Kitsun
12-29-2003, 01:00 AM
Posted this idea on the official boards but I figured I'd post it here to see if I can get any other questions/comments/concerns/opinions. Its probably just a dream but I think it'd be hella cool.
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What I hear all the time under the role-playing categories is that spontaneous and new role-play is immensely desired and exciting. The problem in Gemstone is that our BEST avenue for that is limited by ingame mechanics. What am I talking about? Magic! In gemstone, magic has lost its sparkle because almost everything about it can be found on a spell list. We know that when we find a potion, we can get a bard to sing to it, or a wizard to cast elemental detection to find which spell on the spell list it truly is. And only bad things can happen when you mix potions, they both explode and your hand gets injured.
A breathe of life to the magic of Elanthia would be attached to a sort of alchemy system. My description will make it so it has little impact and effect upon the already mechanical magical combat system, what I want is chaotic magic for role-play purposes.
I want to be able to mix some pure water, some tree bark and a bubbling concoction in order to make a Potion of Green Skin that will turn you green as a leaf for a day!
How about a smooth stone, an old boot and a black bubbling brew to make some Stone Boots of Stomping that will make you stomp every direction when worn!
You find an odd foul smelling potion and decide to have a drink! Woe to you, it’s a potion of stink that will make you smell for a week!
Under a rock you find a muddy potion. Loe and behold, it’s a potion of Mountainous Mass, your as strong as a mountain! But it’ll take you a minute to walk around.
A misty black potion can contain the Potion of Dark Powers. Your eyes and mouth seem to leak out darkness. Every so often, a trail of murky black smoke emits from the back of your pants…hey even bad guys fart, and this potion gave you gas.
Tired of your grumpy old friend that’s always speaking solemnly? Slip some Potion of Happiness into his mug. He’ll be cheery for a day! It could fix his demeanor so he couldn’t change back to glum unless he finds the proper counter-potion for it!
Neighboring beautiful princess spoiling your happy marriage? Throw a Mixture of Massive Moles at her! She’ll now be so hideous your husband won’t look ever see her again without shuddering!
The possibilities are endless!
Create dozens, or hell, hundreds of different mundane little worthless trinkets fall off monsters of all ages. Make them generate hidden in out of the way places. Have some traveling merchants peddle some odd items with magical qualities that are otherwise worthless. Have some store bought.
The potion creation could be affected by: The order the ingredients are mixed, the amount mixed, the time of day, the time of year, the season.
Perhaps make it all random or have a primary liquid have an affect on the effect of the potion. Make a large table for the ingredients and possible mixture possibilities. If the creator fails to mix a known potion, it will default or failure and randomly pick from a batch of ODD effects. Like a potion of stink, a nail of neutrality or a stick of stuffiness.
During the winter, you have more of a chance of making a Wand of Falling Snow. Have it be similar to the little trick Snow Elves use to snowball people.
During a sunny day in River’s Rest, you have a better chance of making a Powder of Rosey Cheeks.
You can affect the FEATURE system! A Stick of Static Charge can make people’s hair stand on end for hours. A Feather of Flushed Features can make someone red for a while!
People could have clumsy alchemists, always trying out new brews and ingredients and trying to find new test subjects. Poor people who’ve been cursed or enchanted would be ever seeking remedies. Tricksters and pranksters could use them to cause chaos. Suitors could use them to spruce up their charms. Maidens can make themselves look more virtuous! Vengeance can be had without spilling a drop of blood!
We can affect how characters are controlled as well!
Imagine a Slipper of Lost Leagues where it takes you in random directions when you try to walk in any one direction.
A Shield of Faint Courage may make you hesitant to ever leave a stance beyond neutral.
A Short Sword of Stunning Stupidity could keep forcing you into a higher stance and terrible attacks.
Of course, finding or purchasing remedies to such potions should be cheap. Or even an expensive mechanized way to have certain ailments removed by the alchemist.
There’s my dream. Someone make it happen. I’m waiting.
============================
What I hear all the time under the role-playing categories is that spontaneous and new role-play is immensely desired and exciting. The problem in Gemstone is that our BEST avenue for that is limited by ingame mechanics. What am I talking about? Magic! In gemstone, magic has lost its sparkle because almost everything about it can be found on a spell list. We know that when we find a potion, we can get a bard to sing to it, or a wizard to cast elemental detection to find which spell on the spell list it truly is. And only bad things can happen when you mix potions, they both explode and your hand gets injured.
A breathe of life to the magic of Elanthia would be attached to a sort of alchemy system. My description will make it so it has little impact and effect upon the already mechanical magical combat system, what I want is chaotic magic for role-play purposes.
I want to be able to mix some pure water, some tree bark and a bubbling concoction in order to make a Potion of Green Skin that will turn you green as a leaf for a day!
How about a smooth stone, an old boot and a black bubbling brew to make some Stone Boots of Stomping that will make you stomp every direction when worn!
You find an odd foul smelling potion and decide to have a drink! Woe to you, it’s a potion of stink that will make you smell for a week!
Under a rock you find a muddy potion. Loe and behold, it’s a potion of Mountainous Mass, your as strong as a mountain! But it’ll take you a minute to walk around.
A misty black potion can contain the Potion of Dark Powers. Your eyes and mouth seem to leak out darkness. Every so often, a trail of murky black smoke emits from the back of your pants…hey even bad guys fart, and this potion gave you gas.
Tired of your grumpy old friend that’s always speaking solemnly? Slip some Potion of Happiness into his mug. He’ll be cheery for a day! It could fix his demeanor so he couldn’t change back to glum unless he finds the proper counter-potion for it!
Neighboring beautiful princess spoiling your happy marriage? Throw a Mixture of Massive Moles at her! She’ll now be so hideous your husband won’t look ever see her again without shuddering!
The possibilities are endless!
Create dozens, or hell, hundreds of different mundane little worthless trinkets fall off monsters of all ages. Make them generate hidden in out of the way places. Have some traveling merchants peddle some odd items with magical qualities that are otherwise worthless. Have some store bought.
The potion creation could be affected by: The order the ingredients are mixed, the amount mixed, the time of day, the time of year, the season.
Perhaps make it all random or have a primary liquid have an affect on the effect of the potion. Make a large table for the ingredients and possible mixture possibilities. If the creator fails to mix a known potion, it will default or failure and randomly pick from a batch of ODD effects. Like a potion of stink, a nail of neutrality or a stick of stuffiness.
During the winter, you have more of a chance of making a Wand of Falling Snow. Have it be similar to the little trick Snow Elves use to snowball people.
During a sunny day in River’s Rest, you have a better chance of making a Powder of Rosey Cheeks.
You can affect the FEATURE system! A Stick of Static Charge can make people’s hair stand on end for hours. A Feather of Flushed Features can make someone red for a while!
People could have clumsy alchemists, always trying out new brews and ingredients and trying to find new test subjects. Poor people who’ve been cursed or enchanted would be ever seeking remedies. Tricksters and pranksters could use them to cause chaos. Suitors could use them to spruce up their charms. Maidens can make themselves look more virtuous! Vengeance can be had without spilling a drop of blood!
We can affect how characters are controlled as well!
Imagine a Slipper of Lost Leagues where it takes you in random directions when you try to walk in any one direction.
A Shield of Faint Courage may make you hesitant to ever leave a stance beyond neutral.
A Short Sword of Stunning Stupidity could keep forcing you into a higher stance and terrible attacks.
Of course, finding or purchasing remedies to such potions should be cheap. Or even an expensive mechanized way to have certain ailments removed by the alchemist.
There’s my dream. Someone make it happen. I’m waiting.