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Verb:PREPARE
The PREPARE verb is used to prepare a spell, which readies it in the character's mind for casting. Such preparation is instantaneous, and the verb is largely a hold-over from the past when spell preparation induced cast roundtime. The verb became largely unneeded with the implementation of the INCANT verb and the associated INCANT SET options for CHANNEL and EVOKE, though it is still useful for multi-casting or spells with non-standard casting mechanics. Once a spell is prepared, it may either be released by means of the RELEASE verb, or cast by means of the CAST verb. If not manually released or cast, the spell will automatically release after 30 seconds, expending mana.
Usage
- PREPARE {spell name/number/mnemonic}
- PREPARE PHRASES
Preparation Phrases
There are a variety of messages when a character prepares a spell, based on the spell circle and whether it is a combat or non-combat spell (or, in the case of bards, whether they have spellsongs already active). Characters may also get custom spell preparation phrases from merchants.
Spell Circle | Non-Combat | Combat |
---|---|---|
Minor Spiritual | You gesture while calling upon the lesser spirits to aid you with the Spirit Warding I spell... X gestures while calling upon the lesser spirits for aid... |
You utter a light chant and raise your hands, beckoning the lesser spirits to aid you with the Fire Spirit spell... |
Major Spiritual | You trace a sign while petitioning the spirits to bestow their aid with the Spirit Shield spell... X traces a sign while petitioning the spirits for cognition... |
You trace a sign while beseeching the spirits to empower you with the Calm spell... |
Cleric Base | You raise your hand while murmuring a soft orison, focusing on the Prayer of Protection spell... X raises a hand while murmuring a soft orison... |
You chant a reverent litany, clasping your hands while focusing upon the Bane spell... |
Minor Elemental | You gesture and invoke the powers of the elements for the Magic Item Creation spell... X makes a quick gesture while calling upon the powers of the elements... |
You trace a simple rune while intoning the mystical phrase for Elemental Dispel... |
Major Elemental | You recite a series of mystical phrases while raising your hands, invoking Charge Item... X recites a series of mystical phrases while raising his hands... |
You intone a phrase of elemental power while raising your hands, invoking Stone Fist... |
Ranger Base | You make a simple motion, quietly invoking the Whispering Willow spell... X makes a nearly imperceptible motion while whispering a soft phrase... |
You gesture while summoning the spirits of nature to aid you with the Spike Thorn spell... |
Sorcerer Base | You begin drawing a faint, twisting symbol while softly intoning the words for Scroll Infusion... X begins drawing a faint, twisting symbol as he utters an arcane invocation in hushed tones... |
You trace an intricate sign that contorts in the air while forcefully invoking Mind Jolt... |
Wizard Base | You trace a series of glowing runes while chanting the phrase for Minor Elemental Edge... X traces a series of glowing runes while chanting an arcane phrase... |
Your hands glow with power as you invoke the phrase for Major Shock... |
Bard Base* | ?? | You change your tune slightly, adding the element for Lullabye to your song... |
Empath Base | You concentrate while murmuring the simple, mystical chant for Organ Repair... X murmurs a simple, mystical chant... |
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Wither... |
Minor Mental | You fold your hands and deeply intone a sonorous mantra, focusing your mind upon the Iron Skin spell... X folds her hands and deeply intones a sonorous mantra... |
You take a deep breath and focus inward, raising a hand and quietly murmuring the words of the Force Orb spell... |
Paladin Base | You trace a simple symbol as you reverently call on your patron in the prayer for Mantle of Faith... X traces a simple symbol as she reverently calls upon the power of her patron... |
You motion forcefully as you confidently call on your patron in the invocation for Pious Trial... X confidently calls upon her patron as she motions forcefully... |
Arcane | You scribe invisible signs in the air while chanting the phrase for Mystic Focus... | You gesture sharply and recite the esoteric command for Death Cloud... |
* Bard Base prep phrases are based on whether you have spellsongs active already, rather than whether you are preparing a combat spell.
Custom Spell Prep
A custom spell prep(aration) provides unique or otherwise different messaging when a character PREPAREs a spell to cast. This includes when using INCANT to both PREPARE and CAST a spell with a single command. The custom spell prep replaces the standard messaging that a character has access to and changes it to something else. Characters may have up to 50 messages to toggle between using the PREPARE PHRASES command. Certain merchants can give you a spell prep customized to your character. Pre-written custom spell preps are also available at various festivals, pay events, and at Bayview Villa on Mist Harbor. A custom spell prep is a delayed service when the player is writing their own.
Custom spell preps must be turned on before they can be used by using PREP PHRASE ON.
>prep phrases You know the following phrases: 1. ... (Restricted to Phase.) 2. ... (Restricted to Minor Elemental spells.) 3. ... (Restricted to Sorcerer Base spells.) Use prep phrases off to turn off your special messaging. See PREP PHRASES HELP for more info. >prep phrase help When preparing a spell, you can do so in the standard fashion that any other Sorcerer would. You also have the choice to use your own knowledge of spell preparation to do things a little differently. Some special preparations only work for a specific spell; others will work for an entire circle of spells. Rarely, a method may be devised that will work for all spells. You will attempt to prepare spells in the order of phrases shown in PREP PHRASES. If a preparation method is not valid for the spell or spell circle you are using, it will move down the list until it finds a valid one, or defaults to regular preparation. Use PREP PHRASES <number> <new slot> to swap your order of preparations. >prep phr 3 1 Phrase in slot 3 swapped with the one in slot 1.
Custom spell preps can apply to all spells, a single spell circle, or to an individual spell. Use PREP PHRASES <number> <new slot> to set the priority order of spell preps. For example, a prep that applies to a single spell should be ranked higher than one that applies to a spell circle, which should in turn be ranked higher than one that applies to all spells. If the prep that applies to all spells is ranked the highest, it will overrule both the circle spell prep and the single spell prep until swapped into the proper order. In the example provided in the log, if 1 were swapped with 3, the prep for Phase would not appear since the Sorcerer Circle prep would overrule it.
Custom spell preps consist of a set of three messages for each prep.
- First Person
- Third Person
- Third Person, when the caster is invisible
Examples of pre-written custom spell preps include the following from options available at Rumor Woods:
1P: Murmuring into the air, you prepare [spell name], causing pinpoints of silver-hazed light to dance along your form. As you gesture, the starbursts link together, forming ethereal constellations that fade into the air before you. 3P: Murmuring into the air, Person prepares a spell, causing tiny pinpoints of silver-hazed light to dance along his form. As he gestures, the starbursts link together, forming ethereal constellations that fade into the air... Invisible: A sprinkle of silver-hazed lights dance about the room, dissipating with a faint murmur. 1P: Closing your eyes, your fingers recall the familiar gestures to summon the [spell name] spell as your voice falls into a sonorous chant... 3P: Person closes her eyes, her fingers summoning a spell as if it were little more than second nature as her voice falls into a sonorous chant... Invisible: You hear a voice fall into a sonorous chant. 1P: You struggle to recall the correct way to prepare the [spell name] spell, but manage to stammer out something passable... 3P: Person's face furrows in concentration as she stammers out a magical chant... Invisible: You hear someone stammering a magical chant. 1P: You unleash a series of unintelligible grunts followed by a proud belch as you prepare the [spell name] spell... 3P: Person unleashes a series of unintelligible grunts followed by a proud belch... Invisible: You hear a series of unintelligible grunts followed by a belch. 1P: With little enthusiasm, you wiggle your fingers lazily with your hands held out in front of you to prepare [spell name]... 3P: Unenthusiastically, Person wiggles his fingers lazily with his hands held out in front of himself as he prepares a spell... Invisible: (No messaging.)
Additional examples of pre-written spell preps can be viewed in the character customizations category.
Note: A custom spell prep encompasses only the messaging associated with preparing a spell; it does not change how the spell looks when it is cast, including the effects a spell might make. Those messages that appear after the spell is cast will not show up or be impacted by PREP PHRASES. Advanced spell customizations impact the cast spell itself, such as with custom bolt messaging or custom manna bread. See each service's article for the rules of that service.