Messages

676

Crimson Flag Comic / Re: Mages & Magic Q&A session

« on: May 10, 2009, 01:52:53 PM »

Hehehe Yup, I figured everyone else would be interested in this stuff .

677

Crimson Flag Comic / Mages & Magic Q&A session

« on: May 08, 2009, 11:57:39 PM »

With Virmir's blessing I'm posting up a Q&A session on the magic system here! Yay! 

Facty things in Bold

(2009.05.09 - 13:37:33) Virmir: I'm going to go into the magic system a bit more, but it probably won't be for a while.
(2009.05.09 - 13:37:39) Virmir: So I can comment on it a bit.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:37:48) KaiAdin: Yay!
(2009.05.09 - 13:38:10) Virmir: Magic extends from the individual.  It doesn't come from an external source.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:38:50) KaiAdin: Oh! I see (so not like TOTQ then )
(2009.05.09 - 13:39:19) DCL: Ah! So then, okay that makes sense. Would you say there types that can leech or draw from an unwilling target?
(2009.05.09 - 13:39:21) Virmir: Actually there is a technicality where you can draw it from external sources, but for simplicity's sake, we'll say it comes from the individual.
(2009.05.09 - 13:39:39) DCL: heh, are you reading minds?
(2009.05.09 - 13:39:50) Virmir: He he he
(2009.05.09 - 13:40:13) Virmir: The technicality I was thinking about was enchanted objects.
(2009.05.09 - 13:40:27) DCL: Ah, nothing like blood magic then
(2009.05.09 - 13:40:32) Virmir: Basically magic extends from something they call a "life force"
 (2009.05.09 - 13:40:38) KaiAdin thinks this should be forum posted later
(2009.05.09 - 13:40:40) Virmir: Every living thing has this.
(2009.05.09 - 13:40:54) Virmir: Also some non-living things have this too.
(2009.05.09 - 13:41:07) DCL: What you would call a golem, or homoculus?
(2009.05.09 - 13:41:07) Virmir: And these can be used as magical artifacts.
(2009.05.09 - 13:41:18) Virmir: Not neccessarily.
(2009.05.09 - 13:41:30) Virmir: Much simpler things have life forces too.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:41:38) KaiAdin: Like?
(2009.05.09 - 13:41:45) Virmir: For example, there are crystals they can use as sort of batteries.
(2009.05.09 - 13:41:54) Virmir: This is essential for their airships.
(2009.05.09 - 13:41:59) Virmir: Also, enchanted weapons.
(2009.05.09 - 13:42:13) DCL: Do they have to be refined, or are they infused in the raw state?
(2009.05.09 - 13:42:36) Virmir: Depends on the situation.
(2009.05.09 - 13:42:54) Virmir: Some have elements associated with them, some don't.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:42:56) KaiAdin: What do you guys mean by that? refined/raw?
(2009.05.09 - 13:43:24) Virmir: Raw would be just generic energy, as opposed to "fire energy" or "electric energy"
(2009.05.09 - 13:43:30) DCL: I wonder, as it somewhat sounds like the ebberon setting in a techical standpoint, with binding magic to an item, from elemental ships and a keystone, or the air barges that are guided by beacons.
(2009.05.09 - 13:43:57) Virmir: Ah, cool. Never heard of that.
(2009.05.09 - 13:44:17) DCL: Think steampunk, but magic as a replacement for science roughly
(2009.05.09 - 13:44:20) Virmir: This is usually minor though compared to the life force of a Reyn.
(2009.05.09 - 13:44:25) Virmir nods.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:44:26) KaiAdin: Oh Cool
(2009.05.09 - 13:44:48) Virmir: All Reyn have life forces, so all can use magic technically.
(2009.05.09 - 13:44:57) Virmir: But not many are "good" at it.
(2009.05.09 - 13:45:09) Virmir: Only those with talent/desire become mages.
(2009.05.09 - 13:45:26) DCL: However, focus, training, and the drive to, such as athletes here only make it to that point?
(2009.05.09 - 13:45:38) Virmir: Yep.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:45:56) KaiAdin: So can a common person with no desire to be a mage use spells still?
 (2009.05.09 - 13:46:04) KaiAdin: small one? or whatever?
(2009.05.09 - 13:46:22) DCL: Desperation, or in time of dire need with emotions fueling it?
(2009.05.09 - 13:46:42) Virmir: A common person might be able to cast a simple spell as well as a non artist with no experience be able to draw a fox.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:47:06) KaiAdin: Ah, right
(2009.05.09 - 13:47:07) Virmir: It's a skill, like drawing, writing, music, etc.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:47:45) KaiAdin: is there any basic magic education in Carreyn?
 (2009.05.09 - 13:47:56) KaiAdin: or for that matter, education itself?
(2009.05.09 - 13:48:09) DCL: With an artifict, can only certain kinds of folks make them? And if so, or not, what kind of bargains must be made from outside sources in the making of them, as it was noted, that the king was willing to send troops in over a cache of them.
(2009.05.09 - 13:48:37) DCL: mages, when i say folk
(2009.05.09 - 13:49:03) Virmir: Kai:  Yes.  All the mages are under training.
(2009.05.09 - 13:49:52) Virmir: Certain people trained in making artifacts can make them, much like a blacksmith makes swords, etc.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:50:03) KaiAdin: ah I meant like a farmer or some servant, would they get some basic mage training, or only those who desire to be mages
(2009.05.09 - 13:50:17) Virmir: Oh no.  Just those with the desire.
(2009.05.09 - 13:50:41) Virmir: I'll be touching more on the Mages of Caerreyn in the future and how they work.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:50:49) KaiAdin: Kind of like, how everyone is taught to read and write, but other skills are 'optional'
(2009.05.09 - 13:50:58) Virmir: Yes.
(2009.05.09 - 13:51:17) DCL: Is being born a mage a stigma, or a boon in the society?
(2009.05.09 - 13:51:27) DCL: or reaching that standingf
 (2009.05.09 - 13:51:28) KaiAdin: ah, so Magic isnt a 'reading/writing' level of importance
(2009.05.09 - 13:51:44) Virmir: Boon, definitely.
(2009.05.09 - 13:51:54) Virmir: And yeah, you'd have to reach it.
(2009.05.09 - 13:52:09) Virmir: It is definitely much easier for some than others.
(2009.05.09 - 13:52:15) Virmir: Kai: Nope.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:52:29) KaiAdin: Look at lucian... despite the semi-racism being a level 3 overcame impressed the city cuards
 (2009.05.09 - 13:52:34) KaiAdin: guards*
(2009.05.09 - 13:52:39) Virmir: Yep.
(2009.05.09 - 13:52:41) DCL: Are magi split among noble/commoner?
(2009.05.09 - 13:53:05) Virmir: Mages are independent of class.
(2009.05.09 - 13:53:25) Virmir: Though nobles are more likely to get in to the training, because they have more money/influence.
(2009.05.09 - 13:53:43) Virmir: And a commoner is less likely to discover he's good at magic.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:53:53) KaiAdin: Oh, that 'green' magic from todays comic, is that some element?
(2009.05.09 - 13:54:27) Virmir: Ha ha, was just going for a different color there.  Don't think into it too much.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:54:35) KaiAdin: Awww
(2009.05.09 - 13:54:44) Virmir: But yeah, it's not fire.
(2009.05.09 - 13:55:25) DCL: What happens to a mage that misuses the powers they have learned?
(2009.05.09 - 13:55:39) DCL: Can magic be sealed, or kept chained?
(2009.05.09 - 13:55:41) Virmir: We're gonna find out.
(2009.05.09 - 13:55:45) DCL: heh!
(2009.05.09 - 13:55:56) Virmir: Same to the second question.
 (2009.05.09 - 13:55:56) KaiAdin:

Edit: Fixed a typo, and removed a personal message

678

Art Gallery / Re: Cartoony Drawings

« on: May 03, 2009, 05:44:06 PM »

Oh I though you put your *cougthFutureCharCOugth* at the end of Sir Bryce, instead of in front of the Fennic Warrior.

Edit: I like the fennic warrior too!

679

Art Gallery / Re: Cartoony Drawings

« on: May 03, 2009, 05:19:58 PM »

Haha Sir Bryce has already shown up! In this and last weeks strips!

680

Art Gallery / Re: Just to Kick things off here....

« on: May 02, 2009, 06:12:48 PM »

Nooo~!
And yes, Artspots is nifty for the thumbnail linking.  You have to change the HTML over to BB Code, though.

You and your super-ADMIN powers... *tail twitches in frustration*

681

Art Gallery / Just to Kick things off here....

« on: May 02, 2009, 04:53:11 AM »

I've Stolen Virmir's cloak!



(hey... Artsports is better than DeviantArt for image linking!)

682

Game Room / Re: Virmir's Video Game Collection! (massive image show-off warning!)

« on: April 27, 2009, 02:48:54 PM »

I should come back and update this thread every October, though.  Remind me!

Haha allrighties! 

683

Game Room / Re: Virmir's Video Game Collection! (massive image show-off warning!)

« on: April 27, 2009, 02:28:42 AM »

Huh! I thought I had replied to this topic... apparently not

In the end, this is all your fault Virmir, I would have never asked you to play Advance Wars If I didn't see the box on the shelf. You brought all this awesomeness and time-wastage upon yourself 

(and your dragging us down with you....hehehe )

684

Random Topics / Re: TopWebcomics Ranking

« on: April 17, 2009, 06:26:47 AM »

Oh wow, We reached 159 naturally

685

Writer's Guild / Re: Responsibility

« on: April 07, 2009, 06:41:00 AM »

Are you sure your not my English teacher in disguise? You've somehow managed to turn your answer into a question! *feels like hes in high school again*

China had its peak in the 1200s, with an overseas empire and massive battleships and advanced weapons technology, but they crumbled after this time due to isolationist policies. Think about this in the context of the story. What question does it raise?

Umm, I'm guessing at this story has happened after the crumbling of their empire... So does that mean the empire is building up again? They need translators to keep the peace, which the female fox has accepted an offer for, which brings us to the next point

What's being romanized?

Well I was assuming the Chinese peoples writing system was being romanized... But reading it again seems like the Foxes way of writing itself is being romanized. Which then begs the question of where in the world they are, Europe I suppouse, but then again their writing would already be Romanesque. I guess I don't know enough about the world to make conclusions, since they foxes seem to be equally comfortable quadruped/bipedal their writing may be much different.
 
And just like my English teacher you've managed to make me confused about something I thought I had pinned down  (I mean this in a nice way, just in case something is lost in translation )

686

Writer's Guild / Re: Swarmy

« on: April 06, 2009, 11:45:37 PM »

Or in this context a Marty-Sue

687

Writer's Guild / Re: Responsibility

« on: April 06, 2009, 08:51:32 PM »

Ah Nice a pretty cool short story! (sorry been doing other things, so I didn't read it till everyone else commented on it)

What I find interesting is the (real world) international theme of this story, Given its somewhat Renaissance/medieval setting. Especially the romanisation of the Chinese language, so early in history. Wern't they culturally stable for centuries in the Real World ? But not knowing about the rest of this world, I don't think I can comment much upon it.

I sort of cheated and read the replies before the story so i don't really have any comments construction wise... 

But it would be interesting to ask how you came up with this setting, and its history

Haha, I'm quite busy in the lab ATM, so Ill continue this later

688

Website and Technical Discussion / Re: Chat Logs

« on: April 06, 2009, 01:46:01 AM »

Ah! Playing with the logs of today, The entries in the 'main window' are adjusted to my local time, but the drop down menu boxes selection for the date/time range are in central time!

*Jumps for joy!*

689

Website and Technical Discussion / Re: Chat Logs

« on: April 05, 2009, 07:15:10 PM »

Oh! Oh! don't forget that water balloon fight too! 2009.04.02 (gah you and your weird date formats )

Oh quick question Virmir: does the log automatically adjust for timezones? I'm having a little trouble finding something, at a specific hour....   |

More specifically, the messages listed in the main window are adjusted, but are the drop down menus for the dates, I think are not.

690

Website and Technical Discussion / Re: Chat Logs

« on: April 05, 2009, 01:48:26 PM »

Eeeeee! Yes This is so Cool