A few in game questions

[Metis]

3) Are there backgrounds that would remove the effect of a Heritage background (i.e. the parent are Sky Pirates who want to pick up their child at a other place then the save habour)?

 

Hmmm. Not that, specifically, but there are some outcomes which can change a Background...

This news does not displease me .

 

BTW Legate, congratulations on hitting 10K posts.

 

EDIT: Does the Add functionality in Y1 work for adding backgrounds, insofar as that the background's effects are added and saved for Y2 import? Meaning that, say I mod the Schohanwicht adventure so that the last step (convincing the Schohanwicht faculty you're a worthy student) is a one-time chance deal, and failing means you get a count of Black Sheep added due to your family's immense disappointment. Will that character's PA be set to 0, and will Y2 later recognise that Black Sheep background and account for it?

 

I'm aware that's a rather niche feature, even with modding, but I'd still like to know if would work.

Edited August 18, 2015 by Metis

[Schwarzbart]

2) How deep are Aranaz and Vernin students usually have a magic path learned at the end of year 5 beside their crafting focus compared to the other colleges?

 

3) Given that Morvidus player can earn a bonus in brew from a adventure could it be that they be the better Vernin in year 2 (if change the college)?

 

And also gratz to the 10k postings Legate even with you avoiding to post in the Suggestion thread in the last days didn't help .

[freespace2dotcom]

On 2, I suspect it depends on the passions of the student. Some might barely be acceptable crafters. Others might become omni disciplinarians. It's not much of a surprise that i consider Vernin a worthy alternate college.

 

Also, 10k posts? wow.

[Legate of Mineta]

10k, didn't even realize. Wow.

 

For the questions:

 

1) I am not sure, but I think in theory it would work.

 

2) How deep are Aranaz and Vernin students usually have a magic path learned at the end of year 5 beside their crafting focus compared to the other colleges?

 

For Aranaz, much more so by default. Vernin is more heavily focused on crafting. Although, as Free noted, it does depend on the Student.

 

3) Given that Morvidus player can earn a bonus in brew from a adventure could it be that they be the better Vernin in year 2 (if change the college)?

 

Yes, that technique would make a difference.

[freespace2dotcom]

Yeah! It really looks like I picked the right College!

 

1. Will the College mandatory classes continue all the way to Y5, or will there be a point where you can turn down at least some of the advanced college skills in favor of your own goals?

 

2. What is the rate that the Academagia acquires new professors? I suppose it's roughly equal with the number who retire or otherwise stop teaching... And do students who graduate have to make a name for themselves in the world before returning to a professor job?

 

3. Would you say that Mastery knowledge had been hit as hard as Gates with the repeated bans over history?

 

4. How many buildings are in the Academagia campus grounds that are too small to have made it on the map?

[Schwarzbart]

5) Can students who are not in Vernin or Aranaz have a artifice focus even in year 4 and 5?

 

6) Will we see study also for external schools in one of the next years?

[Legate of Mineta]

For the questions!

1. Will the College mandatory classes continue all the way to Y5, or will there be a point where you can turn down at least some of the advanced college skills in favor of your own goals?

All the way to Y5.

2. What is the rate that the Academagia acquires new professors? I suppose it's roughly equal with the number who retire or otherwise stop teaching... And do students who graduate have to make a name for themselves in the world before returning to a professor job?

Typically, yes- they are looking for experience in the world, and generally some amount of prestige, too.

3. Would you say that Mastery knowledge had been hit as hard as Gates with the repeated bans over history?

Definitely.

4. How many buildings are in the Academagia campus grounds that are too small to have made it on the map?

Hmmm! Definitely some, but I do not know the number.

5) Can students who are not in Vernin or Aranaz have a artifice focus even in year 4 and 5?

I would think so, yes, but it will grow harder and harder to do that as you go along. And, of course, you would not have the natural advantages of those Colleges.

6) Will we see study also for external schools in one of the next years?

 

It may happen, but overall I think they will stay focused on the Academagia. There are some options which are 'study' like for the currently existing Colleges in Mineta, though.

[Metis]

Is it possible to enchant a wand so that it'll automagically add a Pheme to a specific spell when that spell is cast with that wand, regardless of whether the caster knows the Pheme, or indeed knows of the enchantment itself?

[freespace2dotcom]

Now, I think that it is fair to say that most if not all of Y1 was spent learning the frameworks of all the different magics that we want to learn. Sure we got to cast a lot of spells but, these were overwhelmingly spells that were already prefabricated and our characters were merely copying these formulae to get a feel for the magic as it were. How much of Y2 is going to be building up of framework compared to Y1, and how much is going to be learning solid technique and abilities? If a skill of 10-11 is a lower level journeyman, then I suppose 20 is a mid to high level journeyman with a solid base but plenty of room to grow?

[Legate of Mineta]

Metis;

 

Yes, although it would be very complex to do so!

 

Free;

 

Y2 is much more about practical usage of what your learn in Y1. You have a little more freedom in customizing Spells, too.

[freespace2dotcom]

1. Would you say that spells that have naturally random effects are mostly due to the need to custom tweak them in order to attain more desired specific effects?

 

2. Would you say that we will work at all with ideals in spellcasting in Y2, or is this a more advanced skill that won't be seen.. mostly?

 

3. It was once said that older mages required much more rigid spellcasting practices compared to the mages of the current era, and that this was primarily because the magic of old was more prone to error if done even slightly incorrectly. Is this a continuing trend into the forseeable future?

 

4. If you were Gated to another dimension against your will, and did not know how to use Gates yourself, what would be the best way to at least contact somebody to help you if it was possible?

 

5. In the case of the Mallen Star statue, and the Durand necklace from the rivalry between the two colleges, exactly what tends to happen in the immediate aftermath of a successful defacement of the statue/ stealing of the necklace? Does Aranaz pretend like nothing happens, or is there some formal cenemony where von Rupprecht returns the necklace to Briardi?

 

6. Who was the last person to steal the durand necklace and are they still attending the school? (probably a 5th year in Y2 is my guess.)

 

7. What kind of glamour spell can be used to 'force' a person to expound all of the knowledge they have on a subject for hours on end?

 

8. Do mermaids exist in setting? Even though there is relatively little water...?

 

9. How dangerous can some of the Academagia be for a non-magic user, or at least for a mage that has not invested in learning Negation!?

 

10. How long can a person hold their breath if assisted with magic? Is this practical for short duration spells?

 

11. Who is in charge of the All-Academagia rimbal team? I want to say Massioti but his description leads me to think he is much more involved in his collegiate team.

 

12. Are the days leading up to the start of the school year almost as dreaded by the city dwellers as the days immediately following the end of the school year?

 

13. While you've said that the best wand for general magic use was a crystal wand, of a design that is lost to history. Are there perhaps less effective examples that I might be able to use in Y2? And what if anything will happen if I continually use a generic wand to cast spells from all of the various pillars? Have wands been known to burn out from overuse/misuse?

 

14. Since the Academagia is a 5 year learning institution, I am generally curious as to what terms are used to designate the separate years.I've heard freshman used, although that typically refers to the first year our of 4, with sophonore, junior, and senior, being the other 3. Since that wouldn't work perfectly with a 5 year system I was curious what the team would say how to use these terms and others to account for all 5 years.

 

15. Can we petition our regents for visitation rights to certain areas in Y2. Especially for places like the libraries, which I feel I ought to be able to use in Y2 without having to worry about getting detention.

 

16. What is the longest sabbatical that a student has taken from their studies at the Academagia and still was allowed to continue and graduate?

 

17. What is the speed record for a student to have successfully completed their studies?

 

18. Do certain types of magics have distinct sounds? By that, I mean, does the sound of a fireball being incanted sound pretty much the same no matter who does it or how? I was just thinking of how fast an experienced mage could determine the nature of a spell based on the kinds of sounds that they might commonly make, (to say nothing of sensing auras or any such thing.)

 

19. How many students actually write their notes in code? Or even just a type of shorthand that keeps people with wandering eyes from 'accidentally' gleaming information from them?

 

20. Can preexisting magical Gates be (temporarily or permanently) opened and closed without the need for casting more Gates magic?

[Schwarzbart]

8) Wasn't there some in a underground sea you visit in a adventure? (don't remember what adventure it was)

 

9) For sure deadly if not worse

 

11) Is there such a thing as a All-Academagia team for rimbal?

 

15) Maybe as part of the favour system

 

20) Opening and closing for sure need to activating some gate magic even if from a item.

[Legate of Mineta]

Free & Schwarzbart;

 

Now *this* is a list of questions.

 

1. Would you say that spells that have naturally random effects are mostly due to the need to custom tweak them in order to attain more desired specific effects?

No, Spells frequently do have significant variation in outcome. However, it is possible to customize a Spell so significantly as to create a repeatable outcome.

2. Would you say that we will work at all with ideals in spellcasting in Y2, or is this a more advanced skill that won't be seen.. mostly?

No, you will be working with them.

3. It was once said that older mages required much more rigid spellcasting practices compared to the mages of the current era, and that this was primarily because the magic of old was more prone to error if done even slightly incorrectly. Is this a continuing trend into the forseeable future?

It's more that modern spellcasting is founded on understandings the old masters had. It's not that spellcasting is any more or less uncertain, it's that you use techniques that lower the amount of work you do in order to get the right results.

4. If you were Gated to another dimension against your will, and did not know how to use Gates yourself, what would be the best way to at least contact somebody to help you if it was possible?

It sounds like you are out of luck without Gates knowledge!

5. In the case of the Mallen Star statue, and the Durand necklace from the rivalry between the two colleges, exactly what tends to happen in the immediate aftermath of a successful defacement of the statue/ stealing of the necklace? Does Aranaz pretend like nothing happens, or is there some formal cenemony where von Rupprecht returns the necklace to Briardi?

It depends, but in the past the Regents have met, and there is much veiled gloating.

6. Who was the last person to steal the durand necklace and are they still attending the school? (probably a 5th year in Y2 is my guess.)

I will have to ask if they are still on campus!

7. What kind of glamour spell can be used to 'force' a person to expound all of the knowledge they have on a subject for hours on end?

Probably one that suggests the victim is very garrulous, or eager to speak.

8. Do mermaids exist in setting? Even though there is relatively little water...?

There are mermaids, although their habitat is pretty minimal for obvious reasons.

9. How dangerous can some of the Academagia be for a non-magic user, or at least for a mage that has not invested in learning Negation!?

As Schwarzbart notes, accidents routinely happen, although special care is taken when important visitors arrive. That's why usually young mages are dropped off at the Gates.

10. How long can a person hold their breath if assisted with magic? Is this practical for short duration spells?

For a very long time- it can be practical or no, depending on the Spell and user.

11. Who is in charge of the All-Academagia rimbal team? I want to say Massioti but his description leads me to think he is much more involved in his collegiate team.

There is an Academagia Team, and you can bet Massioti is involved. It's kind of ad hoc, though, and he doesn't like giving out his best tricks.

12. Are the days leading up to the start of the school year almost as dreaded by the city dwellers as the days immediately following the end of the school year?

Yes.

13. While you've said that the best wand for general magic use was a crystal wand, of a design that is lost to history. Are there perhaps less effective examples that I might be able to use in Y2? And what if anything will happen if I continually use a generic wand to cast spells from all of the various pillars? Have wands been known to burn out from overuse/misuse?

Wands can 'burn out', but generally this is a weakness in their enchantment. There aren't any specifically omni-usage Wands, although from time to time you may find one that covers 4 of the PIllars.

14. Since the Academagia is a 5 year learning institution, I am generally curious as to what terms are used to designate the separate years.I've heard freshman used, although that typically refers to the first year our of 4, with sophonore, junior, and senior, being the other 3. Since that wouldn't work perfectly with a 5 year system I was curious what the team would say how to use these terms and others to account for all 5 years.

Freshman is probably anachronistic, too. I'll ask!

15. Can we petition our regents for visitation rights to certain areas in Y2. Especially for places like the libraries, which I feel I ought to be able to use in Y2 without having to worry about getting detention.

Yes and no- Schwarzbart is essentially correct.

16. What is the longest sabbatical that a student has taken from their studies at the Academagia and still was allowed to continue and graduate?

I think a century- I'll ask.

17. What is the speed record for a student to have successfully completed their studies?

Also one I have to ask about!

18. Do certain types of magics have distinct sounds? By that, I mean, does the sound of a fireball being incanted sound pretty much the same no matter who does it or how? I was just thinking of how fast an experienced mage could determine the nature of a spell based on the kinds of sounds that they might commonly make, (to say nothing of sensing auras or any such thing.)

Not inherently, no- but much has to do with the practitioner's understanding of magic.

19. How many students actually write their notes in code? Or even just a type of shorthand that keeps people with wandering eyes from 'accidentally' gleaming information from them?

It's rare, but it does happen.

20. Can preexisting magical Gates be (temporarily or permanently) opened and closed without the need for casting more Gates magic?

Who knows...?

[Schwarzbart]

Just wanted to say thanks (again?) that despite the game is now already over 5 years old we still get all this lore related questions answered!

[dyrhet]

 

14. Since the Academagia is a 5 year learning institution, I am generally curious as to what terms are used to designate the separate years.I've heard freshman used, although that typically refers to the first year our of 4, with sophonore, junior, and senior, being the other 3. Since that wouldn't work perfectly with a 5 year system I was curious what the team would say how to use these terms and others to account for all 5 years.

Freshman is probably anachronistic, too. I'll ask!

 

Not necessarily anachronistic, though it may be anachronistic within the world of Academagia in which case sorry for being a busy-body.

 

But in our world, the term "freshman" (along with the others) dates back to at least the 17th century and probably earlier. We have a source from Cambridge university around that time where the terms used were essentially freshmen, sophumer (or sophomore), junior sophister, senior sophister. A sophist and a sophumer being someone who utilizes sophisms, wise arguments. They are essentially synonymous with each other. The commonly known "wise fool" etymology for sophomores is probably a myth, sadly.

 

A pretty good expansion to a full five years of naming might be to incorporate terms for students from other ancient universities. Trinity College Dublin used junior freshman, senior freshman, junior sophist and senior sophist. So borrowing from that you could have a 5 year set of titles as follows: junior freshman, senior freshman, sophomore, junior sophist, senior sophist. Or borrow from St Andrews university and have final year students be called magistrands. That's a pretty cool name.

 

The really interesting question, for me, would be what the terms are in Italian. Looks like a freshman is a "matricola", but I'm not sure if there are any other specific terms used. It seems like most countries tend to just use "first year", "second year", etc., on the whole.

[freespace2dotcom]

I'd like to say thanks, too! I'm beginning to expect that you're going to regret the day Y2 comes out because shortly thereafter I'll probably have over 50 questions in a single post, to say nothing of the other forumites.

[Schwarzbart]

1) Will some backgrounds have later a effect how good the player is with some magic and if so can you hint what backgrounds? (We know that the more you use a magic the better you get in it and that part of this also can pass to offspring's)

[Legate of Mineta]

Schwarzbart & Free;

 

That's our pleasure!

 

1) Hmmmm...I am not sure about that; I'll ask the Team, but I don't know of anything like that in Y2.

[Metis]

On the freshman/etc. discussion:

A pack of twelve balloons, meant to be filled with water and used against your friends as good, clean fun, or against your enemies in a campaign of psychological warfare. In any case, with a successful Finesse/Ambush Roll v. 4, you can soak an entire Clique, Expanding the Stress of every member by 1 while Expanding your own Competition and Playfulness Subskills by 1 Step each. Note that the balloons are really only useable once - even if you don't hit your targets.

These balloons aren't your usual stretched sheep's bladders; they've actually been Revised from rainwater as a senior class project. They're amazingly elastic, each one capable of holding enough water to soak two sophomores at a time; once burst, they simply dissolve back into the water from which they were made.

That's from the Pack of Balloons item, which you get if you don't participate in the Balloon Day adventure.

 

EDIT: How noticeable is it if you cast Voice of Favors on someone, in terms of "this person is being controlled against his will magically"? I mean I imagine if, say, I cast this on Philippe in front of Joana my life expectancy will drop significantly regardless, but if I cast it not in front of Joana will she later want to kill me for flirting with Philippe or for Controlling him, primarily?

 

(You may substitute Philippe/Joana with Olivia/Cyrus in the event that Joana is too dense to notice the difference...or if she simply doesn't care)

Edited August 26, 2015 by Metis

[Legate of Mineta]

Metis;

 

Although it doesn't have that mechanical effect, it probably would cause series problems with the other person, yes.

[Schwarzbart]

1) Is it intended that some familiar like the rabbit have 2 familiar quest instead of a bond and a familiar quest?

2) Given that Academagia was founded so long ago I wonder if Athanasios was/is a Dragon?

 

Athanasios declared by edict to found a order of scholars what resulted after some years in creating Academagia at last according to something in Gutross shop

 

[Legate of Mineta]

Schwarzbart;

 

1) Some Familiars do have a different pattern, but I think that's just an old bug. I'll mention it to the Team.

 

2) He was one of the New Gods, and a man. There are several conflicting legends of how he founded the Academagia, though...

[Metis]

The Rabbit Bond adventure does have the rabbit do stuff as opposed to most Bond adventures where it's the student doing things, so while it breaks the pattern it does fit. Unless our students have whiskers, at least.

[Schwarzbart]

1) Are there familiar that play rimbal?

2) Are Scrolls also help you build a library in year 2 or only books?

 

 

Schwarzbart;

 

1) Some Familiars do have a different pattern, but I think that's just an old bug. I'll mention it to the Team.

 

2) He was one of the New Gods, and a man. There are several conflicting legends of how he founded the Academagia, though...

Both of the rabbit adventures are clearly done by the familiar.

 

For 2 I still keep the edict copy on my char in hope it will help with study or forming a library in year 2.

 

Btw. you saw my PM?

[Legate of Mineta]

Schwarzbart;

 

1) HAHAHA! I wonder. I guess some should, yes.

 

2) Hmmm. Only the Book Type, but I have to ask about it. You're right, Scrolls should be there too.

 

I didn't see the pm, but will look now.