I heard a couple of things going around and I unfortunately did not get to see the Ustream either, discuss.

What was said at the Ustream?

Something about racial balance, I didn't see it for myself and it wasn't recorded apparently.

Saw on facebook there was no recording. Would like to know what was said and then not just about the race stuff.

It failed to record. I heard absolutely nothing about racial balance. :/

Estarra basically said She was talking with Sior about redoing races and that they will probably take a look at them in the next month or so.

As long as we crazy OP illithoids get free reincarnations after our inevitable nerf, I'm coo' with this. Though the most pressing issue is clearly to stop merians being black holes where happiness and joy goes to die.

Reviewing of races sounds promising. I just hope it won't result in leveling races more. Generally, weaknesses are fine as long as they're made worthwhile by strengths.

Buff-worthy:

- merians and their specs (lord to a lesser extent)
- mugwump
- warrior specs of trill, lucidian (and dracnari to a lesser extent)

I personally think that faelings could use a minor nerf, what with the curing boni, the lack of weaknesses and the - without exception - good specs. Remove the herb bonus or reduce the sipping bonus, maybe.

Add aslaran to that list.

Which one?
I suppose you mean for a buff, although aslarans are fairly popular right now and a good race for many classes. As warriors, they just really pale in comparison to the faeling spec.

I lolled at Malicia's comment on the ustream about "merians are so hurt, especially against pyromancers" every race has a big hurt "especially against ", except humans. take Dracnari for instance against oh... Aquamancers.

Note: Not saying merian don't need love (cause they do and always have), but if we are removing racial penalties based on "those guys hurt me" then wtb less cold damage

Racial stat packs. Keeps each race original and allows for more flexibility.

Stat packs have been refused every time they are brought up.

I think racial weaknesses should stay, merians' included, but a little more recompensation might be due. Same for mugwumps. I'm really not sure what that could be, though.

Lolwut? Unless they're trying to staff someone to death (which would be ridiculous) Aquamancers have, like, 400 cold damage every ten seconds, I shouldn't imagine Dracnari have any real problem with them.

Racial statpacks have been refused because they sound too much like what other IRE games are doing. It can't be denied though that the idea is brilliant.

How about instead: racial backgrounds!

Keep/tweak the base idea of the race, with their weaknesses and flavour but give a few backgrounds to choose from that would impact the stats and advantages/disadvantages some.

I have always been fond of the specialisation-related subtypes too, these could also be an option still, or tagged on to the backgrounds. Once picked, it could also not be changed I imagine without some Men in Black sort of artie. Here's a few ideas stolen shamefully from Kaalak, which are very minor and the actual backgrounds would require a bit more, but it's just for the sake of an idea:

BACKGROUNDS

Human

Joie de vivre -- A child of Delport, character gets +1 (whatever that is) on Seduction influence battles and Passion debates.

Strong Soul -- Having grown up in Duum and survived the baleful influences from beneath, you are accustomed to horrors beyond imagining. Your outlook on life is bleaker than most, but the rate at which you acquire insanity is 5% less than most.

Can't think of one for Stewartsville

Dracnari

Favored of Dracnoris -- The mark of the Dracnari, your ability to breath fire, is stronger and more potent than most. Boost to Breathe Fire damage.

Beastmaster Whelp -- Trained in the elementary skills on handling wyverns, coatels and dragons, you know what to expect from these beasts. 5% damage reduction from these creatures.

Sandstalker -- Growing up with the Dracnari in the Skarch Desert allows you to become invisible ONLY in the Skarch Desert. Or maybe Desert rooms in general.

Viscanti

Noble Blood -- A member or bastard of a Great House or Bannerhouse of Magnagora, all your ego battles with viscanti mobs (not village influencing) are slightly more potent.

Pariah -- A deformity or social stigma forced your family to live in the Blasted Lands. Your attunement to the Tainted landscape allows you to never automatically fall into gravedigger pits. In addition your knowledge of these monsters prevents all gravedigger and related beings (Tainted Broadcasting Center) from being aggressive towards you or breaking shields.

Lucidian Nemesis -- As a young child you were rescued from Lucidian experimentation and your hatred of the creatures has consumed you. You get a 3% ( or 2%) bonus on damage inflicted to Lucidian players and 5% bonus to damage vs Lucidian mobs.

Orclach

Defender of Shallach -- As a young Orclach you were filled with a sense of duty to defend the ur'dead. Orclach warriors/monks get +3% to hit when on Sacred Ground (Shallach and Catacombs?). Orclach mages/guardians/wiccans/bards/druids get + lv 1 mana regeneration in this area.

Aslaran

Tribal Warden -- You get +15% a exp bonus for slaying any enemy of an Aslaran group. Ie Shanthmark and the Aslaran Camp.

Aslaran's Quickness -- When moving the message "now now don't be hasty" occurs slightly less often.

Merian

Cosmopolitan -- Expensive tutors and close contact with the many races of Celest has allowed you to speak another tongue as fluently as your own. Learn one Language.

Cultural Pride -- Stuyding under the aquamancers in Bondero Bay you are distraught that your race contributed to the creation of the unnatural Gorgogs. 5% exp bonus for slaying Gorgogs.

Reverence for Ancestors -- You may influence any spirits on Spectre Island.

Lucidian

Xyl's Clarity -- At times your mind is inspired. + 1 Int for one hour. Can be invoked once per day (same limitations as as Fortuna?)

Staff damage isn't bad once you get a few buffs (war domoth blessing, magical damage artie). Against certain classes/races better than others, but Aqua staff damage types are pretty okay.

Whatever happens, I'd love for racial influencing perks to be looked at. As it stands, it doesn't seem like the Viscanti intimidate and paranoia perks are working much at all, which might be because I'm already maxed out on all other influencing buffs. They should either be stronger, the cap higher, or something entirely else. Nobody wants 12 cha

Not bad ideas nariah put up, the premise is cool, just no on the beastmaster whelp one, at least not for those creatures. Being as most Dracnari are Gaudiguchian and those beasts are like frowned on heavily for bashing by Gaudiguch, it would make that selection a realatively unused one.

They have this thing called a staff...