Eve ex Verditius

Retired Play by Post Campaigns Ars Magica 5th Edition: Oppidum of Héviz
81

Let's be complete about our quotations.

That's about using experience points to buy spells. explicitly.

Your second quotation, leaves out a fair bit...

Affinities, puissant Arts and magical foci can all change the cost/benefit calculation, of course, but jebrick did say to advance as RAW, and he didn't detail the Option: Extremely Complex Character Generation.
But you have to look at it from how Zoltan and Ophelia were also developed, neither of us used seasons of Lab work to invent spells, they were all bought with experience points.

82

Close enough. Especially when we have 40xp/year. More to the point its talking about want, and I absolutely do want to use the laboratory rules for getting spells. The rules are for people who want to use them.

The entirety of Extremely Complex Character Generation is on page 33. Not sure why you bring it up here.

83

The idea behind 40 xp, at least for me (it was my method in Bibracte), was to compensate for the fact that a player might want to spend 1 season off now and again to do work. Under RAW character generation, you take a season to do lab work, you lose 10 xp, 2 seasons 20 xp, 3 or 4 seasons, you lose it all. It becomes more advantageous to take a year off at a time, which doesn't make a lot of sense. 10 xp per season, excepting the seasons you do labwork to invent items, the longevity ritual, etc just makes more sense.

There is also the previously explained and compelling reason to learn spells with experience points. It might seem expensive but weigh it against a spell of 20th level, where your lab total is 22. And it's a spell you really want. Under RAW chargen you can learn that spell in what amounts to two seasons. Under your method, you need 10. You're able to get spells outside of your TeFo specialty area, and especially for Eve, this is something she needs.

84

I'm going through the characters as much as i can. Work and family have ways of slowing me down.

The 40 xp per season is meant to cover all. when I ask for a break down per season it is not to say do a detailed character gen but to break the 40 points down so I get a feel of where and when points are spent. If you make your own LR, then we need to see the lab total. Binding a familiar is the other.

Speaking of the familiar. That is one powerful custom built familiar. It is a cat in name only. No magical cat has good teacher or Arcane lore nor educated. i realize it is partially an automaton but still it's base is a cat. Even a magical cat. Even being part automaton, it can change into any shape it wants. It has nothing cat like about it. I need to veto it in it's present state.

85

They will not go with the first one. You can trade your tracti for other books you need.
The Tribunal will provide you with materials to make, illustrate and bind one book every 7 season. The Tribunal will have first rights to purchase or trade for the book.
The Tribunal does not interfere with pricing of wares sold by a magus.
The Tribunal has no interest in the books owned by the magus. They are her property to do with as she pleases.

You need to detail the customs of your Mystery Cult so they can written into the contract. Realizing that this is walking a fine line. The Tribunal will allow Foederati to practice specific customs, despite Tribunal rulings against such customs. But they must be "detailed". Such as gather a midsummer and dance naked around the stone alter. At yule we paint ourselves blue and parade through the village.

86

The ability to shift into human form is straight out of the magical powers for cats on page 73. The only difference is that I specified flexibility and an extra magnitude. I can drop the flexibility if you want, but I'm not eve sure if it would change anything. Similar muto spells, say disguise of the new visage, seem to do multiple forms with one spell.

I can also remove the education and arcane lore if you like. And good teacher.

I assume items are fine though?

Requiring mystery cults to detail everything is essentially banning mystery cults. Its in the name. Mystery. Including magi from any of the four mystery houses. She isn't going to be violating any Tribunal rulings unless things like throwing a feast, or practicing Gnosticism got made a crime. (Which is a Divine Religion I think.) She's engaging in mystery rites to gain power. Again, that shouldn't be a crime. I guess I don't have the book so I'm a bit confused. I'm being told the Tremere are going to hold some grudge against mystery cults, but its not really clear what the central problem is...

What does "first rights" mean? If they mean "you set the price and we get to see if we want it at that price, but if we won't pay you can look elsewhere" this is totally reasonable. Same thing if they mean "You offer books for trade and we'll pay a reasonable price". If they mean "You can't trade with anyone else and we are going to try and abuse it", Eve will simply mail the books off to the Boni (same basic mindset as a magi who writes a vain tractus), or keep the books for herself and friends.

87

The bold part is a direct quote from Against the Dark. The book also mentioned detailed description. It does not kill mystery cults. It makes it difficult do things outside the mysteries. They do not want people coming in and saying I have a mystery cult so do not look while I sacrifice some virgins and bath in their blood.

Please remember that this is one of the most controlled Tribunals in ME. Some of this is inescapable.

I'm willing to assume that she has given an account of their/her rites without writing them into the contract. Adding new rites might require some renegotiation.

The Tribunal gets no where ripping off people making books or enchanted items. They pay market price. They just get to do it before anyone else sees it. This clause does not have to be in there. As it works now, you would hand over a notarized letter of the contents to the Mercere who would give the Praeco first shot at buying it before it hits the market. But the clause allows for the book to be bound and illustrated.

If you wish to ship your books out with no payment you can. If payment finds it way back to you and the Tribunal find out about it you will be expelled.

88

The thing I'm wondering is what parts of a mystery cult would violate tribunal rulings? Is there a reason she just can't practice the cult? She isn't going to be sacrificing virgins. Maybe seducing them, but murder would be a no-no. Or convincing them to write books.

Yeah, shipping out would likely include some sort of preface like "Don't be a jerk, the author made this seriously awesome book for free. Let people make copies of it to help spread this awesomeness through the whole Order. Written by Eve, best author in the Order." Definitely not for any organized payment. She wouldn't even bother to warn the Great Library.

89

Having the mystery cult is what bothers them. You say you will not be killing people and they just want that written down. So that if later, you make a script that the initiates must sacrifice a body part or such, they will come down on you. All within the residency agreement and legal under the Code. The Bjornaers and Criamon that are here leave the Tribunal to go and do Mystery things then come back. They do not practice their mystery rituals in the Tribunal.

FYI, there is a Verditius Archmagus living in the Tribunal named Zalmoxis. Expect him to want things from you occasionally. He is a LR specialist.

90

In that case perhaps she should take it out of the contract entirely ? Unless the Tribunal has a specific ruling against it, it's still allowed. Certainly there's no ruling against having fawning grogs, or indulging in private orgies ? Even if there is a ruling, Eve might buy some time by claiming it is part of her magical power (of course, the Tribunal is the judge of that, but she should at least be able to request a new ruling at the next Tribunal). Plus they'd have to catch her doing it first. But trying to put it in the contract is sort of a provocation.

91

Well, the contract will get drawn up, and I presume a Tremere is meeting with new people coming into the Tribunal, too. At some point, I'm sure the Mystery Cult question gets brought up. It might be asked discreetly to allow the person say yes, but not to describe the Cult fully.
I think it's fairly reasonable for the Tremere to have pretty full dossiers on each of us. They might suspect she's part of a cult, but not know which one.

92

Yeah, we can write down the basics of the restrictions. Lets see from the rites I've outlined earlier:

  • Writing about the cult, and teaching it to others are essential rites and therefore have the same protections as laboratory activities or magical study.
  • These teachings may be given the same level of secrecy as any other magical research or procedure.
  • Rites to increase power may be practiced, and have the same protection and restrictions as any other activity such as study, longevity rituals or spell invention.
  • Travel to sacred sites is essential to rites, as is uncovering of ancient lore. These processes may not violate existing rulings or claims, steal property belonging to others, or trespass, but are otherwise permitted.
  • Rites may not include those who are unwilling or compelled. Rites may not include sacrifice of any living creature. Animals for food must be slaughtered before hand.
  • Rites may not include mundanes. Covenfolk, magi, or magical creatures may be included.

None of these things should violate existing rulings.

I'm being told the Tremere don't like cults. Plus if they get ticked at her she can later point to: "I'm just engaging in these things that we already agreed to." If they yell at her for trying to acquire ultimate magical power she can say "Duh. I'm trying to acquire ultimate magic power. Isn't everyone. "

93

Spell time! 120 levels of spells using gauntlet stats. 140 levels of end Eve stats.

Gauntlet spells:
Duel of the Magi-ReVi 10
R: Arcane T: Individual D: Diam
As Opening the Intangible Tunnel except with a different duration.
Base 1+4 arcane+1 diam

Evil Eye-ReVi 10
R: Sight T: Individual D: Diam
As Opening the Intangible Tunnel at 15, except with different range and duration.
Base 1+3 sight + 1 diam

Angelic Gaze-PeVi 5
R: Sight T: Individual D: Mom
The target loses 4 infernal might.
Base 2 +3 sight

Iron Gaze-PeVi 5
R: Sight T: Individual D: Mom
The target loses 4 Faerie might.
Base 2 +3 sight

Banal Gaze-PeVi 5
R: Sight T: Individual D: Mom
The target loses 4 Magic might.
Base 2 +3 sight

Demonic Gaze-PeVi 5
R: Sight T: Individual D: Mom
The target loses 4 Divine might.
Base 2 +3 sight

Cleansing-PeVi5
R: Touch T: Room D: Mom
All affected subject in the room lose 3 infernal might.
Base 1 +1 touch +3 Room

The Spell of Wrought Iron-ReTe-15
The Phantom Blacksmith-ReTe-20

Rend the Earth-ReTe-20
Range: Voice Duration: Mon, Target: Part
Rapidly forces out a part of the earth leaving a crater behind, 12 paces across and 18 feet deep in the center. Those nearby may take damage, be buried, or be perfectly fine at the GM's option by the onrushing dirt.
Base 3+2 voice+1part+2 size
5 xp in spell mastery Multi-cast

Crystal Ballista -CrTe (re)-15
Requiste: Rego
R: Sight T: Ind D: Mom
Conjures a crystal dart from nothing and speeds off like an arrow at a target that is within Sight range. It does +10 damage, and always hits its target, although it must penetrate Magic Resistance to have any real effect. This spell strikes accurately every time and can be resisted.
Base 3+3 sight+1 rego requisite.
5 XP in spell mastery - multicast

The Candle of the Library-CrIg-5
R: Touch D: Ring T: Ind
Creates a light with but candle strength. Ideal for libraries or writing late at night.
Base 2+2 ring+1touch

Invoke the Pact of Pukis-ReVi-20
R: Arcane D:Mom, T: Ind
This targets the Daimon Pukis. The Daimon found in the appendix C of Mysteries (Revised)
Base 20

Invoke the Spirit of ReTe-30
R: Arcane D:Mom, T: Ind
See Mysteries revised. The general spell of Invoke the Spirit of (form). The spirits name is Smithy the 13th (Translated from 2nd century vulgar Latin). Might 30 mimics ReTe effects.
Base 30

Invoke the Spirit of CrTe-30
R: Arcane D:Mom, T: Ind
See Mysteries revised. The general spell of Invoke the Spirit of (form).
The spirits Name is Wall the 7th (Translated from Chinese), might 30 mimics CrTe effects.
Base 30

Thomas's Crystal Rain-CrTe-25
Range: Sight Duration: Mon, Target: Group
Creates a cloud of glass shards that immediately fall to the ground. They vanish almost immediately, but not before inflicting serious wounds on any unlucky enough to be caught in the rain of glass. The glass inflicts +10 damage, and any damaged leave blood on the ground. The rain is ten paces across. A quickness stress roll of 9 can reduce the damage to +0 if there is something to hide under, such as darting into a door or a heater shield. (Smaller shields generally aren't enough). Finally, the spell needs a few paces to fall to inflict full damage as it uses gravity for its motion, and it can be resisted.
Base 3+3 sight +2 group +1 size

Flight of the Magi-ReCo-25
R: Per D: Sun T: Ind
The maga flies quickly in any direction she so chooses. If concentration upon flight is broken the maga hovers in air, and she may refocus later. Note, failing concentration rolls when zipping along at high speeds can be very bad to do at ground level.
Base 15+2 sun

Only partway done.

94

Your Finesse is probably too low to use these spells reliably. Especially the Phantom Blacksmith, and you do have a Craft ability, anyway.

How does this spell give you a +6 to your aiming roll if used against an individual? And it appears to be suggesting that you can target multiple people, and not get a + to your aiming roll. I don't believe that's at all a reasonable premise.

So I understand it, this is a sight range variant of Wielding the Invisible Sling, and requires penetration, correct?

95

And those are ? Sorry if you've mentioned them before, but your character thread is up to 7 pages...

Some interesting questions there regarding the aiming roll for simultaneously throwing 10 stones at 10 different targets. The multicasting mastery suggests a -1 to the roll per target; so by analogy it would be -1 for throwing the 10 stones at the same target, -10 for throwing the 10 stones at 10 different targets, with ten aiming rolls functioning as 10 attack rolls. I guess it would make some sense to regroup the stones thrown at one target under one easier aiming roll, but in this case the damage would only be applied once...

Is that one aimed or does Magic Resistance protect against it ?

A little more detail, please ? Like this spells invoke the Daimon Pukis, using the Mystery of Hermetic Theurgy. Pukis' Might is 10, which is the minimum level of the spell, level 20 makes sure to get enough summoning points to get him the first time... And it is a ritual, Invoke the Pact of... spells are rituals.

So, which spirit do you get, what's his name, what's his Might ? Once the spell is learned, that spirit is fixed. Also, a very roundabout way of doing spontaneous magic in my opinion, but if you like it ...

Is that an Invoke the Pact or an Invoke the Spirit spell ? You do have to choose !

96

Canonical spells from Covenants, page 51.

97

Not true. Wrought iron can simply be cast a couple dozen times if we aren't stressed. (And I shouldn't be doing craft work under stress.) Only requires a 9. Not wholly reliable, but its on the order of 1 in several million.
Similar for phantom blacksmith. Its a simple, try, try again. You aren't destroying the raw materials so it can be cast over and over.
The advantage of these over standard crafting is how fast they are. Its a few minutes for a days worth of work.
I should initiate learns from mistakes finesse...

One, that's how group spells work. Multiple targets. Two, the bonus for finesse is pretty standard for spells with increased affect (like a group). I suppose I could make the spell hit them with a huge amount of raw earth instead if you feel that would fit better.

Yup.

Whoops oversight.

Whoops copy past typo.

98

T: Group spells allow you to target multiple individuals the Form of the big "T" Target. In this case, your Target is the 10 stones (Terram) you're tossing at the single recipient, or small "t" target. I'm aware of no point under RAW where you can get a modification of +6 for Finesse for aiming 10 things at one person. Such a spell, regardless of the validity of the +6 aiming bonus, is an attempt to make an end-run around the aiming penalty for multiple casting spells which require aiming, and impose a penalty. If anything trying to aim 10 stones at one person should be more difficult than less difficult, and this is properly represented in the multiple casting spell mastery ability.

99

I think you misunderstand. Its one roll with a +6 for all at one person. Hitting someone I a lot easier with a machine gun. I suppose we could do 10 rolls with a -1 if we wanted but... I do see the point about the penalty for targets if we are firing at multiple people though.

100

You still haven't cited a source that throwing a T: Group bunch of rocks at one recipient gives you a +6 to your finesse roll all while each rock also does +5 damage. So this one magnitude increase in a spell makes hitting the individual vastly easier, and it also does more damage, or has the potential to inflict 10x damage.
You need to find the spot where it says you get a +6 Finesse bonus for doing what you propose. I don't think it exists, you say that's how it works. I'm assuming you say that's how it works because you think you saw it somewhere, but I'm not convinced. Such a bonus is a huge boost to aiming, in addition to the damage you can do.