Malikai/EssenceShieldBelt

Essence Shield Belt\\ Level 3 Artifact\\ Attunement Cost 4m.

• No Magical Materials bonus.
• Can't be Stacked with other armor.
• If a Char specificlly Disallows armor it can still be used but costs 2m Extra.
• One hearthstone setting (in the buckle).
• buy soak for 1m / 2L/2B. Max 4m or Permanent Essence in motes, whichever is greater.
• Activation cost is in addition to the attunement cost
• Activation cost commited while shields are active.
• Dice Action to Activate.
• Counts as charm use for the turn.
• Forcefield glows an appropriate color to the Essence of the person using it.

Flavor Text needed

---

Any Comments or Suggestions for Improvement? - Malikai

I'd give it an absolute maximum of 4L/4B soak since it seems like it would stack with armour. If it doesn't stack with armour, then the stats are about fine, I think, although 8 is definitely the maximum soak I would allow. Oh, and either way, I'd raise the Commitment -- 4 is just too low in my opinion, especially for something that requires as much raw magic as a force field. Not to mention it's a level 3 artifact. I'd say at least 6, and probably charge more like 8 myself. Alternatively, you could have someone pay a given number of motes per scene they have it up -- maybe, oh, 6? -- as opposed to having it attuned all the time.\\ Otherwise, flavour text would be good :)\\ ~ Shataina

It was not intended to stack with armor, the commitment of 4 motes is standard for level 3 artifact armor (according to the ArtifactCreationErrata). The 4 mote activation cost raises the total commitment (for when its functional armor) to 8. Glorious Solar Plate is a 3rd Teir charm that does the same sort of thing except it costs 10m and 1w, gives 10L/10B and has a -1 Mobility Penalty. This costs 8m (4 of which are commited all the time) but perhaps an increase of 2 to 4m would be appropriate. - Malikai

Ah, I understand now.\\ In that case, you should definitely note that it can't stack with armour, and you should also make sure that it's absolutely clear that the 4 mote activation cost is an activation cost and not the normal commitment.\\ Hopefully this'll come through in the flavour text.  :)\\ I think it balances fine.\\ ~ Shataina

Thanks! Clarifications Added, Now I just need to get all Inspired like I did when I wrote up Tulani and write some flavor text. - Malikai

It sounds like this beld makes some form of essence field around the user when it's activated. For a nice theme with it you could have it cost a two flat motes for normal attunement, and then allow the user to buy soak with essence motes for a scene, perhaps 2L/2B soak per mote spent. Let them spend up to their perm essence in motes. You could then argue that the protective essence wraps around the exalt's body, and anything but the lightest of clothes disrupts the field, making it not work (to justify it's incompatability with other armor). Hmm... Maybe I should keep my opinions to myself and write my own version some time. Thank's for the inspiration. -EndlessChase

That sounds like it would be pretty cool (visualizes anime-esque moment where a heavy cloak is cast aside, weapon drawn and fighter begins to glow). What would you think about allowing it not to count as armor so martial artists could wear it? - Malikai

That would be, in my eyes, just wrong. As much as if feels like it shouldn't count as armor, it would off-balance things too much to let a MAist wear it. I'll brainstorm later to figure out oa way to compromise and leave another message. -EndlessChase

Maybe an increase to the activation cost, 1 or 2m per 1L/1B? -Malikai

I wouldn't let it, really. I'd do something like "The complex energies that are expended when activating a Martial Arts Form charm seen to disrupt the effects that this belt grants." -EndlessChase

And I wouldn't set two caps on the amount that you can spend. I'd leave it at the wearer's permanent essence. I'm also going to do a version of this myself in my artifacts section. I'll post a link here when I've finished it. -EndlessChase

Any more comments as to why or why not this Belt shouldn't interfere with Martial Arts - Malikai

I think it depends on the rank of the style. Celestial Styles can disallow armour or not at their option, their distinction is practical. Sidereal MA cannot use armour of any kind as a mystical prohibition, and so I would not permit this to be used in conjunction with Sidereal MA. - willows

The question then becomes how to word and rationalize the distinction - Malikai

I just did. - willows

I Decided to just have no armor charms cost extra - Malikai

Any Comments on the most recent version? -Malikai

Only that bumping yourself to the top of RecentChanges doesn't make your content more interesting or controversial, and doing so without adding new content actually disinclines me to comment at all. - willows