Rules Updates: Critical Condition, New Player Equipment, Dominate / Control

In our quest to consolidate the rules and eliminate a bunch of exceptions and extra paragraphs, the following update will help streamline things, without changing the intent of the rules:

Addition to the Critical condition:
A character in the Critical State may not be targeted by effects other than ones that would bring them out of the Critical condition (by healing or killing them), or otherwise suspend the character's time in this state.  Any existing active effects on the character are removed when the character enters the Critical condition.

(This removes the following two paragraphs, since they are now redundant:

* Dominate and other mind effects can be used on a subject and remain in effect if the subject is unconscious for any reason. Once a person is in the critical stage of her death count, she is immune to mind effects, and all current mind effects upon her are cancelled.

* Paralysis and hold effects cannot be used on a target that is in the critical stage of its death count; these effects will wear off once the target enters the critical stage if they were put on the target beforehand. The only exception is if the skill itself specifically says it works in the critical stage.

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The following paragraph is being added to the Creating a Character section:

Starting Equipment
When you start play as a new character, that character enters game with some basic equipment.  Your character begins the game with the following:

1) Item cards for any weapons you are carrying at the time the character enters game.  All weapons are made of basic materials (Wood or Steel).

2) Item cards for any Armor you are wearing at the time the character enters the game.  All armor is made of basic materials (Leather or Steel).

3) Characters with Production Points (characters that can make Alchemy, Herbals, or Poisons) may start the game with as many PP in alchemical compounds as they have on their card at the time the character enters the game - these must all be Rank I or II compounds, and the character must be able to make them herself.

4) A New Player will also start with a New Player Packet, which will include basic information about the game, and starting coin for their PC.

Any additional items, including basic weapons and armor, must be acquired In-Game once the character has entered play.

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The Enchantment spell "Dominate" is being renamed "Enslavement."  This will help differentiate it from the Psionic Dicipline with a similar name.

The spell Enslavement, the discipline Dominate, and the prayer Control, all are revised as follows:

This spell / prayer / discipline places the subject under the caster’s control for a duration of fifteen minutes. The caster can order the subject to take any action she desires, and can issue complex instructions that the subject must fulfill to the best of her ability. The subject must apply her best efforts to accomplishing the orders given to her, to the extent of using abilities that the caster may not have been aware of, but would aid in performing an assigned task. The subject has no free will of her own whatsoever and cannot act on her own initiative, except where that initiative would directly aid in successfully completing an order given to her by the caster. The subject cannot be coerced into answering any questions truthfully by means of this spell. The subject possesses a complete memory of the experience of being under this spell.

These have been updated in the online rulebook.

There's a slight typo in that description, Geoff.

for a duration of one fifteen minutes

Dammit, it would be the one I have to fix in 3 places...

Edit: Updated.

I could not find it anywhere but does the rule of clergy being cut off from their powers still exist when dominated?

Good catch.  I can't find it in writing, either, but that's one that's been in play for a while.  I'll run it by James and make sure we codify it properly.

Actually, I am mistaken - that rule was dropped, because it made Malediction useless.  So yes, you still can use your divine abilities while dominated.

Question. It states that they cannot be forced into answering a question with the new update. however, if they answer, does it have to be answered truthfully?

The new text about Critical Condition states that only effects that revive someone from crit or suspend the death count can be used on them. 

1)  Can effects that increase the critical death count, such as preserve life, be used on someone in critical condition?

2)  Encase with Ice says that it suspends someone's death count.  Can that be used on someone in critical condition?

Question. It states that they cannot be forced into answering a question with the new update. however, if they answer, does it have to be answered truthfully?

The intent of this update is that dominate is now not a means to question someone. So no.

The new text about Critical Condition states that only effects that revive someone from crit or suspend the death count can be used on them. 

1)  Can effects that increase the critical death count, such as preserve life, be used on someone in critical condition?

2)  Encase with Ice says that it suspends someone's death count.  Can that be used on someone in critical condition?

1) Based off the wording of preserve life I would say yes. Other effects might have a different response, but if they are worded like Preserve life where they increase the time across the board then i'd say yes.

2) Yes.

Question: I was told during January event that while under the effects of the redubbed "dominate" (and I'm assuming this applies likewise to the psionic "enslavement" and the priestly "control") an afflicted character will retain his/her will to live, and will not follow a command that is directly suicidal i.e. "kill yourself" or "Stand perfectly still" (while the dominating player tries to killing blow the controlled character). Does this rule hold?

A dominated/enslaved person can be told to kill themselves or do something suicidal.

The new text about Critical Condition states that only effects that revive someone from crit or suspend the death count can be used on them.  

1)  Can effects that increase the critical death count, such as preserve life, be used on someone in critical condition?

2)  Encase with Ice says that it suspends someone's death count.  Can that be used on someone in critical condition?

A character in the Critical State may not be targeted by effects other than ones that would bring them out of the Critical condition (by healing or killing them), or otherwise suspend the character's time in this state.  Any existing active effects on the character are removed when the character enters the Critical condition.

Preserve life would not work - you need it on you before you enter the Critical State.  Encase with Ice would, because it specifically states it suspends the death count.

The Galladite prayer "Spirit Stasis" is UNaffected by this change correct?