{{Spell
|name=Starlight Sphere
|abbrev=sls
|minprep=15
|castcap=50
|minskill=200
|maxskill=1000
|validtarget=Special
|guild=Moon Mage
|spellbook=Stellar Magic
|prereqs=Circle 40, Starlight Sphere Quest and either [[Burn]] or [[Dinazen Olkar]]
|slot=1
|pulse=8 to 12
|desc=The Starlight Sphere spell harnesses the distant, cold energy of the stars to create a sphere of stellar magic that can be directed by the caster towards an enemy. This spell can only be cast during the night and must be anchored by a constellation.

This spell relies on your targeted magic ability, but it cannot be targeted. This spell does cold and impact damage. This is a cyclic spell. To cast this kind of spell, prepare it at the amount of mana you wish to cast it at, and then cast it. This spell will continually pulse as long as you have harnessed enough mana to fuel the mana requirements. Cambrinth also works as a source of fuel for cyclic spells, as does your raw attunement if you have the Raw Channeling feat. It can be cast without a target and at hostile creatures. It requires a minimum of fifteen mana streams, and can expand to a maximum of fifty mana streams woven into it. To begin to be able to cast this spell, you will need to reach the rank of an adept. By the time you have mastered this spell, you will be ranked as a guru in your abilities as a caster. It requires the Targeted Magic skill to cast effectively.
|effect=pulsing single target cold/impact damage
|messaging='''Cast:''' Several motes of light gather, briefly forming a minute version of the constellation of ''<constellation>'' before collapsing into a ''<adjective>'' ''<color>'' sphere. 

'''Attacking:''' 
The air takes on a sudden chill as a ''<adjective>'' ''<color>'' sphere flares and rushes at a ''<target>''! 

A ''<target>'' stops suddenly, frozen in place by the flash of icy light, but only for a moment -- a flurry of activity follows as bones, flesh, and blood all snap, crackle, and rearrange themselves under the stress of the frigid starlight. 

The air takes on a sudden chill as a ''<adjective>'' ''<color>'' sphere flares and rushes at a ''<target>''! 

The ''<target>'' stares blankly as the flesh on its right leg crystallizes instantly and falls away in icy sloops. A skeletal appendage dangles there for a moment before it, too, shatters into frosted splinters.
|sig=Yes
|diff=esoteric
|source=quest
|type=targeted
|ctype=cyclic
}}
{{RTOC}}

==Usage==
{{com|POINT}} {{tt|<target>}}
{{com|POINT}} {{tt|sphere at <target>}}
Using the former command is preferable as it avoids confusion when other moon mages' spheres are in the room.
:''You gesture at the sphere.''
:''The <color> sphere begins to move ominously towards <target>. -'''missile range'''''
:''A <adjective> <color> sphere drifts closer to <target>. -'''pole range'''''
:''A <adjective> <color> sphere drifts very close to <target>. -'''melee range'''''
{{com|RELEASE}} {{tt|SLS}}
:''You gesture at a <adjective> <color> sphere.''
:''A <adjective> <color> sphere suddenly flares with a cold light and vaporizes!''

==Notes==
===General===
*Uses Moonlight Manipulation mana level to determine attunement cost.
*Learning the Raw Channeling attunement [[magical_feats|magical feat]] allows you to power SLS directly from your attunement; foregoing the need to hold harnessed mana or power the spell through cambrinth.
*Does cold and impact damage.
*As with all cyclic spells, the power is determined by the amount of mana it is prepared at and cannot be increased by harnessing mana or using cambrinth. Those instead act as a fuel source with the spell draining mana from cambrinth first, followed by held mana, and finally directly from your attunement if the Raw Channelling feat is known.
*The constellation used will determine bothe the [http://www.olwydd.org/guilds/moonmage/sls.php color] and the pulse speed of your sphere. Increased pulse rate translates to an increased attack rate and attunement cost.
:* [[Star Chart|Constellations]] which fill the Offense prediction pool will speed up the pulse rate and mana drain. (~8 seconds per pulse)
:* [[Star Chart|Constellations]] which fill the Defense prediction pool will slow down the pulse rate and mana drain. (~12 seconds per pulse)
:* [[Star Chart|Constellations]] which fill neither the Offense or Defense prediction pools will have the standard pulse rate and mana drain. (~10 seconds per pulse)
*The descriptive adjective varies from caster to caster and is not able to be changed.
*:Possible adjectives: flaring, glowing, pulsating, shimmering, shining, sparkling, translucent.
*Holding a {{ilink|i|Glowing iron fragment}} in your hands at cast will yield a higher mana sphere without the increased mana cost.
*Auto-engages any target that advances on you.
*Mana costs will decrease significantly when the sphere is idling outside of combat.
:*E.g. at 15 mana the sphere will act as a 3-4 mana sphere for purposes of determining mana cost while out of combat.
:*Pulses within combat where the sphere doesn't attack (i.e. it faces a new target or advances towards them) will cost the full amount of attunement, not the reduced amount.

===Limitations===
*Can only be cast at night. The sphere will dissipate the moment the sun rises.
*At base (15 mana) it cannot affect undead, above base mana it can.

===Tips on Maintenance===
This spell has a particularly high attunement cost, and so can be challenging to maintain. The following are some tips to help mitigate and manage these costs.
*TM learning is primarily based on the difficulty of the creature you are hunting, and the mana put into the spell only acts as a modifier to this. As such, don't worry about not being able to maintain this spell at or near your personal cap. Casting it with a lower amount, even minimum prep, is just fine. Especially if you cannot maintain it at higher amounts.
*Use a constellation linked to Defense to slow down your pulse rate. This will slow down your attack rate in addition to the rate of mana drain, but that is a moot point if you cannot maintain the attunement cost at the higher rate of drain.
:*Good options are the Giant and the Magpie because these are available year round.
*Raw Channelling is required if you don't want to constantly maintain your sphere by charging cambrinth or harnessing mana. Be aware, however, that this means you are casting the full prep amount in one go every pulse and the attunement cost for this can be quite prohibitive.
*At lower ranks or on low mana days, using cambrinth or held mana will probably be required to maintain a sphere for any length of time.
:*Break up the mana cost into parts and charge your cambrinth or harness mana multiple times per pulse. E.g. if you prepared it at 15 mana, then charge your cambrinth 3 times per pulse with 5 mana each time, or twice per pulse with 8 mana.
:*The main disadvantage to this is that you will likely not be able to do very much but maintain your sphere due to the roundtimes. Using held mana can also lead to damaged nerves.
:*Note: You only have to invoke the cambrinth once as long as it doesn't drain completely, but be aware that the link will eventually fade after 5 to 10 minutes regardless so be prepared to re-invoke it or you will lose your sphere.
*You can combine the cambrinth and Raw Channelling methods by using {{com|invoke}} {{tt|<cambrinth> <#>}} to only drain a limited amount from the cambrinth each pulse.
:*E.g. if you prepared it with 15 mana, you could invoke your cambrinth with a limit of 5 mana and then you only need to charge your cambrinth once per pulse with 5 mana and would only have to provide 10 mana per pulse through Raw Channelling rather than the full 15.
*Useful feats to have:
:*Raw channelling: This allows you to fuel the sphere directly from your attunement making it set and forget. Also useful for Moongate and especially Steps of Vuan, so it is worth getting even if you don't want to use it for this spell. Attunement costs will be higher by using the set and forget method, but knowing this feat doesn't preclude you from using the cambrinth or held mana methods so don't let that be a deterrent to choosing this.
:*Dedicated Cambrinth Use: This allows you to set cambrinth to only work for cyclic spells or only for standard spells. This is useful in two ways:
::*If you know Raw Channelling and are maintaining directly from your attunement then you can {{com|invoke}} {{tt|<cambrinth> spell}} to prevent your sphere from using the cambrinth. This requires the Dedicated Cambrinth Use feat, and without this it becomes impossible to boost standard spells with cambrinth because the cyclic drains it before you can cast the spell.
::*If you are using cambrinth to fuel your sphere then you can {{com|invoke}} {{tt|<cambrinth> cyclic}} to prevent standard spells from using the mana stored in your cambrinth. This is useful so that you can still cast standard spells without draining your sphere's resource.
::*If you are combining both cambrinth and Raw Channelling to maintain your sphere via setting a limit on cambrinth drain then you can use {{com|invoke}} {{tt|<cambrinth> <#> cyclic}} to set your cambrinth to only drain a specific amount and still let you cast standard spells without draining your sphere's resource.
:*Deep Attunement: This improves your natural attunement regeneration rate. This will help a lot with being able to maintain a sphere, and is useful for any high cost spell casting situation. Worth getting for multiple reasons.
:*Efficient Channelling: This reduces your cyclic spell attunement costs by 10%. Very useful for this spell if you know Raw Channelling. This is much more focused than Deep Attunement so you won't get much benefit from it except with this spell, since the other cyclic spells Moon Mages have are not attunement intensive. Still very useful to have if you want to use SLS with any frequency.
:*Efficient Harnessing: This only reduces attunement costs when harnessing mana directly, so it is only really useful if you are using the harnessed mana method to power your sphere.
*Useful spells:
:*[[Aura Sight]]: The buff to {{skill|attunement}} will reduce attunement costs. Always have this up while using a sphere.
:*[[Shadowling]]: The extra attunement regeneration provided by a shadowling is significant and a must have for using a sphere. It is up to you whether you want to {{com|invoke}} your shadowling or not, since there are advantages either way. Because the sphere can only be used at night, you can easily use a single cast of an un-invoked shadowling to last a very long time. Invoking it, however, provides mobility.
:*[[Blessing of the Fae]]: This spell works like a shadowling to provide additional attunement regeneration. This is a signature cyclic Bard spell, so you can only receive its effects from a Bard who remains in the same room as you. If you hunt with a Bard, make sure to ask them to use this.

===Movement Messages===
* A ''<adjective>'' ''<color>'' sphere drifts in with a hiss, following you.
* A ''<adjective>'' ''<color>'' sphere crackles with luminescence, its previous target unavailable.
* A ''<adjective>'' ''<color>'' buoys above your head like a guardian star, appearing nigh-erased by the sunlight.
* An aura of what feels like frozen light radiates from a ''<adjective>'' ''<color>'' sphere.

===Sphere Description===
*{{com|LOOK}} sphere
: The sphere is a nearly translucent globe of light only two fingers in width.
: Sparkling with brilliant red shades of color, it leaves a barely noticeable trail of frost hanging delicately in the air when it moves.
: It is currently not attempting to attack anyone.
: This sphere was created by you.
: [POINT at a target to direct the sphere to attack it.]

Moon Mage new player guide

2014-12-03T16:54:30Z

JHALIASCLERIC: /* Starting Spell Choices */

This is a page for the Moon Mage specific page for the Newbie Help Guide. Whenever possible, overlap with the general guide should be minimized.

For details, rules, and the other pages involved, see [[:Category:Newbie Guide Contest]].


==Start==
===Introduction===

Welcome to the Moon Mage guild. Here, you’ll find elegance, cleverness, a connection with something greater than the mere antics of a small world in a vast cosmos. If you want to make your foes explode in a shower of fire and ice, this guild isn’t for you. If you want to rely on the power of fickle Immortals, this guild isn’t for you. If you want to bludgeon your enemies to death with a clumsy weapon of steel, this guild isn’t for you. If, on the other hand, you want to twist the very fabric of fate to your advantange, pick apart the subtle insecurities in your foes subconscious, and bend time and space to your very whim, then oh yes, you have come to the right place.

The path of the Moon Mage is not one of blood and glory and conquest, but rather of careful study, precise deliberation, and decisive action. We are the purveyors of the stars, of immense and ancient forces, predictable with enough study, but never controllable. Your power will wax with the rising of the three moons of Elanthia, and will wane with their setting. As you grow in power, you will learn to read the skies to your benefit and your enemy’s detriment, to cross the entire breadth of the lands in a moment. Welcome to being a Moon Mage.

===Roleplaying your Moon Mage ===
The Moon Mage guild was originally founded by six groups, or [[sects]], of magic users that were unified by their prophetic ability and use of lunar magic during en event known as the [[Lunar Accord]]. Each [[sects|sect]] had a unique philosophic approach to the use of these abilities, and many of these differences persist to the present at least in part to the relatively recent [[Mirror_Wraith_Prophecy|re-emergence of the original sects]]. Although not every (or even most) students choose to join one of the [[sects]], studying the philosophy of at least one is an excellent way to explore ones' own relationship with fate.

The Current Sects Are: 
*The [[Celestial_Compact|Celestial Compact]] is a group of astrologers and politicians who seek to shape [[Kermoria]] with their knowledge of the future.
*The [[Fortune's_Path|Followers of Fortunes Path]] are often carefree, but occasionally fatalistic, wanderers who strive to follow the whims of fate.
*The [[Monks of the Crystal Hand]] are stoic and ascetic seekers of transcendence.
*The [[Nomads_of_the_Arid_Steppe|Nomads of the Arid Steppe]] are an association of tribesmen who seek guidance from the stars and their ancestors.
*The [[Progeny_of_Tezirah|Projent of Tezirah]] are masters of both shadow magic and backroom politics.
*The [[Prophets_of_G'nar_Peth|Prophets of G'nar Peth]] are seekers of Esoteric knowledge who many believe are afflicted with madness.
*[[Heritage House]] is an emergent [[sects|sect]] that strives to unify the divergent perspective of the guild into a single coherent philosophy.

===Training your Moon Mage===
Take a look at the guild circling requirements. You’ll notice it’s pretty much all magic, all the way down. While you only need four magics trained up to 10th circle, you’ll quickly start needing additional magic skills. To this end, it is recommended that you select spells that will allow you to train each of the [[magic]] skills, [[Augmentation]], [[Debilitation]], [[Targeted Magic]], [[Utility]], and [[Warding]]. Since training [[Astrology]] is somewhat slow going at first, it is also recommended that you learn the spell [[Piercing Gaze]] to facilitate observations in cloudy weather.

Moon Mages are [[Magic]] Primary, [[Survival]] and [[Lore]] Secondary, and [[Weapon]] and [[Armor]] Tertiary. To that end, [[Magic]] will always be your strongest tool, while [[Weapons]] and [[Armor]] your weakest. You may of course train whatever you want, but it is advisable to focus on lighter faster weapons and less hindering armors.

====[[Magic|Magic Skills]]====
This is what you will excel at. Your ability with [[Targeted_Magic|Targeted]] and [[Debilitation]] magics will always be better than your ability to swing a sword, and the [[Warding|Wards]] you create will be more potent than any armor. Train your magics, and train them hard. We'll talk more about spell selection later, but as an overview, some very potent and unique spells within the Moon Mage arsenal to look at are, in no particular order, [[Starlight Sphere]], [[Mind Shout]], [[Moonblade]], [[Telekinetic Storm]], [[Mental Blast]], [[Moongate]], and [[Invocation of the Spheres]].

====[[Astrology|Training Astrology]]====
The guild skill is [[Astrology]], which is trained by observing the cosmos and making [[predictions]]. You can start by OBSERVE SKY, which will show you all the celestial objects you can perceive. As you circle, your guild leader will teach you how to understand more and more celestial objects. If you OBSERVE a constellation you have been taught, you may learn something about it.

Each of celestial object governs a skillset, Defense, Event, Lore, Magic, Offense, Survival and All. Each time you observe an object, it adds a bit of knowledge to a prediction pool of that skillset. If you PREDICT STATE LORE, you will see how much you have learned about the Lore skillset from observing the heavens. Once a [[prediction]] pool is sufficiently filled, you can ALIGN to a given skillset or even a specific skill, and then PREDICT FUTURE <person>. This will give you a vision about the prediction, which may look something like this;

You look inside yourself in an attempt to see beyond the now. 
After a few moments, the mists of time begin to part. 
You see the midday sun warming you under its soft face. 
You see a young boy taking his vows of apprenticeship. 
A man stands in darkness clad in plate armor. 
A shiver runs through your spine. 
Roundtime: 10 sec.

Evaluating visions is a tricky business, but there’s some method to the madness. Read a bit about [[prediction]]. At 10th circle you can start Event Prediction, a handy way of training Astrology without running the risk of cursing someone, and also a means of telling what is going on in the realms and what is to come. If you STUDY SKY, you’ll start filling your Event prediction pool. When you have studied the sky sufficiently, you can PREDICT FUTURE EVENT, which will give you a vision, and teach Astrology.

Soon, you’ll want to pick up a divining tool, like a set of bones to cast, or starcharts to study, etc. Each of these tools are affiliated with a type of Moon Mage, which is a primarily role playing choice, though there are some differences.

====[[Survival|Survival Skills]]====
Moon Mages are Survival Secondary, so have a definite Survival requirement for their training. If you plan on hunting, [[Skinning]], [[Stealth]], [[Evasion]], and maybe [[Locksmithing]] all represent good choices to focus on. If you don’t plan on hunting (a possible, though unadvisable path), [[Athletics]], [[Outdoorsmanship]], [[Perception]], and [[First Aid]] will be your focus. Keep in mind that after 10th circle you will have a fifth survival skill requirement, so will likely have to participate in combat, or choose to learn at least one skill from [[Scholarship skill#teaching|classes]].

====[[Lore|Lore Skills]]====
Being Lore secondary, you'll want to use combat [[Tactics]] to your advantage. You'll also probably want to pick up a [[crafting|craft]]. [[Forging]] isn’t a bad choice, as it will improve the power of your [[Moonblade]] if you choose to use it, though [[Enchanting]], a currently unreleased [[crafting|craft]], will likely be a better choice for Moon Mages. [[Scholarship]] can be earned from [[Scholarship#teaching|classes]] and studying star charts, [[Performance]] can be learned while playing instruments, and [[Appraisal]] can be learned either by APPRAISEing creatures or gear.

====[[Weapons]] and [[Armor]]====
Being tertiary, these are much trickier to move effectively for a Moon Mage than the other skillsets. In fact, many Moon Mages choose not to rely on physical weapons and armors, training them only for the [[TDPs]]. Being tertiary, it is quite easy to keep a large number of these skills moving at once, so depending on your training goals, may be a skillset that you simply use as a hobby.

A good starting focus for Moon Mages is a [[Small Edged]], [[Small Blunt]], [[Light Thrown]], [[Bow]], and [[Light_Armor_skill|Leather or Cloth armor (Light Armor]]), and swapping in [[Chain_Armor_skill|Chain]] or even [[Brigandine_Armor_skill|Brigandine]] armor. Since you’ll want to use [[Stealth]] if you’re hunting, make sure you’re in [[Light_Armor_skill|Light Armor]] when you hide on your foes.

Later on, you’ll be able to summon a [[Shadow Servant]], which will allow you to hold a much greater number of objects, and keeping extra weapons and armor for training becomes much easier. But make no mistake, in a fight, relying on your weapons is relying on your weakest skillset.

===Signature Guild Abilities===
Moon Mages can travel throughout the realms easiest of any guild. With sufficient skill, a Moon Mage can [[Locate]] any player under an open sky and either [[teleport]] to them, [[Riftal_Summons|summon]] them to the Moon Mages location, or open a [[Moon Gate]], a portal that allows anyone to travel between.

Around 40th circle, Moon Mages will learn to [[Astral_travel|Walk the Ways]], utilizing powerful Lunar artifacts scattered around Elanthia as a sort of fast transit system, similar to a subway that allows a rider to travel around a city at great speed. At 100th circle, Moon Mages will learn how to enter the Ways from any location, similar to… a completely insane person who jumps the tracks and hops on a fast moving train.

It is worth pointing out that all of a Moon Mages mobility tools are fraught with peril and extreme risk of life and limb to the Moon Mage, and even in some cases to bystanders. The inexperienced Moon Mage that isn’t paying attention to the forces they are attempting to utilize will quickly find themselves vaporized, their bodies becoming but a smear of blood and bone.

Additionally, Moon Mages have the power of [[Prediction]]. As they observe the cosmos, they gain a deeper understanding of the turning of Fate. By utilizing this knowledge, a Moon Mage can enhance their ability in a single skill. As a Moon Mage gains a deeper understanding Fate, they will have an easier time manipulating it, even being able to curse their foes.

Astrology is also tied to [[Moon Mage Enchanting]], which is not to be confused with the not yet implemented crafting skill Enchanting. This system involves studying celestial bodies and inscribing their sigils upon various objects in a certain order to create various effects. The system is currently somewhat in flux, though many Lunar Enchantments still exist.

===Getting Started===

====Starting Spell Choices====
Choosing starting spells for a Moon mage can be a rather daunting task, especially considering that the sheer volume of paths one can take and that the number of prerequisite spells is large compared to other guilds. One first needs to make the decision if you are going to learn towards or away from combat, since Moon mages can be successful anywhere on the spectrum since they have no actual combat skill requirements. A neutral approach can also be successful and each has their own benefits and issues to deal with.

For the combat leaning Moon mage, the most common choice for a first spell would be [[Telekinetic Throw]] to start gaining ranks in Targeted Magic skill. However, [[Shadows]] is also good for those who wish to be more physical in combat and want to train stealth. If you choose your first [[Targeted Magic]] spell after you select [[shadows]], [[Dinazen Olkar]] is an excellent alternative to [[Telekinetic Throw]]. Late bloomers might even consider [[Partial Displacement]] if they select their first combat spell after 10th circle. If you are heavily interested in combat, selecting your first [[Debilitation]] spell early will help you avoid having this skill fall behind your combat skills. Although [[Mental Blast]] is the penultimate moon mage [[debilitation]] spell are you will likely choose [[calm]] or [[Dazzle]] first. [[Dazzle]] has perhaps more long term utility since [[calm]] will later be eclipsed by other spells (mostly [[Mental Blast]]), however it has the major disadvantage of being unusable underground or without the [[Sun]], [[Xibar]] or [[Yavash]] above the horizon. [[Calm]], on the other hand, is usable at all times and is a prerequisite for many other spells, including the [[Psychic Shield]], which will probably be your first [[warding]] spell.

For the (at least initially) non-combat leaning Moon mage, the common choice of spell is [[Clear Vision]], which allows access to many essential [[Augmentation]] and [[Utility]] spells. After that [[Piercing Gaze]] will pierce through inclement weather to allow you to train your [[Astrology]] skill even when clouds obscure the heavens. [[Aura Sight]] will boost your [[Attunement]] and [[Astrology]] skills, which will allow you to cast more spells without needing a break and improve the potency of your observations and [[prediction|predictions]]. All of the spells, are, unfortunately, [[Augmentation]] spells and you will likely want to train the other major non-combat magic skill, [[utility]], at some point. If you choose [[Shadows]] you can later learn [[Focus Moonbeam]] at second circle for no cost, which makes this path a very attractive alternative. [[Focus Moonbeam]] is also required for several different later spells such as [[Moonblade]], [[Moongate]], [[Distant Gaze]] and [[Shadewatch Mirror]] and is a major building block in your future repoire. In addition to this the spell [[Shift Moonbeam]] will allow you greater manipulation of your moonbeam allowing you to send it to other locations and facilitate easy movement through [[Teleport]] and [[Moongate]].

====[[Attributes|Statistic Training]]====
For stats, a good first goal is getting everything to a reasonable minimum (people often advocate 30). This will give you a good base.

Next, if you are combat focused, you'll probably want to keep [[Reflex]] high, as dodging enemies will be easier than surviving getting hit and let you stay in combat longer. [[Discipline]] will improve your ability to hide and your ability to target spells. [[Intelligence]] and [[Wisdom]] will improve spell damage. All three [[statistics]] will improve your ability with [[contested_spells|Debilitation contests]]. [[Charisma]] will be helpful in [[Contested_Abilities#Contest Stat "Weighting"|charm vs mind]] attacks but [[Calm]] is the only such spell we have in our spell book. [[Stamina]] should not be neglected as it will improve your ability to withstand damage and avoid fatigue. [[Agility]] will aid in your ability to hit things, as well as help with parrying. [[Strength]] and [[Stamina]] are likely the stats you can train to a certain range and then ignore, as you will not need to rely on hitting things harder, nor surviving blows better, for some time. Strength affects how much weight you can carry, which may be useful until you can summon a [[Shadow Servant]].

Outside of combat one can choose to focus on mental abilities. [[Intelligence]] and [[Wisdom]] are very important in speeding your learning rate and should be the foundation of your abilities. [[Wisdom]] also improves the probability that a prediction will have a positive result. [[Intelligence]] and [[Discipline]] both increase [[concentration]] and are therefore very important in spell casting. Although it is often neglected, [[Charisma]] does improve your ability to [[Prediction#bonding|bond]] with [[Prediction#tools|prediction tools]] and strength of your [[predictions]] and can be useful. Basically, Moon Mages are the archetypal magical intellectual. You can and probably should focus principally on mentals, then on Reflex or Agility, and finally on Strength and Stamina.

====Starting Gear====
What weapons and armor you train is up to you, but initially sticking to lighter choices would be optimal. [[Small Edged]] and [[Small Blunt]], [[Light Thrown]] and [[Bows]] all make good choices. The obvious choice for [[stealth]] and low hindrance armor is [[Light_Armor_skill|Cloth or Leather]], though you can swap [[Chain_Armor|Chain]] Armor or even [[Brigandine_Armor_skill|Brigandine]] Armor if you're not training [[stealth]] at the moment. It might be worth mentioning that [[Moonblade]] can be shaped into a [[Small_Edged|Small Edge]], [[Large_Edged|Large Edge]], [[Twohanded_Edged_skill|Two handed Edge]], and [[Quarterstaff]] weapon, so if you enjoy using [[moonblade|Moonweapons]], training those weapons from the start is a good idea, though you'll probably want to pick up lightened versions of the heavier weapons.

You’ll want to find some starting magical items to train with, preferably a small [[cambrinth]], like a shard or a ring or a [[runestone]]. If you choose a [[runestone]] that contains a non-lunar spell you will also learn [[sorcery]] when you focus on it, although, unlike [[cambrinth]], it will stop teaching you around 50-80 ranks.

====Now What?====
Holder

(more to come)


{{Cat|Newbie Guide Contest}}

Moon Mage new player guide

2014-12-03T16:51:06Z

JHALIASCLERIC: /* Training Astrology */

This is a page for the Moon Mage specific page for the Newbie Help Guide. Whenever possible, overlap with the general guide should be minimized.

For details, rules, and the other pages involved, see [[:Category:Newbie Guide Contest]].


==Start==
===Introduction===

Welcome to the Moon Mage guild. Here, you’ll find elegance, cleverness, a connection with something greater than the mere antics of a small world in a vast cosmos. If you want to make your foes explode in a shower of fire and ice, this guild isn’t for you. If you want to rely on the power of fickle Immortals, this guild isn’t for you. If you want to bludgeon your enemies to death with a clumsy weapon of steel, this guild isn’t for you. If, on the other hand, you want to twist the very fabric of fate to your advantange, pick apart the subtle insecurities in your foes subconscious, and bend time and space to your very whim, then oh yes, you have come to the right place.

The path of the Moon Mage is not one of blood and glory and conquest, but rather of careful study, precise deliberation, and decisive action. We are the purveyors of the stars, of immense and ancient forces, predictable with enough study, but never controllable. Your power will wax with the rising of the three moons of Elanthia, and will wane with their setting. As you grow in power, you will learn to read the skies to your benefit and your enemy’s detriment, to cross the entire breadth of the lands in a moment. Welcome to being a Moon Mage.

===Roleplaying your Moon Mage ===
The Moon Mage guild was originally founded by six groups, or [[sects]], of magic users that were unified by their prophetic ability and use of lunar magic during en event known as the [[Lunar Accord]]. Each [[sects|sect]] had a unique philosophic approach to the use of these abilities, and many of these differences persist to the present at least in part to the relatively recent [[Mirror_Wraith_Prophecy|re-emergence of the original sects]]. Although not every (or even most) students choose to join one of the [[sects]], studying the philosophy of at least one is an excellent way to explore ones' own relationship with fate.

The Current Sects Are: 
*The [[Celestial_Compact|Celestial Compact]] is a group of astrologers and politicians who seek to shape [[Kermoria]] with their knowledge of the future.
*The [[Fortune's_Path|Followers of Fortunes Path]] are often carefree, but occasionally fatalistic, wanderers who strive to follow the whims of fate.
*The [[Monks of the Crystal Hand]] are stoic and ascetic seekers of transcendence.
*The [[Nomads_of_the_Arid_Steppe|Nomads of the Arid Steppe]] are an association of tribesmen who seek guidance from the stars and their ancestors.
*The [[Progeny_of_Tezirah|Projent of Tezirah]] are masters of both shadow magic and backroom politics.
*The [[Prophets_of_G'nar_Peth|Prophets of G'nar Peth]] are seekers of Esoteric knowledge who many believe are afflicted with madness.
*[[Heritage House]] is an emergent [[sects|sect]] that strives to unify the divergent perspective of the guild into a single coherent philosophy.

===Training your Moon Mage===
Take a look at the guild circling requirements. You’ll notice it’s pretty much all magic, all the way down. While you only need four magics trained up to 10th circle, you’ll quickly start needing additional magic skills. To this end, it is recommended that you select spells that will allow you to train each of the [[magic]] skills, [[Augmentation]], [[Debilitation]], [[Targeted Magic]], [[Utility]], and [[Warding]]. Since training [[Astrology]] is somewhat slow going at first, it is also recommended that you learn the spell [[Piercing Gaze]] to facilitate observations in cloudy weather.

Moon Mages are [[Magic]] Primary, [[Survival]] and [[Lore]] Secondary, and [[Weapon]] and [[Armor]] Tertiary. To that end, [[Magic]] will always be your strongest tool, while [[Weapons]] and [[Armor]] your weakest. You may of course train whatever you want, but it is advisable to focus on lighter faster weapons and less hindering armors.

====[[Magic|Magic Skills]]====
This is what you will excel at. Your ability with [[Targeted_Magic|Targeted]] and [[Debilitation]] magics will always be better than your ability to swing a sword, and the [[Warding|Wards]] you create will be more potent than any armor. Train your magics, and train them hard. We'll talk more about spell selection later, but as an overview, some very potent and unique spells within the Moon Mage arsenal to look at are, in no particular order, [[Starlight Sphere]], [[Mind Shout]], [[Moonblade]], [[Telekinetic Storm]], [[Mental Blast]], [[Moongate]], and [[Invocation of the Spheres]].

====[[Astrology|Training Astrology]]====
The guild skill is [[Astrology]], which is trained by observing the cosmos and making [[predictions]]. You can start by OBSERVE SKY, which will show you all the celestial objects you can perceive. As you circle, your guild leader will teach you how to understand more and more celestial objects. If you OBSERVE a constellation you have been taught, you may learn something about it.

Each of celestial object governs a skillset, Defense, Event, Lore, Magic, Offense, Survival and All. Each time you observe an object, it adds a bit of knowledge to a prediction pool of that skillset. If you PREDICT STATE LORE, you will see how much you have learned about the Lore skillset from observing the heavens. Once a [[prediction]] pool is sufficiently filled, you can ALIGN to a given skillset or even a specific skill, and then PREDICT FUTURE <person>. This will give you a vision about the prediction, which may look something like this;

You look inside yourself in an attempt to see beyond the now. 
After a few moments, the mists of time begin to part. 
You see the midday sun warming you under its soft face. 
You see a young boy taking his vows of apprenticeship. 
A man stands in darkness clad in plate armor. 
A shiver runs through your spine. 
Roundtime: 10 sec.

Evaluating visions is a tricky business, but there’s some method to the madness. Read a bit about [[prediction]]. At 10th circle you can start Event Prediction, a handy way of training Astrology without running the risk of cursing someone, and also a means of telling what is going on in the realms and what is to come. If you STUDY SKY, you’ll start filling your Event prediction pool. When you have studied the sky sufficiently, you can PREDICT FUTURE EVENT, which will give you a vision, and teach Astrology.

Soon, you’ll want to pick up a divining tool, like a set of bones to cast, or starcharts to study, etc. Each of these tools are affiliated with a type of Moon Mage, which is a primarily role playing choice, though there are some differences.

====[[Survival|Survival Skills]]====
Moon Mages are Survival Secondary, so have a definite Survival requirement for their training. If you plan on hunting, [[Skinning]], [[Stealth]], [[Evasion]], and maybe [[Locksmithing]] all represent good choices to focus on. If you don’t plan on hunting (a possible, though unadvisable path), [[Athletics]], [[Outdoorsmanship]], [[Perception]], and [[First Aid]] will be your focus. Keep in mind that after 10th circle you will have a fifth survival skill requirement, so will likely have to participate in combat, or choose to learn at least one skill from [[Scholarship skill#teaching|classes]].

====[[Lore|Lore Skills]]====
Being Lore secondary, you'll want to use combat [[Tactics]] to your advantage. You'll also probably want to pick up a [[crafting|craft]]. [[Forging]] isn’t a bad choice, as it will improve the power of your [[Moonblade]] if you choose to use it, though [[Enchanting]], a currently unreleased [[crafting|craft]], will likely be a better choice for Moon Mages. [[Scholarship]] can be earned from [[Scholarship#teaching|classes]] and studying star charts, [[Performance]] can be learned while playing instruments, and [[Appraisal]] can be learned either by APPRAISEing creatures or gear.

====[[Weapons]] and [[Armor]]====
Being tertiary, these are much trickier to move effectively for a Moon Mage than the other skillsets. In fact, many Moon Mages choose not to rely on physical weapons and armors, training them only for the [[TDPs]]. Being tertiary, it is quite easy to keep a large number of these skills moving at once, so depending on your training goals, may be a skillset that you simply use as a hobby.

A good starting focus for Moon Mages is a [[Small Edged]], [[Small Blunt]], [[Light Thrown]], [[Bow]], and [[Light_Armor_skill|Leather or Cloth armor (Light Armor]]), and swapping in [[Chain_Armor_skill|Chain]] or even [[Brigandine_Armor_skill|Brigandine]] armor. Since you’ll want to use [[Stealth]] if you’re hunting, make sure you’re in [[Light_Armor_skill|Light Armor]] when you hide on your foes.

Later on, you’ll be able to summon a [[Shadow Servant]], which will allow you to hold a much greater number of objects, and keeping extra weapons and armor for training becomes much easier. But make no mistake, in a fight, relying on your weapons is relying on your weakest skillset.

===Signature Guild Abilities===
Moon Mages can travel throughout the realms easiest of any guild. With sufficient skill, a Moon Mage can [[Locate]] any player under an open sky and either [[teleport]] to them, [[Riftal_Summons|summon]] them to the Moon Mages location, or open a [[Moon Gate]], a portal that allows anyone to travel between.

Around 40th circle, Moon Mages will learn to [[Astral_travel|Walk the Ways]], utilizing powerful Lunar artifacts scattered around Elanthia as a sort of fast transit system, similar to a subway that allows a rider to travel around a city at great speed. At 100th circle, Moon Mages will learn how to enter the Ways from any location, similar to… a completely insane person who jumps the tracks and hops on a fast moving train.

It is worth pointing out that all of a Moon Mages mobility tools are fraught with peril and extreme risk of life and limb to the Moon Mage, and even in some cases to bystanders. The inexperienced Moon Mage that isn’t paying attention to the forces they are attempting to utilize will quickly find themselves vaporized, their bodies becoming but a smear of blood and bone.

Additionally, Moon Mages have the power of [[Prediction]]. As they observe the cosmos, they gain a deeper understanding of the turning of Fate. By utilizing this knowledge, a Moon Mage can enhance their ability in a single skill. As a Moon Mage gains a deeper understanding Fate, they will have an easier time manipulating it, even being able to curse their foes.

Astrology is also tied to [[Moon Mage Enchanting]], which is not to be confused with the not yet implemented crafting skill Enchanting. This system involves studying celestial bodies and inscribing their sigils upon various objects in a certain order to create various effects. The system is currently somewhat in flux, though many Lunar Enchantments still exist.

===Getting Started===

====Starting Spell Choices====
Choosing starting spells for a Moon mage can be a rather daunting task, especially considering that the sheer volume of paths one can take and that the number of prerequisite spells is large compared to other guilds. One first needs to make the decision if you are going to learn towards or away from combat, since Moon mages can be successful anywhere on the spectrum since they have no actual combat skill requirements. A neutral approach can also be successful and each has their own benefits and issues to deal with.

For the combat leaning Moon mage, the most common choice for a first spell would be [[Telekinetic Throw]] to start gaining ranks in Targeted Magic skill. However, [[Shadows]] is also good for those who wish to be more physical in combat and want to train stealth. If you choose your first [[Targeted Magic]] spell after you select [[shadows]], [[Dinazen Olkar]] is an excellent alternative to [[Telekinetic Throw]]. Late bloomers might even consider [[Partial Displacement]] if they select their first combat spell after 10th circle. If you are heavily interested in combat, selecting your first [[Debilitation]] spell early will help you avoid having this skill fall behind your combat skills. Although [[Mental Blast]] is the penultimate moon mage [[debilitation]] spell are you will likely choose [[calm]] or [[Dazzle]] first. [[Dazzle]] has perhaps more long term utility since [[calm]] will later be eclipsed by other spells (mostly [[Mental Blast]]), however it has the major disadvantage of being unusable underground or without the [[Sun]], [[Xibar]] or [[Yavash]] above the horizon. [[Calm]], on the other hand, is usable at all times and is a prerequisite for many other spells, including the [[Psychic Shield]], which will probably be your first [[warding]] spell.

For the (at least initially) non-combat leaning Moon mage, the common choice of spell is [[Clear Vision]], which allows access to many essential [[Augmentation]] and [[Utility]] spells. After that [[Piercing Gaze]] will pierce through in climate weather to allow you to train your [[Astrology]] skill even when clouds obscure the heavens. [[Aura Sight]] will boost your [[Attunement]] and [[Astrology]] skills, which will allow you to cast more spells without needing a break and improve the potency of your observations and [[prediction|predictions]]. All of the spells, are, unfortunately, [[Augmentation]] spells and you will likely want to train the other major non-combat magic skill, [[utility]], at some point. If you choose [[Shadows]] you can later learn [[Focus Moonbeam]] at second circle for no cost, which makes this path a very attractive alternative. [[Focus Moonbeam]] is also required for several different later spells such as [[Moonblade]], [[Moongate]], [[Distant Gaze]] and [[Shadewatch Mirror]] and is a major building block in your future repoire. In addition to this the spell [[Shift Moonbeam]] will allow you greater manipulation of your moonbeam allowing you to send it to other locations and facilitate easy movement through [[Teleport]] and [[Moongate]].

====[[Attributes|Statistic Training]]====
For stats, a good first goal is getting everything to a reasonable minimum (people often advocate 30). This will give you a good base.

Next, if you are combat focused, you'll probably want to keep [[Reflex]] high, as dodging enemies will be easier than surviving getting hit and let you stay in combat longer. [[Discipline]] will improve your ability to hide and your ability to target spells. [[Intelligence]] and [[Wisdom]] will improve spell damage. All three [[statistics]] will improve your ability with [[contested_spells|Debilitation contests]]. [[Charisma]] will be helpful in [[Contested_Abilities#Contest Stat "Weighting"|charm vs mind]] attacks but [[Calm]] is the only such spell we have in our spell book. [[Stamina]] should not be neglected as it will improve your ability to withstand damage and avoid fatigue. [[Agility]] will aid in your ability to hit things, as well as help with parrying. [[Strength]] and [[Stamina]] are likely the stats you can train to a certain range and then ignore, as you will not need to rely on hitting things harder, nor surviving blows better, for some time. Strength affects how much weight you can carry, which may be useful until you can summon a [[Shadow Servant]].

Outside of combat one can choose to focus on mental abilities. [[Intelligence]] and [[Wisdom]] are very important in speeding your learning rate and should be the foundation of your abilities. [[Wisdom]] also improves the probability that a prediction will have a positive result. [[Intelligence]] and [[Discipline]] both increase [[concentration]] and are therefore very important in spell casting. Although it is often neglected, [[Charisma]] does improve your ability to [[Prediction#bonding|bond]] with [[Prediction#tools|prediction tools]] and strength of your [[predictions]] and can be useful. Basically, Moon Mages are the archetypal magical intellectual. You can and probably should focus principally on mentals, then on Reflex or Agility, and finally on Strength and Stamina.

====Starting Gear====
What weapons and armor you train is up to you, but initially sticking to lighter choices would be optimal. [[Small Edged]] and [[Small Blunt]], [[Light Thrown]] and [[Bows]] all make good choices. The obvious choice for [[stealth]] and low hindrance armor is [[Light_Armor_skill|Cloth or Leather]], though you can swap [[Chain_Armor|Chain]] Armor or even [[Brigandine_Armor_skill|Brigandine]] Armor if you're not training [[stealth]] at the moment. It might be worth mentioning that [[Moonblade]] can be shaped into a [[Small_Edged|Small Edge]], [[Large_Edged|Large Edge]], [[Twohanded_Edged_skill|Two handed Edge]], and [[Quarterstaff]] weapon, so if you enjoy using [[moonblade|Moonweapons]], training those weapons from the start is a good idea, though you'll probably want to pick up lightened versions of the heavier weapons.

You’ll want to find some starting magical items to train with, preferably a small [[cambrinth]], like a shard or a ring or a [[runestone]]. If you choose a [[runestone]] that contains a non-lunar spell you will also learn [[sorcery]] when you focus on it, although, unlike [[cambrinth]], it will stop teaching you around 50-80 ranks.

====Now What?====
Holder

(more to come)


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