More Hone Questions

[Illuvia]

As Luvi experiences more and more combat I find myself asking more questions about what her capabilities actually are without having to worry about overstepping, etc.

1) Are umbral traps visible? The only hint I found is that umbral runes “often” take the appearance of dark inky shadows. I was picturing Luvi drawing a trap on the ground at a choke point, but if they’re plainly visible (the image on the wiki looks fairly visible) and potentially massive in diameter with abilities like dilation… they don’t sound like they’re very practical for my intended use. Perhaps the intent is to couple them with other magic like Glamour to hide them?

2) I know I’ve asked about the Rune of Speed before, but I felt a little uneasy after reading this:

“The Rune of Speed is specific to muscle reaction time and does not increase your ability to perceive what is happening around you at a faster rate. “

I think last time I asked about it, I was told that a runewright’s natural resistance would allow them to use the rune of speed without having to worry about their mishandling situations. Are they really able to operate their whole body at 10-15x speed without having to worry? That seems kind of scary. I just wanted to ask again before I go ahead and progress to that level IC

3) Runes have a lot of variability when it comes to strength and duration. A master/revealed can make a rune that lasts for days on end and that rune can have a x10-15 amplification. On top of that, a runewright has the ability to chain 2-3 runes which could conceivably result in using 3 max powered (but weakened due to the chaining process) runes on a single limb.

My question is revolves around how much we are intended to be able to do without overstepping. I’m guessing that a runewright is not intended to be able to put 2-3 chained runes at max power that last for days at a time on all 5 parts of their body. On the other hand, the intent might be for a single max power/duration rune to invite overstepping. I really have no idea and it’s kind of unsettling not knowing whether I'm doing too much or too little.

I know the answer is probably “it depends” so I’ll try to paint a scenario… If I wanted to use runes for a 2-3 hour battle, would I be able to use a single max powered rune on each ‘limb’ and how close would that bring someone to overstepping?

[Pig Boy]

1) Are umbral traps visible? The only hint I found is that umbral runes “often” take the appearance of dark inky shadows. I was picturing Luvi drawing a trap on the ground at a choke point, but if they’re plainly visible (the image on the wiki looks fairly visible) and potentially massive in diameter with abilities like dilation… they don’t sound like they’re very practical for my intended use. Perhaps the intent is to couple them with other magic like Glamour to hide them?

They appear as described in the wiki. As shadowy lines and such. I take it this means they can be hidden more easily in shaded areas but light areas might work too with good placement. Ignore the image, that's for flavor and might be a lucis mage seeing the traps through ether sight rune.

Umbral traps aren't 'intended' to work with glamour or any other magic really. But you have identified a potential synergy. Just as I could point out the synnergy of using rupturing to pull or push enemies into traps against their will, or to put a well on a undead thrall that just wants a hug.

Magics can act together in weird and wonderful ways. But no, Umbral Traps are good without any additional magic. They can be hidden by conventional means.

2) I know I’ve asked about the Rune of Speed before, but I felt a little uneasy after reading this:

“The Rune of Speed is specific to muscle reaction time and does not increase your ability to perceive what is happening around you at a faster rate. “

I think last time I asked about it, I was told that a runewright’s natural resistance would allow them to use the rune of speed without having to worry about their mishandling situations. Are they really able to operate their whole body at 10-15x speed without having to worry? That seems kind of scary. I just wanted to ask again before I go ahead and progress to that level IC

Umbral mages won't be as good at using this rune effectively as a lucis mage. They are still super quick with their bodies, but they cannot process fast or efficiently enough to do a sort of 'bullet time' as lucis mages can. Lucis has techniques in their section at expert and master that help them process information more quickly. An Umbral mage won't necessarily struggle to control their speed, but they won't be able to process their movements as well at the upper limits of the rune.

3) Runes have a lot of variability when it comes to strength and duration. A master/revealed can make a rune that lasts for days on end and that rune can have a x10-15 amplification. On top of that, a runewright has the ability to chain 2-3 runes which could conceivably result in using 3 max powered (but weakened due to the chaining process) runes on a single limb.

My question is revolves around how much we are intended to be able to do without overstepping. I’m guessing that a runewright is not intended to be able to put 2-3 chained runes at max power that last for days at a time on all 5 parts of their body. On the other hand, the intent might be for a single max power/duration rune to invite overstepping. I really have no idea and it’s kind of unsettling not knowing whether I'm doing too much or too little.

I know the answer is probably “it depends” so I’ll try to paint a scenario… If I wanted to use runes for a 2-3 hour battle, would I be able to use a single max powered rune on each ‘limb’ and how close would that bring someone to overstepping?

The limits described in the time limits is the upper limit that a single chained or 'pure' rune can be maintained and active at max capacity before going into overstepping. Runewrights are best advised to continue using less powerful runes regardless of their ability to turn it up to maximum. Using 15x runes all the time in my opinion would be impractical inefficient, and also quite unnecessary in most situations.

[Illuvia]

thanks!

It sounds like so long as you're using strong runes for only brief periods of time there shouldn't be an issue, which is great! I also agree that higher multipliers are way overkill and more appropriate for incredible short-term feats like pushing a big boulder, punching a BBEG, or running across water.