Tears of Madeira

Please note that these two paths are both considered Focus Magic Paths.

Focus Magic Path (trained)

ALL warlocks who want to remove magic from a shared pool must use this path. This path does not impose Fealty Bonds on anyone. Any Focus who wishes to use a shared pool must first add magic to that pool. (ie must buy in) The Focus acts as the 'container' for the pooled magic and this makes this type of magic risky. The higher requirements do not reflect an "elite" status but rather the force of will and experience needed not to accidentally fry one's self. (see Focus Magic Path (untrained) for consequences of not having the proper requirements)

Requirements:

* Common Magic Path
* EGO = 18 (roll -13)
* Magic Skill Focus (EGO) = 3/2 reqired skill roll (RSR for all spells using a joint pool)
* Research (INT) = 3/2 required skill for learning new spells

Notes:

* Learning the Magic Skill Focus requires training (ie teacher, source of information, or successful use of untrained focus which satisfies the GM)
* Difficult spells will require extra time, require complimentary skills, and/or have negative modifiers to the research roll in order to learn them.
* All spells bought through the Focus Magic Path (trained) require the limitation Overload Risk (below). Common Magic Path spells may be cast as Focus spells by using the Magic Skill Focus RSR and applying the Overload Risk limitation temporarily (does not decrease cost since the spell is actually a common spell but it means that you don't have to buy the spell twice).

Overload Risk [side effect; -2 limitation]
- happens on a critical failure of the RSR roll
- Energy Blast on Focus (1d6/5AP; for total AP being used in spell being cast)

Focus Magic Path (untrained)

This allows a Warlock not trained in the Focus Magic Path to attempt to focus a joint MPP. It requires no training. This is VERY risky. Many mages go BOOM.

Requirements:

* Common Magic Path
* Uses Magic Skill Common as the RSR
* Adds a -1/20AP to RSR roll (ie more powerful spells are more risky)
* Must have bought into the joint MPP
* Spells may not be purchased as Focus Magic Path (untrained)
* The following limit is added to ALL common spells cast using this method but it does NOT reduce the cost of said spell:

Overload Risk [side effect; +0 limitation]
- happens on a failure of the RSR roll
- Energy Blast on Focus (1d6/5AP; for total AP being used in spell being cast)

Banned Magic

Teleport, Desolidification, Duplication, Extra-Dimensional movement, FLT, Mind Scan, Stretching

Special Magic

This stuff needs a good reason that convinces the GM. For example, it is needed to simulate an effect that is allowed but which can not be implimented using allowable powers, or is needed to impliment the race packages. Uses of these require permission each time. Others may be added if I discover something broken.

Absorption, Missile Deflection, Transform, Growth, Find Weakness, Lack of Weakness, Extra Limbs, Shrinking, Summon, Density Increase, Drain, Multiform (not in a were), Transfer, Clarisentience

Charges

I hope everybody liked last night's game.

A few things about magic:

1) What you have you are allowed to keep but you won't be able to improve it unless you change to the new system.

2) The new system will have two paths common and elite (working titles only) that will correspond to how everybody uses magic and how the focus of a magic circle uses magic.

3) The everyman skill will have a 1AP MPP (magic) added to it (nothing to help you use it though). Using common magic will require a minimum EGO level to have any ability to use magic, a magic skill RSR for casting magic (as per normal), and a Research(magic) skill to learn new spells. Having a teacher or source will reduce the difficulty of learning spells. Some power categories will not be allowed to the common path and others may be more difficult to learn (as per rarity or difficulty in the world).

4) Lending power will have either a skill(EGO) or a power(spell) to use. I haven't decided which.

5) The elite path will allow people to pull from a joint power pool which they have joined. Several classes of spells will be only usable with this path and will roughly corralate with Prince type powers (sans bond). There will be drawbacks when dealing with focusing large amounts of power (possibly a side effect or something to simulate potential for burn out). It will be set up almost the same as the common path but requires a mastery (of some sort) of the common path to gain access to it. (Almost like a prestige class type but not quite.)

6) Princely bonds were desolved with the Council's formation and these new powers are not Princely bonds so the Princes will have to rebuild thier power pools before they can gain equivalent status back. They may or may not figure this out quickly.

About races (most of this is just color):

1) Demons no longer have the infertility disadvantage. I'll have to check to see if there is anything else. There might be but it will more likely affect future generations and not presently adult characters. Demons are now considered a full race and not a half-breed.

2) Changelings have a few changes as well but these should only affect future generations. Changelings are now considered a full race and not a half-breed. Sidhe characteristics that were previously suppressed (ie good looks, pointed ears, height, and other little physical characteristics) will start to show and breed true in future generations. Mental issues may be decreased.

3) Teiflings are still considered a half breed and the term will eventually be extended to include any person of mixed racial heritage. (ie were-changeling, fey-demon, human-fey, fey-changeling, fey-were) Were/human race will be depend on whether or not they can change (were or human). Demon/human race will be determined by presence or absence of wings (demon or human). Changeling/human will depend on place of birth (changeling or teifling). Fey/anything will depend on whether or not they are accepted into fey society (fey or teifling). If it doesn't fit clearly into fey, human, changeling, demon, angel, or were then it is a teifling (aka half-breed or mixed breed).

4) What is most likely to matter in game is that some Irish humans are now considered changelings and are more likely to connect with Erin as well as possibly start buying off mental illnesses since those will be removed from the package soon. Demons are not infertile anymore and are less likely to have irrational hatred or psychosis with regards to Angels. Fey do not have princely bonds anymore but still can easily do joint magic.

5) All race magic maxes are off but the max max is still 40AP unless you are pulling from a joint pool or battery of some sort.

Other stuff:

1) I will allow Watcher characters now but not Controller characters other than those who gain the status in game.

2) Your characters are all carrying the 'gods genetic coding' in you now but it hasn't (and won't) manifested.

3) I don't remember what you decided about the void. If nothing changed then nothing changed.

4) New characters are to be made with the old rules and the standard+XP points then have the 20XP and 1AP added on top using the new rules. This should simulate the abrupt changes.

5) Continuing characters have a chance to do minor rewrites and fixes of character sheets but everything must be approved by me and have an in game reason of some sort.

6) I realize that some of the changes that have been made will mean that some of you loose disadvantages, gain bonuses, and/or have to add new skills to make magic work for you in the future and that this may mean that not all characters will be created equal. It shouldn't be more than a few XP difference so I'm not going to fix it. Everybody gets what they get. It isn't absolutely equal but I think you can understand my reasoning.

7) Characters will be allowed to learn the elite path in game but may not pick it out for a new character in character creation. I'm going to let you learn to be 'princes' but not *poof* be 'princes'. That is decent quest type material that I don't want to waste.

8) I will be introducing a few new skills and skill changes from my new book. I'll post those but the most important changes will be made to cramming and research.

9) I'm also toying with allowing Angel characters... feedback?

For Ironphoenix:

I need your character before next week so I can approve it and figure out how to work it into the game. I *think* the plan was for the group to go to Madiera but they might change their mind.

For Draco:

Ettienne is avaliable as a contact and we will discuss your controller status.

For ArrantDemon:

Let me know how you want to handle Nev and how you see his relationships with others changing (just as a heads up). I figure that the daughter thing will give you a reasonable excuse to leave if you schedule changes so that you need to.

For Nightstriker:

You wanted magic. It will be under the new system (so make sure you have what you need in terms of EGO and skills) and I'm going to allow you to buy the skill to use it without an excuse but the research(magic) will be something you will have to find someone else to teach you. So... you have a spontaneous 'eruption' due to the interference of the 'gods' but if you want to build on that you will have to do so in game as your character has not been studying magic up to this point.

For Anc:

We need to talk about your character so that we don't create a combat monster accidentally. Blessed by God.. heh heh.

EVERYBODY:

The essentials need to be dealt with by next game.

Dear Players,

I know that I haven't gotten the last game summary up yet but anyway...

It's feedback time. Tell me what you think about the game, the summaries, the cut scenes, the snacks... whatever. Tell me the good, the bad, and the turnip infested.

We will be entering part III (Tentatively subtitled "War & Redemption" depending on what you folks do... who knows that could change to "Roasting Marshmallows While the GM gets Drunk") after tomorrow's game so if you have anything to say going into the next game arc please do so now.

~ Your GM