Feedback Request

[Sighter Tnailog]

The new Bazaar FAQ is up and a running. It's still in the shaping stages, although I tend to think I've reached more or less its final form, and I'd like to get some feedback.

The thread is located here: http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?t=13211

Please let me know what you think. Is there a question on the list that isn't answered well? Is there a question that's NOT on the list that should be? I want to make sure that I'm not taking for granted something that might not be apparent to everyone else.

[Lavinian Ambition]

My immediate thought turns to the rather wordy response to when an item becomes legal for use in a thread.

Perhaps a brief summary?

[Sighter Tnailog]

I've rewritten (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?p=108597&posted=1#post108597) it. Let me know if that helps the explanation.

[A Nony Mouse]

I really like it... it answered all of my questions!

[Sorahn]

The only thing I see is a confusing typo, under ancient dragonbone in the special materials section:


These are the oldest and most powerful dragons; almost should be changing their underwear after seeing one of these.

Other than that I say it looks great! Surely it will help the newbz get oriented with the bazaar.

[Logan]

I like it overall. It is well written and HIGHLY informative. My only question is really one that may just need to be explained for my benefit only (cuz I'm a big dork and all). When it says prevalida is immune to magic, what really does that mean? It can't be enchanted, or what?

[Sighter Tnailog]

Prevalida is not exactly immune, it's more just highly resistant.

Basically, I look at the question of enchantment in two ways:

1) How long does it take magic to pass through a material?
2) How much magic can a material hold within itself?

I call these "magical resistance" and "magical capacity."

In rating each "tier metal" from 1-5 in each category, with five being the MOST and 1 being the LEAST, you might get the following scale:

Iron - MR: 1, MC: 1
Steel - MR: 1, MC: 2
Plynt - MR: 2, MC: 2
Damascus - MR: 1, MC: 5
Dehlar - MR: 5, MC: 1
Delyn - MR: 3, MC: 3
Titanium: MR: 1, MC: 1
Mythril: MR: 1-5 (depending on enchantments in it), MC: 5
Prevalida: MR: 4, MC: 4

On paper, this looks like a jumble of numbers. But a few things come out when you examine each one independently.

Damascus imbues easily and holds a lot of magic; the result is that it has a HIGH Magic Capability, and a LOW Magic Resistance.

Dehlar holds virtually no ability for enchantment, but blocks a lot of magical assault.

Delyn, being an alloy of Damascus and Dehlar, balances both evenly.

Titanium shows that just because a material is very strong physically doesn't necessarily mean it is strong magically.

And Mythril has that special property: the more magic is in it, the more magic it repels.

Prevalida is unique in that it resists magic AND can store a lot of magic. Just remember though that metals which resist magic also resist imbuing. You can pack a lot of magic into Prevalida, but it won't be easy.

ALSO: A question for everyone!

In preparing lists like the ones I've mentioned, of differences in magical resistance between items and so forth, would it be beneficial to arrange them in frameworks like the one I've mentioned, using "groupings" of strengths from 1-5 or maybe 1-10? If what I've done above is too confusing and you'd like to have just straight-up lists, we can do that. But if you like having the different number rankings giving an indication of the magical potential, or the relative hardnesses/flexibilities/weights of various things, we can also do that too. Let us know what sort of ranking charts you'd like to see in the Bazaar and we can make it happen.

[Logan]

I like what you're doing Sighter. It's a heck of a lot easier to understand the qualities of things better. Which, in my opinion, allows for some added realism. Ie: I never knew magic resistance of prevalida. Now that I do, I'll rp with it more. :-) So in short...thanks bro! You ROCK!

[A Nony Mouse]

I like the numbered rankings, but that's just me.

[Zook Murnig]

I, for one, would like to see more charts like you just made. They make it easier to compare materials, and can be easily explained or expanded upon by descriptions of the materials. I wouldn't suggest putting the metals or whatever in order based on their rankings according to the charts, but just include the stats at the beginning or end of each material's description.

For example:

Iron: MR 1, MC 1 BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAH Weaker than all the other metals, don't get this. BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAH

EDIT: Also, I'd love to see a similar system worked out for the physical properties of the materials, rather than the referential system we have now. "Heavier than Fantasy Metal 1, harder than Fantasy Metal 3," doesn't tell me much.

[A Nony Mouse]

I like Zook's idea. That'd make it easier to have a standardized system for these things. Just an idea :)

[Lavinian Pride]

Thanks for the clarification. From what you HAD earlier, if I was trying to purchase it before the round started, I could use it legally. But since you added the qualifier "Moderator Inactivity" that GREATLY increases clarity on the issue.