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A few in game questions


Adrian
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Adrian;

 

For your questions:

 

I hate asking things I could have sworn I've read but...

 

- Is Scandinavia and countries such as Russia part of the Academagia world - and if yes where? (and is that considered part of Elumia?). Are they considered backwater or civilized? (speaking from a Mineta-citizen's point of view) Any contact with these places?

 

Yes, both are, and both are north of Elumia. Scandinavia is considered a part, but usually not Azhova (the 'Russian' area.)

 

- Also, what does young people dress for at masquerades in Elumia? any ancient heroes or is it more just feathers and colours, maybe even otherworldly creatures?

 

It depends on personal taste, culture and who is giving the party. Any of those might be true. :)

 

- What kind of jobs do wizard fill in general, and which kind of jobs does graduates of the Academagia usually find? (I assume more high-value jobs than the usual street-mage working at the local funny-hats store)

 

That depends on your specialty, abilities and patrons. I wouldn't say there is an average kind of job.

 

- Has there in recent years been any incidents with dragons (to verify their existence)? (I'm not counting our Academagia-year - I think we had a dragon incident if I recall?)

 

Yes, they still come from time to time, although it's fairly rare. Current technology and magic has almost made them objects of derision, rather than fear.

 

- Has there been any known 'creatures'/entities which survived solely by taking over others. (Extreme mastery) If not, would it then be considered by scholars or dismissed as impossible?

 

That's the kind of question that would place you in detention, young man. :)

 

- Time belongs to glamour? heh I could have sworn there was a reference to the Hitchhikers guide there

 

Ah, no! Time Travel does not belong to Glamour, but the incidents which you have seem (I believe) are Glamours, instead of actual Time Travel (well...perhaps one exception that I can think of...) Real Time Travel belongs to [redacted].

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I think real Time Travel belongs to Gate because to my knowledge only Gate have some kind of Teleportation, but I suspect that other magic is needed also. I.e. if you "just" set the Mind to the past it probably also need Mastery.

So time travel in it self is not illegal but the magic needed to do it is, at last if my assumtion is right.

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Ah, for some reason I had thought that Scandinavia had gotten a common name, would Denmark have a name? ^^ (Sadly, indoctrination of national values is hard to let go off...)

Also, how are they viewed by people in, say, Mineta? (If you were to ask a professor or a student with some broader knowledge.)

 

About Time;

It would make much sense that Time belonged under Gates, I fully agree Schwarzbart, I should have read the post in more detail I suppose :)

 

About the mastery-creatures;

MORE detention?! But but... *huff* FINE! *mutter* (But don't expect me to be kind enough to 'warn' you next time I want to know something about monsters...)

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Next up. :)

 

1. Are there any institutions that are specifically focused on studying the magic that the floating islands are under? (not necessarily just a small branch of a much larger institution, though I would be interested in notable mentions of individuals/branches near the Academagia that do so.)

 

2. Exactly what does a 10-11 skill rating represent in regards to utter mastery of the skills? I assume the ability to raise any given skill will become harder exponentially at a certain point..

 

3. Given the massive variation in skills that you can see in just the first year.... Is it reasonable to expect that a second year player character would have more skill than the general fifth year population in a given skill, say, Incantation, if the player character specializes in such skill? (Understanding of course that a fifth year can pummel a cocky player in many other skills if you're not careful)

 

4. Are there any stories of duels between students of greater than a year difference with surprising twists? (Not necessarily a win for the younger, but the description of the Wreck Timing spell seems to imply anything is possible)

 

5. Exactly what is the nature of the time-freezing spells of the Vernin tower. Obviously not a Glammour, but also not really traveling. The time push and related spells from the Vernin tower adventure seems to imply an ability to speed up time, thus allowing (in theory to me anyway) at least a one-way trip to the future if used correctly.

 

6. Is it possible to summon specific non-living items (ie. chairs, pots, clothes etc.) with Gates? I understand that with the risk, even if it is possible Incantation is better for most reasons, but I can think of a few contexts where the risks might be worth it.

 

7. Given that there are merchant airships, and pirate airships... Is there a "Navy" or is this not necessary/fulfilled by some other group?

 

8. How important is "the wall" to dragon defense? If they were to find a way to bypass it, would it be a "end of the world" or "world war" or "we'll live" scenario. Somewhere inbetween?

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freespace;

 

For your questions:

 

1. Are there any institutions that are specifically focused on studying the magic that the floating islands are under? (not necessarily just a small branch of a much larger institution, though I would be interested in notable mentions of individuals/branches near the Academagia that do so.)

 

There are some societies and institutions which study Cyve and Cyvonomy, but they aren't in Mineta- their practice requires them to be at the edge of an island. :)

 

I believe you will see some of this as soon as Year 2.

 

2. Exactly what does a 10-11 skill rating represent in regards to utter mastery of the skills? I assume the ability to raise any given skill will become harder exponentially at a certain point..

 

10-11 means that you have a proficiency in that Skill, perhaps equal to a lower level Journeyman in a trade. You have knowledge, some of it applied, but have plenty of room to grow. It's certainly not representative of mastery. You are correct, though- it will become ever more difficult to raise a Skill, as the demands of specialization increase...

 

3. Given the massive variation in skills that you can see in just the first year.... Is it reasonable to expect that a second year player character would have more skill than the general fifth year population in a given skill, say, Incantation, if the player character specializes in such skill? (Understanding of course that a fifth year can pummel a cocky player in many other skills if you're not careful)

 

You would be correct- but bear in mind that Incantation is a very broad subject. To use a real-world Analogy, utter mastery of basic Arithmetic would not necessarily make a greater reputation than a 5th year Student of Calculus. Academia may feel otherwise, mind you. :)

 

4. Are there any stories of duels between students of greater than a year difference with surprising twists? (Not necessarily a win for the younger, but the description of the Wreck Timing spell seems to imply anything is possible)

 

Absolutely! I imagine that you will experience some of them. :)

 

5. Exactly what is the nature of the time-freezing spells of the Vernin tower. Obviously not a Glammour, but also not really traveling. The time push and related spells from the Vernin tower adventure seems to imply an ability to speed up time, thus allowing (in theory to me anyway) at least a one-way trip to the future if used correctly.

 

An excellent question. ;)

 

6. Is it possible to summon specific non-living items (ie. chairs, pots, clothes etc.) with Gates? I understand that with the risk, even if it is possible Incantation is better for most reasons, but I can think of a few contexts where the risks might be worth it.

 

It is, yes. But just because you summon a pot, doesn't mean you don't accidentally summon the horrid monster that was just using it to cook, either. Or the terribly plague that was brewing in it. :)

 

7. Given that there are merchant airships, and pirate airships... Is there a "Navy" or is this not necessary/fulfilled by some other group?

 

There is indeed. Mineta has the Imperial Navy, although it is mostly stationed at the Wall.

 

8. How important is "the wall" to dragon defense? If they were to find a way to bypass it, would it be a "end of the world" or "world war" or "we'll live" scenario. Somewhere inbetween?

 

These days, *probably* 'we'll live'. The Wall gives a convenient place to fight exhausted Dragons, but historically Dragons have come through other routes as well, and been defeated. No one really wants to find out, though. :)

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Thanks, legate.

 

Actually, regarding no. 6, I'm referring to specific items. Such as if I wanted to summon a very specific pot from the kitchen in order to coat it with laxatives, then banish it back to the original position.

 

Such a prank won't work in the same way if I just summon a random pot from anywhere.. Is what I ask possible or can one only summon *a* pot from somewhere?

 

And I assume from that non-answer regarding no 5. We'll find out in due time.. I can live with that.

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freespace;

 

A-ha! It is thought to be possible, yes- but very impractical. In order to summon that specific pot, it, and it's environment, must have been modified in such a way so as to allow your Gate Spell to find it. This has the incidental effect allowing most other Gates practictioners to find it, too. :)

 

In older times, there was a competition or game, related to this, with teams of mages trying to locate, summon and protect a Chalice. I wonder if you'll see that in Year 2, if you attend a certain School? :)

 

As for 5...yep! :)

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8. How important is "the wall" to dragon defense? If they were to find a way to bypass it, would it be a "end of the world" or "world war" or "we'll live" scenario. Somewhere inbetween?

 

These days, *probably* 'we'll live'.

 

Even with Gate and Mastery forbiden, some other magic lost and the religion also not nearly as high as it once was? Wow! But I fear when there will be more then just a single one it even the new blackpowder can't prevent that large regions will be effected by the fight.

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Schwarzbart;

 

I should have probably qualified my remarks- most influential people in Elumia believe: "we'll live". That's not an objective analysis, mind you. :)

 

"But I fear when there will be more then just a single one it even the new blackpowder can't prevent that large regions will be effected by the fight."

 

;)

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Huh.. That actually brings up another question. Since Gates and Mastery are proscribed, exactly how are such spells recognized? (apart from obvious cases) I imagine most practitioners of such spells would focus on being as subtle as possible, given the penalty. I imagine they have to have *somebody* capable of absolutely positively identifying gates and mastery phemes and the like, to ensure that punishment is not given unfairly... and that almost certainly requires some knowledge to be legally passed on. Just how does one get into a position to learn that? Is it a general course for instructors?

 

In the "pot summoning" case, would it be obvious to anybody that magic would be involved? if so, would anyone recognize it instantly as gates magic, and if not, who would be brought in to verify that it was?

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freespace;

 

Almost certainly your Student will be taught the tools to recognize Mastery and Gates- the most common method lies in Negation. In criminal investigations, however, you have to be bonded with the local guard or other authority.

 

For pot summoning, it would be obvious that magic is going on, although it would not necessarily be clear it was Gates. If discovered, the guard would be brought it, with the mages they contract with verifying the kind of magic.

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6. Is it possible to summon specific non-living items (ie. chairs, pots, clothes etc.) with Gates? I understand that with the risk, even if it is possible Incantation is better for most reasons, but I can think of a few contexts where the risks might be worth it.

 

It is, yes. But just because you summon a pot, doesn't mean you don't accidentally summon the horrid monster that was just using it to cook, either. Or the terribly plague that was brewing in it.

 

I've always wanted to see an uruk-hai cook/milkmaid/baker complete with poofy hat and ladle. So I could see that by trying to get a pot, you say? Hmm.

 

 

Will there be adventures related to a certain secret Gate school in Year Two or can we meet specific people there? My character spent so much time there it felt strange that it seemed much more normal than Academagia in terms of events. Although I would imagine students there being much more focused on their studies than normal Academagians.

 

How exactly do these studies go there anyway? Since the character isn't forced to attend classes, can do a special summoning and use the library but doesn't know teachers there, is it more like individual study? You just go and use the premises and talk to experts or are there really classes taught but we can't see them/attend?

 

Oh and I've been meaning to ask this since I found the adventure. Will the egg we found in Stazione Marritima hatch someday?

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In year 1 you can join so fare I know 2 other Magic Academys but for both academys you only can learn there when you have time but as you mentioned in year 1 we can't see any of the students or Prof there because the focus is on the Academagia.

I suspect that because you get so many SS there and you also have to spend some time on travel that the teaching is very intense so you dont have time to socialise with the other people there. Because you also get Stress or Vitality damage when learn there at last in the start my assumtion is probably correct.

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