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As previously discussed, Shroud of Deception will allow the caster to disguise their appearance in an illusion. This gives them the ability to visually change their race and profession. The benefit of such a spell, other than tricking players, is using it for mechanical advantages in certain systems. An example of this would be that dark elves are automatically removed from the Shimmarglin Inn in Ta'Illistim. A dark elf caster could disguise their race to avoid being ejected. Another example would be to use the spell to avoid racial biases in shops.
What other systems do you think should factor into the spell?
GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team
Perception and Elemental Detection. There should be a way to defeat the illusion. Preferably a skill check, rather than just casting 405 at everyone you meet from now on.
As for other systems, elf status for Ta'Illistim areas such as the Towers of Order, Chaos, Shadow, and Light (You make yourself look like a Illistim Elf). Beyond getting into combat applications, little else comes to mind.
As for other systems, elf status for Ta'Illistim areas such as the Towers of Order, Chaos, Shadow, and Light (You make yourself look like a Illistim Elf). Beyond getting into combat applications, little else comes to mind.
This may not be a highly favorable idea, but I think the guild systems should use it so one can enter a guild to buy things from the shops within them.
Or maybe also even to be able to enter the guild and help out with being another onlooker for audience reps (hopefully the spell won't be just self-cast if this were to happen).
-Adam
"You guys took all the pretty places." ~Anonymous
Or maybe also even to be able to enter the guild and help out with being another onlooker for audience reps (hopefully the spell won't be just self-cast if this were to happen).
-Adam
"You guys took all the pretty places." ~Anonymous
Weekend access to Veythorne Manor? PC-set racial bonuses set in Playershops? Racial-based portals (the sylvan-only room at the Lassaran Encampment comes to mind)?
Things that should probably not be affected: Profession-based portals to profession-based services or raffles.
Out of curiosity, is there a situation where appearing to be a different profession would be beneficial enough to require a spell to trick someone or something from a mechanical standpoint? Given the fact that anyone can theoretically 'appear' to be any profession they like already simply by not wearing cliched attire, I'm not sure I understand that aspect of the spell. Or is that information left as an exercise for the reader?
The L behind the Laphrael
It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a shoe.
http://www.gsguide.net/index.php?title=Laphrael
Things that should probably not be affected: Profession-based portals to profession-based services or raffles.
Out of curiosity, is there a situation where appearing to be a different profession would be beneficial enough to require a spell to trick someone or something from a mechanical standpoint? Given the fact that anyone can theoretically 'appear' to be any profession they like already simply by not wearing cliched attire, I'm not sure I understand that aspect of the spell. Or is that information left as an exercise for the reader?
The L behind the Laphrael
It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a shoe.
http://www.gsguide.net/index.php?title=Laphrael
Veythorne Manor and the tables in the back in Helgreth's Tavern in Ta'Vaalor also have race checks. Using the spell to appear as a Vaalor to sign up as a Squire Legionnaire should be interesting.
Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
Gretchen
Meeting Nilandia: http://www.gsguide.net/index.php?title=Nilandia
Nilandia's GS4 Info Repository: http://www.nilandia.com
AIM: Lady Nilandia
Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
Gretchen
Meeting Nilandia: http://www.gsguide.net/index.php?title=Nilandia
Nilandia's GS4 Info Repository: http://www.nilandia.com
AIM: Lady Nilandia
Would a halfling disguising themselves as a giant simply look like a really small giant? If not, and the spell makes the caster look the appropriate height, a shorter race disguising themselves as a taller race could get a small dodge bonus (enemies swinging at the illusory chest/neck/head that isn't really there, as the caster is shorter than the illusion), and tall races disguising themselves as a shorter race would only receive blows to the abdomen and lower (avoiding those nasty head/eye/neck crits). Average-height races would get partial benefits of these, depending on if they're disguising as something taller or shorter than they really are.
What does profession effect, NPC-wise? Sneaking into guilds would be kind of fun, granting possible access to shops, but not skills, obviously, and you could get caught and get into varying degrees of trouble, depending on the guild (I'd particularly hate to be caught interloping in the rogue or sorcerer guild).
Farn & Co.
AIM: LastMinutePrayer
E-mail: Play.net address
What does profession effect, NPC-wise? Sneaking into guilds would be kind of fun, granting possible access to shops, but not skills, obviously, and you could get caught and get into varying degrees of trouble, depending on the guild (I'd particularly hate to be caught interloping in the rogue or sorcerer guild).
Farn & Co.
AIM: LastMinutePrayer
E-mail: Play.net address
| Perception and Elemental Detection. There should be a way to defeat the illusion. Preferably a skill check, rather than just casting 405 at everyone you meet from now on. |
Outside of using a hostile action to cast a dispel, there are no planned methods to "defeat" an illusion. Casting Elemental Detection will only allow you to sense the spell, but it will not tell you what attributes they have disguised.
GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team
This thing sounds nifty. I do have to ask, are you looking for combat applications as well?
For now I'll assume not and run with it.
Let someone mimic another person exactly, thereby getting full citizenship benefits as if they were that person (free star travel, cheap cutter travel, being able to pass Ta'Vaalors gates without being threatened with arrest). Make it require some sort of acceptance from the target though since interaction is good and studying someones every feature is a little... personal
Allow for some bit of pickpocketing defense for it. If your trying to pick pocket what you think is a giant but its really a gnome, your going to miss its pockets and stick your finger in their ear.
Though thats all that immediately comes to mind.
Tal.
For now I'll assume not and run with it.
Let someone mimic another person exactly, thereby getting full citizenship benefits as if they were that person (free star travel, cheap cutter travel, being able to pass Ta'Vaalors gates without being threatened with arrest). Make it require some sort of acceptance from the target though since interaction is good and studying someones every feature is a little... personal
Allow for some bit of pickpocketing defense for it. If your trying to pick pocket what you think is a giant but its really a gnome, your going to miss its pockets and stick your finger in their ear.
Though thats all that immediately comes to mind.
Tal.
>Outside of using a hostile action to cast a dispel, there are no planned methods to "defeat" an illusion. Casting Elemental Detection will only allow you to sense the spell, but it will not tell you what attributes they have disguised. - GameMaster Estild
Well like I said, then, people will just start casting 405 at new people they meet. It would be a nice bonus to people who have many ranks in perception to have a passive chance to see some sort of vision distortion around those with an illusion running. Spells like Presence should also aid in spotting an illusion. It spots those that are invisible, it makes sense that it would otherwise apply. However, i'm certainly not going to argue the point. It would only be an issue if the spell would mask itself from 405, which looks like it wont.
Well like I said, then, people will just start casting 405 at new people they meet. It would be a nice bonus to people who have many ranks in perception to have a passive chance to see some sort of vision distortion around those with an illusion running. Spells like Presence should also aid in spotting an illusion. It spots those that are invisible, it makes sense that it would otherwise apply. However, i'm certainly not going to argue the point. It would only be an issue if the spell would mask itself from 405, which looks like it wont.
| The L behind the Laphrael |
| Out of curiosity, is there a situation where appearing to be a different profession would be beneficial enough to require a spell to trick someone or something from a mechanical standpoint? Given the fact that anyone can theoretically 'appear' to be any profession they like already simply by not wearing cliched attire, I'm not sure I understand that aspect of the spell. Or is that information left as an exercise for the reader? |
Profession biases in shops.
| Gretchen |
| Using the spell to appear as a Vaalor to sign up as a Squire Legionnaire should be interesting. |
I don't know the specifics of that system, but it's unlikely this spell would allow you to sign up for something that requires a persistent state (i.e. you must always been a Vaalor elf to be eligible to be a Squire Legionnaire).
| Farn & Co. |
| Would a halfling disguising themselves as a giant simply look like a really small giant? If not, and the spell makes the caster look the appropriate height, a shorter race disguising themselves as a taller race could get a small dodge bonus (enemies swinging at the illusory chest/neck/head that isn't really there, as the caster is shorter than the illusion), and tall races disguising themselves as a shorter race would only receive blows to the abdomen and lower (avoiding those nasty head/eye/neck crits). Average-height races would get partial benefits of these, depending on if they're disguising as something taller or shorter than they really are. |
Technically, a halfling that uses the spell will look like an actual giantman. So while attacks that would target the upper portion of the body should miss since it is an illusion, they won't for balance reasons. The spell will not affect combat.
GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team
>The spell will not affect combat.
<< Ah well, too bad. Some altered miss messaging might be kind of fun just for flavor, but I have no idea if that's doable. >>
It would be cool if they did this messaging with the non-combat punch and slap. Even tap, since the halflings true shoulder would be a lot lower than the assumed race(other than gnome).
Josh
<< Ah well, too bad. Some altered miss messaging might be kind of fun just for flavor, but I have no idea if that's doable. >>
It would be cool if they did this messaging with the non-combat punch and slap. Even tap, since the halflings true shoulder would be a lot lower than the assumed race(other than gnome).
Josh
The spell should affect what kind of "special attack" you get when BRAWLING in brawling taverns and elsewhere.
You know what I mean, right? Elves dodge and counterattack, dwarves take a punch and spit out a tooth, giantmen grab your fist, etc, etc.
The code's probably ancient, but that would be AMAZING.
-Sea Wizard
You reach into the cauldron and take out a silvery monogram rocket.
The cauldron raises up two of its legs and clasps them in victory.
You know what I mean, right? Elves dodge and counterattack, dwarves take a punch and spit out a tooth, giantmen grab your fist, etc, etc.
The code's probably ancient, but that would be AMAZING.
-Sea Wizard
You reach into the cauldron and take out a silvery monogram rocket.
The cauldron raises up two of its legs and clasps them in victory.
>Profession biases in shops. (re: what's the use)
GameMaster Estild
So I take it this is going to be essentially a flavor/RP spell without having any mechanical uses (other than shopping)?
-farmer
*
GameMaster Estild
So I take it this is going to be essentially a flavor/RP spell without having any mechanical uses (other than shopping)?
-farmer
*
| That's just what we want, criss-crossing furrows all over the town streets from someone wandering through with their animated plow super buddy. |
| -Strath |
>It will have mechanical uses, but none that affect combat. It's a role-play/utility spell.
GameMaster Estild
Alrighty. Just wanted to make sure I understood the purpose of the spell.
-farmer
*
GameMaster Estild
Alrighty. Just wanted to make sure I understood the purpose of the spell.
-farmer
*
| That's just what we want, criss-crossing furrows all over the town streets from someone wandering through with their animated plow super buddy. |
| -Strath |
This might not be possible, but it would be amazing if this spell masked your identity.
Rather than seeing:
Also here: Joe, Bob, and Sue.
You'd see:
Also here: Joe, Bob, and a dwarf.
Rather than:
Sue just skipped merrily into the room.
You'd see:
A dwarf just skipped merrily into the room.
When people LOOKed at you, they'd see.
You see what appears to be a Dwarf.
<Insert description of features and clothing here.>
Rather than seeing:
Also here: Joe, Bob, and Sue.
You'd see:
Also here: Joe, Bob, and a dwarf.
Rather than:
Sue just skipped merrily into the room.
You'd see:
A dwarf just skipped merrily into the room.
When people LOOKed at you, they'd see.
You see what appears to be a Dwarf.
<Insert description of features and clothing here.>
I've often thought disguising your identity like that would be neat and was trying to implement it in my own game, but there are a few snags. What if a bunch of people are in the same room, all disguised?
Also here: An elf, an elf, an elf, a dwarf, Bob.
An elf says, "Bob smells funny!"
Bob says, "Which of you said that?"
An elf points at an elf.
An elf says, "He did!"
Speaking to an elf, an elf says, "How dare you!"
Bob punches an elf!
An elf says, "Hey, it wasn't me, it was the other elf!"
Speaking to an elf, an elf says, "You liar!"
Whew! Could get real confusing real quick.
Farn & Co.
AIM: LastMinutePrayer
E-mail: Play.net address
Also here: An elf, an elf, an elf, a dwarf, Bob.
An elf says, "Bob smells funny!"
Bob says, "Which of you said that?"
An elf points at an elf.
An elf says, "He did!"
Speaking to an elf, an elf says, "How dare you!"
Bob punches an elf!
An elf says, "Hey, it wasn't me, it was the other elf!"
Speaking to an elf, an elf says, "You liar!"
Whew! Could get real confusing real quick.
Farn & Co.
AIM: LastMinutePrayer
E-mail: Play.net address
>>It's a role-play/utility spell.<<
I was expecting it to be a level 30 spell with that description - or are clerics the only one to get saddled with that?
/bittermuch
Seriously, I like the spell idea, and I think it's really cool. My hope for it, though, is that it is A) self cast only, and B) not in the treasure system.
The last thing I want is for 50% of elanthia to be running around with an illusion on at any given time.
Some potential benefits may include racial verb usage.
It's amazing what people will do when they think you can't see them.
I was expecting it to be a level 30 spell with that description - or are clerics the only one to get saddled with that?
/bittermuch
Seriously, I like the spell idea, and I think it's really cool. My hope for it, though, is that it is A) self cast only, and B) not in the treasure system.
The last thing I want is for 50% of elanthia to be running around with an illusion on at any given time.
Some potential benefits may include racial verb usage.
It's amazing what people will do when they think you can't see them.
Bloodlust was a system announced at Simucon 99 by Ophion and Bsnthis where you would take control of a creature, hunt adventurers, gain levels, etc. Various parts are in existant GM commands, and the BCS now. The proposal eventually died a very quiet death.
The shapeshifter race was announced as 'coming soon' by Llyearn with the advent of GS4. Its rarely been mentioned again.
I really don't see what either has to do with the spell though.
~Psul
The shapeshifter race was announced as 'coming soon' by Llyearn with the advent of GS4. Its rarely been mentioned again.
I really don't see what either has to do with the spell though.
~Psul
| Yes, only clerics will be able to summon a GameMaster with a moment's notice for in character interaction. |
Yeah, if only it actually worked like that. 1 out of 50 successful communes does not equal "summoning a GameMaster with a moment's notice for in character interaction." Sorry, not trying to be difficult, but I think your statement is an unrealistic characterization of Prayer of Commune. You're not even REMOTELY CLOSE to being guaranteed a response.
| ROBERTSM8 |
| Yeah, if only it actually worked like that. 1 out of 50 successful communes does not equal "summoning a GameMaster with a moment's notice for in character interaction." Sorry, not trying to be difficult, but I think your statement is an unrealistic characterization of Prayer of Commune. You're not even REMOTELY CLOSE to being guaranteed a response. |
Your success rate of 1 out of 50 is also not REMOTELY CLOSE to the overall success rate of the spell. The Cleric Dev team can and does monitor all Commune requests, even to go as far to be notified via email when the spell is cast and answered by staff. And according to recent attempts (since the last update a year or two back), a majority of players do receive responses.
The times where there is no response that I have witnessed, it's deserved due to the cleric's lack of seriousness with the spell (despite all the documentation available which tells you how to succeed with the spell).
GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team
>>Since this looks like it's the end result of the failed shapeshifter project, why not also incorporate any working tidbits from bloodlust? That would make the spell interesting.
Pardon my ignorance, but what are you talking about?
GameMaster Oscuro
The shapeshifter project was supposed to be a new race added to GS. If a player picked shapeshifter as a race then they could morph into other races and gain those races' racial benefits/penalties. I believe it was discussed on the boards around the same time that morphs started appearing in game. It seems to have died a quiet death, but I noticed this spell incorporates most of the benefits of the suggested shapeshifter race.
The bloodlust project was going to allow players to play creatures (as a character slot) in a limited capacity and level up that creature by running tasks and killing players. I don't remember a single player not being excited about the project, but there were some issues (like potential for abuse) that never got resolved. I believe it was being discussed a few months before creatures gained "levels" for killing players, so whenever that was is about when the bloodlust system was floating around. This project also seems to have died a quiet death.
I was suggesting that if bloodlust ever made it past the planning stage and quests were developed, or code was written to allow for PC-creature interaction, that maybe attaching it to this spell would be a good use for it. If the illusion could make you appear to be an orc, and grant you access to an orc-only quest then that would be cool.
Dgry
Pardon my ignorance, but what are you talking about?
GameMaster Oscuro
The shapeshifter project was supposed to be a new race added to GS. If a player picked shapeshifter as a race then they could morph into other races and gain those races' racial benefits/penalties. I believe it was discussed on the boards around the same time that morphs started appearing in game. It seems to have died a quiet death, but I noticed this spell incorporates most of the benefits of the suggested shapeshifter race.
The bloodlust project was going to allow players to play creatures (as a character slot) in a limited capacity and level up that creature by running tasks and killing players. I don't remember a single player not being excited about the project, but there were some issues (like potential for abuse) that never got resolved. I believe it was being discussed a few months before creatures gained "levels" for killing players, so whenever that was is about when the bloodlust system was floating around. This project also seems to have died a quiet death.
I was suggesting that if bloodlust ever made it past the planning stage and quests were developed, or code was written to allow for PC-creature interaction, that maybe attaching it to this spell would be a good use for it. If the illusion could make you appear to be an orc, and grant you access to an orc-only quest then that would be cool.
Dgry
