So only demis can be ascended, or did I misunderstand something?

I think he said, you can raise anybody, but it does basically nothing to a non-demi until they reach Demi.

Any non demi who becomes ascended gets the RP change in their description and race as being a vernal ascendant. Should they bash to level 100 they move up to level 101 and unlock the abilities of a demigod ascendance (skillset and perks)

@Lehki Right

Keeps the raising for RP reasons open

I think he means that vernal gives Ascendence, but not level 100 or the stat boosts.

Well, yeah. It basically having no effect if you're not a Demi was what I meant. Always bad at trying to write stuff out at 2am...

Goodbye.

I came back for RPs, too.

Demigod RP.

There's Demigod RP?

That said, I echo most of Xenthos and Sidd's thoughts. The original VAs are pretty much screwed, and looking at Serenwilde now, who in the world are they going to raise if anyone?

Enjoy.

Wait, this means we can orghop with minimal regret!

\\o/ Wooo~

Move cults to Avatar if you have decided that VA's are nothing about RP, which this change is exactly saying. No Org is going to raise 1 of their 4 VAs because they write awesome plays and use the emote system well. I personally dislike this upkeep idea the increased cost of raising VA's was a much better solution which gave the same results, but still allowed for those people who are not hardcore into fighting to have their Ascendance.

What are you going to do about all the essence people have spent on the Ascendance skillset when they get stripped? Just say "dems the breaks"? People have invested real time into this game and you have in one change basically said "sucks to be you."

Sucks to be me.

Oh, and I guess you lose VA too.

Sucks to be we.

If you've been wanting to do this for a very long time, then why wasn't it in place with the release of Ascendence? Or why weren't we given notice that -eventually- we would have an upkeep cost. Honestly, this wouldn't have come across as such a punishment if you had stated beforehand that you were going to do it, so that orgs that excelled in gaining essence and whatnot didn't raise so many VA's. I have to say I'm irritated at the fact this is coming with -no- warning -at all-. Even if you didn't think that an org could raise so many VAs is still should've been given a thought and thus given a warning. And by warning I mean, fore knowledge that hey, we shouldn't raise a lot of VAs because we know we won't be able to manage a high power upkeep cost (no offense but y'all are kind of know of going high).

So I would honestly like to know why either it wasn't included from the bat or no knowledge was given at Ascendence's release that it'd be put in.

This, at the least.

What am I getting from this thread? Relief in never getting chosen to be a VA, and opting not to try and prove myself for it. Going the lazy, laidback way has paid off!

Love this.

I don't mind the idea of the cost. Even such a large one. I think it is something that should have been there from the start. What I am seriously disliking has been touched on by some of the other posters- there is nothing in Lusternia now for non-combatants to aim for at all. What's left for the people who don't enjoy combat, or can't be involved in it for various reasons? Where's our reward for long service to our organisations?

Please, please, please Estarra, I'm begging you to think about another option for everyone who doesn't get involved in combat. Or anyone at all to come up with ideas or proposals. This might allow for those who were raised for roleplay reasons to be switched over to another idea that removes combat advantages entirely, but still gives them the reward they rightfully deserve. All in all, systems like this and -changes- to systems feels like the game is pushing to a point where only those who can fight are valued.

I realise the above likely sounds whiny, but the truth of the matter is, it's just not fair to the others who do put in money and effort and time to the game, but can never earn those top rewards unless they enjoy fighting.

What top rewards do you really miss out on by not fighting, aside from a fighter's renown?

You can reach Demigod, you can write and draw, roleplay, hold political positions, run an Order, devote yourself to Divine, participate in events and various intrigue.

Will your word carry as much weight? Maybe not at first, but it's situationally dependent. Lendren comes to mind as an influential noncombatant, non-VA that I'd gladly defer to.

One idea I had was to empower Ascendants. This would do two things: Start the passive drain of power from the Nexus and open up much of Ascendancy. The Cult part of Ascendancy would still be open, even if they're not empowered (RP-wise, cults get their powers from the Divines or some such). This would allow for Ascendants to either be raised for combat reasons, giving them powers such as Aegis, fearaura etc. while still allowing people to be rewarded for RP reasons.

I'm still somewhat split on whether or not non-empowered Ascendants would get the Domoth-bonuses. On one hand, holding a domoth doesn't change combat at all, while at the other hand, it does give both blessings and passive power/essence.

Empowering would likely take a hefty bit of power from the Nexus (perhaps 250k-500k) and there would likely have to be a non-refunding off switch somewhere.