Dark vortece: Difference between revisions

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{{Creature start2 <!-- See Help:Creatures for full instructions on editing creature pages and copy/paste code. Copy/pasting code from an existing creature page may result in missing fields -->
{{Creature start
| picture = [[Image:Dark_Vortece_Colored.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|left]]
| picture = Dark_Vortece_Colored.jpg
| level = 42<!-- This will also be used at the end of the page in the Near level creature template -->
| level = 42
| family = Vortece <!-- Add creature to family page list, which will be linked on preview/save -->
| type =
| type = Globoid <!-- Creature body type -->
| family = vortece
| otherclass = Magical <!-- Other classification limited to corporeal undead, non-corporeal undead, elemental, extra planar, magical; insert otherclass2= for 2nd classification (up to 3) -->
| attacks = Ensnares and Magic.
| otherclass2 = Boss
| area = [[The Broken Lands]]<br>
| area = The Broken Lands<!-- For multiple areas, add area2, area3, area4 (through 8) fields if needed -->
| undead = No
| bcs = Yes
| area2 =
| area3 =
| area4 =
| area5 =
| area6 =
| area7 =
| bcs = Yes <!-- All new creatures are BCS -->
| hitpoints = 300
| roundtime = <!-- Creature speed -->
}}
}}
{{Creature attack attributes2 <!-- ALL WEAPONS, SPELLS AND COMBAT MANEUVERS WILL LINK AUTOMATICALLY. -->
{{Creature attack attributes
| PA1 = <!-- Physical attacks insert up to PA10 and corresponding value/range up to PAJ -->
| warding =
| PAA =
{{creature ability|[[unknown]] |+224 [[Casting strength|CS]]}}
| PA2 =
{{creature ability|[[unknown]] |+224 [[Casting strength|CS]]}}
| PAB =
| PA3 =
| PAC =
| BT1 = <!-- Bolt spells insert up to BT10 and corresponding value/range up to BTJ -->
| BTA =
| WD1 = Unknown<!-- Warding spells insert up to WD10 and corresponding value/range up to WDJ -->
| WDA = 224
| WD2 =
| WDB =
| WD3 =
| WDC =
| OS1 = <!-- Miscellaneous offensive spells (non-bolt and non-warding) insert up to OS10 -->
| MN1 = <!-- Combat Maneuvers insert up to MN10 -->
| MN2 =
| AB1 = <!-- Special abilities insert up to AB10, include creature maneuvers here, manually link if appropriate -->
| ABA = <!-- Special abilities right column, use respective corresponding right column as needed for misc info -->
}}
}}
{{Creature defense attributes2 <!-- Replace ? with value or range, but do not include when the creature is under the effects of disabling statuses (stun/knockdown/interference/curse/etc.) -->
{{Creature defense attributes
| asg = <!-- Insert asg # and template will automatically convert to include type of armor -->
| defense =
| IMM1 = <!-- add IMM2 (up to 15) for additional immunities -->
{{creature ability|[[Melee]] |+28 [[Stance|OFF]] [[Defensive strength|DS]]}}
| Melee = 28
{{creature ability|[[Ranged]] |<N/A> [[Defensive strength|DS]]}}
| Ranged =
{{creature ability|[[Bolt]] |<N/A> [[Defensive strength|DS]]}}
| Bolt =
{{creature ability|[[Bard Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| UDF =
{{creature ability|[[Ranger Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| BarTD =
{{creature ability|[[Sorcerer Base]] |+159 [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| CleTD =
{{creature ability|[[Wizard Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| EmpTD =
{{creature ability|[[Cleric Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| PalTD =
{{creature ability|[[Empath Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| RanTD =
{{creature ability|[[Paladin Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| SorTD = 159
{{creature ability|[[Major Elemental]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| WizTD =
{{creature ability|[[Minor Elemental]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| MjETD =
{{creature ability|[[Major Spiritual]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| MnETD =
{{creature ability|[[Minor Spiritual]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| MjSTD =
{{creature ability|[[Major Mental]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| MnSTD =
{{creature ability|[[Minor Mental]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| MnMTD =
{{creature ability|[[Hitpoint|Hitpoints]] |300 |<N/A> [[Health]]}}
| DSP1 = <!-- Defensive spells insert up to DSP15, they will automatically link -->
| noability =
| DSP2 =
| DSP3 =
| DSP4 =
| DSP5 =
| SDA1 = <!-- Special defensive abilities list insert up to SDA10, these will not link automatically -->
}}
}}
{{Creature treasure
{{Creature treasure
| coins = ?
| coins =
| magic items = ?
| magic items =
| gems = ?
| gems =
| boxes = ?
| boxes =
| other = ?
| other =
| skin = ?
| skin =
| nobox =
| noskinvalue =
}}
}}
{{Creature end}}
{{Creature end}}
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<pre{{log2|margin-right=350px}}>
<pre{{log2|margin-right=350px}}>
You swing a twisted orase runestaff at a dark vortece!
AS: +97 vs DS: +41 with AvD: +10 + d100 roll: +93 = +159
... and hit for 20 points of damage!

You swing a gem-set pitted mithril maul at a dark vortece!
You swing a gem-set pitted mithril maul at a dark vortece!
AS: +97 vs DS: +26 with AvD: +31 + d100 roll: +7 = +109
AS: +97 vs DS: +26 with AvD: +31 + d100 roll: +7 = +109
Line 59: Line 90:
The dark vortece collapses in on itself. You feel an icy chill as the dark form seems to recede into nothingness.
The dark vortece collapses in on itself. You feel an icy chill as the dark form seems to recede into nothingness.
</pre>
</pre>

Wizard bolts are highly effective against them.


==Other information==
==Other information==
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Upon death, they may release hazy tenebrous orbs. Gem dealers will pay for them, and they vary widely in value (from under 100 silver to over 6000). They vanish immediately upon death.
Upon death, they may release hazy tenebrous orbs. Gem dealers will pay for them, and they vary widely in value (from under 100 silver to over 6000). They vanish immediately upon death.


The following can happen when they are in the cavern, possibly [[Blacar#Behind The Scenes|ultimately]] vanishing (it ended up disappearing for no apparent reason):
The following can happen when they are in the cavern, [[Blacar#Behind the Scenes|ultimately]] dying after some number of rounds:
<pre{{log2|margin-right=350px}}>
<pre{{log2|margin-right=350px}}>
A dark vortece seems to shrink, losing some of its intensity.
A dark vortece seems to shrink, losing some of its intensity.
A dark vortece drifts smoothly north, leaving a shadowy haze in its wake.
A dark vortece drifts smoothly north, leaving a shadowy haze in its wake.

A dark vortece seems to shrink, losing some of its intensity.
The dark vortece collapses in on itself. You feel an icy chill as the dark form seems to recede into nothingness.
</pre>
</pre>


Line 125: Line 161:
</pre>
</pre>


==Behind The Scenes==
==Behind the Scenes==
[[Uthex Kathiasas]] called these "dyar rakul" (''[[Iruaric]]'': "dark cold shadows"), which were "other standard" (non-demonic) extra-planar entities from [[Rolemaster]] called Nycorac. Nycorac were mysterious entities made of some unknown kind of energy, who had the ability to move between planes of existence at will (though these ones appear trapped.) They are not considered [[Extraplanar beings (saved post)|extraplanar beings]] for system purposes in [[GemStone]] IV.
[[Uthex Kathiasas]] called these "dyar rakul" (''[[Iruaric]]'': "dark cold shadows"), which were "other standard" (non-demonic) extra-planar entities from [[Rolemaster]] called Nycorac. Nycorac were mysterious entities made of some unknown kind of energy, who had the ability to move between planes of existence at will (though these ones appear trapped.) The extended creature description above regarding their unknown origins and nature is unusual, as the describe verb only includes the first sentence. They are not considered [[Extraplanar beings (saved post)|extraplanar beings]] for system purposes in [[GemStone]] IV.


They were extremely difficult to fight, due to their virtual invisibility, and immunity to almost all weapons. They would stalk their victims, who would only feel "cold chills", draining the life out of them. When you consider that no one knows how to summon them and their origins were unknown, with the nature of their energy beyond comprehension, that Uthex was forging them is supposed to be virtually impossible. The vorteces might also be related as some kind of unnatural perverse hybrid creature between the Nycorac and [[Blacar]] entities.
They were extremely difficult to fight, due to their virtual invisibility, and immunity to almost all weapons. They would stalk their victims, who would only feel "cold chills", draining the life out of them. When you consider that no one knows how to summon them and their origins were unknown, with the nature of their energy beyond comprehension, that Uthex was forging them is supposed to be virtually impossible. The vorteces might be some kind of unnatural perverse hybrid creature between the Nycorac and [[Blacar]] entities, because they are made of darkness rather than invisibility.


The details of the original parts of The Broken Lands have counterparts in "[http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/dq.aspx The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath]" by H.P. Lovecraft. The dark vorteces correspond to the "vortices of cold wind" on the "Cyclopean stairs" of the enormous castle atop the mountain of Kadath, where the gods of earth resided in [http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/mm.aspx madness], with the risk of drawing the monstrous demonic attention of their [[Lesser vruul#Behind The Scenes|guardians]] the dreaded [http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/og.aspx Other Ones]. The hazy "tenebrous" orbs they drop may be an allusion to the end of [http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/n.aspx "Nyarlathotep"], and they could also be based on the [http://yog-blogsoth.blogspot.ca/search/label/Dream-Quest%20Of%20Unknown%20Kadath violet gas] S'ngac that warns about him.
The details of the original parts of The Broken Lands have counterparts in "[http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/dq.aspx The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath]" by H.P. Lovecraft. The dark vorteces correspond to the "vortices of cold wind" on the "Cyclopean stairs" of the enormous castle atop the mountain of Kadath, where the gods of earth resided in [http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/mm.aspx madness], with the risk of drawing the monstrous demonic attention of their [[Lesser vruul#Behind the Scenes|guardians]] the dreaded [http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/og.aspx Other Ones]. The hazy "tenebrous" orbs they drop may be an allusion to the end of [http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/n.aspx "Nyarlathotep"], or the "tenebrous" towers of unknown Kadath, and they could also be based on the [http://yog-blogsoth.blogspot.ca/search/label/Dream-Quest%20Of%20Unknown%20Kadath violet gas] S'ngac that warns of him. There was a vision in the [[Uthex Kathiasas#Crystal Dome|Shining Trapezohedron]]'s [[Iruaric|hieroglyphs]] of "vortices of space where wisps of black mist floated before thin shimmerings of cold purple haze."

== References ==
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/info/bestiary/creature.asp?creature=1437 Dark vortece on Play.net bestiary]


{{Nearlevel
{{Nearlevel
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|levelp2 = 44
|levelp2 = 44
}}
}}

[[Category:The Broken Lands creatures]]

Latest revision as of 10:07, 9 August 2020

Dark vortece
Dark Vortece Colored.jpg
Level 42
Family Vortece family creatures
Body Type Globoid
Classification(s) Magical
Boss
Area(s) Found The Broken Lands
BCS Yes
HP 300
Speed
Attack Attributes
Warding Spells
Unknown 224 CS
Defense Attributes
Armor
? ASG
Defensive Strength (DS)
Melee 28
Ranged
Bolt
Unarmed Defense Factor
UDF
Target Defense (TD)
Bard Base
Cleric Base
Empath Base
Paladin Base
Ranger Base
Sorcerer Base 159
Wizard Base
Minor Elemental
Major Elemental
Minor Spiritual
Major Spiritual
Minor Mental
Treasure Attributes
Coins
Gems
Magic Items
Boxes
Skin
Other

The dark vortece is a mass of dark, swirling shadows. Little more is known about this deadly creature despite many attempts to study their origins. This is understandable when you consider the one well known fact about them: Simply being in the presense of a dark vortece is enough to endanger your life, due to their tendency to drain the life out of everything around them.

Hunting strategies

Only weapons that do crushing damage will be effective against dark vorteces. They do not carry a weapon or shield, wear no armor and have an extremely low defensive strength. They also take crush critical damage but not critical injuries or status effects.

You swing a twisted orase runestaff at a dark vortece!
  AS: +97 vs DS: +41 with AvD: +10 + d100 roll: +93 = +159
   ... and hit for 20 points of damage!

You swing a gem-set pitted mithril maul at a dark vortece!
  AS: +97 vs DS: +26 with AvD: +31 + d100 roll: +7 = +109
   ... and hit for 8 points of damage!
Shadows roil forth from the dark vortece, revealing a hazy tenebrous orb.
The dark vortece collapses in on itself.  You feel an icy chill as the dark form seems to recede into nothingness.

Wizard bolts are highly effective against them.

Other information

Dark Catalyst is the only immediate sorcerer spell that affects them. They will take damage from open cast Energy Maelstrom (710), and will grab hold for open Implosion (720) but will not stun, though they are still immune to cold criticals. Minor elemental is also absorbed.

Upon death, they may release hazy tenebrous orbs. Gem dealers will pay for them, and they vary widely in value (from under 100 silver to over 6000). They vanish immediately upon death.

The following can happen when they are in the cavern, ultimately dying after some number of rounds:

A dark vortece seems to shrink, losing some of its intensity.
A dark vortece drifts smoothly north, leaving a shadowy haze in its wake.

A dark vortece seems to shrink, losing some of its intensity.
The dark vortece collapses in on itself.  You feel an icy chill as the dark form seems to recede into nothingness.

If you try to search a dark vortece that is not dead it hurts you on contact.

>search vort
As you approach the dark vortece, you feel an intense cold shoot through your body!
   ... 25 points of damage!
   Icy blast freezes your right hand!
   You are stunned for 2 rounds!
Roundtime: 3 sec.

When they attack you with their powers, there are two warding casts simultaneously.

You feel the dark power of the dark vortece pulling at you.
  CS: +218 - TD: +168 + CvA: +6 + d100: +81 - -5 == +142
  Warding failed!
You feel dizzy for a moment as your mana is siphoned off!

A dark vortece shoots a shaft of pure darkness at you!
  CS: +218 - TD: +168 + CvA: +6 + d100: +90 - -5 == +151
  Warding failed!
  You feel an icy pain shoot through your body for 23 points of damage!
   ... 25 points of damage!
   You stagger as the icy attack shatters your left leg.

When they siphon off all of your mana, it apparently dispels the magic affecting you:

You feel the dark power of the dark vortece pulling at you.
  CS: +230 - TD: +161 + CvA: +6 + d100: +80 - -5 == +160
  Warding failed!
You feel extremely disoriented as the dark vortece draws off the last of your mana.  As it continues to pull, you feel a deep-seated chill shoot through your spine!
The distracting force passes away from you.

You feel the dark power of the dark vortece pulling at you.
  CS: +224 - TD: +168 + CvA: +6 + d100: +49 - -5 == +116
  Warding failed!
An unsettling feeling comes over you as the strange force disrupts the flow of mana around you!

The dark vorteces do not seem to do anything malicious when you are dead:

A dark vortece flickers momentarily, attempting to blend into the shadows.

A dark vortece draws itself toward its center, giving it the appearance of an amorphous cloud of shadows.

The surface of the dark vortece swirls with a dark pattern.

A dark vortece extends forth a multitude of branching shadowy tendrils, scattering elongated umbrae across the floor.

A dark vortece emits a low hum.

A dark vortece extends a wispy length of shadow toward your lifeless body.

Behind the Scenes

Uthex Kathiasas called these "dyar rakul" (Iruaric: "dark cold shadows"), which were "other standard" (non-demonic) extra-planar entities from Rolemaster called Nycorac. Nycorac were mysterious entities made of some unknown kind of energy, who had the ability to move between planes of existence at will (though these ones appear trapped.) The extended creature description above regarding their unknown origins and nature is unusual, as the describe verb only includes the first sentence. They are not considered extraplanar beings for system purposes in GemStone IV.

They were extremely difficult to fight, due to their virtual invisibility, and immunity to almost all weapons. They would stalk their victims, who would only feel "cold chills", draining the life out of them. When you consider that no one knows how to summon them and their origins were unknown, with the nature of their energy beyond comprehension, that Uthex was forging them is supposed to be virtually impossible. The vorteces might be some kind of unnatural perverse hybrid creature between the Nycorac and Blacar entities, because they are made of darkness rather than invisibility.

The details of the original parts of The Broken Lands have counterparts in "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath" by H.P. Lovecraft. The dark vorteces correspond to the "vortices of cold wind" on the "Cyclopean stairs" of the enormous castle atop the mountain of Kadath, where the gods of earth resided in madness, with the risk of drawing the monstrous demonic attention of their guardians the dreaded Other Ones. The hazy "tenebrous" orbs they drop may be an allusion to the end of "Nyarlathotep", or the "tenebrous" towers of unknown Kadath, and they could also be based on the violet gas S'ngac that warns of him. There was a vision in the Shining Trapezohedron's hieroglyphs of "vortices of space where wisps of black mist floated before thin shimmerings of cold purple haze."

Near-level creatures - edit
Level 40 Level 41 Level 42 Level 43 Level 44
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