 4 (1d18)
> Skill: None
> Situation: None
> Other: Dense Bark (+1 AR)
Attack Roll: 16=[16]
Defender Roll: 7=[7]
Outcome: Successful Level 3 Attack
Damage [1d8]: [4]
Infighting [d20 vs 12]: [5] -Failed-
Luck: [1] -Your Diamond Claws shattered-

Your first strike failed to penetrate the dense bark, and you circled around for another attack while the tentacle-like vines were still tangled. With a second strike on a more vulnerable looking part you managed to lacerate the bark and cause sap to comes out slowly gushing, at the cost of your Diamond Claws which were now much less effective than before. It didn't seem like you had managed to cripple the tree with this strike either.

Suddenly a few of the growths opened, and medium sized creatures of bark emerged. With four long spidery limbs and a dozen tentacles made of vines on their back, they looked at you with hostility. One of them fired a tentacle toward one of the many branches of the sea of trees, pulling itself with incredible speed and agility, repeating the same movement to approach you while hiding in the dense foliage.

Nearby monsters:
-At least two "Tentacle Trees"
> Tree #1 [-4HP]
[HP? MP? STR2 CON4 POW? RES? INT? IND?]

-A dozen "bark spawns?"
[HP? MP? STR? CON? POW? RES? INT? IND?]

Spoiler: Squacks Status (click to show/hide)

HP: 17/17
MP: 17/17
Essence: 0/10
STR 3
CON 0
POW -1
RES 1
INT -1
IND 0
Status:
- Fine
- [Infighting]

Location:
-Delta Chasms - Seaside (South to Anvarde Hills and Savarde Jungle)

Ulkas, the Horned Demon (Sarrak)

Ulkas smiled politely at the gifts, even as inside giddy excitement raised alongside crown-caused apprehension:

”We will definitely put those to good use. You have my thanks.”

It was time to go, as testing new weapons is better done in proper place. That said…

(Are you ready, my Queen? We have much to share and discuss, but it waits until we blast something into cinders~

Liel, are there coordinates for Ancient facilities where we can go wild and use our new boons to heart content? Even I am feeling such desire and Astrosa certainly needs it as well.)

Teleport to Ancient facility that could serve as testing ground for our weapons and outlet for Astrosa frustrations. Essence gathering is secondary, as training ourselves is even more important.

We shall continue honing Astrosa appreciation of finer aspects of mind warfare while we are at it - both as a means to share knowledge and helping her find more outlets for rage within. For to defeat ones enemies, one must learn more of themselves first.

[After leaving Sateris]

“Astrosa, I wanted to share some understanding I have gained while accessing Sateris Zeos. As you remember, there was a question that we answered. I do not know your answer, as it is your secret to share, but I was surprised by mine.”

“While my destitiny/purpose never changed from the moment I woke up in the mountains near Pandemonium, the way to reach it certainly did.”

“And this is important, because it happened thanks to your presence. My thirst for Knowledge defines my existence. I want to grasp whole world in my hand to learn its intricacy and splendor - yet there were many ways to achieve this. A bloody warlord, a reclusive mage, an aloof controller…”

“With your presence and willpower, I realized I do not want to reach this enlightenment alone. No, I want to share it, make others realize the world as I see it myself. Yet there is only one I want to share the world with fully… Only you, my Queen. I wish to gift you a whole world and its marvels.”

“Yours is the path of Power, but Knowledge is Power, if used right. Allow me to further elaborate…”

(Understood, I will select a facility that has been confirmed compromised due to abnormal signal.)

After the first warp caused by the connective Sateris gate, Last's teleportation spell started to activate. During that time you shared your thoughts with Astrosa, reflecting on the entire situation as well as your future endeavors. She listened, looking at you with an intense crimson gaze, and interrupted you.
"My adorable Ulkas. I am the same and it is as you, if I were to hold the world in my hand, there is only one who I would share it with. Our promise hasn't changed: show me the world as you see it, and I will show you the world as I see it. Together, we will be our own kings. Even if... my destiny wasn't the one I thought."

She stoked her wrist with a longing gaze while she continued speaking.
"Back then, trapped in my mind, I heard my own voice as the question 'What is your purpose?' The words that I wanted to say weren't the ones that came out. The vision I saw wasn't the one I had sought until then. It was a vision, a story stretching farther than the horizon. It was... something beyond demons, beyond my hate. The worse of it is, I knew it was right in a part of me. But I still can't accept it."

She looked upward at the vast ceiling, seemingly leading to an unknown world.
"Even if it is indeed the truth, I cannot imagine something beyond my hate, beyond the death of my brother. 'Will I be able to live once my vengeance is accomplished' was a question I often thought about. And the answer of my soul shattered my weak arrogance."

Astrosa smiled at you.
"I want to see if the answer of my soul is truly real. And I know you will be there to help me see what lies after our revenge."

Then she looked at you with an expression telling you to resume from where she cut you off.

Afterward space changed around you as Last's spell activated, sending you to a derelict magic research facility far to the south compared to Marandars. The facility was once referred to as Endorfos, though this name no longer held meaning. It was located in a ruined country feared by the civilized people of the continent: Nepkeros the Dead Land.

Space around you reformed, revealing to you a great four way hall illuminated by a faint and sickening purple light, its ceiling so tall it must have been underground. You didn't waste time admiring the forlorn architecture, as the place was swarming with Undead monsters. Awakened from their long slumber by the presence of the living, the malevolent unliving beings all rose and turned toward you.

Ancient armors brimming with unlife force, swarms of vague shades barely held together by their dark energy, as well as a massive amalgamate of spirits so ancient and powerful it could fill a third of the hall. Instantly unleashing her Bloodlust Madness, Astrosa went berserk with a wide and bloodthirsty grin on her face.

"Finallyyyy! I'm not going to hold back!"

Her crimson gown flowed around her, forming a solid dark red battle dress. Then fusing with the substance, the ring on her finger morphed into two pieces of connected equipment. On her right arm a piece of ethereal red metal armor formed, and in her hand appeared a great spear of an unholy blood red crystalline metal. The spear and the armor pulsed, as if alive.

Spoiler: Ulkas Status (click to show/hide)

HP: 39/39
MP: 63/63
Essence: 0/750
Attributes:
STR 0
CON 0 (+1)
POW 1
RES 0
INT 7
IND 2
Status:
-Okay
-Advanced Mental Protection (Communication with Astrosa and Liel)

Gear:
-Crown of Command: an ancient relic used in the wars of the Yarems, prior to the creation of Typhidna. Grants near absolute mental protection, and enhance the power of mental attacks.
-Xatares Adaptative Suit
-Xatares Mining Armor
-Xatares Shielding Device (Glove)

Inventory:
-Ashafan Journal about the Taes ruins.
Contents: partial map of the early levels of the Taes complex. Expedition log.
-Xatares Shatterer
-Xatares Collapser

Location:
-Baldarus Plains, Sky
>> the "Sky Temple"
> Unknown settlement northward, close to the Beacon

Companion: Astrosa
HP: 63/63
MP: 39/39
Essence: 20/750
Attributes:
Attributes:
STR 6
CON 2
POW 0
RES 0 (+2) (Bracelet)
INT 0 (+1)
IND 3
Status:
-Fine

Gear:
-Unknown Arma: a living weapon of the ancient world, an Arma. Made to bond with its wielder, it is said wielder and weapon are fated to meet. Enhance and complement the innate abilities of their wielder by adapating to them.
-Xatares Adaptative Suit
-Xatares Mining Armor
-Xatares Shielding Device (Glove)

Inventory:
-Electrum Bracelet of Magical Protection (+2 Res)
-Xatares Shatterer
-Xatares Collapser

Companion: Liel
-Data still pending-

Status:
-Worn [Special]
-Fine

Azarian, the Imbued Thoughtling (Dustan Hache)

“Tic toc! Tic toc! Big dog!”
Azarian chanted urgently in goblin as he reacted to the new threat with Psi siphon, hoping to neutralize it’s magical potential and weaken it in preparation for devouring it’s mind.

Toc jumped in surprise upon seeing the Great Wolf. Seizing the initiative, you unleashed your powers on the hostile creature.

[Azarian: Psi Siphon (Basic Innate Spell)]
-2MP

Spoiler: Rolls (click to show/hide)

Azarian POW: 2+1 (1d16)
> Skill: Basic Innate Magic (2)
> Situation: Magical Foci (+1 POW)
Great Wolf RES: 1 (1d12)
> Skill: Basic Magic Resistance (2)
> Situation: None
Attack Roll: 7=[5]+2
Defender Roll: 8=[6]+2
Outcome: Failed Attack

[Great Wolf: Spell Resistance (Intermediate Innate Spell)]
-5MP (Wolf)

Shrugging off your spell, the blue wolf cast a defensive buff in response, increasing its resistance to spells up to a certain tier. You then saw it about to lunge at you, and Toc seemed unsure whether to run or fight.

Nearby Beings:
- Lineine Great Wolf (Stage 2) [Hostile]
[HP? MP? STR? CON? POW1 RES1 INT? IND?]
> -2MP
[Spell Resistance]
- Toc the Teal Goblin

Spoiler: Azarian's Status (click to show/hide)

HP: 17/17
MP: 15/17
Essence: 18/20
Attributes:
STR 0
CON -1
POW 1 (+1)
RES 1 (+1)
INT 1
IND 0
Status:
Normal

Inventory:
-Lifelike depiction of two humans with trace of mind -one confirmed dead-
-Simple metal collar
-Mechanical ring thingy
-Tasty magic-filled tablets
-Colourful clothes

Location:
-East Empsiphion
> Lineine Hills

Eximius Res, the Rusty Ring (Hawk132)

"This thing isn't very bright, is it? Still, I'd rather not tangle with it, depleted as we are... let's get out of here before it catches on—try to avoid shadows, it seems to like those."

GTFO in progress. Entertain the Shadow Lurker by making the illusion try to evade its blows, coincidentally moving away from us while doing so.

[I really need to check Bay more often now. Also, the changes seem reasonable, they make our abilities a bit less vague and more transparent in their effects. *nods sagely*]

[FAKEEDIT: I just realized I inadvertently caused Eximius to make a terrible pun and I love it.]

In other circumstances, Prias would have found your quip very funny. He restrained himself from letting a long sigh, and escaped from the place as swiftly and silently as humanly possible while the Shadow Lurker chased against the struggling but unharmed illusion. He ran across the fog covered deadland with great care, until he was sure there was no monster around.

Right as you were about to decide what to do next, you felt like a powerful jolt crackling in your mind. Something incredibly familiar, something forgotten. Somewhere.. Where? Someone... Who are you? Someone like you. A connection. A flash of red, and the pulse of a forgotten weapon. Somewhere, another weapon had found its wielder, you were sure of it. For a short while you had felt it, and you could vaguely tell where it came from. Not so far, but not so closer either, somewhere in the deadland...

A sense of dread overcame you. Although finding this weapon and its wielder could give you clues about your past, your battle instincts told you that if you were to meet the weapon and its wielder, you would surely die. Prias voice shook you off your daze.

"Eximius? Is everything all right? You went silent all of a sudden. Should we try to find another monster to train our skills, or should we call it a day and return to Safara?"

Nearby Monsters:
-Shadow Lurker
[A dreadful monster of shadows, usually sliding along the ground like a large pool of ink. Surprisingly fast and able to manifest many maws, it is invisible when in shadows.]

Spoiler: Eximius Res Status (click to show/hide)

HP: 22/25
MP: 7/21
Essence: 35/50
Attributes:
STR 2
CON 2
POW 1
RES 1
INT -1
IND -1
Status:
-Ring Form

Location:
-Safara (Eastern Village of Nepkeros)
> Back to Safara

Host: Prias, Human Hero of Safara
HP: 20/20
MP: 9/20
Status:
-Bonded
-Heroic Protection
-[Of Vigilance]
-[Of Protection]
-|Of Erudition]

Gear:
-Monstrous Leather armor set

Inventory:
-Two dark green potions (apply to use)
-Deadland Roamer eyes, claws and fangs


Attributes:
Str 1 (2)+1
Con 1 (2)+1
Pow 1 (1)
Res 1 (1)
Int 1
Ind 3

Notes:
-Semi-Locked Potential (True and acknowledged)
-Ancient Combat Techniques (Bonus to combat)
-Strong bones (Less chances of breaking bones)
-Seasoned Hunter (Bonus to hunting related actions)
-Resolution to return to them
-Ambition: Save Nepkeros?

Skills:
-Experienced Hunter:
-Basic Arcane Magic:
-Accelerated Flow: at the cost of stamina and/or HP, the user can move at incredible speeds for extended periods of time.


Notes:
-Investigated Prias "restraints"
-Known Villagers:
Veras: the village's mage
Sandra, Septor, Iseis: Prias's close friends
Eten, Luaros: villagers on townwatch

Moretti the Mimic (Knightwing64)[/size]

Name: Moretti

Species: Mimic

Appearance: A treasure chest with teeth able to communicate with its prey through explained reasons. Maybe the creation of a mage?

Surely you don’t need me to explain what a mimic is?


Attributes:
HP: 10/10
MP: 10/10
Essence: 0/2

STR 0 -Strength : increases physical damage-
CON 1 -Constitution : increases physical resilience-

POW -1 -Power : increases special/magical damage-
RES 1 -Resistance : increases special/magical resilience-

INT 0 -Intelligence : increases your ability to submit others to your will-
IND -1 -Individuality : increases your ability to resist to others will-


Traits:
Totally A Treasure Chest: A slight SEP field designed to make people think this is a normal chest of loot.

Surprisingly Sharp Teeth: A mimics teeth are extremely sharp and durable, able to chomp through even the hardest of materials.


Skills:
Minor Mimicry: Can obtain the properties of objects by eating them.

Identify: Able to magically gain information about something with concentration.

Luck: [3]

You don't know who or what created you, all you know is that you lived all your life in a dark, damp room until the robed figure stopped coming to feed you in-between the live meals. So you went out to search something to eat, hunger gnawing at you. As you wandered in dark corridors of cool stone, you heard sounds of footsteps.

Some bizarre cyclopean humanoid with a blade grafted on one arm and several metal rods protuding from its body is shambling in your direction.

[Devastator]

(If I land on something, does the environment penalty go away?)

Keep the tree between me and the oncoming Bark Monster, tearing at the tree with another attack.  Squack to try and confuse the bark monster about how high up or down I am on the tree.

..These trees are really annoying.  Probably good for the people who live here, though.

..except they probably have their own super dangerous monsters at ground level.  Or at this level, in the vines and branches.

..Why are there such dangerous monsters everywhere?

[Dustan Hache]

well thats not good, but with magical resistance as high as it has, surely its mind is still vulnerable? Mind eater time!