I would like to see (and for Richter to learn) a Tattoo Enchantment (Sub-)Skill. Something that can allow you to place either a Temporary or Permanent Enchanted Tattoos on people and animals. The Tattoo can grant a strong short term Buffs to either Strength, Self Healing, Natural Armour, Defence, Speed, Agility, a Resistance increase of some type, Sense Enhancement, Improved Stealth, ect, or a much weaker Buff that is permanently active, or possibly even both, but once the Mana in the Tattoo is drained it becomes inactive till it Recharges (either by itself Or by you pushing Mana into it) and its Cool Down passes. Multiple different Tattoos can be worn by a person but some care should be taken when using different types of Tattoos at the same time, especially if they are of conflicting Elements or effects. Or they can give a Spell like offensive ability like temporary Fire (or other Element effects) on your Fists or on your Weapon, or allows you to shoot a Bolt or Stream of Fire (or other) from your hand, create a weak Magic Shield, Wall Climbing Spell/Enchantment, a Concealment Effect, some type of Shape Shifting Ability, Summon a Weapon to yourself, ect. Might be are way to sneak into learning a bit more Blood/Flesh Enchanting like Knowledge and Skills? I would quite also like to see learn a related Crafting Enchantment (Sub-)Skill that is Hex Painting Enchanting, similar to Enchanted Tattoos but on non-living things. Would all you to Paint (possibly also Carve, ect, ?) a weak Positive Buff Enhancement on something, primary protective or strengthening in nature, or a weak negative De-Buff on something, that lasts as long as the Painting, Carving, Embroidered, ect, is mostly intact. Stronger Single use Hexes can be made that can be manual activated or automatically activated under certain conditions, situations or at set times. At higher Skill Levels single use Spells can be Placed in more Complex Hexes. Another interesting (Sub-?)Skill for Richter to Learn (that's similar in some ways to my Hex Enchantments) that has been mentioned in the Books is Talisman Crafting.
Hopefully we will see other character types like Druids. Then we might see some Druidic tattoo ties that bind the Druid to nature. Your statement above made me think about the Iron Druid Series.
That's on my to read list. I would think that Enchanted Tattoos might be even more of a Shamanic feel then Druid. less Civilised Orcs and Barbarians probably would utilise then more often then most, as might Sailors?
Don’t forget that some people see tattoos as a higher form of art. Such as the Japanese and other some other Asian cultures. I just finished Dungeon Crawler Carl’s third book. In it there was a character that had magical Tattoos activated by blood magic. You should definitely read the Iron Druid Series. It is a very, very good series. The Iron Druid Series includes our world mythology, with magic, and monsters. It’s full of humor and action. Its one of my favorites. Dungeon Crawler Carl is a pretty decent series. He does use some ruff language for my household anyway. Not that it’s that bad I just don’t want my kids hearing it all on audible.
Richter should look into Learning more Chi Combat Sub-Skills for the Weapons that he knows how to use (at least once he gets to a Level in them where he can learn them), he should be at the Level where he can Learn some for Short Blades and Maces, and probably Longswords. He should also look into seeing if there's a general and Combat Chi Manipulation Skills that he can look into Learning. Although they are probably difficult to find someone to Teach him them, Monk Orders are probably the best bet. He should also look into getting some Skills that will increase his Mental Aegis Stat and possibly even Skills that gradually give him some Psionic Skills. Although they are likely very difficult to gain Teachers for in most parts of The Land due to his rare Mental Using Creatures are in it, but should still be doable, again Monks might be his best bet. He speaks look into seeing if there's any Enchanter Sub-Skills that he can Learn, they might help him to part way have some Limited Skill fillers for the Talent Knowledge he lost out one for the Specializations he didn't pick, like a limited Sub-Skill for Flesh Enchanting, and Ambient Enchantment and maybe even for those he wasn't even able to look at then? He should also look into getting more Rogue, Thief, Spy and Assassin Skills (at least those he can get without Professing in them and need Talents), as well any Skills might allow him to Counter those Skills, especially where Assassins and Spies are involved. And any Skills that might increase his chances of getting a Arcane Weapons Master Battle Mage like Specialization, (An Arcane Weapons Master can fight with most Weapons and can Embue Spells into them & Channel Spells through them and use Close Quarter Spells. Are sort a mix a Spell Sword & Spell Archer but can use most Weapons and Unarmed Combat. Battle Mage is someone who has Specialized in Destructive Combat Magic). Not sure if you can Specialise in something like that only in or if you would have get the Arcane Weapons Master as a Fighters Specialization and Battle Mage as Magic User Specialization?
There's the Riding Skill, and Richter has already gotten the Wolf Riding Sub-Skill, and it's only a matter of time before he gets more Riding Sub-Skills - Skathe, Horse, some type of Avian, ect. Possibly Dolphin, Giant SeaHorse, Shark, ect other fish, when he gets to the Sea or even possibly before(?). Dragon Riding probably in the distant future, unless Richter Learns both the Shrink and Growth Spell, then he could Shrink himself and Grow Alma and then Ride her, that might give it to him early? Possibly some type of Spirit or Elemental version of the Riding Skill? Also possibly a Monster Mount Riding Sub-Skill for those that don't fall easily under a category? And would Undead Mounts be classified under its own Undead Sub-skill of Riding or under whatever the Mounts used to be or under Sub-Sub-Skill of them? And I wonder if he can create a Mount like Golem and gain a Riding Skill for that? Also speaking of Mounts, I wonder if there is a Training/Taming Skill similar to Horse Whisperer? And of course for other animals beasts? Anyway, sooner or later I suspect that Richter will get some Driving Skills and Sub-Skills, like Cart Driver, Carriage Driver, Magical Buggy Driver, Mechanical Construct Driver, ect. Plus of course the Sailing versions for different types of Boats and Ships (probably for Air Vessels as well in time, both above and below water versions? (maybe even space/dimension vessels(?) but that's pretty unlikely, but(?)))? Wonder how long before he Learns his first Driving and Sailing Skill? If there's a Skill for Improvised Crafting Materialised I wonder if there's a Skill for Improvised Crafting Tools? Something that reduces the failure rate and improved the result of using things not designed to be tools as Tools?
Chi being the asian essential energy of life shouldn’t health and mana fall under that. So if Ricther was hardening his Chi I would think that should reflect in his health and mana.
It seems that if Ricther could ride the living version he should be capable of riding the dead version. Lol I can see Ricther riding a golem making some MasterBlaster references.
Chi in The Land seems to be more connected with Stamina, so more Body Energy then Life Energy but probably a connection to Health in some way, at least considering what little we have seen and heard of it so far. But I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't also a connection to Mana (especially the Deeper Magics of Spirit, Thought and Blood, as well as Life) when using more Advanced forms of Chi, or at least they maybe able to be used to enhance it?
Perhaps Chi is all encompassing. Blood and Life magic are both tied directly to ones health. The same as Spirit and Thought magic are tied to stamina. Having the mental fortitude to overcome hardships, pain, and agony adds to ones staying power. I think that was one reason Nexus was allowed to work Ricther over. I think it was a preparation for his fight with Xuetrix. It definitely hardened Ricther to some level of pain.
I'd like for Richter to Learn the Boomerang Skill, because I think that having Richter have a Bladed Kukri like Boomerang (like those from the Dragon Quest games, but designed to Also be used as a knife) would be cool, especially if it was Enchanted to give you some Telekinetic control over it's flight and return. Maybe even an additional Enchantment that allows it to Teleport Return to it's Sieth in case it gets stuck somewhere? Would be interest to see what Sub-Skills might exist for it. Would be interesting to see if there are Sub-Skills for different types of Whips, Bull Whip, Chain Whip, Thorn Whip, Bladed Sword Whip, Cat'o'nine'tails Whip, ect. Plus of course Sub-Skill power effects for Whips.
I've been wondering/thinking about how the Short Blade Skill covers everything from Knives&Daggers (ect) to different types of ShortSwords, and how SwordsmanShip covers standard sizes/lengths/weights of Swords and Scimitars, Longswords, Broadswords, ect, so I was wondering wether GreatSwords and its variants had their own Skill? I am thinking that it should, and so Richter should Learn it eventually. A Sub-Skill for Bucklers and Great/Tower Shields might be interesting as well. Duel Wielding Bucklers Skill? Also I think that their should be Sub-Skills for Mounted Combat with Weapons, either under Riding, or in their corresponding Weapons Skill or in Both? Richter should Learn at least Mounted Archery, Swordsmanship, Spear and Shield use. Also a Lariat/Lasso use Skill. A Skill for Morningstars and Flails as well, do love a good Morningstar. Skills for light and heavy Siege Weapons, Catapults, Manganels, Trebuchets, Scorpions, Ballisters, Goblin Doomdiver Launchers, ect.
He should look into Alchemy Sub-Skills, like Poison Making, Solid Alchemy, Pills, Powders, Concentrates, Elemental Infusions, ect. Also the Butchering Skill, then Bone Crafting & Carving, Tanning, General Leather Work - Leather Armour&Cloths&Equipment, ect. Tailing as well. Plus Repair Skills, for Armour, Weapons, Cloths, Equipment, Tools and Buildings. And as I think I've mentioned before= Different Lore Skills & Sub-Skills, not just Herb Lore but things like, Monster & Beast Lore (Undead/Demon/ect), Mining & Mineral/Gem/Metal Lore, Forest Lore (Sea, Mountain, Swamp, Cave Depth, ect Lore), Magic Lore, Crafting Lores, ect. And Skills that Grant Secondary and Tertiary Stats. As many Languages as he can Learn, First and Second Tier. He should ask Hisako about help with Learning these, her Library should help a lot with this as well.
He should Learn Boat & Ship Building, Repair and Maintenance Skills, and of course different Sailing Skills, they will be useful for when his Ship is ready.
He should definitely Learn the Code-Breaking Sub-Skill from Randy, and hence the Code Skill as well. They should Synergies very, very well with his Gift of Tongues Ability. Also he should Learn the Math Skill as well, that would not only be very useful in many facets of life but also in Code Skills. And he should Learn the Drawing & Art Skill and ask Randy about teaching him the Forgery Skill. And Learn the Pick-Pocketing Skill as well. He's already looking to Learn the Lock Making & Lock Breaking Skills, which should Synergies with his Lock Picking and Trap Disarming, and possibly Trap Making Skill as well. And he Learn something like Rope and Knot Tying Skills, not just for Sailing but for other everyday and Adventuring uses. (plus also bondage and prisoner containment uses) Look into getting different Fishing Skills and see if there's more Hunting Skills other then Tracking, Archery, Spears and Traps to be gotten. Fishing Skills - Net, Rod&Line, Bow, Spear, Hand/tickling, Cage Traps, River, Deep Water, ect. Hunting - ???? Mining, Stone Cutting, Excavating, Sculpting, Panning, Mine Supports&Safety, Cave Navigation, Sculplunking, ect, Skills. Parkour and Free Running Skills in different environments.
Keep wondering whether that if Richter has known the Mining Skill if it might have helped him in his little Tunnel Jaunt, if only with better Notifications on his Surroundings and possible dangerous weak walls in the tunnels. Scavenging and Foraging Skills probably would have helped as well. Also Sewing, Mending and Repair Skills and Sub-Skills. Maybe Learning these in case he ever gets dumped on his own with little-to-nothing might be a good idea. Along with Stone Napping, Arrow Making(preferably with Bow Making as well), Bone Carving/shaping and Skinning/Butchering/Leather Working so that he can make makeshift Tools, Weapons and Cloths/Armour. Some other basic Survival Skills might also be good to get. A Spell for Clean and Deodourlising of his body and cloths would have helped as well. I also think that Learning Agricultural Farming Skill to go alongside his Animal Husbandry would be a good idea, both for the extra Notification Information and for giving him a better idea of what his Farmers need and can do. Also Herb Gardening (alchemy), Spice&Herb Gardening (cooking), and possibly Flower and Tree Farming. He should also Learn the Sprite Tree Shaping herb Lore Construction Skill, and the equivalent for Weapons, Armour and anything similar. And get the Logging Skill.
Relistening/Reading Bk8 and I am thinking that Psionic/Mental capabilities may exist in two main forms, the first is Innate Psionic Powers and the second is Learnable Psionic Skills. But I also suspect that Learnable Psionic Skills also have two main forms, one's that anyone with the right Affinity for can learn the same as most other Skills and the second would be somewhat similar to Racial Skills where you would need to have both Innate Psionic Powers and Affinity in to have a good chance to learn them. Although I suspect that having Innate Psionic Powers would significantly help with Learning Psionic Skills, both in initially Learning them and Levelling them. It might also be possible that Learning and Strengthening Learnable Psionic Skills may have a very small chance of eventually Awakening a Innate Psionic Power? I would think that Awakening, Learning and Levelling Thought Magic may very well help in some way in Learning Psionic Skills and gaining Innate Psionic Skills as well. Richters Limitless Ability should remove most restrictions in Learning Thought, Mental and Psionic Magics, Powers and Skills. Also I wouldn't be surprised if Professing and Specialising in Psionic Skills may well trigger something like a partial Side-Ways Evolution of some sort into a Psionic Human, or in the case of Richter a Tier 2 Psionic Chaos Lord? Although the Psionic Human upgrades maybe limited to a Tier 1 Psionic Human? So Richter might become a (T1) Psionic (T2) Chaos Lord, might arise his Tier Mind Stat from 2.5 up to 3?
Most of the these subskills seem like they should be studied by subordinates. Every skill Richter chooses to study is another time and effort sink. Its kinda like martial arts. Fear not the man who has practiced a million skills once, but the man who has practiced a single skill a million times. Its a pitfall built into limitless. You CAN study every skill, that does not mean it is smart to do so. I think Richter should focus on the various spellcasting skills, enchanting, lore, maces, shortblades, bows, light or medium armor and administrative and diplomatic skills he needs as a lord. That's already a smorgasboard of skills. For a second tier pick, unarmed combat and gambling, as both have an effect outside of their own skilltree.
I'm not saying to try high level all Skills, but getting a few in any he can Learn may prove useful, especially those that grant extra Notification Information (largely crafter, construction, lore and making skills), the more useful should be levelled up to 10 (which he can do fairly quickly) and then mainly focus on what is necessary or will get him to Profession level the quickest. Unarmed and Gambling are good, but I suspect that different Artistic Skills may also give to Creativity and Inspiration, Teaching may grant Learning, Intellect and Memory, Researcher may grant to Inspiration, Intellect and Intuition, Acting might grant Charisma and Comelyness, and Acrobatics is likely grant Balance and Reflexes. Learning a Level or two of any Skill is a good way of learning if that Skill will grant secondary Stats. But he should really ask Hisako, Randy and Terrod about Skills that do. And Richter should ask Terrod about how to Learning his Gather Information Skill, may prove to be very useful in the future. He should also look into seeing if there is an Investigate Skill as well and also try and Learn that.
