Bounce effects may or may not work, you'll have to test and see what happens.
Um. Someone said in the introduction/new players/whatever thread when I asked that bounce exiles non-cast creatures? Or are you saying "this might be an exception" or "our characters are really so new to this they've never fought a wild monster before ever"? (In which case I think I have an objection to that involving "that kinda removes any chance of playing a character considered remotely competent"?)
Also, the fact we can't assume abilities is really worrying with regards to the implications: either I risk getting my character killed very fastlike or I have to metagame, and I'd rather not do either.
In any case, my first turn is the same, so...
Just please don't move on until I'm out of questions.
Thelas steps back a few paces before focusing on the islands he had seen many times before, and as he does a small pool of water appears as his feet.
What happens to non-cast creatures depends on two things: The situation that's playing out and the wpl running the quest. Sometimes bounce effects merely delay creatures other times they exile the creatures. In the case of tokens they always cease to exist when they are bounced.
The main thing I want understood for your in game character knowledge is that this is the first time anyone has ever encountered these types of spells/abilities. They are not for sale/trade anywhere yet. There has been zero time for familiarity with these spells to spread across the plane. The same thing tends to go on with new blocks that are being unlocked. There is a starting period of unknown information that quickly builds into a knowledge base that can be referenced.
Do note that I will give you in game descriptors that should be strong indications of abilities when those abilities are used. Deathtouch for example hasn't been described yet as the Titan hasn't entered the battlefield yet nor has the titan attacked anything to give an indication of such an ability.
Don't worry your characters don't have to be stupid. As soon as they see something they know it. In this case they'll immediately notice that this titan spews out zombies when it 'acts'. Come combat they will also notice creatures getting obliterated beyond simple cleaves from the titan's blade.
Will the creature be able to attack us individually, or will it aim for the 'group life total'? I'm assuming the former, as it agrees in general with the rules and pen-and-paper RPG convention.
Also, I'm curious as to how our mana/spells can manifest. Is it however we should wish? For example, could a green mage have a shrub sprout about him in order to represent mana, and have it wilt whenever he spends mana, only to have it revitalize every turn?
Mana pools are separate. Life totals are separate. There can be group blocking.
As for your character's style... That really depends on how the player wants to portray the character's mana and spells. It's something that gets developed and refined the more you play. I personally go for styles that 'flow' with the character and spells.
Some people use orbs to represent mana, others use physical changes in the land around them like you described, others even have a mirage effect portray a landscape of the land they are using.
If you're looking for inspiration try checking out the festival sub forum and reading the fights there. You'll find several styles represented there.
Thanks for the reference; I don't have time ATM to take a look, but I'll do so later. I think I have a style that might work for my character...
Kronal nodded to his companions and took a step back, bowing his head forward and extending his arms to the side, dropping his held gem into his satchel as he did so. The dagger in his right hand flourished once, then disappeared into his sleeve. Kronal closed his eyes slowly, drawing from his memory a visage of a pristine meadow, a pasture from his younger days in the tribe.
A coruscating shimmer began to form a halo about his head, coalescing in to a mote of incandescent power. The mote of power swept about his torso, leaving a ghost trail behind it as it zipped about, faster and faster.
Kronal raised his head and flicked his right arm, once again gripping his dagger. Shaping his mouth into a wordless cry, Kronal willed the mote to the tip of his dagger. The power of the plains seemed to be nothing more than a glimmer from the sun - a power that erupted into a half-dozen slivers of light that spread out from his dagger. Bereft of energy, the now gray and slow mote of power descended to feebly circling Kronal's legs.
The shards of light, however, had fissioned once more into several dozen wisps of potency that formed themselves into the outline of a wolf. As Kronal opened his mouth once again, this time a howl, a frostcoated lupine form pierced the veil between the plane and the Æther. A second howl arose to join with Kronal's, and the wolf sat back on its hind quarters, eyes peering around curiously. It raised its right hind leg to scratch its back, at ease and watchful at once.
The joint howls faded away and Kronal resumed a standing position momentarily, only to transition into a defensive combat stance, dagger at the ready.
Rythos visualized the forest home he had for so long. He could still remember the feel of the tree bark, could smell the exotic scents of the various wood and foliage, here the rustling of the leaves in the wind as if he were standing there. Though the mana bonds of Thelas and Kronal had visual manifestations, there were no visible signs of Rythos' connections to the lands, but the effects were the same. He could now tap into the flow of mana and use that to cast his chosen spell. Rythos said something in a strange language, a tongue that could only be Elvish, and from the vast flowing tides of Æther, an Elvish druid appeared and began to take note of his surroundings so that he could prepare for the task he had been brought into this world for.
My only questions are to clarify some things. If I have a 4 cast gem, can I cast all 4 castings at once and have say...4 Llanowar Elves on the battlefield at a time? I'm just making sure I have this correct.
Also, is the way I did my mana okay with no visible signs? I thought as spiritual ties that they wouldn't have a physical appearance and since very few spells target lands, that they would only show spiritual signs of existance. If that's not okay, then I'll amend the way my mana is done
Name: Rythos
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 342 lbs
Appearance: Rythos has muscles in places most people don’t even have places. His dark hair is long and unkempt. His deep blue eyes seem to hold secrets few can fathom. He wears crude clothes made of the skin of a Craw Wurm. He also carries a crude dagger made from the bone of the same Wurm. He accented his armor with other bits of the bone, and his satchel is made from the stomach of the great beast.
Everything is groovy on the in game representation of lands and spells thus far. At level one you are limited to 3 spells per turn cycle. So you would only be able to cast 3 of the 4 castings of a spell from a full cast gem in one turn cycle. Your spells per turn refresh at the start of your turn. Later if you raise your spells per turn up to 4 through your talent you will be able to cast all 4 spells in the same turn. You can still get all four Llanowar elves out on the field at one time, you just have to split it up over two or more turns.
The titan continued forward and stumbled onto the clearing slamming it's monstrous blade into the ground to brace itself. This resulted in two corpses spilling from it's guts. As the titan pulled it's blade free from the ground you three notice a black shiny liquid coating the edge of the blade.
The titan turns it's head slowly as it studies the group of mages. The two corpses that had spilled from it's guts stood up and let out a gasping moan. Their eyes fell upon the magi revealing a dark hunger...
Step: Grave Titan's end step
Tap Island for mana.
Casting Unsummon targeting Grave Titan.
Unsummon is on the stack, lord of 13 has priority.
RP will be added after I know if it works, if I may.
The titan slams it's blade into the ground as Thelas' spell hits it. This resulted in sending the titan sliding back into the marsh by an unseen force. Finally after 100 yards the titan stops sliding and corrects itself as it starts walking towards the group again. The two zombies that were at it's side continue to look hungrily at the party of mages...
It works. 2 tokens are still on the field. The titan will be entering the battlefield on it's turn again.
If I'm not mistaken (and correct me if I'm wrong) we need to keep things in the same order as we started? (That being Thelas, Lo13, myself) If so, then it would be Thelas' turn, yet he seems to be wanting us to go first. If the turns for us don't matter then my turn is as follows. If it needs to stay in a certain order, ignore my turn and I'll repost it at the correct time.
As Rythos' watched, another surge of mana came through his first tie, and he also found connections to another part of his home forest. Now, with two mana ties, Rythos was ready for his next move. He drew power from both of his mana ties, and another one that his Llanowar Elves was able to produce. Soon three more of the elvish druids had appeared, and Rythos watched to see what would happen now.
1x Forest (making 2)
Tap forest 1 to cast Llanowar Elves (making 2)
Tap forest 2 to cast Llanowar Elves (making 3)
Tap Llanowar Elves 1 to cast Llanowar Elves (making 4)
Name: Rythos
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 342 lbs
Appearance: Rythos has muscles in places most people don’t even have places. His dark hair is long and unkempt. His deep blue eyes seem to hold secrets few can fathom. He wears crude clothes made of the skin of a Craw Wurm. He also carries a crude dagger made from the bone of the same Wurm. He accented his armor with other bits of the bone, and his satchel is made from the stomach of the great beast.
I'll treat it as all three of you sharing the same general turn sequence. No worries about a specific turn order in this encounter. The enemy doesn't go until all three of you have effectively.
OOC: @Thelas: This is certainly a good thing. Lord Zombiespewer spills out Zombies when he attacks anyhow, and this way he isn't attacking. Essentially, you removed a 6/6 from smacking us this turn.
IC: Kronal nodded to Thelas, asking him if he could repeat his spellcasting until the druid could summon something powerful enough to frighten such a powerful monstrosity.
The gray mote of white mana swirling about his knees seemed to regain potency, becoming brighter and faster, and rising to zip about his entire form once again. Kronal swirled his left hand in a circle, palm up, revealing a shimmering image of a plains where he had broken several horses. He clenched that hand into a fist, opening it again to reveal another orb of energy identical to the first. It, too, began to circle him.
Kronal sighed quietly, then extended his knife hand out, calling his mana to the edge of the dagger. Slivers of light exuded from the orbs, which, now bereft of power, sank down to orbit Kronal's shins.
Once again the titan lurched toward the group and came to a shuddering stop spilling out two more corpses from it's gut. Then as the titan's gaze rolled from Thelas to Rythos, two of the zombies on the ground let out a moan and lurched towards the two mages the titan had looked at.
1x Grave Titan (6/6 SS)
2x black Zombie tokens (2/2 SS)
2x black Zombie tokens (2/2 1 each attacking Thelas and Rythos)
OOC: Same here. Also waiting on the others to respond on this one before I make up my mind on how to take care of things...
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Name: Rythos
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 342 lbs
Appearance: Rythos has muscles in places most people don’t even have places. His dark hair is long and unkempt. His deep blue eyes seem to hold secrets few can fathom. He wears crude clothes made of the skin of a Craw Wurm. He also carries a crude dagger made from the bone of the same Wurm. He accented his armor with other bits of the bone, and his satchel is made from the stomach of the great beast.
OOC: Same here, also debating if it's worth bouncing the one swinging at me... definitely something my PC would do, at least if it was unblocked [we can block for each other, right?]
Sorry for the slow response, I had needed to turn my computer into Fry's for service and just got this replacement up last night.
While all three mages are in the same area I will allow you three to block for eachother. If you separate by enough distance than you can still block for eachother, you just need to tap your creatures as a result.
In this case though you three should be very close together by the boat so blocking for eachother works the same as blocking for yourself.
Rythos looked to one of the Llanowar Elves that he had summoned and nodded to it. Speaking quickly in Elvish, Rythos charged forward, following behind the elf. Drawing his dagger, he watched as his ally took the full force of the Zombie's attack, and once the elf connected with his blow, Rythos used the momentary distraction to slash at the walking corpse with his bone dagger...the killing blow.
OOC: If this is not a valid response, then let me know, however I believe this works the way I want it...Rythos takes the 2 damage, dealing 1 to the Zombie and the elf dealing 1 damage to kill the Zombie, while leaving the Elf alive...am I correct?
*EDIT* I see how this didn't work before, and I've changed it to work properly.
Name: Rythos
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 342 lbs
Appearance: Rythos has muscles in places most people don’t even have places. His dark hair is long and unkempt. His deep blue eyes seem to hold secrets few can fathom. He wears crude clothes made of the skin of a Craw Wurm. He also carries a crude dagger made from the bone of the same Wurm. He accented his armor with other bits of the bone, and his satchel is made from the stomach of the great beast.
Incorrect. The creatures always take damage first before it can be assigned to the player. So you and the elf would block. The zombie has to go through the elf before it can assign damage to you if it had trample. It does not have trample though so it can only assign the damage to the elf while it will die from last strike damage from you. Make sense?
OOC:
@Thelas: Indeed.
@Murphy: Is it OK if I narrate combat that my creatures are involved in? Or do I announce actions and combat is your prerogative?
Also, you didn't answer my question if I could knife minions that are marching on other players.
IC:
Kronal nodded at his young charger, then at the other zombie. The knight sauntered forth confidently and blocked the path of the zombie. Before the zombie was able to respond, the youth had hacked off its arms, and finished the undead off with a decapitating blow.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Microsoft's latest update for Gleemax was buggy, and resulted in multicolor in every block since Lorwyn.
Narrating for your creatures is fine.
Players can act like a creature to block for another player if they are in close enough proximity. Player damage is always done in the last strike damage section.
RPG Style of comat:
First Strike Damage -> Normal Combat Damage -> Last Strike Damage.
Damage is resolved with the two tokens dying.
Rythos is down an elf from the combat. The opponent's turn is ending and then it will be up to you three to finish your turns.
As the zombies fall along with one of the elves, the titan rolls it's gaze towards Kronal and lets out a deep rumbling gasp of a moan...
Kronal raised his gaze to the monstrosity and chuckled grimly, as though challenging it to defeat him.
He waved his right arm in defiance, but rather than recalling a mana bond to a Plains, he invoked memories of when he had lost a pet to the roiling Quicksands. He let his recharged mana swirl about his head but kept his dagger raised. He barked orders to his summoned allies to hold steady.
Without turning his head, Kronal queried his allies, "Can you defend yourselves for another turn? And Thelas... let the Giant attack. I might have a plan."
OOC: I can deal with the Titan and perhaps 1 Zombie. But we will have to deal with 4 zombies and the Titan. So... be able to defend yourselves.
Um. Someone said in the introduction/new players/whatever thread when I asked that bounce exiles non-cast creatures? Or are you saying "this might be an exception" or "our characters are really so new to this they've never fought a wild monster before ever"? (In which case I think I have an objection to that involving "that kinda removes any chance of playing a character considered remotely competent"?)
Also, the fact we can't assume abilities is really worrying with regards to the implications: either I risk getting my character killed very fastlike or I have to metagame, and I'd rather not do either.
In any case, my first turn is the same, so...
Just please don't move on until I'm out of questions.
Thelas steps back a few paces before focusing on the islands he had seen many times before, and as he does a small pool of water appears as his feet.
Field
1 Island
The main thing I want understood for your in game character knowledge is that this is the first time anyone has ever encountered these types of spells/abilities. They are not for sale/trade anywhere yet. There has been zero time for familiarity with these spells to spread across the plane. The same thing tends to go on with new blocks that are being unlocked. There is a starting period of unknown information that quickly builds into a knowledge base that can be referenced.
Do note that I will give you in game descriptors that should be strong indications of abilities when those abilities are used. Deathtouch for example hasn't been described yet as the Titan hasn't entered the battlefield yet nor has the titan attacked anything to give an indication of such an ability.
Don't worry your characters don't have to be stupid. As soon as they see something they know it. In this case they'll immediately notice that this titan spews out zombies when it 'acts'. Come combat they will also notice creatures getting obliterated beyond simple cleaves from the titan's blade.
Will the creature be able to attack us individually, or will it aim for the 'group life total'? I'm assuming the former, as it agrees in general with the rules and pen-and-paper RPG convention.
Also, I'm curious as to how our mana/spells can manifest. Is it however we should wish? For example, could a green mage have a shrub sprout about him in order to represent mana, and have it wilt whenever he spends mana, only to have it revitalize every turn?
As for your character's style... That really depends on how the player wants to portray the character's mana and spells. It's something that gets developed and refined the more you play. I personally go for styles that 'flow' with the character and spells.
Some people use orbs to represent mana, others use physical changes in the land around them like you described, others even have a mirage effect portray a landscape of the land they are using.
If you're looking for inspiration try checking out the festival sub forum and reading the fights there. You'll find several styles represented there.
Thanks for the reference; I don't have time ATM to take a look, but I'll do so later. I think I have a style that might work for my character...
Kronal nodded to his companions and took a step back, bowing his head forward and extending his arms to the side, dropping his held gem into his satchel as he did so. The dagger in his right hand flourished once, then disappeared into his sleeve. Kronal closed his eyes slowly, drawing from his memory a visage of a pristine meadow, a pasture from his younger days in the tribe.
A coruscating shimmer began to form a halo about his head, coalescing in to a mote of incandescent power. The mote of power swept about his torso, leaving a ghost trail behind it as it zipped about, faster and faster.
Kronal raised his head and flicked his right arm, once again gripping his dagger. Shaping his mouth into a wordless cry, Kronal willed the mote to the tip of his dagger. The power of the plains seemed to be nothing more than a glimmer from the sun - a power that erupted into a half-dozen slivers of light that spread out from his dagger. Bereft of energy, the now gray and slow mote of power descended to feebly circling Kronal's legs.
The shards of light, however, had fissioned once more into several dozen wisps of potency that formed themselves into the outline of a wolf. As Kronal opened his mouth once again, this time a howl, a frostcoated lupine form pierced the veil between the plane and the Æther. A second howl arose to join with Kronal's, and the wolf sat back on its hind quarters, eyes peering around curiously. It raised its right hind leg to scratch its back, at ease and watchful at once.
The joint howls faded away and Kronal resumed a standing position momentarily, only to transition into a defensive combat stance, dagger at the ready.
Board State:
Played:
1x Plains
1x Tundra Wolves
Battlefield:
1x Plains - 1 T, 0 Q
1x Tundra Wolves - 0 T, 1 Q
BATTLEFIELD
1x Forest (tapped)
OOC:
Also, is the way I did my mana okay with no visible signs? I thought as spiritual ties that they wouldn't have a physical appearance and since very few spells target lands, that they would only show spiritual signs of existance. If that's not okay, then I'll amend the way my mana is done
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 342 lbs
Appearance: Rythos has muscles in places most people don’t even have places. His dark hair is long and unkempt. His deep blue eyes seem to hold secrets few can fathom. He wears crude clothes made of the skin of a Craw Wurm. He also carries a crude dagger made from the bone of the same Wurm. He accented his armor with other bits of the bone, and his satchel is made from the stomach of the great beast.
LVL: 1
EXP: 0
GLD: 0
The titan continued forward and stumbled onto the clearing slamming it's monstrous blade into the ground to brace itself. This resulted in two corpses spilling from it's guts. As the titan pulled it's blade free from the ground you three notice a black shiny liquid coating the edge of the blade.
The titan turns it's head slowly as it studies the group of mages. The two corpses that had spilled from it's guts stood up and let out a gasping moan. Their eyes fell upon the magi revealing a dark hunger...
2x black Zombie token (2/2 SS)
Step: Grave Titan's end step
Tap Island for mana.
Casting Unsummon targeting Grave Titan.
Unsummon is on the stack, lord of 13 has priority.
RP will be added after I know if it works, if I may.
Debatable as to how much this qualifies as 'works', but sure. Holding my action until other PCs have taken their turns.
As Rythos' watched, another surge of mana came through his first tie, and he also found connections to another part of his home forest. Now, with two mana ties, Rythos was ready for his next move. He drew power from both of his mana ties, and another one that his Llanowar Elves was able to produce. Soon three more of the elvish druids had appeared, and Rythos watched to see what would happen now.
1x Forest (making 2)
Tap forest 1 to cast Llanowar Elves (making 2)
Tap forest 2 to cast Llanowar Elves (making 3)
Tap Llanowar Elves 1 to cast Llanowar Elves (making 4)
BATTLEFIELD
2x Forest (2 tapped)
3x Llanowar Elves (untapped, summoning sickness)
1x Llanowar Elves (tapped)
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 342 lbs
Appearance: Rythos has muscles in places most people don’t even have places. His dark hair is long and unkempt. His deep blue eyes seem to hold secrets few can fathom. He wears crude clothes made of the skin of a Craw Wurm. He also carries a crude dagger made from the bone of the same Wurm. He accented his armor with other bits of the bone, and his satchel is made from the stomach of the great beast.
LVL: 1
EXP: 0
GLD: 0
IC: Kronal nodded to Thelas, asking him if he could repeat his spellcasting until the druid could summon something powerful enough to frighten such a powerful monstrosity.
The gray mote of white mana swirling about his knees seemed to regain potency, becoming brighter and faster, and rising to zip about his entire form once again. Kronal swirled his left hand in a circle, palm up, revealing a shimmering image of a plains where he had broken several horses. He clenched that hand into a fist, opening it again to reveal another orb of energy identical to the first. It, too, began to circle him.
Kronal sighed quietly, then extended his knife hand out, calling his mana to the edge of the dagger. Slivers of light exuded from the orbs, which, now bereft of power, sank down to orbit Kronal's shins.
The power formed the silhouette of a knight, proud and grim, as though freshly bequeathed with a knighthood. As Kronal's ally shimmered into being, Kronal resumed his defensive stance and told the mildly disoriented knight to guard him.
Board State:
Played:
1x Plains
1x Youthful Knight
Battlefield:
1x Plains - 2 T, 0 Q
1x Tundra Wolves - 0 T, 1 Q
1x Youthful Knight - 0 T, 1 Q
The blue mage concentrates for a few moments to grow the pool of water around his feet.
2x black Zombie tokens (2/2 SS)
2x black Zombie tokens (2/2 1 each attacking Thelas and Rythos)
OOC: 1) As mentioned below, can my creatures block for other players?
2) Can I attack a zombie attacking another player with my dagger?
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 342 lbs
Appearance: Rythos has muscles in places most people don’t even have places. His dark hair is long and unkempt. His deep blue eyes seem to hold secrets few can fathom. He wears crude clothes made of the skin of a Craw Wurm. He also carries a crude dagger made from the bone of the same Wurm. He accented his armor with other bits of the bone, and his satchel is made from the stomach of the great beast.
LVL: 1
EXP: 0
GLD: 0
While all three mages are in the same area I will allow you three to block for eachother. If you separate by enough distance than you can still block for eachother, you just need to tap your creatures as a result.
In this case though you three should be very close together by the boat so blocking for eachother works the same as blocking for yourself.
I await your actions.
OOC: If this is not a valid response, then let me know, however I believe this works the way I want it...Rythos takes the 2 damage, dealing 1 to the Zombie and the elf dealing 1 damage to kill the Zombie, while leaving the Elf alive...am I correct?
*EDIT* I see how this didn't work before, and I've changed it to work properly.
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 342 lbs
Appearance: Rythos has muscles in places most people don’t even have places. His dark hair is long and unkempt. His deep blue eyes seem to hold secrets few can fathom. He wears crude clothes made of the skin of a Craw Wurm. He also carries a crude dagger made from the bone of the same Wurm. He accented his armor with other bits of the bone, and his satchel is made from the stomach of the great beast.
LVL: 1
EXP: 0
GLD: 0
And I believe our local White mage has a 2/1 first strike, so I'm going to guess he's blocking the one at me?
@Thelas: Indeed.
@Murphy: Is it OK if I narrate combat that my creatures are involved in? Or do I announce actions and combat is your prerogative?
Also, you didn't answer my question if I could knife minions that are marching on other players.
IC:
Kronal nodded at his young charger, then at the other zombie. The knight sauntered forth confidently and blocked the path of the zombie. Before the zombie was able to respond, the youth had hacked off its arms, and finished the undead off with a decapitating blow.
Players can act like a creature to block for another player if they are in close enough proximity. Player damage is always done in the last strike damage section.
RPG Style of comat:
First Strike Damage -> Normal Combat Damage -> Last Strike Damage.
Damage is resolved with the two tokens dying.
Rythos is down an elf from the combat. The opponent's turn is ending and then it will be up to you three to finish your turns.
As the zombies fall along with one of the elves, the titan rolls it's gaze towards Kronal and lets out a deep rumbling gasp of a moan...
He waved his right arm in defiance, but rather than recalling a mana bond to a Plains, he invoked memories of when he had lost a pet to the roiling Quicksands. He let his recharged mana swirl about his head but kept his dagger raised. He barked orders to his summoned allies to hold steady.
Without turning his head, Kronal queried his allies, "Can you defend yourselves for another turn? And Thelas... let the Giant attack. I might have a plan."
OOC: I can deal with the Titan and perhaps 1 Zombie. But we will have to deal with 4 zombies and the Titan. So... be able to defend yourselves.
Board State:
Played:
1x Quicksand
Battlefield:
2x Plains - 0 T, 2 Q
1x Quicksand - 0 T, 1 Q
1x Tundra Wolves - 0 T, 1 Q
1x Youthful Knight - 0 T, 1 Q