Agreeing with Alex (Darksense)

From: James Frusetta <gerakkag_at_wam.umd.edu>
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 1997 23:28:50 -0400 (EDT)


Alex and I come close to agreement, foiled earlier by my poor writing...
> Well, because he has to "scan" me in order to "see" me at all,
> das why. Your comment implies some distinction between what a
> "casual scan" and a "detailed scan" can pick up, which wasn't evident
> from assorted earlier comments on this topic.
D'oh! I should have used "scan" and "search." Or "scrutinize," which I always liked. Yah, it takes a "scrutinize" for the troll to do Neat Stuff with Darksense. Just glancing around doesn't cut it, no.

> I don't argue against the principle that uz _can_ ... I merely question
> whether this can be done quite readily, at significant range ... <snip>
I agree -- pulling something like this across a room is the domain of the Uzuz, very powerful and experienced uzko, and insanely lucky dice rolling. Though in friendly troll brawling/marital relations, there's probably plenty of time to size each other up from a few feet away, IMO. *Not* in typical adventuring hack n' slashes, no, as someone posited re: broken bones in trollish MA.

Interesting, actually -- there's probably a heap of useful techniques for Darksense out there. Most probably have to be learned -- the ability to consciously attempt to judge density, let alone screen out certain densities, is a skill a troll has to learn, IMO. Not easy to do, either, and most trolls probably only learn a few tricks relevant for them. The Zong hunters learn the Duck n' Weave, the XU priestess hone their womb-watching skills, elite guards learn to spot metal daggers across the room, Gadblad smiths learn to tell densities of metals, etc. The average troll will know a couple tricks, but could potentially learn more. Some are probably protected trade secrets of certain cults, families, trades, etc.

Trolls in the Lunar Empire:
> have yourself registered as Visiting Monster -- presumably that
Would this be at the Visiting Monster Bureau? :) Next door to the Resident Chaotic Horror Visa Office in Furthest!

And Peter Metcalfe points out an error on my part -- whoops. I can see it now -- "Welcome to the Lunar Empire, Mr. Troll! Please take off your pants, and receive the benefits of law..." :O


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