Charge command
| Channels magical energy into cambrinth, gaethzen and other magical devices that support charging. |
| CHARGE <cambrinth item> <amount> — full success You see: You harness <amount> energy and attempt to channel it into your <cambrinth item>. CHARGE <cambrinth item> <amount> — partial absorption CHARGE <non-charging item> <amount> |
Syntax
- CHARGE <ITEM> <AMOUNT>
- Attempts to channel the specified amount of magical energy into an item. Cambrinth and gaethzen use this form; other magical devices may define their own charging behavior.
- CHARGE HELP
- Displays the helpfile below.
Game Helpfile
CHARGE: This verb does nothing by itself, but it is used to interact with some magical devices. Notably, it is used to empower objects made out of cambrinth. See VERB INFO CHARGE for more information.
Use
Charging spends the character's attunement and checks Arcana skill. The item's capacity and the amount requested affect the result. Insufficient skill may channel only part of the energy or none of it, and an item at the limit the character can charge refuses additional energy. Charging roundtime varies with the amount actually added and Arcana skill.
The device must normally be held, on the ground or on an object resting on the ground. At least one hand must be free when charging an item from the ground. An item packed inside another carried item cannot be charged. Worn cambrinth can be charged with sufficient Arcana skill; otherwise the game reports that it is too clumsy to charge while worn. Some devices can override these location and hand requirements.
Cambrinth becomes attuned to the type of mana first placed into it. Attempting to add a different mana type can make it explode, injure the user and leave the item disabled. A cambrinth retuner restores a disabled item to an uncharged state.
Gaethzen also uses CHARGE <ITEM> <AMOUNT>. Charging activated gaethzen first gives a warning and requires the command to be repeated within 15 seconds. Continuing can destroy fragile gaethzen; protected gaethzen survives but does not accept the charge. Unlit gaethzen follows the normal mana-type check and can be disabled by an incompatible charge.
CHARGE is not the command for closing combat range. Naming a person or creature is refused and directs the player to attack while closing from pole range; that attack becomes a charge attack. See ATTACK and ADVANCE.
Failure Messages
- Charge what? — no item was supplied.
- How much do you want to charge the <item>? — the ordinary charging form was given without an amount.
- While some things can be negatively charged, this isn't one of them. — the amount was negative.
- You strain, but lack the mental stamina to charge the <item> this much. — there is not enough attunement for the request.
- You fail to channel any of the energy into the <item>. — the Arcana check failed.
- The <item> resists your efforts to charge it, and your energy is wasted. — the charge is incompatible with the item.
- The <item> is already holding as much power as you could possibly charge it with. — no more energy can be added under the current limit.
- Try though you may, you find it too clumsy to charge the <item> while wearing it. — the character lacks the Arcana skill to charge that worn item.
- You can't charge the <item> while it's packed away. — the item is inside another carried item.
- You'll need at least one hand free to charge the <item>. — both hands are occupied while the item is on the ground or on another object.
- You'll have to hold it, set it on the ground, or put it on something first. — the item is not in an eligible location.
- You can't think of how that would be accomplished. — a person or creature was targeted.
See Also