10.12 CONSTRUCTS AND COLOSSI
I. SUMMARY II. CREATING AND MAINTAINING CONSTRUCTS III. CONTROLLING AETHER RINGS IV. UPGRADING COLOSSI FOR BATTLE V. OPERATING CONSTRUCTS AND COLOSSI VI. GROUND BATTLES VII. ORBITAL BOMBARDMENT VIII. AETHERIC BEACONS IX. AURONIDION PARTICLES SUMMARY ------- Constructs are buildings raised on controlled aetherbubbles that provide benefits to their city or commune. Each organization always controls its own Nexus World and may claim additional aetherbubbles through aetherspace combat. Every so often an aether flare will disrupt the energies around specific set of aetherbubbles, allowing control of the aetherbubbles to change hands. Control of an aetherbubble will allow construction of one construct within the aether ring on that bubble, which will last until the next aether flare for that bubble. CREATING AND MAINTAINING CONSTRUCTS ----------------------------------- The Power Ministry is responsible for the creation of Constructs, which then take time to build. The benefits of each Construct is variable, and different nations have access to the blueprints for different Constructs that suit the ethos and mission of that nation. New Constructs may be researched by edict of the ruling Council of a nation, in consultation with their Divine Patron, though this process is both time-consuming and expensive. Syntax: CITY CONSTRUCTS [<construct>] CITY RAISE <construct> (Power Minister only) CITY DISMANTLE <construct> (Power Minister only) CONTROLLING AETHER RINGS ------------------------ In order to control one of the great rings of the Aether Kings, energy must be expended to harmonize with the rings. This is accomplished by means of turret bombarding aboard an aethership or by the presence of a colossus within the rings. The more people focusing positively on a given colossus, the more energy it will generate. In addition, the more focusing negatively on a colossus, the less it can generate (and just five people will neutralize the effect entirely). UPGRADING COLOSSI FOR BATTLE ---------------------------- Colossi may be upgraded in preparation for battle, in addition to having a number of defenses already available for employ. In times of need, a Colossus can be piloted by a Guild Protector for maximum devastation. Each Tradeskill has a unique upgrade they can craft which will benefit a colossus. These are: ARTISAN: They can craft both Colossi and Aetheric Beacons (see below) BOOKBINDING: Magic Scrolls (which can slow enemy colossi) COOKING: Slurry (heals a construct once per Lusternian month) FORGING: Girdle (increases the strength of colossi attacks) HERBS: Sparkleberry Jelly (used to heal colossis in battle) JEWELLERY: Gears (increases the speed of colossi) POISONS: Crotamine Jelly (enables a powerful poison attack) TAILORING: Cloak (protects against the poison attack) ENCHANTMENT: Hearts (required to power colossi) ALCHEMY: Hearts (required to power colossi) Syntax: INSERT <upgrade> INTO <colossus> OPERATING COLOSSI ----------------- Syntax: ENTER <colossus> OPERATE <colossus> ENGAGE OPERATE <colossus> DISENGAGE OPERATE <colossus> STATUS OPERATE <colossus> LOOK/L OPERATE <colossus> QUICKLOOK/QL OPERATE <colossus> MOVE <direction> OPERATE <colossus> ATTACK <target> OPERATE <colossus> BREATHE <target> OPERATE <colossus> GEARS OPERATE <colossus> GIRDLE OPERATE <colossus> SPARKLEBERRY OPERATE <colossus> SCROLL <target> OPERATE <colossus> SHIELD OPERATE <colossus> VOIDSPACE <target> OPERATE <colossus> ENTANGLE <target> During the time of battle, members of a city or commune can ACTIVATE their colossus in order to enter its operating chamber. However, only city or commune members who are part of the Ministry of Security may actually operate the colossus. Only one colossus can be activated per aetherbubble, per organization. The colossus must have the heart from an enchanter or alchemist and may have upgrades made using other trade skills. Once engaged, the controller may do the following: ENGAGE - Locks you into the colossus you're standing in. DISENGAGE - Unlocks you from the colossus you're standing in. STATUS - Reports various information about your colossus. LOOK - Reports what colossi are in the room. ATTACK <target> - Basic attack BREATHE <target> - Powerful poison attack GEARS - Speeds you up GIRDLE - Makes your attacks stronger SPARKLEBERRY - Heals health SCROLL <target> - Makes your opponent recover balance slower. SHIELD - Creates an auron field shield to protect against damage. VOIDSPACE <target> - Destroys auron field shields. ENTANGLE <target> - Locks up movement gears for sixty seconds. Operators will also notice a new addition to your prompt while you are inside of a colossus. The first number is the health. The next space could contain any of three letters: u - Your balance recovery is increased d - Your balance recovery is decreased g - Your girdle is activated If you have balance, it will be shown between the asterisks. Note: The colossus cloak, which tailors can make, is a passive ability. See a tailor for more information! GROUND BATTLES -------------- Those with enough skill in Discipline can focus on a Colossus, either in a positive or negative manner. This has several effects: - It will increase or reduce the damage the Colossus will take. - If negative, it will slow the movement gears of the Colossus. - A small amount of experience is gained for focusing. - Focusing positively/negatively will add/subtract to the energy the colossus contributes to harmonizing with the rings. ORBITAL BOMBARDMENT ------------------- Skilled turret operators can bombard to send energy to the rings on an aetherbubble's surface following an aether flare. Charging up the deadly bombardment takes a significant amount of time, but the effect is certainly spectacular. In addition, anyone caught standing with the target runs the risk of being caught in the deadly blast. Only one turret per aethership may be focused on bombardment at any given time. AETHERIC BEACONS ---------------- In addition to Colossi, Artisans can construct miniatures of Aetheric Beacons, which when activated will create a link to a Nexus World. Citizens of the nation to which the beacon is attuned will be able to TELEPORT BEACON (provided they can teleport) from any Nexus World and translocate to the site of the beacon, making them a key part of any successful ground strategy. Aetheric Beacons can be attacked and destroyed by Colossi. AURONIDION PARTICLES -------------------- Colossi create powerful auron fields in their vicinity. The residue from these powerful fields is highly prized by gnomish engineers, and are greatly sought after by Lusternians. See HELP AURONIDION for more information.
