~ Suggestions & Improvement ~

[Legate of Mineta]

Cym;

 

I believe Question Knowledge is correct- the Expand is a Skill Level, and the -Expand are Skill Steps.

 

The others I will send to the Content Team, for clarification and rework.

 

Thanks!

[Schwarzbart]

on the request of the Legate here a Disucion from a other thread

hmm... this brings me on an idea for a 0 point background.

After all.. There should be a family who got an invitation letter for their little boy/girl while being too poor to actually pay tution at the Academagia. So the student probably has some special talent or destiny ahead of him that requires his training.

Bad side: Player starts with no money, nor will get any allowance. Not because their parent's dont WANT to pay, but because they simply cannot pay it. Incompatible with black sheep or any background that increases money.

Good Side: Player starts with +1 Luck, +1 Temperance, +2 Skill Max in a random skill, +2 Skill in same random skill. (and yes, that could be a skill like Sewing; destiny can be strange like that)

 

I think it would be bether to give 2x +1 to a Random SS Max (one of this for a Magic SS) and scrap the thing about the +2 to the same random skill.

Reason ist that the player dont have to know where he is special gifted bevore he join the Academy. (I also doubt its posible to give the +2 to the same Skill where you got the SS Max if the SS Max was given out in Random)

 

Perhaps something like...

 

Destiny's Child (har)

 

Growing up in a poor family, the possibility of even just dreaming about life at the Academagia was never open to you. You had never heard about the school for growing mages, as you were occupied by chores and scraping to get by- at least, not until the letter came. The letter that promised transport, food, lodging, and five full years of education for absolutely nothing. Your family debated the wisdom and possibilities, but eventually urged to accept in hopes that you could use it to find a better life for yourself in your future.

 

(for a -1 point) You start with no money to your name, and no matter how much correspondence you make, you will never gain pims in return: your family simply cannot afford it.

 

(for a 0 point) You start with no money to your name, and no matter how much correspondence you make, you will never gain pims in return: your family simply cannot afford it. Acceptance of that has gifted you with +1 Temperance. Perhaps more importantly, your appreciation of the gift you were given has granted you +1 Maximum to your Pure Luck subskill, if you seek to study it. You also gain +1 to the Theory of Astrology.

 

(for a 1 point) You start with no money to your name, and no matter how much correspondence you make, you will never gain pims in return: your family simply cannot afford it. Acceptance and knowledge of that has gifted you with a great fortitude, granting you +1 Fitness, +1 Endurance, and +1 Temperance. Perhaps more importantly, your appreciation of the gift you were given has granted you +1 Maximum to your Pure Luck subskill, if you seek to study it. You also gain +1 to the Theory of Astrology.

 

 

I wouldn't give luck, as both luck backgrounds are not mutually exclusive with anything else (same with Charm and Finesse). Intelligence, Insight, Fitness and Strength, however, you can only gain +2 in one (+1 in the others), due to the Omen background (and in practice, everyone (on the forums >.>) chooses the Int one anyway, as the bonuses are so much better).

 

I'm not really sure a background that practically does the same as another one is really necessary, though. For another negative background, I'd be more amused at seeing some sort of Broken Bond familiar ideal, that either halves your Bond skill maximum (you can only gain 5 in the first year) or doubles the training times for all bond skills. Your character had a familiar before, but it died, and it was tragic, and due to that, you've had difficulty bonding to a new one. I imagine a lot of people would select it in year one, only for it to backfire horribly in later years where familiar is extremely useful.

[Draigh]

Here is the suggestion of the Destiny's Child background.

 

History:

 

 

hmm... this brings me on an idea for a 0 point background.

After all.. There should be a family who got an invitation letter for their little boy/girl while being too poor to actually pay tution at the Academagia. So the student probably has some special talent or destiny ahead of him that requires his training.

Bad side: Player starts with no money, nor will get any allowance. Not because their parent's dont WANT to pay, but because they simply cannot pay it. Incompatible with black sheep or any background that increases money.

Good Side: Player starts with +1 Luck, +1 Temperance, +2 Skill Max in a random skill, +2 Skill in same random skill. (and yes, that could be a skill like Sewing; destiny can be strange like that)

 

 

I think it would be bether to give 3x +1 to a Random SS Max (one of this for a Magic SS) and scrap the thing about the +2 to the same random skill.

Reason ist that the player dont have to know where he is special gifted bevore he join the Academy. (I also doubt its posible to give the +2 to the same Skill where you got the SS Max if the SS Max was given out in Random)

 

 

hmm.. I was thinking about a randomizer and then somehow record the skill and use that for two effects (expand skill, expand max skill)

looking in the modtools, it indeed does not seem to be possible.

 

But increasing 3 random skills with +1 skill max would be a rather strong effect, even if not clear which ones are increased. After all, they can unlock quite strong abilities and stuff without needing to go through the hoops (research etc) to unlock the skill max expansion. And it needs to be fair to the player that he/she has some way to find out the blessed skill(s).

 

 

Perhaps something like...

 

Destiny's Child (har)

 

Growing up in a poor family, the possibility of even just dreaming about life at the Academagia was never open to you. You had never heard about the school for growing mages, as you were occupied by chores and scraping to get by- at least, not until the letter came. The letter that promised transport, food, lodging, and five full years of education for absolutely nothing. Your family debated the wisdom and possibilities, but eventually urged to accept in hopes that you could use it to find a better life for yourself in your future.

 

(for a -1 point) You start with no money to your name, and no matter how much correspondence you make, you will never gain pims in return: your family simply cannot afford it.

 

(for a 0 point) You start with no money to your name, and no matter how much correspondence you make, you will never gain pims in return: your family simply cannot afford it. Acceptance of that has gifted you with +1 Temperance. Perhaps more importantly, your appreciation of the gift you were given has granted you +1 Maximum to your Pure Luck subskill, if you seek to study it. You also gain +1 to the Theory of Astrology.

 

(for a 1 point) You start with no money to your name, and no matter how much correspondence you make, you will never gain pims in return: your family simply cannot afford it. Acceptance and knowledge of that has gifted you with a great fortitude, granting you +1 Fitness, +1 Endurance, and +1 Temperance. Perhaps more importantly, your appreciation of the gift you were given has granted you +1 Maximum to your Pure Luck subskill, if you seek to study it. You also gain +1 to the Theory of Astrology.

 

 

I wouldn't give luck, as both luck backgrounds are not mutually exclusive with anything else (same with Charm and Finesse). Intelligence, Insight, Fitness and Strength, however, you can only gain +2 in one (+1 in the others), due to the Omen background (and in practice, everyone (on the forums >.>) chooses the Int one anyway, as the bonuses are so much better).

 

I'm not really sure a background that practically does the same as another one is really necessary, though. For another negative background, I'd be more amused at seeing some sort of Broken Bond familiar ideal, that either halves your Bond skill maximum (you can only gain 5 in the first year) or doubles the training times for all bond skills. Your character had a familiar before, but it died, and it was tragic, and due to that, you've had difficulty bonding to a new one. I imagine a lot of people would select it in year one, only for it to backfire horribly in later years where familiar is extremely useful.

 

 

 

Yes but I think +2 to one SS max in addition to what you would get from Research or other sources is gamebreaking in my opinion. (because most SS are only planed to get at max to 11 bevore any buffs)

 

 

@ Schwartsbart

 

It is less gamebreaking than +1 to three skill maxes. There are no further unlocks of special abilities. The only added effect is that you can succeed 1 point easier at rolls that require that one specific skill.

 

Having 3 +1 skill maxes means unlocking the 11th ability in 3 different skills and possibly unlocking many more 11th skills simply due to those first three unlocks. Otherwise it grants access to special locations, phemes, spells, abilities or other stuff that has been restricted on purpose.

 

Besides... It is possible (and not even that hard) to get max skill increases for certain skills several times, increasing beyond the limit of 11. Just ask for a few favors and you'll see.

 

@ Mikka

 

Personally I think the charm with the whole fate/destiny thing is it's unpredictability. Not just an increase to the Pure Luck skill. The choice for the Luck attribute increase is more related to Astrology than to be lucky or anything. Also not too many skill increases in different things, just the one talent that might have drawn the attention of the stars and certain Academagian Seers. Something that could also work is an increase of 10% to the chance of a random event. After all... destiny has chosen you with a reason.

 

 

 

 

My current suggestion:

 

Growing up in a poor family, the possibility of even just dreaming about life at the Academagia was never open to you. You had never heard about the school for growing mages, as you were occupied by chores and scraping to get by- at least, not until the letter came. The letter that promised transport, food, lodging, and five full years of education for absolutely nothing. Your family debated the wisdom and possibilities, but eventually urged to accept in hopes that you could use it to find a better life for yourself in your future.

 

Your family is unable to provide much, especially now that you are far away. They are looking forward to see you again this summer though and hear about all the things you learned and adventures you have had.

(No money to start with and your family will not send you anything either. If you want money, you'll need to earn it yourself. Background is mutually exclusive with: Family: Black Sheep; Family: Favored Child; History: Locally Notable; Station: Merchant; Station: Wealthy; Station: Well-to-Do; Any of the Academy, Schooling, Tutoring or Inheritance backgrounds. In short any background that either grants money from your family, or requires the family to have spending money in the first place.)

 

But even though your family is unable to provide for you, destiny seems to just that in it's own special way. You seem to be blessed by destiny. Will the Academagia be the place where the seed of destiny can blossom?

(+1 Luck, +10% Random Encounters, +10% Chance of Succes, +1 Skill Max in Two Random Skills; This signifies the pull of destiny that causes the character to get in interesting situations time and time again; and some special talents in overcoming said challenges. No direct obvious starting bonusses though. One needs to work and do things to get the benefits of this background. Luck is not one of the most important stats for the different skills, thus effect is either minimal or indirect.)

[Schwarzbart]

I think +5% Chance of Success is enough or maybe even already to powerfull because even a +5% CoS means you can get a Background point for setting this to 0 with "Prodigy: Bad Luck Magnet"!

[cymrean]

I think there is no backround as of now that gives a skillmax increase, so there needs to be one. By the way, all those new skills added in the DLCs also have 11 levels of unlocks?

[Draigh]

Each skill has an associated 11th level unlock.

 

And check the Prodigy backgrounds for some backgrounds that grant skill max increases.

 

I also think the Bad Luck Magnet +5 Chance of Failure is not cumulative with the +x% Chance of Success. They seem to be different values in the modtools. So technically it's possible to have them both and have the effects of both at the same time.

Secondly, this background blocks out quite a lot of other backgrounds, including those that offer some interesting skills/abilities.

[Schwarzbart]

Are you sure its not just +CoS-CoF in the Rolls? I ask because from the orginal Backgrounds you only have 2 Backgrounds with +1% CoS and this hints that the game just use this easy mechanic.

[Mikka]

And again, I think it would be to uneven to give a luck bonus. Give the character the Fitness bonus for endurance, or give them Pure Luck, but yet another Luck background makes things very uneven unless either The Comet or Descended from Heroes background is blocked for them.

 

(The Descended from Heroes blockage might make some sense, though. After all, if your descended from heroes, you've probably at least heard of the Academagia and stuff, because heroes have probably traveled and did awesome things! And it doesn't really make sense for random lost child to have full access to the Reserve wandering anyway... hm.)

[cymrean]

And check the Prodigy backgrounds for some backgrounds that grant skill max increases.

 

I think none of them gives a random skill max. Randomness always makes me like something more.

[Legate of Mineta]

Cymrean;

 

Yep- they all go to 11.

 

I think, as a rule, the Content Team wanted Maximums to only be available in game. They represent the pinnacle of your learning in Year 1- something you've not reached, no matter how extraordinary you are, at game start.

 

Good thought, though!

[Draigh]

well... the prodigy backgrounds do give increases in certain skill max, without it being learning or ingame gained.

So one extra should not be gamebreaking, right?

 

As for it being another Luck expansion, if someone really wants a high luck he can get that anyway, if he is willing to pay the price in other areas. Besides, I think a lot of people find other attributes more impotant, like intelligence and insight.

[Legate of Mineta]

Draigh;

 

Probably true!

[Schwarzbart]

Can we get the Unused "Wands: A Wand of Destiny" as a Inhertiance Beckground with a Assotiated Adventure to unlock the power of the wand?

(It just sound to interesting to never get used)

[Legate of Mineta]

Schwarzbart;

 

Hmmm! Not a bad idea- i will submit it.

[Schwarzbart]

I hope we see a chance of a Pirate Raiding Event when the player Travle with a Air Ship i.e. back home and the at the way to the academy when he don't stay in Mineta.

[Legate of Mineta]

We're still in the process of determining how these kinds of Events will play out, but there is a possibility you will.

[Mikka]

I requested it before for a different purposes (flagging sexual preference), but how about considering allowing flags for character interaction? As it is, Sheary may be in the infirmary (and as soon as he gets out, he's in hall sessions for weeks), but you can still run in to him saving Magsa from the well and go along adventuring to help him help people more. It would be somewhat neat (if a bit inconvient) if when Sheary (or whoever) was Infirmarized or Hall Detentioned, a 'ShearyNotAvaliable' flag would be put on him, then you can't encourage him/befriend him/bully him/do his adventures/or see random events involving him in particular.

 

Not only would it make sense in the grand scheme of things, it would also give you another reason to try and keep your friends healthy and happy. You can't Sacrifice them to get through Phillipe's haircut of doom if they're half-dead or in major trouble.

[Legate of Mineta]

Mikka;

 

That will definitely be in Year 2. Students can be put into States, some of which disallow appearance in Random Events, etc.

[Schwarzbart]

Grr why, just why are year 2 still over 1 year away? I whant this States System now!

[Legate of Mineta]

HAHAHA! If it makes you feel any better...so do we.

[Schwarzbart]

Could you give Pure defensive Actions, especial the one targeted against a single NPC, a Higher Initative then Hostile Actions?

[Legate of Mineta]

Schwarzbart;

 

It's a really good idea. I'm not sure how we are handling Initiative in Year 2, but this might get in.

[Mikka]

I'm curious about the reason for not allowing Hedi characters to particpate in the Ghost Stories adventure. Is it eventually planned for each collage to have an adventure they can't partipcate in (I assume Aranaz's no go will be about their ever lovely MALLEN STARRRRR)? If so, then that makes sense (and I eagerly wait for more), but as it is, nothing about it stood out enough to seem that a Hedi student wouldn't be interested (in fact, it seems they'd be even more interested.

 

Similar things could be said about the Godina simulation adventure, but I've been assuming it's limited because the testers have already ran through it with Godina students who destroyed it with their knowledge of Incantation already and now they're trying to see how it works with others. Still, I imagine Godina kids would love to participate in that one, too.

[Legate of Mineta]

Mikka;

 

I'll pass that on- not sure what the intent there was, or any future plans!

[Draigh]

I just noticed something interesting:

Both Gates Phemes and Theory of Gates unlock locations at level 11, which unlock a research option that increases the skill maximum in said skills. In both cases one needs to find those locations randomly to be able to research and then train the skills to access the locations.

That is supposed to be like that?