Storyteller Request: Sorcerer's Apprentice

[Alex Mercer]

As the title says, I'd like to request a storyteller's assistance for the faction quest. To be a bit more detailed, I don't need a constant back-and-forth type partner, but when it comes to the major events, such as speaking to and acquiring the quest (whatever it may entail) and turning it in. As well as the selection of a master for Aang, and all that jazz.

I intend to a bulk of the legwork on my own, I just need a trustworthy compass to point me in the right direction! I'm fully fine with hammering out details before, then having the Storyteller NPC Aang during the quest giving for a single lump post, then again at the end for a grand total of two posts.

Ideas on a quest (if I may may offer them) are simply for something that might take a little while, some effort, a bit of thinking, and a sprinkle of combat! Maybe a trip into the Astral Realm (being Aang has already acknowledged Koh's existence, and... somewhat met the Beast.)

[The Humble Sage]

I could probably help with this!

Would this be after DA? (I know you had expressed intent to join the event, and I think you might be a little squished if you try and do it before the deadline)

[Alex Mercer]

I was thinking during, since Takezo will be preoccupied and I have a lot of time I like to spend writing. Aang won't be joining DA, considering his recent exposure to a "bit too much violence." He needs a cleanse, if ya know what I mean.

[The Humble Sage]

oh okay, that makes sense! do you have a particular kind of mentor you want Aang to be studying under? (or do you want me to just give you something to work with?)

[Alex Mercer]

I'm not even remotely sure what kind of magic is available... Maybe someone who deals heavily with the elements that can broaden the Avatar's perspective on them? Not someone from the Avatar Series, exactly, Aang already "mastered" all the elements, he just needs to reconnect with them (fodder wise.)

Then again... maybe something new... I have no idea. >.>

[The Humble Sage]

Alright, so I am leaning towards your mentor being a mage from Midgard (specifically the one in the Magicka series of games). These games are loosely based on norse mythology which is always a good well to draw ideas from but more importantly the way one casts spells in the game is by combining different elements together.

The Magicka series is pretty tongue in cheek so you wouldn't find this mentor being too strict, but the absolutely different approaches to elements could provide some interesting dichotomy if you would like student/teacher conflict.

We can do something else if you prefer, but I figured I would at least see if this idea tickled your fancy.

[Alex Mercer]

I just bought the game. Let me get a couple of hours in (a couple of RL days, due to time restraints) and I'll give the thumbs up or otherwise. A few questions I want to consider while playing;

1. First off, will the NPC be considered "mine" or a Site NPC?
   
2. Is there an in game NPC that I you are considering, or just a derived character from that world?
   
3. I'm assuming this will be a Prime, but just to make sure, will he/she be a prime?
   
4. I'm planning on doing something with the Star Pieces, is there any way this mage might be able to help at least enlighten Aang about these without being too forced?
   

[The Humble Sage]

no worries on the timing thing, we can move this forward at your pace (it is your storyline after all)

Well, I was thinking that it would be easier not to choose a specific character and make the NPC a secondary, (thereby making your first question a non-issue, as secondaries don't require NPC approval if they are not specific characters from the world.) I think that putting in a tie to the Star pieces would be simple enough. At the very least he could be a means of introduction to the Dalaran astronomers in question.

[Alex Mercer]

I thought Secondaries weren't usually of notable power, which is why I asked. That does make the idea more appealing. Also leaves a lot of leeway and means I only have to focus on the game (and mechanics) rather than one NPC in particular.

IS there anything particularly important in the game you'd suggest paying special attention to for research?

[The Humble Sage]

The relative power of a secondary or prime is a lot more dependent on how long they have been their, and how skilled the summoner was, rather than being a simpler Prime>Secondary kind of equation. Many of the high-ranking members of pretty much every faction actually won't be primes, but secondaries either created by primes specifically for that reason, or (like many of the residents of Coruscant and Camelot) created as "byproduct" of some large-scale construction. As such the term "notable power" is a little more difficult to define when it comes to secondaries. There are most definitely secondaries who are significantly above many primes, and there would be nothing unusual about one of them mentoring a prime.

The game itself is much more action-oriented, but aside from kind of seeing what I mean about the elements being handled very differently than they are in Avatar, I guess I would just keep an eye on their style of talking (like pretty much every situation no matter what level seriousness it warrants, is just kinda mildly entertaining.)

[Alex Mercer]

After a lot of thought, I'm thinking maybe I'd like to steer away from Magicka. Perhaps something more to Aang's "Spirit-Bending," being he only uses it a select few times (Astral Projection and Bending Removal being the only two I can think of off hand.)

[The Humble Sage]

Ooo, like a more mystic take on it? That could be pretty cool! I'll do a little thinking about potential worlds to pull a mentor from for that (since I still think a secondary will give you more freedom in the long run) but if you have any particular suggestions lemme know!

[Alex Mercer]

So I think I've figured it out. It was staring me right in the face every Saturday night during gamenight. Too close to the answer to see the problem, maybe? Or however it goes.

So how about a D&D character? That leaves complete liberty with design. A Pathfinder version Druid with the Elemental Ally archetype seems to be the perfect fit. The divine type can translate to a spiritual bond with nature, and the elemental allies are a big thing that I'm looking for currently.