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.

Requirements

The manipulate ability must be learned from a fellow Empath who is able to teach it.
To learn how to manipulate:

• Must be an Empath
• Must be at least 20th circle
• Must have at least 100 ranks of Empathy skill.

To teach others how to manipulate:

• Must be an Empath
• Must be at least 40th circle
• Must have at least 200 ranks of Empathy.

How to manipulate a creature

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 affects your chances to manipulate a creature

• Concentration -- your Manipulation "money", no money then no ability
• Empathy skill -- seems to govern which critters are within your ability range
• Magic average (or simply raw Magic Skills) -- helps beat down critter MR
• Stats (Intelligence, Charisma & possibly others)
• creature Magic Resistance
• creature being undead (can't at all) or evil/cursed (some you can)

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 familiars cannot be manipulated. Neither can ranger companions or guardian spirits. Horses might be included in this, as well. And, of course, "townie" NPCs such as guards, wandering friendly faces, shopkeepers, and guild leaders cannot 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!