Will Mongoose be fixing Book 17 ?
- Thread starter Oiseau
- Start date
Greetings, everyone.
Joe Dever and I had a long conversation about the nature of undeath and the dark powers of Magnamund a while back. In that discussion, Ixiataaga came up. The concensus we decided on was this:
Iixitaaga is a being filled with some of the most primal and dark energies of the universe, the same black energy that binds him to his people. As such, as riddled with necromancy as he is, Ixiataaga essentially IS an expression of that force on Magnamund - an avatar of Undeath. He is quasi-divine and as such transcends description.
That said, he does count as undead. He counts as undead about like Ares counts as a soldier; undead is the least of his traits but it is one of his qualities.
Hope this helps!
Joe Dever and I had a long conversation about the nature of undeath and the dark powers of Magnamund a while back. In that discussion, Ixiataaga came up. The concensus we decided on was this:
Iixitaaga is a being filled with some of the most primal and dark energies of the universe, the same black energy that binds him to his people. As such, as riddled with necromancy as he is, Ixiataaga essentially IS an expression of that force on Magnamund - an avatar of Undeath. He is quasi-divine and as such transcends description.
That said, he does count as undead. He counts as undead about like Ares counts as a soldier; undead is the least of his traits but it is one of his qualities.
Hope this helps!
SnowShadow
Mongoose
Thankyou again - it certainly helps because we get to keep the Double Damage bonus! :wink: Thanks Zorkaan, you certainly know your stuff. :twisted: <- Ixiataaga.
SnowShadow
Mongoose
That settles it I have GOT to get Darklands, even if the wife and kids have to eat beans on toast for a month.
SnowShadow
Mongoose
Thanks for the compliment but I think it was you, Zorkaan, who said Ixiataaga was a kind of Demi-god, I just agreed that he was at that level of power.
Zorkaan said:
SnowShadow
Mongoose
I like the 'everyone is right' idea. So Ixiataaga could very well be a living entity when Agarash makes him a Lieutenant and the very power Ixiataaga is granted corrupts and warps him into the (essentially) Undead being he is now. Dare I say a bit like the corruption of the One Ring. Would also explain why Ixiataaga is so anti-everything: 'You turned me into a monster'. Wow, great character building stuff.
I have a good news for you guys: Joe Dever has just confirmed me what August explained, i.e. that Ixiataaga is an undead entity - the clue is in his title 'Deathlord', as in 'Lord of Death' (I feel now a bit ridiculous with my long, long assumptions he was not undead 
). Joe also said this fact should have been made clearer in the original stats as it has a significant impact on the combat if the player is using the Sommerswerd against him. More importantly, he announces that he will modify sections 77 and 214 to make the distinction clearer and he asked me to "make this clarification known to the fan on the forums". It's now done! Are you happy?
). Joe also said this fact should have been made clearer in the original stats as it has a significant impact on the combat if the player is using the Sommerswerd against him. More importantly, he announces that he will modify sections 77 and 214 to make the distinction clearer and he asked me to "make this clarification known to the fan on the forums". It's now done! Are you happy?SnowShadow
Mongoose
Zorkaan. You lucky, lucky guy working with Joe.
Don't beat yourself up about Ixiataaga - it never definitively stated in black and white that he, it, IS Undead. Every point you raised was intelligent, well thought out and plausable, not to mention researched. I am so pleased that this clarification has come out - I would hate to 'cheat' when I play the books, there is no sense of victory for me when I 'win' that way but likewise not using a bonus I am entitled to and never being able to complete the story equally frustrating.
So in answer to the original question "Will Mongoose be fixing Book 17?" Ohhh, yes!
If it wasn't for you, Zorkaan, the change may never have been made and the uncertainty would have continued!
Don't beat yourself up about Ixiataaga - it never definitively stated in black and white that he, it, IS Undead. Every point you raised was intelligent, well thought out and plausable, not to mention researched. I am so pleased that this clarification has come out - I would hate to 'cheat' when I play the books, there is no sense of victory for me when I 'win' that way but likewise not using a bonus I am entitled to and never being able to complete the story equally frustrating.
So in answer to the original question "Will Mongoose be fixing Book 17?" Ohhh, yes!
If it wasn't for you, Zorkaan, the change may never have been made and the uncertainty would have continued!
Thanks for your kind words, SnowShadow!
You'll see, many other things have been corrected in LW17, especially regarding the famous "Old Kingdoms" things mentioned in the first version.
Now, I'm working on the edition of LW18, thus, if you have other pertinent queries regarding this other book...
You'll see, many other things have been corrected in LW17, especially regarding the famous "Old Kingdoms" things mentioned in the first version.
Now, I'm working on the edition of LW18, thus, if you have other pertinent queries regarding this other book...
SnowShadow
Mongoose
Zorkaan said:
What like "Why is the Talisman of Ishir a Backpack Item and not a Special Item seeing as you probably should be wearing it like Crystal Star Pendant, Platinum Amulet, Jadin Amulet..." :wink:
Thank you everyone for the clarification.
His undead status explains the reasoning for having such a high CS score.
I **would** love to know whether you are expected to use the sommerswerd in the undead city, or whether there is a clear point at which you can use it all the time (as that also affects balance). Again, I really want to make sure that I am playing it fairly.
Book 18-20 don't have nearly as many balance / rules issues. The only question I have is when you fight spirits (like the ghost of Roark) can you use your bonuses from items, weaponskill etc? (I assume that is the case unless the text otherwise specifies).
It would be great if one of these books puts a use for the crystal star pendant and / or jewelled mace. Seems a bit silly otherwise to lug them along
His undead status explains the reasoning for having such a high CS score.
I **would** love to know whether you are expected to use the sommerswerd in the undead city, or whether there is a clear point at which you can use it all the time (as that also affects balance). Again, I really want to make sure that I am playing it fairly.
Book 18-20 don't have nearly as many balance / rules issues. The only question I have is when you fight spirits (like the ghost of Roark) can you use your bonuses from items, weaponskill etc? (I assume that is the case unless the text otherwise specifies).
It would be great if one of these books puts a use for the crystal star pendant and / or jewelled mace. Seems a bit silly otherwise to lug them along
SnowShadow
Mongoose
In another topic (Instant death Random Numbers/Bk16) I suggested the Crystal Star, as a Talisman of Good Fortune, gives one free re-roll per adventure and August agreed.
SnowShadow
Mongoose
Spoiler.
... As for the Jewelled Mace. I've always thought that Dhorgaan bonus should really be a '+5CS Vs Spirits' kind of thing. Not just Undead but Ethereal creatures of magical origin. So it would apply against Gnaag's Mind Reaper in Bk 12, Pechdrazil Bk 13, Oudakon Bk 7, Vortexi Bk 16, Shadow Reavers {Corporeal form(!)} BK 11, the Cener Ghosts at the Isle of Ghosts Bk 10 (assume the Copper Studded Bullwhip option includes the Jewelled Mace) and the Ghost of Roark Bk 18 (I see no reason why you cannot take the Copper Studded Bullwhip into Grand Master series and equally get the +2CS vs Roark's Ghost, it's not as if you get a Weaponskill bonus for it). It would be kind of cool getting the bonus againt the Mind Reaper as you are forbidden from using Sommerswerd. 8)
My thought on The Talisman of Ishir
Allows the wearer (so carried as Special Item) to ignore damage on one occasion per adventure, provided the damage isn't self-inflicted: I.e. not skill use (Kai-surge) or where the wearer deliberately places themself in harms way (combat, although it could be used to ignore damage on the round you are Evading, even if it is 'K'). In Dawn of the Dragons it protects Lone Wolf from environmental damage on the Plane of Darkness (that's not deliberate as there is 'no escape').
... As for the Jewelled Mace. I've always thought that Dhorgaan bonus should really be a '+5CS Vs Spirits' kind of thing. Not just Undead but Ethereal creatures of magical origin. So it would apply against Gnaag's Mind Reaper in Bk 12, Pechdrazil Bk 13, Oudakon Bk 7, Vortexi Bk 16, Shadow Reavers {Corporeal form(!)} BK 11, the Cener Ghosts at the Isle of Ghosts Bk 10 (assume the Copper Studded Bullwhip option includes the Jewelled Mace) and the Ghost of Roark Bk 18 (I see no reason why you cannot take the Copper Studded Bullwhip into Grand Master series and equally get the +2CS vs Roark's Ghost, it's not as if you get a Weaponskill bonus for it). It would be kind of cool getting the bonus againt the Mind Reaper as you are forbidden from using Sommerswerd. 8)
My thought on The Talisman of Ishir
Allows the wearer (so carried as Special Item) to ignore damage on one occasion per adventure, provided the damage isn't self-inflicted: I.e. not skill use (Kai-surge) or where the wearer deliberately places themself in harms way (combat, although it could be used to ignore damage on the round you are Evading, even if it is 'K'). In Dawn of the Dragons it protects Lone Wolf from environmental damage on the Plane of Darkness (that's not deliberate as there is 'no escape').
