Magical Teacher Professor Landry! - Discussion 4: Battles Take Too Long!

[Girasol of Chaos]

Originally Posted by Teal Mage

So, is Shin's Fear Aura something that you need to hear her roar to be affected by, or is that simply the method of turning it on and off? If it isn't activated by hearing the roar, would the Fear Aura kick in when Shin got close to someone, or does that person need to see Shin (at least once) while the Aura is active to be affected?

Chou's version is fine.

Modification to the Human Illusion and Strength Surge to account for Shin/Chou variation is fine.

The roar is to activate. My logic here is you won't hear Chou utter anything, but the aura will still trigger. It may help with the intimidation, though.

It would naturally occur when Shin gets close to someone, but once again seeing her would strengthen the effect by a small amount. If she hasn't been seen it will trigger something akin to how most people react to someone unseen breathing down their neck.

[Teal Mage]

Alright, Threat Aura (both versions) is approved.

[Krylo]

Originally Posted by Teal Mage

I won't be allowing this to have a full Glamour effect; limiting it to strictly visual.

Not even an auditory? Laaaaame.

1) When he activates it, does the real him vanish entirely? In the event he does, I should mention that his aura would extend to surround both the Illusion Dal and the real one. A smart enemy would get wise to this indicator of his position eventually.

He does, but he'd never be far out of range of his illusion. A second isn't a very long time!

2) Does he have to consciously control what the Fake Dal does? There's two ways I could see it working. Either a consciously misleading illusion, or, what I'd call Psuedo Future Sight - it does exactly what Dal is planning to do a second or so in the future, he can't make a misleading image, but the attack's timing would be unexpected. The later's simpler for Dal to handle, but less variable. The former would require greater concentration on Dal's part; multitasking would be hard.

The one that does exactly what Dal is planning to do is the plan. Though it could happen either before or after him (in the latter it would be doing what Dal already did).

Reminds me a bit of (lol)Aizen as it stands.

Naaah. That has no constraints on it. Dal will always be pretty close to, and usually mostly within his illusion. Unless he's combining it with a dash of some sort his torso will almost always be entirely within the illusion, for example.

Also, I never really thought of THAT use until just now, and I think is a little more juiced than I had wanted this to be. The illusion isn't meant to be like 'full invisibility + illusion' but rather 'invisibility for parts of Dal's body + illusion'. Which is to say I'd be okay with a certain percentage of his body always having to be within the illusion of what he's doing and the illusion getting drug along with him if he dashes or runs out of it so that it's covering at least half of him at any given time.

[Teal Mage]

Originally Posted by Krylo

Not even an auditory? Laaaaame.

If you'd like the illusion to include scent and sound, sure? Dal would always be close to his double, so I don't really see the point of that extra piece of effort on his part, but, your character. It's the fake Texture that worries me - especially the bits about phantom wounds and real ones that the people can't see or feel.

The one that does exactly what Dal is planning to do is the plan.

Alright, so. Dal creates an illusionary double of himself and places it in front of himself. That double, effectively, launches the attack that Dal would have, a second earlier than it actually happens - making the opponent (at least, probably) react to the illusionary attack, thinking it was the real one. In that instant, Dal is able to use this new information (how they would have reacted) and modify his real attack just slightly (a second isn't long) to account for their reaction, and presumably, get around their block?

If so, it seems fine. The double will have a bigger aura than usual (because it also encompasses an invisible Dal) - and I'd probably add a slight Mental enhancement to the ability itself, because he'd need lightning quick reflexes to be able to process and use the new information at all, given the timeframe he has to work with. Would make it slightly more draining, since there's an enhancement involved, but the difference would be like, 1 MP to 2 MP per turn (3 if you want sound and scent, for whatever reason).

This particular form wouldn't allow Dal to do something like consciously manipulate his illusion-self, just so you know. So, making it duck low and slash, while his real attack is coming high, wouldn't be possible. At least, not without like, a post spent focusing/charging/preparing said illusion and not moving first. Would also need to tell me what you're planning in advance.

The illusion isn't meant to be like 'full invisibility + illusion' but rather 'invisibility for parts of Dal's body + illusion'.

Well, if you were just going with misleading attacks, a simpler illusion route would be one that makes Dal's rapier appear longer/larger than it is. Should function similarly. Or hell, just an illusionary blade generation ability could work, and be more variable. Granted, one would be more draining than another.

Which is to say I'd be okay with a certain percentage of his body always having to be within the illusion of what he's doing and the illusion getting drug along with him if he dashes or runs out of it so that it's covering at least half of him at any given time.

Nah, I don't see a need for such a prevision. A second isn't a very long time to be out of sync with the real Dal (even if we use 'a second' as an approximate term, rather than an absolute) so a moderately size attack would still hit him. Besides, even when he's dashing - and therefore has the greatest distance possible between himself and the illusion - his aura would still cover both him and the illusionary double (although it would look like a comet-tail while it was doing that), so it isn't like he can't be found/attacked by an enemy.

Incidentally, would set MP costs for abilities, and MP bars be something players would appreciate? My explanations for the drain mechanics of these powers are pretty vague. Wouldn't make them as 'hard' or 'finite' as they are in most games (could still cast spells, even if you don't have the MP for them – but it would have consequences) but it might be useful as a guide to see how often you can throw out particular abilities, and how costly they are in comparison to each other.

/is always looking for ways to improve his game mechanics.

[Krylo]

Originally Posted by Teal Mage

If you'd like the illusion to include scent and sound, sure? Dal would always be close to his double, so I don't really see the point of that extra piece of effort on his part, but, your character. It's the fake Texture that worries me - especially the bits about phantom wounds and real ones that the people can't see or feel.

Acceptable!

I like the idea of phantom wounds but see where they could get worrying and/or confusing.

I like the idea of sound because otherwise I just know there's eventually going to be one of those martial arts mystic blind samurai types or someshit that are just gonna be like "Bam closed my eyes, now what?"

Scent is pretty unimportant.

Alright, so. Dal creates an illusionary double of himself and places it in front of himself. That double, effectively, launches the attack that Dal would have, a second earlier than it actually happens - making the opponent (at least, probably) react to the illusionary attack, thinking it was the real one. In that instant, Dal is able to use this new information (how they would have reacted) and modify his real attack just slightly (a second isn't long) to account for their reaction, and presumably, get around their block?

Yes! Exactly!

Though, addendum: The illusion can also be behind Dal, meaning he'd attack before the illusion would. The stuttering between being ahead of and behind him would be what makes his use of it somewhat obvious.

The double will have a bigger aura than usual (because it also encompasses an invisible Dal) - and I'd probably add a slight Mental enhancement to the ability itself, because he'd need lightning quick reflexes to be able to process and use the new information at all, given the timeframe he has to work with. Would make it slightly more draining, since there's an enhancement involved, but the difference would be like, 1 MP to 2 MP per turn (3 if you want sound and scent, for whatever reason).

I'm okay with having lightning fast reflexes.

Though the idea wasn't that he could fully abort an attack, but he could alter slightly or begin pulling back before he normally would. Turning a normal attack into something that would feel and act more like a feint (as he's already pulling back even as his blade meets the block).

This particular form wouldn't allow Dal to do something like consciously manipulate his illusion-self, just so you know. So, making it duck low and slash, while his real attack is coming high, wouldn't be possible. At least, not without like, a post spent focusing/charging/preparing said illusion and not moving first. Would also need to tell me what you're planning in advance.

I never planned on using like this, but if you want to give it that functionality, with pre-requisite charging times, I'm okay with it.

Well, if you were just going with misleading attacks, a simpler illusion route would be one that makes Dal's rapier appear longer/larger than it is. Should function similarly. Or hell, just an illusionary blade generation ability could work, and be more variable. Granted, one would be more draining than another.

Was actually thinking of picking up something like the former eventually, and might pick up 'Illusionary Doubles' at some point.

And while I realize the sword thing would have a similar effect and be 'easier' I kind of like the flavor of this one. Particularly the way it'd make Dal's movements look jerky and strange (kind of like drunken boxing but without the the wavering) as the illusion switches from before and after him.

Nah, I don't see a need for such a prevision. A second isn't a very long time to be out of sync with the real Dal (even if we use 'a second' as an approximate term, rather than an absolute) so a moderately size attack would still hit him. Besides, even when he's dashing - and therefore has the greatest distance possible between himself and the illusion - his aura would still cover both him and the illusionary double (although it would look like a comet-tail while it was doing that), so it isn't like he can't be found/attacked by an enemy.

Works for me!

Incidentally, would set MP costs for abilities, and MP bars be something players would appreciate? My explanations for the drain mechanics of these powers are pretty vague. Wouldn't make them as 'hard' or 'finite' as they are in most games (could still cast spells, even if you don't have the MP for them – but it would have consequences) but it might be useful as a guide to see how often you can throw out particular abilities, and how costly they are in comparison to each other.

/is always looking for ways to improve his game mechanics.

I'm ambivalent on this.

[Dracorion]

Originally Posted by Krylo

I like the idea of sound because otherwise I just know there's eventually going to be one of those martial arts mystic blind samurai types or someshit that are just gonna be like "Bam closed my eyes, now what?"

Jack doesn't believe in that bullshit.

And/or wasn't trained in it.

Probably.

Anyway, I'm not sure about strict MP, but having some more definition on what it costs to use each ability would be nice. It's a bitch to gauge how much something drains a character right now.

[Girasol of Chaos]

I was asked to post a quick explanation of the gesture Chou did, you can think of it similar to the ninja gestures commonly used.

A Mudra is a symbolic hand gesture used in Hinduism, Buddhism or certain martial arts, among other things. The gesture is typically spiritual and can be used to communicate very specific ideas.

The particular one I picked is a more common one- in Japan. It's named after Vajras, a type of bronze (or iron) weapon used by Hindu characters (A noted one is Indra) and a ritual device to represent wisdom. It is the culmination if inner strength and stability.

The gesture named after this idea invokes knowledge and the protection of the elements.

It looks like two fists, but with the right hand's fingers encircling the left index finger.

/the more you know!

[Dracorion]

Right, so. I had a long conversation with Teal where we clarified a bunch of stuff, so here's both of Jack's new skills:

Wind Screen
Element: Blue
Level: 1
Jack can create a transparent pale blue barrier of enchanted air that protects against both physical and magical attacks, and dismiss it at will. Focusing on maintaining the shield strengthens it, though he's unable to move while doing this. Normally, it's as tall as a person and three times as wide, but with some focus, Jack can expand the shape and size after it's summoned, which also affects it's power: it has less strength when spread out further and more when contracted. Jack can make the barrier appear anywhere within a person-length of himself, but once it's summoned it can't be moved until dismissed.

Gale Fist
Element: Blue/White
Level: 2
A refinement of Gale Fist, with a specific effect added. When a wind-ball strikes a magic user, it drains a small bit of magical energy away from them.

[Teal Mage]

Oh my, I forgot to say how Shin/Chou's aura has changed. Its Dark Gold now; the precise shade is Dark Goldenrod (wonderfully, Girasol PM'd me and already asked).

Originally Posted by Krylo

I like the idea of phantom wounds but see where they could get worrying and/or confusing.

I do actually like the idea of them, but its a pretty powerful ability. I'd prefer they be an effect be part of a particular attack, than something that's rolled into a Buff-esque thing like the Desync Glamour. Anyway, generates sounds, scents and...etc, is fine. Its a good illusion, and, though the False Dal is essentially a ghost, you'd need to touch him to know that.

I'm okay with having lightning fast reflexes.

Not to overblow the boost! Dal processes information quicker while Desync Glamour's active, and he can react slightly quicker to adapt his attack slightly to make use of his opponent's, you know, being tricked. Mostly flavour, really - although not entirely flavour, I guess. If this was Exalted it would boost his Wits score by like, one. Or more if that wasn't enough to make use of the new information.

Either way, skill's approved.

Dal's aura is now Faint Yellow. Pretty much as close to White as Dal can get.

I never planned on using like this, but if you want to give it that functionality, with pre-requisite charging times, I'm okay with it.

Mhm. Most abilities have that, to varying degrees anyway.

Next!

Originally Posted by Dracorion

Wind Screen (1): Blue
Jack can create a transparent pale blue barrier of enchanted air that protects against both physical and magical attacks...etc

Gale Fist (2): Blue/White
A refinement of Gale Fist, with a specific effect added. When a wind-ball strikes a magic user, it drains a small bit of magical energy...etc

Approved. No noticeable change to Jack's aura, still Light Blue.

[Overcast]

Jay requests his classmates not run full fury into the heart of the storm without first discussing how they can each be properly picked off by the boss.