which should only really factor in every tenth hit.

Were you transcendant in Celestialism and the parent skill? I'm quite sure it took me 5 hits of cudgel, and I seriously doubt it would have been 8+ hits of curse.

I am always trans my parent skills...
And yeah, curse is stronger than Cosmicfire bashingwise, I think. I mean, some people needed two cosmicfires on rats.

But isn't symbol meant to be better than curse?

Uhhh....


That is a mandolin.... easy to play while standing....

Yes, but you were comparing your lute to the basic bashing skills. Which it is stronger than, I sense!

didn't think about the strap... but I just assumed it was 'a given.' I will remember it in the future for Mandolin designs though.

maybe a buckler though :-p Or a Targe shield...

My point was really that you don't wield a lute or a mandolin - you wear it. Although you can't play it while wielding something, so there's no real difference.

ETA: And plucking strings while you have a 1,3 metre tall metal plate strapped to your arm is kind of unrealistic.

I'm always amused to see people argue about the realism of things like this while they walk around carrying 60 vials, three lit pipes, and 100 dead animals, confident that the person next to them probably can't even see what they're holding.

My point was really that you don't wield a lute or a mandolin - you wear it.

The Pool of Stars.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Meeting in the
radiant heart of New Celest, the broad city streets come together in a large,
open plaza of marbled stone. Rising in the centre of the plaza is a structure
of noble and luminescent pillars which suspend a round, ring-shaped platform
twenty feet above the light-studded surface of the pool below. The atmosphere
within the structure and around the pool bristles with a warm, electrical
energy, giving a slightly disorienting sense of dizziness and euphoria. A
gradually ascending stairway winds its way about the inside of the pillars,
leading towards the upper level of the structure and offering a bird's eye view
of the pool. An enormously wide circular pool, as dark as the night sky,
glitters softly between the columns. The resplendent figure of an archangel
rises up from the ground, her golden wings furled protectively over a small
figure cradled in her arms. There are 7 golden retrievers here. His form
suffused with soft light, the Keeper of the Pool of Stars stands here
attentively. A statue of Marilynth stands here, memorializing her noble spirit.
There are 2 proud celestial pegasus here. Neighing softly, a dappled grey horse
trots here. There are 5 cavaliers of the Light here. There are 2 golden dragon
turtles here. A lithe, tiger-like spotted coeurl perks its ears up as it sniffs
the air, its long whiskers flickering in the air behind it.


Estarra, the Eternal says, "By I sense this sphere is ready to reveal itself."

Estarra, the Eternal asks, "Raflein, perhaps you could help it awaken with your
poem?"

With a wistful look on his face, Vesar touches the Pool of Stars.

You see the following people here:
Talkan, Neraka, Rauros, Empe, Vesar, Ardrem, Raflein, Berid, Asmir, Malicia,
Cambriana, Estarra, Letho, Shaeden, Narsrim, Vanthan, Meliana, Merkada, Naydea,
Soll, Arsimus, Noola, Doman, Tekora, Collvan, Ruiku, Zalandrus, Spryes,
Shyshaeia

Raflein Dekoven says to a floating sphere of light, "Oh Celest, Great Celest
may forever the light shine bright, As the battle against the darkened taint
wages through the stormy night."

Vanthan pats Ardrem in a friendly manner.

Raflein Dekoven says to a floating sphere of light, "The three chosen groups
you hold within use every means to keep you free, they fight to destroy the
thralldom of sin to shine a light others may see."

Raflein Dekoven says to a floating sphere of light, "Lean heavily upon your
holy warriors those Paladins strong and brave, where not one hesitates to give
his life, so this city he may save."
2884h, 4708m, 5102e, 10p ex-

Raflein Dekoven says to a floating sphere of light, "Give praise to your humble
priests of Light as they protect great Celestia's plane, from those who would
wish to deface it, and ravish its holy name."

Raflein Dekoven says to a floating sphere of light, "May the torrents of water
rain slowly down as the Aquamancers cry aloud their rage, as storms of light
and holy water carry forth the war they wish to wage."

Raflein Dekoven says to a floating sphere of light, "Despair not, Oh great
Celest, the light within you shines strong and true, Your people revel in it
and pray that the light will continue to shine in you."

The floating sphere begins to spin, glowing with a low radiant light that is
reflected in the Pool of Stars as sparkling motes. As the sphere turns faster
and faster, musical notes are released.

The musical notes weave into a harmonious voice, and the light around the
sphere brightens to an incandescent glory.

A glorious voice rises up over New Celest, as the Pool of Stars fountains with
bubbling light that reaches high over the city. Within the bubbling light,
angelic voices join the glorious voice, creating an angelic choir whose song is
beauty made into sound.

The floating sphere contracts into a small pinpoint of burning white light.
Simultaneously, the angelic choir raise their voices, rejoicing in the glory of
the Light, of New Celest, and of the beauty within the soul.

An incandescent ball of white light rises up over New Celest, trailing a tail
of sparkling motes. The Star of Celest burns even brighter, bathing the entire
city below in a soft white glow.

From the reaches of Celestia, angelic voices join the song, blending with the
glorious voice in strength and power. They sing of hope and love, of courage
and justice, of light made incarnate.

The Voice of Rhapsody sings gloriously, "Let the Light of New Celest spread
across the Basin of Light. Let hope return and love prevail!"

Meleris, Keeper of the Pool of Stars reaches out and dips a hand into the Pool
of Stars, closing his eyes for a moment.

You see Estarra, the Eternal shout, "Welcome, Voice of Rhapsody."

Estarra, the Eternal says, "Will New Celest agree to house this Voice?"

Starknight Vesar reaches out and touches the Pool, contemplating the decision
before him.

Estarra, the Eternal says, "Will Raflein agree to be the first of her
caretakrs?"

Starknight Vesar says, "New Celest will indeed harbor the Voice."

Raflein Dekoven says, "And I would be honored to be the first caretaker."

Shaeden's exhausted mind can stay awake no longer, and he falls into a deep
sleep.
Doman's exhausted mind can stay awake no longer, and he falls into a deep
sleep.

Doman Silverias, Muse of the Sidereal says, "Magic words."

Estarra, the Eternal says, "One million gold will be needed to found the guild,
along with a power."

Soll says, "Yes.. I think we'll offer the Power."

Soll peers at the Pool of Stars unscrupulously.

Soll grabs protectively at the Pool of Stars.

Starknight Vesar says, "I will get it now, my Lady."

Vesar glances briefly northeastwards and dashes off into the distance.

Estarra, the Eternal says, "Very well."

Soll strokes the Pool of Stars's head in consolation.

Estarra smiles and shakes Raflein's hand, offering Her congratulations.

Soll says, "He's going to be feeling this for years to come."

Raflein Dekoven says to Estarra, "Thank you, M'Lady."

Vesar arrives from the northeast.

Vesar bows respectfully to Estarra.

Vesar shifts his eyes suspiciously from side to side.

Vesar gives some gold sovereigns to Estarra.

Vesar becomes overwhelmed by it all and faints.

Estarra, the Eternal, sinks into a whirlpool of swirling energies, which
disappear in a flash of light and colour.
A cavalier of the Light says, "Be on your best behaviour, Estarra."


Raflein is ripped from your location by an unseen force.

With a wistful look on his face, Narsrim touches the Pool of Stars.

Honour is spelled with a 'U'!!!1