OOC In Game Meeting: March 25, 2023

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Navi
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Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:07 am

OOC In Game Meeting: March 25, 2023

Post by Navi »

Here is the transcript for the in game meeting.
Rias exclaims, "All right, we'll engage Conch Mode to see if anyone has anything structured to ask or say!"
Belladana asks, "So now that we can slip and break things in ice wind will other areas be having simular changes?"
Rias says, "Probably! We did decide that we probably want to keep icy paths free from major travel routes though, or at least the current ones."

Belladana asks, "And can we get sharp blades added to boots to um play in ice wind?"
** Belladana has ceded the floor to Delphine.
Rias says, "At least until we come up with some kind of construction thing or whatever to maintain ice-free paths. Might be a neat task and experience-generating maintenance task. Maybe. MIght be too much of a pain."
Delphine says, "Are there any cultures in this world which would utilize something like kintsugi? Which is the RL Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the breaks with lacquer mixed with powdered gold. Sort of a way to celebrate the beauty in brokenness rather than to try to mask the fact that it was broken in the first place."
Rias says, "I hadn't had that in mind in particular, but it is a very cool practice. My first instinct is to say it sounds like it might be a Khaldean thing."
Delphine says, "That's exactly what I was thinking, but just wanted to touch base before I started rolling with something maybe."
Rias says, "At the very least we can assume it's practiced in Khaldea. Where it definitely certainly originated, I'm not willing to commit to in the moment."
Speaking to Rias, Lexx asks, "I've been thinking about Souls and weird things again! I think in the other game, Dwaedn Wyr battled beasts both for their own self improvement, as well as strengthening the beasts in some fashion. Is this still the case in COGG, and in what way are the beasts growing "stronger" and being challenged? Is this something to do with Primal Souls? Is it sort of a reincarnation thing, where the Soul grows? Or is it more literal, in that they expect a defeated lion to come back physically stronger?"
Lexx adds, "Or did I imagine all of the "they fight beasts to ALSO make them stronger" thing?"
Speaking to Lexx, Rias says, "It's still a thing. It's considered empowering the spirit of that beast, which may come back in another physical form, or may just add its strength to its fellows via the primal connection between like spirits. One of the things with primal spirits is that they're prone to being linked up with each other and can help by imparting knowledge or lending spiritual strength to one other and such."
Rias says, "One another, rather."
Speaking to Rias, Lexx exclaims, "Neat!"
Rias says, "I'm sure you'll get your skeptics who just scoff and say the Dwaedn Wyr are BSing a reason to justify fighting beasts that they "honor", but I think it's safe to say that the Dwaedn Wyr (and various other druid-types) genuinely believe in that sort of thing and are in fact seeking mutual improvement even if it causes the temporary death of an individual in the process."
Khan says, "Just how common are Pales outside the Dominion? If not Pales, nether-touched which I believe is still a thing in Cogg. What are common attitudes towards them, beyond the fact that most people seem to think Pales are some sort of "golem"."
Rias says, "Pales aren't overly common outside the Dominion, since that's where they come from in the first place and they become such in order to better serve the Dominion. But in addition to those you'll see working for the Dominion but "out in the field" so to speak, you might also see others who have retired or otherwise been released from service to just do their own thing, and these individuals are free to go and do what they choose. Of course you'll get the theories of them being sleeper agents or secretly still doing work for the Dominion or things like that, so they probably do get a decent amount of side-eye when outside the Dominion, especially considering they're such a big symbol of the Dominion's forces."
Khan exclaims, "Is Morhollow what you think of when you imagine some of the more central cities of Sirak Drauth? Or would you consider it based on a similar style? Though, seriously, TENTS?!"
Rias says, "Morhollow is neat, but I'd say it pales in comparison to a Giganti mountain settlement in most respects. And yes, tents are easy to construct and there's not much in the way of weather and such to worry about in a cave! It's also a small place without a lot of resources yet."
Candelori says, "In light of the discussed upcoming changes to guilds and socieities, I was curious as to the viability of being a member of Stormholdt and the Ascetics at the same time. Particularly whether it would be possible under the new system and whether it would be thematically appropriate."
Rias says, "Giganti tend to love their big, impressive feats of architecture. If you found tents in a Giganti underground settlement, it'd be a temporary thing or maybe a slum of sorts."

Rias says, "I don't think Stormholdt or the Ascetics have anything in particular to have beef with each other over. The Ascetics would likely appreciate a Stormholdt-trained member who can better serve as a protector and as a warrior against the nethrim and the like. Mechanically it should be fine being a member of both, as Stormholdt is not a Society and the Ascetics are."
Candelori says, "Thank you."
Nobody asks, "Follow up on Lexx. I don't recall cultural affiliations with the Dwaedn Wyr, I would guess Giganti and/or Faewyr, but in the Q&A it reminded me of Huecatn lore on sacrifices becoming empowered spiritual beings. Are the Dwaedn-ish traditions among the Huecatn?"
Nobody says, "Er, are there Dwaedn-ish traditions."
Rias says, "Dwaedn Wyr are of Faewyr origin, but there are certainly some parallels with some of those beliefs. I could see Huecatn being comfortable and relatively familiar with the ways of the Dwaedn Wyr as a result, even if the Huecatn are in ways a little fuzzier on the lines of what is "primal" and what isn't. They have less of a need to put things into neat categorized boxes."
Nobody asks, "And follow up around Khan's question: If Caer Ioan is still in the COGG-verse, are their nether-touched distinct from the Dominion's pales?"
Rias says, "So yes, there would be Dwaedn-ish traditions among the Huecatn in that respect."
Rias says, "Yes, Caer Ioan is still a thing, and we'll be seeing them in-game eventually. The idea of nethertouched individuals isn't unique to them, they're just referring to individuals who have been significantly affected by the nether to the point it's affected them physiologically (and presumably, spiritually). The Pales are distinct. Presumably the Dominion has fine-tuned things in some way or other."
Tulpa asks, "We have some ensorcelled items and Arcanists have the opportunity to enchant items with *that* glyph at the moment. How rare should we consider these sorts of items and practices? Are they mostly Aetgardian or do other cultures actively enchant things, too?"
Rias says, "The Rhuidim do a fair amount of "ensorcelling" in their sorcerous circles, and likewise the Nuum via means that might be considered more in the realm of arcana. Some might consider the Giganti runecarvers as well, and the Faewyr and Fasa with their druidry. From what has been picked up of their history after the Plague, Aetgard was making this kind of thing more available and open."
Rias says, "See: Library of Qamar (established before the Aetgardian Plague)."
Rias says, "Whereas the other culture had this kind of stuff mostly in the hands of esteemed specialists and perhaps their teams, that kind of thing."
Tulpa asks, "I knew they had enchanted broomsticks hidden away somewhere. Unrelated second question: you've mentioned cities on rivers in a prior voicechat. Any strong feelings on where these are, or on notable rivers generally, in Arad?"
Rias says, "Sadly no, not yet."
Rias says, "Other than Yet-Unnamed Khaldean City X, etc."
Tulpa exclaims, "Er, I'm going by HANDS, so, Mohammedradwan I think!"
Rias says, "Most of my finer details regarding specific locations, populations, geography, etc. are focused around the Lost Lands, and the playable game area in particular."
Mohammedradwan says, "I feel my biggest issue here is help files."
Mohammedradwan says, "I began to get used to how to find them and that sounds cool for me."
Mohammedradwan says, "But."
Mohammedradwan says, "I still can't find what i want to know, there are many things which are missing help files which i know nothing about."
Mohammedradwan says, "And these things are common which i hear on an almost daily basis and it is just sad that i can't find more knowledge about them."
Rias wiki says, "When you find yourself in those situations and other players aren't able to guide you to relevant helpfiles, feel free to suggest that we add some. There's the channel on the Discord you could request them in, or you can make a post on the BBS."
Mohammedradwan says, "I couldn't know how to use the bbs until yet."
Rias says, "Also know that our helpfiles pull form our wiki, which some players have editing access to, so we can crowdsource the creation of helpfiles a bit that way to make it more manageable."
Mohammedradwan asks, "So in which discord channel we suggest things?"
Rias says, "The wiki channel. Hashtag wiki. Thanks, in-game speech system."
Mohammedradwan says, "I thought of another idea but i know no one will like it. that i try to create these help files with the information which i gathered from asking questions around."
Mohammedradwan says, "And someone can fill the gaps."
Rias says, "That's just the type of thing to discuss on the wiki channel. People can help get that information together and an editor can add it to the wiki."
Rias says, "Which will in turn make it possible to look up in-game via the HELP command. If someone makes the "Sandwiches" wiki page, then HELP SANDWICHES in-game will pull that wiki page information."
Mohammedradwan asks, "So not everyone is an editor?"
Rias says, "Correct. We keep it to a few people for quality control purposes."
Mohammedradwan says, "Well, yeah, here is the first thing i feel like knowing about, societies."
Mohammedradwan says, "And companies."
Mohammedradwan says, "And mentors."
Mohammedradwan says, "And i mean the list will and can expand as i hear about more things being discusse."
Mohammedradwan says, "Discussed."
Rias says, "Mentors are experienced players who have shown they have the knowledge and the helpful attitude to be given that role, so other players know they can ask them for guidance and advice."
Mohammedradwan says, "Good to know that there is a channel for these matters though, i'll make sure to put all my help suggestions there."
Rias says, "Info on guilds, companies, and societies can be found on the FAQ, which you can visit here: https://cogg.contrarium.net/wiki/index.php/FAQ."
Rias says, "There's also been a fair amount of discussion on the BBS, if you use the BBS search function. At the moment Socities are still being developed and aren't in-game yet."
Rias says, "You can always chatter with folks on the GAME channel, make BBs posts, and speak with mentors in the meantime. Thank you for your interest and your presence here! It's always exciting to get new players."
Khan asks, "I know you were initially hesitant about having arcanist and occultists add things to objects originally. Does the addition of a certain feature mean that maybe you're rethinking this approach, or that you've found ways that work in your head? Lore aside, can we possibly expect to see more of it in the future?"
Rias asks, "Are we talking about things like enchantments placed on items and such?"
Speaking to Rias, Khan says, "Correct."

Rias says, "Yeah, I like the idea of that type of thing. And I think it could be a big part of the Arcanist specialization. I just need to get around to sitting down and really hammering out how I'd want it to work. Not that the concept should be completely exclusive to Arcainsits. I have ideas for sorcerous and druidic etc. item enchancements."
Rias says, "I really want to find a way to make at least some of it work combined with crafting. I love the idea of an occultist and a crafter working together on that type of thing."
Speaking to Rias, Khan asks, "Just how similar would some of this be to what Runksjaere are capable of? Lesser? Similar but different?"
Rias says, "And some of that -requiring- two different people, even of there's one individual that knows both the occult and the crafting parts of it. Because the concept of a cooperation between multiple individuals to do a particularl exceptional thing is just really neat."
Speaking to Khan, Rias says, "I think what the Runskjaere do is often considered more subtle and mystical in some ways, and also a bit more restricted in scope in that it's limited to the Giganti specifically. Not necessarily the effects, but it requires a Giganti to perform and actually work, and when it comes to affecting a person rather than a thing, it tends to again be pretty exclusive to Giganti. That stuff has always been more lore than mechanics in my mind, though that's not to say we might not see some of it in-game that has actual mechanical effects."
Speaking to Rias, Khan says, "Finally get a character who actually respects the original language, and you're all "Just lore"."
Rias says, "I guess I should say, if the effects were beneficial, then it would likely only benefit a Giganti, unless created speficially otherwise - though would likely be less effective for a non-Giganti."
Speaking to Rias, Khan asks, "How does the Dominion view nether-touched outside of Pales? Are they considered lesser, second-class or anything of the like?"
Rias says, "Hah! It just wouldn't feel right to have a whole occult system that's restricted to a single race, or at least to work on that over the more widely-applicable stuff."
Speaking to Rias, Khan asks, "I know, and not like I've points for masonry anyway. Any chance of you putting up the lore regarding the language based origin of runes?"
Rias says, "I don't think the Dominion looks down on them at all solely based on being nethertouched, just another citizen."
Rias exclaims, "I might toss some vague bits of that kind of lore up on the Giganti page sometime. Maybe a broken link to taunt you with!"
Maina asks, "So, in lieu of my usual 'X when' I will ask if you can speak on as to what you are working on now and what you are looking forward to working on in the near future?"
Rias says, "Right now I am bouncing around a lot between Rook stuff for Warlocks, Society stuff (still getting the basics of the mechanical side set up, setting up their areas and NPCs), some Primalist abilities, and porting over old CLOK area content. And drawing more skill-based ability trees."
Rias says, "Looking forward to, uh... said ability trees, Society tasks (that'll be a later phase than Societies release though)."
Maina says, "Very exciting. Thank you."
Candelori says, "The recent expansion of ESP range is very much appreciated. I have found myself spending more time in Stormholdt recently due to proximity to the area I have been practicimg combat in, and it has remained rather lonely there as it is in its own ESP area cut off from the towns. I wondered if there might be any thoughts on that situation. I very much enjoy Stormholdt as a location, and it would be quite nice to be able to spend time there without feeling so sequestered."
Rias says, "We've talked about that a little when expanding the zones. One idea was to have them all eventually be linked up, but have distance play a factor. So one in Shadgard couldn't be heard all the way over in Mistral and vice-versa due to the distance. But someone who was somewhere in between the two could hear both. A sticking point being that it might be kind of weird to be part of a conversation where some people can hear everyone but other are too far away to hear each other. It gets weird. But that might be a way to make the world feel a tad more connected agin via ESP while avoiding the yucky thought of people sitting in their own faction bases and smacktalking each other, or said factions having to essentially share the same airwaves and worry that the other is listening to them from each others' home bases."
Candelori says, "I am glad it is being considered. Thank you."
Rias says, "Distance already is being factored in, actually, as can be seen with some messages sounding "muted" or "faint" between individuals. That's the distance effect. But I think all the separated zones currently aren't big enough for anyone to be so far away in the same zone that they couldn't be heard by anyone else in that zone."
Blueyeti exclaims, "Hello there! I am looking to finalize the details of a small player-run event to celebrate and worship Bogvaskr in COGG. Since I am not sure about the proper procedure, should I use the PRAY syntax to get the event details deposited to the appropriate location? Additionally, I am hoping to get some guidance on how people in the Lost Lands typically see and worship Bogvaskr in order to avoid conflicting with established lore. Thank you for your help!"
Rias asks, "What do you mean by getting the event details deposited?"
Blueyeti says, "I remember someone said there are different interaction symtaxes, like THINK, and PRAY, and SING, and CHANT."
Blueyeti asks, "If I wanted to leave behind some of the things during the get together to the attention of someone to read later, would I be using a syntax like that?"
Rias says, "THINK, PRAY, SING, CHANT, and RITUAL (that last one working the same as EMOTE) are all seen by GMs, if that's what you're going for."
Rias says, "(also RECITE)."
Blueyeti asks, "There are cultural differences written in the wiki as far as how people go about worship of immortals. However, there doesn't seem to be any record of unique Lost Land perspectives on the worship of immortals. Is there a unique perspective to be seen in the typical lost landian compared to the other cultural origins?"
Rias says, "As for Bogvaskr and Lost Lands specifically, it's going to really be a mix of all the stuff you see in his helpfile, as Lost Lands is kind of a big rich mix of people. Hunting and travel are both important out here where there's lots of wilderness. I don't know that any especially prominent and new or divergent beliefs have sprung up specific to the Lost Lands. I hadn't planned anything in particular, at least. Lost Lands as the Lost Lands only has a few generations under its belt so far. It's something I'll think about and if I come up with anything I'll share, but you should be good drawing on the helpfile and focusing on the aspects that you particulary like. And feel free to branch a bit with it on your own: Lost Landers are known to do their unique thing."
Blueyeti exclaims, "Hooray!"
Blueyeti asks, "Given that hygiene is frequently overlooked, do you believe that poor hygiene or unhealthy lifestyle choices will be addressed as conditions for physickers to manage with the expansion of medical skills?"
Rias says, "I'd like for there to be some consequences to never washing off that blood, dirt, and gore, which could well develop into things Physickers would have to treat, if that's what you're asking."
Blueyeti chuckles.
Rias says, "Note to self: Bring back that thing where certain shops refuse to serve you if you're filthy."
Blueyeti says, "That's about correct. Thanks. Lastly, it would be nice if we had a prompt update or a status effect that told us we had our hand raised. I forget if I have it raised after about 2 minutes."
Rias says, "Oh hey, good call."
You say, "Maybe whenever the conch is passed, it displays who is ahead of you, or the number of people ahead of you."
You say, "I just have the one question right now."
You ask, "Will each harbinger group have their own society and draw upon their own individual resources like trainers and abilities, or will they all be under one society. I imagine that harbingers that wish to dedicate to one specific "Dark Lord" can do so while apropriately giving recognition to the others, as well as individuals who want to dedicate to multiple if not all of them. I'm just curious as to the logistics. Will a harbinger need to pick at least one to be bound to?"
Rias says, "Part of the purpose of the Harbingers is for them to all come together as a group - even if not all of them necessarily like everyone else - in order to have the best chance at accomplishing their goal. It's a single unified organization."
Rias says, "A Harbinger wouldn't need to pick one specific patron, but not doing so would likely mean they in turn wouldn't be getting any special attention themselves."
Rias says, "Which is generally how it is with Immortals. Not giving any special attention to a specific Immortal means none of the Immortals are likely to give that person any special attention either."
You say, "Neat, I was thinking about them and figured that before coming together they probably had their own little groups with their own resources and they might offer some but not all of those things to the other groups, but you're saying taht's not the case, it's an everything in the pot affair."
You say, "I had one other quick question unrelated to the harbingers."
Rias says, "Balastrossa (or at least her adherents) is generally credited with getting the group together and organizing them to that effect. Each Immortal had their own adherents before, of course, but these particular groups were struggling alone, until Balastrossa (it's generally thought) proposed them allying with one another to increase everyone's lot together, even if they didn't all necessarily get along or have interest in each other otherwise."
You say, "The Huecatn had a home world in which they came from. Is there ever going to be a lore dump on what that world was like, other than it being a jungle type place? Things like the moons, stars, flora fawna other things. I don't imagine they're telling outsiders about these things, but within their own culture. Maybe a constellation they told stories about that is not longer there."
Rias says, "Maybe. It's deliberately very ancient, hazy, mysterious stuff."
You ask, "Deliberately within their culture?"
Rias says, "But having a few little excerpts here and there would be fun. There won't be a comprehensive guide to Life Before Temicotli or anything though."
Rias says, "Deliberately in the game. In their culture, it's just very very old stuff, not things you're necessarily going to hear about day-to-day. The Old Lore. Stuff in old tomes that the dedicated keepers keep. And that's the type of stuff that I personally like to just assume is generally outside the scope of PCs and their backstories, because it's fun having some mysteries and secrets."
Rias says, "Now I need some crotchety old Huecatn NPC who grumbles about how kids these days don't know or respect the Old Stories, and mutters little snippets of it."
Khan asks, "When the Pales are talked about, they're mentioned as a minor percentage of the Dominion's army. So far however, every soldier seen in terms of NPCs from the Dominion seem to be Pales unless I've missed some. You could say there is one exception there, but she doesn't seem to be military. Is this something of importance, or just happens to be the way the NPCs made?"
Khan clears his throat, "The NPCs have been made. Or possibly because it's Mistral Lake, so it's the capital and is more highly defended?"
Rias says, "They're great to be placed where people can see them! Icons of the Dominion's might. And the more normal ones are around and you're just not noticing them as much because, by comparison, they're normal. And also yes, the standard Mistral guard mobs are the pales, so it's easy to just plop them down where we need them. We could probably stand to have more of a mix, but what I said is still true: The Dominion likes the Pales to be seen, and puts them where they will be by the citizenry. And yes, Mistral being the seat of the Dominion does warrant they keep a decent number of their elites on hand to keep it safe."
Rias says, "Mistral needs some love in the NPC deparment in general, honestly."
Rias says, "A lot of love."
Rias exclaims, "But they have donuts and fancy glittery schist and a diner with private seating!"
Khan asks, "Would you haphazard a ratio in regards to Pales, and regulars? And does the Dominion have any other well-known troop types beyond Pales, Regulars, and Oakhearts? How prevalent are Occultists in the army or are they not technically Military?"
Rias says, "(Shadgard would also like to remind you that in Shadgard you're a member of a community, in Mistral Lake you're just another faceless citizen in the crowd.)."
Khan exclaims, "And in the Dominion, you're another step forward towards reclaiming the Lost Lands and turning it back into Aetgard!"
Blueyeti asks, "Previously, I asked about the absence of SHAOL duration calculations in its ARCANA syntax and whether it was intentional. Can you provide any updates?"
Rias says, "I'm not going to give a ration, beause I don't like numbers. What we haven't really seen much of yet is the Dominion's sorcerers themselves. That's definitely their occult forte, not to say they don't employ arcanists and druids as well."
Rias says, "Er, ratio. But neither a ration, because I'm greedy about food."
Rias says, "I can't, because I haven't looked at that yet."
Blueyeti says, "Also, gutcram is the superior food item and all should worship its modern graces. Thank you for the floor, everyone. I would like to motion to add SPAM to our travel food list."
Rias says, "I apparently did some nonstandard means of determining duration, or just buried it somewhere, so I can't find it."
Fellborn says, "It's a topic that occasionally comes up on GM. We can't understand why some people hate gutcram."
Rias says, "I'll agree on the gutcram, I think you northerners are crazy for not using that instead of donuts."
Rias exclaims, "Time to code in some downsides to only ever eating junkfood!"
wander without wanting, thrust into lands unknown. the shadows shift and change, and the worlds with them.
I'm not a soldier but I'm fighting
Can you hear me through the silence?
I won't give up 'cause there will be a day
We'll meet again
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