New Order skills

[Storm Dancer]

I'm trying to remember how they work - I remember that after adventure one, the skills you learn get improvements - but considering you start as a mere Grand Master, you wouldn't be at the same level as Lone Wolf when he starts getting improvements until book 5! Does this mean that the New Order character got the same benefits Lone Wolf has at a lower rank (in which case, I can't help but wonder what dizzy heights he would be reaching in the last 3 ranks!), or that the New Order GM skills start out weaker than the first GM series skills, and the first 3 improvements just take them to the level they were in Plague Lords?

Either way, something occured to me - I can't speak for everyone here, but personally by far the most irritating thing about Joe not finishing the New Order series was that we never got to see the final improvements on the new skills - I'm hoping Astrology and Herbmastery would get something pretty spectacular, since I remember they seemed pretty feeble in the books and in real terms (ie. if I was in the world, I still wouldn't know what to do with them!) - and Musicianship wasn't much better, though I kind of liked the idea. Elementalism was a nice skill, but from what I remember it seemed like a cross between Grand Nexus and Kai Alchemy, and didn't really get many uses of its own - so I'd hope that later improvements would distinguish the skills a bit more, too.

Anyway, since it doesn't seem too pessimistic to assume the books aren't going to get written, and since this is probably the biggest collective of Lone Wolf fans on the planet, it occured to me that we could develop the boosts to the new skills by consensus on this board!

Jebus, I'm a geek

But anyway - 'sides giving a feeling of closure to everything, this would help out all the people who plan to develop their own Magnamund campaigns.


Heh... I wonder if theres chance of some incredibly altruistic soul with the New Order series typing up the skill descriptions/improvements that do exist onto this forum, so we can work off them?

[Relenoir]

Well, actually, it's a lot like the GM series, because you start with four Disciplines. The major difference is, four GM Disciplines is considered Grand Master Senior, which used to be the rank for having mastered one GM Discipline. So basically, the names of the ranks haven't changed, only the number of Disciplines required to reach that rank! Right now, I only have a couple of the books, but am eagerly awaiting more in the mail very soon. ;D I will nudge Outspaced, the lucky gremlin that he is , and see what he can offer from the last book. . . OUTSPACED, OUTSPACED, WHEREFORE ART THOU OUTSPACED?

[outspaced]

Relenoir said:

I will nudge Outspaced, the lucky gremlin that he is , and see what he can offer from the last book. . . OUTSPACED, OUTSPACED, WHEREFORE ART THOU OUTSPACED?

Bah! You're no sun of mine, Relenoir!

Book 28 contains the following Improved Disciplines:

ASTROLOGY
Sun Thanes who possess this Discipline are expert in the art of hypnotism. By the use of a hypnotic stare, they are able to cause susceptible creatures (up to three individuals at any one time) willingly to carry out their orders. The number of creatures so affected, and the duration of the effect, increases steadily as a Sun Thane advances in Kai rank.

ANIMAL MASTERY
Sun Thanes with this Discipline are able to command an animal to fall asleep at will. Some hostile animals may be able to resist this command; however most will be affected by it in some way. The duration of effect and the number of animals which can be affected at one time will increase as a Grand Master rises in rank.

GRAND HUNTMASTERY
Kai Sun Thanes with this skill are able to protect themselves from the effects of being struck by natural electrical discharges, i.e. lightning.

DELIVERANCE
Sun Thanes who possess this skill are able to conduct a Kai Exorcism. This ritual will banish any evil supernatural force that has taken possession of any goodly creature or object.

ELEMENTALISM
Sun Thanes who possess this Discipline are able to accelerate greatly the oxidisation (rusting) of ferrous metals simply by touch alone. The longer the metallic item is touched by Sun Thane, the more damaging will be the effect.

GRAND PATHSMANSHIP
Sun Thanes who possess mastery of this Discipline are able to alter the temperature of water by touch. BY using this skill they are able to transform water into ice and vice-versa. The volume of water affected, and the duration of effect, both increase as a Grand Master rises in rank.

KAI-SCREEN
Sun Thanes who possess this Discipline are able to erect a special psychic defence called a Mindfort. A Mindfort defence greatly reduces the effects of any psychic shock that would normally paralyse or weaken a lesser mortal.

KAI-ALCHEMY
Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Sun Thane are able to use the following Brotherhood spells:

Slow Fall - By casting this spell, Kai Sun Thanes are able to slow their rate of free-falling to 1 metre per second, thereby avoiding damage upon landing while the spell is in effect. The duration of the spell is limited at first, but it steadily increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.

Breathe Water - Using this spell, a Kai Sun Thane is able to breathe underwater for ten minutes. The duration of effect increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.

Please remember that the preceding information is (c) Joe Dever 1984-2004 and is actually beyond the Project Aon User License, and should be recognised and credited as (c) Joe Dever at all times. Lone Wolf is Trademark (TM) Joe Dever 1984-2004.

Oh, and best to mention that any typos in the preceding are (c) Outspaced 2004. Don't go stealing them, now . . . ;D

[Storm Dancer]

Hi Relenoir;

Well, actually, it's a lot like the GM series, because you start with four Disciplines. The major difference is, four GM Disciplines is considered Grand Master Senior, which used to be the rank for having mastered one GM Discipline. So basically, the names of the ranks haven't changed, only the number of Disciplines required to reach that rank!

I know the rough game structure - tho I didn't realise how privileged I was at the time, I've played a sizeable number of the New Order series at my (ex-)local library. What I was asking was whether the fact that a New Order Kai started with 4 disciplines 3 ranks lower than LW meant that those four disciplines were of a lower standard than LW's original four, or, by the logic of continual progression per level, whether it meant that for the last three levels the New Order Kai would be getting bonuses that LW never did!

Judging by outspaced's post (does that guy ever sleep? Thanks man ;D), which describes the bonuses of a Lone Wolf Sun Thane level as being from book 28, the interpretation that the four skills at GM Senior level are weaker than the four at Grand Defender level...

Which just makes me curious what the New Order skill descriptions, in their basic form were, and what the specific old-skill bonuses between GM Senior and Grand Defender were - and I still want to know what the new-skill bonuses are from book 22-27

Sooo, outspaced... how industrious are you feeling?

[Ghost Bear]

Well, it makes some sense that the New Order skills would be better than Lone Wolf's. After all, it's never stated that he's the most powerful Kai ever. In fact, if Flight From the Dark is anything to go by, he's not too disciplined, and ill-attentive at that point (and a good thing too!).

Even if you assume that Lone Wolf is the most powerful Kai ever, he's the first to reach the rank of Supreme Master, and he received many gifts from the god Kai. It's not a stretch to imagine that the ability to teach new and better skills to the Kai would be one of them.

It's also perfectly logical that Lone Wolf also benifits from these new teachings during the New Order series (though we never see him use them of course).

-GB

[outspaced]

Storm said:

Judging by outspaced's post (does that guy ever sleep? Thanks man ;D)

Yeah, I've heard of sleep, just rumours, y'know . . .

Sooo, outspaced... how industrious are you feeling?

I don't know, people taking advantage of my good nature . . .

I can't promise anything, so no ETA, but I'll try and get the rest posted sooner or later.

Book 22 contains the following Improved Disciplines:

ANIMAL MASTERY
Kai Grand Master Superiors who possess this Discipline are able to deter predatory animals in the wild by exuding a scent which is repellant to them. In order for this improved Discipline to work effectively, a Grand Master Superior must be aware of the species of predatory animal he/she wishes to deter. The scent can only be detected by the targeted animal.

ASSIMILANCE
Kai Grand Master Superiors who possess this skill are able to create a noise and project it up to 15 yards away from their location. The noise is akin to the rumbling sound of thunder and it can be used to distract or divert an enemy's attention. This improved Discipline requires a degree of preparation and therefore it cannot be used during combat.

ASTROLOGY
Kai Grand Master Superiors who possess this Discipline are skilled in the use of all mechanical devices designed to measure and/or observe the cosmology of Magnamund. Such devices include sextants, astrolabes, and orreries.

HERBMASTERY
Kai Grand Master Superiors who have this Discipline are able to purify water, thereby making contaminated or briny water suitable for consumption. Roughly two pints of water per day can be purified using this skill alone. The daily total steadily increases as a Grand Master advances in rank.

ELEMENTALISM
Kai Grand Master Superiors who possess this skill are able to condense pure water out of the surrounding air. This water can be made to fall as a fine spray or as a sudden deluge. It can also be made to fill any suitable container or receptacle. Using this skill, Grand Master Superiors can create the equivalent of one large bucketful of fresh water.

BARDSMANSHIP
Kai Grand Master Superiors who possess this Discipline are able to utilize their musical skills to pacify an excited or hostile animal.

Please remember that the preceding information is (c) Joe Dever 1984-2004 and is actually beyond the Project Aon User License, and should be recognised and credited as (c) Joe Dever at all times. Lone Wolf is Trademark (TM) Joe Dever 1984-2004.

[outspaced]

OK

Book 23 contains the following Improved Disciplines:

WEAPONMASTERY
Kai Grand Master Sentinels who possess this Discipline are, when physically parted from their Kai Weapon, able to detect its location. This power of detection will pass through solid objects, with the notable exception of lead. Accuracy and range of detection steadily increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.

GRAND PATHSMANSHIP
Kai Grand Master Sentinels who possess this skill are able to predict the weather accurately for the forthcoming three hours. The range of this ability is an area fifteen square kilomeyres around the Grand Master Sentinel. The duration and range steadily increase as a Kai Grand Master rises in rank.

ASTROLOGY
Kai Grand Master Sentinels who possess this Discipline are able to detect psychic residues left on an object by its owner. The more valuable the object is to its owner, the stronger will be the lingering psychic attachment. The majority of everyday or shared objects do not retain such residues.

HERBMASTERY
Through their knowledge and use of common plants, Kai Grand Master Sentinels who have this discipline are able to make contaminated or rotten food fit for human consumption.

ELEMENTALISM
Kai Grand Master Sentinels who possess this skill are able to charge particles of air electrically around any man-sized or smaller object. The particles will automatically discharge and cause damage should the affected object be touched or opened. Kai Grand Master Sentinels are able to handle a charged object without discharging it.

BARDSMANSHIP
Kai Grand Master Sentinels who possess this skill are able to use their singing or playing to counter a hostile sonic attack. The effective range and use of this sonic defence steadily increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.

Please remember that the preceding information is (c) Joe Dever 1984-2004 and is actually beyond the Project Aon User License, and should be recognised and credited as (c) Joe Dever at all times. Lone Wolf is Trademark (TM) Joe Dever 1984-2004.

[robertib]

The New Order get the same bonuses as Lone Wolf did, at the same rank - they just get extras at lower levels.

[outspaced]

It's that time again, folks . . .

Book 24 contains the following Improved Disciplines:

DELIVERANCE
Kai Grand Defenders who possess this Discipline have the ability to repair the effects of decy in materials such as wood, stone, cloth, metal, etc. By touching the decaying object, a Kai Grand Defender is able to reverse damage caused by rot, rust, or mould.

TELEGNOSIS
By use of this Discipline, a Kai Grand Defender is able to locate a known or familiar material object. initially the range of this ability is limited to a 15-foot radius, however this distance steadily increases as a Kai Grand Master advances in rank.

ASTROLOGY
Kai Grand Defenders who possess this Discipline are skilled in the use of all common astrological devices used to predict future events. Such devices include cards, dice, and crystal spheres.

HERBMASTERY
Kai Grand Defenders who possess this Discipline are able to neutralize any poisonous toxins that may be present in organic materials such as plants, berries, or fruits. Through the use of this skill, the transformation of toxins can sometimes result in an increase in ENDURANCE and/or COMBAT SKILL when the previously poisonous matter is swallowed.

ELEMENTALISM
By using this Discipline, Kai Grand Defenders are able to summon up a dense, misty vapour to obscure themselves from both normal and infra-vision (night sight). The mist will occur within 5 feet of the Kai Grand Defender and will last for three to five minutes. Range and duration increase as a Grand Master rises in rank.

BARDSMANSHIP
Kai Grand Defenders who possess this Discipline are able to use their musical skills to pacify (and/or implant a suggestion) into the mind of an intelligent creature within audible range. This improved Discipline is similar in effect to the Brotherhood spell Mind Charm (Kai-alchemy).

Please remember that the preceding information is (c) Joe Dever 1984-2004 and is actually beyond the Project Aon User License, and should be recognised and credited as (c) Joe Dever at all times. Lone Wolf is Trademark (TM) Joe Dever 1984-2004.

[outspaced]

Apologies for the lateness . . . I was somewhat busy this morning (BST).

Book 25 contains the following Improved Disciplines:

ASSIMILANCE
Kai Grand Guardians who possess this skill are able to summon a cloud of fog-like vapour within 15 yards of their location. This fog will obscure both normal and infra-vision. The duration of the fog increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.

HERBMASTERY
Kai Grand Guardians who possess this Discipline are able to use their advanced knowledge of Herbmastery to produce explosive compounds from simple organic materials.

ELEMENTALISM
Through the use of this Discipline, Kai Grand Guardians are able to protect themselves from the effects of storm-force winds by creating a sphere of calm air around their bodies. Initially this protective bubble lasts for one minute, but duration steadily increases as a Grand Master ascends in Kai rank.

GRAND HUNTMASTERY
Kai Grand Guardians with this skill enjoy increased mobility when travelling across all types of terrain, whether on foot or on horseback. This improved ability can be very useful when used to out-distance a pursuing enemy.

KAI-SURGE
Kai Grand Guardians who possess mastery of this Discipline are able to attack up to three enemies in psychic combat simultaneously.

KAI-SCREEN
Kai Grand Guardians who possess this Discipline are able to exercise a defensive psychic skill known as Mindblend. This cloaking ability enables a Grand Guardian to protect their mind and also prevent it from being detected by a hostile psychic probe.

MAGI-MAGIC
Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian are able to use the following battle-spells of the Elder Magi:
Splinter - This causes breakable items such as bottles, jugs, mirrors, windows, etc., to shatter to pieces. The range of this spell increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.
Flameshaft - This causes the tip of any arrow, or arrow-like missile, to burn fiercely with a magical flame which cannot readily be extinguished by normal means.

Please remember that the preceding information is (c) Joe Dever 1984-2004 and is actually beyond the Project Aon User License, and should be recognised and credited as (c) Joe Dever at all times. Lone Wolf is Trademark (TM) Joe Dever 1984-2004.

[The Wytch-King]

outspaced said:

HERBMASTERY
Kai Grand Guardians who possess this Discipline are able to use their advanced knowledge of Herbmastery to produce explosive compounds from simple organic materials.

The rank of "Kai Grand Guardian" is therefore also known as "MacGyver".


The Wytch-King

[Relenoir]

The rank of "Kai Grand Guardian" is therefore also known as "MacGyver".

*LOL* That's perfect! I love it!!!
On a more serious note, as Outspaced has been excessively ambitious and kind enough (as usual to supply us with most of the improved Disciplines, that I'd pitch in with #26 to save him some loss of nerve-endings in his fingertips. Here goes:

Grand Weaponmastery
Sun Knights with this Discipline are able to wield two-handed weapons (eg, Broadsword, Quarterstaff, Spear, etc)with full effect, using only one hand.

Grand Pathsmanship
Kai Sun Knights with this skill are able to repel at will all normal-sized insects within a radius of 3 yards. The range and numbers of insects so affected increases considerably as a Grand Master rises in rank.

Deliverance
Sun Knights who possess this skill are able to repair serious wounds sustained by creatures other than themselves. By the laying of hands upon the affected creature's body, a Sun Knight can cause an open wound (or other serious injury) to mend itself. The speed at which this healing process takes place increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.

Telegnosis
Sun Knights who possess this Discipline are able to communicate telepathically over great distances. Initially the range of this ability is approximately 100 miles, but this distance increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.

Grand Nexus
Sun Knights who possess mastery of this Discipline are able to feign death. By placing themselves into a state of suspended animation, outwardly they are able to achieve all semblance of being truly dead. However, whilst in this state, the only sense that a Sun Knight retains is the ability to hear.

Astrology
Sun Knights who have this Discipline are skilled in the art of chiromancy - the ability to tell fortunes from the skin creases and patterns found on the palms of hands.

Bardsmanship
Sun Knights who possess mastery of this Discipline are able to use their musical skills to launch sonic attacks against any individual within audible range. The effect of a sonic attack is dependent upon the target creature's sensitivity to sound (ie, a deaf creature would be unaffected by such an attack).

Kai Alchemy
Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Sun Knight are able to use the following Brotherhood Spells:
Halt Missile - This causes any projected or hurled missile (ie, arrows, axes, crossbow bolts, etc) which may pose an immediate threat to the life of a Sun Knight, to cease its flight and remain stationary in mid-air. The effect of the spell lasts for 2-3 seconds, allowing the Sun Knight time in which move away from the missile's line of flight. Initially only one missile can be affected by this spell, but the number increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.
Strength - By casting this spell, a Sun Knight is able to greatly increase his or her physical strength for a short duration. It can be used to lift or move heavy objects, or to effect a temporary increase in COMBAT SKILL and ENDURANCE scores whilst fighting an enemy in unarmed combat.

I can't offer anything from #27 (Mork calling Outspaced, come in Outspaced!) but I will copy his post and be sure to say: Please remember that the preceding information is (c) Joe Dever 1984-2004 and is actually beyond the Project Aon User License, and should be recognised and credited as (c) Joe Dever at all times. Lone Wolf is Trademark (TM) Joe Dever 1984-2004.
P.S. Oh, by the way, any typos in the preceding are (c) Outspaced 2004, since it was he who encouraged me to do this in light of all his rampant typing!

[outspaced]

Nanoo nanoo, Relenoir. Thanks for the help on Book 26--thought I'd have to pull a double-shift to get it done this week!

Book 27 (finally! Yay!) contains the following Improved Grand Master Disciplines:

GRAND WEAPONMASTERY
Sun Lords with this Discipline are able to cause the metal edge of any non-magical weapon to ignite and burn fiercely. When a weapon thus affected is used in combat, it inflicts an additional 1 ENDURANCE point loss upon an enemy in every successful round of combat. This ability cannot be used with a wholly wooden weapon such as a Quarterstaff.

HERBMASTERY
Sun Lords who possess this Discipline are able to cause living plants e.g. grasses, bushes, flowers, weeds, rushes, etc., to entwine themselves around the limbs of hostile creatures, thereby hampering their free movement. Sun Lords are able to target only one creature in this way. An additional creature can be affected for every level a Grand Master rises above the rank of Sun Lord.

ASSIMILANCE
Sun Lords who possess this skill are able to cause the outline of their bodies to become blurred and indistinct. By doin so, they can greratly increase their chances of avoiding magical and/or non-magical missiles directed at them.

GRAND HUNTMASTERY
Kai Sun Lords with this skill are able to see, with acute accuracy, light in the infra-red spectrum, i.e. they can see the complex patterns generated by heat in near or total darkness.They can also see light in the ultraviolet spectrum.

KAI-SURGE
Sun Lords who possess mastery of this Discipline are able to launch a Kai-blast - a pulse of intense psychic energy which is capable of affecting both physically active and inactive enemies. This form of psychic attack is very effective, more so than a usual Kai-surge, Psi-surge or Mindblast. It can cause an enemy to lose between 2 and 18 ENDURANCE points in one attack. However, use of a Kai-blast will reduce a Sun Lord's ENDURANCE POINTS total by 4. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other form of psychic attack.

TELEGNOSIS
Sun Lords who possess this Discipline are able to alter their body weight in order to walk successfully upon different kinds of surface, e.g. water, mud, lava and quicksand. The duration od degree of surface difficulty increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.

MAGI-MAGIC
Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Sun Lord are able to use the following battle-spells of the Elder Magi:
Penetrate - This increases the penetrative energy of any arrow, or arrow-like missile, launched by a Sun Lord.
Energy Grasp - This spell enables a Sun Lord to discharge a powerful electrical force into anything he or she touches. It is similar in effect to the Brotherhood spell Lightning Hand. It differs in that it is easier to control and channel the resulting energy. It also requires the actual touching of an object or enemy to effect the spell.

BARDSMANSHIP
Kai Sun Lords with this skill are able to direct their musical abilities to disrupt the structure of inanimate breakable objects, e.g. glass, ceramins, urns, flasks, etc., causing them to explode violently. Any person or creature in close proximity to the destroyed object risks injury from flying fragments.

Please remember that the preceding information is (c) Joe Dever 1984-2004 and is actually beyond the Project Aon User License, and should be recognised and credited as (c) Joe Dever at all times. Lone Wolf is Trademark (TM) Joe Dever 1984-2004.

As for all typos being mine--you better believe it, baby! ;D

[Storm Dancer]

Wow, awesome stuff!

So, who wants to give the basic skill descriptions from the new order series? I assume they differ slightly from the original GM series if they're weaker to start with..?

And then where do we go from there? Any suggestions for improvements to Bardsmanship, Herbmastery, Elementalism and Astrology up to the end? What happens when a New Order Kai reaches Kai Supreme Master - and then learns the final skill?

What are the hinted at benefits to being a Kai Supreme Master (considering some of the nifty stuff you get from becoming a GM I imagine they'd be pretty tasty!)?

[Peregrine]

Here's the New Order Disciplines (taken from LW26) and the differences to Lone Wolf's originals (taken from LW17).

GRAND WEAPONMASTERY (New Order)
This Discipline enables a New Order Grand Master to become supremely efficient in the use of all weapons. When you enter combat armed with one of your Grand Master weapons, you may add 5 points to your COMBAT SKILL. The rank of Kai Grand Master Senior, with which you begin the New Order series, means that you are skilled in the use of one of the weapons listed in the EQUIPMENT section. For every adventure that you complete successfully in the New Order series, you will gain proficiency with one additional weapon.

GRAND WEAPONMASTERY (Grand Master)
Identical except...
a New Order Grand Master > a Grand Master
you may add > you add
Kai Grand Master Senior > Kai Grand Defender
the New Order series > the Grand Master series
one > two
the EQUIPMENT section > opposite and overleaf

(Note that the EQUIPMENT section only lists a handful of weapons. The Action Chart includes the more familiar list of ten. Precisely what you do once you've learnt your tenth at the rank of Grand Crown is unclear. Master the crossbow perhaps?)

ANIMAL MASTERY (New Order)
New Order Grand Masters have considerable control over hostile, non-sentient creatures. Also, they have the ability to converse with birds and fishes, and use them as guides.

ANIMAL MASTERY (Grand Master)
Identical except...
New Order Grand Masters > Grand Masters

DELIVERANCE (ADVANCED CURING) (New Order)
New Order Grand Masters are able to use their healing power to repair serious battle wounds. If, while in combat, their COMBAT SKILL is reduced to 8 points or less, they can draw upon their mastery to restore 20 ENDURANCE points. This emergency ability can only be used once every 20 days.

DELIVERANCE (ADVANCED CURING) (Grand Master)
Identical except...
New Order Grand Masters > Grand Masters

The dilemma of the reduced COMBAT SKILL ("doesn't he mean ENDURANCE?") is present in both cases.

ASSIMILANCE (ADVANCED INVISIBILITY) (New Order)
New Order Grand Masters are able to effect striking changes to their physical appearance, and maintain these changes over a period of 1 to 3 days. They have also mastered advanced camouflage techniques which make them virtually undetectable in an open landscape.

ASSIMILANCE (ADVANCED INVISIBILITY) (Grand Master)
Identical except...
New Order Grand Masters > Grand Masters
1 to 3 days > a few days

GRAND HUNTMASTERY (New Order)
New Order Grand Masters are able to see in total darkness and they possess great natural speed and agility. They also have a superb sense of touch and taste.

GRAND HUNTMASTERY (Grand Master)
Grand Masters are able to see in total darkness, and have greatly heightened senses of touch and taste.

GRAND PATHSMANSHIP (New Order)
New Order Grand Masters are able to resist entrapment by hostile plants. Also they have a super-awareness of ambush, or the threat of ambush, in woods and dense forests.

GRAND PATHSMANSHIP (Grand Master)
Identical except...
New Order Grand Masters > Grand Masters
plants. Also they have > plants, and have

KAI-SURGE (New Order)
When using their psychic ability to attack an enemy, New Order Grand Masters may add 8 points to their COMBAT SKILL. For every round in which Kai-surge is used, they need only deduct 1 ENDURANCE point. Grand Masters have the option of using a weaker form of psychic attack called Mindblast. When using this lesser attack, they may add 4 points to their COMBAT SKILL without loss of ENDURANCE points (Kai-surge and Mindblast cannot be used simultaneously). New Order Grand Masters cannot use Kai-surge if their ENDURANCE score falls to 6 points or below.

KAI-SURGE (Grand Master)
When using their psychic ability to attack an enemy, Grand Masters may add 8 points to their COMBAT SKILL. For every round in which Kai-surge is used, Grand Masters need only deduct 1 ENDURANCE point. When using the weaker psychic attack--Mindblast--they may add 4 points without loss of ENDURANCE points. (Kai-surge, Psi-surge and Mindblast cannot be used simultaneously).

Grand Masters cannot use Kai-surge if their ENDURANCE score falls to 6 points or below.

KAI-SCREEN (New Order)
During psychic combat, New Order Grand Masters are able to construct mind-fortresses capable of protecting themselves and others. The strength and capacity of these mind-fortresses increases as a New Order Grand Master advances in rank.

KAI-SCREEN (Grand Master)
Identical except...
During > In
New Order Grand Masters > Grand Masters [twice]

GRAND NEXUS (New Order)
New Order Grand Masters are able to withstand contact with harmful elements, such as flames and acids, for upwards of an hour in duration. This ability increases as a New Order Grand Master advances in rank.

GRAND NEXUS (Grand Master)
Identical except...
New Order Grand Masters > Grand Masters [twice]

TELEGNOSIS (ADVANCED DIVINATION) (New Order)
This Discipline enables a New Order Grand Master to spirit-walk for far greater lengths of time, and with far fewer ill effects. Duration of the spirit-walk, and the protection afforded to his inanimate body, increases as a New Order Grand Master advances in rank.

TELEGNOSIS (ADVANCED DIVINATION) (Grand Master)
Identical except...
New Order Grand Master > Grand Master
ill effects > ill-effects
afforded to > of
New Order Grand Master > Grand Master

MAGI-MAGIC (OLD KINGDOM MAGIC]) (New Order)
Under the tutelage of Lone Wolf, you have been able to master the rudimentary skills of Old Kingdom battle magic. These arcane skills include the use of basic magi-magic spells, such as Shield, Power Word, and Invisible Fist. As you advance in rank, so will your knowledge and mastery of Old Kingdom magic increase.

MAGI-MAGIC (Grand Master)
Under the tutelage of Lord Rimoah, you have been able to master the rudimentary skills of battle magic, as taught to the Vakeros--the native warriors of Dessi. As you advance in rank, so will your knowledge and mastery of Old Kingdom magic increase.

It seems rather redundant to state "under the tutelage of Lone Wolf", doesn't it? If Rimoah taught the New Order as he taught Lone Wolf, I could understand that being pointed out, but otherwise, isn't Lone Wolf the presumed teacher for the New Order Grand Masters?

KAI-ALCHEMY (BROTHERHOOD MAGIC) (New Order)
Under the tutelage of Lone Wolf and Guildmaster Banedon (the leader of Sommerlund's guild of magicians), you have mastered the elementary spells of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star. These spells include Lightning Hand, Levitation, and Mind Charm. As you advance in rank, so will your knowledge and mastery of Brotherhood magic increase.

KAI-ALCHEMY (Grand Master)
Under the tutelage of Guildmaster Banedon, you have mastered the elementary spells of Left-handed Magic, as practised by the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star. As you advance in rank, so will your knowledge and mastery of Left-handed magic increase, enabling you to craft new Kai weapons and artefacts.

That's funny, Lone Wolf supposedly learnt Kai Weaponcraft (among other skills) as a reward from Kai upon becoming Supreme Master (New Order frontmatter, Kai Weapons).

The last four Disciplines are New Order only. This is the game-mechanics explanation for why a New Order Grand Master starts with four Disciplines, yet only the first rank. It doesn't really address New Order Grand Masters being more powerful than Lone Wolf (though I always felt that the new skills were fairly cheap additions that often duplicated some effects from one or more existing Disciplines). It also means a New Order Supreme Master, with 15 Disciplines, is missing one...

ASTROLOGY
The celestial bodies which occupy the skies above Magnamund have long been known to affect the lives of its inhabitants. Mastery of this Discipline enables a New Order Grand Master to predict and shape the future by studying the relative positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the myriad planets and stars. The number and accuracy of these predictions increases as a New Order Grand Master advances in rank.

HERBMASTERY
Mastery of this New Order Discipline enables a Grand Master to identify readily any substance derived from living or growing organic material. He is aware of any secret uses to which an organic material may be put, and he is skilled in effecting the release of a substance's medicinal and/or magical properties.

ELEMENTALISM
This Discipline enables a New Order Grand Master to manipulate the four basic elements: earth, air, fire, and water. By drawing upon individual (or combinations of) elements that are available, he is able to detach, affix, increase, concentrate, intensify, remove or accelerate this matter to fulfil a specific purpose, eg, create a wall, hurl a rock, spray sand, remove air, intensify fire. The versatility of this Discipline increases as a New Order Grand Master advances in rank.

BARDSMANSHIP
Through mastery of this Discipline a Kai Grand Master of the New Order becomes a multi-talented performer, proficient in the use of any musical instrument. He is able to sing or chant, recite or compose tales of legend, mimic speech or dialect and stimulate a wide range of emotions among sentient creatures. The effect and power of his bardic abilities will steadily increase as he advances through the Grand Master ranks.

And on the same old technical note: the preceding information is (c) Joe Dever 1984-2004 and is actually beyond the Project Aon User License, and should be recognised and credited as (c) Joe Dever at all times. Lone Wolf is Trademark (TM) Joe Dever 1984-2004.