Aug. 26, 2010: With Great Power Comes Great...Power!

I don't have a specific date in mind yet, but soon powerful spellcasters will be getting access to:

Aenea Epic Magic System:

Replacing the default NWN epic spells, those with the Epic Magic feat (granted automatically to clerics, druids, sorcerers, and wizards at 21st level) will be able to research their own personalized epic spells using over 100 options for effects with multiple options for changing area of effect, duration, save DC, caster level (for purposes of hitting spell resistance), and costs for casting (in hitpoints, xp, and/or blood of magic).

The coding work on this is nearing completion (only have to finish building the "research library" and coding for the actual research of spells...aka, "the easy part").

Time Stop:

Yes, the time stop spell will be making an appearance in Aenea for the first time. It'll once again be a 9th level sorcerer/wizard spell, but instead of stopping the actions of everything on the server with no defense against it (which are the reasons I'd removed it in the first place), it'll be limited to creatures in the caster's current area and will last for 3 rounds instead of the default 1 1/2 rounds (and it will be subject to a Will save (easier for enemy spellcasters to resist, harder for non-magical enemies) and spell resistance check, but ignores immunity to paralyzation/hold/entangle/knockdown/etc.).

VC Command System:

I'm going to be altering most of the commands to make them shorter, simpler, and/or faster to enter. All VC commands will start using a double-character prefix (most likely ;; or \\, depending on the votes in this poll), and some of the most common will be shortened to a single letter (such as ;;s instead of pc tool search or \\w instead of info who/info where).



These changes will go in once I'm done coding the EMS and I get a new updates hak uploaded for everyone. Just giving everyone a heads' up on what I'm working on now.

Will Timestop be subject to Immunity to Mind Effects? What about specific spell immunity, or spell school immunity? And how will it interact with spell mantles, as well?

I would hope that it would have no immunities able to resist it short of Spell School/Specific Spell immunity and Spell Mantles... immunity to mind spells protecting against it would actually kinda suck....

I will note however that the only creatures that someone would even really think about using the spell against have ludicrously high saving throws across the board.... so how actually useful this ends up being goes to what the DC ends up being and how that plays out...

I believe the proper name for this update would be Christmas in July for spellcastors. I'm really looking forward to seeing all these spells you have cooked up. Thanks !

Thing is.,... it is only soon otherwise I'd agree.... though if he could get in in by the end on the month perhaps it could be....

but I wouldn't want to rush something this AWESOME!

Lots of awesome potential here. It will alsomost likely involve some back and forth even after release for tweaking and bug fixing.

I, too, very much share the concern that Timestop having a will save would more or less relegate the spell to use on weak enemies (for which you don't need 9th level spells in the first place). Powerful enemies have saves through the roof, and simply wont be affected more than maybe 5% or 10% of the time. Not worth the 9th level slot or risking your neck on in a challenging battle.

Timestop itself doesnt do anything to the enemy. It just protects the caster. It buys them time to act. That is priceless in the right situations if that time is used effectively.... but...if the enemy stands to remain completely unaffected, then time is lost on top of the spell and slot being wasted....

Immunities are one thing. I agree wholeheartedly they should apply. Spell mantles and saving throws, I disagree with. My 2 cents.

The practical result may be that the spell doesn't end up seeing much use in the high level combats it was intended for. That would be a shame.

The Amethyst Dragon wrote:...

Aenea Epic Magic System:

Replacing the default NWN epic spells, those with the Epic Magic feat (granted automatically to clerics, druids, sorcerers, and wizards at 21st level)...

I presume that not mentioning PaleMasters 15th* level and over was an oversight?



* The level at which PaleMasters become eligible to start taking Epic Spells.

I'm assuming that a list of teh streamlined vc commands will make their way onto a thread somewhere (and of course, in-game)...

The updated VC commands will have their own dedicated page on the main website. I'm working on formatting it now as I rework many of the commands.

If I miss a command somewhere along the line, chances are it'll still work if you just tack the double-semi-colon on the front. ;; Hopefully I'll get 99% of them though...the lag in updating might come in various items that include the older commands in their descriptions.

I've been adding to the VC command system for so long, I didn't realize just how many commands there are. And since I tend to streamline scripts when I rework things, I'm seeing each and every one of them in the coding.

Yes, from what I can remember, there are ooodles!

Still working on the updates. Got a few more VC commands and the VC Commands page (you can see the work in progress) to update. Created a brand new model (I made my first animated placeable model) and script for gambling over at Fishhead's. Updating 2da files. Updating .tlk file.

Once the updates are finished, I'll be uploading the needed files to the Vault and putting the updated module on the server (and get back to making more rapid updates/bugfixes/additions). I haven't updated the live version in a week or so, since I don't want to put it up with the VC commands changes incomplete.

Just as a sidenote.. with the new vc command system, will any of the old versions still work or will any/all custom text macro's (ctm) need to be changed too ? .... I use ctm's on my PC's alot, and I'm sure there are a few other players that do too, both old and new.... will there be an in-game "new vc commands are being used" message/update/bulletin for older players (so that don't come back from a possible long-absence and wonder why none of their VC commands work)... I mean I guess that the PC crystal is being updated too, but I was thinking more of a notice in the Astral (or other obvious place).... ...

I would suggest, at least, having the command 'vc help' still work.... so if some folks havent played in a while, at that least that one command would still work so they can access the help lists.

An excellent suggestion, dave! I second that!

I am currently compressing and uploading a new aeneahak_updates.hak file.

Sometime tomorrow (it's about 1:30 am here right now) I'll be putting the updated module on the live server and restarting so that everyone can try out the new stuff. Hopefully we'll only have minor bugs with the several thousand lines of code I wrote for the Aenean Epic Magic System.

So, sometime in the next 12-24 hours:
- epic magic system
- new vc prefix/commands
- time stop spell availability
- updated frost troll model
- gambling devices at Fishhead's
- a few bugfixes
- probably a few other minor things I've forgotten I'd changed/added in the last few weeks of work

Holy crap this is purely awesome!

That's great! Thank you, The Amethyst Dragon.

Woo Hoo... way to go and kudos to !!

Really looking forward to this....

Looks phenomenal! I expect it'll be nothing less than 's standard of awesome! For as we all know, the Dragon does not disappoint.

Now if only there was a slobbering emote... *slobbers all over self*

Eric of Atrophy wrote:Now if only there was a slobbering emote... *slobbers all over self*

Before module update: ve slobbers all over himself

After module update: ..slobbers all over himself (and probably the floor)
followed by ..summons a celestial mop to clean up before someone slips and hurts themself

Two questions:

1) Where in the world should we be going for the Epic magic research library-thingi, or did I miss something obvious ?

2) Are there scrolls of Timestop on sale for existing wizards to learn from without having to perform a re-level ((though with the addition of the new epic magic system this is likely needed anyway, to remove and re-utilise all those epic spell feats)) .....

RustyDios wrote:Two questions:

1) Where in the world should we be going for the Epic magic research library-thingi, or did I miss something obvious ?

2) Are there scrolls of Timestop on sale for existing wizards to learn from without having to perform a re-level ((though with the addition of the new epic magic system this is likely needed anyway, to remove and re-utilise all those epic spell feats)) .....

1) You know that ancient library near a lake in the Kingdom of Light? Just on the other side of Dawnholm, near a Wanderer's Portal? That one.

2) Not yet, but there will be.

Oh, and a change that I'll be adding with the next planned reset (after I finish coding it in)...

The epic magic research will use a concept I'm calling "celestial gold"...basically a mystical material that's used up during the research to help unlock the ancient and powerful magic.

It's really just a way to pay for the research without using up your character's actual gold. It'll be a virtual balance that's kept on your character, and the epic research code will draw on this instead of your regular gold.

To increase the amount of "celestial gold" you have, epic casters will be able to find and use a new item (called a philosophers' stone). Use it on an item in inventory to transmute it into celestial gold. You'll get 80% of that item's gold piece value instantly added to your balance.

Why go this route instead of sticking with regular gold? You won't risk losing any of it to returning from death, paying Arkon's fees, or accidentally sharing all your gold with party members via the treasure splitter tool. And you'll get a higher return than you'll likely get by selling unwanted loot to merchants. Epic spell research is expensive, and this way epic casters get more value out of valuable (but unused) loot. And it'll be a great reason for some of those epic caster packrats to finally clear out some space in their inventories.

If you really want to, you'll be able to transmute regular gold into celestial gold with a new VC command (;;em gold x (x is the amount of gold to transmute)) at a rate of 1 gp ---> 1.1 celestial gold. You'll be able to check your balance with ;;em gold.

There won't be a way to convert a celestial gold balance into regular gold. Since it's really only for epic spell research, it's not going to be any sort of substitute for actually banking gold through Arkon's Storage.

Now, where to find a philosophers' stone? Right near the Chamber of the Ancients (in or near the library). You'll just have to poke around to find it.

The thing right now is saying 'Maximum Spellcraft Roll' - is that the spellcraft check DC I have to make? I know this may seem obvious, but I'm trying to make sure.

And, can we overright a previously learned epic spell?

evilkittenofdoom wrote:The thing right now is saying 'Maximum Spellcraft Roll' - is that the spellcraft check DC I have to make? I know this may seem obvious, but I'm trying to make sure.

And, can we overright a previously learned epic spell?

The maximum spellcraft roll when you review is currently bugged, and one of the things I'm working on fixing right now.

And yes, you can overwrite a previous epic spell (or erase one if you're not in the library with ;;em erase x). Always a good idea to check ;;em list before starting new research.

Are effects modified by 'permanant' removed via resting?

Also, what does 'Conjure a Magical Fissure' do?

evilkittenofdoom wrote:Are effects modified by 'permanant' removed via resting?

They shouldn't be.

evilkittenofdoom wrote:Also, what does 'Conjure a Magical Fissure' do?

Looks like I need to change the title of that one to "Ethereal Rift". It creates a weak point between this plane and the Ethereal, allowing people to then call forth an existing Ethereal Chest at that location (without the need to run back to Arkon's Storage).

Ok wow... so if someone could muster the spellcraft somehow... they could actually apply a permanant buff to someone? Most impressive....
[Or perhaps not.... adding a permanant Concealment was removed via magical renewal potion. also copied this part to bug reports post ]
A spellcraft DC calculation question; in what order are the modifiers applied?

Even "permanent" effects are subject to server resets.

As far as the renewal potions, I'll look into those.

A request for the Philosopher Stone, can it do AOE conversions like a Sac Flame? Pretty please?

Skywatcher wrote:A request for the Philosopher Stone, can it do AOE conversions like a Sac Flame? Pretty please?

Nope. That's what the sacrificial flame is for. Since you get much more "concrete value" from using, the philosophers' stone will work only on items in your inventory, which are ones you're the presumed rightful owner of. Items on remains "belong to the dead" (until you claim them by looting the remains), while those just on the ground might well belong to someone else.

I could add a command to transmute every item in your inventory at once, but I don't foresee much demand for it.

evilkittenofdoom wrote:Ok wow... so if someone could muster the spellcraft somehow... they could actually apply a permanant buff to someone? Most impressive....
[Or perhaps not.... adding a permanant Concealment was removed via magical renewal potion. also copied this part to bug reports post ]
A spellcraft DC calculation question; in what order are the modifiers applied?

There's "D&D permanent", then there's "NWN permanent". Even permanent effects can be dispelled (just like PnP D&D), but in NWN, such effects are also intended to be removed at each server reset.

Spellcraft modifiers are applied in the order they are selected. Yes, this does mean that the times 5 cost of a permanent duration is applied before reductions from burning experience points, hitpoints, and/or blood of magic.

Just a few wierd questions;

Why do the 'Conceal' effects have saves/SR?

Where do I find the 'Epic Focus' item?

evilkittenofdoom wrote:Just a few wierd questions;

Why do the 'Conceal' effects have saves/SR?

Just a typo on the page from me doing a copy and paste for table format.

evilkittenofdoom wrote:Where do I find the 'Epic Focus' item?

You should get it right when you get the epic magic feat. If you haven't, you can just bug a DM or try ;;tool epicmagicfix1 (not sure if this went in the the last reset or will be in the next one, but it drops your level to 20th and lets you relevel from there one time).

Has this already gone live? I want to relevel and start playing with it, but waiting for confirmation that it is live and I will get the tools, and maybe a quick guide.

Hey Sky..this is live, now... you can find a guide here The location of the library in Aenea is something you will have to find yourself though !!

Hmnn... none of the ''em commands seem to work for me (Amaerillie)!

With great power comes even greater stupidity...

Oops.
So, it is no secret that I am a little on the blond side.
That having been said, it was me that tried leveling up so that I could get epic magic, (the First BAD IDEA)
and while I was doing it, I thought, "Oh, what is a dragon knight? (the Second BAD IDEA)
(you see this coming, right?)
I am so sorry the I am the dummy that left the RED DRAGON in the road in front of the sleeping dragon.
And he isnt, (sleeping, I mean) *hangs head*,
*starts wailing and weeping*
AND I CANT MAKE HIM LEAVE!
HELP!!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Lucky Wabasher
(very bad sorcerer, and apparently, shiny new Dragon Knight, with no "dominate dragon" skills)


Never mind...I , er, ya know, got rid of him *wont look anyone in the eye*

Oh thats not the end of the world, by any means.

Two words for you:

Server Reset.

Such a thing will only last for 24 hours at most.

Glad you got it sorted though:-D

Deleted and moved to bug section..........

Hey Skywatcher, is collecting epic magic bugs over HERE where Amaerillie posted a similar question. I think your calculation is correct except that Mystical Insight is intended to only effect Aenea epic magic so would not be added to spellcraft on the character sheet just accounted by the epic magic code, but the ascension bonus is added as an effect at login so it would appear on the sheet (all your stats should look 10 pts higher). The math works out the same