Does the Dark Lens Require a Minimum Level to Use it? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Does the Dark Lens Require a Minimum Level to Use it?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
phaaf_glien
Jan 12, 2009 8:23:24 Again, pretty straight forward.

Does the Dark Lens require a minimum level for its user to access its powers? If so, what level is this, in 2nd and 3rd edition terms (and 4th if you dare)?

It is my understanding that yes, there is a minimum level required to access the Lens, as discussed in the Obsidian Oracle. In 2nd edition terms, I'll dare say that the level required is 20th for either the psionicist or sorcerous aspects of the Lens' powers, although I am not sure what to say for 3rd edition.

What says the community?
#2
redking
Jan 12, 2009 8:44:20 It depends on what you mean by "access", I guess. You mean accessing the psionic power points, or the spell enhancement?
#3
phaaf_glien
Jan 12, 2009 9:14:27 I suppose both, redking.

Yes, a level requirement for accessing the PSPs.

The magic aspect is trickier. There is the example of Rkard. Anyone can cast a spell into the Lens, like Rkard did. But to draw magical energy out of it, that seems to require a level minimum, for Tithian attempts this, but he fails, and it is shown to us that he was not a "master" of magic, as he was with the Way, and thus could not draw upon the Dark Lens in this fashion.

There are even more nuances... Rkard cast the spell into the Lens, not through it. The light spell made the Lens glow... it did not shoot out a light spell effect on the other side, as I understand it. Thus, I am not sure a lower level spellcaster can, not touching the Lens, magnify his spells by casting them into the Lens. I think he has to be able to establish "contact" with the Lens, and have attained the necessary level minimum, to be able to magnify his spells.

It's a complicated subject.

Curious to see what is to be said.
#4
redking
Jan 12, 2009 16:04:15
I suppose both, redking.

Yes, a level requirement for accessing the PSPs.

The magic aspect is trickier. There is the example of Rkard. Anyone can cast a spell into the Lens, like Rkard did. But to draw magical energy out of it, that seems to require a level minimum, for Tithian attempts this, but he fails, and it is shown to us that he was not a "master" of magic, as he was with the Way, and thus could not draw upon the Dark Lens in this fashion.

There are even more nuances... Rkard cast the spell into the Lens, not through it. The light spell made the Lens glow... it did not shoot out a light spell effect on the other side, as I understand it. Thus, I am not sure a lower level spellcaster can, not touching the Lens, magnify his spells by casting them into the Lens. I think he has to be able to establish "contact" with the Lens, and have attained the necessary level minimum, to be able to magnify his spells.

It's a complicated subject.

Curious to see what is to be said.

I always got the impression that what happened at the end of the Cerulean Storm was supposed to be a one off event, probably never to be repeated. Meaning that it was done for the story, and to hell with whatever was said about the Dark Lens before.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 phaaf_glien Jan 12, 2009 8:23:24	Again, pretty straight forward. Does the Dark Lens require a minimum level for its user to access its powers? If so, what level is this, in 2nd and 3rd edition terms (and 4th if you dare)? It is my understanding that yes, there is a minimum level required to access the Lens, as discussed in the Obsidian Oracle. In 2nd edition terms, I'll dare say that the level required is 20th for either the psionicist or sorcerous aspects of the Lens' powers, although I am not sure what to say for 3rd edition. What says the community?
#2 redking Jan 12, 2009 8:44:20	It depends on what you mean by "access", I guess. You mean accessing the psionic power points, or the spell enhancement?
#3 phaaf_glien Jan 12, 2009 9:14:27	I suppose both, redking. Yes, a level requirement for accessing the PSPs. The magic aspect is trickier. There is the example of Rkard. Anyone can cast a spell into the Lens, like Rkard did. But to draw magical energy out of it, that seems to require a level minimum, for Tithian attempts this, but he fails, and it is shown to us that he was not a "master" of magic, as he was with the Way, and thus could not draw upon the Dark Lens in this fashion. There are even more nuances... Rkard cast the spell into the Lens, not through it. The light spell made the Lens glow... it did not shoot out a light spell effect on the other side, as I understand it. Thus, I am not sure a lower level spellcaster can, not touching the Lens, magnify his spells by casting them into the Lens. I think he has to be able to establish "contact" with the Lens, and have attained the necessary level minimum, to be able to magnify his spells. It's a complicated subject. Curious to see what is to be said.
#4 redking Jan 12, 2009 16:04:15	I suppose both, redking. Yes, a level requirement for accessing the PSPs. The magic aspect is trickier. There is the example of Rkard. Anyone can cast a spell into the Lens, like Rkard did. But to draw magical energy out of it, that seems to require a level minimum, for Tithian attempts this, but he fails, and it is shown to us that he was not a "master" of magic, as he was with the Way, and thus could not draw upon the Dark Lens in this fashion. There are even more nuances... Rkard cast the spell into the Lens, not through it. The light spell made the Lens glow... it did not shoot out a light spell effect on the other side, as I understand it. Thus, I am not sure a lower level spellcaster can, not touching the Lens, magnify his spells by casting them into the Lens. I think he has to be able to establish "contact" with the Lens, and have attained the necessary level minimum, to be able to magnify his spells. It's a complicated subject. Curious to see what is to be said. I always got the impression that what happened at the end of the Cerulean Storm was supposed to be a one off event, probably never to be repeated. Meaning that it was done for the story, and to hell with whatever was said about the Dark Lens before.