A Challenge: Wild, Rampant Speculation
| Author | Topic: A Challenge: Wild, Rampant Speculation |
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Apprentice
Member # 3913
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written Wednesday, January 21 2004 21:44
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One thing I have always wondered about is the difference between a Spirit - the one that has it within its ability to cast Ice Lances - and a Spectre. What I'm referring to is the Man Killing Spectre, the one that murdered a fellow in his sleep in the sewers. I'm not talking about actual combat differences, no; what I'm thinking of is the nature of the beast, so to speak. Is it undead? Of course it is, but what makes it a Spectre? Just what *is* a Spectre...? The name is certainly quite cool, but it more than any other creature in BoA has intrigued me a great deal. I suppose I've just got myself hooked on the whole Scry Monster thing from my Exile days, and I think it explained then...but I can't remember. I know there's someone here who can school me on the nature of Spectres. Don't be like those snobby scholars and potion makers! Posts: 6 | Registered: Wednesday, January 21 2004 08:00 |
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Guardian
Member # 2238
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written Thursday, January 22 2004 04:06
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You are devling into magics too evil to explain! i.e. People's categorizing of monsters will change as much as people's brain waves. For evidence, look to the fairy tale about the Three Billy Goats and the Troll at the bridge. Here, the troll is much like a gnome, while Tolkein would have you believe trolls are massive brutes. This can't be discussed to an end.... But as far as in the Avernum universe, Spectres can be refered to as an exceptional Spirit. While they are undead, ghostly things, they tend to haunt areas as opposed to Spirits just existing. Of course, this is all subject to personal choice. -------------------- DEMON PLAY, DEMON OUT! Posts: 1582 | Registered: Wednesday, November 13 2002 08:00 |
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Law Bringer
Member # 335
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written Thursday, January 22 2004 12:49
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There are spirits that haunt as well, and both can also appear without any real reason. Specters seem to be more like mindless killers, while spirits still have enough of a mind to use magic. Or maybe they're the same, but magic users who die become spirit while those who can't use spells become specters. —Alorael, who was actually thinking of shades while writing that. It still works for specters, though, unless he's confusing them with something else. Posts: 14579 | Registered: Saturday, December 1 2001 08:00 |
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Guardian
Member # 2238
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written Thursday, January 22 2004 17:29
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I wasn't saying Spirits don't haunt, just that Spectres almost exclusivly haunt. Spirits do, but get most of their kicks from serving undead kings. I think Shades would be classified as alternate-dimensional ghosts. They are what happens when someone messes with trans-dimensional stuff. A person's essence is copied, and ported over to another plane. But as said before, this is a touchy subject due to change in everyone's POV. -------------------- DEMON PLAY, DEMON OUT! Posts: 1582 | Registered: Wednesday, November 13 2002 08:00 |
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Apprentice
Member # 3913
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written Friday, January 23 2004 00:55
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More wild, rampant, speculation - since (as mentioned) a lot of people have varying opinions on this, well...heck. Just don't kill me for my mental wanderings =) Spectres could be more lifeforce-oriented than magic-oriented, and by that I mean in origin. In BoA I have seen hostile, free Spectres and one so called 'Guardian Spectre'. They appear to be more substantial than Spirits and Shades, though I don't intentionally group Spirits and Shades together. I see a Spirit and I think of a dead lifeforce, whereas I see a Shade and I think of energy / alternate dimensions. Could it be that Spectres, being substantial yet in one case employed as a Guardian, be hybrids of sorts; infused with powerful Shade-like magic to be vicious killers, yet still corporeal? I'm not sure, myself, but magic is definitely involved with Shades + Spectres, while Spirits just seem like dead fellows who have lingered around and are bent on causing death. What do you guys think, though? What further conclusions have your thoughts led you to? -------------------- -- - The Hater of Uppity Priests "Donation for a spell? Donate THIS." Posts: 6 | Registered: Wednesday, January 21 2004 08:00 |
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BoE Posse
Member # 15
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written Friday, January 23 2004 08:38
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Rather than speculate, I've decided to summon both a Spirit and a Spectre, talk to them, and discover the differences. Here goes..... OK, now, you in the green. Yes, you. Please look at me, not through me! And you, the other one. Why are you raising your cowled arms? Hey, stop that! No glowing! Stop that at ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH........... -------------------- All that we see, or seem, is but a dream within a dream. Visit the Louvre, the BoA Graphics Database at http://www.personal.psu.edu/bxb11/boa/louvre/ Visit Alexandria, the BoE Scenario Database at http://www.personal.psu.edu/bxb11/boe/alexandriajs/ Posts: 653 | Registered: Thursday, September 27 2001 07:00 |
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Law Bringer
Member # 335
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written Friday, January 23 2004 12:14
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Shades are definitely undead from the same dimension as everyone else. There's at least one case of dead people turning up as shades (A1, somewhere in the Abyss). —Alorael, who doesn't thinks shades are anything impressive. They growl, claw, and look menacing. Specters, on the other hand, have nifty cold, draining claws. Posts: 14579 | Registered: Saturday, December 1 2001 08:00 |
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Apprentice
Member # 3809
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written Friday, January 23 2004 12:26
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That will teach him to summon undead beasts from other planes!!! -------------------- Hold fast young one, there is danger all about. He who holds the light of himself within will never shed light on anything, especially the evil minions that roam freely about at night. Posts: 23 | Registered: Sunday, December 21 2003 08:00 |
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Apprentice
Member # 3913
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written Friday, January 23 2004 12:42
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quote:..Looking menacing: 9 mana for a Vengeful Shade. Having cold, draining claws -- Priceless. Well, maybe 20 mana for a Simulacrum, but that comes with the Spectre included, free of charge! You'd still have to, erm, "Disassociate" the nifty set of claws from it. Hehe =) --- - That guy who doesn't want to give up his Mage Spells Posts: 6 | Registered: Wednesday, January 21 2004 08:00 |