Post by: Ranman on November 06, 2005, 08:13:00 am
Any questions? I'll post some more later.
Post by: Spellshaper on November 06, 2005, 08:18:00 am
Post by: Ranman on November 06, 2005, 09:19:00 am
The Languages of Magic in Ultima V
Some aspects of magical lore have become fairly well known. One such is the language of magic. This is a set of twenty-four syllables compiled by a great language scholar after traveling throughout Britannia for more than seven years. These are all the components of any magic spell yet unknown; but they are little help -- and extremely dangerous -- without knowledge of how to combine them into the phrases that make meaningful incantations.
Following is a list of these powerful syllables, approximations of their meanings.
Syllable Idea
-------- ---------
An ..... negate
Bet .... small
Corp ... death
Des .... down
Ex ..... freedom
Flam ... flame
Grav ... energy
Hur .... wind
In ..... create
Kal .... invoke
Lor .... light
Mani ... life
Nox .... poison
Por .... movement
Quas ... illusion
Rel .... change
Sanct .. protection
Tym .... time
Uus .... up
Vas .... great
Wis .... knowledge
Xen .... creature
Ylem ... matter
Zu ..... sleep
The Mixtures of Magic
Reagents are herbs needed for the preparation of magical mixtures. Most are sold in apothecaries; a few are hard to find and require special effort to obtain. Following is a chart of the magical reagents and the general areas of proficiency they affect (in parentheses).
Black Pearl (Projection)-- A rare version of the standard white pearl, a black pearl is a forceful reagent in the creation of kinesthetic magic, that is, projecting objects.
Blood Moss (Movement)-- Fungal growth usually found in deep forests and warm, damp areas; especially favored as a reagent for its ability to enhance mobility.
Garlic (Warding)-- Ubiquitous and strong-scented reagent, used effectively in warding off evil spirits.
Ginseng (Healing)-- Ancient reagent used extensively in healing.
Mandrake Root (Power)-- Very rare and usually expensive magical herb growing only in swampy areas, mandrake root is said to bring great power to magic that uses it.
Nightshade (poison, Illusion)-- Rare, poisonous plant that appears only when the moons are in a certain conjunction. Those who learn its whereabouts and manage to be there in the dead of night when the moons are full can pick nightshade without danger and benefit from its powerful ability as a reagent to create illusions.
Spider Silk (Binding)-- The magical product of the garden spider and its relatives has no peer in its ability to bind. As a reagent mixed for magic, spider silk magnifies its binding power many times over.
Sulphurous Ash (Energy)-- Common material left by volcanic action, ash is an excellent source of energy in magical mixtures.
The Spells
Spells diverge greatly in term of difficulty, and, correspondingly, in terms of danger to the caster. After years of observation, and experimentation, scholars in magic have classified spells into eight circles of difficulty. Thus, mages who can command only the simplest spells are considered to be in the first circle.
Full mages' magical ability is directly related to their intelligence. Bards appear to have half the magical ability of full mages and fighters rarely have any. Casting spells drains magical powers, limiting how many spells mages can cast before resting. A spell will drain magical powers in amounts proportional to the spell's circle of difficulty.
On the facing page, a chart classifies the spells by circle, with a brief indication of each spell's use, a note on when it can be used, and an ingredient list. Do not take the ingredient lists to be recipes, as wrong quantities or careless mixing could have terrible results.
Note that not all spells can be used in all situations. Quite a few spells need far too much time or concentration to be cast during combat, others feed on the energies present in the battle arena.
Full descriptions of each spell's nature, use and effects follow. In the following chart, dng./com. signifies that the spell works in both dungeons and combat.Chart of Spells
Key: SPELL -- EFFECT -- TIME -- REAGENTS
1st Circle
An Nox -- cure poison -- anytime -- ginseng, garlic
An Zu -- awaken -- combat -- ginseng, garlic
Grav Por -- magical missile -- combat -- ash, pearl
In Lor -- light -- noncombat -- ash
Mani -- heal -- anytime -- ginseng, silk
2nd Circle
An Sanct -- unlock -- anytime -- ash, moss
An Xen Corp -- repel undead -- combat -- garlic, ash
In Wis -- locate -- noncombat -- nightshade, silk, pearl
Kal Xen -- call animal -- combat -- silk, mandrake
Rel Hur -- wind change -- noncombat -- ash, moss
3rd Circle
In Flam Grav -- wall of fire -- dng/com -- pearl, ash, silk
In Nox Grav -- wall of poison -- dng/com -- nightshade, silk, pearl
In Por -- blink (teleport) -- anytime -- silk, moss
In Zu Grav -- wall of sleep -- dng/com -- ginseng, silk, pearl
Vas Flam -- ball of flames -- combat -- ash, pearl
Vas Lor -- great light -- noncombat -- ash, mandrake
4th Circle
An Grav -- dispell field -- anytime -- pearl, ash
Des Por -- downward move -- dungeon -- moss, silk
In Sanct -- protection -- anytime -- ash, ginseng, garlic
In Sanct Grav -- protection field -- dng/com -- mandrake, silk, pearl
Uus Por -- upward move -- dungeon -- moss, silk
Wis Quas -- reveal -- combat -- silk, nightshade
5th Circle
An Ex Por -- magic lock -- anytime -- ash, moss, garlic
In Bet Xen -- insect swarm -- combat -- moss, silk, ash
In Ex Por -- magic unlock -- anytime -- ash, moss
In Zu -- sleep -- combat -- ginseng, nightshade, silk
Rel Tym -- quickness -- combat -- ash, mandrake, moss
Vas Mani -- great heal -- noncombat -- ginseng, silk, mandrake
6th Circle
An Xen Ex -- charm -- combat -- pearl, nightshade, silk
In An -- negate magic -- anytime -- garlic, mandrake, ash
In Vas Por Ylem -- tremor -- combat -- moss, ash, mandrake
Quas An Wis -- confuse -- combat -- mandrake, nightshade
Wis An Ylem -- xray -- noncombat -- mandrake, ash
7th Circle
In Nox Hur -- poison wind -- combat -- nightshade, ash, moss
In Quas Corp -- fear -- combat -- nightshade, mandrake, garlic
In Quas Wis -- peer -- noncombat -- nightshade, mandrake
In Quas Xen -- clone -- combat -- ash, silk, moss, ginseng, nightshade, mandrake
Sanct Lor -- invisibility -- combat -- mandrake, nightshade, moss
Xen Corp -- kill -- combat -- pearl, nightshade
8th Circle
An Tym -- time stop -- anytime -- mandrake, garlic, moss
In Flam Hur -- flame wind -- combat -- ash, moss, mandrake
In Mani Corp -- resurrect -- noncombat -- garlic, ginseng, silk, ash, moss, mandrake
In Vas Grav Corp -- cone of energy -- combat -- mandrake, nightshade, ash
Kal Xen Corp -- summon -- combat -- mandrake, garlic, moss, silk
Vas Rel Por -- gate travel -- noncombat -- ash, pearl, mandrake
There are also 3 undocumented spells that you can find by talking to NPCs during the game.
Post by: dragon__lance on November 06, 2005, 01:51:00 pm
%)
Post by: CDI on November 07, 2005, 11:15:00 am
Post by: Ranman on November 07, 2005, 12:06:00 pm
| QUOTE (CDI @ 7 November 2005, 17:15) |
| hehe, is it sad that I REMEMBER having that chart and info next to me while playing Ultima7? |
Great! You are probably well qualified to answer the questions below. Actually, if anyone has a preference, please chime in.
Did you make extensive of the chart? Did you find yourself referring to the chart alot when mixing spells? :???:
I thought about implementing the mixing of spells exactly like the PC version, but then I thought... wow... what about that spell chart... I don't want to have to carry around a chart while playing U5 on a calc.
I could simpify the process some. What if I choose (from a drop down menu) the spell I want to mix. And, if I have enough of the required reagents, then it automatically mixes it. That way you don't have to remember what spell requires what reagents. Of course, I would have to come up with a clever method to protect the undocumented spells from being mixed until you actually get the recipe from the NPC. ;)
Would this take away from some of the original gameplay? :(
I think so... Would it be worth it? Probably. :)
This is a tough decision. What do ya'll think? :???:
Post by: CDI on November 07, 2005, 12:09:00 pm
) then add an option for "Mixing Chart" and there you go, just include the chart and some notations, but include the full thing in the readme, that way you use the same feature as most RPG's... the user's memory in their head (like how when I'm playing FF6 I can remember all the button combos, and weakness of the enemies :D
)
Post by: Ranman on November 07, 2005, 12:17:00 pm
| QUOTE (CDI @ 7 November 2005, 18:09) |
| in the same menu you use to display magics and regents and mixing things (I'm being vauge here because I haven't seen the menu structure yet :P) then add an option for "Mixing Chart" and there you go, just include the chart and some notations, but include the full thing in the readme, that way you use the same feature as most RPG's... the user's memory in their head (like how when I'm playing FF6 I can remember all the button combos, and weakness of the enemies :D) |
Thanks for the input CDI. :)
Did you ever find it cumbersome to mix spells -- such as the time spent mixing or the total number of keystrokes? :???:
Post by: CDI on November 07, 2005, 12:38:00 pm
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on November 07, 2005, 12:57:00 pm
does magics has animations?
Post by: Ranman on November 07, 2005, 01:14:00 pm
| QUOTE (Kevin @ 7 November 2005, 18:57) |
| wow magic system is complex a lot, this will allow a lot of possibilities I guess :) does magics has animations? |
It is pretty complex... well, for 1988 it is complex.
Magic will have some rudimentary animation like: varrying screen colors, jittery screen, and flying projectiles.
Considering the "... allow a lot of possibilities..." CDI and I have been discussing this somewhat. If I just go with a simple menu spell selection, then the reagents could be mixed automatically (if you have the correct reagents) and quickly. If I go with a mixing chart... that means more keystrokes, more possibilites, but closer to the original.
Does anyone else have an opinion?
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on November 07, 2005, 01:43:00 pm
Post by: Ranman on November 07, 2005, 02:32:00 pm
| QUOTE (Kevin @ 7 November 2005, 19:43) |
| try to make it as close to the original as possible, if possible of course. Make sure you make the reamde detailled enough for those who are new to the Ultima scene though :D |
That's 2 votes for the mixing chart.
Anyone else?
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on November 07, 2005, 03:49:00 pm
Post by: Ranman on November 07, 2005, 04:18:00 pm
| QUOTE (Kevin @ 7 November 2005, 21:49) |
| you should make a poll :) |
I can do that? O_O
I guess I have a lot to learn. :?
Edit: uhhh, boy do I feel stupid... "New Poll" :hi:
Post by: Ranman on November 08, 2005, 03:00:00 am
Press [M] to mix
U5 will now ask what spell.
Press for "In"
Press [F] for "Flam"
Press [G] for "Grav"
U5 will now ask for the reagents.
Press [P] for "Pearl"
Press [A] for "Ash"
Press
U5 will now ask for the quantity of spells to mix.
Press [5] for five spells
Press [M] to complete the spell mixture
This "could" be a lot to remember, if you forgot your spell chart.
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on November 08, 2005, 04:48:00 am
Post by: dragon__lance on November 08, 2005, 10:20:00 am
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on November 08, 2005, 10:23:00 am
Post by: CDI on November 08, 2005, 11:39:00 am
and I still need to get FG so I can make T14v8 bigger)
Post by: Ranman on November 08, 2005, 12:36:00 pm
| QUOTE (Kevin @ 8 November 2005, 10:48) |
| i guess we need to write down the combinations on paper to not forget anything :P |
That is what I was trying to minimize... the need to write down spell combinations.
Oooohhh... :woot:
I just had an idea... I could suggest pasting a magic spell look-up table inside the calculator cover. Does everyone carry their cover with them?
Anyway, Ultima V will almost definitely require the user to write down clues from talking to NPCs. So, I guess a look-up table for spells would be trivial.
QuoteBegin-dragon__lance+ 8 November 2005, 16:20
| QUOTE (dragon__lance @ 8 November 2005, 16:20) |
| is it possible just too have no set spells, so that ur character can customize his own spells, like that aren't set. that'd be cool :) |
It would be cool, but hard to do. How many different combinations of 8 reagents exist... O_O
Post by: Ranman on November 13, 2005, 09:26:00 am
Thanks for your input. :)
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on November 13, 2005, 11:41:00 am
Post by: Ranman on November 22, 2005, 05:32:00 pm
| QUOTE (Ranman @ 13 November 2005, 15:26) |
| I have decided to go ahead with the original implementation for mixing spells. Thanks for your input. :) |
Well, after nearly completing the Spell Mixing implementation, I have changed my mind... for a good reason.
I realized that all item selections will need to be done via a menu system. This includes the following commands:
"Ready" - equip a member with weapon, armor, helmut, ring, and amulets
"Use" - use a potion, scroll, or a special item such as a pocket watch
"Mix" - mix spells of course
Now for the reason:
With slight modifications, I can use the "Stats" command (already implemented) that displays all items in the party's inventory. I can use this method to select any item in inventory. Hence, the "Stats" display can be used for dual purpose... and save some precious memory. Now, I don't have to create separate menus for everything. Don't worry, you will still be manually mixing the spell by selecting the spell and the required reagents.
I feel bummed out... I just wasted a weeks worth of work. :(
I also feel pretty good... Because this new method will save memory and time in the long run. :)
Oh well... programming is always a learning experience.
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on November 23, 2005, 02:49:00 am
Post by: Ranman on November 23, 2005, 04:40:00 am
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on November 23, 2005, 04:40:00 am
Post by: Ranman on November 23, 2005, 04:47:00 am
| QUOTE (xlibman @ 23 November 2005, 10:40) |
| nice ^^ I guess progress will be faster now :) |
Oh yes... Essentially, all the graphical portion of the menu selection code is complete for "Ready" and "Use" also. :woot:
Post by: dragon__lance on November 23, 2005, 10:44:00 am
Post by: Ranman on November 24, 2005, 07:26:00 am
Done :woot:
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on November 24, 2005, 08:10:00 am
Post by: Ranman on November 24, 2005, 12:17:00 pm
| QUOTE (xlibman @ 24 November 2005, 14:10) |
| kewl, any chance of seeing a screnie of this in action soon? :D |
I'll post some screenies this weekend ;)
Post by: tenniskid493 on November 24, 2005, 05:47:00 pm