March 15, 2003 MM Meeting:

What's changed since last time?

GM Chisoni is the Guild Guru, and GM Talian is the Dev Assistant. Westryl is the Moon Mage Liaison. 

About the turtle: the Heritage House turtle connecting Taisgath and Throne City has been destroyed.  There were several reasons for this, the primary being: 

Westryl says, "1.  As a sect only benefit, it was quite beyond anything any other sect had and, quite frankly, unfair.  This isn't to say we won't be allowing benefits for sects, but we simply can't allow any one sect to grow so top-heavy, and the turtle was causing just that scenario, especially coupled with the HH's unique place as the only sect you can join after belonging to another sect.  We have no intention of making the sects all exactly the same, but there needs to be at least the semblance of equity." 

Westryl says, "2.  The Islands were designed to be far away and hard to get to.  The turtle circumvented that way too easily.  I'm sure many folks heard the first reason and though "Okay, open it up to all MMs with skill."  That idea was considered, and the decision to not allow that came about because the speed and ease of travel just shouldn't be available. I can tell you that the discussion on that went beyond the scope of the MM team, as it affects not just us, but the overall plan for the game and for the Islands."

 Westryl says, "We didn't sit down and say, we're blowing up the turtle, let's write an event around it, and we didn't say we've got this event, let's blow up the turtle too.  Instead, we had both, the turtle needed to be addressed, and we wanted to do a large scale event that would put the MWP stuff to shame, so we combined the two.  Doing so allows us to introduce necessary changes while maintaining the integrity of the RP environment."

 Westryl says, "Obviously, we've just introduced a new plot, and we've got some long term plans for it. I think it'll provide RP opportunities for everyone, regardless of how you RP. We'll be tying up some loose ends left over from the MWP, and creating entire new ends to let loose."

 Future Developments: 

The turtles represented a shift from the old-style form of teleport/moongate where you walked somewhere, dropped a beam, walked away, and could get back easily.

 “The loss of this turtle in no way narrows that field, and "travel enhancements" are most definitely being planned, and will hopefully be a lot more interesting and versatile than the turtles.  Additionally, we currently have no plans to remove the Theren to TC turtle, since it doesn't create either of the problems that the other one did."

 Discussions for some form of a remote beam ability/system are in progress:

 Talian says, "Not entirely sure how it will end up, but we don't plan to be chained to the beam and walk - return methods forever."

 Westryl says, "The mini meetings I promised are coming, probably in the next few weeks.  They'll be covering a range of topics from RP to mechanics, to new ideas, and so on." 

Westryl says, "I'll also be adding some kind of "Talk to the Liaison" list, as several other guilds have.  No real ETA on that, since it needs to be QCed in order to put it physically in game."

 Westryl says, "There's been some growing pains, but we've been looking over our to do list, and I think I can safely say that the downers are over.  From here, it's all good:  new stuff, or ehancements to existing stuff."

 Spells:

 Thoughtcast has been given the okay for a decent cut in difficulty to make it a bit easier and more effective. Hopefully to come within the next month or two.

 Seal of Deflection will be seeing another round of adjustments, it seems it’s still not quite where they want it to be.

 Shear will be having another look at.

 Enchantments:

 A new enchantment is finished up and is almost ready for release.

Talian says, "Its one of the easier enchantments, is locational in nature."

Talian says, "Its intended to be usable by others, so something of a profit potential."

(Fishbones, anyone?)

 There are also enhancements OK’d for existing enchantments, and more unbend types are planned.

 Celestial jewelry will be getting a review.

 We also have a general refresh/review of the base enchanting planned, as experience and functionality will be look at. Noted, not in any way is this supposed to be a downtweak.

Talian says, "But in some cases certain things teach way too much of one skill and not enough of others, causing mindstate problems." 

 Predictions:

As posted, this was a primary project. Idle for too long, simucon will see a more in-depth review of the subject. Targetting specific skills will be possible, as will intentionally cursing.

 Talian says, "Will see a new ability to come along with it as well."

 Four new divination tools are nearing completion, and we even got a sneak peek at one.

Talian gets some vellum celestial charts from inside his stylish knapsack.

Talian says, "This, and the others are actually functional now in our development instance, just adding all the special fun and details."

One other tidbit about the tools – the rest is being saved for the con – is that the ability to unbond them will be added.

Talian says, "This enables the more indepth predictors to actually prepare more powerful tools then sell to others."

Talian focuses his attention on Chisoni and his eyes glaze slightly as he begins to turn the cards.
Talian stops before dealing a single card. Something appears to be troubling he.
As Talian begins to deal the cards, he stops short with a troubled look on his face.

 Shops:

Chisoni says, "First is the regrettable lack of shops for every sect.  That is in the process of being retified as we speak.  With luck, you may see those by HSN."

 Chisoni says, "The other notable mention is Su Helmas."

Chisoni says, "For those who aren't quite certain, Su Helmas is of particular interest to the Pethians."

 Verbs and sect preps:

Verbs are still being investigated, especially in terms of viability and suggestions.  Sect preps are on their way, and suggestions have been of great help there.

 A red-gold aura surrounds Westryl.

 You see Westryl Lehrvanst, a S'Kra Mur Scholar.

He has slitted crystal green eyes and a low black crest.  His brown, black and white scales form an intricate crosshatched pattern down his neck and back and along his slender tail.

 He is wearing a supple grey satchel with silver and amethyst buckles, an obsidian wolf pin set in polished silver, a black leather belt decorated with jade shrews, a small bronze telescope suspended from a heavy gold chain, a simple light grey robe, an amber ring carved in the shape of a curled-up salamander, a carved crystal owl amulet, a pair of faded leather boots, an ebony staff tipped with spheres of blue black and red quartz and a copper tailband etched with a S'Kra Mur prayer for wisdom.

>A pale blue-white aura flickers around Chisoni.

 You see Mistress Chisoni, a Lunar Guardian.

She has night dark eyes flecked with points of starry light gazing out from a fine-boned countenance, her skin as delicate as that of an ageless porcelain doll.  Raven-black hair cascades down her back in unrestrained curls, with a small braid at each temple tied off with belled silver chains.

 She is wearing a gold star, a twisted obsidian staff set with two curving silver fangs, some dusky blue robes accented with elaborate silver celestial sigils, an onyx badge with "It wasn't me!  I was framed!" engraved on it, a pearly silk pouch clasped with belled silver chains and a blackened silver armband incised with an obscure symbol.

You notice an odd, almost godly aura about Talian.

 You see GameMaster Talian Caratu, an Elven Moon Mage.

He has an angular face with elegant arched eyebrows, pointed ears, sparkling sapphire eyes and a straight nose.  His golden hair is shoulder length and thick, and is worn tied back.  He has smooth skin and a lean build.

He is very tall for an Elf.

Talian has transcended time.

He is in good shape.

 He is wearing a brand new flannel shirt, an exquisite nightsilk haversack, a black cap worn backwards marked with the Caratu label, some hightop kicks, some comfy shorts, a stylish knapsack and a black t-shirt proudly displaying the word "Heh"

===========WARNING Not for the weak of stomach WARNING===========

Pathian says, "I wish I could just wear flip flops to class. It's not that much to ask."

Mozzik asks, "JUST flipflops?"

Pathian says, "Yes Mozzik. Just for you."

Talian jabs the spoon into his eyes over and over.

So..what's changed since the last meeting? Check it out.

July 14, 2002 Annual Moon Mage Meeting.