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BishGada wrote:OOC: Of course I want to hear about Soulforge. If one wants to get the tougher tests he need to ask for it?)

At the beginning of each challenge in the Test, the student announces whether they want to face low risk, average risk, high risk or grave risk. Low risk is worth 1 point, average worth 2, high worth 3 and grave worth 4. At the end of the Test, the risk points are averaged out and how many you wind up with determine your reward at the end.

If the average is 1, you get a weak magical item.

If the average is 2, you get a moderate magical item and a +1 to your INT score.

If the average is 3, you get a strong magical item, a +1 to INT and a new special ability (the ability is dependent on the student's personality).

If the average is 4, you get a powerful magical item, a +1 to INT, a new special ability and you go through some kind of physical transformation (like Raistlin's hourglass eyes) that is also dependent on the student's personality.

Note that regardless of the risk, if you fail the challenge, then you get 0 points. So it's a gamble. If you choose 'grave risk' every time and fail them all, your average is 0 and you fail the Test. If you play it safe and always pick low or average risk, then you are more likely to succeed but won't acquire as much power in return.

Interesting. So can we say this information is known to Tulbas after conversing with Magnus?

I can't really understand the sentence Magnus said "You see, not many students realize that one has some control over the difficulty of the Test." if at the beginning of each challenge they just ask you the level you want.

What is the transformation good for?

I have more questions but I think I'll role-play it and if it doesn't fit you can answer (or not ) ooc.

I didn't know Raist eyes were changed during the test. I thought it was because he actually time traveled and became master of time or something like that.

Thanks.

BishGada wrote:So can we say this information is known to Tulbas after conversing with Magnus?

Sure.

BishGada wrote:I can't really understand the sentence Magnus said "You see, not many students realize that one has some control over the difficulty of the Test." if at the beginning of each challenge they just ask you the level you want.

He meant that most students don't realize this beforehand. They find out during the Test, of course.

BishGada wrote:What is the transformation good for?

The main purpose of the transformation is to push the mage toward become stronger. Raistlin's hour-glass eyes allowed him to see everyone and everything decay quickly when he looked at them. Every building he looked at fell apart and became overgrown with vines as he watched. Every person he looked at would age rapidly while he watched. This was supposed to teach him compassion and that all things in life are fleeting.

Other examples:

*A volatile wizard with wild mood swings is given eyes that change colors to match her mood — including striking and unnatural hues such as red and purple. This is meant to teach her to try to control her emotions.

*An absent-minded wizard gains a magical tattoo that slowly shifts and swirls, reacting to its environment. This is meant to teach him to pay attention to his surroundings.

*A wizard who constantly bothers people by talking too much gains a faint unearthly echo to his voice that disturbs those who hear him speak. This is meant to teach him to speak only when necessary.

* A duplicitous wizard with a penchant for lying gains a forked tongue. This is meant to teach him to tell the truth (and to warn others of his duplicity).

*An indecisive wizard who usually has to be pushed by others to make decisions is given a shadow that acts decisively and independently of the wizard’s own actions, startling those who notice it for the fi rst time. This is meant to teach him that he needs to rely more on himself to make decisions.

It essentially forces character development, attempting to 'forge' the character to become stronger.

BishGada wrote:I didn't know Raist eyes were changed during the test. I thought it was because he actually time traveled and became master of time or something like that.

His time travel came many years after he took his Test. The hour-glass eyes were part of the soulforge. His shattered health and golden skin were injuries he received in the final battle of the Test.

OK.
Thanks.

I understand the transformation should help the mage, but it is also has down sides...

BishGada wrote:I understand the transformation should help the mage, but it is also has down sides...

Yes. It's sort of like an ironic curse. But it's a curse that is ultimately supposed to be beneficial, in the long term.

BishGada wrote:About the factions I'd be happy to read more although I think it will be relevant only after The Test, right?

Correct. You can try and join one after you take your Test, but usually they have requirements to join, which Tulbas may not have yet passed even if he survives the Test. I can give you a brief outline on them.

War Mage - War Mages are wizards dedicated to battle and fighting alongside armies during times of war. Perhaps the most famous War Mage was Magius, who fought alongside Human Dragonbane against Takhisis during the Third Dragon War. War Mages get a boost to combat magic and can raise morale of nearby troops (Requirements: Must be level 5 and have a CHA of 13 or higher.)

Dreamshaper - The Dreamshapers are primarily illusionists and they are the ones who help craft the Tests. They can dive into a person's mind to learn all of their subconscious fears and desires, even observe their dreams, which helps in making a good Test. (Requirements: Must be in the Order of Lunitari, focus in the Illusion school and be level 9.)

Griffon Wizard - The elves of Ansalon have long maintained a strong relationship with griffons. Throughout the ages, especially in the lands of Silvanesti, elven mages have worked to develop a deeper connection with these noble beasts, conferring their own arcane powers to the griffons, while strengthening the bond between rider and mount. (Requirements: Must be in the Order of Solinari, Elven, be level 3 and have the Airborne Riding, Spellcraft and Animal Handling proficiencies. They also need access to a griffon and cannot have a familiar beforehand.)

Renegade Hunters - Probably the most obvious one. Renegade Hunters...wait for it...hunt renegades. They get special bonuses when facing off against renegades, including a boost in power and the ability to stifle their enemies' powers. (Requirements: Must be in good standing with the Conclave and be level 7. Must also have the Tracking proficiency.)

Sea Mages - Sea Mages are mages who live out at sea, often serving on ships. They acquire a lot of spells and abilities that help one at sea, including spells of wind and water. (Requirements: Must be level 5, have served on a ship for at least a year and have the Seamanship, Spellcraft and Swimming proficiencies.)

Spell Broker - These are basically magical merchants. They buy, sell and trade magical items to other wizards. This was what Raetmal was. They get a lot of abilities which help them better barter items and even later on, make them, as well. (Requirements: Must be level 3 and have the Appraisal, Bartering and Spellcraft proficiencies.)

Sylvan Mage - Sylvan Mages like to live out in nature and often serve as liaisons between the Conclave and the fey races. They receive a lot of special abilities and spells that are similar to druids and rangers, letting them communicate with animals and such. (Requirements: Must be NG, LN, TN, CN or NE in alignment, be level 5 and have the Tracking, Animal Handling, Spellcraft and Survival proficiencies. Also must be able to speak Sylvan and have spent a day and night with a sylvan creature like a centaur, dryad, satyr, etc.)

Winternorn - Winternorn are mages that live somewhere very cold, like Icereach. They get a lot of spells and powers related to the cold and increased cold resistance. (Requirements: Must be 5th level, focus in Divination, have the Spellcraft proficiency and been taught by another Winternorn.

I can go into more detail if any of those spark your interest. Of course, Tulbas need not join any of them, if he prefers.

BishGada wrote:Oh and Tulbas will asks about his chances to try the different levels of risks, since he doesn't have a clue what to expect to.

Average Risk means everything is the way it is supposed to be. A troll would have 6 HD, THAC0 of 13 and AC 4. Escaping a trap would require a DEX roll. Proficiency checks would not come with any penalties or bonuses beyond what is normal.

Low Risk means everything is slightly easier. A troll would have 5 HD, THAC0 of 14, and AC 5. Escaping a trap would require a DEX roll with a +1 to it. Proficiency checks would all get a +1 to succeed.

High Risk means everything is slightly harder. A troll would have 7 HD, THAC0 of 12 and AC 3. Escaping a trap would require a DEX roll with a -1 to it. Proficiency checks all suffer a -1 to succeed.

Grave Risk means everything is much harder. A troll would have 8 HD, THAC0 of 11, and AC 2. Escaping a trap would require a DEX roll with a -2 to it. Proficiency checks all suffer a -2 to succeed.

Well... Tulbas is not vain but he doesn't cower from challenge. If he wouldn't take the high risk he will always wonder what he have missed. Raetmal teaching were also to never run away from difficult tasks, although one must approach them carefully and think his action through.
Tulbas plans to ask for Grave risk and if he discovers he keeps failing he will later lower it, but he will also try to fish Magnus about his ability to survive Grave Risk before The Test and will ask his to simulate all the levels during their practice to get a better feeling where he can survive. He would also like to discuss the matter with Ismene as she is the only mage he knows that passed the Test beside Magnus. (Is she really the only one Tulbas knows? Have he ever met other mages that came to Raetmal's shop or were Raetmal's friends and can be tracked down in the city?)

About the factions, Maybe Griffon Wizards or Spell Broker will suite Tulbas because of his history. I guess that choosing a faction if it gives you some advantages, it will also have some disadvantages, right?

BishGada wrote:(Is she really the only one Tulbas knows? Have he ever met other mages that came to Raetmal's shop or were Raetmal's friends and can be tracked down in the city?)

Magnus, Ismene and Belzor are the only named wizards introduced so far (I'm not counting Raetmal or Leota who are dead or Daxia who is not a citizen and no longer in Haven). According to my notes, there are currently 23 additional wizards living in Haven. The vast majority of them would be Black Robes with maybe a smattering of Red Robes. White Robes would have been killed on sight after the occupation, but there may be a couple hiding out, in disguise. Same with renegades.

We can assume Tulbas knew a handful of other mages from before the occupation. Most of them, however, were probably either killed or went into hiding when the army invaded. Remember that Magnus had been in the city for awhile, posing as a renegade hunter, while assassinating any wizards he thought would stand against the dragonarmy before they arrived (like Raetmal) and making deals with others to keep them in control (like Tulbas).

BishGada wrote:I guess that choosing a faction if it gives you some advantages, it will also have some disadvantages, right?

Usually, yes. Like as mentioned with Griffon Wizard, you give up your ability to take a familiar in exchange for the griffon mount.

Just when I start to think Haahqae's straying too far towards chaotic good instead of chaotic neutral, I run into Miriam and she proves to him that he is, in fact, still playing his alignment correctly.

@Spyguy: We might be better off having light throughout (plenty of torches now - we only had the one before).When one was bring lit before is what caused Shima to be blinded for one round (adjustment from infravision) and that's when the jelly grabbed him.. So you might want to light one before we go through the door. Easier for the GM too in not having to give two sets of descriptions and allows him to put Ne-Chanz on the front of the party if Felran 'disappears' i.e. the player is unable to post for whatever reason..
Shima would be happy to take point but is still very battered.

Chese is in fact at wrestling camp. Jaded, with you permission i will run Felran until he returns.

Assuming chese would be okay with that, it's okay by me. If not, I can NPC him.

I guess I could have been more clear when I said

...Maybe we'd better pick a perch with a better escape route...

[Ooc: is there a decent location to the East (left?) near the High Hand and those woodsy areas, or to the Southwest (man that upside down map is throwing me off) where the Haven Arms and Gregeddin's house are?]

I was looking for a place for us to carry our attack out from so that we could retreat to an area within that block like the woods if we were able to attack from the Northeast corner of the market

TristenC wrote:I was looking for a place for us to carry our attack out from so that we could retreat to an area within that block like the woods if we were able to attack from the Northeast corner of the market

Maybe I'm just really tired, or it's your refusal to use any punctuation whatsoever, but I'm still having a hard time parsing this sentence. 'Block like the woods?'

Yeah, that was a small punctuation oversight combined with poor sentence structure. I only got about 4 hours of sleep last night.

I want to see if there is a good place to the northeast for us to attack from. That way we will already be on a block with what may be good place to retreat to. A place like the woods, or The High Hand. I would also like to see if the southwest corner has a good place to attack from. That way we would be on the block with The Haven Arms and Gregeddin's house.

Oh, okay. 'Block' as in 'neighborhood block.' I was thinking...actually, I don't know what I was thinking there.

Anyway, the stage is in the northwest section of the market square, near the cobbler's shop (#18). So attacking from the southwest or the northeast would put you among the vendor stalls, caravan wagons and such that are still up and operational. The whole northwest area has been cleared out, for the stage and to make room for the audience.