A few in game questions

[Schwarzbart]

I didn't forget about the mercenary guildhouse, I just didn't think they'd be the kind of muscle appropriate for exploring, scavenging and cartography as opposed to just pointing them towards a group of differently uniformed people that need to be murdered. At least in a setting as Academagia I see mercenaries more as human-shaped bulldozers, not explorers.

Uhmm you just insulted all Godina who after finished with Academagia became mercenary and that are a lot from what I read in the story line. Also do you think the Elemental Warrior are just human-shaped bulldozers? As they are also mercenary's!

[Metis]

Eh . "Mercenary", in my ears, has a definition to it that "adventurer" or "bodyguard", even "muscle-for-hire" doesn't. And that definition is of a human bulldozer that gets pointed in a direction and applies a liberal coating of murder to it. If the Elemental Warriors want to call themselves a word that I define like that, well, their choice and problem, 'far as I'm concerned.

[Schwarzbart]

Mercenary in this setting are people for hire that do bodyguard, military, escort and other jobs according to the adventures.

So they include nearly everything you usually put into the adventurer jobs except for maybe grave robing.

 

Back to questions:

1) Are mercenary require a special license and if so how can someone get one?

 

2) Are there special exceptions for mercenary in the Criminal Law?

 

3) Are there other ways for a player to become a mercenary or gain a mercenary license then the Godina adventure?

[freespace2dotcom]

The basic definition of a mercenary is one that serves merely for wages; especially : a soldier hired into foreign service

 

The "Merc" in the word comes from the same root as mercantilism. Which basically is a form of trade. In essence, a Mercenary is anyone doing freelance work with no hard loyalty to any employer. (It's just business)

 

That being said, the MODERN mercenary (more accurately called a military contractor) like blackwater et al are only a subset of mercenary which are hired specifically for their.... traits. But you could find mercenaries of many types, although soldiers who tended to run away when the chips were down tended to be the main type historically. (And probably still are, though we haven't seen many cases where mercenaries are in a losing fight. Information travels fast these days and nobody wants to be a loser)

[Legate of Mineta]

Schwarzbart;

 

1) Are mercenary require a special license and if so how can someone get one?

 

No, although it certainly helps in hiring and in wages to have one.

2) Are there special exceptions for mercenary in the Criminal Law?

 

There can be, yes.

3) Are there other ways for a player to become a mercenary or gain a mercenary license then the Godina adventure?

 

There may be.

[Schwarzbart]

1) You missed the part about how to gain a Mercenary license is it just pay money to the administration and get the paper or is it some kind of test from a guild?

[Legate of Mineta]

Schwarzbart;

 

In the City, you have to pass a test for the license, with the associated fee. Elsewhere, tests could be administered by local government, the customs of the mercenary outfit, or could even be as simple as a vow.

[freespace2dotcom]

1. Because Gates magic is very intensive, have many mages physically trained themselves to handle the strain?

 

2. Even though Gates is more intensive than the other magics, wouldn't a mage who is used to training in all the others have an advantage at least so far as in developing the fortitude necessary for casting high-stamina spells?

 

3. Would it be possible for a very old mage to use magic to turn them into a young adult for the duration of a long duel? How exhausting would that be? Could it be done well beforehand so that you could rest up a bit after casting but before the duel? (Granted that would mean a longer duration)

 

4. How well are the details of the dating Mastery scandal known around campus? I would imagine pretty well since it affected the entire student body...

 

5. So, If a person is Mastered into doing something, can't that person (if skilled in negation) undo the spell relatively easily? I suppose there are forms that can make that issue moot (particularly those spells that give a much tighter leash, so to speak) But without those examples, wouldn't you also have to use secondary spells to either keep them from realizing it, or prohibiting the use of certain phemes,,,?

 

6. In the Meagan/Aron episode, if Meagan had instead went to the Legate after she became 'free', what are the odds that her own Mastery skills would come to light too?

 

7. Since we know full well what the penalties for intentionally learning Gates and Mastery are, are there any specific things that have happened only to those who have tried to learn both?

[Legate of Mineta]

Free;

 

1. Because Gates magic is very intensive, have many mages physically trained themselves to handle the strain?

Yes, usually the Gates practitioners are physically robust for this reason. There are a few exceptions who do nothing but magically augment themselves.

2. Even though Gates is more intensive than the other magics, wouldn't a mage who is used to training in all the others have an advantage at least so far as in developing the fortitude necessary for casting high-stamina spells?

Not necessarily- the strain is very physical, in a way which isn't analogous to any other way of casting.

3. Would it be possible for a very old mage to use magic to turn them into a young adult for the duration of a long duel? How exhausting would that be? Could it be done well beforehand so that you could rest up a bit after casting but before the duel? (Granted that would mean a longer duration)

It could be done, and would be very difficult, but not necessarily exhausting. Very effective.

4. How well are the details of the dating Mastery scandal known around campus? I would imagine pretty well since it affected the entire student body...

Details? Not well known. Rumor and scandal? Very well known.

5. So, If a person is Mastered into doing something, can't that person (if skilled in negation) undo the spell relatively easily? I suppose there are forms that can make that issue moot (particularly those spells that give a much tighter leash, so to speak) But without those examples, wouldn't you also have to use secondary spells to either keep them from realizing it, or prohibiting the use of certain phemes,,,?

It's in when it takes effect- but you are right, you would definitely want to keep them unaware as long as possible, or else they surely would Negate it.

6. In the Meagan/Aron episode, if Meagan had instead went to the Legate after she became 'free', what are the odds that her own Mastery skills would come to light too?

Metis can add commentary here as well, but the odds are fairly likely. As to what the Legate would have done about it...

7. Since we know full well what the penalties for intentionally learning Gates and Mastery are, are there any specific things that have happened only to those who have tried to learn both?

No, the punishments are severe enough for the one, that the two doesn't add anything directly.

[Schwarzbart]

Wow the Legate is in a good mood today usually I would have expected some redacted answer in the last 7 questions. ^^

[Metis]

6. In the Meagan/Aron episode, if Meagan had instead went to the Legate after she became 'free', what are the odds that her own Mastery skills would come to light too?

Metis can add commentary here as well, but the odds are fairly likely. As to what the Legate would have done about it...

Not sure why I'm apparently the local expert on that episode, but fair enough, as I'm actually also not sure why the odds would be likely. Maegan definitely would have been tested for Mastery residue, to confirm that the spell cast on her was indeed Mastery, but the lores say that she had that spell cast on her daily, which might give her an excuse for any other Mastery residue that'd be found on her. Further, the way she was compelled to walk up to Aron and "confess" while she was mid-sentence in her friends and Glamour homework makes it reasonable for her to know that it was a Mastery spell, without bringing up her own knowledge on the subject. There's also the fact that the lores are unclear as to what Aron did with the mind-controlled Maegan. Supposedly the two were (or at least looked) inseparable, and Aron clearly was dabbling in Mastery, so I think Maegan could have blamed it all on him. Going by Tabin's adventure I'm sure there'd at least be one possible angle to convince the Legate thereof...although Maegan might not have known that, I suppose.

 

And as for what the Legate would have done, Maegan was a fifth year, and the catty Legate has said that while older students aren't watched as closely they're punished more severely. So, cloistered or execution.

[freespace2dotcom]

Actually, the subtext I read from "As to what the Legate would have done about it..." was actually a very strong hint that... No. I shan't say it. Who really knows what he might have done with her?

[Legate of Mineta]

Muahahahaha!

[freespace2dotcom]

1. If you really needed the Legate, and became used to his particular ways of hiding from people, how long do you think it would take to locate him? Would you be able to do it during your lunch break?

 

2. Since I doubt that book bags are used, at least in the modern sense, how do students manage their class books to and from classes? Do they just carry all their books from their dorm room across campus, as they zigzag through buildings their classes are in all day? Do they have lockers in certain halls?

 

3. What real world language was Bassan again? I keep thinking spanish, though that was Monteon's deal, and the countries which speak Bassan in setting is more Arabic.

 

4. Has Steroscopic photography been developed?

 

5. While the Wall is obviously the first line of defense against Dragons, Does Mineta have any more conventional defenses? If a conventional army tried to take the city for a symbolic capture of the imperial capital, where would most of the fighting take place? Somewhere outside the city limits?

 

6. According to the lores, the founding of the Academagia was some time in the early empire, which would mean that it was post exile. According to Fenris werewolves encountered Dragons before the academy was built, and did not mention the exile at all. This tells me that there are two possible explanations.

 

A. Either the Academy was actually founded pre-exile during the first captivity (or rather in the period of rebellion right at the end before the exile)

 

B. Or else they somehow avoided making contact with the dragons until the second captivity. (unlikely given how the second captivity ended with the arrival of the new gods/)

 

I'm leaning toward A but then that directly contradict's the lore I read. Can you straighten this out for me?

[Metis]

2. Knapsacks I imagine. Whatever those are.

 

3. Arabic. Arabian? One of those two.

 

6, For reference:

Arcanus explained that their was a territory of raw, arcane power within our territories and, if we’d permit him and his tribes to build a full settlement there, that they’d have enough power to topple the might of even the triad, with our support.

My elders deliberated before finally agreeing to the battlefield union with one key stipulation: Arcanus and his highest lieutenants must agree to train our people in the art of magic. Arcanus carefully replied that his art was not an easy one, but he would gladly accept our best and brightest for such training. An accord was reached.

It was a number of years before the terrible war resolved with one of the triad becoming traitor of his own kind, one being trapped within a book, and one fleeing, never to be seen again. The war was finally over but, throughout that entire thing, my tribe lost its primal dignity, evolving into little more than obedient lap dogs to the new kingdom of man, content in relegating our existence to the shadows.

I recall telling you I’d reveal who I was. I was once known as Fenris Duskshroud, amongst the very first graduates, of my kind, from your illustrious institution. For finding my resting place, you may have my wand; it would serve you far better than I, now.”

 

The Academagia was founded by Athanasios and/or his merry band of scholars, though it's often mis-attributed to Noemea/Noimea, who placed the first foundation stone (her name's spelled differently between Tutorial Adventure 6 and The Dance of Fools 1 - add that to the list 'o bugs if necessary).

[Schwarzbart]

7.) Are there known criminals who resorted to (human) sacrifices in the hope to gain power?

[Legate of Mineta]

All;

 

1. If you really needed the Legate, and became used to his particular ways of hiding from people, how long do you think it would take to locate him? Would you be able to do it during your lunch break?

A Legate is never found. They just appear when they are most needed, of course!

2. Since I doubt that book bags are used, at least in the modern sense, how do students manage their class books to and from classes? Do they just carry all their books from their dorm room across campus, as they zigzag through buildings their classes are in all day? Do they have lockers in certain halls?

They carry them, usually wrapped up in a cord or a length of cloth.

3. What real world language was Bassan again? I keep thinking spanish, though that was Monteon's deal, and the countries which speak Bassan in setting is more Arabic.

Similar to Berber.

4. Has Steroscopic photography been developed?

No, but magic allows for 'true' 3D.

5. While the Wall is obviously the first line of defense against Dragons, Does Mineta have any more conventional defenses? If a conventional army tried to take the city for a symbolic capture of the imperial capital, where would most of the fighting take place? Somewhere outside the city limits?

If the Captain's Army marched forth, yes- otherwise, there would be a siege, starting at the Lower City's Walls.

6. According to the lores, the founding of the Academagia was some time in the early empire, which would mean that it was post exile. According to Fenris werewolves encountered Dragons before the academy was built, and did not mention the exile at all. This tells me that there are two possible explanations.

A. Either the Academy was actually founded pre-exile during the first captivity (or rather in the period of rebellion right at the end before the exile)

B. Or else they somehow avoided making contact with the dragons until the second captivity. (unlikely given how the second captivity ended with the arrival of the new gods/)

I'm leaning toward A but then that directly contradict's the lore I read. Can you straighten this out for me?

The Academy was founded post-Exile, and there were Dragons in the area during the Captivity. They were slain or driven out by the arrival of the New Gods, of course.

7) Are there known criminals who resorted to (human) sacrifices in the hope to gain power?

Not in current times, but yes- it's known to have happened.

[Leon Cross]

1: How old are starting students? I just had a rather...interesting quest in which my female student decided to conjure up a corset, making several references to her now "impressive bust" to attempt to woo a counter boy.

 

As I was convinced the characters were early teens, this is either hilarious or squick depending on ones point of view.

[Metis]

IIRC the rule is that first-year students are (and/or turn?) 12 on the Juvenalia that starts the school year, so depending on their birthday they're 12-13, or just 12 if their birthday is during the two summer months. Also IIRC Kurt, the youngest student of the first year, is actually an exception to the rule - he's 11 on Juvenalia, but since his birthday is on Athonos 8th the Legate allowed him anyway.

 

PS, I'm 99% sure that adventure is the female version of Short Changed I.E. The Magical Musical Concert (something like that), which is an On The Prowl background exclusive adventure. And On The Prowl means that the PC is...well, a bit ahead of his/her age in terms of being flirty. Not necessarily in a successful manner, though.

[isadorbg]

The PC character is 12 years old in the game.

 

PS, I'm 99% sure that adventure is the female version of Short Changed I.E. The Magical Musical Concert (something like that), which is an On The Prowl background exclusive adventure. And On The Prowl means that the PC is...well, a bit ahead of his/her age in terms of being flirty. Not necessarily in a successful manner, though.

 

It is the right adventure.

[freespace2dotcom]

This is mostly just so I can have a point of reference should I decide to write a story on attempting to learn all the various magics in game. I realize that the engine's ability to implement these things are limited, but I am only really looking for the lore perspective on #1.

 

1. You've already made it clear that any student learning all the legal pillars to 10 in their first year would probably be watched due to their exceptionally rare achievement. Given that I did manage to get a save with Mastery and Gates both at 10 on top of that, I am curious what response that may have gotten at least in the preban era. I can imagine that in the current era the feeling would be largely the same after the horror and immediate execution took place.

 

2. You've said that skill levels of 10 were achievable by bright kids though self-teaching. Is that a hard limit? The story about Aminþia Que’la tends to imply that most of what she did was self-taught.

 

3. What is the most commonly accepted theory as to why dragons can't or won't use Astrology? Simple reviling of their old foes?

 

4. If Legates appear when they are most needed, then do they immediately appear at any potential next-most-needed locations? And if not, then what is the cut off between "appear", and "sorry, this door has been sealed with magical red tape."? And what about those times where they appear especially when they are not needed at all?

 

5. What makes a good rimbal ball? Are they typically enchanted in any way? Do they come in differing materials or is that pretty standardized?

 

6. Are ghost Familiars rare? I get that Pamela has probably had multiple wizards but she's just one ghost, and I was wondering if she is an exception?

 

7. And on Pamela, given how long she's haunted the Academagia, It is inevitable that we'll come across wizards that she was a Familiar to before being... Rejected. I know you want to keep those people secret, especially if some are current professors, but do you think that some of them would hate Pam sufficiently to personally make her unlife miserable if they found out that she finally found someone that accepted her?

[Legate of Mineta]

Free;

 

Lore perspective coming up!

 

1. You've already made it clear that any student learning all the legal pillars to 10 in their first year would probably be watched due to their exceptionally rare achievement. Given that I did manage to get a save with Mastery and Gates both at 10 on top of that, I am curious what response that may have gotten at least in the preban era. I can imagine that in the current era the feeling would be largely the same after the horror and immediate execution took place.

PreBan, such a thing would have been lauded. Likely, your education would transform from regular school attendance into a world of personalized instruction by the finest mages, either at the Academagia or in the Emperor's Court. More likely the former, depending on your pedigree.

2. You've said that skill levels of 10 were achievable by bright kids though self-teaching. Is that a hard limit? The story about Aminþia Que’la tends to imply that most of what she did was self-taught.

No, no hard limits for self-taught.

3. What is the most commonly accepted theory as to why dragons can't or won't use Astrology? Simple reviling of their old foes?

The New Gods (and the Old Gods before them) are not just more powerful, but antithetical to Dragons. Cosmologically, it's against their very nature.

4. If Legates appear when they are most needed, then do they immediately appear at any potential next-most-needed locations? And if not, then what is the cut off between "appear", and "sorry, this door has been sealed with magical red tape."? And what about those times where they appear especially when they are not needed at all?

Queueing theory suggests that buffers are put into place for 'most needed' events, to enable seamless transition.

5. What makes a good rimbal ball? Are they typically enchanted in any way? Do they come in differing materials or is that pretty standardized?

Non-magical Rimbals are cork and leather, and 'regulation' magical Rimbals use the same. They are not enchanted, and carefully scrutizined in regulation play- that's a favorite way to cheat. They are hand-crafted, and not standardized.

6. Are ghost Familiars rare? I get that Pamela has probably had multiple wizards but she's just one ghost, and I was wondering if she is an exception?

Very rare. Possibly the only known 'living' example.

7. And on Pamela, given how long she's haunted the Academagia, It is inevitable that we'll come across wizards that she was a Familiar to before being... Rejected. I know you want to keep those people secret, especially if some are current professors, but do you think that some of them would hate Pam sufficiently to personally make her unlife miserable if they found out that she finally found someone that accepted her?

 

Why, that would seem plausible, wouldn't it?

[Schwarzbart]

1) "personalized instruction by the finest mages" is that a thing a player can manage in later years? For year 2 we currently "only" have the extra class that goes in that direction.

[Legate of Mineta]

Schwarzbart;

 

I don't think so, no- that kind of thing is analogous to the support the first sons and daughters of royalty might receive. That would be a different game altogether, where you are groomed for the Court and the Realm.

 

...but that would be cool.

[dyrhet]

Clearly your character was born too late, Free.