Phase (704)
Phase Low Priority, according to Nilven
Unfortunately, much of the information and suggestions from the boards about Phase is lost to the ether. Here is a short recap about Phase Bolt, as well as I remember it:
A suggested addition to the Phase spell, to make it more useful, is the option to focus the spell to create a Phase Bolt. Being phase energy it would ignore Air Wall (no reduction in AS) and armor (all targets would be treated as if they wore no armor). The spell would 'phase out' whatever part of the target it hit, including internal organs, thereby causing damage.
A number of sorcerers were against this implementation as they feel we should not have another spell that relies on the Spell Aim skill. Others stated that this would only be an option, an addition, and that those who did not train in Spell Aim, or those who did not choose to use it, would lose nothing as they would still have the use of Phase in its original form.
On January 30, 2003, GM Nilven gave us an update on the future plans for sorcery. Phase was mentioned as something they would like to do something with, but that there have been no decisions and it is of very low priority.
An Idea by Eredhen, February 9, 2003
The following is a rough idea for an addition to the phase spell. I know it's not one of the more important things right now, but I wanted to get this out while I was thinking about it.Sidestep
A self-cast of phase allows the sorcerer to sidestep into an existence outside
of the physical world. The caster can perceive the normal world, but cannot
interact with it except in very limited ways. While there, the sorcerer remains
outside of the perception of others. Only sorcerers who have also sidestepped
can clearly see and interact with the sorcerer. Sorcerers in the physical realm
have a chance to sense that a sidestepped sorcerer is about, although this is
difficult and rare unless the sorcerer specifically attempts to sense such
things (One use for Sorcerous Sense). Locate person and other such methods
(Symbol of Sight) will not reveal the presence of the sorcerer, as he does not
exist in the physical world while sidestepped.
While sidestepped it is impossible to sustain or cause physical damage, although
if death should occur in this state the magic keeping the sorcerer in this realm
fades and the sorcerer phases back to the normal world.
In this between world the sorcerer moves without impedance, being hindered only
by certain magical barriers. Thus, there are no checks for climbing or swimming
and no door locked only by mundane means can deny entry as it can simply be
walked through.
When phase is initially learned the sorcerer lacks the appropriate knowledge to
sidestep. A somewhat complicated process, the power of the spell cast in this
manner grows as the sorcerer becomes more versed in the sorcerous arts.
Upon learning the 8th spell on the sorcerer list (708) the sorcerer can begin to
sidestep. At this point control is limited and there is a chance that the spell
will not work, although casting the spell at a focal point (a node) seems to
make the transition easier. Knowledge is still very limited, so there can be
absolutely no interaction with the physical world by any means. To return to the
physical world the sorcerer must again cast phase upon himself to sidestep back
into normal existence.
With each spell learned (representing greater knowledge in the Art) the chance
to successfully sidestep greatly increases. Upon learning the 12th spell the
sorcerer has mastered the ability to sidestep, but still cannot interact with
the physical world.
As the 16th spell is learned, limited contact with the physical world comes
within reach. For a small expenditure of mana a sorcerer can whisper to
individuals in the physical realm.
When the 20th spell is learned the sorcerer learns to manipulate small objects
in the physical world. Again, by expending small amounts of mana a sorcerer can
pull items from the physical world into the between realm. So long as the item
is held by the sorcerer or remains on his or her person the item remains in that
realm. If the item is dropped it slowly phases back to the physical realm. As
the knowledge of the Art grows, so too does the ability to manipulate heavier
objects.
Upon learning the 24th rank in the spell circle, the sorcerer can begin to
affect the real world magically. Thus far, only spells that directly affect the
mind have been successfully used in this manner. At this rank, the sorcerer can
cast Forget (703) on beings in the physical plane, but the mana expenditure is
twice normal.
At the 28th rank, the sorcerer can now cast Mind Jolt (706) on beings in the
physical plane, with double the normal mana expenditure for the spell.
At the 32nd rank, the sorcerer has learned enough to be able to cast Quake (709)
in such a way as to affect the physical realm, again with twice the normal
expenditure. The sorcerer has also learned to manipulate his essence in such a
way as to cause a very temporary vision of himself to appear to a specific
person in the physical plane.
At 36 ranks in the spell circle, the sorcerer can cast Nightmare into the
physical realm at twice the normal cost. As of now this is the most advanced
magic that can cross the boundary between the realms.
Reply and Questions from Deso, February 10, 2003
Great idea! Good thought. I'm not sure if we want to use a spell
rank based ability. Do we want to base effectiveness on other skills? Spell
aiming? Magic item use? Scroll reading? Perception? (perception is reality after
all - heh) Maybe even a combination of elemental/spiritual spells known, rather
than sorcery. I'm too tired to offer detailed suggestions right now. I do like
Phase and think it has great potential. I'd hate to see it lost due to no
support.
Deso
Thoughts by Hadiar, February 10, 2003
I really like this idea. For years, people have been asking for
the ability to phase out of existence with 704, but nobody really put any
substance behind it. Probably because we all surmised that it would be far too
powerful for 4 mana, and the GM's would shoot it down.
But in this case, why not just make Phase stance based? Say, for example, when
Sorcerers first gain phase, they can only cast it in a defensive stance, and it
will cost 4 mana.
Upon learning the 8th spell circle, to get the effects of this upgrade, you will
have to cast in guarded stance, and the spell will cost 8 mana.
Once you get 16th spell, you'd need to be in a neutral stance, and the spell
will cost 16.
Hmm... just realizing that you'd run out of stances with this method... Perhaps
reduce the amount of "upgrades?"
Response by Eredhen, February 10, 2003
>Sadly I think that's just a bit too much for a 4th level
spell.
It's not just a 4th level spell. It has higher spell rank requirements to
become more effective.
Remember that this was only a quick idea thrown out there while I was
thinking about it. I could see having the spell cost an amount mana equivalent
to the lowest "new rank" ability to function at that rank, with lower
amounts able to be specified at casting (limiting the effective rank for that
casting). A simple cast of phase (at 4 mana) is the only requirement to return.
>I'm not sure if we want to use a spell rank based ability. Do we want to
base effectiveness on other skills? Spell aiming? Magic item use? Scroll
reading? Perception?
The only way for it to become more powerful is to base it off of spell
ranks... none of the other skills make sense in this case. Additionally, it is
our knowledge of sorcery that would allow us more control in that state.
>Probably because we all surmised that it would be far too powerful for 4
mana
Ah, just read Hadiar's post.
Again, it doesn't have to be just 4 mana. As you stated in your post, and
as I stated above, the costs could vary with varying power.
I don't see incorporating stances though... it would just add a level of
confusion that really has no bearing on the logical functioning of the spell.
For every action the sorcerer takes that affects the physical realm there
is a price to pay (in mana) so it's not as though the actions are free. Even
with the ability to pay this cost, the ability to affect the physical world is
limited.
The items that can be pulled in are limited by weight, and it would be no
different than an invisible wizard or that rogue guild trick.
The ability to affect the physical world with magic is limited to spells
that affect only the mind, and none of them are killng spells (so no experience
gained). The casting of these spells cost more than a normal cast.
It even takes mana to talk to someone while in this state and the
conversation is one way unless the other person wants to appear to be talking to
the air.
Eredhen
Alternatives by Zilal, February 10, 2003
I like the idea of shifting out of the plane of existence,
though I'd make the utility really limited to avoid (1) being overpowered, (2)
replacing character manager skills such as climbing, and (3) making it too much
like invisibility.
I'd be happy if all it did was make it so you shifted into
[Phase shift, the ether]
Through the mists, you dimly sense...
(Previous room description here)
Obvious paths: out
If the previous room was noded, this one would be too, but otherwise you'd be
too far shifted for anything to effect you. Just a simple utility spell allowing
us to rest in public or get out of hairy situations while hunting. (Though the
ability to immediately escape and eat all the herbs we want in complete safety
for 4 mana may be a bit much, so maybe any actions other than looking would take
you out of the phase shift.)
The ability to cause illusions like nightmare and quake from it is intriguing,
or whisper to people. I might not mind if there were enough drawbacks.
Z
Response by Eredhen, February 10, 2003
I have no problem limiting spells being cast while being there,
but the purpose was to allow there to be a separate reality to move through. Not
that one has to be coded... we would use the same "rooms" that are
used now, we would just be in a different state of being and unable to do much
while moving through it.
A further limitation might be that movement is impossible until the 12th
rank when it is possible but difficult, becoming easier as one moves to and
through the 16th and fully mastered at the 20th rank.
>Though the ability to immediately escape and eat all the herbs we want
in complete safety for 4 mana may be a bit much
I thought I mentioned it before, but I may not have. Along with causing
and taking no physical damage while phased, there can also be no physical
healing, so all of your herbs and any spells you have in scrolls or items for
healing would be useless while there.
>replacing character manager skills such as climbing
That, in my mind, would be the biggest obstacle of the current design
being approved. However, I view movement through this realm as being more about
the power of the mind because we won't have a physical form. Not being able to
walk through that boulder blocking our path or will our way up the slope
wouldn't make sense. Are there other skills or methods to replace these skills
while in that state?
Eredhen
More by Eredhen, February 10, 2003
By the way, I understand that it would be much easier to just
code a simple effect (a single room phase), but I would much rather have
something that grows with us. I would very much like sorcery to be dynamic and
evolve in ways other than just "hey, I learned a new spell!"
This type of thing allows for that, as does laying a foundation for runes
in various systems (ensorcelling, sorcerous teleportation, demons), and opening
up new possibilities with cooperative magic.
Sorcery would be a *living* Art rather than a static list of spells.
Eredhen
Concerns by Kevralynn, February 10, 2003
I don't know. This spell could give us a reason >NOT< to
train in many non-sorcish skills such as climb and swim.
K
Further thoughts by Eredhen, February 10, 2003
>And then where would those training points go? More
secondary magical skills?
Why would they have to go anywhere else? There *are* magical barriers that
we cannot cross with phase. Why couldn't some of those barriers exist at
climb/swim points?
Bleh... would it be more feasible for there to just be a modifier if we
are in this state, so that it is not a given, but easier than if we were in the
physical realm?
Eredhen