Kai Weapon question - Book 29

[Sword Rune]

Greetings to all!

I just finished my playthrough of Storms of Chai, and thought I'd put a nagging question to the community: Has the damage to the New Order Grand Master's weapon ever been addressed?  Nowhere in the books is it mentioned after Vampirium--I didn't think much of it at the end of Hunger of Sejanoz, because the narrative flow of the last few books pre-timeskip was quite fast, so understandably there wouldn't have been time for Lone Wolf to evaluate the damage to one of his unique creations.

However, it seems odd that it WOULDN'T have been addressed in 17 years in-story; yet I couldn't find any mention of it.  Not a complete game-ruiner of course (After all, there's the Drodarin axe Sunderer to help us through the rough parts...), but the thought of one's Kai Weapon being permanently nerfed is saddening.

I've also been avoiding spoilers for Dead in the Deep, so if there's any mention of it there, I wouldn't have seen it.

Thanks, everyone.

[kurz81]

So far no mention about restoring the kai weapon in books 28, 29 or 30.
It should be assumed that the damage is still there (-1 or -2 cs depending on roll).
There is no confirmation about this issue, so if you want, you can pretend that the kai weapon was restored during the time skip.

[jmisno1]

Jul 13, 2020 4:52:17 GMT kurz81 said:

So far no mention about restoring the kai weapon in books 28, 29 or 30.
It should be assumed that the damage is still there (-1 or -2 cs depending on roll).
There is no confirmation about this issue, so if you want, you can pretend that the kai weapon was restored during the time skip.

On that subject do you think that I'm right in thinking that if it wasn't restored during the time skip that either 1 or both of Book 29 and Book 30 would have mentioned it that the fact that nowhere in books 28, 29 or 30 say that it isn't restored during the time skip that it is safe to assume that it was restored during the time skip and no longer has a reduced CS Bonus?

[kurz81]

Since only the authors have the final words, the issue is still open to debate. Your point of view is valid and you can safely use a +5cs kai weapon, if you like it: it is not game-breaking.
Personally I still consider the kai weapon damaged, but I also have other Drodarin weapons, so CS is not a issue.

[andyc]

I found Dead in the Deep combats far too easy with all my equipment and bonuses from the earlier books. You definitely do not need the extra 1CS!

I hope in the last two books, the big gap between a starting GM and an experienced one is drastically reduced somehow. Wouldn't it be a shame if the climatic books are some of the easiest in the whole series?

[Oiseau]

This is no longer possible at this point. The starting GM can start with CS 25 if picking a zero and playing by the rules. The veteran can have nearly 70 as far as some people have claimed, with the new bonuses available in Book 30 itself. What should have been done is change the starting rules for Book 29, since 18 years have passed, to say "your character is now Grand Master Translucid" or whatever, and you start with whatever cumulative CS a Book 21-28 veteran would have at that point (which would be something like 40+RNT, rough estimate). Then add Ubermasterweaponskill and Psidestroyeverything as usual.

[andyc]

Jul 16, 2020 18:48:52 GMT Oiseau said:

This is no longer possible at this point. The starting GM can start with CS 25 if picking a zero and playing by the rules. The veteran can have nearly 70 as far as some people have claimed, with the new bonuses available in Book 30 itself. What should have been done is change the starting rules for Book 29, since 18 years have passed, to say "your character is now Grand Master Translucid" or whatever, and you start with whatever cumulative CS a Book 21-28 veteran would have at that point (which would be something like 40+RNT, rough estimate). Then add Ubermasterweaponskill and Psidestroyeverything as usual.

It is an impossible gap to bridge as you say. It would definitely make sense if the new GM starting at #29 had 'caught up' with the veteran of 21-28 as you say. #29 was set at the right level for the veteran, whereas #30 presumably is right for the new GM.

On a full replay, once all books are out, I think I will have to work out a suitable drop in my CS as I begin #30 perhaps due to some wretched Cener lung rot affliction or something.

[Nym90]

Given that 17 years passed between book 28 and 29, it seems reasonable to assume the Kai Weapon was repaired during that time. It also would seem reasonable to pick a new Kai Weapon during that period, and no longer have to keep the same one as from previous books.

[stargazer]

Jul 22, 2020 17:19:49 GMT Nym90 said:

Given that 17 years passed between book 28 and 29, it seems reasonable to assume the Kai Weapon was repaired during that time. It also would seem reasonable to pick a new Kai Weapon during that period, and no longer have to keep the same one as from previous books.

It would be strange if Lone Wolf weren't willing to re-forge/re-empower your Kai Weapon, unless there is some mystical limitation that once its power is lost or damaged, it is forever broken. Like how the Sommerswerd is supposed to lose its power forever if ever wielded in combat by a non-Kai Lord.

However, roleplaying-wise, I doubt a Grand Master would take a new Kai Weapon. They would be emotionally attached to the first Kai Weapon they earned.






Spoiler




Look how ecstatic Steel Hand gets if you return his lost weapon.