Divination bones
Recall
First created by the shamans of the Arid Steppe as a means to scry the future, carved and enchanted bones have been used for countless years and are among the oldest known type of divination tool. Part astrology, and part mysticism, there are some Nomads who believe that the power of the bones lies in their connection with the dead while others insist that it is the enchantment process, through which the bones are imbued with magic properties, that gives them their unique properties.
When a prophet casts the bones forth with intent, probability will tug and twist the bones about in a reflection of the future. How strongly the Krr-tich bone is drawn towards the prophet reflects the potency, just as the lay of the Sek-rith reflects the extent. The domain is addressed by the Moon Sphere while the Sun Disk sets the tone for the reading.
Divination bones are known for their uncanny ability to stir the life-force within, a trait generally attributed to the once living nature of the bones. Skeptics note that even non-traditional bones carved from stone or wood display this trait and attribute it to ontological symbolism. Whatever the reason, the domain of survival is unquestionably ruled by bones.
Properties
- Availability: Sold in Krrish's Bones of Therenborough or Stone Bones of Muspar'i.
- Visual: All properties of the tool are visible.
- Durability: Low
- Bond Rate: High
- Power Precision: Low
- Duration Precision: Low
- Sect Affinity: Nomads of the Arid Steppe
- Currently the only player made tool, thus allowing them to start at higher qualities then other tools.
- Larger range of possible power/duration modifiers compared to other tools.
- Handles fumbles very differently from other tools - damage is only to one physical quality rather then to all physical qualities, whereas crits remain universal improvement to all physical qualities (Though to a smaller degree then other tools). The net effect is that crits should outweigh fumbles unlike other tools.
Use
For general information on how predictions work see the Prediction article.
Like all prediction tools, before use the seer must know the ALIGN ability (learnable at 4th circle) and have made a successful observation. Furthermore, before the first use, the bones must be INVOKEed to bond it to the user. Syntax is to ALIGN <skill/skill set>, and then to ROLL bones at <target>.
Example
- You toss your divination bones on the ground before you.
- The Krr-tich bone stands on end for a moment before falling over.
- It points directly away from you.
- The Sek-rith bone falls flat on the ground.
- It points off to one side.
- The Moon Sphere bounces once.
- It comes to rest and depicts a suit of leather.
- The Sun Disk bone lands white side up.
- You scoop the bones back up.
Interpretation
- The direction of the Krr-tich bone indicates the magnitude of the prediction. Pointing closer towards the user indicates a stronger prediction.
- The direction of the Sek-rith bone indicates the duration of the prediction. Pointing closer towards the user indicates a longer prediction.
- The Moon Sphere indicates the skill.
- The color of the Sun Disk indicates the polarity. White is positive, black negative.
- Any additional messages have to do with quality changes, or turned predictions.
So the example given is a very weak, medium duration, positive prediction on the leather armor skill.
Qualities
When LOOKed at bones have eight qualities. Qualities are listed from best to worst. As with all tools each message indicates a range. Italics indicate a potential starting value when purchased. Bold indicates extra start ranges possible from crafting.
Krr-tich/Sek-rith Balance
exceptionally well-balanced
very well-balanced
well-balanced
fairly well-balanced
balanced
average quality
barely off-balance
somewhat poorly balanced
poorly balanced
very poorly balanced
horribly unbalanced
unbalanced as to be almost useless
Attunement
perfectly attuned
almost perfectly attuned
very well-attuned
well-attuned
fairly well-attuned
attuned
slightly mis-attuned
somewhat mis-attuned
mis-attuned
very mis-attuned
extremely mis-attuned
horribly mis-attuned
Moon Sphere Balance
perfectly round
of exceptional quality
of very good quality
fairly well-made
somewhat well-made
of average quality
barely off-center
somewhat off-center
off-center
quite off-center
very off-center
barely recognizable as a sphere
Sun Disk Attunement
heavily attuned to its white side
strongly attuned to its white side
attuned to its white side
slightly attuned to its white side
barely attuned to its white side
attuned normally
barely attuned to its black side
slightly attuned to its black side
attuned to its black side
strongly attuned to its black side
heavily attuned to its black side
extremely attuned to its black side
Age
| Age | Predictions |
|---|---|
| The bones have never been used. | 0 |
| The bones are barely used. | >0 |
| The bones are in good condition. | >20 |
| The bones are in fairly good condition. | >50 |
| The bones are starting to show signs of wear. | >100 |
| The bones are a bit nicked. | >200 |
| The bones are slightly scratched. | >300 |
| The bones show signs of excessive use. | >400 |
| The bones are very well-used. | >500 |
| The bones are heavily scratched. | >600 |
| The bones are very heavily worn. | >700 |
| The bones are worn almost to oblivion. | >800 |
Explanation
Krr-tich Balance controls magnitude, Sek-rith Balance controls duration, and Moon Sphere Balance controls accuracy with attunements modifying the chance of misreading of each of these respectively. Sun Disk Attunement controls the polarity of predictions, and is considered a physical quality for bonding purposes despite the messages. Age indicates indicates the number of predictions performed and is related to breakage changes.
Messages
Krr-tich (Power)
| Direction | Bonus |
|---|---|
| It points directly away from you. | >=0 |
| It points almost directly away from you. | >40 |
| It points off to one side. | >80 |
| It points almost directly towards you. | >120 |
| It points directly towards you. | >160 |
Sek-rith (Duration)
| Direction | Minutes |
|---|---|
| It points directly away from you. | >=0 |
| It points almost directly away from you. | >20 |
| It points off to one side. | >40 |
| It points almost directly towards you. | >60 |
| It points directly towards you. | >80 |
Magic Skills
| Skill | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Primary Magic | Ball of fire |
| Harness | Crystal prism |
| Power Perception | Dowsing rod |
| Arcana | Runestone |
| Warding | Cage of slender lines |
| Targeted Magic | Ball of flame |
Lore Skills
| Skill | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Appraisal | Red ruby |
| Mechanical Lore | Flint and steel |
| Scholarship | Open book |
| Teaching | Podium |
| Percussion | Drum |
| Strings | Harp |
| Vocals | Songbird |
| Winds | Flute |
| Animal Lore | Handful of large |
| Astrology | Star |
| Empathy/Thanatology | Two clasped hands |
| Musical Theory | Musical note |
| Trading | Donkey |
Defensive Skills
| Skill | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Bone | Skeleton |
| Cloth | Thick Robe |
| Heavy Chain | Suit of heavy chain mail |
| Heavy Plate | Suit of heavy plate mail |
| Leather | Suit of leather |
| Light Chain | Suit of chain mail |
| Light Plate | Suit of plate mail |
| Multi Opponent | Three stick figures |
| Parry | Pair of crossed swords |
| Shield Usage | Shield |
Survival Skills
| Skill | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Climbing | Tall mountain |
| Disarm Trap | Pit trap |
| Escaping | Empty leg shackles |
| Evasion | Winged sandal |
| First Aid | Bandaged arm |
| Foraging | Mushroom |
| Hiding | Cloud of smoke |
| Lockpicking | Lockpick |
| Perception | Eyeball |
| Skinning | Bear hide |
| Stalking | Man cloaked in shadow |
| Stealing | Torn coinpurse |
| Swimming | Flowing river |
| Backstab | Dagger and skull |
| Scouting | Bear's footprint |
Offense Skills
| Skill | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Light Edge | Dagger |
| Medium Edge | Rapier |
| Heavy Edge | Longsword |
| Twohanded Edge | Two-handed sword |
| Light Blunt | Small club |
| Medium Blunt | Light mace |
| Heavy Blunt | Heavy mace |
| Twohanded Blunt | Morning star |
| Slings | Sling |
| Staff Sling | Staff sling |
| Short Bow | Short bow |
| Long Bow | Long bow |
| Composite Bow | Composite bow |
| Light Crossbow | Light crossbow |
| Heavy Crossbow | Heavy crossbow |
| Short Staff | Short staff |
| Quarter Staff | Quarter staff |
| Pikes | Pike |
| Halberds | Halberd |
| Light Thrown | Throwing knife |
| Heavy Thrown | Heavy throwing knife |
| Brawling | Clenched fist |
| Offhand Weapon | Pair of swords side by side |
Special
- The Sun Disk teeters for a moment. It tips over to land white side up. Your knowledge of the heavens made this so. - Turned prediction due to observation pool.
- The Sun Disk bone teeters for a moment. It tips over to land white side up. Your bond with the bones made this so. - Turned prediction due to Sun Disk attunement.
- You feel a strengthening of the bond between you and your bones. - Improvement to one quality.
- You feel a weakening of your bond with the bones. - Damage to one quality.
- The Sun Disk spins for a moment. - Critical success, improves all physical qualities.
- The (bone) seems to have been damaged. - Fumble, damage to quality of specified bone. Sun Disk is the most rare result, but suffers the most damage.
- Suddenly all the bones shatter into thousands of tiny pieces!
Notes
- RP verbs that can be used with bones: BABBLE, COUGH, DROP (Damage to a random bone), GASP, HUG, PAT, PULL, PUSH, RUB, SHAKE, TAP, TOUCH, TURN, and WAVE.
- RP verbs that only work or message differently for Nomads: CLEAN, KISS, PRAISE, and RAISE.
Creation
Creation of divination bones is currently disabled, pending the release of the Enchanting skill. (See here.)
Variations
| Item | Source is | Rare item | Is incomplete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabaster divination bones | Stone Bones | ||
| Amber divination bones | Some Things Amiss (2), Some Things Amiss (1), Pavilion Mystic | ||
| Bones painted with tribal markings | Stone Bones | true | |
| Brass-inlaid divination bones | Future is Now (3), Future is Now (2), Future is Now (1) | true | |
| Chalky demonbones enruned with moonsilver | Su Helmas: Seeds of Entropy/End loot, Su Helmas 444: Make Haste!/End loot, Su Helmas 440: Entrapped/End loot, Su Helmas 438: The Forbidden Temple/End loot, Su Helmas 434: The Forbidden Temple/End loot | true | |
| Convoluted clockwork divination bones | Hollow Eve Festival 410/Auction | true | |
| Coralite-inlaid divining bones | Future is Now (4) | ||
| Crimson-painted bones | Stone Bones | true | |
| Crude yeehar bones | Stone Bones | true | |
| Delicate clockwork divination bones | Future is Now (3), Future is Now (2), Future is Now (1) | true | |
| ... further results | |||
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