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Sounds cool.
Guys, I need to talk about pacing. PbP is notoriously slow for me. I'd like to go at a faster, more organic pace. If everyone's willing, we can work hard to go faster, but there is another avenue. A virtual table top (openRPG, etc.) is possible. Even Skype contact.
What do you guys think?
I'm going to have to back out of this as something popped up and I have less time. Have a good game guys :)
Roll20 can be used for maps, but Skype would probably be a lot harder to sort out.
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Depends on what you mean by faster.
I just got home from work. I can not participate in gaming while at work.
I am an active adult with the local District Boy Scout program, meaning that I have 0 to 2 (randomly) evening activities a week, and spend some weekends supporting the local units.
I am an almost 49 year-old professional civil servant.
I REALLY enjoy this hobby, but it is a hobby, and it gets a limited amount of my time. My job, my wife, and my community service all take priority.
What are you trying to make happen? I know there are a lot of people out there who can and who choose to spend more of their time on this hobby than I do. No hard feelings about that from my side. But clear communication about expectations is a VERY important part of establishing a group.
Ah.
Experience has shown that PbP is fun, but can slow down to a snail's pace. But if everyone has as much limited time as you do, then I'll continue to run this as PbP. A faster pace is what I'd like. But if everyone can't do that, then I can run this on this board, no biggy.
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Looking over the Aasimar write-up on D20PFSRD, and thinking about the smattering I remember of Greek mythology, I think "Scion of Humanity" is basically a REQUIRED Alternate Racial Trait for the characters to fit within the campaign.
I'm thinking advanced racial feats that alter appearance (the skin and wing feats, in particular) are probably inappropriate.
I'm thinking about a Scion of Humanity Plumekith (Garuda-blooded) for the mechanics. A descendant of Athena (or possibly Nike) as the tie for the ability focus and justification for a dedication to athleticism, law & justice, skill, victory, courage, etc.
Nike yes, also Apollo. Athena's progeny tend to be very wise and very quick on their wits. They tend to be tacticians.
Well, I try to check at least a few times per day and make posts if they're needed. ^^ Worst-case scenario, I can simply stay up a few minutes later to write a post, and that's always worked out fine.
I'm rather happy with what I've managed so far, though. ^^ Greek myths have always been among my favorites, so a campaign centered around them works for me!
I'm afraid I can't do Skype. My time is in disorganized chunks, and most of it is in relative silence.
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Poetry is Oratory. The bard homer sung his poem, but it was from complete memory. He used music to accompany the singing, but I suspect that the music was a mnemonic device.
Perform Sing is where music is paramount. But, again, reciting a story and reciting a poem (the Iliad, for instance) is oratory.
I'll have my complete story sorted for you soon. :)
Any idea how long you would like it?
I have a lot of ideas pinned down, and although probably exaggerated and not entirely accurate, I have a lot of knowledge with regards to Playstations God of War series, so know a good amount of mythology to play about with.
Agraxas is a pretty simple man. Not much charisma (yet, though that may change) and more the type to seek challenge, mystery and glory, though in favour of proving his own abilities to himself than anyone else really.
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List of The Twelve Labors of Hercules Episodes:
Note, Character Focus episodes haven't been fully established.
1. The Need for a Hero Ensemble -- Premise: Monsters (a band of gnolls) attacks Tiryns before Eurystheus -- an intelligent, good looking, pacifistic man, shows up to be Tiryns' King. The pcs get mixed up in it, and are sent to Thebes to retrieve Hercules. Encounters -- 1 combat encounter, and 2 social encounters.
2. Title tba Focus on PC #1 (Leader)
3. Title tba Focus on PC #2
4. Anteus the Brute: Continuity -- Premise: Outside Megarea, the PCs encounter Anteus, who demands money. If they refuse the bully, Anteus will attack them. Can they figure out his weakness? Encounters -- 1 social, 1 combat, 1 puzzle.
5. The Cyclops of Megarea: Continuity -- Premise: The people of Megarea has one of their streams blocked, and they blame it on one of the Cyclopes (pronounced cy-clop-EEZ), who grew up with many of their bullying. Can the PCs find the actual cause? Encounters -- 1 social, 1 puzzle, 1 combat.
6. The Corinthian Bull Ensemble -- Premise: Diverted to Corinth at Glaucus' insistence, the PCs are enlisted to stop a rampaging bull. Only problem is, the Bull is rumored to be sacred to Tyche. Can the PCs find a way to stop the bull without incuring the wrath of the Goddess of Fortune? Encounters -- 1 social, 1 combat.
7. Title tba -- Focus on PC #3
8. Title tba -- focus on PC #4
9. The Maenads Continuity -- Premise: Stopping at Eleusis to grab a bite to eat, the townspeople enlist the PCs to do something about one of the daughters of Proteus of Mycenae. They have gone crazy with drink and are terrifying the citizens. Can the PCs stop the daughters of Proteus? Encounters 1 social, 1 puzzle, 1 combat(??)
10. Hercules the Theban, pt 1 Continuity -- Premise: The PCs have arrived in Thebes, where they meet up with Hercules. Hercules is helping a band of Cyclopes rebuild a wall when they meet. Two nights after arriving, though, Hercules kills his sons and he must stand trial, can the PCs save Hercules' life? Encounters 1 social, 1 political.
11. Hercules the Theban, pt 2. Continuity -- Premise: Hercules must travel back with the PCs to Tiryns to make his penance at the feet of his cousin Eurystheus. While Hercules is sleeping, however, the PCs face a raid of Kobolds sent by Hera. Encounters 1 social, 1 combat.
12. The Cycionese Boar Ensemble -- Premise: A traveler enlists the PCs' help in defeating a rampaging giant boar at Cycion. Hercules thinks that the boar isn't worth his talents to slay, so he stays out of it when they reach Cycion. The PCs must deal with the boar. But it's no ordinary boar -- it's a Razor Boar!!! Encounters 1 Social, 1 Combat.
13. Title tba -- Focus on PC #1 Leader:
14. Title tba -- Focus on PC #2 -- Premise: Hades' wife has not returned when expected. Hades asks the PCs and Hercules to go find Demeter. When the PCs find Demeter, they find that the earth goddess is distraught. Persephone has been captured by Tydereus of Epidareus. Can the PCs free her? And what will Hades do to Tydereus? Encounters 2 Social, 1 Combat.
15. Fast Times in Hollywood Change of Pace: The PCs are actors in a Fantasy T.V. show based on the Twelve Labors of Hercules. The actor who plays Hercules spends more time at the Gym than anything else. When the PCs go to the gym to talk to the actor, everything turns upside down as a temptress tries to get the actor's attention. Encounters: 3 social. Yes, this does require d20 Modern characters.
16. Title tba -- Focus on PC #3:
17. Title tba -- Focus on PC #4:
18. Eurystheus Continuity: Having returned to Tiryns, they find the Cyclopes working on the walls of Tiryns. Hercules complains about the city. However, the PCs lead Hercules to Eurystheus, who informs Hercules that he has twelve labors for his cousin to perform.
19. Trouble in Tiryns Ensemble: the PCs must protect a woman in Tiryns from a Satyr who is making amorous advances on the woman. However, the Satyr is fully in love if the PCs ever ask him. But the woman is kidnapped by Demetrius of Rhodes. Encounters: 2 social, 2 combat
20. The Twelve Labors of Hercules: Continuity: Eurystheus pronounces that Hercules is in his service and he must perform twelve labors for his cousin. Ashamed of his past, Hercules leaves Tiryns to slay the Nemean Lion. However for the PCs, the Gnoll Queen, Queen Nado, is back from the dead and is wreaking havoc in Tiryns. Encounters 1 Social, 1 combat.
I think if we're choosing actors, I'm going with one of my favourites who's sadly departed from this world.
Andy Whitfield - Played Spartacus in the Starz TV Show.
Though, he's only loosely based on his appearance in my head.
I must admit that I'm not too familiar with actresses, especially television ones. XD Would anyone mind giving me a suggestion or two?
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I think if we're choosing actors, I'm going with one of my favourites who's sadly departed from this world.
Andy Whitfield - Played Spartacus in the Starz TV Show.
Though, he's only loosely based on his appearance in my head.
Except for the references to the Adventure: The Carrion King -- and your t-rex, there's nothing wrong with your background. Your character is approved.
Edit:
My Mistake, you don't have a full character yet. My apologies. :)
Haha yea, that's from my main alias - Apollo's my character for my only active PBP I play on here.
I actually pinned down ideas the other day and although not a rival as such, someone in Agraxas' past could take that role.
I'm writing everything out in full detail as we speak. :)
I'm working on it as well. I hope to post something tonight or tomorrow.
The birth, life and growth of a Warrior:
Long ago, there were two humans - Vaargo, a Soldier of Sparta and one assumed to be favoured by Ares himself, and Celes, a woman said to have been as beautiful as Aphrodite herself.
The two met during Vaargo's patrol through Delphi. Celes was a tradeswoman and one who sold mostly fruit, only selling vegetables and occasional weapons and armour when the poor were in desperate need of some coin. She was a kind soul and often did favours for those around her, even for the more undeserving types out there. She enjoyed helping others and believed that judging was for government officials and the Gods themselves, and understood that through her co-operation with anyone in passing, she'd be less likely to provoke danger or fall to bad situation.
No ladies man as such, Vaargo was good with words and often got what he desired, not through the twisting and manipulation of words, but through the courage and honesty of which his words carried. This was something Celes both admired and found herself instantly attracted to.
Wealth was not something Celes lacked, but at the same time she was a long way from being considered rich. She was just a successful tradeswoman who took pride in her achievements in making a slightly better living for herself than most others in her situation. She could afford nice clothes....not the finest of robes, but ones of decent quality that complimented her looks, and rarely struggled to afford food or the upkeep for her living. She was also a dignified woman.
Vaargo's first move came unexpected to the woman, but Celes turned him away. Not giving reason for her choice, Vaargo tried once more the very next day. Her answer still remained the same, but this time she smiled as she gave her answer. Challenged, Vaargo returned once more after he had a few days to think things over and yet the womans answer was still the same. Feeling disheartened, four days passed and Vaargo, still feeling a little defeated, was informed his patrol would be moving out of Delphi by week's end. If nothing else the man wanted to say his goodbye's, so he turned up at Celes' stand once more, only her stock was nowhere to be seen and neither was Celes. Knowing it was his last day in Delphi and last chance to say goodbye to the woman he found himself intently attracted to, he waited for an hour and when he was finally ready to leave he received a tap on his shoulder. There, standing behind him was Celes with a bright, charming grin on her face, as she held a basket of strawberries under her left arm.
"You're early!" she said. "I don't open for a half turn of the sun yet."
Vaargo laughed. His sense of humour was playful and childish but still crude for the leader of a military patrol.
"You don't open?" he questioned. "Your shop I could understand, but you? I did not realise we had escalated to such talk so quickly." he laughed as Celes awkwardly blushed and shied away.
As Vaargo's response was received differently to that of how he'd imagined, the man quickly straightened himself up before marching up to the woman, placing his hand on her shoulder and addressing her once more.
"I apologise. I did not mean to offend. Your wording just....ah, nevermind that. I am here because I've taken a liking to you and yet at every opportunity I express such interest, you turn me away. So, I have come today to say my goodbye to you, for today is my last day in Delphi as my men and I will be departing at dawn's break tomorrow morning. Had we not met today, I would have little of interest to keep my mind occupied over the coming months. It was a pleasure to have met someone so radiant as yourself, and my only regret is that feeling is not shared."
Removing his hand from the woman, Vaargo smiled and turned away, but at that moment, Vaargo was stopped by the simple uttering of "wait" as Celes placed her hand in his.
"It is your last day?" Celes questioned.
"It is." replied Vaargo, still facing away from the woman.
"Your name. May I have your name?" asked the woman.
"Vaargo. Vaargo Tiligris. Yours?"
"Celes. Celes Denaera. It's a pleasure to meet you, Vaargo. Forgive me, I only turn you away because of my inexperience in dealing with men. Most men get the hint and disperse interest after being turned down the first time, but you? You persist. Why is this?"
Vaargo smiled as he turned back around to face the woman.
"Because Celes, I am not like most men. When I discover beauty I would seize opportunity and you seemed like fine company for my time spent here in Delphi."
That night, Vaargo and Celes spent their one and only night together, romantically under the moonlit sky of night, sharing warmth from one another's body before Vaargo's departure the next morning.
Vaargo had women previously, but none he truly cared for and the same could be said of the opposite gender for Celes who was used by several men who claimed to care for her much earlier in her youth.
The gods themselves thought Vaargo and Celes to have loved one another, yet with Vaargo's seed now growing inside, Celes and Vaargo were never to see each other again.
Not much is known about Vaargo from this point onwards. Rumour conflicts as some suggest he met his fate sailing across the Aegean Sea in a battle against a fierce Hydra, others say he stands atop Mount Olympus watching over all those below, while several claim Vaargo's patrol was wiped out by enemy forces, leaving him heavily injured and wandering the lands back towards Delphi.
On subject, Celes presumed Vaargo to have left this world long ago. Whether he's still alive or not is something that only the Gods know, but even with the aid of paid messenger, no word of his still beating heart returned, and so Celes moved to Athens where she brought up her son Agraxas to believe his father died shortly after leaving Delphi, following that fateful night of fiery passion.
Having only one parent proved hard for Agraxas as he grew up, for many called his mother name while others looked for any excuse to belittle he and his name. One boy in particular, Soccales, was arguably Agraxas' most troublesome bully. He ran a small gang that he self-lovingly named "The strength of Soccales". It was nothing more than just a bunch of kids ranging from the age of 8-18 sucking up to him and doing as he commanded. Why so many followed him was questionable, but it was commonly believed he was the strongest kid around, and one said to have Herculean strength and at just 14 was rumoured to have bested a 30 year old warrior in a fist fight. As unlikely as this may be, Soccales' reputation was based around this strength and so after years of abuse from the boy and his gang, when Agraxas finally took all that he could endure, his inner flame of vengeance burned brightly, giving him the courage necessary to take on the abusive and obnoxious ringleader.
Agraxas had few friends, for all those he befriended either moved on, or betrayed him in favour of those with more social standings, forcing the boy to trust very few people.
Like most playground fights, those loyal to Soccales encircled Agraxas and their leader the very moment Soccales began shoving Vaargo and Celes' child around. Agraxas didn't like fighting and never retaliated unless to help another. In this instance however, after beating Agraxas to the ground, spitting and also weeing on the beaten and bloody boy, Soccales felt it wise to call Agraxas' mother a whore, spouting stories of why Agraxas' father left his mother as if it were truth. "Agraxas' mother has bed so many that her own man fell ill and left of embarassment because they say his own d*** fell off. It's something he's best off without though, if all it could produce was this wretched little maggot before us." he lively jested.
After the crowd of youth's dispersed, some remained close by just to watch what little of a man agraxas was, while others felt shocked by what they'd just seen and heard. Most simply stayed on Soccales side as they did not wish to be on the receiving end of his cruelty.
Several nights after this event, noone had seen Agraxas. Even his mother wondered where he got to, after having only made himself present at meal time, staying out through most nights, remaining quiet at any questions and keeping to himself.
What he was doing however was spying on Soccales, looking for weakness in the boy, trying to guage how tough the kid really was so that he could exploit weakness and make his bully regret all actions against him. Eventually Agraxas deduced he had a 50/50 chance in winning a fight with the brat because neither one (Agraxas or Soccales) were combat trained in any way. So, when Agraxas returned to his normal lifestyle as normal, Soccales, in front of his friends, insulted Agraxas once more, only this time instead of taking it or making scarce, Agraxas marched straight over towards Soccales, ignoring the bullies friends as they too insulted him, and then punched Soccales square in the face with a piece of metal over his knuckles, hidden beneathe cloth that acted as a hand grip.
This broke Soccales' nose on impact, at which point he immediately fell to his knee's screaming while blood spurted out from injury.
Word soon got around that the child of one of Athens' noble families was beaten by a mere commoner. Not only did this bring shame to Soccales, but it too brought shame onto his family, turning them into a living joke, a laughing stock amongst the inner circles of nobility within Athens. Unfortunately, Agraxas did not know Soccales was from a family of worth, and was escorted to the bullies parents as they demanded retribution for their recent misfortune born of Agraxas' hand.
To please Soccales parents, one Magistrate at the time (Klabbos Verinian Gladrivic) ordered guard to pull Agraxas' mother from her home in order to carry out a public display of humiliation against Agraxas' beautiful mother, in this case in form of nude public lashings for all to see. This pleased Soccales' father in more ways than one, and to add to this, Agraxas was given trial by combat with the very opponent he hated - Soccales. This was to teach both children a lesson though, to allow rage to be vented between the two so that both families could move on from this trivial matter and return back to their normal lives. Celes' punishment was hardly fair, but such was often the case when the wealthy desired payback over the poor/those worse off financially.
Both boys were given real blades and shield to protect themselves, but Soccales collapsed to a blubbering mess, burying himself under shield as Agraxas repeatedly screamed with tears of anger as he hit Soccales shield over and over again, giving his old bully a few lasting cuts along the way. The point here though wasn't death, and guards soon split the two up following magistrate command.
This happened during Agraxas' 10th year of life, and regardless of everything he went through, Agraxas grew up in Athens as an intelligent young man, appreciative of his mother, for it was her who cared for him and spent her own coin to afford such proper and respectable education.
Following the events of his childhood, Agraxas took a strong interest in the art and honour of fighting, learning how to fight with sword and shield, unlike his father Vaargo, who wielded shield and spear, preferring to dual wield two incredibly long and devastatingly powerful spears (on his more offensive and bloodthirsty days). Agraxas trained for nine years, and over these nine years tried to make deep connections with women he had taken fancy to, but no relationship ever seemed to work out. Still, without distraction of more fruitful desires, the boy became a man of indomitable will and self-discipline.
Through much perseverance, he taught himself to read his opponents moves while waiting for openings so that he could strike swiftly with deadly precision while taking into consideration all possibilities of each and any encounter, knowing when to strike and when to switch to defensive stance to guard with just as much skill and focus.
A man in passing once told Agraxas to watch out for those who consider themself friend, because it is those people who are most deceptive. A true friend doesn't claim to be deserving of friendship. A true friend is your friend.
Taking heed of these wise words, Agraxas now has a greater understanding of the world around him, and now at aged 19, he is ready to depart on his first ever grand adventure, hopeful that he can carve a name for himself in history, never to be forgotten and always to be remembered.
Finally done.
I apologise but backstories take me the longest to do out of anything related to roleplay.
I believe you now have ample plot hooks. :)
...Now I'm feeling a little competitive. XD If you'd like to have some more hooks for Myrrine, I could certainly write up a longer backstory!
Lol, I thought I overdid it tbh!
Haha, and when I have time, I'm a Videogame Journalist who loves English and pursues a job in Community Management/Marketing to put my English skills, Graphic skills and creativity to good use!
I'm still pursuing that goal!
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Yeah, last night I got home from work, went through the messages once, and left for Scouts. I got home and started to write a background story for you. I got about 2 sentences in and my wife demanded I pay attention to her. It was already 10 PM at that point. I hope to get things to a point I can post it all for you tonight.
Sometimes the wife wants to have Great Fun too. ;)
I'm ready to start when you are, though only two of us are ready so far and Huston is the only person showing constant interest aside from myself and Rednal it seems.
I'll copy everything into a profile when I get home from work tonight (roughly 6 and a half hours time), but I'm looking forward to encounters and hopefully some interesting conversations of Greek goodness....or godness. :p
And here's a story from Myrrine's past! ^^
She didn't go unnoticed for very long, as the quiet guardians of the land watched her from their resting places. Most mortals would have been dragged off to see Charon, but the instructions given by Hades (the deity) had been perfectly clear: none of his servants were to ever cause harm to his daughter. The word of Hades was law in the underworld, and Myrrine passed by without ever realizing how close she'd been to a very different Death.
However, the spirits of the dead are not known for their ingenuity or creativity. Myrrine was able to pass by unharmed, but the watchers didn't get up to offer her assistance, either... and it wasn't long at all before Myrrine became completely lost. She spent several days wandering through the Asphodel Meadows, home of the normal dead, until she finally managed to reach an edge and find another path down. With no idea of a better destination in mind, Myrrine took the path and began to descend lower, and lower, and lower... and for nine days, Myrrine did nothing but walk downwards and eat through her dwindling supply of food.
And then she met a god.
The Olympians were close to humanity - though forces beyond comprehension flowed through their bodies, they were relatively normal otherwise, and could easily be comprehended. However, the most ancient and primal of the gods were far more difficult to understand, and Myrrine had come face-to-face with one of the most frightening gods of all: Tartarus, who was both the abyss itself and a divine force. Alongside the deity (who, honestly, hadn't even noticed Myrrine) were the guards of Tartarus, the hundred-handed giants that protected the lair from intruders and made sure that nothing broke free. They served mainly at Zeus' command, not that of Hades, and had never been given instructions... and a single swipe of one arm was enough to toss Myrrine out of the gateway and into the wall of the pit she'd used to descend.
As she lay there, a single drop of blood oozed out of a cut and dropped to the ground - with an immediate response. A dreadful howl shook all of the realm, and in mere moments, a massive figure appeared high above. Moving faster than any human could possibly have traveled, the guardian of Hades plummeted down towards Tartarus and landed on the very bottom of the pit leading to its entrance. Cerberus, the god in the form of a three-headed dog, had arrived to fulfill his master's command. One head bit into the huge weapon that the giant was swinging, a second bit into the giant's leg, and the middle head simply looked forward and growled.
Recognizing that the visitor was under the protection of an Olympian, and wasn't actually trying to break anyone out, the giant withdrew - and Cerberus, after giving Myrrine a few massive licks, took her to the palace of Hades. Persephone had been terribly worried about the way Myrrine hadn't shown up on time - though Hades had informed her that the girl was not among the dead, plenty of other horrible things could have happened. Everything ended well, but all told, the girl had spent nearly three weeks in the realm of the dead, and it was starting to show. She was returned to the realm of the living the very next morning, and brought back to where she belonged under an escort. On the bright side, she'd been taught the way to get to Hades' palace, and wouldn't be lost in the future... though her time among the dead seemed to have stayed with her, helping her tap into her divine heritage and access the latent powers within her.
She'd never been quite the same after her trip to Hades, but unlike many, she'd lived and left with the blessing of its ruler. She's rather looking forward to the next trip home - Persephone promised to show her the Elysium Fields, the section of the realm that's effectively a paradise.
Gender Issues - As Greece was typically a very male-dominated location, dealing with being female can cause a lot of problems, especially when surrounded by youths who know they're destined for fame and glory, and often act accordingly.
Religious Rites - Oaths to Hades are Serious Business in ancient Greece, but Myrrine prays to the Lord of the Dead pretty much to the exclusion of everyone else (though she does acknowledge him). Part of her prayers involve killing things and consuming their fresh blood (i.e. ritual usage of "The Blood is the Life"), and she can easily be ostracized for this.
Social Acceptance - Myrrine can easily come across as uncaring about the lives of others... after all, she knows exactly where they're going to end up, and has actually been there. Her lack of good social skills means that it's easy for her to hurt others by accident, but she might go to considerable lengths to try and make things right...
Shall I keep going? ^^ I could do this for quite awhile.
Okay, I'll extend it. I wanted four characters. :)
Actually, WrongJohnSilver is working on a character. And I'm trying to write your first adventure. :)
Sounds interesting.
Btw, with regards to his Charisma, I don't consider him very charismatic so it wasn't a dump stat, but more an area I feel if he grows in (so becomes more charismatic), the Gods may bestow more Charisma upon him.
Just a fun idea/concept I had. :)
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Gender Issues - As Greece was typically a very male-dominated location, dealing with being female can cause a lot of problems, especially when surrounded by youths who know they're destined for fame and glory, and often act accordingly.
Religious Rites - Oaths to Hades are Serious Business in ancient Greece, but Myrrine prays to the Lord of the Dead pretty much to the exclusion of everyone else (though she does acknowledge him). Part of her prayers involve killing things and consuming their fresh blood (i.e. ritual usage of "The Blood is the Life"), and she can easily be ostracized for this.
Social Acceptance - Myrrine can easily come across as uncaring about the lives of others... after all, she knows exactly where they're going to end up, and has actually been there. Her lack of good social skills means that it's easy for her to hurt others by accident, but she might go to considerable lengths to try and make things right...
Shall I keep going? ^^ I could do this for quite awhile.
You're positively a Hellenist. It's fascinating. Keep going.
I'm an Atlanteologist by the way. Yeah, study of the Ancient Civilization before the Flood. Complete with all the wacky theories that go with it.
WJS here. Work has been utterly ridiculous, so I STILL need to get my background and equipment together. But here's the character as it stands.
Basic idea is that he's a Pythagorean cultist, more well-versed in mathematics and engineering than the will of the gods. His arcane bond is his "ring" which is more like a mini gauntlet/armature with various measuring tools, lenses, prisms, etc. that he manipulates for the proper magical effect.