Ardonirane - unoptimized NPCs

[pzmcgwire]

A couple of the NPCs seem to be missing some stuff that no self-respecting PX woiuld miss.

One warrior wizard only has half his IQ in Manna for his staff.
Another high-powered wizard has no Manna listed for his staff.

In one case, a specific protective spelled magic item says it is self-powered. Does that mean unless otherwise mentioned, all other protective magic (e.g. stone/iron flesh) items requiring powering?

On another note, can anyone use a power stone to power worn magic items?

I'm not mentioning specifics to avoid spoilers.

[hcobb]

Anybody can recover fatigue from a worn powerstone without requiring an action, so long as they are using four or less other magic items at the time. This can apparently be done at the same time a magic item is powered.
Only wizards can recharge the powerstone from their own fatigue.

Lots of wizards do not learn Mana to their maximum level, as they have other things requiring their XP. If they have more money than experience they'll even consider buying a powerstone instead.

ITL 148: "Most require an expenditure of ST each turn they are used. These, and the ST they use up each turn, are also noted below."

ITL 157: "Stone Flesh: ... No ST cost."

[pzmcgwire]

Yes, Stone Flesh doesn't require a ST expenditure.

Is there a definitive list of which enhancements which don't require strength expenditure and which could be powered up to not require strength expenditure?

Is there a difference between an item giving the wearer Iron Flesh different from an item giving the wearer the ability to cast Iron Flesh on themself?

Does the latter require a higher initial SP cost to turn it on versus just paying the SP cost to maintain it?

[hcobb]

One of the wizards in Tollenkar's has the Freeze enchantment on his staff. I suppose the other wizards use him as a hat rack or something?

[Jeff Lord]

Are you sure it's a wizard (TL p.20)?

[hcobb]

There are two Freeze enchantments in the new TL

[Jeff Lord]

If you're referring to the dwarf on P. 21, I think you might be misreading. If not, please elaborate.

[pzmcgwire]

The dwarf wizard had the ability to cast Freeze with his staff in the original Tollenkar's Lair too. However, the description of the Freeze magic item in Legacy ITL p.157 doesn't talk about the ability to cast Freeze.

Essentially if someone has to cast Iron Flesh from his Iron Flesh ring with the required DX roll, it has the possibility of failure with a low DX and automatic failure in any case.

I think the ability to cast something from a magic item is different for items like Iron Flesh and Reverse Missiles which really are activated for the wearer and if appropriate, limited to the owner. The example of the Reverse Missiles belt in ITL p. 148 says it turn on when willed on, not cast on.

Other spells like Lightning do require casting per the Magic Item lists on p.156. The dwarf wizard's staff's Freeze capability must be different from the freeze effect on the worn diadem of the other character.

Maybe magic items that require the casting and DX roll are cheaper in cost and ingredients.

Now regarding ingredients....

For a basic Iron Flesh ring, it requires 10 weeks of 1/20 weekly of a 14 hex dragon's hide. I would think Dragons would react poorly to an Iron Flesh ring holder which required 1/2 (10/20ths) of a 14 hex Dragon's hide to create!

As I've said before, a lot of potions and now a lot of magic items, I see, require ingredients from sentients. Dragons and gargoyles being particularly long-lived, it seems a bit gruesome and unethical to require killing sentients to make these items and potions.

The Alchemist potions progress from common ingredients to jewel dust, but then progress to elves' toenails, to bats, and then to Gargoyle gall bladders, fresh human eyes, Octopus eyes, and dragon hearts.

Magic items start requiring the alchemical potions, pickled dragonets and the aforementioned dragon hides.

It seems odd that the Invisibility potion requires fresh human eyes vs just the humanoid brain required for Increase IQ. Are humans the only creatures that are hoodwinked by Invisibility, or is it an Elvish plot? Elves sacrifice their toenails for Telekinesis potions, Prootwaddles, their hair for Decrease IQ, but humans give up their eyes for Invisibility potions.

Are ingredient hunters with "Freeze" chests, just waiting outside taverns for brawls to break out or loitering by impending battles? Do Cidrians fill out organ donation cards to provide approval to take their body parts after death?

Digressing a bit away from the underpowered Ardonirane characters thread.

[tomc]

Originally Posted by pzmcgwire

A couple of the NPCs seem to be missing some stuff that no self-respecting PX woiuld miss.

One warrior wizard only has half his IQ in Manna for his staff.
Another high-powered wizard has no Manna listed for his staff.

I dunno. There's room for sub-optimal NPCs in the world. Heck, take a walk down the street and see how many people have really optimized themselves and their personal development. I'd say... none? :)

[Skarg]

They're really NOT unoptimized in terms of staff mana. Staff mana capacity takes 200 XP per point, so many powerful wizards have some staff mana, but not as much as their IQ would allow if they had developed their mana attribute enough to reach that limit.

There does seem to be a common misunderstanding about how staff mana works, though. Maybe OP was thinking that the Staff spells just let you charge up to IQ or 2 x IQ immediately, using ST, with no XP required?