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Reallocation Forum

Held in the [Council House, Assembly Room], on Tuesday October 14, 2002



In Attendance, at the time of recording:

GameMasters: Caydence, Amaranth, Korudon, Astraea, Jubalee, Wanderstar, Bontinor, Payne, Mathuna, Brude, Hypatia, Revel, Heloha, Melatha, Logos, Holyph, Zephyra, Siwan

Citizens of Athens: Demitria, Lata, Anjel, Hawkeye, Leanna, Kor, Palus, Arythe, Liye, Agrimony, Soldier Cervesus, Elite Warrior Llorien, Matthaeus, Tibo, Ithome, Conjuror Vaage, Druid Goldenmane, High Priest Dum, Athelyn, Blade Lord Heemor, Mystic Gloomthryn, Desperado Windel, Prowler Hyzenthlay, Locksmith Kirafern, Locksmith Stardust, Ayle, Merlun, Witch Cydara, Elementalist Kalipso, Olmec, Ashmael, Viper Koie, Writer Rikki, Maker, Novice Celeo, Viper Tennetty, Trainee Randarr, Gerett, Gammyde, Seni, Enchantress Phalo, Moiria, Tkeeri, Dancer Nymphae, Zhana, Xanthian, 



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Questions asked during the forum:



1.  Why, in the name of something that I can't think of, would you make adrenals its own skill?

2.  Will we be able to change our gods?

3a. Was that "first reallocation" or "First, reallocation" that you started with?

3b. Oh, and if I could just state my argument for adrenals real quick...

4.  When you say there is documentation coming, will that include skills availible, templates, how to work the reallocation manager, and just.. everything we would otherwise want to know about what is coming?

5a. Will it be easier to circle with the new system?

5b. Any chance of getting forums earlier cos it's currently 2:50 am my time and I have work in just over 6 hours time? (UK time zone)

6.  why not a system whereby part of the exp is learned right away and part is banked for absorption when you rest....sort of like, you tune yer body while fighting (right away exp) and then reflect on the battle afterwards and how you could have done better?

7a. What will the new crafting system be like?

7b. is it still the plan to have benefits to BC by training in other skills, or did the adrenal skill kill that?

8a. How will the mechanics of re-allocation work and how long will it take?

8b. But how will we be able to test ourselves and see if what we did was effective if there are no critters of our level?

8c. With skills being open to everyone and no distinct professions, will everyone be able to bless a wedding ring? I can just see a rogue-type blessing a ring.

9a. will reallo be a one time deal or will we get a chance to experiment a bit before settling into something?

9b. will we get any type of notice before reallo that it is going to happen this date - so if we wanted to take time off work we could do that?

10. What about battle manuals?

11a.Seeing they will be separated, will the skills of Adrenal and Battlecraft be similar to Amaranth's initial suggestions? They were comparable in outcome, if not implementation. Thus, one could train one or the other to obtain the desired benefits.

11b.is it confirmed if I will be able to throttle goblins to death again?

11c.Can we confirm that we are getting 39.5 training points per level, as Mathuna hinted?

12. How will the removal of Gods impact priests spells?

13. So why will the RP bonus no longer accelerate the experience gain? We really really really need to encourage roleplay, and I'm just curious...why the lessening of the reward?

14a.poisoning weapons is a task that has traditionally used more than one skill, and hasn't been mentioned much in the chaos. Do you know what skills poisoning will require after reallocation?

14b.Even after reallocation is all said and done, each one of us will be required to hutn "on level" to gain exp? How will "on level" be determined post reallo?

15a.we used to be able to use combos of 2 or 3 moves with each successive move at a slightly lower to hit than normal, for example, swing, reverse stroke, swing or a jab, lunge combo.  are these coming back?

15b.will the appearance stat really affect anything, or should one allocate points to it only for the sake of vanity?

16a.what kind of changes to alchemy are all ready set?...and which ones are still on the rocks?

16b.will we have the same war weapons?

16c.well anything basically change to giants?

17a.What happens if a player is gone during the one week of reallocation? When they come back, will they only have one shot at retraining all their characters?

17b.You said we would type SET SKILL X to 400, it's maximum. Could we set it to under the maxiumum?

17c.What happens to new players that try to come in during reallocation week?

17d.Will the crafting experience system have the same 30,000 needed for the next crafting level? And will we get a seperate set of training points to train in the seperate set of crafting skills, or are they all lumped together? Or I should I just wait for that documentation?

17e.Would you mind defining Guild? You say we may join guilds similiar to our current professions. But what does that entail, and what benefits are derived?

18. I think the new craft system is awesome, but of course, how will the people doing the crafts make money?  Will it be as much as Hunting? It is the week of the auction!? That's like 2 months away! That's not soon! :)

19. sorry to go all the way back to the first thing discussed, and meaning no disrespect, but how many warriors lobbied in favor of a separate adrenal skill?

20. Will most of the currently 'broken' alchemy formulas be fixed or adjusted in time for us to practice with them during reallocation week?

21a.What specifically, will be the post-reallocation relationship between dodge, armor skill, and armor worn? Will dodging get reduced if you have armor skill?. If so, how much relatively? Will wearing armor without armor skill have value?

21b.what about shields?

21c.What are the contributing stat/skills for fatigue?

21d.so is acrobatics going to aid in offense and defense directly?

22a.First of all, how soon before reallocation will the non existent adrenals be put into effect? They aren't even broken, they aren't even around yet. We really would appreciate seeing them before reallocation if that's possible. 

22b.Secondly, what about all the spells and/or formulas and BC we've already learned?  Where do those go? And all the dinars we've spent prior, for our respective professions before reallocation.

22c.Will you be putting out ranger, empath, etc. templates?

23a.Will balancing/bonding be dependant on weapon skill alone?

23b.will there be any combonations using weapons and brawling moves? Will grappling and brawling actually be combined together into Unarmed?

23c.will stats play a role in armor use and augmentation?

23d.Is a dodge-only warrior (a la Herc and company) actually going to be a viable character concept?

24. Do the skills you have outlined and finialized cover the crafting system skills? As in.. during reallocation, will we be able to alocation points to skills useful in the crafting system, and not just combat areas?

25. What about Mantle? Is that considered armor?





To find a specific question, you can press [CTRL]+[F], type in Question4 for example, and jump to that question number.



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EXAMPLE TEMPLATES were given for Ranger, Empath, Battle Mage, Beast Master/Summoner (see Question22c)



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Mathuna calls the assembly to order.  After a moment the crowd quiets down.



Mathuna says, "welcome to the Hercules and Xena: Alliance of Hero's reallocation forum."

Mathuna says, "first reallocation is on track and moving forward."

Mathuna says, "I can tell you that as of today everything for reallocation should be in Quality Control."

Mathuna says, "Snags can still crop up, but I'll go out on a limb and say realloction will be soon."

Mathuna says, "while we have an internal date, until everything has cleared QC we won't announce the date."

Astraea nods.



Mathuna says, "most of you know of course what we are talking about."

Mathuna says, "but for those who don't a very brief recap."

Astraea says, "Basically we have advanced to internal testing mode.... It is NOT vapor ware."

Mathuna says, "Due to changes in the combat system, and creatures, we have a desperate need to change how professions advance."

Mathuna nods to Astraea.



Mathuna says, "so that skill gain and level advancement work better."

Mathuna says, "more and more problems have been croping up that directly relate to the existing advancement system."

Bontinor says, "Don't remind me."



Mathuna says, "the new system, called Reallocation 2.0, what is coming out."

Mathuna says, "it basically removes the rigid set professions and creates a more open system.  It also creates a consistant advancement scheme that both players ands can plan on."

Mathuna says, "so that if a system is designed for the typical 'warrior' at level 30, it will consistantly catch most warriors at level 30 and be available."

Mathuna says, "details are posted in the reallocation message board."

Mathuna says, "the new documentation is at the Simutronics offices and being prepared for release."

Mathuna says, "just confirming one thing."

Mathuna says, "ok, just got final confirmation, there is 1 and only 1 change to the proposed skill list."



Mathuna says, "we will be adding an adrenal skill all of its own."

Mathuna says, "and with my announcemnt that everything is moving into QC, you can understand that its good your warrior team moved fast."

Mathuna says, "we are splitting the crafting skills out of the combat skills and making them their own skills."





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Question1:

Mathuna says, "Gerett asks, 'Let me groan about adrenals!'"

Gerett asks, "Why, in the name of something that I can't think of, would you make adrenals its own skill?"



Amaranth says, "Simply because enough warriors felt a need for it.  The system could work either way, with or without it split into a sperate skill"

Amaranth asks, "Do you see a reason we shouldn't have?"

Mathuna says, "myself, as I said in my post, I think its a mistake, but thats me."

Gerett says, "Yeah."

Gerett nods to Amaranth.

Mathuna says, "it reduces the warrior professions flexability by a huge amount."

Mathuna says, "and locks them into a more riged path."

Mathuna shrugs.

Mathuna says, "but thats what warriors wanted."

Mathuna grins.

Gerett says, "I'm not stretching myself out mad to train to be what I want to be because a lot of warriors had a bout of temporary, and some permanent insanity."

Gerett shakes his head.

Melatha says, "The issue, I believe, is that many do not see how the new system will afford a wide array of possibilities.  They are clinging to skills they have waited on for... well, as long as I've waited on em too."

Mathuna nods to Melatha.

Mathuna says, "but as of tonight, its going to be to late to undo the addition."

Melatha says, "We are here for the players tho, so if enough want it, it will be there"

Astraea says, "i was fond of the single idea. It would let warriors pick up additional skills to supplement the warrior prime skills but others think that they need multiples... Initially we saw "battlecraft" as adrenals with a new cool name that was more encompassing."

Mathuna says, "all the documentation and systems will have the new skill added."

Gerett says, "Wonderful.. its another dodge and armor thing isn't it."

Mathuna says, "I did post there was a very narrow window in which a new skill could be added."

Melatha says, "This was a change that the players have successfully lobbied for.  This is what happens when we listen to you. (grin)"

Gerett says, "No.."

Gerett says, "This is when you pay attention to the LOUD ones."

Gerett says, "Us sensible ones, think its a bad idea."

Melatha nods to Gerett.

Mathuna asks, "anyway does that answer your groan Gerett?"

Gerett says, "No.."

Gerett says, "Not really."

Amaranth asks, "Are there more than just you thinking this way Gerett?"

Gerett says, "Yes."

Gerett nods to Amaranth.

Astraea says, "No. Both skills will be useful.  And rember the side that may be the side of reason and sense is not necessarily the side that prevails."

Melatha says, "I think that some of the arguements were sensible, just not what I envision as a warrior.  My view shouldn't trump what other feel tho.  "

Gerett says, "I think its a bad idea. And others do too."

Gerett shrugs.

Gerett asks, "So why dont we ask THAT majority?"

Melatha says, "Xanthian had some good points, I disagreed, but they were valid enough."

Mathuna says, "if we do, it will delay reallocation."

Mathuna says, "I will mention that."

Amaranth says, "We're not changing it"

Amaranth looks over at Mathuna and shakes her head.

Mathuna says, "There, the GM in charge of the system has spoken."

Gerett says, "That was a very bad idea."

Astraea says, "Was this not discussed in the boards over the past week?  It wouldn't delay it overly much but would delay it some."

Gerett shrugs.

Gerett says, "Bad decisions happen."

Gerett exclaims, "Life goes on, next!"

Mathuna nods to Gerett.

 

Having finished addressing the assembly Gerett sits back down.



Astraea asks, "Well then. Amaranth... Could you give a quick statement then about what the difference is between the BAttlecraft and the adrenals are?"

... see QuestionWWW below





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Question2:

Mathuna says, "Nymphae asks, 'Will we be able to change our gods?'"

Mathuna nods to Nymphae, who stands up to address the assembly.



Nymphae says, "Just curious if we would be able to, in case we wanted to maximize skills that another god favors."

Astraea says, "Gods arent going to favor skills in that way anymore."

Astraea says, "you won't select a god at reallocation.  It will not affect your STATS or skills.  Infact thats one thing that forced the need for reallocation (among others)"

Nymphae nods.



Astraea says, "Gods will should... be becoming a new system... thats interactive where you might donate to multiple gods for favors or blessings..."

Astraea says, "This is still a system that is undefined but is the general direction that the "Gods" are heading.  The real greeks saw all the gods as part of the mix... you didn't sacrifice a bull to zeus for fair weather when sailing."

Astraea says, "Ok thats pretty much mine answer."



Having finished addressing the assembly Nymphae sits back down.





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Question3a:

Mathuna says, "Xanthian asks, 'Was that "first reallocation" or "First, reallocation" that you started with?'"

Mathuna nods to Xanthian, who stands up to address the assembly.



Xanthian says, "I, uhh, thought I should clarify that."

Xanthian nods to Mathuna.

Xanthian asks, "You aren't already planning a third, are ya?"

Mathuna says, "no, this should be the last."

Mathuna says, "I sincerly hope, we never ever, ever, need to do this again."





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Question3b:

Xanthian says, "Oh, and if I could just state my argument for adrenals real quick..."

Xanthian says, "If there's only one warrior skill, BC, just how many ways are there to train as a warrior?  Imagine if there was only one Alchemy or one Magic... anybody who wanted to have the power of a warrior in this case could train 2.5x in Battlecraft."

Xanthian says, "A lot of training paths there, I'm sure."

Melatha says, "BC isn't the only warrior skill"

Mathuna says, "I think this reallocation fixes all of the major issues with the games core systems.  Can refinements be done?  yes, but we will not be doing a ground up over haul again."

Mathuna says, "thats your mistake Xanthian, your thinking of BC being the only warrior skill."

Mathuna says, "now you have 4 skill you must train."

Xanthian says, "Well, weapons, armor, dodging, all of these are completely open, not warrior skills."

Xanthian says, "Alchemy isn't exactly definable as another profession's."

Mathuna says, "all skills are open."

Mathuna says, "yes it is."

Mathuna says, "you only have to train 1 alchemy if you want."

Xanthian says, "But it's callede "Alchemy" as in "alchemist"."

Mathuna says, "or 1 magic, or 1 of anything."

Mathuna says, "there are no alchmists post reallocation."

Melatha says, "Melee, unarmed melee, dodge, armor, ranged, health, etc... there are a LOT of ways to train.  It's the only non-physical skill"

Mathuna says, "thats the first thing to remember about it."

Xanthian says, "But there are several ways to train as a pure alchemist, not so for a warrior..."

Heloha says, "there is no WARRIOR or PRIEST or ROGUE anymore, each character is it's own profession with tendancies in whatever direction you want"

Mathuna says, "there will be an alchemist guild you can join, but anyone who wants can join it."

Mathuna asks, "your looking at the old professions aren't you?"

Xanthian says, "Well, I'm saying that there's no way to define a warrior other than one skill..."

Xanthian says, "Yet there are several ways and several skills defining other professions."

Xanthian says, "The regular combat skills are completely open game, not tilted or named to suggest certain professions."

Melatha says, "In short, training in BC won't make you a warrior.  Using BC in conjunction with physical skills will help you define who you are, and there are 7 or so of those you can fit in 4 top slots, as opposed to only 3 with alchemy"

Xanthian says, "And with adrenals there will at least be 3 kinds of "warrior" or "warrior hybrids"."

Xanthian says, "Well, 3 kinds of combat can't be used simultaneously, but 3 kinds of alchemy CAN."

Mathuna says, "the proposed plan allowed exactly waht you want."

Xanthian says, "But I'll just sit down before I irritate others with questions more..."

 

Having finished addressing the assembly Xanthian sits back down.





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Question4:

Mathuna says, "Kirafern asks, 'When you say there is documentation coming, will that include skills availible, templates, how to work the reallocation manager, and just.. everything we would otherwise want to know about what is coming?'"

Mathuna nods to Kirafern, who stands up to address the assembly.



Mathuna says, "correct."

Kirafern asks, "'Will there be in-depth explanations of skills and training paths? I've seen the HELP (skills) that have been given. But I'd like to know some details which may be hard to place during reallocation week. Like how many trainings in what allow someone to ACT without parenthesis, or use masks, cast a relic and so on. How much help will we get?"

Bontinor says, "Except for specific numbers, most likely."

Mathuna says, "its very nice documentation, and it looked very complete that way from my looking over it."

Kirafern asks, "Timeline on when we might see it?"

Mathuna says, "I'm hoping before reallocation itself is released."

Kirafern exclaims, "Ohhh, I really hope so!"

Kirafern says, "'Will documentation explain how we are advance?  Praying to the gods, even though they won't give us special skills?  "

Mathuna says, "I understand that it is at the simutronics office to be added to the web site."

Mathuna says, "I'm not certain how far along they are with it."

Kirafern asks, "Spell checking and all?"

Mathuna says, "I believe that will be there."

Wanderstar says, "if I had done it the spell checking would be done in 20099."

Mathuna says, "the GM who is in charge of that project couldn't be here at this time."

Kirafern says, "Thank you. I have another question, but I can resubmit if you prefer."

Mathuna says, "lets do that, so others have their chance."



Having finished addressing the assembly Kirafern sits back down.





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Question5a:

Mathuna says, "Olmec asks, 'Will it be easier to circle with the new system?'"

Mathuna nods to Olmec, who stands up to address the assembly.



Olmec says, "First of all, my I make a suggestion about this assembly"

Olmec says, "Allow people to raise their hands befor ethey speak, in order to get other peoples points of veiws regarding points that are raised WHEN they are rasied"

Olmec says, "Rather than chasing our tails all night"

Mathuna says, "in smaller groups that does work."



Mathuna says, "advancement.  hmm, distance between levels all of that won't be changing."

Mathuna says, "we will be making one major change to experience absorption."

Mathuna says, "roleplaying bonuses will no longer speed up absorption."

Olmec says, "in the current system, there is either a lot of waiting around or constant hunting to gain exp points"

Olmec says, "The main gripe I have with the current system is that there have been a few times when I am "emptying" my mind thinking I am about to circle, only to find that my mind becomes a pond with less than 10 points to go"

Mathuna says, "hmm."

Astraea says, "We are discussing some changes to that.  Perhaps a smaller "pool" so that the lag time between is not as great.  Maybe a bit less for critters."

Olmec asks, "In the new system, will this change so that we are more ... certain about when we will level and are levels going to  be able to be reached quicker?"

Astraea says, "I would think thats a curse of any system."

Astraea says, "unless its a direct gain system."

Olmec asks, "How a bout a systme where exp points are automatically gained rather than acrewing (?) them and then have to wait to absorb them?"

Olmec says, "Just what I was thinking"



Olmec says, "I am sure that most people here would agree that sitting around waiting to circle is one of the most boring things to do"

Mathuna says, "I'm letting the Mistress of experience answer these."

Mathuna glances at Astraea.

Astraea says, "Acruing I think but... thats a possibility.  The automatic awarding seems to favor power hunters greatly.   There is no perfect way."

Olmec says, "One of the main reasons I am asking for a direct system is that today I was killed about 10-15 times during invasions"

Astraea says, "Its been a subject of debate... so while there is not going to be an immediate change.  Change is being contempleted."

Astraea says, "Perhaps I will open a discussion on the boards."

Olmec says, "personally I feel as though this does need to be discussed more in depth"

Olmec asks, "Perhaps it oculd be an option of when someone signs up?"

Astraea says, "ultimately  do understand that what you want might not be best for the game.  Even if its the best for you.   (that is a rhetorical "you" btw)"

Olmec says, "I understand"

Olmec says, "Hence why I said that it could be a choice you have when you sign up"

Astraea says, "WEll it will probably not be an option...  but changes are in consideration :)"





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Question5b:

Olmec asks, "Any chance of getting forums earlier cos it's currently 2:50 am my time and I have work in just over 6 hours time?"

Mathuna says, "earlier is difficult for some of us."

Olmec asks, "what about weekends?"

Astraea says, "Ahh. Your in a different place it sounds like... We choose this time because it is as about as optimum for all as we can get."

Astraea says, "weekends can be an option."

Olmec asks, "Have you ever heard of a place called Britain?"

Olmec says, "This aint an optimum time"

Mathuna says, "Yes I have, Thank you for your questions, onward with the next ones."

Jubalee says, "It's an optimum time for the majority of our people though, we need to do what's best for the majority."

 

Having finished addressing the assembly Olmec sits back down.





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Question6:

Mathuna says, "Tibo asks, 'can I have a cookie?'"

Mathuna nods to Tibo, who stands up to address the assembly.



Astraea asks, "Do we have a cookie?"

Tibo says, "yeah, it's my brithday and U here ubstead of partying...I deserve a cookie"

Tibo says, "but, on to more serious things"

Astraea says, "Happy birthday. Some one give him a cookie. ;)"

Jubalee offers Tibo a cinnamon cookie.

Tibo accepts Jubalee's cinnamon cookie.

Mathuna asks, "any other questions?"

Tibo asks, "maybe a suggestion?"

Mathuna says, "certainly."



Tibo asks, "in regards to what Olmec said...why not a system whereby part of the exp is learned right away and part is banked for absorption when you rest....sort of like, you tune yer body while fighting (right away exp) and then reflect on the battle afterwards and how you could have done better?"

Mathuna says, "that is actually how it works."

Mathuna says, "there is a limit to how fast you absorb experience."

Mathuna says, "so that experience earned in combat is absorbed over the next period of time."

Tibo asks, "I understand that, just why can't you have two separate pools of exp, one that is absorbed right away, and one that is absorbed over the long run?"

Mathuna says, "in part to keep advancement to a determined pace."

Tibo says, "I don't know how you would divide between the two to maintian the balance, but it would seem to satisfy most players"



Having finished addressing the assembly Tibo sits back down.





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Question7a:

Mathuna nods to Vaage, who stands up to address the assembly.

Mathuna says, "Vaage asks, 'What will the new crafting system be like?'"



Vaage says, "i'm assuming it's a post reallocation release"

Heloha says, "um, crafty and cool"

Mathuna says, "the goal is for very close to reallocation."

Mathuna says, "it requires much less setup than the rest did."

Jubalee says, "It'll be like making stuff."

Vaage asks, "can i be a tinsmith and invent the tin can and then wait eighteen years to invent the can opener?"

Mathuna says, "the current debate points are how to advance skills, but once that is answered actual coding will commence."

Mathuna says, "with QC and final release to be as close as possible to reallocation."



Astraea says, "Well if you want to be historically accurate."

Mathuna says, "we don't want to remove making of items, and then make you wait another 2 years."

Vaage says, "just use a rock, works like a charm"

Vaage asks, "is cooking on that list?"

Mathuna says, "that by the way, was one of the hold ups on reallocation."

Astraea says, "We are a fanatsy game so you can invent the can opener then wait 18 years to invent the can."

Mathuna says, "it is, but not in the very first release."

Mathuna says, "initially it will have the exisiting crafty things, plus one or two that are in developement."

Jubalee says, "Sewing and whittling I've temporarily changed over to skills that will be available post reallocation, so they won't be suspended.  Then when the new crafting system comes out I'll change them to that system."

Astraea says, "Ultimately however the goal will be that you can be in game and "do things" craftily... and never do combat at all if you want."





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Question7b:

Vaage says, "one quick one for the warrior team"



Vaage asks, "is it still the plan to have benefits to BC by training in other skills, or did the adrenal skill kill that?"

Vaage asks, "you posted about how training in "side" skills would give you more moves to use with BC, did the inclusion of adrenals kill that idea?"

Vaage says, "i'll be a 10th level chemist, and an 88th level tailor"

Amaranth says, "Skills will all be combined with other skills as far as any systems that I'm planning, yes"

Vaage asks, "so the inclusion of adrenals will only remove that as the BC and health combination?"

Amaranth asks, "Inclusion in adrenals in what exactly?"

Vaage says, "the new skill"

Amaranth says, "I'm just not sure what you're asking"

Mathuna says, "I think Vaage means as a seperate skill."

Vaage nods to Mathuna.

Mathuna says, "correct me if I'm wrong Vaage."

Amaranth asks, "Why would it remove anything?"

Vaage shrugs.

Vaage says, "i don't pretend to understand why you do things"

Mathuna asks, "the proposal was that BC would work with various skills to add special abilities.  So will the addition of Adrenal as a skill change that?"

Mathuna says, "I think that was vaage's question."

Vaage nods to Mathuna.

Astraea says, "That was it... See I think Vaage liked the idea that battlecraft and unarmed might make one special thinger ... while battlecraft and ranged would make another."

Amaranth says, "Again, I don't see why it would when adrenals won't have a default place among the warrior skills"

Vaage nods to Astraea.

Vaage shrugs.

Vaage says, "i wasn't expecting you to include adrenals"

Vaage says, "i'm mearly covering my backside, and helping others to do the same"

 

Having finished addressing the assembly Vaage sits back down.







==============================================

Question8a:

Mathuna nods to Goldenmane, who stands up to address the assembly.

Mathuna says, "Goldenmane asks, 'How will the mechanics of re-allocation work and how long will it take?'"



Mathuna says, "the initial test period is 1 week."

Astraea says, "Because we are not going for the 2 ranks at X cost and 3rd rank at 2x cost scheme...."

Mathuna says, "you will be able to reallocate at will during that week to try various things."

Astraea says, "it should be a matter of reallocationgpoints to your maximum allowed."

Astraea says, "for a given skill."

Mathuna says, "when you log in, you will be brought to the reallocation system, and you must go through the process at least once during that week."

Astraea says, "not redoing every level."

Mathuna says, "you will be set to your current level asked to pick your skill sets."

Mathuna says, "and then will be given that much points to spend."

Mathuna says, "ie, your 100 th level, you will get 3950 points to spend on skills."

Astraea says, "I think the key is... that its not redoing every level. :)  "

Mathuna says, "4 of which can be set to 400."

Mathuna says, "and you will set them by typing SET SKILL X to 400"

Mathuna says, "I think you will anyway, as thats the way its specified."

Melatha says, "The last reallocation was a pain for the older players... having to do one level at a time"

Astraea says, "ie set preist magic to 400.... set preist magic two to 400... set priest magic 3 to 400... set dodge to 300... set praise mathuna to 200... etc..."

Mathuna says, "you will do the same to your stats by the way."

Mathuna says, "the idea is that you don't have to spend hours and hours and hours reallocating."

Mathuna says, "at the end of the week, when the test period is over, we will restore the game from backup."

Astraea says, "Stats will not be set by what class you are... you will get stat points and get to attribute them to the stats you want."

Mathuna says, "we will then turn the sytem on so that logging in will send you to reallocation if you haven't been there."

Mathuna says, "you will get free reallocation."

Mathuna says, "any others will cost serious amounts of experience."

Astraea says, "maximums for various stats will be determined by what race you are... ie strength max for a giant is much higher than for a human.\"

Mathuna says, "and it will work exactly as it did during the test week."





==============================================

Question8b:

Goldenmane asks, "But how will we be able to test ourselves and see if what we did was effective if there are no critters of our level?"

Astraea says, "I will make something for the upper levels before then."

Astraea says, "Perhaps like the trolls."

Astraea says, "That auto adjust to your level."

Mathuna says, "I was going to suggest that Astraea."

Mathuna says, "but yes we will have something in place for that."

Astraea says, "Good point Goldenmane.  Having something your level to fight would be a good thing."

Goldenmane says, "But some critters are good at some things and others good at others. We need a selection of types to train ourselves the best way."

Astraea says, "and we will make it so."

Mathuna says, "it is true, if nothing is your level, its hard to see if your redesigned well."

Bontinor says, "I've received a suggestion that you can always drag a "friend" to the arena to test the higher levels."

Goldenmane says, "Um. I would be able to take Thomeus to the arena. But that would only allow me to test myself against warrior-type critters."

Bontinor says, "But you can reallocate ad infinitum."

Mathuna says, "that is true."

Bontinor says, "You don't have to be a warrior all the time."

Melatha says, "Not to mention that players behave differently than critters in combat.  Timing and tactics are important to test."

Mathuna says, "only during the week Bontinor, but yes during that time you can test against differing trainings."

Bontinor says, "Granted, it's not a direct substitute for critters, but it's something better than 0."





==============================================

Question8c:

Goldenmane says, "With skills being open to everyone and no distinct professions, will everyone be able to bless a wedding ring? I can just see a rogue-type blessing a ring."

Astraea says, "if they have the priest magic they might be able to."

Astraea says, "Im assuming it takes priest magic."

Mathuna says, "I think you would need sufficient priest magic to do that."

Mathuna says, "but team Priest will make the final decision about it."

Mathuna says, "its a pity that the team leader had to leave."

 

Having finished addressing the assembly Goldenmane sits back down.





==============================================

Question9a:

Mathuna says, "Kalipso asks, 'will reallo be a one time deal or will we get a chance to experiment a bit before settling into something?'"

Mathuna nods to Kalipso, who stands up to address the assembly.



Mathuna says, "I think I answerd that during Goldenmane's question."

Mathuna says, "but yes, there will be a 1 week period of testing."

Mathuna says, "anounced before hand."

Mathuna says, "we will back up the game, and for 1 week reallocation will be at will."

Astraea says, "Kinda like a long dream... then you wake up surrounded by the farm hands and auntie em."

Kalipso asks, "and any experience earned during that time, will it be kept or lost?"

Mathuna says, "at the end of that week, the game will be restored from backup and the 1 shot only reallocation will be turned on."

Astraea says, "Lost I believe."

Astraea says, "Its for you to play with and test and choose."



Kalipso says, "I would like to remind all the GMs here, that although the boards serve a wonderful purpose, not all get there."

Mathuna says, "we do try and put into news changes that happen."

Kalipso says, "so it's good every now and again to get some thoughts from players not known to go there."

Kalipso says, "that doesn't make for a good discussion however."

Mathuna says, "there is that, and its a very valid point."

Mathuna says, "I think the average in the other games is 1 person out of 10 reads the boards."

Mathuna says, "we proably have a higher ratio, but its not all."





==============================================

Question9b:

Kalipso asks, "will we get any type of notice before reallo that it is going to happen this date - so if we wanted to take time off work we could do that?"

Mathuna says, "yes."

Mathuna says, "as a matter of fact that might be the very last delay for it."

Mathuna says, "to give sufficient warning its going live."

Mathuna says, "and the test week."

Mathuna says, "so that you all have time to plan and prepare."

Kalipso says, "thanks."

Mathuna says, "we knwo when we want it to happen."

Bontinor says, "If I might interject something..."

Mathuna nods to Bontinor.

Bontinor says, "There is one thing that won't vanish when the "test" reallocation period is over, and that's any account lockouts."

Bontinor says, "I know it seems like common sense, but ..."

Mathuna says, "err, no, we will put banners in, and send out emails."

Bontinor says, "There's going to be the temptation to try out lots of things that you wouldn't normally do. And most of them will be ok."

Mathuna says, "as well as board postings."

Mathuna says, "some have asked about advertising, and we will wait until reallocation is in to start that."

Bontinor says, "But policy violations, etc that would normally get you locked out ... will still get you locked out, and that lockout will stay even after the restore from backup."

Bontinor says, "So when it happens, go out, have fun, try lots of things, annoy one another to no end."

Bontinor says, "But behave."

Bontinor grins.



Having finished addressing the assembly Kalipso sits back down.





==============================================

Question10:

Mathuna says, "Ashmael asks, 'What about battle manuals?'"

Mathuna nods to Ashmael, who stands up to address the assembly.



Ashmael asks, "Will the battle manuals still exist?"

Amaranth says, "I heard a few people asking about them and the need for them any further"

Amaranth says, "I'm not sure why we'd be removing them but it's worth considering"

Ashmael says, "Im a bit annoyed with mine"

Amaranth asks, "Why's that?"

Ashmael says, "Basically I cant learn it, it's level 10, Im 15... "

Ashmael says, "But I keep knocking myself out"

Ashmael says, "Very amusing for everyone else"

Ashmael says, "Anyway, I was just wondering if the skills in the manuals would be incorporated into the new skill-sets or not"

maranth says, "Yes, there was no easy way for me to tell the merchant not to let you buy one if you lacked the skill to learn it"

Ashmael says, "Tis a shame"

Ashmael asks, "If you do decide to scrap battle manuals, can I get a refund?"

Logos says, "Other professions suffer similarly however."

Amaranth grins at Ashmael.

Ashmael says, "Worth a shot"

Ashmael says, "1500 dinars, tis an expensive headache right enough"

Amaranth says, "We'll ponder the manuals a bit but feel free to make a case for or against them on the boards or after the forum"

Ashmael says, "Thankies"



Having finished addressing the assembly Ashmael sits back down.





==============================================

Question11a:

Mathuna says, "Wazza asks, 'Seeing they will be separated, will the skills of Adrenal and Battlecraft be similar to Amaranth's initial suggestions? They were comparable in outcome, if not implementation. Thus, one could train one or the other to obtain the desired benefits.'"

Mathuna calls on you to stand up and address the assembly, so you rise to speak.



Amaranth says, "Good question Wazza"

Astraea asks, "I think Wazza liked that battlecraft suggestion where it mixxed with other skills too?"

You nod to Astraea.

Amaranth says, "They'll be able to be used together but will mainly be independent skill training paths"

You say, "Seemed effective, as profession has no interest to me anymore"

Astraea asks, "And you think both shuold mix with other skills the way suggested originally for battlecraft?"

You nod to Astraea.

You say, "Indeed"



Amaranth says, "So on one hand, battlecraft and health offers one skill (bandages) where adrenals and health offer an adrenal heal effect"

You say, "The options that are expandable by way of BC can be weighted training points if desired"

Astraea nods to Amaranth.

Astraea says, "that is logical"

Amaranth says, "It should work fairly the same for each skill"

You say, "Else, train in something else"

You nod to Amaranth.

You say, "Okay"

Amaranth says, "I say *fairly* because there will be some slight and perhaps important differences"

Astraea says, "or battlecraft and ranged might mean double shots... where as adrenal and ranged could be telekinises (not sure how we would do that)"

Amaranth says, "One battlecraft charge attack might depend on race"

You say, "That's fine - just hoping the effects will mostly be identical"

Amaranth says, "Whereas an adrenal charge attack might depend on very little or perhaps on terrain (mountainous, forest, etc."

Amaranth says, "Mostly, yes."

Amaranth nods to you.

Astraea asks, "You can make it a really cool intermix of various skills with both battlecraft and adrenal?"

Astraea says, "And the other skills."

Astraea nods.

Astraea says, "maybe."

Amaranth says, "Yeah, there'll be some abilities that look for both adrenal and battlecraft"





==============================================

Question11b:

You ask, "is it confirmed if I will be able to throttle goblins to death again?"

Amaranth says, "You're referring to "Will there be grappling moves?""

You say, "Choke was a grappling move, yes"

You say, "So was Headbutt"

You say, "It was removed for combat - but am wondering if they'll be incorporated into the Unarmed skill"

Amaranth asks, "Any chance you can answer that Melatha?"

Melatha says, "Unarmed combat will see much more attention after reallocation"

You say, "Okay great"

Melatha says, "inclusing brawling weapons, combos, etc..."





==============================================

Question11c:

You ask, "Can we confirm that we are getting 39.5 training points per level, as Mathuna hinted?"

Mathuna nods.

Mathuna says, "yes, after reviewing things, I'll stay with the 39.5 points."

You ask, "Any reason for the ... extra half point?"

You say, "Or less half point, I should say"

Mathuna says, "because you can spend on a half of a skill."

Mathuna says, "remember those last skills are all capped at 1.5 ranks."

 

Having finished addressing the assembly you sit back down.





==============================================

Question12:

Mathuna says, "Moiria asks, 'How will the removal of Gods impact priests spells?'"

Mathuna nods to Moiria, who stands up to address the assembly.



Mathuna says, "It won't affect thier spells directly."

Moiria asks, "So basically where we call on them by name will not change?"

Mathuna says, "there are some ideas being tossed around to allow a player to be particularly a devote of one of the dieties."

Mathuna nods to Moiria.

Moiria says, "Ok, I was wondering about that."

Mathuna says, "but they are in the discussion phase right now."

Moiria says, "Ok, well that's all I had for now."



Having finished addressing the assembly Moiria sits back down.





==============================================

Question13:

Mathuna says, "Hawkeye asks, 'So why will the RP bonus no longer accelerate the experience gain? We really really really need to encourage roleplay, and I'm just curious...why the lessening of the reward?'"

Mathuna nods to Hawkeye, who stands up to address the assembly.





Mathuna says, "it helps create a feel that you must be maximizing experience gain while under its benefits."

Mathuna says, "and that is actually counter productive to roleplaying."

Hawkeye asks, "I can understand it in that regard, certainly. Will there be compensation for that, then?"

Mathuna says, "someone gets a bonus now, and feels if they keep roleplaying they are losing experience they could be earning."

Mathuna says, "yes."

Mathuna says, "exact compensations are still being discussed."

Bontinor says, "Normally the first thing we see happen upon someong getting a reward is that they drop everything and go hunt."

Jubalee asks, "How many times have you RPed and gotten an award and then felt like it was wasted because you didn't go right out and hunt to keep your pool as full as you could.  Or gotten the award and went and hunted your tail off to cram as much exp into the time you had it?"

Mathuna says, "but we are not doing away with RP awards."

Bontinor says, "Which is the exact opposite of what should happen."

Mathuna says, "just the one facet of them."

Astraea says, "Well let us not be overly hasty... All RP awards will not go by by.... just the aspect that let you asorb at a greatly enhanced rate for long durations I think."

Hawkeye says, "Good, good. I agree totally with the decision now. Just wanted to have that cleared up."

Mathuna nods to Hawkeye.



Having finished addressing the assembly Hawkeye sits back down.





==============================================

Question14a:

Mathuna says, "Gammyde asks, 'poisoning weapons is a task that has traditionally used more than one skill, and hasn't been mentioned much in the chaos. Do you know what skills poisoning will require after reallocation?'"

Mathuna nods to Gammyde, who stands up to address the assembly.



Gammyde asks, "...and if you do know, will you tell us? ... Now?"

Gammyde says, "Poisoning is not a craft, yet not a skill that's easily thrown into a professional category, either...I can't figure out where it fits."

Gammyde says, "Well sewing is kind of a craft."

Mathuna says, "ah, good question."

Gammyde says, "Poisoning really isn't."

Zephyra says, "I dunno.  It seems pretty crafty to me."

Zephyra looks thoughtfully at Mathuna.

Bontinor says, "Best I can say is, "Whatever is most appropriate.""

Gammyde lets out a deep sigh.

Gammyde tilts her head toward Bontinor.

Mathuna says, "my suggestion would be gadgettering or trap use, or maybe weapon care."

Mathuna says, "I'll talk it over with Revel."

Astraea says, "It should probably be... a mix of things still."

Gammyde says, "Okay, so that's kind of up in the air..."

Gammyde nods to Mathuna.

Astraea says, "Stealth... perhaps could come into play as its a "sneaky" move... "

Mathuna asks, "I can hopefully provide a more useful answer for?"





==============================================

Question14b:

Gammyde asks, "Even after reallocation is all said and done, each one of us will be required to hutn "on level" to gain exp? How will "on level" be determined post reallo?"

Mathuna says, "you will still have levels."

Mathuna says, "that is what controlls your caps on skill point placement."



Mathuna says, "for example tier 1 skills at level 10, can only have 40 points in them."

Gammyde says, "I have a problem forgetting professions."

Gammyde says, "I've been an alchemist for so long, ya know."

Mathuna says, "I expect a number of people will stay with the core forms, even after reallocation."

Melatha says, "Don't forget professions, they will exist.  They will simply be defined by players rather than programmers"



Having finished addressing the assembly Gammyde sits back down.





==============================================

Question15a:



Mathuna says, "Matthaeus asks, 'we used to be able to use combos of 2 or 3 moves with each successive move at a slightly lower to hit than normal, for example, swing, reverse stroke, swing or a jab, lunge combo.  are these coming back?'"

Mathuna nods to Matthaeus, who stands up to address the assembly.



Matthaeus asks, "so...combos?  they were real fun.  they coming back?"

Melatha says, "Combos will exist.  The exact benefits will vary, but will be there.  There will also be player defined combos.  You tell the system yer favorite moves to combine, and that's yer combo."

Mathuna says, "I'm pretty certain that brawling moves has been worked on."

Zephyra says, "Brawling, combos.  I mention them a lot."

Melatha says, "Then you just type something like "combo"  and the system will automatically perform those maneuvers"

Melatha asks, "Does that help?"



Matthaeus says, "will it be described as a combo while you're doing it, cuz that always made it real fun to do."

Melatha says, "That will depend on how I write the system, but it is possible.  One thing to note is that generically swinging will begin to have a wide variety of messages based on skills, race, weapon type, etc..."





==============================================

Question15b:

Matthaeus asks, "also, will the appearance stat really affect anything, or should one allocate points to it only for the sake of vanity?"

Zephyra says, "We like you better if you appear better."

Zephyra hums!

Astraea asks, "If this were a a really famous table top game system I would say your perception of that is probably accurate... unles your a palidin or a bard?  And we dont have palidins?"

Mathuna says, "never right off a stat though."

Mathuna says, "as we free up people to work on other things, negleted systems are being fixed."

Mathuna says, "and that might very well have an effect."

Holyph says, "We have anything and everything, that's why the new system is so super neato keen."

Matthaeus asks, "appearance stat, don't get too ugly just in case?"

Bontinor says, "I really don't think appearance will directly affect how you perform in combat."

Holyph says, "I plan on trying to make appearance matter"

Holyph says, "And yes it will matter for the teller-type stuff."

Logos says, "Intelligence should matter too."

Heloha grins at Holyph.

Heloha asks, "no ugly tellers?"

Mathuna says, "your probably don't have to maximize appearance, but I wouldn't ignore it completly either."

Matthaeus nods.

Holyph says, "There can be ugly tellers, but you may have to be a lot better than a pretty teller to get the same recognition."

Matthaeus says, "thank you"

 

Having finished addressing the assembly Matthaeus sits back down.







==============================================

Question16a:

Mathuna says, "Maker asks, 'um what kind of changes to alchemy are all ready set?...and which ones are still on the rocks?'"

Mathuna nods to Maker, who stands up to address the assembly.



Logos says, "I am going for a little image makeover of alchemy."

Wanderstar says, "you might have noticed bombs got the multi use makeover"

Logos says, "I'm looking towards a technomagical aspect instead of the bio-accident aspect that has been rather well explored up until now."

Logos says, "Helixes will change."

Logos says, "I also plan to add a some mild weapons creation."

Maker says, "and yes i like the new tiny wand feeders"

Logos says, "On a scale slightly more complicated than vine weaponry."

Maker says, "yes them vine weapons suck"

Logos says, "Now, those vine weapons serve a purpose."

Maker says, "how regular melee weapons are much better"

Melatha says, "Just making those weapons was a major feat of acrobatic coding that is the near equivalent of rocket science fer our game..."

Maker nods to Melatha.

Melatha says, "They are actually designed to be a bit less effective.  The more effective ones will be made when testing is finished.  That is why the current ones wear out"

Wanderstar nods.

Wanderstar says, "or will wear out when breakage comes"



Mathuna says, "Logos by the way designed the ring making system."

Maker says, "the rings are good"

Mathuna says, "to give you an idea of the way he goes at thing.  "

Logos says, "Well I didn't make the rings.  Just the way you make them."

Mathuna says, "rings are Wanderstars, how you make them is Logos"

Logos says, "I will be changing the rings as well, however."

Wanderstar nods.

Wanderstar says, "I gave rings to him"

Maker says, "them spikes are nice if a bit painfull"

Logos says, "I will be adding the ability to create a staff that will be the central focus of weapons I add to the game.  It will involve using other items such as the rings and helixes to be components of the staff weapon."

Maker nods to Logos.

Logos says, "This staff is still in my design phase for me and may be quite sometime before it is complete."





==============================================

Question16b:

Maker asks, "will we have the same war weapons?"

Wanderstar says, "warthingies didnt move over to Logos rings helixes rods ad erm something I fergot did"

Maker asks, "will we have the same war weapons?"

Wanderstar says, "they might be tweaked some more"

Wanderstar says, "but mostly yes"

Mathuna says, "this is just a general over view, not the detaileed alchemy forum."

Mathuna grins.





==============================================

Question16c:

Maker asks, "well anything basically change to giants?"

Zephyra says, "We have giant-specific clothing becoming available, similar to the centaur only clothing."

Logos asks, "How do you mean will anything change for giants exactly?"

Maker says, "well right now we giants suck at everything compared to taurs and humans except taking damage"

Logos says, "Race will not be a factor as far as I know in skills.  And only a mild factor in stats"

Logos says, "I am working hard to raise race issues when I percieve imbalances on the subject." 

Zephyra says, "I believe race will only factor for logical reasons, as mentioned, centaurs can't really backflip.  Giants will find things that logically they can do, or they cannot do also."





Having finished addressing the assembly Maker sits back down.









==============================================

Question17a:

Mathuna says, "Kirafern asks, 'What happens if a player is gone during the one week of reallocation? When they come back, will they only have one shot at retraining all their characters? '"

Mathuna nods to Kirafern, who stands up to address the assembly.



Mathuna says, "yes."





==============================================

Question17b:

Kirafern says, "You said we would type SET SKILL X to 400, it's maximum. Could we set it to under the maxiumum? "

Mathuna says, "yes you can."

Mathuna says, "if the cap is 400, you could do SET SKILL X to 100"

Mathuna says, "if you want."

Mathuna says, "or any other number up to the cap."

Mathuna says, "the idea is that you can specialize a bit."





==============================================

Question17c:

Kirafern says, "What happens to new players that try to come in during reallocation week? "

Zephyra says, "The database is reset, but we will have warnings posted as players create new characters."

Mathuna nods to Zephyra.

Kirafern asks, "They can't just start, as though they were entering as new one, under the new system?"

Zephyra says, "No, because all players are held in the same database."

Kirafern nods to Zephyra.

Kirafern says, "That's going to be ackward for new ones."

Zephyra says, "And we won't have the resource, so far as we know, of duplicating the game so they can enter the 'new' one separately."

Zephyra says, "Well, it is dicey, but we want you to have a full 10 days and you guys have stuck with us; you deserve the time to carefully consider your options."

Kirafern says, "10 days, I thought it was a week."

Zephyra says, "I want two weekends in the mix."

Zephyra says, "So, my week of reallocation has 10 days :)"

Kirafern says, "That's a good idea."

Astraea says, "10 days sounds right."





==============================================

Question17d:

Kirafern asks, "'Will the crafting experience system have the same 30,000 needed for the next crafting level? And will we get a seperate set of training points to train in the seperate set of crafting skills, or are they all lumped together? Or I should I just wait for that documentation?"

Mathuna says, "being discussed."

Mathuna says, "no firm answer yet."

Mathuna says, "'thats the last hold up before coding on crafting starts."

Kirafern nods to Mathuna.





==============================================

Question17e:

Kirafern says, "Would you mind defining Guild? You say we may join guilds similiar to our current professions. But what does that entail, and what benefits are derived? "

Mathuna says, "Guilds are more social, then not"

Kirafern asks, "So we can have nice little guild meetings, and nice little guild leaders?"

Kirafern asks, "So guild leaders, player or Gm?"

Logos says, "My vision of guilds and I think I share this with other GMs is that I want Guilds to help offer identity to those who join."

Mathuna nods to Logos.

Kirafern asks, "Like, Oh, I belong in the lockpicking guild, or the ranger guild?"

Kirafern asks, "Yey for me?"

Logos says, "I want the Guilds to help the player express themselves.  They willnot however be a means to which you gain abilities to enable you to advance."

Kirafern nods to Logos.

Holyph says, "Basically just a way to do neato things that pertain to that guild without really getting any sort of experience gaining boosts."

Kirafern says, "So social then."

Mathuna says, "but guild items, etc, that is acceptable."

Kirafern asks, "Player leaders, GM leaders, or no leaders?"

Holyph says, "And maybe even titles you can only get as a guild member, stuff like that."

Logos says, "NPC leaders."

Kirafern asks, "Like, official guilds, or will they be player run?"

Kirafern nods to Logos.

Kirafern says, "So anyone could join a guild, then."

Logos says, "There will be certain restrictions"

Holyph says, "You could be a warrior and join the sewing guild if you wanted to."

Kirafern says, "With no person at the top to ask them why they were joining, or surpervise the inductees."

Holyph says, "I think..."

Logos says, "But they will not be based on skil."

Holyph chuckles.

Logos says, "You could train in complete alchemy and join the warrior guild.  Or train in stealth and lockpicking and join the priest guild."

Kirafern says, "Okay, I'm done."



Having finished addressing the assembly Kirafern sits back down.





==============================================

Question18:



Mathuna says, "Palus asks, 'I think the new craft system is awesome, but of course, how will the people doing the crafts make money?  Will it be as much as Hunting? It is the week of the auction!? That's like 2 months away! That's not soon! :) '"

Mathuna nods to Palus, who stands up to address the assembly.



Palus says, "Of course, I ask the money question."

Mathuna says, "we are going to allow your crafts to be sold for cold hard dinars, to make money."

Mathuna says, "more than it cost to make the item even."

Palus says, "Like....."

Palus asks, "With the sewings?"

Zephyra says, "Not yours, specifically.  Yours in general :)"

Palus asks, "Making like 15 dinars per thingy?"

Mathuna says, "with all crafts."

Mathuna says, "its part of the over all plan for it."

Holyph says, "When I do scultping though, I plan on making you take losses for the first few statues."

Holyph says, "So some stuff will make you money, some might take time to make a profit."

Palus nods to Holyph.

Palus says, "Makes sense."

Holyph says, "You'll need to rent a studio, buy tools, buy the marble... all that's gonna put you in the red."

Holyph says, "But you don't need to buy tools everytime you make one, and if you build 5 in the time it took to rent the studio once you'll see more of a profit."

Mathuna nods to Holyph.

Mathuna says, "exactly."

Palus says, "Sounds great."

Palus says, "I guess I'm done, Thanks."

Holyph says, "Of course not everyone is as evil as me, so I'm sure some stuff'll make you money off the bat."

 

Having finished addressing the assembly Palus sits back down.





==============================================

Question19:



Mathuna says, "Cervesus asks, 'sorry to go all the way back to the first thing discussed, and meaning no disrespect, but how many warriors lobbied in favor of a separate adrenal skill?'"

Mathuna nods to Cervesus, who stands up to address the assembly.



Amaranth says, "From the discussions there were 2 very strong proponents and 1 who wasn't in favor"

Cervesus says, "that's about how I saw it"

Amaranth says, "Since there was no penalty to seperating the skills there was no reason to not seperate them"

Cervesus says, "hardly seems a significant basis for tossin' a system out the window"

Zephyra says, "It's not tossed.  It's stirred."

Amaranth nods to Zephyra.

Cervesus says, "it means redirectin' trainin' over what's mainly semantics"

Zephyra says, "Pretty much."

Zephyra says, "We were surprised by the vocal backlash over what seemed to us a minor thing."

Cervesus says, "and ya did say it was the result of a majority, not based on the strength of the argument"

Amaranth says, "You will have absolutely no need to train in both battlecraft and adrenals"

Amaranth says, "In fact, training in both will be kinda redundant"

Amaranth asks, "So is it more a matter of the fact that you want to use 2 styles of attacks rather than one?"

Melatha says, "Be assured tho.  Whatever skills are released, I will ensure that warriors are viable.  I am one BTW.  I won't let physical warrior types be left in the dust of magic clouds."

Cervesus says, "maybe so -- though I was just gettin' my brain wrapped around the old plan"

Mathuna says, "let Amaranth post details about it."

Amaranth nods to Mathuna.

Amaranth says, "I'll certainly be trying to explain why I'm going this way with it and will stick it in a news item as well"

Zephyra says, "I liked the subtlety Amaranth developed with putting adrenals back in."

Melatha says, "We can make this work to most everyones approval even tho the two methods seem mutually exclusive at the moment"

Amaranth says, "And I'll be around after the forum to discuss feedback further and make a few appearances to get one on one feedback too."

Melatha says, "I will be here as well for combat questions"



Having finished addressing the assembly Cervesus sits back down.





==============================================

Question20:

Mathuna says, "Agrimony asks, 'Will most of the currently 'broken' alchemy formulas be fixed or adjusted in time for us to practice with them during reallocation week?'"

Mathuna nods to Agrimony, who stands up to address the assembly.



Mathuna says, "we will be working to get as many as we can ready."

Astraea says, "You will be able to use war staves."

Agrimony asks, "was there an answer about the formulas?"

Mathuna says, "yes we are working on them."

Mathuna nods to Agrimony.

Agrimony says, "ya have been for two years"

Agrimony smiles at Mathuna.

Astraea says, "and they have improved."

Astraea nods.





Astraea says, "BTW... AGain I state for the record... Reallocation mechanisms ARE at GM testing stages.... and are NOT vapor ware... so whereas we wont announce a DATE... REAL SOON really does mean REAL SOON."





==============================================

Question21a:

Mathuna says, "Heemor asks, 'What specifically, will be the post-reallocation relationship between dodge, armor skill, and armor worn? Will dodging get reduced if you have armor skill?. If so, how much relatively? Will wearing armor without armor skill have value?'"

 

Mathuna nods to Heemor, who stands up to address the assembly.



Melatha says, "Armor will work in conjunction with the armor skill"

Melatha says, "There will be actual armor skills as well as passive skills"

Melatha says, "There will also be actual active dodge skills"

Melatha says, "armor reduces your effective dodge when being attacked"

Melatha says, "That will not keep you from using the dodge skills tho"

Heemor asks, "armor skill or actually wearing armor?"

Melatha says, "wearing armor reduces your effective ability to dodge"

Heemor asks, "ok is this regardless of your armor skill?"

Melatha says, "armor skill will reduce the penatly slightly"

Heemor says, "ok ehee"

Melatha says, "it will not negate it entirely tho"

Melatha says, "there will be special armor as well..."

Heemor asks, "can you tell more about it?"

Melatha says, "armor which adds to your dodge ability, and reduces your AC.  Very rare armor which increases both, etc..."

Heemor says, "oh ok wow"

Bontinor says, "We've a few surprises in store."

Melatha says, "I will be adding things to measure, or assess, or something so that you can tell how well armor will work for you"

Heemor says, "sounds great"

Bontinor says, "Probably measure."





==============================================

Question21b:

Heemor asks, "what about shields?"

Melatha says, "Shield use may tie into dodge more than armor skill"

Astraea says, "Oh we planned on making it so that they could shove em in harms way..."

Bontinor says, "It's already used to reveal the condition of arms."

Heemor asks, "oh ok. So how much would a shield block?"

Heemor asks, "would it be like a limited amount or total block?"

Bontinor says, "And their type. But not their effectiveness for any particular user."

Melatha says, "That's gonna depend on the state of another system that is in testing"

Heemor says, "ok the shield thing sounds good"

Melatha says, "The weapon and armor reallocator is nearly done.  Weapons first, then armor, then shields"

Melatha says, "Shields are built funny from the coding standpoint, and still work better with old combat than the new system"

Melatha asks, "Does this help or was I too vague?"

Heemor says, "oh that helps i wondering mainly what skill they would go with"

Melatha says, "armor with armor, shields with dodge, etc..."

Melatha nods to Bontinor.

Melatha says, "Weapons are being reallocated as well as players"

Heemor nods.

Melatha says, "Just so everyone is aware it is coming"

Melatha says, "we have made provisions for exceptional weapons, so don't panic"





==============================================

Question21c:

Heemor asks, "What are the contributing stat/skills for fatigue?"

Melatha says, "Health"

Melatha says, "whatever your health is, that's yer fatigue"

Heemor says, "wow ok, thats great it makes that skill more valuable"

Melatha says, "leaping, wearing heavier armor while using tumbling skills, etc... drains your pool"

Astraea says, "I thought... thats not set in stone yet. is it? "

Melatha says, "eventually, many things will drain your pool, and being stunned may sap it some too"

Melatha nods to Heemor.

Astraea says, "Trying to avoid combat while using ranged weapons would eat it up fairly fast as an example"

Melatha nods to Astraea.

Heemor says, "ok"

Astraea says, "and if your in heavy armor doing that... REAL fast"

Astraea says, "Fatigue was a basic concept we needed to introduce to balance armor versus dodgeing versus acrobatics"

Heemor asks, "ok so what if you are very strong, does that help fatigue?"

Melatha says, "Not yet"

Heemor says, "ok"

Mathuna says, "it already existed, but in an odd way, "

Melatha says, "Not a bad idea tho"

Astraea says, "It should in part... we reserve the rigth to tweak the things we are changing for the good of the game despite the fact it might make some supertank less super and some wimp a bit more viable. :)"

Melatha says, "We will change things.  Count on it.  If something is broke, we will fix it.  If it has poor design it will be redesigned.  That's for combat anywho"

Astraea says, "So please patience when that happens... and IT WILL happen... and it might make you less super... or more super... please give us real feedback while considering the good of the whole game and not just your character. :)"





==============================================

Question21d:

Heemor asks, "so is acrobatics going to aid in offense and defense directly?"

Melatha says, "There will be moves in combat which will require athletic abilities.  Ninja types would slay me without making certain of that"



Having finished addressing the assembly Heemor sits back down.





==============================================

Question22a:

Mathuna says, "Llorien asks, 'First of all, how soon before reallocation will the non existent adrenals be put into effect? They aren't even broken, they aren't even around yet. We really would appreciate seeing them before reallocation if that's possible. Secondly, what about all the spells and/or formulas and BC we've already learned?  Where do those go? And all the dinars we've spent prior, for our respective professions before reallocation. '"

Mathuna nods to Llorien, who stands up to address the assembly.



Astraea says, "1. The existing Battlecraft was the intitiation of Adrenals... under an improved wider ranged name.  They had not been forgotten."

Llorien asks, "So can I have an example?"

Llorien says, "Please."

Astraea says, "Other than that I will let the other experts speak... but battlecraft WAS to be Adrenals Plus More... now thats changed."

Llorien says, "Of which for the record I don't agree with."

Melatha says, "That is one major reason I was against adrenals.  They don't exist, and never have.  Why put in another system that sucks up points that isn't even coded?  Let me continue, I type slowly (grin)"

Llorien says, "I agree Melatha."

Melatha says, "We actually have 2 skills ready to roll out as soon as reallocation heppens... maybe sooner"

Llorien asks, "Which are?"

Amaranth says, "Adrenal rage and adrenal healing"

Melatha says, "BC will see many more skills as well, thru levels 150 or 170"

Llorien says, "ah, of which you were speaking earlier."

Llorien nods to Amaranth.

Llorien asks, "And they're almost ready to go?"

Mathuna says, "we are making plans so that the stalled development of the core areas doesn't happen again."

Melatha says, "You will keep your current abilities if I'm not mistaken"

Mathuna says, "so we don't leave you with a list of, oh and this skill will ultamatly do X, we just don't know when."

Melatha asks, "Is that true Mathuna?"

Llorien asks, "So you just have two ready?"

Melatha says, "You will keep your current abilities"

Melatha says, "Yeah, looks that way"

Amaranth says, "There's a lot to do to get everything ready but bar any problems during testing they'll be ready when reallocation begins"

Llorien asks, "when?"

Llorien asks, "Or before?"

Mathuna says, "probably with the release of the new systems."

Amaranth nods to Mathuna.

Mathuna says, "part of the problem is that some things depend on nonexistant skills."

Llorien nods to Mathuna.

Llorien says, "I see that."

Zephyra says, "Makes them harder to test."

Holyph says, "Like all of storytelling."

Holyph mutters something under her breath.

Zephyra rubs Holyph gently.

Heloha says, "what you have to remember Llorien, is that while there may only be a couple ready, there are many that are in various states of completion, and they will continue to come out, even during the 10-day week"

Mathuna says, "we can make it and test it, just not release them for you to look at until reallocation."

Llorien nods to Heloha.

Melatha says, "BC depends on a non-existant skill.  I released it so that you had SOME type of thing to help, as little as it's been"

Llorien says, "That scares me though. That's why I needed to ask."

Llorien says, "It's helped."

Llorien says, "To understand what it may be in the future."

Zephyra says, "One thing that'll help is, once the reallocation is set and you all are happily setting yourselves up, that will free the coding GMs somewhat to finish a lot of other items that are waiting on it."

Melatha says, "We aren't trying to fry your characters... that's a hard thing to swallow at times"

Llorien says, "We know that you aren't."

Llorien says, "It's just scary for us though."

Melatha says, "It is fer us too"

Mathuna says, "we know it worries people, but until you can actually get your hands on it, its going to be worrysome."

Mathuna says, "actually seeing the real documentations helped me be certain we are going the right way."

Astraea says, "Btw you may have noticdd that we have made strides over the past several months... combat has improved and continues to improve.  Wee are at the doorway of reallocation... We are going to implement a spearate craft skill system...  Part of this is due to a change in the way of approaching things.  This is where we target needs according to priority rather than seemingly random systems."

Holyph says, "Once you realize there's nothing you can do to avoid it, you'll stop worrying."

Mathuna says, "seeing how different training paths would actually look."

Mathuna says, "its one thing to say we want to do it, its another to actually see functional training paths that will be viable."

Llorien says, "But it's not going to stop me from wanting to ask questions."



Astraea says, "questions are good."

Astraea says, "Wanting stuff is good. :)"

Astraea says, "Im just explaining that we are trying to respond to the game needs with new vigor."

Melatha says, "We must frustrate you at some points tho.  That's us presenting you with a challenge.  We can't make the game HX: Alliance of Cakewalkers"

Astraea says, "The one amazing wonderful thing about simutronics games is... we are not justs... we werent hired off the street... we were all initially at least players... our dreams may not match yours exactly... but our ideals have always been to try to make the best game we could."

Mathuna says, "some of the delays to thei point have been back tracking to redo things that didn't work so well."

Mathuna says, "when we actually started to go that way."







==============================================

Question22b:

Amaranth says, "Oh, any battlecraft abilities you learned won't be lost after reallocation."

Llorien asks, "and if I was an alchemist?"

Llorien asks, "and didn't have the skills to make the formulas I knew previous?"

Amaranth says, "You have to understand that you need skill to use an ability"

Llorien says, "So if I'm a 100th alchemist now....."

Llorien says, "and I switch to a rogue, with just a little alchemy."

Melatha says, "You'll mix like you have no skill even if you know the formulas"

Llorien asks, "What about all those dinars I spent?"

Melatha says, "Yer outta luck"

Llorien asks, "Over four years?"

Melatha nods.

Melatha says, "We can't refund for things that we didn't even see happening"

Astraea says, "Over four years? Wait... you keep the existing dinar you have."





==============================================

Question22c:

Llorien asks, "Will you be putting out ranger, empath, etc. templates?"

Holyph says, "We already have those in the docs even."

Mathuna says, "I"ve been holding Wanderstar back eversince I posted the names of them."

Holyph says, "Those two and some others."

Holyph says, "And I imagine players will begin to develop and post their own training schemes."

Llorien nods to Holyph.

Mathuna says, "He is desperate to post them."

Mathuna says, "I thougut he was going to do that last night."

Wanderstar says, "i fergot"

Mathuna grins at Wanderstar.

Holyph says, "I'll give ya our ranger and empath"

Holyph says, "one sec"

Melatha says, "Folks seem to be forgetting that they can train thier stats, not just skills.  Different stats will greatly effect your character even if they have the same skills"

Llorien says, "Oh stats..."

Astraea says, "yea the new stats thing is cool :)"

Melatha says, "somthing to consider"

Astraea asks, "you want to be in control of your own destiny I hope?"

Llorien says, "Stats weren't brought up tonight much."





==============================================

EXAMPLE TEMPLATES:

Holyph instructs:



     Ranger

     Tier 1: Spiritual Magic, Alchemical Conjuration, Ranged, Dodging

     Tier 2: Trap Use and Wood Lore

     Tier 3: Alteration Magic, Alchemical Catalyst, Health, Weapon Care

      

     Empath

     Tier 1: Alchemical Catalyst, Alteration Magic, Health, Dodging

     Tier 2: Scholarship and Acrobatics

     Tier 3: Perception, Wood Lore, Mythic Lore, Gadgets

      

     Battle Mage

     Tier 1: Spiritual Magic, Alteration Magic, Melee, Armor

     Tier 2: Unarmed and Battlecraft

     Tier 3: Health, Alchemical Catalyst, Scholarship, and Weapon Care

      

     Beast Master/Summoner

     Tier 1: Battlecraft, Alchemical Conjuration, Spiritual Magic, Dodging

     Tier 2: Music and Orphic Arcana

     Tier 3: Melee, Perception, Ranged, Weapon Care



Holyph says, "Those are the four we have so far in the docs"

Holyph says, "Just as examples of what you can do."

Mathuna says, "not that your restricted to using those."

Holyph says, "But we want you guys to do your own thing."

Holyph says, "That's the whole point of this."

Mathuna says, "you can do it your own way if you don't like our versions."

Astraea says, "Stats are based on race.... different races will have different maxs... ie a giant will have a higher max strength at a given level than human.... you will decide where to put your stat gains."

Bontinor says, "They're all tweakable to your particular style."

Mathuna says, "the ranger on the boards looks to be very viable for example, though very different than ours."

Astraea says, "We wont decide for you... if you want to be a super strong moron... thats your choice... if want to rival Brain while having the agility of pinky... thats ok too."

 

Having finished addressing the assembly Llorien sits back down.





==============================================

Question23a:

Kor asks, "Will balancing/bonding be dependant on weapon skill alone?"

Melatha says, "(Long sentence deleted)... No"

Melatha says, "It will depend on 2 core skills, one of which will be melee weapons, the other I haven't decided yet"

Holyph says, "mythic lore"

Holyph nods to Melatha.

Melatha says, "Race and stats will also play a role"

Melatha says, "Race and stats will begin to cause wide variety in combat"

Melatha says, "I think that aside from clothing and some creative verbs, race has been ignored too much"

Holyph nods to Melatha.





==============================================

Question23b:

Kor asks, "I may be touching on something already covered...not sure. Here goes...will there be any combonations using weapons and brawling moves? Will grappling and brawling actually be combined together into Unarmed?"

Zephyra says, "It was supposed to be made more of than it has been."

Melatha says, "I truly believe that different massaging at the least should exist when a centaur or a human get knocked down, leap, or perform in combat"

Kor nods to Melatha.

Melatha says, "Yes"

Melatha says, "Unarmed will also cover brawling weapons"

Melatha says, "worn brawling weapons that is, not held items"

Astraea asks, "On the combos... I could be wrong... but we were considering user defined combos?  Melatha?"

Melatha says, "Yes, there will be both types of combos"

Melatha says, "user defined and some presets"

Astraea says, "So  they could maybe mix..."

Melatha asks, "Brawling and such has been slow to develop since new combat what?  4 months ago now?"

Melatha gazes around at his surroundings.

Kor asks, "So...there will not be a seperate grappling skill?"

Melatha says, "It will speed back up, as will ranged moves"

Melatha says, "no"

Melatha says, "unarmed melee"

Melatha says, "that will cover any physical combat attacks that use no weapons"

Melatha says, "armed will cover one-handers, two-handers, hand and a half, polearms, etc..."

Holyph says, "half of pole-arms"

Melatha says, "ranged will be anything not required to be in melee distance"

Holyph asks, "I thought?"

Holyph asks, "or did melee change to armed?"

Kor says, "Hm, will armor be adding to round times? Not trying to make people angry or anything, but I figured you may have thought about it since you say armor will affect fatigue."

Melatha says, "The polearms is undecided and may change.  I haven't had final word from my boss yet"

Holyph nods to Melatha.

Melatha says, "I won't double-penalize armor"

Melatha says, "if it saps fatigue, it and costs that dern much, it doesn't need any sort of encumbrance too"

Melatha says, "Armor will help with stuns tho"





==============================================

Question23c:

Kor asks, "That said, will stats play a role in armor use and augmentation?"

Melatha says, "Not yet"

Melatha says, "I can only recode so much at a time.  That's the real reason.  Not that it shouldn't"





==============================================

Question23d:

Kor asks, "Is a dodge-only warrior (a la Herc and company) actually going to be a viable character concept?"

Melatha says, "yes"

Melatha says, "One thing to keep aware of..."

Amaranth says, "absolutely"

Melatha says, "Lets say reallocation comes and they su... er don't do so well..."

Melatha says, "We will recode it, re-analyze it, and work on it till it works.  We have bad ideas and don't think of everything.  It will be beaten until it is fair, and usefull, even if it doesn't start out that way"

Zephyra says, "We're very flexible."

Melatha says, "I'm a warrior AND a coder... I won't stop till it does what it should"

Zephyra says, "That's why it may sound like a lot of your choices will be, I haven't decided yet."

Kor says, "I think that covers all my thoughts. Thanks for the information and the welcome back. And Zeph, your smooches are better than cookies."

Kor cackles!

Zephyra cackles at Kor!



Mathuna says, "Since Zephyra has not wrap up comments, this concludes the formal forum."

 

** Mathuna opens the floor back up for general discussion. **





==============================================

Question24:

Kirafern asks, "Do the skills you have outlined and finialized cover the crafting system skills? As in.. during reallocation, will we be able to alocation points to skills useful in the crafting system, and not just combat areas?"

Mathuna says, "there is some debate on the best way to do that."

Mathuna says, "but the skill split is set."

Kirafern asks, "Documentation?"

Mathuna says, "I want to do it one way, others want another."

Mathuna says, "and thats my answer, and I'm sticking to it."

Kirafern exclaims, "Well, so long as we'll know... eventually!"

Astraea asks, "It was Kirafern that asked about documentation?"

Kirafern nods to Astraea.

Mathuna says, "none of this do we want to keep secret."

Mathuna says, "instead, details released we want."

Llorien says, "Yes, we just loveeeeee documentation."

Zephyra says, "Documentation is awaiting a website redo for our pages."

Astraea says, "but it has been created and is updated as we go."

Astraea says, "And when  the time comes you should all be able to access it."

Zephyra says, "Which the home office started working on the update a week or so ago, but the documentation has been ready since September."





==============================================

Question25:

Goldenmane asks, "What about Mantle? Is that considered armor?"

Holyph says, "I doubt mantle will be considered armor."

Goldenmane smiles at Holyph.

Goldenmane says, "Good."

Holyph says, "But I can't speak for Mathuna... but yeah, it'd be silly to be otherwise."



~End~