[Xanth]

Have you ever looked at your character's skills list and thought "hey, it'd be cool if they could also do [insert awesome skill here]"? Do you feel like one race has too few abilities compared to the others? Do you just like designing stuff?

Look no further! As part of our four-year anniversary celebrations, I'm hosting a Skill Design competition. That's right - you heard me. You can design a new skill!


HOW TO ENTER:

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All you have to do is fill out the following form to the best of your ability and then post it in a reply to this thread. You can take a gander at the skills already up for an idea of what I'm aiming for in terms of information needed.

This contest is all about the backbone of the skill rather than the nitty gritty, so you don't have to worry about splitting it down into levels (although you can if you want).

Do think about the limitations (cultural and otherwise) of the races you want to give the skill to, though, as it can affect and be affected by them.

The Form:

[b]Skill name:[/b]
[b]Who can use it?[/b]
[b]What does it do?[/b]
[b]What are its limitations*?[/b]
[b]What are its pre-requisites**?[/b]

^* By limitations, I mean things like needing a fire source to be able to create a fireball, or costing karma, or only being able to do it once a day, and things like that.
^** Like how to get Elemental Shield you need Elemental Manipulation, or to get Shadow Cloak you need Shadow Form, etc.


DEADLINE:

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Entries should be in by July 31st with a view to winners, chosen by you guys in a poll, being announced on Xanth Day (August 8th).


PRIZES:

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The winner will receive this spiffy trophy (it's a book of skills, doncha know!) and ζ1,000!

You'll earn ζ200 just for entering, and any designs that make their way into the skills book will be rewarded with one free upgrade in any skill of your choice*!

* must be a skill that's already available to your character, though (eg. a Nymph can't get Flight or Combat).


DISCLAIMER:

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As much as I'd like to, I can't and won't guarantee using your entries, whether you win the contest or not. I also may use skill designs that don't win - it all depends on how well the design fits in with the other skills and the game as a whole, so pleaes don't be disappointed if yours doesn't go up!

[Naava]

Skill name: Transmute
Who can use it? Nymphs and Zanaryans (both max)
What does it do? Converts things into your bonded Element (Air, Water, Earth or Fire).
What are its limitations*? See below
What are its pre-requisites**? Elemental Manipulation level 6

• Level 1
  
  • Can transmute small, inanimate objects into your element.
    
  • Requires source larger than object.
    
  • Requires physical contact with object and element during entire duration of transmutation.
    
  • Transmutation always causes moderate damage to object.
    
  • Transmutation can last for up to 5 minutes.
    
  • Maximum of 1 targets at a time.
  
  
• Level 2
  
  • Can transmute medium, inanimate objects into your element.
    
  • Requires sources equal to object.
    
  • Requires physical contact with object and element during initial transmutation.
    
  • Object must stay within an approximately 5 foot radius during entire duration of transmutation.
    
  • Transmutation always causes minor damage to object.
    
  • Transmutation can last for up to 15 minutes.
    
  • Maximum of 1 targets at a time.
  
  
• Level 3
  
  • Can transmute large, inanimate objects into your element.
    
  • Can transmute small animate objects.
    
  • Requires medium source.
    
  • Requires object to be within 5 feet during initial transmutation.
    
  • Object must stay within an approximately 15 foot radius during entire duration of transmutation.
    
  • Transmutation can only cause minor damage to object at will.
    
  • Transmutation can last for up to 30 minutes.
    
  • Maximum of 2 targets at a time.
  
  
• Level 4
  
  • Can transmute large, inanimate objects into your element.
    
  • Can transmute medium animate objects.
    
  • Can transmute parts of self, into your element.
    
  • Requires small source.
    
  • Requires object to be within 10 feet during initial transmutation.
    
  • Object must stay within an approximately 30 foot radius during entire duration of transmutation.
    
  • Transmutation can only cause moderate damage to object at will.
    
  • Transmutation can last for up to 45 minutes.
    
  • Maximum of 2 targets at a time.
  
  
• Level 5
  
  • Can transmute large, inanimate objects into your element.
    
  • Can transmute large animate objects.
    
  • Can transmute whole self.
    
  • Requires small source.
    
  • Requires object to be within 20 feet during initial transmutation.
    
  • Object must stay within eye contact during entire duration of transmutation.
    
  • Transmutation can only cause major damage to object at will.
    
  • Transmutation can last for up to 45 minutes.
    
  • Maximum of 3 targets at a time.

[Nicolay]

I thought I might give more love to the hoomanz since they only have three skills. So when I was thinking about what skill, I asked myself what human trait continues to baffle science and reality and praise miracles? And I think I found it. XDDD Also, I hope the way I explain it is okay.

Skill name: Will/Human Will
Who can use it? Humans
What does it do? Gives the humans the strength, spirit, and heart to get through and survive dire situations.
What are its limitations? Characters should still follow ranking of injuries.
What are its pre-requisites? at least Level 1 Favor

Level 1
- character has 10% chance of surviving vampire, crazy Therian, angry skotadi, monster, etc. attack
- injuries may majorly affect vital organs.

Level 2
- character has 20% chance of surviving vampire, crazy Therian, angry skotadi, monster, etc. attack
- injuries may be major but does not affect vital organs.

Level 3
- character has 30% chance of surviving vampire, crazy Therian, angry skotadi, monster, etc. attack
- injuries may be moderate.

Level 4
- character has 40% chance of surviving vampire, crazy Therian, angry skotadi, monster, etc. attack
- injuries may be minor.

---

And now a more "serious" skill.

Skill name: Borrowed Strength
Who can use it? Therians
What does it do? Gives the Therians the chance to use their animal forms' "powers" and strengths in human form. (i.e. leap high and swing the way monkeys do, run fast without breaking human legs, growl or roar the way lions do, climb on walls the way spiders do, etc.)
What are its limitations? Character should still heed to their animal forms' limitation (i.e. they can't fly higher and longer than a chicken)
What are its pre-requisites? at least Level 1 Form, Morph and Metabolism

Level 1
- character can copy animal form's power for five seconds per one hour and 30 minutes
- chance of human body ache (leg ache from the heavy land, heart palpitation from running, nausea) after performing the action is 80%

Level 2
- character can copy animal form's power for an accumulated one minute per one hour and 15 minutes
- chance of human body ache (leg ache from the heavy land, heart palpitation from running, nausea) after performing the action is 60%

Level 3
- character can copy animal form's power for accumulated three minutes per one hour
- chance of human body ache (leg ache from the heavy land, heart palpitation from running, nausea) after performing the action is 40%

Level 4
- character can copy animal form's power for accumulated five minutes per one hour
- chance of human body ache (leg ache from the heavy land, heart palpitation from running, nausea) after performing the action is 20%

Level 5
- character can copy animal form's power for accumulated ten minutes per 50 minutes
- chance of human body ache (leg ache from the heavy land, heart palpitation from running, nausea) after performing the action is 0%

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Added at 2010 July 31 @ +800 GMT

Skill name: Entice
Who can use it? Nymphs
What does it do? Allows the nymphs to charm their target using their innate sensuality. Works like a hypnosis and is done by touch and spoken words.
What are its limitations? Character needs to be a nymph. Target also needs to be rational (not an animal, not a plant). Only works on a single target.
What are its pre-requisites? N/A

Level 1
- character can charm a target with 6% chance of success. Effect wears off in 3 minutes.

Level 2
- character can charm a target with 12% chance of success. Effect wears off in 6 minutes.

Level 3
- character can charm a target with 20% chance of success. Effect wears off in 10 minutes.

Level 4
- character can charm a target with 30% chance of success. Effect wears off in 15 minutes.

Level 5
- character can charm a target with 40% chance of success. Effect wears off in 25 minutes.

Level 6
- character can charm a target with 60% chance of success. Effect wears off in 35 minutes.

[Tsiyone]

Skill name: Telekinesis
Who can use it? Peteulanus Dracovari
What does it do? Move objects using only your mind.
What are its limitations*? See below
What are its pre-requisites**? requires a level of Mental Shield for every level of Telekinesis (so if you want Telekinesis at Level 3, you must have Mental Shield 3 first)

• Level 1
  
  • You can levitate medium objects.
    
  • You can lift small objects no higher than eye level.
    
  • Requires your entire focus.
    
  • You can only target objects that are in your immediate vicinity
    
  • Limit 1 target at a time.
  
  
• Level 2
  
  • You can levitate large objects.
    
  • You can lift medium (or smaller) objects no higher than eye level.
    
  • You can move small objects at moderate speeds.
    
  • Requires your entire focus.
    
  • You can only target objects that are in your immediate vicinity
    
  • Limit 1 target at a time.
  
  
• Level 3
  
  • You can levitate large objects.
    
  • You can lift medium (or smaller) objects no more than 5 feet above your head.
    
  • You can move medium (or smaller) objects at moderate speeds.
    
  • Requires your entire focus.
    
  • You can only target objects that are in your immediate vicinity
    
  • Limit 2 targets at a time.
  
  
• Level 4
  
  • You can lift large objects no higher than eye level.
    
  • You can lift medium (or smaller) objects no more than 5 feet above your head.
    
  • You can move medium (or smaller) objects at high speeds.
    
  • Requires your entire focus.
    
  • You can only target objects that are in your general vicinity
    
  • Limit 2 targets at a time.
  
  
• Level 5
  
  • You can lift large objects no higher than eye level.
    
  • You can lift medium (or smaller) objects no more than 10 feet above your head.
    
  • You can move large objects at average speeds.
    
  • You can move medium (or smaller) objects at high speeds.
    
  • Requires your entire focus.
    
  • You can only target objects that are in your general vicinity
    
  • Limit 3 targets at a time.

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((This one added on July 15th))

Skill name: Pain
Who can use it? Viridis Dracovari
What does it do? willfully control the pain levels of yourself and others around you.
What are its limitations*? See below
What are its pre-requisites**?

• Requires a level of Hoard for every level of Induce (so if you want Induce at Level 3, you must have Hoard 3 first
  
• Requires Heal level 1

• Level 1
  
  • Can alleviate pain in others slightly beyond what you can heal.
    
  • Can alleviate pain in yourself moderately beyond what you can regenerate.
    
  • Can induce minor levels of pain in others.
    
  • Requires so much focus that you cannot move.
    
  • Requires physical contact.
    
  • Limited to 1 target at a time.
  
  
• Level 2
  
  • Can alleviate pain in others moderately beyond what you can heal.
    
  • Can alleviate pain in yourself well beyond what you can regenerate.
    
  • Can induce moderate levels of pain in others.
    
  • Requires so much focus that you cannot move.
    
  • Requires physical contact.
    
  • Limited to 2 similar targets at a time.
  
  
• Level 3
  
  • Can alleviate pain in others well beyond what you can heal.
    
  • Can alleviate pain in yourself vastly beyond what you can regenerate.
    
  • Can induce major levels of pain in others.
    
  • Requires so much focus that you cannot move.
    
  • Requires close vicinity.
    
  • Limited to 2 similar targets at a time.
  
  
• Level 4
  
  • Can alleviate pain in others well beyond what you can heal.
    
  • Can alleviate pain in yourself vastly beyond what you can regenerate.
    
  • Can induce 1 target into a totally painless state for 5 minutes.
    
  • Can induce major levels of pain in others.
    
  • Requires so much focus that you can barely move.
    
  • Requires general vicinity.
    
  • Limited to 3 similar targets at a time.

[Aiden]

Skill name: Environmental Empathy
Who can use it? Nymphs
What does it do? Psychic sensitivity to their bonded element in nature
What are its limitations? See below
What are its pre-requisites?
Elemental Manipulation 5
Wanderers & Nymphs (Level 1)
Wardens (max)

Level 1
- Can sense the presence & location of their bonded Element within a 20-foot radius.
- Can sense the well-being of their bonded Element (requires physical contact).*
- Are influenced but not overwhelmed by this ability.

* Dryads can feel that a tree is dying if she touches it. If a pond has been poisoned by decaying material, an Ayad would be able to feel it upon touch. Nereids can sense volcanic unrest. Nyads may sense an oncoming storm.

Level 2
- Can sense the presence & location of their bonded Element within a 20-foot radius.
- Can sense the well-being of their bonded Element outside the grove (requires physical contact).*
- Can sense the well-being of their entire grove if they're within it.**
- Have 50% chance of sensing the movements and locations of creatures (and Others) within their grove.
- Are mildly influenced by this ability.
** It's a vibe kinda thing.

Level 3
- Can sense the presence & location of their bonded Element within a 20-foot radius.
- Can sense the well-being of their bonded Element outside and inside the grove.
- Have 90% chance of sensing the movement, location, and emotion of creatures (and Others) on their grove. 70% in a 20-foot radius outside of their grove.
- Have 50% chance of deliberately purifying small areas of their grove per session. Time between each session is a week. Regardless of its success, this ability drains nymphs of their energy in correlation to the size of the area.
- Are not influenced at all by this ability.

My idea on purification: Suppose water has been polluted by paint, blood, or shampoo etc. A nyad can infuse her life energy into it to purify the water of its toxins. Same thing can be done to plants by dryads. Ayads can purify air from smoke, dust, and smelly stuff. Nereids are trickier though...maybe they can calm volcanic activity?

===

Skill name: Empathic Memory
Who can use it? Aurumus Dracovari
What does it do? Sense emotions from objects upon physical contact
What are its limitations? Cannot tell who the emotions belonged to.
What are its pre-requisites? Empathy 3

Level 1
- Upon touching an object, have a 50% chance of sensing powerful emotions within the past hour.
- Are easily overwhelmed by these emotions.
- Are influenced but not overwhelmed by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 2).
- Are only mildly influenced by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 3).
- Are not influenced at all by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 4).

Level 2
- Upon touching an object, have a 70% chance of sensing strong emotions within the previous 12 hours.
- Are easily overwhelmed by these emotions.
- Are influenced but not overwhelmed by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 2).
- Are only mildly influenced by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 3).
- Are not influenced at all by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 4).

Level 3
- Upon touching an object, have a 70% chance of deliberately sensing strong emotions within the previous day.
- Are easily overwhelmed by these emotions.
- Are influenced but not overwhelmed by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 2).
- Are only mildly influenced by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 3).
- Are not influenced at all by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 4).


Level 4
- Upon touching an object, have a 70% chance of deliberately sensing emotions within the previous 2 days.
- Are easily overwhelmed by these emotions.
- Are influenced but not overwhelmed by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 2).
- Are only mildly influenced by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 3).
- Are not influenced at all by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 4).


Level 5
- Upon touching an object, have a 70% chance of deliberately sensing emotions within the previous week.
- Are easily overwhelmed by these emotions.
- Are influenced but not overwhelmed by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 2).
- Are only mildly influenced by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 3).
- Are not influenced at all by these emotions (requires Mental Shield 4).

[Kazuma]

Skill name: Elemental Healing
Who can use it? Nymphs and Zanaryans
What does it do? Gives character ability to heal themselves using their bonded element.
What are its limitations? Must have a source of element nearby (a fireplace, a lake, etc)
What are its pre-requisites? Level 1 Elemental Manipulation

Level 1
- character can heal minor injuries in more than one minute

Level 2
- character can heal minor injuries in under one minute
- character can heal moderate injuries in more than two minutes

Level 3
- character can heal minor injuries instantly
- character can heal moderate injuries in one minute
- character can heal major injuries (or control them) in more than four minutes

Level 4
- character can heal minor and moderate injuries instantly
- character can heal major injuries (or control them) in more than two minutes

Level 5
- character can heal minor and moderate injuries instantly
- character can heal major injuries (or control them) in one minute

Level 6
- character can heal all injuries instantly

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Added at 2010 July 31 @ +800 GMT

Skill name: Night Vision
Who can use it? Anyeli
What does it do? Enables the anyelos to see in the dark. For the skotadi, shadows are of no hindrance to them while for the apali, the skill should enable their vision to "brighten" for them
What are its limitations? Only works in the dark. Works better if there is little to no source of light. The extent of the skill is limited also to at most their 30 feet perimeter.
What are its pre-requisites? Corresponding level of Aura Form or Shadow Form (like, Level 1 Aura/Shadow Form for Level 1 Night Vision)

Level 1
- character can see well within their surrounding 5 feet

Level 2
- character can guess the shape of surrounding objects

Level 3
- character can see the surrounding objects in dim light (think a room with small windows but in afternoon light)

Level 4
- character can see everything very clearly

Skill name: Blindness
Who can use it? Anyeli
What does it do? Enables the anyelos to temporarily blind its target. For the skotadi, the target's vision will be darkened heavily while for the apali, the target's vision will be brightened extensively.
What are its limitations? Limited to a single target.
What are its pre-requisites? Corresponding level of Aura Form or Shadow Form (like, Level 1 Aura/Shadow Form for Level 1 Blindness)

Level 1
- character can blind a character within 3 feet for 2 minutes

Level 2
- character can blind a character within a maximum of 5 feet for 4 minutes

Level 3
- character can blind a character within a maximum of 7 feet for 6 minutes

Level 4
- character can blind a character within a maximum of 10 feet for 8 minutes

Level 5
- character can blind a character within a maximum of 12 feet for 10 minutes

Level 6
- character can blind a character within a maximum of 15 feet for 12 minutes

[Lazuli]

My ideas suck



Skill name: Elemental Illusions
Who can use it? Nymphs
What does it do? Allows user to create an illusion (an image) using their element (ie. a person, an object, animal, etc.)
What are its limitations*?
- Will change back to the element when destroyed
- Illusion does not gain special abilities
- Illusion is not permanent and must be near the user to hold its effect
- Illusion cannot make sound (except perhaps the sound of the element)
What are its pre-requisites**? Elemental Manipulation

Level One
- Can create a small illusion that requires moderate control
- Illusion is somewhat discolored/unstable

Level Two
- Can create a small illusion that requires little control
- Can create medium illusion that requires moderate control
- If less source is used, illusion is somewhat discolored/unstable
- If more source is used, illusion is fairly realistic and stable

Level Three
- Can create a small illusion that requires little control
- Can create medium illusion that requires little control
- Can create large illusion that requires moderate control
- If less source is used, illusion is fairly realistic and unstable
- If more source is used, illusion is highly realistic and stable

=====

Skill name: Embed Emotion
Who can use it? Aurumus Dracovari
What does it do? Allows the user to place emotions into an object that the next person(s) who touches it will be influenced by.
What are its limitations*? Effect will wear off with time, more quickly if the user is less skilled and if the object is larger
What are its pre-requisites**? Empathy

Level One
- Can embed a mild emotion into a small object (pens, cups, books, etc.)

Level Two
- Can embed a mild emotion into a medium-sized object (tables, statues, trees, etc.)
- Can embed a powerful emotion into a small object

Level Three
- Can embed a mild emotion into a large object (buildings, bridges, walls, etc.)
- Can embed a powerful emotion into a medium-sized object

Level Four
- Can embed a powerful emotion into a large object

[Tsiyone]

Skill name: Crowd Control
Who can use it? Aurumus Dracovari
What does it do? Extends your emotional control to multiple targets.
What are its limitations*? See below
What are its pre-requisites**? Empathy level 4

• Level 1
  
  • Can extend your emotional control to a group of 3 people or less.
  
  
• Level 2
  
  • Can extend your emotional control to a group of 5 people or less.
  
  
• Level 3
  
  • Can extend your emotional control to a group of 10 people or less.

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Skill name: Instinct
Who can use it? Therians
What does it do? Uses your keen senses to anticipate outcomes.
What are its limitations*? See below
What are its pre-requisites**? requires a level of Hypersenses for every level of Instincts (so if you want Instincts at Level 3, you must have Hypersenses 3 first)

• Level 1
  
  • Your instincts let you assess pertinent personality traits of a person with 40% accuracy.
    
  • You can sense danger a few moments before it happens with 45% accuracy.
    
  • You can predict mundane things (like the weather) with 25% accuracy
  
  
• Level 2
  
  • Your instincts let you assess pertinent personality traits of a person with 50% accuracy.
    
  • You can sense danger a few moments before it happens with 55% accuracy.
    
  • You can predict mundane things (like the weather) with 35% accuracy
  
  
• Level 3
  
  • Your instincts let you assess pertinent personality traits of a person with 60% accuracy.
    
  • You can sense danger a few moments before it happens with 65% accuracy.
    
  • You can predict mundane things (like the weather) with 45% accuracy
  
  
• Level 4
  
  • Your instincts let you assess pertinent personality traits of a person with 70% accuracy.
    
  • You can sense danger a few moments before it happens with 75% accuracy.
    
  • You can predict mundane things (like the weather) with 55% accuracy
  
  
• Level 5
  
  • Your instincts let you assess pertinent personality traits of a person with 80% accuracy.
    
  • You can sense danger a few moments before it happens with 85% accuracy.
    
  • You can predict mundane things (like the weather) with 65% accuracy

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Skill name: Communicate
Who can use it? Therians
What does it do? Understand and communicate with animals.
What are its limitations*? See below
What are its pre-requisites**? Requires you to have that species as a form.

• Level 1
  
  • You can completely understand other Therians in the same animal form as you.
    
  • You can partially understand other Therians while they are in closely related animal forms to your current animal form. (such as a Wolf and a Kelpie Wolf)
    
  • You can mostly understand animals while in their form.
  
  
• Level 2
  
  • You can completely understand other Therians in the same animal form as you.
    
  • You can mostly understand other Therians while they are in closely related animal forms while in your current animal form. (such as a Wolf and a Kelpie Wolf)
    
  • You can partially understand other Therians in forms that you can morph into while in human form.
    
  • You can mostly understand animals while in their form.
    
  • You can partially understand animals that are closely related to your current animal form. (such as a Wolf and a Kelpie Wolf)
  
  
• Level 3
  
  • You can completely understand other Therians in the same animal form as you.
    
  • You can mostly understand other Therians while they are in closely related animal forms while in your current animal form. (such as a Wolf and a Kelpie Wolf)
    
  • You can partially understand other Therians in forms that you can morph into while in human form.
    
  • You can completely understand animals while in their form.
    
  • You can mostly understand animals that are closely related to your current animal form. (such as a Wolf and a Kelpie Wolf)
    
  • You can partially understand animals that you can morph into while in human form.
  
  
• Level 4
  
  • You can completely understand other Therians in the same animal form as you.
    
  • You can mostly understand other Therians while they are in closely related animal forms while in your current animal form. (such as a Wolf and a Kelpie Wolf)
    
  • You can mostly understand other Therians in forms that you can morph into while in human form.
    
  • You can partially understand other Therians in any form.
    
  • You can completely understand animals while in their form.
    
  • You can mostly understand animals that are closely related to your current animal form. (such as a Wolf and a Kelpie Wolf)
    
  • You can mostly understand animals that you can morph into while in human form.

[Euphenia]

Skill name: Greater Elemental Bond
Who can use it? Nymph Wanderers
What does it do? Strengthens the bond between a Wanderer and their companion while similarly enhancing the elemental abilities bestowed upon the companion.
What are its limitations*? See below.
What are its pre-requisites**? Requires a level of Summon Animal for every level of Greater Elemental Bond. (For example, if you want Greater Elemental Bond at Level 3, you must have Summon Animal at Level 3 first.)

• Level 1
  • Companion counts as a small Source of their bonded wanderer's element.
  • Companion's self-awareness and intelligence is marginally increased.
  • Wanderer and Companion gain a weak empathic link with a range of 50 feet.
  
  
• Level 2
  • Companion counts as a small Source of their bonded wanderer's element.
  • Companion's self-awareness and intelligence increase enough for attempts at speech.
  • Companion learns Elemental Shield Level 1.
  • Wanderer and Companion gain a weak empathic link with a range of 100 feet.
  
  
• Level 3
  • Companion counts as a small Source of their bonded wanderer's element.
  • Companion's self-awareness and intelligence increase enough that short sentences can be spoken.
  • Companion learns Elemental Shield Level 2.
  • Wanderer and Companion gain a weak empathic link with a range of 150 feet.

• Level 4
  • Companion counts as a medium Source of their bonded wanderer's element.
  • Companion's self-awareness and intelligence increase enough that they can hold a conversation.
  • Companion learns Elemental Shield Level 3.
  • Wanderer and Companion gain a moderate empathic link with a range of 150 feet.
  
  
• Level 5
  • Companion counts as a medium Source of their bonded wanderer's element.
  • Companion's self-awareness and intelligence increase enough that they are nearly equal to that of the wanderer.
  • Companion learns Elemental Shield Level 4.
  • Wanderer and Companion gain a moderate empathic link with a range of 200 feet.

Skill name: Greater Elemental Bond
Who can use it? Nymph Wardens
What does it do? Strengthens the bond between a Warden and their demesne while similarly enhancing the elemental abilities bestowed upon the demesne.
What are its limitations*? See below.
What are its pre-requisites**? Requires a level of Summon Animal for every level of Greater Elemental Bond. (For example, if you want Greater Elemental Bond at Level 3, you must have Summon Animal at Level 3 first.)

• Level 1
  • The Demesne's presence as a Source is as normal.
  • Demesne's collective consciousness becomes marginally more organized.
  • Warden and Demesne gain a weak empathic link with a range of 50 feet.
  
  
• Level 2
  • The Demesne's presence as a Source is extended by 100 feet.
  • Demesne's collective consciousness begins forming occasional coherent thoughts.
  • Warden and Demesne gain a weak empathic link with a range of 50 feet.
  
  
• Level 3
  • The Demesne's presence as a Source is extended by 200 feet.
  • Demesne's collective consciousness becomes more active in furthering its warden's goals.
  • Warden and Demesne gain a weak empathic link with a range of 100 feet.
  • Demesne learns Elemental Manipulation Level 1.

• Level 4
  • The Demesne's presence as a Source is extended by 300 feet.
  • Demesne's collective consciousness becomes curious about the area around it.
  • Warden and Demesne gain a moderate empathic link with a range of 150 feet.
  • Demesne learns Elemental Manipulation Level 2.
  
  
• Level 5
  • The Demesne's presence as a Source is extended by 500 feet.
  • Demesne's collective consciousness becomes sentient enough to convey messages through pantomime for its warden.
  • Warden and Demesne gain a moderate empathic link with a range of 250 feet.
  • Demesne learns Elemental Manipulation Level 3.

[Xanth]

Ahhhh, I can't believe it's the 31st of July already!

Welp, time to vote, ladies and gentle gents. Voting ends on the 7th of August.

• You can vote for more than one skill, since we got so many awesome entries to choose from. (I'll hang on to my own votes until the end, so in the event we get ties mine will be the tie-breaker.)
  
  
• This should be a given, but don't vote for yourself.

[Xanth]

Wow. When I decided to host this contest, I didn't expect to get so many great entries, so I didn't prepare any runner-up prizes! However, you're all too awesome for me to plan for, so I'm sneaking in a couple of extra rewards.

So congratulations go to Aiden, Kazuma, Tsiyone and Euphenia who will all receive ζ500 for their entries Empathic Memory, Night Vision, Communicate and Greater Elemental Bond. That's on top of the ζ200 everyone will receive for entering.

However, the main prize goes to the winning entry, Telekinesis. Congratulations, Russ! You've won ζ1,000 and the skill book trophy!

As I wrap up this event, I want to thank everyone for participating and for submitting such amazing designs. It's always a joy to run these things when the result is so spectacular.

And don't worry! I haven't forgotten about the promised freebies. They'll be awarded over the coming weeks as I go through and decide which ones can be added to the skill book. Again, though, please don't be offended if yours doesn't make it.

Thank you once again, and Happy Xanth Day!

[Xanth]

I'm releasing two of the skills here! Russ's Transmute for Nymphs and Zanaryans, and Liv's Mimic (originally Borrowed Strength) are now available if your character wants them (and has the upgrade slots). They have been altered slightly, so please be sure to read them through thoroughly before buying them.

Russ, Liv - don't forget to claim your free upgrades!

I will be releasing more in the future, too, so keep an eye out!

[Xanth]

I've added three more of these to the Skills section! I combined Skyla's Embed Emotions with Joy's Empathic Memory, and added Russ's Crowd Control to the existing Empathy.

If your characters has Empathy, please read through it again since it has been rewritten (your character should actually be more powerful now).

I'm sorry it's taking so long to get these up on the wiki. Sadly, I won't be using all of them but I do aim to get a few more up (including Mind Control) soon.

[Xanth]

Woohoo, that's the last of them! Mind Control, Infliction (Russ's Pain) and Colleen's Greater Elemental Bond are all now up on the wiki, so if you have a 'Vari or a Nymph be sure to check them out!

Thank you again to everyone who entered skills for the contest in August. Maybe we'll have another one next year?