Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Mana Gem Syndrome

Recently an issue has proved to be quite popular around the forum. Is the combination "pyroblast + mana ruby" broken? And in the advent of our upcoming sourcebook, I decided to analyze the use of mana gems if you decide to implement our new Mana Point System.


I won't give away the intricacies of our newest optinal rule; however, I will indulge to this complex matter. Many takes for a resolution were given in the refered thread (http://forums.white-wolf.com/viewtopic.php?t=69090) and I'll try to get the best out of it. Let's consider it part of the unofficial errata.


  • Channeling spells can't be kept inside a gem after channel begins.
  • A new mana gem will destroy the previous one, regardless of type.
  • Mana gems can be detected by a careful caster using any spell detection.
  • Treat mana gems like any other magic item in possession of the bearer and which can be destroyed if hit in combat. (totally optional, since some GMs are afraid of casters.)

Let's consider a few things before we move forward.

  1. The main difference between conjure mana water and conjure mana gem is that one restores spell slots and the other readies a spell. (tabletop RPG)
  2. The main difference between both spells is that one recovers mana while out of combat and the other while in combat. (WoW MMORPG)

If you change the way it works in a mana point system, it will make both spells work the same way with different names... A little lame and kind of pointless. Either way, I will provide the proper usage of Mana Gems if you were to change it to our current mana system*.

Mana Jades restore 5 mana points.
Mana Citrines restore 10 mana points.
Mana Rubies restore 15 mana points.

* The Mana Point system will be revealed in the upcoming e-book: Even More Magic & Mayhem.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

We Were Prepared!

Great news everyone, I just started Even More Magic & Mayhem's Chapter One layout, revised manuscripts of Chapters I to VII were sent this morning to me by MagusRogue. We still need some last minute filler art and some magic items need thorough revisions, anyway, the project is taking now its final steps. And you shall see a finished book sooner or later. I hope you like the way I'm putting the book cause what you'll see is what I decide how you'll see it :P

I won't put here a release date yet, simply because there's a lot of stuff to layout and typeset, the book has a solid 200+ pages and I have my own life schedules which can make it slower or faster depending on how busy I will be.

Once again, thanks for your support and especially for your imense patience.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Dark Factions Release

Hey guys! So, after a long, looooooong wait, we have a release date for Dark Factions! It will be in stores in June of this year: a real, live, hard-bound book. I don't know about you, but this makes me happy. Hopefully I'll remember to post some previews and such as the release approaches.
_________________
Luke Johnson
WoW RPG and McWoD Developer
http://www.lukejohnson.com