Archer

@MacThorstenson, go for it! Maq's an awesomely balanced character, so they can make the transition from E2 to E3 seamlessly, power level wise. Just be sure to make them a younger character, in case the time skip ends up being longer than anticipated. Done. Assuming you came up with a reasonable explanation for their loss of power, I have no objections to you keeping a powered-down Mac around. His experience and knowledge would still make him powerful, but they shouldn't make him OP.

Spoiler Warning: This post, and presumably the ones to follow, will contain frank discussion about the magic systems of every book and novella Brandon has written, excluding Skyward. It’s serendipity that this is my 1500th post. I like my milestones to be substantial messages. This, being something I’ve been working on for the last little while, qualifies. SO IT’S PARTY TIME, YEAH! This is my attempt at creating a list that quantifies characters’ powers for comparison and approval purposes. The principle is that powers and abilities add to a character’s score, while weaknesses and limitations subtract from it. Bios can be scored, generating a numerical value for their power level. I am recommending that we cap Era Three characters at 100 points. (But my recommended approach to ‘completely passive’ or ‘non-combatant’ characters would be to permit them to exceed this.) This list is in alphabetical order by planet name, something Ax did in his version that I thought worked well. Shout out to Ax and BB for their submissions! I’ve expanded on and stolen some of them ideas you’ve put forward for what this index should look like and include. I hope you don’t mind. So far, I have listed the settings/name of every Sanderson book and novella I am aware of that has a magic system characters could conceivably have, and assigned arbitrary values to the powers people could get from them. But, as you’ll see from the last seven entries, it is incomplete. Some entries are marked ‘TBC’ (To Be Continued) because I do not have enough information readily available to fill them in. If you are knowledgeable about these books/magics, I would welcome your input. This is very much a work in progress, which I am sure is full of omissions and misjudgments. So please, if you see anything on here you disagree with, go ahead and post what improvements you think should be made. The caveat on that invitation is that I have tried to use numbers ending in five or zero whenever possible, to make it easier to tabulate scores. So I’d appreciate if we avoid introducing decimals or other such nitpickery. Also missing from the list is the powers characters innately have due to their species (eg. a kandra). This list is designed to score humans. Other beings will need to be scored on a case-by-case basis, using nearest comparisons and best judgement. The same goes for technology and tools that act like magic. A shardblade, for example, could add a fair number of points to one’s score. And given the wide variety of weaknesses available, it will be up to the tabulator to decide how many points to subtract for them, bearing in mind the effect a weakness has on a character’s ability to use their power or otherwise function. The tabulator has to make some other judgement calls too, fudging the numbers to account for experience, resource limitations, skill level, and all manner of other potential traits a character could have. My working title for this is The Alleyverse Roleplay Character Hecatean Endowment Range Index. Yes, I took the liberty of using ‘Hecate’ as a metonymy for magic. I just wanted to see if I could do it. I having second thoughts about it, so the name will probably be shortened or changed altogether at a future date. For now, being lazy, I’ll just call it The Index, or something similar, when referring to it. I invite everyone to give this a read and provide feedback. Thanks for your time. THE INDEX: FIRST DRAFT Detritus (Skyward) [Redacted while the spoiler suppression period is in effect.] Earth (Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians) Crystin: +25 Smedry Talent: Impure, +25, Prime, +50, Dark Talent, +150 Oculator/User of Blood-Forged Lenses: +40 Alivened augmentations: +15 Earth (Defending Elysium) Sense: +15 Mind Blades: +40 FTL transport: +40 Earth (The Reckoners) Epic Power: Counting primary, secondary, and tertiary powers all together and subtracting the impact their weakness has on their ability, rank on scale of 1 – 10 based on power output and usefulness. Multiply score by 10 and add 20. Additional Prime Invincibility (High Epic): +20 (or +40 if also lacking a weakness) Post-Calamity Epic (no Epic weakness): +5 Examples: Donny ‘Curveball’ Harrison = 30, Knoxx = 40, Refractionary = 70, Obliteration = 160 Earth (The Rithmatist) Rithmatist: +30 Melody-level ability: +30 First of the Sun (Sixth of the Dusk) Aviar: +10 per Imperium (Aether of Night) Amberite Bond: +35 Verdant Bond: +30 Bestarian Bond: +10 Ferrous Bond: +10 Luminous Bond: +25 Lukarvia (I Hate Dragons) Knack: Rank each knack’s power on a scale of 1 – 3. Multiply by five. Nalthis (Warbreaker) First Heightening: +30 Second Heightening: +40 Third Heightening: +70 Fourth Heightening: +100 Fifth Heightening: +150 Returned: +135 Roshar (The Stormlight Archive) Surgebinder: First Ideal, +60, Second Ideal, +80, Third Ideal, +100, Fourth Ideal, +120 Knight Radiant Squire: +50 Old Magic Boon/Bane: Treat like an Epic Power [see: Earth (The Reckoners)], but the minimum is 5 instead. Scadrial (Mistborn) Misting: Aluminum and duralumin, +5, Lerasium, +145, Level One, +35, Level Two, +45, Level Three, +55. [Note: Level distinctions are non-canon.] Level One: Brass, Bronze, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Electrum, Gold, Nicrosil, Tin, Zinc. Level Two: Bendalloy, Iron, Steel, Pewter, Malatium Level Three: Atium Mistborn: +160 Ferring: Level One, +30, Level Two, +40, Level Three, +50. Level One: Aluminum, Atium, Brass, Bendalloy, Bronze, Cadmium, Copper, Electrum, Duralumin, Nicrosil, Tin, Zinc Level Two: Iron, Pewter, Malatium Level Three: Chromium, Gold, Steel Feruchemist: +150 Complimentary Twinborn Combination: +10 Compounder: Level One, +100, Level Two, +120, Level Three, +140 Level One: Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Cadmium, Copper, Duralumin, Electrum, Tin, Zinc Level Two: Bendalloy, Iron, Pewter Level Three: Atium, Chromium, Gold, Nicrosil, Steel Fullborn: +1000 Hemalurgist: Level One, +25, Level Two, +35, Level Three, +45 Level One: Brass, Bronze, Copper, Duralumin, Tin, Zinc Level Two: Gold, Iron, Pewter, Steel, Level Three: Aluminum, Atium Sel (Elantris, The Emperor’s Soul) Elantrian: +90 Dakhor user: +80 for full monk, +30 for single limb mutation. ChayShan user: +40 Forger: +60 Bloodsealer: +50 Taldain (White Sand) Sand master: Rank their ability from 1 - 5. Multiply by 5 and add 35. The Westlands (The Wheel of Time) Channeler: Rank their power on a scale of 1 – 10. Multiply by five and add 80. Blademaster: +15 ***** Earth (Centrifugal) TBC Earth (Dreamer from Games Creatures Play) TBC Earth (Heuristic Algorithm and Reasoning Response Engine from Armored) TBC (Firstborn) TBC (Infinity Blade) TBC ***** Alleymatics TBC (Warhammer 40k) TBC

Klasten cringed as the voice spoke directly to his mind. That's what I was afraid would happen, he thought, then immediately regretted it. Maybe he was imagining it, but as soon as he projected those words he got the impression that the island was laughing at him. Carefully, and with extraordinary effort, he got to work controlling his thoughts. Nevermind, he thought at the island. Just a theory about- He stopped himself before he said anymore. Instead, he drew upon un-sensitive memories: poems and songs he had memorized. Klasten intentionally chose the most annoying one and began repeating it over and over. I will not let you find out about SONG THAT NEVER ENDS LA LA LA! It was hard. "Welcome, travelers." Klasten's concentration broke as, to his surprise, a man emerged from the shadows. Momentarily his thoughts scrambled, exposing a frighteningly large amount of information to the island. Who? How? Would have seen him earlier. Vanilla cheesecake. Nice shoes. Scud it. In his mind, he set a verse of 'The Ballad of Mitosis' loose. Clone number six was a snobbish young fella, but wait 'til you see number seven. What does this guy want? Please hurry up and say something captivating. Resolve is weakening. Klasten began to shake imperceptibly. He looked at the man pleadingly, lips mouthing a silent cry for rescue. Help. Me. Please.

Klasten quietly circled the gemheart, looking at the rock around it. Araha's promise that the island could speak with them tempted him, but he held off. He'd learned early in life never to start a conversation with someone of superior intelligence without first mentally preparing some arguments. Even so, his movements were rushed. He couldn't remember the last time he had properly spoken with another... Klasten blinked, freezing in place. He realized his arm was outstretched, reaching for the heart. Control yourself. Prepare, plan. Observe. Slowly, he lowered his arm and stepped backwards. Just how powerful are you? he wondered. He thought back to the times it had manipulated its form to direct them. Can you see on your own? Or do you see through the eyes of those you've bonded with? While he searched his memories to figure that out, he crouched to inspect the floor. It was oddly clean. What are we to you, he pondered. We're in no position to be predators. Prey? Are you going to magic us into lunch? He narrowed his eyes at the rock. It didn't seem to respond, or even notice his skepticism. So much power. There must be leaks. And creatures to capitalize on them. But where are they? He straightened up, taking a few aggressive strides towards the gemheart. Frantically, he ran his fingers along the outcroppings nearest to it. No signs of free-loading organisms anywhere. Which means... Oh. He slapped his hand on to the gemheart, hoping it would be able hear his thoughts. Island? I hope you can hear me. Are we parasites?

Labeling a character as 'non combative' is people's way of saying 'trust me, I'll keep them out of trouble'. Technically, their character is still able to do stuff like activate traps, step in people's way, or involve themselves in a way that would make people want to fight them, but I interpret the distinction as a social contract/implied promise not to do those things. And if people do, I consider it my responsibility to ask them to reconsider their actions. Moreover, the community has a general sense of what a passive character's involvement should look like, and can inflict in game consequences for people who cross that line, or express their dissatisfaction OOC. Sure, people could use it as a way to avoid consequences for actions any other character would face in similar circumstances, but if someone explicitly says they want to play a non combatant, I trust them to do it fairly. Just like I trust people not to make their characters act over powered.

Moving threads or posts is beyond my capabilities. EDIT: So that's how you do it. Thanks Voidus. Apparently I still have a lot to learn about modding. These ideas (which are great, by the way) would be best put in the Power Level Reform thread. That's where we've been discussing how to regulate this kind of thing. Based on your response to Ark's suggestion, BB, I'm guessing you meant this more as a guide thread to teach people how to do nerfing and buffing. Even so, I think it should be contributed to the brainstorming so they can be added to the Guide for E3, rather than risk presenting conflicting advice. We need consensus and a system in place before making posts like this. For the record, we've been looking at quantifying power levels by assigning every available power a numerical value, then subtracting weaknesses' points from that. You're welcome to add your input on that, I see you've already placed a few power levels at different amounts in a way.

I hope to get a power level list together by Wednesday or Thursday, at which point I will ask for feedback from the public. That will be the appropriate time to have that discussion.

Welcome to the RP! Era three will be just like this one, only set at a different time and with some updated rules. A full feruchemist is too powerful for Era 3. Please consider a weaker power-set. Remember to balance it with strong weaknesses. Aim for about the level of a decent twinborn with a limp. I'd like to see more detail in the history section. I've discussed this before, if you scroll back you'll find my rants on the subject. Yes, you may have multiple characters.

Klasten nodded at their altruistic sentiment, and smiled agreeably. We're all going to die, he thought frantically. The hills are literally alive, but the only sound we're going to hear is the blood rushing to our ears when it eats us all. Klasten practiced his carefree walking, using big, dramatic strides. If it senses panic, it will be emboldened to strike. Must keep it together. Feigning nonchalance, he waved at the others. It's controlling the short one. His brain is probably mush already, but if I can get him in the bag, maybe there will be time to get him to a hospital. He edged closer to Nogard, his bag held loosely in his hands. But is is magic or tech? Klasten shrugged. He didn't know what to do either way. Moving quickly, he reached forward with the bag. Unfortunately, his toe caught on a root he could have sworn wasn't there before, sending him tumbling towards Nogard on a directory that would push both of them around the final corner of the tunnel if he connected.

That's the 21st time I've been assassinated today.

Well, it is New Member Sunday. Why not? *adds Sudiov to secret PM*

Does anyone mind if I raid the orchard for supplies? The one in the fallout shelter? Mace needs some 'special equipment' for when Voidus is released. I figure this qualifies as a Code Yellow situation. The assembled TUBA members nodded while everyone else scratched their heads in confusion.

We were told in the Homeless PM that you were okay with it. Just to be perfectly clear, are you saying that you are not? (Not that I can do anything about it, unfortunately.)

*ahem* Aren't you forgetting something? Ladies and gentlemen, as the Leader of the Ghostbloods',* I would like to denounce Ene as also being... A FISH! Specifically, a redy-black one. Her deception knows no bounds. I mean, who would dream of changing their profile picture like that? It would confuse... On second thought, I retract that part of my statement to avoid alienating the jury. Focus on the fish! *Appreciation Society

Yes! Believe Meeker, everyone! Ene is a mole! And possibly a meeker too! As the Leader of the Ghostbloods'*, I would do it myself, but I'm busy at the moment making memes Important Decisions. *Unofficial Fanclub

I'm not sure what the rules are regarding discussion about That Book in this thread, so I'll make this vague. That Book (not to be confused with DE) expands on cytonic's capabilities. I don't believe they are OP, although FTL and the power that resulted in the motivating character doing the thing that motivated the girl could be used in OP ways. Given the popularity of That Book among our members, I expect people will be more up to speed on the magic, but it hasn't been fully explained in canon, so there could be some confusion when people try to use it. And once again, I don't know what the spoiler rules are respecting it, since it's in both DE and That Book.

Mumblemumblemakesomemagictumble... HEAR ME, SHARD. HEAR MY COMMAND! I, ARCHER, DEMAND, er, REQUEST PASSIONATELY... Oh. It's not working. Sorry, my magic's more of the 'hide from Death when he tries to find you' kind, not the 'become super awesome at getting stuff done' kind. But I can merge things! Posts, threads, divided houses of wizarding society...

I wish whenever you said 'screw', the filter changed it to 'spike'. *sigh* Maybe next update.

Klasten paused to massage his leg. He had not run so much since his third grade Fitness Day was strafed by a mid-sized dragon. As he did, he reached into his bag and retrieved his Sony Walkman. When he put the earphones in, a track was in the midst of playing. ...as of yet unexplained. The range of cytonic communications has never been definitively measured. The Vox-Handel Report suggests it may vary by- He thumbed the 'pause' button. When he did, a dull ache blossomed in the back of his head. He tried ignoring it, but that just made it increase in pressure. What am I missing? Klasten wondered as he began playing one of his favourite tracks: the theme song of Amazing Brock's Travelling Circus, his favourite show to watch preformed on his home-world. But what's wrong with this picture? Annoyed, he cocked his head, listening to Nogard's explanation as it continued. That guy talks too much.

2. Yes. My headcanon is that his entire body is turning invisible, as well as anything in close contact with his skin, like his clothes. The reason will be that the poison that's on his skin and that his body is cycling out through his pores gets on his clothes and turns them invisible too. Since it's diluted, it will change at a slower rate than he (maybe taking 24-36 hours to fully disappear). Since Klasten and the clothes he's wearing right now were it with a concentrated dose, they'll change faster (taking less than a day to become invisible). This way, if he touches a wall or shakes someone's hand, it won't turn invisible, not unless he holds it for an extended length of time. That would create too many narrative problems. But he may wake up in the morning to find parts of his bed have disappeared. However, I'll say that if an object goes too long without touching him, it will become visible again as the poison is diluted too much by its surroundings. On that note, I'm going to rush this process along. I want to get him to Floating Head Mode so I can start scaring superstitious islanders. Klasten waved his hand in front of his face. He could see right through it. Cautiously, he brought it closer to his head, but accidentally poked himself in the nose. Evidently getting used to coordinating his actions without being able to see what he was doing was going to take practice. No time like the present, he reflected grimly. As he walked, he started bringing his visible hand and his invisible one together, before pulling them apart and repeating the process again and again. The others had slowed down, but he didn't wait up for them. He did listen to what Nogard was saying though. That was interesting information. Could it be manipulated? Allomantically or through traditional means? His mind wandered, thinking about the possibilities. Its size indicated intelligence, but he was hesitant to make that assumption. It would be better to study it first, preferably through more direct interactions. How does it determine which species are relevant? Or worth its time? So many questions. He glanced at his leg, and found it had disappeared. Its pair was quickly following suit. Silently sighing, he looked away, back at the tunnel. He din't know why, but he had the distinct impression that he was nearing the end of it. Almost as if I'll round this corner and step into a spacious and well lit cavern. But he wasn't feeling anything nearby, so it probably wouldn't be something so cliche. Maybe it'll be one of those surprise slides, he thought. I like those.

I think it's going to come down to gutting it. You'd have to do some removing of items and weakening of others. Yes. When you do, be sure to tell me if you would like to start using it right away (Era Two), or wait until the next Era begins.

I have been summoned! The blurb provides some background information and raises engaging questions in the reader’s mind. But it doesn’t hook me. I’m not invested in the fight you’re setting up. I’d like to see the central character mentioned, or the armies further developed so they seem like characters/entities. Right now, all I’ve got to go on is general concepts. The second paragraph does a nice job of giving the event importance (it’s significant because this is the first time they’re full-on brawling), but I don’t have enough of an idea who’s involved, or what the stakes are. Civilization’s collapse is such a hard thing to contemplate. The reader needs specifics and examples to latch onto. Also, the time this is set in/tech level would be helpful. A mention of swords or guns would help the reader get into the right frame of mind. I’m having trouble picturing what going on. It appears to be a rough draft, so I’ll assume you aren’t worried about the grammatical errors (missing words, mixed tenses etc.). Just remember to do a read over to make it easier to read through.

That's an acceptable power level for E2. I will note however that we normally include histories of our characters in their bios. Fortunately, the process for editing a bio is easy(ish). You just post it here and I or another AV mod paste it in. Anyway, welcome to the Alleyverse! I look forward to seeing you RP in whatever thread you hop into.

Congrats on hitting a thousand, Ashspren! I've been looking forward to this tournament. I'd love to participate. (I wont be back on the Shard until the 27th though, so if you plan on starting before then, please put me in a later slot.) I'd like my character to be Taan/Aanden, the booking eating ruler of a third of Elantris.

I plan on making some serious edits to the pinned Guide post, time permitting. The things that get decided need to be added there.