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Tactics 101: The 'NPC'

The Non-Player Character, better known as the NPC, is an entity with a roleplaying game that represents the world, its views, creatures, cultures, and motives outside of the player character (PC). These NPCs fill in various roles that are required for certain campagn settings, such as the local carpeter, or sailor. They can be arranged into categories. A sample of various sub-categories is the 'Functional-Plot' axies.

--> Functional NPCs fill a specific role within a game, such as a cyclops blacksmith. They may or may not have a name, and usually live or die based on the need of the moment. They are not very important except for filling in roles that are required so the game can function or assist PCs in accomplishing tasks or goals. Functional NPCs fufill a function.

--Plot NPCs almost always have a name and a purpose that is unique to themselves, or special to the situation. They are usually stronger than Functional NPCs. As their name implies, they are used for 'plots' and are usually more important than functional NPCs. Plot NPCs are part of the plotline(s).

This organization is called an axies because characters can change roles and become more or less important as time progresses. A plot character may usurp a functional purpose, a functional character might become central to a plot.

Ascention

Sometimes a person can ascend into the heavens as a god. Often this person has some divine blood, or inspiration to do so. Other times, its mere force of magic.

If someone were to replace a dead god, he may find himself with a great many followers oftly quickly, especially if he assumes the disguise of the god/dess.

If Say, Prince Kimmuriel really was the son of Lloth, and she died for one reason or another, he could ascend into her place, and pretend that he was here.

But, what if he did not? What if he merely took a new form, and granted his own powers to the people? What if he didn't need to pretend to be anyone?

What if he already chose his prophets, five in number, and his high priestess? What if he has assumed control over Lloth's lair, and has begun redecorating by removing the webs and making it more accustome to his tastes?

What if he ressurected a baby he murderd to atone for some sins so he could get on the pantheon's good sides?

What if he is not gone, merely yanking everyones chain so he can come back in a pinnicle of drowish glory, slaughtering the whole lot of you?

Or not.

Nelphean's Secret Guide to Success in Melee Combat II

-> Be a wizard

**learn the following spells: Stoneskin, Tensor's Transformation, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Bear's Endurance, Greater Magic Weapon, Greater Magic Vestment, Haste, and Polymorph Self.
**Learn how to cast spells from Triggers.
**Learn which order to use spell triggers in order to create the optimum defensive and offensive combination of enchantments. Some do not stack.
**Practice on weaker foes.
**Always, Always use the polymorph as a last resort.


Spells:
(Stoneskin), create layers of protective shields which absorbe physical impacts. Number of Layers are determined by character level. Each layer absorbs one impact, or one set or rapid impacts (a machine gun burst is absorbed by one layer, but single shots can allow the layer to disappate between bullets). A giants bolder or a halflings dagger use the same amount of energy to aborbe the attack. Vulnerable to pure energy, Phantasmal attacks, mental attacks, and some elemental properties.

(Tensor's Transformation), turn yourself into a beserked warrior with the combative reflexes of a veteren (named Tensor). Spell increases martial compacity to that of a fighter of your same level, as well as raises your strenth and endurance (HP). Cannot cast spells while Transformed.

(Bull's Strength), Increases Strength. Enchant yourself to be as strong as someone else, say a body builder. Helpful if cast prior to Tensor's Transformtion, but otherwise more useful for liffting things that battling people in melee. (Unless you are a fighter/mage)

(Cat's Grace), Increases Dexterity (hand/eye cordination and agility). Similar to above but with agility increased instead of strength.

(Bear's Endurance), Increases Consititution (HP), take more damage because you are one healthy S.o.B.

(Greater Magic Weapon), Improved version of basic enchant weapon spell. Allows greater energy to be stored in the weapon, temporarily (unless used in conjunction with Permenancy). Improves weapon accuracy and damage.

(Greater Magic Vestment), Improved version of basic enchant armour spell, except as above, allows greater amounts of energy to be stored. Imrpoves compacity to absorb damage and dodge attacks.

(Haste), Move faster than the laws of physics allow. Extra actions each combat round, improved evasion and movement.

(Polymorph Self), Change your shape at will into something that you can visualize. Seeing an object is geranally required to polymorph into the creature. Often useed as a last resort, but can make battles very interesting at the begining.

Xaues Magical Prowess

All of Xaeus' magic is related to his element [Lightning via Air]. Each spell has compenents of lighting in them, the following list are just samples of how he can use lightning to create different effects.

Shocking Grasp
By concentrated electricity into a tangible form around his hand, Xaeus is able to discharge one shock into an opponent through touch.

Lightning Shield
By concentrating a spherical aura of electrical energy around himself [or himself and others], he is able to generate a shield which is strong enough to protect himself from most things. The strength of the shield can be altered through the concentration of mana that Xaeus places into the spell. More concentration means greater strength.

Thunder
First tier magical attack where electrical energy is transfered to the enemy via vertical striking lightning bolts. Thundara targets multiple foes, Thundaga targets one foe with multiple bolts, and Thundaja targets multiple foes with multiple bolts.

Lightning Bolt
First tier magical attack where electrical energy is transfered into the enemy in a horizontal beam-like attack. Bolt 2 targets multiple foes, Bolt 3 targets one foe with multiple bolts, Bolt 4 targets multiple targets with multiple bolts.

Chain Lightning
A middle tier magical attack which ricochets off of targets, and hits multiple enemies. Tactical attack, comes in two varieties. Chain Lightning 1 attacks one foe, and bounces to the next losing strength with each leap. Chain Lightning 2 hits the first target, and then separates into smaller beams which hit nearby secondary targets.

Teleportation
Xaeus converts his existence into photons which are then transported to the location where he wants to be, and reforms his body. He can only teleport to places he can see or knows very well.

Lightning Steel
Xaeus can create an object [usually a weapon] from concentrating mana into electrical energy which then solidifies into a 'solid' substance for use. The item only retains its 'solid' state while he is holding it; thus dropping or throwing the object causes it to revert to electrical energy.

Magnet
Xaeus can generate magnetic fields by concentrating electrical energy to cause electro-magnetism. This can be used to repel metal, attract metal, or act similar to gravity magic. Magnet, Magna, Magnaga, and Magnaja represent various concentrations of mana or spell strength.