[center][u][h2]Questions and Answers from Players[/h2][/u][/center] [hr] [center][h3]From Dracorex:[/h3][/center] Vampire powers: I know we've talked about them learning to control blood, but what does that even mean? Bloodbending A:TLA style, or....? What else is on the table? Glamour and illusion? Shapechanging? Hypnosis/compulsions/whatever you want to call it, that ability to make some hapless human do as you bid? [b]Bloodbending with vampires is similar to A:TLA, but you can only manipulate the blood a vampire has consumed and stored within your stomach. You can affect certain traits of the blood, like use as a barrier, strengthen it, sharpen it and form. However, it is still blood so things that affect blood will affect it as well. Example, superheating it will cause it to evaporate since it’s still very much mostly water. Clotting agents can make it hard to manipulate or possible solidify into a useless mass, etc. I’m going to let you determine this on your own with your best judgement on each case, purely because I couldn’t literally list everything and it’s more work than I feel is needed for it. No glamour and illusions, they seem to fit Fae more and we have mention of those in the world. Also miracle Angels use this by infusing light and air with their essence. No Shapeshifting because feels again like a Fae and also a werewolf ability, with the later having more advanced physical abilities. Yes to minor compulsion magic, but on a few conditions: You can’t ask them to kill themselves. They are still themselves when it comes to the request. They still have free will as the spell works more to coax them into fulfilling your request than forcing them. They don’t have to comply through it might be emotionally painful to do so, like disappointing your best friend by saying no to a dangerous dare. It has a wear off timer and has to be recasted when it runs out.[/b] More specifically, of course, I want to know what's actually on the table for 400-year-old Matthew Stanford, who used to gorge himself on blood as a matter of course, but in the present day confines himself to donations once every two days. I'd assume any power upgrades are going to come with an increased appetite, but by how much? I can see him eventually scaling up to multiple feedings daily, with animal blood if he had to, if that's what it'd take for him to have more power on hand to tap XD. [b]The above abilities are a baseline and naturally gifted to vampires after turning, but we agreed that older ones would’ve gradually developed abilities outside their standard race’s baseline. Ranging into anything that a human could do. However, they still lose blood to pay the essence price for these spells. Each individual is unique in their development from their origins and might’ve brought some in from before they were turned.[/b] We've talked before about the limits for Contempt, but to clarify: does a vampire who has given in entirely to their demonic nature still qualify for Contempt's effects by definition of having been once-human, or is there no longer anything human within them to call upon? Because I think I recall a mention that an elder vampire is practically a Hellion? And I take it the knife works on Solus XD? [b]After looking at your item, with Merlin, we made some clarifications while trying to keep the item’s base close to what you wanted. I think we did pretty well balancing with strengths and what we nerfed. It’s going to be treated like super silver in a sense, which means it always damages its target. Including Hellion, Warden, or higher level Angels. However, that’s all it does with the higher level creatures. It doesn’t suppress their abilities because they were never human to begin with and it doesn’t fly trying to change them into what they never were, which I think was discussed in the main chat before. It still needs to bind to its user so Matthew is currently the only one that can use it and it will work for. Matthew’s abilities have been restored and he isn’t lowered to human level when he uses. One last effect, this item can suppress Grey Angels, Surface Demons, and unmorphed Chimeras (ones that aren’t fully formed like Solus) essence because they were once human. They are brought down to human level.[/b] Regarding my still-in-planning angel character Taneli: How exactly does the 'trapped in onyx' thing work? [b]Exactly as it sounds. An Angel is sentenced to become trapped in Onyx through a ritual, their whole being placed in suspended animation (their minds active, though it’s like thinking with an overly tired mind). The Children of Sathanus have something similar called the Bloodstone. Any Angel trapped within remains how they were when they were originally trapped, no matter how much time passes. This form of punishment is severe and held for all Angels that actively go against the Council, and refuses to heed their warnings about their actions. Their sentence can last from permanently to only a day for minor cases.[/b] What secret could he have learned that would cause the Council to imprison him in order to keep the truth under wraps? [b]There is one secret that could lead in to a pretty great arc down the road and that’s the information about Black Winged Angels. They aren’t paying for past sin nor will the Whites or Greys risk becoming one of them, that’s a lie produced by the Council. In trying to uncover the truth, he could’ve been warned off by the Council then imprisoned for seeking/freeing Clairvoyants in exchange for additional information. They wouldn’t know what he learned so they imprisoned him to be safe, which he learned very little. We can work additional details when you get ready to finish him.[/b] How does a normal angel ascend to Seraph level? [b]Seraphs are Angels with all their prior lifetimes unlocked making them second in power to Archangels. [/b] Battle Angels: how does their power work? They can seal their own wounds, shut down pain signals with a thought, basically it's all manipulation of their own body in order to get through danger, correct? [b]Battle Angels focus on physical manipulation of their own bodies. The only thing they can’t do that is physical is literally shapeshift into another individual or too radically out of their original shape, mostly because it requires changing their biology completely and that is one limitation they can’t overcome. Angels will always be Angels. They can seal their wounds, shut down pain signals (thought they still suffer damage), manipulate their blood into acid, use their tendons like whips, create bone armor, etc. If you think you can do something with your anatomy and it feels plausible with science, example changing the PH of blood to make it more acidic, than you could likely get away with it in a Battle Angel. They also can increase their strength, speed or other attributes. [/b] Can Tamer Angels control a vampire like Matthew? Or is it a case of whose will is stronger, or if magical backup of some kind is involved, or....? [b]Taming has to do with the personality and psyche of a demon, so yes one could. There’s two ways to affect a Demon. First one is a short term, but uses lots of focus and essence to achieve. The second one is more long term, uses less essence and focus to achieve. First Method: Compel. Focusing on a Demon, a Tamer can send their essence through the air into it without detection. The Essence seeks out and reads through the memories, finding something to actually compel them to obey the Angel. This is usually based on the Demon’s personality and method that will work best. During the digging process, the creature can fight back against it. However the success is based on intelligence and will of target vs the Angel’s power and experience. For Players, this is a discussed matter and one they both have to agree on. Then both need need to inform the GM separately to avoid concerns. Tamer needs to be aware of the demon and location in order to use this. During this, the Tamer Angel is left open to attack from outside sources. To counter this, they work in teams with Battle Angels. The range and duration varies based on the Angel’s power. Second Method: Shock Collar. After a Tame Angels traps a Demon, they insert their own Essence it while in the shard, which they use like a shock collar. While they can’t manipulate the outside essence, it’s still very painful to feel the essence within become hot, cold or in some way hurt them. Using this method, they can ‘tame’ the demon in order to follow their orders or behave a set way. Some Demon, like Wardens and Hellions, are much harder to control. Mostly because they can’t be caught with a normal shard but only a specially designed one or more advance device. Longer term as the Demon still has free will and themselves, but the shock can literally cripple the Demon with just a cue from the Angel. The range of influence on the Essence is based on the Angel’s power. Inexperienced or ill trained Tamers can lose control of their Demons should they get out of range. [/b] Is there anything planned for the Illuminati? Because I think the King of Swords has a brother who probably might be one of their number. I haven't got any plans myself yet, just trying to set up possible interesting connections. [b]At this point, there’s no hard plans for them. That could change as the IC advances and things get going.[/b] [center][h3]From Bartimaeus:[/h3][/center] [b]Limitations of Demon Regeneration Demon Regeneration/Healing depends on the species. Some heal really heavy damage, but rather slow. Others heal rapidly but very little at a time. Some are just plain hard enough to damage, they don’t need it. With this ability, you need to figure out which type you want: Fast healer, but low damage taker= These guys can rapidly heal shallow wounds in moments, but they can’t take wound after wound because it drains their Essence too fast. If they take enough damage, like regrowing a limb a few times, their healing ability will literally give out on them during a fight. One needs to carefully monitor their damage to ensure this doesn’t happen. (using bursts and large amounts of Essence, more drainage but faster) High damage taker, but slow healer= These guys can take a lot of damage of various types, some even lethal as long they are able to remain alive. A snapped spine or severed arm can eventually be healed or regrown from, but it takes a long time like a month at least depending on the damage. This means any healing shouldn’t be counted on to prevent death, but after you survive and licking your wounds. (using low and steady amount of Essence, less drainage but slower) No healer, but hard as hell to damage= Excessive tanks. Most have skin or some type of barrier that naturally prevents common damage. Some have been known to walk through fire, repel most magic, and even survive damage that otherwise would kill it. However, one thing to note… when you get past the shell, then any damage that happens heals at a human rate and might become permanent depending on the damage. The reason I added the last section is because there are some Demons that lack either of the prior two, but still heal depending on the damage. Each have their own strengths and weaknesses as you will note above. [/b] [center][h3]From Naril:[/h3][/center] 1.) I understand Loom is a crime-filled city. To what degree does that effect everyday people? Are average people constantly afraid for their lives from random attack (mugging, carjacking, shootings, arson)? [b]Stockton, don’t be on the streets in a shitty neighborhood after dark.[/b] 2.) The same question but for magical assaults. Given that the magical world is, generally, secret, how much are supernaturals (or plain humans who have knowledge of the supernatural) preyed on by other supernatural creatures? Is going out after dark always an invitation for death or assault? Is it just around the full moon? [b]About 20%, and depends on the supernatural. All Demons need essence, so they had a variety of ways to get it that doesn’t always involve murder. Including looting freshly killed corpses, alchemy potions using plants, etc sold at the Goblin Market. Some just kill animals instead of humans for their Essence, as it comes from all living things. Usually when there’s a huge murder spree in short period, it’s player/plot related which will toss the supernatural world into a rumor mill with worry over what the aftermath means for them. [/b] 3.) How often do Creatures Of The Night go on murder sprees that have to be cleaned up or dealt with by [insert faction here]? [b]No more than once a month but it's more common for a single repeat offender to be a problem for extended periods of time with a decent gap between one issue to the next. [/b] 4.) Do other nations have similar bodies to the Bureau? Are their hiring practices less "join or die?" [b]Yes and Yes. Currently most lack detail.[/b] 4a.) Who cleans up the body, relatives, loved ones, pets, and unpaid bar tabs of people who choose "die?" [b]The PR branch of the Bureau[/b] 4b.) Are any of members of the Bureau themselves supernatural creatures? [b]Yes.[/b] 5.) If there are substances that restore Essence, where do they come from and who has access to them? [b]No, only rest, food and time. Use of Vessels or something like Solus chemical bath can also help.[/b] 6.) What other races are planned, if any? For example, chimerae. [b]Chimera. No other races at this time however we may consider player created ones. [/b] 7.) I am reasonably assured Essence and magic is about to be detailed, so I'm holding questions till later. [b]Look at pin within Discord Chat. ^-^ We will add a link to the OP soon.[/b]