Waterbrick Down

Noted, I'll keep this in mind if it looks like 7 is going to drag anymore.

@Duvors & @Wolfpackfan99 as Mission 9 is getting pretty close to it's end, I'd like to postpone starting Mission 10 until we get a few more players if that is ok with both of you.

To get Technology from rank 1 to rank 2 would cost 2 points. So you'd be left with 8 out of 10 available points. To go from rank 2 to rank 3 would be 3 points, leaving you then with 5 out of 10 available points. You start with 10 out of 10 available points. You can also invest in Attributes like Strength, Smarts, Skill, Vitality, Velocity, etc. raising those each rank costs 2 points regardless of their current rank.

"I assumed Ms. Sprocketson would inform him should the job prove beyond her abilities." MM Note: @Wolfpackfan99 Just so you know, you still have 10 points you can spend on your character's Attributes and Proficiencies. Right now you only have the basic stats (3 free Proficiencies at 1 and all Attributes at 1). Billeck Coding Proficiency Check (DC 1,3,5) - (1,6,5,1) 2 Successes Billeck attempts to hack into the ITA's data files, unfortunately his inexperienced hacking yields little information. However, with Enson's direction the pair are able to at least ascertain that the ITA does have a file on Bertram Ozzorli, though its contents are beyond their ability. Collette shouts over from her desk, looking up from her muffin. "I do hope you aren't implicating Heroica Hall in any sort of crime."

"While the library has access to Ætherspace and a good deal of the collection is digitized upon it, we still employ security measures to ensure that it is only accessible and not downloadable, given privacy concerns. Some of the collection however is also stored on Holo-tomes and there's even a smaller percentage still based in physical manuscripts." Collette wanders back to her reference desk and begins munching on a poppy seed muffin. "Someone attempted to circumvent the security measures, though for what purpose I can't be sure. Thankfully, apart from the blips, it doesn't look like any major damage was done."

"Welcome Mr. Wallard, please understand the resources of this library are more focused upon general galaxy affairs as opposed to specific local information, unless of course some of our agents have managed to collect data on said subjects. However, I'm sure I could compile some readouts based upon local news publications. Give me a few minutes." Between Enson's investigation and Collette's research, Willard and Enson come up with a few key facts regarding the local mobs Thorvald had mentioned. The Garibzo Family A close-knit clan of O'Kor'uk based out of The Rat's Nest with ties to several of the larger smuggling rings and illegal arms dealers across the Arm. Headed by Lamorak Garibzo, the patriarch of the family, he also manages the Kristal Ice Mining Cryostorage facility. The Quint Syndicate A cabal of Valtar, Amoura, and Quarm renegade scientists, known mainly to operate centers of illicit substance manufacturing and distribution. Thought to be responsible for the creation of Crescendo, an addictive street drug that places its renders its users euphoric to the point of absolute unhibitedness before plunging them to absolute despair and destitution. The Sapphire Stars An association of paid courtesans, spies, and assassins, rumored to be headquartered in Starbright Street. Their calling card, a sapphire gemstone, is often found at the scenes of their high profile crimes. The Seven Hands A shadow organization having splintered off of the Thaumuturgic society, its members are often involved in Æthercrimes. They are frequently suspected to be behind much of the local occult activity "We did have a little bit of an incident a while back, someone seemed to be rifling through files attempting a data download. The system has been a bit buggy ever since, I should probably talk with Ms. Sprocketson."

Enson notes the feature story seems to concern the finding of a new but inoperable Æthergate in the Khazarak-Ellarial System. Two additional stories, one regarding the state of shipping piracy near Ebria Station and another about an upcoming retirement celebration for the manager of the First Sovereign Interstellar Bank, also spread across the front page.

This whole bit was really well written. If anyone wants an example of how to use the other threads for character development, this is how.

"Hrmph, do I look like a chef? I just get the stuff in bulk from Svet's Spices in the Trade Bazaar, seems to go good on just about anything." Thorvald fills a mug of strong black coffee and passes it over to Enson, sliding the latest edition of the Ebria Harbinger beside it. "Ozzorli, yeah the family's setup a pizza place in Little Aluriel, right off of Starbright Street. Bertram is the owner's nephew if I recall."

The Chimeran pours Billeck a tankard, sliding over a bowl of spiced almonds. “There’s lots of nooks and crannies on this station. Be pretty easy squirrelin’ away a vault without bringin’ much attention to yourself. As for mobs, there’s plenty of organized crime whether you’re looking local, on the planetoid level, or stretched across the galaxy. Off the top of my head round here you’ve got the Garibzo Family, the Quint Syndicate, the Sapphire Stars, and the Seven Hands, plus a lot of smaller outfits.”

Hi Wolfpackfan99, feel free to use the helpful calculator if you need help distributing your stats with your starting points. Link below: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1q8ul1skWZEDzqRMRO7p-nVDEoWEZtcODYleuNC1Jloo/edit?usp=sharing As Duvors shared, Classes are for when your character has advanced to a point where they have a rank of 5 in one of the relevant Proficiencies. Until you go on your first mission, you're also free to make changes as you see fit to your character as nothing has really happened to them yet. I've also taken the liberty to edit your character pic to a standard size, feel free to copy/paste from there. If you'd ever like someone to create another avatar for you, feel free to let us know which pieces you'd like used and there's lots of folks who enjoy figbarfing. :)

The Chimeran turns with his normal gruff manner. "Hmmph... not sure what's so good about this particular afternoon. If you're lookin' to sign up for an adventure, I hear one's just been posted. If you're lookin' for a drink, just let me know." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A new mission has been posted! Mission #10: Pins and Needles Mission Master: Waterbrick Down Description: “So I'm in a bit of a bind, a friend of mine got on the wrong side of one of the local mob bosses you see, totally my fault. Now they've got him trussed up in some sort of maximum security torture vault. I've got to break him out of there, but I can't do it alone. You help me spring him and I'll make sure it's worth your trouble.” – Bertram Ozzorli Party Requirements: “About 3-5 heroes, someone good with either locks or explosives would be helpful.” Reward: "How about we say 60 Credits each and anything you can nab from the vault while we're busting my friend free." Sign-ups close: 2/27

From a quick glance at the fight, that should be correct.

Good point, will add to the new revision. I’ve been keeping my eye out for ways to standardize, so if there’s any other simplifications let me know.

Sure, though bloodknight/deathknight/anti-paladin is certainly another pretty well known archetype.

That's pretty good, part of me is ok with still calling it Eldritch Vigor though.

Entropic Mending's idea was to be a Nature/Occult healing spell, the repair function was added on as without it Healing Light was too much better in comparison. You are right though that the temporary/permeant feel is a bit incongruitous. I'll mull on Healing Light, the trick will be finding a limitation that can't be abused by infinite casts. I don't know if I'd call it an arbitrary niche though. The battlemage/spellblade/magus/gish/etc. is a fairly recognized archetype. Maybe instead of a Meditate action, a passive Spirit restore ability?

Which is why potentially just adjusting Healing Light/Entropic Mending might actually be the easiest fix since they're the biggest culprits. In the end the issue isn't so much that mages are casting too often because of the Meditate action, the issue is certain spells can be abused in a way that dramatically can change the tone/feel of a mission. Any ideas if we were to change the spells? I feel like just saying that those two can only be used in combat would force party's to extend combats just so everyone could be healed up. The idea was to replace Transmuter's Advantage and it doesn't have to be called Meditate (to avoid the question of why doesn't the Martial Artist get it), it would just function as a Spirit Restoring action that way the Battlemage would have the cyclic playstyle of cast - attack - "meditate - repeat.

Agreed. What if we made Meditate a special action for them that way they could keep that dynamic? Maybe I'm missing something? How would figuring out an effective way for the damage caster to exist without Meditation force you to occupy a niche you don't want? Most support casters spells (Alter Form, Charm, Enhanced Vision, Gravimetric Propulsion, Mystic Binding, Photonic Modulation, Restful Sleep) tend to last multiple rounds thus they don't burn through Spirit as quickly as a damage focused caster. The main support spell exception, Healing Light, is the spell that's causing the issue with the tone of certain missions. So no, I don't think support casters need a shiny free toy with the removal of Meditate. Damage casters are the ones inadvertently impacted by the removal.

Good note about Eldritch Vigor, having it provide a boost at the beginning of battle keeps it from becoming confusing should they find a way to restore Spirit in the middle of combat. As for the results, it really goes to show how having multiple attacks can be powerful. Also having limited Spirit means the Battlemage will probably only get a few uses out of Infused Strike (not necessarily a bad thing, but it does change the feel of the class feature). Comparing the classes is interesting. The Monk benefits the most out of the their features if they refrain from casting Spirit, the Battlemage is more wonky in that they have to cast Spirit if they want make the most of their features.

To be clear I think the main issue is really unlimited healing spells. Maybe we just need to adjust Healing Light and Entropic Mending? Your points about having a spell "weapon" are valid and details I hadn't bothered with. Generally my thought structure is to problem solve something with a wide overarching concept and then tackle the nitty gritty details, but I'm glad to have someone assessing those from the onset. Regarding your point about benefiting ranged damage spellcasters only, while the spell weapon idea certainly only impacts them, the intention as earlier stated is to provide viability to as many playstyles as possible. Right now the removal of meditate impacts the damage dealing spellcaster who doesn't want to use a weapon playstyle, so that is my focus for a fix. A support or utility caster probably won't be as impacted as most of those spells are either multi-round buff or debuffs. Thanks for rerunning, I'll be interested in how no Meditate impacts the battle.

Agreed, but if our Spirit system is such that magic users only use magic for 3 rounds of combat if they're lucky, it's a very short lived experience. I'd rather a system where in they have a "mostly" consistent experience, just like someone that invests in weapon proficiency or skill proficiency. Balance is there to keep play experience viable for as many play styles as possible. If we come to the conclusion that the playstyle of casters being able to cast "something" the "majority" of the time, is not achievable from a balance perspective, so be it, but I want to try at least. The idea was poorly worded in retrospect. I'm spitballing here (maybe a conversation better suited for Discord), the idea for a 4th damage type probably isn't the solution. I think giving spell weapons unlimited range at the cost of damage potential isn't terrible though. Plus it avoids the question of which do you use for counting successes, the casting proficiency or the weapon range proficiency? So in the end you have something like this: Cantrip (Elemental Spell Weapon) Casting Proficiency Successes vs. Skill Successes + Applicable Armor Mod = Damage Will it be as powerful as an equivalent weapon proficiency? No. Will it give a caster something "magical" to do with their casting proficiency if they run out of Spirit? Yes. I guess what I'm aiming for is something simpler than a whole new set of 0 Spirit cost spells (though I do enjoy designing them ), as well as working with the simpler Meditate solution of just letting MM dictate when the party can rest and get their Spirit back. The rule itself is not necessarily hard to remember, it's simply another thing to remember (or look back through previous posts for) while a mission is ongoing or create another line on a character sheet for tracking. I don't think so, they are intended to be spells, so if someone is interested in them they can invest in the Stat that governs how many spells a PC can have. The alternative would be to have a holo-scroll.

I'm not necessarily claiming spell-casters that don't have Spirit are ineffectual though, it's more claiming that they're not functioning as a spell-caster the majority of the time. You can certainly still be useful with Defend/Rally/Try Something actions, but unlike someone with a weapon proficiency or high Skill/Smarts attribute who nearly always have the option to do something useful, the early game casters have to choose to do something additionally besides spell casting in order to stay relevant the majority of the time. I'm somewhat ok with spells being a limited resource, because they should have a higher payout than a more consistent action, but either the payout has to be considerably high enough or if the payout is low, the consistency has to be increased. Right now Meditate makes the payout and the consistency high, changing the rule to refreshing Spirit only on rests, seems to make the consistency too low compared to the payout (at least for early game casters). What about a 4th "weapon or damage" type? Æthereal? No Weapon bonus and it keys off the character's highest casting stat (Arcane/Religion/Nature/Occult) since the casting stat is already also being used for spells? It'd give casters a damage option for combat that doesn't consume Spirit, but it isn't as powerful as normal weapons since there isn't a Weapon Mod. Range could be unlimited, like most spells. Casters will then have 2 options that allow them to still feel "magical" every combat round if they desire, either cast a lower damage option with consistency or cast a higher damage/impactful option at the cost of a limited resource. Weapon would look like this: Fire Bolt (Elemental Æthereal Weapon) Boulder Heave (Kinetic Æthereal Weapon) Plasma Spray (Energy Æthereal Weapon) Sure, but while 1 Spirit back is ok for early casters (who probably have at max 3 Spirit), it quickly loses it's advantage as the Spirit levels increase with levelling up casters.

Ah, sorry I wasn't clear. I was thinking that in order to incorporate @Duvors idea of some unpredictability, we could have a little Spirit/Vitality restore after combat and all of it restore at the end of a rest. I'd be very reticent to have only a rest mechanic that only has a chance at restoring Spirit. If we go with a rest mechanic that fully restores Spirit/Vitality, I'd still like to discuss 0 Spirit cost spells at some point. Speaking as a starting caster, it would feel a little frustrating to only be able to cast (maybe) 3 spells in battle and then have to fall back to either Defend/Rally actions until the next rest which could be one battle later or three, not to mention outside of combat spell opportunities. Things like 0 Spirit cost spells, would function like cantrips in D&D, which essentially allow a caster to always still "feel" like a caster, even if their low level magic can't keep up with non-caster combat prowess. Alternatively we make Ætherbrews more prevalent, but that just feels like going back to Meditate being a standard action with more steps and a credit cost.

So that those who didn't want a spell build didn't feel like they had a wasted stat. Perhaps, at the end of a combat, Spirit restores = # Casting Proficiency Successes and Vitality restores = # Strength Proficiency Successes?