Manipulate ability

Manipulation is an Empath guild ability which causes most critters to regard you as a friend or non-threat. Influenced creatures will cease hostile actions towards you, and may even attack other creatures, particularly those with which you are engaged in combat. Evil or undead creatures, on the other hand, will become enraged and focus on you as an enemy.

History

For several weeks, Empaths began receiving visions of various things whenever they entered the dying state: the back of a turtle, the feeling of tossing waves, an oddly shifting figure moving toward them with concern. These visions culminated in Empaths being called to the island of Aesry where they met Trylaine, who was one of the First Empaths. Trylaine taught the ability to several of the Empaths that arrived and taught them how they may pass the ability along to others.

Learning to Manipulate

The manipulate ability must be taught by a fellow Empath who is able to teach it.

Requirements

Teacher

• Must be an Empath.
• Must be at least 40th circle.
• Must have at least 200 ranks of effective Empathy (can be boosted via a LINK, Constellation Jewelry, or any other Empathy booster).

Student

• Must be an Empath.
• Must have at least 100 ranks of effective Empathy (can be boosted via a LINK, Constellation Jewelry, or any other Empathy booster).

Syntax for Teaching

• Teacher and Student enter combat.
• Teacher: MANIPULATE FRIENDSHIP <student>
• Teacher: MANIPULATE FRIENDSHIP <creature>
• Wait for the following message:
  

Teacher: You sense that {student} has suddenly grasped the basics of manipulating friendship.

Student: You suddenly grasp what {teacher} has done and comprehend the general method whereby you might be able to manipulate friendship yourself.
[Type MANIPULATE FRIENDSHIP <creature> to attempt to force a creature to consider you a friend, while you concentrate.]

How to Manipulate

The syntax is MANIPULATE FRIEND <creature>.

There are five possible outcomes:

• You will exhaust yourself trying. No RT, no change in critter behavior, and concentration drops to 0. This means your concentration pool isn't currently large enough to successfully manipulate this creature.
• You will fail to get the creature's attention. No RT, no change in critter behavior, full concentration hit as per a successful attempt. This means you have enough concentration, but lack in some other aspect (see below).
• You will succeed versus a manipulatable creature. RT (around 10 seconds or so), the critter is immediately removed from combat engagement with you, full concentration hit plus you pay a concentration maintenance cost every few seconds. The creature will then either leave the room, attack another creature (usually one threatening you), or attack a PC in the same room. Concentration costs vary from creature to creature based on difficulty.
• You will succeed versus an undead creature. No RT, the creature becomes enraged, full concentration hit as per a successful attempt. The undead creature will immediately face you, and other undead may be summoned or also turn to face you.
• You will succeed versus an evil/cursed creature. No RT, the creature notices you, full concentration hit as per a successful attempt. The evil creature will immediately face you, but won't call for help or cause other creatures to attack.

What Can be Manipulated

In general, only huntable creatures can be manipulated. Spell-summoned creatures such as shadowlings and other Moon Mage constructs and Warrior Mage familiars cannot be manipulated. Neither can Ranger companions or Guardian Spirits. Horses might be included in this, as well. Of course, "townie" NPCs such as guards, wandering friendly faces, shopkeepers, and guild leaders cannot be manipulated.

Factors in the Success of Manipulation

• Concentration: ability to maintain the manipulation link
• 'Empathy skill: determines which creatures you can manipulate
• Magic ability (average or raw?): used to overcome the creature's magic resistance
• Creature's Magic Resistance
• Stats (Intelligence, Charisma, and possibly others)
• Type of creature: The undead cannot be manipulated. Evil or cursed creatures can sometimes be manipulated.

Notes

• Once successful, the manipulation will remain active for several minutes, or until the creature dies or de-gens.
• You can manipulate multiple critters at one time, based on your skill.
• Creatures that you have befriended will show in the ASSESS combat messaging as "friendly".
• The concentration price can add up quickly if you manipulate several creatures at once. Low concentration will severely impact your ability to cast spells, so watch your concentration!