--[Summary of Round 48 as of Thu, 23 Nov, 22:00:00]-- All times are GMT+1. Please avoid beginning any line of your messages with the word 'From', as such messages get messed up at some point before reaching me. Theme : Sorcery (selected by Vanyel) Wizard : Morendil Judge : Morendil Eligibility status : Name Until SPs New Players ineligible Waggie ineligible 3 Ronald ineligible 3 Jesse ineligible 6 Vanyel ineligible 2 Stein ineligible 6 Dave ineligible 6.5 Dug ineligible 3 Storm ineligible 2.5 Bruce ineligible 1 Peter ineligible 0 Andre Tue, 19 Dec 10:32:32 3 Jeremy Tue, 19 Dec 18:36:33 8.5 Spell status : Name Points Spells Affected by Jeremy 10 5 ZAOF, Slnc, SpPr, Dizz, SpCp Andre 8 5 ZAOF, Slnc A * indicates immunity Brevity (Brev) - no Spells of more than 2 words Causal Time (CaTi) - no Spells effects based on future events Inaccurate Spelling (InSp) - target may modify Spell name & effects Reiteration (Reit) - must enumerate all Spells already on target before single-target Spell Null Field (NuFi) - all individual Spells on target are negated permanently Box (Box) - no Spells going out of Box Black Box (BBox) - no Spells going into Box Un-Box (UnBx) - negates Box Mirror Shield (MiSh) - all Spells cast also affect caster Forward (Forw) - Spell is cast on target by Divine Intervention Mage Rage (MaRa) - target's Spells cause other Mages' Spells cast at target for 23 hours Time Warp (instant) - Mage's next Spell goes off after second next Spell is completed Hypnosis (Hypn) - target's next Spell must be that specified by caster Freeze Frame (FrFr) - no Spell can affect target until previous Spell has completed Innoculus (Inno) - target becomes immune to any Spell e is released from Shotgun Web (ShWb) - first New Mage must cast a multi-target Spell before any single-target 5th Amendment (5thA) - target immune from eir own Spells Zair's Aura of Forewarning (ZAOF) - target must list all Spells that will be used when casting first Spell Shrinking (Shri) - new Spells must be shorter (name & description) than previous Spell Growing (Grow) - ??? Stretching (Stch) - ??? Shrieking (Shrk) - ??? Black Wind of Doom (BWOD) - ??? Telegraph (Tele) - target may only cast a Spell if full effects of next Spells are revealed Go Away (GoWy) - ???? Cliche Compulsion (ClCo) - ??? Crispy (Crpy) - ??? Bruce's Suprise (BrSp) - ??? Spellcopy (SpCp) - ??? Wealth (Wlth) - ??? Minor Wound (MiWo) - ??? Silence (Slnc) - target may not say anything without also casting a Spell Dizziness (Dizz) - Target's next spell hits random target Restart (Rest) - ???? Spell Protect (SpPr) - Protect one of target's Spells from being restricted Concrete (Conc) - ??? Hall Of Mirrors (HOMi) - ??? Summon Demon (SuDe) - ??? Proposals of Round 48: -[Proposal 48:A, voting ended Sun, 19 Nov 95 10:03:52]- Add a new, temporary RO : 7b. The Judge is allowed to award Style Points for suggestions for a Theme before the Round officially starts. One suggestions per Player will be permitted. PRO : Morendil, Jeremy, Ronald, Vanyel, Jesse, Stein PASSED 6:0 -[Proposal 48:B, voting ended Sun, 26 Nov 95 7:56:02]- That 48:5 be judged VALID. PRO : Waggie CON : Morendil, Ronald, Dug FAILED 1:3 -[Proposal 48:C, voting ends Wed, 29 Nov 95 11:38:00]- That 48:8 be judged INVALID. PRO : Dave CON : Dug, Stein FAILED 1:2 -[Proposal 48:D]- Retracted by Proposer. -[End proposals]- I have selected and awarded Style Points to the following suggestions: - seemingly unsurmountable restrictions, that leave a hidden way out (Ronald, 1.5 SPs - I like this, but is it practical ?) - Building a Knowledge Base (using 1st-Order Logic) (Vanyel, 0.5 SPs - sounds interesting, but, well... *too* interesting?) - Sorcery (in which the players cast spells on one another) (Jeremy, 2 SPs - I like this, the first Rule would have to be good !) - Rule Sets. Rules that make it difficult to deduce which rules apply. (Stein, 0.5 SPs - Hmmm... Not sure it would make a long Round) - "How many FRCers does it take to screw in a light bulb?" (Jesse, 2 SPs - Could be a lot of fun !) Rules of Round 48 : -[Rule 48:1 by Vanyel Wed, 22 Nov 09:12:13) VALID 1.5 SPs]- Hello fellow mages. I'm just gonna let you right now, beating me won't be easy. We've all got our spells (and the Wizard over there has quite a few), but it's not _what_ spells you got, it's how you use them. A few reminders of the rules of the Mages' Duel: - No Death spells. This includes spells which summarily remove anyone from the duel. Be more clever. - Always name the target of the spell out loud as it is cast. This is to prevent miserable whining by the losers as to who got shot. If it is a multiple-target spell, name _all_ target mages. - If it hasn't been named before, you should probably describe the spell (once you've cast it, of course). This will help the neophyte mages follow the action. Well that's about it, really. By the way, don't even bother saying anything if it doesn't have to do with spells--we don't need to waste the time. And now, on with the show. Keep 'em short, guys. My first spell is cast on ALL PARTICIPANT MAGES: _Brevity_. The spell of _Brevity_ prevents the casting of all spells with names more than two words. Obviously, this prevents any of the lethal or mortal-wound spells from being cast. -[Comments]- Validity : is it really stylish to always submit first Rules that come very close to being INVALID ? I guess so. I would have thought that the requirement to name _all_ targets implied naming each of them by name. However, Vanyel chose to cast Brevity on 'all Players', so, rather than invalidate the Rule for that, I'll allow such an 'area effect' for future spells. Be warned, however, that future spells will have to mention either specific targets or 'all mages'. Also, Vanyel cast Brevity on emself. Apart from the specified effects, I'll take this to imply a short Rules Round, which means that Vanyel loses .5 SPs for a longish Rule. Style : okay, that's the Theme, and Vanyel's Rule hits the spot. Perhaps too many restrictions at once, and some rather weak ones, but a nice Rule generally. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:2 by Stein Wed, 22 Nov 12:01:29) VALID 2.5 SPs]- Ronald Kunne, I put a spell on you: "Causal Time". You will now not be able to cast any spell whose primary or secondary results depend on future actions. Vanyel, for having the courage to go first, I put a spell on you too: "Inaccurate Spelling". Any spell you cast from now on may be changed, by a spell target, by changing every title word to a rhyming word with the same syllable count. (eg. "Brevity" could have been "Levity" making us all merry). -[Comments]- Validity : no problems. Style : short and to the point. Plus I like the fact that Spells are effectively going to act as restrictions, which obviates the need for explicit restrictions. Stein's example is definitely one to follow. It lacks a certain oomph, though. A Battle of Magi should have, I don't know, some grandeur. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:3 by Dug Wed, 22 Nov 18:36:55) VALID -0.5 SPs]- To reiterate then, - No Death spells. - Always name the target of the spell out loud as it is cast. If it is a multiple-target spell, name _all_ target mages. - If it hasn't been named before, describe the spell you are using. And in that same vein, I cast a spell upon you, Stein: "Reiteration." (Abraca-Abraca-Abraca-Abraca-Abraca-Abraca-Abraca-Dabra) >From now on, before casting a single-target spell, you must first list all of the spells which still affect that single person. -[Comments]- Validity : no problems. Style : bleah. Why list all the restrictions of 48:1 again ? Also, I don't like the Spell. It is more likely to impair the Style of future Rules by Stein than to further the Theme. Thank God this isn't an 'area' spell ! A Note on 'All Mages' Spells : I have decided to rationalize it thus : a Spell can be cast either on a single Mage or on 'The Arena' where the Magi battle. This means that any Mage entering the fray becomes subject to all Arena Spells. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:4 by Dave Wed, 29 Nov 19:17:00) VALID 1 SPs]- I cast a spell on thee, Storm: Null Field. This spell negates all spells currently affecting the subject, be they for good or ill, and grants the recipient of that spell permanent immunity from the spells thus negated. -[Comments]- Validity : no problems, *if* my ordering of the Rules is correct. Effects : none, since no Spell currently affects Storm personnally. I rule that Arena Spells (i.e. Brevity) cannot be thus negated. Style : half a point for brevity (I mean Brevity), another half point for an interesting idea. I don't think it warrants much more, though. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:5 by Waggie Wed, 29 Nov 19:28:53) INVALID 1 SPs]- Greetings, Virtual Magi! I cast the spell LIMITED MAGIC upon the Forum of the FRC. When this spell is in effect, each spell which is then cast in this Forum shall be effective for a duration of eight rule submissions, after which it shall then cease to be in effect. This spell has an effect on itself, effectively effecting its own effects, in effect. -[Comments]- Validity : sorry, the Forum is not a Mage, and you specifically stated that the intent was not to cast an Arena Spell. I have no option, to be consistent, but to rule it INVALID. Style : duration Spells are a nice idea. Half a point for brevity, but you lose some Style owing to a surfeit of 'effects'. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:6 by Jesse Wed, 29 Nov 22:00:15) VALID 2 SPs]- I hereby cast _Box_ on Vanyel, Stein, Dug, Ronald, and Jeremy: All affected players are placed in a magical Box, from within which it is impossible to cast spells on players outside of the Box. The only way out of the Box is to have _Un-Box_ cast on the Boxed player by another player. All Boxed players are placed in the same Box, even on distinct castings. -[Comments]- Validity : no problems. Style : a very nice Spell, and short to boot. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:7 by Storm Thu, 23 Nov 14:40:48 VALID 1.5 SPs]- Hee hee hee! I cast a spell on me, Storm: "Mirror Shield". >From now on if any wizard casts a spell on me, that wizard will also be affected by eir own spell. That should keep you on your toes! -[Comments]- Validity : no problems Style : should be interesting ! Nice and short. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:8 by Stein Thu, 23 Nov 11:45:55) VALID 1.5 SPs]- I put a spell on us - Vanyel, Dug, Ronald, Jeremy and myself: "Black Box", rendering us totally invisible from outside the box. We can now be referred to, and spell targeted, only by mages inside the box. -[Comments]- Validity : Reiteration (48:3) requires Stein to recap all Spells affecting any of eir targets. <> Style : could have been interesting ! Nice and short. :) -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:9 by Ronald Thu, 23 Nov 20:07:27) INVALID 1.5 SPs]- I cast all spells thus far defined in valid Rules on myself, Ronald. Luckily for me, the first thing every Apprentice-Mage learns is that all Spells cast wear off after exactly 5 days, 5 minutes and 5 seconds. -[Comments]- Validity : I had a hard time with this Rule, 48:1 states 'We've all got our Spells'. I'd taken this to mean that Mages could only cast their own Spells. Furthermore, the quote from the Apprentice's Primer has problems of its own. I am of the opinion that a First Rule has privileged status; in this Round, I had assumed that we would have no 'definitional' Rules after 48:1. None of these would have been sufficient objections to this Rule's validity, though. However, 48:1 definitely states 'name the target of the spell out loud _as it is cast_'. To be VALID, this Rule should have cast previous Spells in order, naming Ronald as target each time. Style : another fairly interesting idea, wrapped up in a short Rule. I should warn y'all that I'm getting bored with these. :) -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:10 by Waggie Fri, 24 Nov 01:17:32 INVALID 2 SPs]- Harken to these words I solemnly intone-- Upon ye shall the spell of POETRY be thrown: Jesse, Stein, and Vanyel, thus ye have been stricken. Jeremy and Ronald, lest your spirits quicken, Ye also fall before it. Ye shall not get away! Dave and Dug and Storm are now within its sway. To all 'tis clear the portent of this loathesome curse Is that hence your further spells must be phrased in verse. -[Comments]- Validity : with 48:8 VALID, this is INVALID. Style : okay, this is both original and short. Nice Rule, though I might have minded a bit if it had been VALID; I think we've seen enough Poetry Rounds. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:10b by Dave INVALID 2.5 SPs]- The Validity of Waggie's last I do not know; no judgment's been passed. And so, to cross the Zones of Time I hereby cast this Spell in rhyme. Upon Vanyel, Stein, Ronald and Jeremy I cast, This spell to increase your magical mass. The spell's name, Black Hole, does imply That also toward you shall all spells fly. Thus, you see, no matter at whom A spell is sent, it's also YOUR doom. The original victim will also be striken, But around you the layers of spells will soon thicken. -[Comments]- Validity : Dave was absolutely right, I _did_ miss this Rule. I don't know how I managed, but I did. 48:8 makes this INVALID (fortunate in a way, since otherwise I would have had to recalculate validity for all further Rules and probably got a lot of people angry at me). As compensation, I will not figure it in Dave's eligibility status. Sorry again. Style : the least I can do is acknowledge that it was a very good Rule indeed. Not short enough, but deserving in all other respects. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:11 by Andre Fri, 24 Nov 12:55:45 VALID 0.5 SPs]- The mages may have wondered why I haven't stepped into this arena earlier. Well, I was taking my yearly visit to the Divine Intervention, the great Spellcaster that makes all us mortal mages look like simple folk. And the great Spellcaster has given me a spell (I don't know if it is a new one or not), and I am going to use it now. I hereby cast 'Forward' on Storm. The effect of it is, that if Storm casts a single-target spell on someone, then all spells which have effect on Storm, and don't effect the person e is casting the spell on, will be casted by the Divine Intervention on that person. As the Divine Intervention does not want to spend too much time on our tiny fight, Exactly 5 days from now all existing spells of Forward will be destroyed, and any new casting of the spell will be ineffective. However, perhaps, if they find it interesting enough, they will have a new spell for one of us (or perhaps even all?). Who knows? -[Comments]- Validity : no problems. Style : not bad at all, but a bit long. Also, this is a rather roundabout way of circumventing Box, as I see it, but why not... It might even work... -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:12 by Stein Fri, 24 Nov 18:46:52 INVALID 0.5 SPs]- Jeremy, laboring under the burden of "Brevity" and "Box", I put a spell on you: "Preparation". >From now on, you cannot cast a spell, unless you have already named the next spell you will cast thereafter. -[Comments]- Validity : Stein's reiteration misses Black Box. Style : short, but otherwise a low-level Spell. Reserving your Spell Points is perhaps a good idea when you're going to cast many of them... -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:13 by Stein Fri, 24 Nov 18:46:52 INVALID 0 SPs]- Dug, adding to "Brevity" and "Box", I put a spell on you: "Random Target". Hereafter, any spell you cast will ignore your designation of target or targets. Instead it will hit the mage (or mages in the case of a tie) whose name - as it appears in any Judge's summary - has the 19(s) + 20 (t) + 5 (e) + 9 (i) + 14 (n) = 67) that comes closest letter-ordinal sum (eg. the letter-ordinal sum of stein is: 19(s) + 20 (t) + 5 (e) + 9 (i) + 14 (n) = 67) that comes closest to the second count of your spell's arrival in the FRC forum. Only by chance may this happen to be the original target. -[Comments]- Validity : Stein's reiteration misses Black Box. Style : heh. Care to cast 'Aspirin' on the Judge after that ? -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:14 by Stein Fri, 24 Nov 18:46:52 INVALID 0.5 SPs]- Ronald, on top of "Brevity", "Box" and "Causal Time", I put a spell on you: "Letter Curse". In the future, any spell you cast will not take effect until its title's first letter has been repeated in the title of any spell cast afterwards. -[Comments]- Validity : Stein's reiteration misses Black Box. Also invalid because of 'Causal Time'. Style : short, but I'm still not convinced. Was thiis really an attempt to put Ronald in a situation of not being able to cast any Spells ? Too obvious in that case. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:15 by Dug Sun, 26 Nov 23:42:17) INVALID 1.5 SPs]- I hereby cast "Dying Projection" upon the Magi Arena. From now on, when a Mage has less than 24 hours of eligibility left, that Mage may cast a spell as if he or she was another, surviving Mage. The Mage from whom one is casting a "Dying Projection" spell must be named explicitly. -[Comments]- Validity : ah, well... casting a Spell on the Arena still amounts to casting it on all Magi. The Box invalidates this. Style : that was nevertheless a good idea... -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:16 by Stein Mon, 27 Nov 09:08:09 VALID 1.5 SPs]- Dug, under the curse of "Brevity", "Box", and "Black Box", and "Dying Protection" if that spell was able to take, I put a spell on you: "Mage Rage". Whenever you cast a spell, then any spell cast by any mage within the immediately following 23 hours, must be cast either at you, or at the single target of your spell (the last option is of course not available if your spell was multiple-target). -[Comments]- Validity : no problems. Reiteration does not have to list only spells that are on the target, so Stein could afford to be safe here. Style : a strange Spell... I'm not sure how I will interpret this. Either I take this as a restriction on *future* Spellcasters after Dug casts a Spell, or as only conditionnally validating Dug's Spells until it can be verified that the condition was satisfied. I lean toward the second interpretation, since the way this Round is going implies that Spells only affect their targets; having a Spell affect other Magi than the target could have strange effects. Probably unstylish. :) -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:17 by Jeremy Mon, 27 Nov 18:50:23 VALID 2 SPs]- I, the mage Jeremy, cast the spell "Time Warp" on myself: The next spell that I pronounce shall be cast as normal, but its effects will be delayed until the _following_ spell has been completely fulfilled. On Dug I cast the spell "Un-Box" and release him from this gaol. On Dug I cast the spell "Hypnosis" with the following command: Dug _must_ cast, as his very next spell, "Un-Box" on me, Jeremy (and anyone else he chooses to free). On Dug I cast the spell "Freeze Frame": Until the previous spell has been completely fulfilled, no new spell can effect Dug (note that, for the purposes of this spell, a hypnotically commanded spell is not a "new" spell). -[Comments]- Validity : impressive. No problems at all ! Though I'm glad that I decided to put the chart of what Spells affect whom in the Summary. :) Style : Wizardry of the highest order. Well, one nitpick or two with Freeze Frame, maybe, the wording of which could be clearer, and it's a longish Rule, but good nonetheless. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:18 by Jeremy Tue, 28 Nov 00:02:30 VALID 0 SPs]- While I await my time-warped magic to take effect and get me out of this box I cast "Innoculum" on myself (Jeremy), Stein, Ronald and Vanyel: Once released from the effects of a spell, the target of Innoculum will be immune from the effects of future castings of the same spell. -[Comments]- Validity : this becomes tougher and tougher to figure out. I see no problem with it, though. Style : -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:19 by Jeremy Mon, 27 Nov 00:47:45 INVALID 0 SPs]- I cast upon the Arena the spell "Spell Stealer" which works as follows: A mage may only cast a spell which was coined (first used) by another mage if there was nothing preventing him/her from ever _seeing_ and _hearing_ the spell in question. For instance, the _Box_ spell prevents the occupants of the box from seeing and hearing those on the outside while there is no such barrier in the other direction (_Black Box_, on the other hand bars the transmission of information in both directions). Spells which differ only in name, but not in effect, will be considered the same spell for these purposes. Having heard and seen another mage cast a spell a mage may then use that spell as if it were his/her own. -[Comments]- Validity : INVALID by the same argument 48:15 is INVALID. An Arena Spell is a shorthand for 'all Mages', which the Box prevents. Style : let's see... not short enough; on the other hand, I like the idea of defining under what conditions other Mages' Spell may be used; on the other hand, this isn't Win at Any Cost; on the other hand, this is a generous-minded Spell. I say it averages out. :) -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:20 by Dave Tue, 28 Nov 05:21:00 VALID 1.5 SPs]- I hereby cast the spell "5th Amendment" upon myself, Dave. The effect of this spell is to make the target of the spell immune to any and all spells that the target has created or will create, should any of those spells be cast against him/her by any other mage. -[Comments]- Validity : no problems. Style : an elegant solution to a potential problem. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:21 by Bruce Tue, 28 Nov 06:14:20 VALID 1.5 SPs]- I look over my shoulder and wiggle my nose at the arena's entrance as I step in, and sparkling mage-fire spreads across the portal. I have cast SHOTGUN WEB upon the next mage who enters, whom in my idiom I shall name Secundus. We shall know when someone has entered next (and by what name e calls e'self) upon the first spell e casts in this arena. SHOTGUN WEB shall cause Secundus's spells that effect but one mage to fail until Secundus successfully casts a spell upon multiple mages. -[Rule End]- Validity : no problems. Style : not bad, but probably not very effective either, considering that New Players have less than 10 hours left to enter as of this writing. I like the style, though. -[Comments]- -[Rule 48:22 by Dug Tue, 28 Nov 18:41:11 VALID 2 SPs]- Since it seems I have no other choice, I cast "Un-Box" upon the following Mages: Vanyel, Ronald, Stein, and Jeremy. Also, it might be fitting to give a full description of the "Un-Box" spell at this point. When "Un-Box" is cast upon a single target, that target is released from the effects of the "Box" spell. When "Un-Box" is cast upon multiple targets, these targets are released from the effects of all spells with the word "Box" in them. -[Comments]- Validity : I had a wee bit of a problem, since Un-Box *was* named before. By 48:1, Dug is therefore not required to describe its effects. On the other hand, nothing prohibits em from doing so. I can't see anything in 48:1 that says the *full* effects must be described, and Dug's description is fully consistent with the restrictions on that Spell, so in the end it turns out OK. Style : I like very much how Dug has turned that to eir advantage. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:23 by Jesse Wed, 29 Nov 00:48:06 INVALID 2 SPs]- I hereby cast Spell Relay on Dug. Spell Relay causes its target to become a Relay Circuit for spells, by which the caster of any spell cast at the target may, at eir option, re-route the spell to any target (single, multiple, or the Arena) that could be the target of a spell cast by the Relay Circuit. The spell then takes effect as though cast by the Relay Circuit. Clearly, Spell Relay can only be cast on Magi. -[Comments]- Validity : sorry, Dug is still Black Boxed. Style : I can only admire the sheer obfuscation of that Rule. It's the last one I'll be Judging tonight (1:30 AM already, how time flies !), and it really made my night to realize that I didn't have to actually understand it. That is the sole reason for the 1.5 SPs (the other half a Point is as usual for brevity). :) -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:24 by Peter Wed, 29 Nov 05:54:18 VALID 0.5 SPs]- I choose to cast no spells at this time, pondering instead how best to capitalize on the advantage my tardy arrival provides. Since no mage can cast more than 5 unique spells in a single battle (and make no mistake, this IS a battle), my rivals have revealed some of their repetoire while I have as yet revealed none of mine. Splendid... -[Comments]- Validity : no problems Style : what, not even a Spell ? Chicken. :) -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:25 by Dave Wed, 29 Nov 06:05:00 INVALID 1.5 SPs]- I cast upon each of you, Vanyel, Ronald, Stein, and Jeremy, the spell "Thrall." This spell requires the target to protect the caster as follows: If any mage should cast a restrictive spell upon the caster of "Thrall", the "Thrall" target is required to cast a restrictive spell at the mage attacking the "Thrall" caster. Spells already in progress can be redirected by this spell. "Thrall" is a permanent spell. -[Comments]- Validity : fails to comply with Mage Rage by not casting Thrall at Dug. Style : a Spell in the finest traditions of wizardry. I take issue with 'Spells already in progress' : what is that supposed to mean ? -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:26 by Jeremy Wed, 29 Nov 16:36:29 VALID 2.5 SPs]- As is required by Paragraph 17.2.1 of the Mages' Duel Compact, all presently active spells are revoked as Battle #1 of the present Duel has been won by Dug by virtue of his isolating himself from the other mages's spells for the required amount of time. Dug is awarded one gold medallion but may cast no more than 4 unique spells in the next battle. Please note, of course, that the Spell Isolation tactic can be employed only once per Duel. -[Comments]- Validity : another definitional Rule, and for once a very nice one. Following in Peter's footsteps, this Rule casts no Spell. It does refer to Dug by name, which seems to violate the Black Box. However, only Mages are prohibited from naming Dug. Since nothing in Jeremy's Rules indicates that its pronouncements are voiced by a Mage, I'll give it the benefit of doubt. Style : the only flaw in this otherwise excellent Rule is the reference to Isolation Tactic, which has never been cast or even mentioned in this Round. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:27 by Peter Wed, 29 Nov 23:27:35 VALID 1.5 SPs]- I cast ZAIR'S AURA OF FOREWARNING at the Arena. This spell forces each mage (upon casting his or her first spell once the Aura is in effect) to name the five (or fewer) spells which constitute that mage's repetoire for this battle. This spell lasts until the end of the battle and goes into effect immediately. Of course, each mage's repetoire can be unique. This spell forces the revelation of names only, not effects, but since all spell names are in some way descriptive of their function, ZAIR'S AURA OF FOREWARNING provides the insightful mage with much information. -[Comments]- Validity : no problems (strange to be saying that for the 27th Rule)... But one thing keeps nagging at me : does Schroedinger's Rule apply to deciding whether ZAOF takes effect at the exact time that it is cast or an infinitesimal amount of time later ? A question that may not be as trivial as it seems. Style : meshes in with Peter's previous restiction nicely; I also like taking advantage of Brevity's demise. A bit longish, though. You could have dispensed the second paragraph, IMO. :) -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:28 by Storm Thu, 30 Nov 02:32:06 VALID 1 SPs]- I cast Shrinking on Peter Sarrett. From now on, each of his spells must be shorter, both in characters in its name and words in its description, than his previous spell. My other four spells will be: Growing Stretching Shrieking Black Wind of Doom Better get ready, fellow Mages! -[Comments]- Validity : no problems. Style : brevity is getting over-used. But I like the other Spell Names. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:29 by Bruce Thu, 30 Nov 04:01:33 VALID 0.5 SPs]- Unfortunately, the terms set out in Paragraph 17.1.4 of the Mages' Duel Compact (hereafter referred to as the MDC), which stipulate when spells may be cast in or on the Arena, have been violated. As we all know, the penalty for the Premature Spell Infraction, when a spell is cast after a Battle has been won but before the next Battle is declared Begun, is a reduction in Spell Points allotted to the first malfeasant mage for the next Battle in the Duel in question. Peter, therefore will begin Battle #2 with 8 Spell Points, while all other participating mages begin it (as they do all Battles) with 10. Under the auspices of Paragraph 15.1.1 of the MDC, (Onset of Battle) Battle #2 is declared Begun. -[Comments]- Validity : no problems. Style : only fair giving Peter a taste of his own medecine; still, I'm getting fed up with that invisible Compact everybody seems to know so much about. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:30 by Bruce Thu, 30 Nov 04:01:33 VALID -1 SPs]- Paragraph 5.9.1 of the MDC declares that each spell cast by a mage reduces that mage's Spell Points by the amount of Style Points awarded by the Judge to the posting containing the spell, excepting that no change in Spell Points occurs for awards of negative Style Points. With a squint of my eyes, I, Bruce, cast TELEGRAPH upon Storm and Peter. The target of TELEGRAPH may only cast a spell if that mage reveals the full effects of the _next_ spell that mage will cast. In addition to TELEGRAPH, I bring to this Battle the spells: GO AWAY CLICHE COMPULSION CRISPY BRUCE'S SURPRISE -[Comments]- Validity : no problems. Style : yuk. That MDC thing again. And an unimaginative Spell. Try harder, please... -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:31 by Peter Thu, 30 Nov 08:15:43 VALID -2 SPs]- I thank Bruce for reminding us about the Spell Point system before too many spells were cast in this battle. I return the favor by pointing out that the MDC stipulates that the second battle in a duel is won by the first mage whose cast spells result in a negative Spell Point total. -[Comments]- Validity : fine. Style : need I comment on my views of further Rules that mention the MDC ? Should I further express how I feel about Rules that don't contain a Spell but only a quote from it ? -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:32 by Stein Thu, 30 Nov 09:42:00 INVALID 1 SPs]- I bring to the second battle one spell only, a new one that I recently deviced (and before you ask, no I won't tell anyone the secret behind it, this kind of spell is mine and only mine from here to eternity): it is called CAST SPELL, and is used to invoke the effects of any spell that may be cast. Now, I cast CAST SPELL on the arena, invoking the effects of GO AWAY. As you know GO AWAY makes something go away in the sense that it cannot be referred to in either spells or other comments. I choose the Mage's Duel Compact as the object to go away. Then I cast CAST SPELL on the arena, invoking the effects of SPELL PROTECT. As you know SPELL PROTECT makes it impossible to disallow casting of a particular spell, and I do of course choose my own CAST SPELL as the spell to protect. -[Comments]- Validity : sorry, 48:1 requires that a Spell's effects be described _after_ casting it. Style : I don't like 'Cast Spell' much - but Stein gets some Points back for the attempt to deal with the MDC. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:33 by Andre Thu, 30 Nov 17:41:31 VALID 1 SPs]- My spells for this fight are: Spellcopy Wealth Minor Wound Silence Dizziness Of these I start with the spell 'Silence', which I cast on the Arena. Its effect is to make it impossible for any mage to say anything without casting a spell at the same time. -[Comments]- Validity : no problems Style : nothing extraordinary... -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:34, by Jeremy Tue, 05 Dec 19:26:55 VALID 0 SPs]- My spells for this Battle: RESTART SPELL PROTECT CONCRETE HALL OF MIRRORS SUMMON DEMON I cast SPELL PROTECT on myself (not forgetting to say my own name out loud when doing so...) and chose RESTART as the protected spell. The effect of this spell is to prohibit any spell from being cast which might impair the ability of the target mage to cast the chosen spell in the future. Once the chosen spell has been cast by the target mage, SPELL PROTECT is dispelled. -[Comments]- Validity : okay, fine... Style : so far, the effect of Zair's Aura Of Forewaring has been to give us a _lot_ of _very_ interesting and intriguing Spell Names. Unfortunately, we haven't seen many interesting _Spells_ ! Let's get more enthusiastic, folks... -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:35 by Andre Thu, 7 Dec 14:15:01 VALID 0.5 SPs]- I cast DIZZINESS on Jeremy. His next spell will not be cast on the target he chooses, but on a random target. If it is a multiple-target-spell, a random target will be chosen for every target he announces, possibly the same target twice. -[Comments]- Validity : fine. Style : hmm... Since there are only two Mages remaining, this could have some funny effects, but otherwise it's rather unimaginative. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:36 by Andre Tue, 12 Dec 10:32:32 VALID 1 SPs]- I cast SPELLCOPY on Jeremy. Its effect is to change the effect of one of target's spells to the effect of another spell. This effect will be removed only at the end of the duel, when another SPELLCOPY-casting effects the same spell, or when 'FULL EFFECT' is cast on the target mage. I choose as the spell to effect 'RESTART'. It will now have the same effect 'FLIGHT' has. -[Comments]- Validity : no problems. Style : short and confusing. I'm not mad about it, but I like it. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:37 by Jeremy Tue, 12 Dec 15:38:07 VALID 1.5 SPs]- In my dizzy state I cast SUMMON DEMON at Andre, not knowing who it will actually hit. The effect of SUMMON DEMON is to conjure up a demon who immediately consumes the target of the spell. The target mage is not killed, merely trapped inside the magic-impermeable stomach of the beast. The demon's digestive juices extract the mage's spells giving it the ability to cast those spells. A Demon will only do the bidding of the mage who summoned it. Please note that the casting of spells by Demons is the only exception to the general principle that spells may only be cast by mages and only in rules authored by players with the same name as that mage. -[Comments]- Validity : fine. Style : now _that_ is an interesting Spell. -[Rule End]- -[Rule 48:38 by Jeremy Tue, 12 Dec 18:36:33 VALID 2 SPs]- *Burp* I, the Demon Gingrinch, summoned by the mage Jeremy, having eaten a mage and extracted his spells, cast PSYCHIC LINK on Jeremy and myself, so that he may instruct me and I may communicate with him without having to speak aloud. While PSYCHIC LINK is in effect, those under its sway are deaf to any other form of communication. >pause< Having now received my instructions from Jeremy via the PSYCHIC LINK, I cast DIVERSION on Jeremy and myself: the next spell cast at someone under the influence of DIVERSION is diverted to a random target not under the influence of this spell. -[Comments]- Validity : this took a lot of consideration, which I won't enter into the details of to avoid spoiling your fun, but it passes. Style : fair is fair. Nice Rule, and half a point bonus for 'Gingrich'. :) -[Rule End]- -[End]- From morendil@micronet.frThu Jan 4 19:51:21 1996 Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 07:30:22 +0001 From: Laurent Bossavit To: frc@nvg.unit.no Subject: Round 48 Over I officially declare Round 48 over, with Jeremy as new Judge and Wizard. Good show, but apparently the real winner is Santa with his final Silence Spell ! :) I assume well begin the next Round in '96, so Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Mages who took part to make this one of the most exciting Rounds in a while. A final Summary follows... -*-*-*-*-*- Morendil