User:Mozzik/Sandbox
If memory serves, this bowl is tool used by Moon Mages to scry into the future. You remember that bowls carved with such sigils are divination tools used by Moon Mages and preferred by those mages that call themselves the Prophets of G'Nar Peth. Traditionally carved from a single piece of sandstone and etched with the mysterious sigils only Moon Mages seem to understand, scrying bowls are used by mages trained in astrology as a tool for divination. It is said that the first bowls were filled with water from the Garden of G'Nar Peth, though whether that is a legend held by the Prophets themselves or merely a tale told by outsiders is unclear.
Properties
Bowls are a surprisingly elegant tool given their creators. Notable features include:
- Require water to function, which must be replaced after fumbles
- Low curse rate due to ease of turning predictions
- Prone to significant misreads in power and duration
- Has no age factor, and as such tends to be a durable tool
- Has the least number of qualities of any tool
- Very sluggish bonding, though physical qualities change at a normal rate.
- Understanding skill messages require knowledge of Constellation Jewelry combinations
- Sect Affinity: Prophets of G'nar Peth
Use
Like all prediction tools, before use the mage must know the ALIGN ability (learnable at 4th circle) and have made a successful observation. Furthermore, before the first use, the bowl must be RUBbed to bond it to the user. Syntax is to ALIGN <skill/skill set>, and then to GAZE BOWL. In order to predict on another the mage must SHOW the bowl to the target and then GAZE into it as before. Note: Predicting on others is occasionally buggy with this tool, and best avoided until this issue has been corrected.
Example
You gaze into the bowl, your hand moving around its lip until it completes a full circle. You dip your fingers gently into the ice-cold water and raise them above the bowl. As the drops fall from your fingertips, they cause ripples which race across the surface. The water quickly grows still, leaving no trace of the disturbance. As you gaze into the water, it becomes illuminated by the white of the Owl and the Sun as their carvings glow steadily along the bowl's edge.
Interpretation
- The method of searching the charts will vary, but is meaningless.
- The mass relates to the magnitude of the prediction; the more massive the celestial object the stronger the prediction
- The duration is determined by the distance between the time given, and the current date. The break between eary and late seems to be 20 days into the month (On the 20th of the month it will be possible to see the early part of that month, indicating the longest possible prediction).
- The influence indicates the polarity of the prediction. "Beneficial" indicate a critical success, which will improve the tool quality (and is always a positive prediction).
- The expertise indicates the skill.
- Any additional messages have to do with quality changes.
So the example given is a fairly weak, fairly short (This prediction was taken late in the year), negative prediction on an unspecified skill. Furthermore the bond with the charts improved.
Qualities
When LOOKed at charts have seven qualities. Known qualities are listed from best to worst. Italics indicate a potential starting value when purchased.
Zodiac Map
seems precise
has a few corrections to aid the user
is quite legible
has some slightly faded writing
has a few
has a couple of noticeable smudges
Zodiac Experience
a reasonable chance
a better than average chance
a chance
a moderate chance
a decent chance
Planetary Alignment
seems precise
has a few corrections to aid the user
is quite legible
has some slightly faded writing
has a few
has a couple of noticeable smudges
Planetary Experience
a reasonable chance
a better than average chance
a chance
a moderate chance
a decent chance
Stellar Algorithms
seems precise
has a few corrections to aid the user
is quite legible
has some slightly faded writing
has a few
has a couple of noticeable smudges
Celestial Anomalies
seems precise
has a few corrections to aid the user
is quite legible
has some slightly faded writing
has a few
has a couple of noticeable smudges
Age
Overall, the set of charts looks brand new.
Overall, the set of charts is in very good condition. (10 predictions)
Overall, the set of charts is in good condition. (15 predictions)
Overall, the set of charts is in decent condition. (20 predictions)
Overall, the set of charts has a few wrinkles and creases. (25 predictions)
Overall, the set of charts is very creased. (51 predictions)
Overall, the set of charts is a bit tattered and dog-eared. (101 predictions)
Overall, the set of charts has some tattered and torn edges. (202 predictions)
Overall, the set of charts is torn in a few places. (402 predictions)
Explanation
The exact difference between the quality and the bond of the Zodiac and the Planetary is not yet determined. It seems the Zodiac controls power, Planetary controls duration, Stellar controls the polarity and Celestial controls the skill. However this is all currently conjecture. The Age acts as a counter and controls the breakage chance.
Messages
Mass (Power)
a few stars
several stars
a small grouping of stars
most of a constellation
a small constellation
a medium constellation
a large constellation
a small mass of stars
a large mass of stars
a few small constellations
Calander (Duration)
Akroeg
Ka'len
Lirisa
Shorka
Uthmor
Arhat
Moliko
Skullcleaver
Dolefaren
Nissa
Method
Rummage
Scrutinize
Flip
Sort
Search
Peer
Thumb
Inspect
Shuffle
Look
Gaze
Leaf
Peruse
Stock
Glance
Examine
Rifle
Peek
Rake
Influence
a positive influence
a negative influence
Special
a beneficial influence - Critical success, can improve any physical quality.
You feel a strengthening of the bond between you and your charts. - Generic increase in experience
You feel a weakening of your bond with the charts. - Generic weakening in experience
You notice a small error in the charts, and jot a note correcting it for later readings. - Generic physical improvement
Your hand stumbles slightly, smudging the ink on the charts. You try to clean it up, but it's definitely going to leave a mark. - Generic physical damage
A sudden miasma of fear grips you as the future goes very dark. It slowly clears and you look down to see your charts crinkled in your tightened fist. - Fumble, damages any physical quality.
The charts rip violently, leaving them unusable.
Notes
- RP verbs that can be used with mirrors: WAVE, TRACE, SHAKE, TURN, STARE, ROLL, UNROLL. Note: While ROLLed up several verbs act differently, and the charts cannot be used to predict.
- According to GM Lohkrian charts have no critical success message, but this still does good things for the chart. This has never been observed by the author.
Also See
- Vellum Celestial Charts"Moon mage" is not in the list (None, Bard, Barbarian, Cleric, Empath, Moon Mage, Necromancer, Paladin, Ranger, Thief, ...) of allowed values for the "Guild association is" property.