Mortal Kombat!!! *queue the 90's theme*

Oh god... I used to have that theme on a mix CD. Perfect music for getting in the mood to write a fight scene. Lol.

I usually just get a playlist on YouTube going.

Alright, I've gotten most of the CS done. I just need to finish the personality and write the bio. Hopefully it'll be posted tomorrow.

Good to hear. Candidly, I've already got most of the first IC post written up as well. It's very lengthy, but it should establish the current state of affairs in the coven quite well.

I'm just waiting to finish the judgement of some of these last players and characters, before posting it up. :) Don't feel pressured to rush though; take your time.

Going off this as a guide:
the potential to do magic (which all have), the choice to use it (a spell is hardly done on accident, well a spell with the desired effect), some sort of intent (that is a desired effect), and the understanding/knowledge required to both prepare and execute the spell

A glyph of power is a symbol or shape with a corporeal form which enables a user to perform a desired magical effect. Through experimenting/learning forms of glyphs, the witch gains the knowledge/understanding of the nature of the magic he wishes to perform. They are like magical instructions which determine the resultant magic executed. The act of inscribing the glyph on to objects is important, as these magical instructions are often too complex to just be remembered and spoken as words unless the magic you want is simple(VERY RARE, a picture paints a thousand words). Moreover, since the object being used to communicate these glyphs(magical instructions) is essentially a pipe/bridge/train tracks for the magic to flow, there is a need to ensure that these objects are one of value and integrity, if you desire a stronger, more lasting effect. This idea of a suitable medium ties in with the "execution" bit.



The example shows how glyphs can be carved into sticks and such but the down side to using objects with low integrity is that they break down once the magic is used through them. Runes are just small stones which are polished and can be used as a medium for glyph etching. Also note how the farmer had to activate it, for the intent and choice to use magic to play in. In this case the farmer's own magical potential was not a big factor as its just a simple heating action.

However, the need for magical potential is pivotal is cases where highly potent glyphs are activated. For example, a Mithril suit of armour with glyphs engraved. To protect the wearer, the instructions would be: [Keep the material connected at all times,metal can not deform the armour, wood can not deform the armour, dust and grime can never dull the shine]. Instructions are explicit, and learning the right glyphs to accurately convey instructions will take a lot of studying. As a result, a magical icicle that is harder than the armour would not break the mithril armour but it can deform the mithril and still damage the wearer. Now, for magical potential, it differs from each individual. Strength of armour is directly proportional to strength of the magic user. Note, if the potential required greatly exceeds the limit of the user, the caster can die of shock, even if the mithril armour still doesnt break. The reason is uncertain. Therefore, Flowryde or glyph users who know their thang would add instructions to deactivate the instructions in the event of over exertion.

Finally, because the glyph is a manifestation of the creator's intent, not the user's (the user merely choses to activate the glyph and wills the magic to perform). The creator's own magical potential is important for a variety of reasons. Obviously, a glyph user with low magical potential will be hard pressed discovering glyphs of power(They are not random drawings!). Furthermore, the intent of the glyph is not only physically imprinted on an object, it is also imprinted in a magical sense. Hence, glyph creator's have their unique magical signature on their creations. The stronger the magical potential of the creator, the more integrity it has.

TL;DR: Glyphs require skill and understanding to use. Pros: Dynamic application. Cons: Limited to knowledge of glyphs, time, materials, magical potential.

The tattoo came with the character. I'm embarrassed to admit it... but I thought it looked cool so I wanted it to do something... Enhancing reflexes seemed to be the most subtle option. If you dont like it, what do you think about speed enhancement. When activated, he can run as fast as Usain Bolt. It does not shorten his life but burns up the butt fat.

Did I address every issue?

Edit: Just wondering, do all of you live in America? Everyone seems to be sleeping whenever I come on :l

Yeah, I think I'll step back from this one. I'll still watch though, since I adore the concept and all the hard work that has gone into this.

Although that explanation is fine and dandy, my biggest concern was on the extents and scope of this magic. As of right now, how powerful is he? What can he do? I just don't want anything unbalanced, y'know. :p

Milieu said
Awesome :) I have some concerns regarding Castor's character as well. First off, he bears the last name of the D'Cerf? Is this just an adoptive name applied to those without a surname? (For instance, would Atlas be Atlas D'Cerf simply because he doesn't have an original surname?) Or is this the name of the High Priestess, and she passed it on, if so, wouldn't that mean succession would pass to Castor's character? Originally, I thought D'Cerf was simply a sorta clan name, applicable to anyone apart of it, like how American, is typically used to describe a person from the United States. I might just be nitpicking, but I figured with all the detail put in to make things more succinct that it might pose an issue. Idunno though.

@Ichthys: This concern I had posted earlier, although I figure its something for you to address.

@Castor: So do all materials break down over time? And depending on the power level of the spell (especially if its a powerful spell) wouldn't that do more damage to the material itself?
For instance, a glyph engraved on a steel dagger which one could activate to conjure light for, let's say, dungeon crawling, would degrade the blade slowly because I imagine the glyph for making light would be less complex/powerful. But a steel blade that would burst into flames to add more damage would probably degrade much quicker. This is going off your own example of the sticks breaking, I imagine they break because of the magic surging through the material (which would otherwise not stress a material without the glyph).
This would be a sensible limit, and require your character to balance glyph power with the materials used, and the more rare/durable the material for its properties in conducting magic, could sustain more powerful glyphs.

Regarding the name, I wasn't originally worried by it at all. As stated before, the D'Cerf family is more than just immediate; there are extended members as well, although they do not have right to the hereditary monarchy at all. Thus, I find it completely okay for one to have the D'Cerf surname for the character. I mean, Castor didn't mention he was going to play immediate family, which as I mentioned can only be played under special circumstances. Plus, who said Lord Bayard and the High Priestess Olwyn were even of direct descent of the original founders. If you want to get a spoiler, they aren't. :p I mean, as alluded to before, its perfectly possible for one not of original D'Cerf decent to gain rule to the throne, except I'm not about to explain how Olwyn and Bayard, in particular, got to their position just yet. I'll leave you in suspense.

Still, as the D'Cerf is a "clan name" as well as an actual family name (derived from the name of the original founders), it's also possible for those without any relation to the D'Cerf to have that surname as well, due to mere association. Some might take the name in solidarity or some other reason. Therefore, Atlas could very well be Atlas D'Cerf, but only if you want him too.

If that's the case, should I leave Vincent's bio prior to the death of Olwyn blank? His history would be tied very closely to Olwyn's, and I don't want to write something in that would be contradictory to what you have planned.

It depends. I haven't seen a bit of Vincent's CS. :p I'd say go at it; I don't think it'll ruin much, if anything, and I can always adjust a bit. I have time before that part takes any large role in the plot.

In the interest of not keeping everyone in total suspense any longer, there's all the bits except for the biography.

Schradinger said
In the interest of not keeping everyone in total suspense any longer, there's all the bits except for the biography.

Its nice to see it coming along. I'm excited for the rest.

Milieu said So do all materials break down over time? And depending on the power level of the spell (especially if its a powerful spell) wouldn't that do more damage to the material itself?

No, not all materials break down over time. The magic does not naturally damage the vessel (unless it's the desired effect..).
Compare glyphs that are: 1. Carved on a wooden bowl 2. Engraved on a brass pot 3. Cut on a diamond palette. The instructions will be [collect water from air, fill vessel].
When activated, water will slowly collect on every vessel and you drink the water. For weeks you use the vessels activating it every day and drinking from it. A month later, you notice the water in the bowl takes a very long time to fill and it does not fill to the brim(looks dodgy too). 2 months it stops working altogether. Same thing with the pot but it takes 8 years for the magic to wear out the integrity of the pot. The diamond palette however seems to last indefinitely as at least 50 years wouldve passed before it is completely useless, assuming daily usage.
You could say that an object with a higher aesthetic value will have higher integrity. The act of engraving also increases the integrity which is why very well crafted glyphs work better than ugly looking ones. Magic is very picky.
About the dagger, because the nature of the magic is to produce light, instructions: [shine], it would not damage the material. iron dagger will last you a few days, steel probably months-years(depending on the grade), Mithril decades, diamond(?) a very long time. Alternatively, materials could be damaged if instructions were [pierce and deform metal] and you used an bronze dagger and tried jabbing at a hardened steel block. Scenario one, glyph is dormant, jabbing the block makes you look like a fool but nothing happens out of the ordinary, maybe the dagger is blunted but the block has hardly a nick on it. Scenario 2, glyph activated, the magic will insist on piercing but because the bronze is shyt it will shatter, and the user might die, regardless of how magically potent the user is. Really depends on the nature of the magic.

@Ichthys: Glyphs magic, when used offensively is dangerous to the user as seen above. Its also quite useless in direct combat unless you have top of the range equipment, which Flowryde doesnt own, but he does makes some for the noble people of D'Cerfs. Flowryde is a broke ass kid. Since instructions have to be precise, using it in battle is inefficient. You want to use magic to create invisible barriers? No probs, leme get my staff out and draw a bunch of glyphs. Hey please stop hitting me, im concentrating on drawing glyphs, also, can you stand in between those two lines, the magic wont work anywhere else.
He does have a battle outfit that has glyphs weave in to prevent burns and grazes, but its only as effective as the next persons chainmail. Flowryde is has high magical potential but physical limits (money,time) really constrains his magic.
Flowryde carries 2 runes, one that says [make heat] and another that says [collect water]. quite useless in battle. But it can heal cuts simply by gathering blood in the wounds and burning them close. You can trust me with the limits, unbalanced characters are no fun ;P

Okay, good. Flowryde seems perfectly fine then; I just wanted to double check nothing too 'sketchy' was possible, didn't want to leave anything to unknown for my own purposes of gauging balance.

And there you have it. Vincent's Bio has been added.

Woot! I can't wait for this to start :P

I'll probably be able to get the OOC up after 3 (that is, in 3-4 hours), which is my last class ends for the day.