Beyond the Mist - Sandbox Fantasy - Interest Check

[Caela]

So where would a character with powers based around ice and cold rather than the other four elements fit in he asks curiously...

Ice is water manipulation. Cold is as well. Slowing down the water molecules in the air brings down their temperature thus also slowing down the other molecules near them, reducing the tempeature further on something of a positive feedback loop. The more you do A, slowing down water molecules, the more B happens, it gets colder.

ETA: Those with an affinity for air would also be able to lower ambient temperatures by slowing down air molecules.

[Caela]

I was wondering the same thing, and then some. For cold you could argue that it's an effect of fire where instead of adding heat you take it away, or it can even be an aspect of air where you suppress the movement of molecules and particles thus cooling things down. Ice can be something that comes forth from any of these cold concepts, or it's a state you can force water into with water control. Perhaps there are more ways to reach a particular effect.

Other such elements are things like light or electricity or sound. They could be stand-alone elements or they could be products of the manipulation the given base elements.

On a related note, Emrys creates a portable pocket dimension, or a least a portable door into one. Is that a unique magic, or perhaps a lost technique. I don't really that broken up into the base elements. Similarly with Helena's Seer gift, though I suppose that's just an aspect of Spirit. I like that though, because it shows characters can have almost innate abilities. Something which comes more instinctual than solely through studies.

I think for my character I'd like to for some sort of innate ability which stems from an affinity for element X. That gives him something to work with from the start and a vested interest to learn more about magic and how it works.

Emry's pocket dimension could still be made by other magicians but it would require a strong connection to all 5 elements and a LOT of schooling and practice. This is very very very advanced magic. Getting it wrong could result in the castor being sucked into their own dimension or anything they tried to place there being destroyed.

All magic is an innate talent that needs to be learned to be controlled and can, further, learn to be combined and manipulated in complex ways. Every child will show innate skill with the elements they can manipulate before they learn to control them. For example, children with gifts with Earth might get upset and, unwittngly, put up a wall of soil between them and the person they're upset with.

Being a Seer is a function of a profound connection to Spirit but if they don't learn control what they get will be entirely random and will come on them at any time. With training they can learn to limit when, and what, they See. They can also learn to pool their power with other Seers to See further into the future or past and to see more possible branching paths. This is limited by the people they are dealing with. They can only See so far as the choices of the people are involved with are known. For example, Helena could see Emry's options in creating the Veil, and the consequences of each choice, but not what he would actually do because even he didn't have a clue until he started casting and then what she showed him effected his choice.

[Nygenn]

Tricky thing, future sight, or anything time related for that matter.

I have another question. Is it that a magician can only learn/perform the magic he/she is tied to, or is it that every magician can technically learn every element, but they are just much more proficient in the ones that are their talent?

Also, good job on answering these questions. It really seems like you have a solid understanding of what it is you want for this setting.

[Caela]

A magician can only learn magic based on the elements they are tied to. They're born with an affinity for specific elements and can only mnaipulate those elements. Also, they may not have an equal level of power with each element. They could be very strong with one, but weak with their second, and this will limit the combination spells they are able to cast.

[Nygenn]

I am really liking this system, speaking from a game design background, but I wonder how you plan on regulating this is freeform RP. Are you hoping players discuss all their spells with you beforehand? Or are you planning to detail some sort of mechanic to help determine options and strength levels? Or are you just going to trust people to be sensible about everything?

Personally I'm favoring the first option. I like the world you're shaping and am looking to add to it in a fitting manner.

[Caela]

Mostly I'll want to talk it out with the writers, particularly during the CS process when we'll hash out strengths and weaknesses in their magic. Minor spells won't need my input, but major works of magic and more complicated spells I'd like to have passed by me so details can be discussed.

Rarely, if something could have a significant impact on the game and people are uncertain just how they want something to go (a major spell to work, or to face the consequences if it doesn't) then I might make use of the dice bot but mostly everything will be freeform and just dicussed amongst the players.

[Niferbelle]

I managed to get a good chunk of a character sheet done. Yay me! She's a native of Vels'd with an affinity for spirit and air. Hope to finish her tomorrow, Caela, and PM her to you.

[Caela]

I look forward to seeing her!

[Nygenn]

Caela, what exactly is the veil like? I mean, is it something people can feel or see on either side of it? Is it anchored in specific locations out in the world or can someone encounter a portal anywhere? Also, do you have any ideas for what it's like to pass through the veil? Is it something that happens completely unnoticed, aside from a change in scenery, or does it actually feel like something, painful perhaps, or actually pleasurable? And finally, is the veil something that a character can sense, as in it call to him/her so he/she can find passage, or is it more like an accidental stumble?

You're doing a great job answering these questions btw.

[Hazy Sky]

I'll be working on an ice wielding brawler of a mage then.

[Niferbelle]

Hooray! My character got approved. Anybody else have theirs in?

[Hazy Sky]

Not yet. The thread had gone quiet, so I was sitting on my hands so to speak. I'll get him finished now I know it is progressing.

[Nygenn]

Caela, along with my previous questions there is one last question I would like to have answered about the magic system and then I think I can put together my character. Is the magic spell based, more power based, or a bit of both? With that I mean, is it spells with optional gestures and an perhaps incantations that are required to make magic do things, or can you have a a sort of feel for it where you channel the power to direct the elements? Know what I mean? It's a bit of a Harry Potter and the Magicians versus Avatar and the Scarlet Witch.

Hoping to hear from you soon.

[Caela]

Caela, what exactly is the veil like? I mean, is it something people can feel or see on either side of it? Is it anchored in specific locations out in the world or can someone encounter a portal anywhere? Also, do you have any ideas for what it's like to pass through the veil? Is it something that happens completely unnoticed, aside from a change in scenery, or does it actually feel like something, painful perhaps, or actually pleasurable? And finally, is the veil something that a character can sense, as in it call to him/her so he/she can find passage, or is it more like an accidental stumble?

You're doing a great job answering these questions btw.

On the Earth-side the Veil can, sometimes, be felt as sort of a spot that sends chills down a persons spine but most people would never even notice it. In most places it's not strong enough to travel through, there's just not enough magic collected in most places for a person to actually push through it so while they might sense it (IF they're magically inclined) they wouldn't really see or feel anything more than that something had once been there. It's the sort of feeling that often leads to houses or specific areas in forests being thought to be haunted.

There are places where the magic is still thick enough for people to push through, if they have enough latent magical talent, but these places ebb and flow and predicting them would be impossible. People that stumble onto Vels'd do so pretty much by accident. These thicker spots, however, are what lead to stories of things like the Bermuda Triangle where people just seem to disappear with no rhyme or reason.

The Veil wouldn't necessarily call to a person, it's not trying to draw people in, but a person with latent magical ability might be drawn to the feel of a stronger pool of magic. It could frighten them or they could explore it depending on their personality.

From Vels'd, there's nothing to see or feel. Magic simply ebbs and flows naturally on their side of the Veil and is much more evenly spread since the majority of the magic from Earth went into the making of Vels'd and the Veil.

Caela, along with my previous questions there is one last question I would like to have answered about the magic system and then I think I can put together my character. Is the magic spell based, more power based, or a bit of both? With that I mean, is it spells with optional gestures and an perhaps incantations that are required to make magic do things, or can you have a a sort of feel for it where you channel the power to direct the elements? Know what I mean? It's a bit of a Harry Potter and the Magicians versus Avatar and the Scarlet Witch.

Hoping to hear from you soon.

The magic is most spell based but the very simplest of things (for example, lighting a candle if you have an affinity for fire) can be done simply through a small push of power. Children will exhibit their magic in bursts of power which is why they are monitored very closely until they are old enough to be sent to school to learn how to control their gifts. Doing anything with any complexity requires a spell of some sort but it can be as basic as a simple hand gesture or a single word, or so complex it requires days of preperation to make it happen.