Countdown to death

[sumner]

Don't have a lot of experience with healing spells/enchantments so I have a few questions. I'm playing Machaka with a quasi-skilled mage Lord of the Desert Sun. Recently he ran into a nasty battle that handed him a handful of nasty afflictions - one of them being a wound that removes an additional hit point every round. If possible, I'd rather not see him die, but you know how that goes. Since the accident I've been researching Enchantment and I just got the point where I can cast the gift of healing enchantment. I'm guessing this is my best bet for healing at this point (plus it would be nice to have a healing dominion).

Anyway, I'm just curious as to what my other healing options are. The spell/item descriptions are so vague it's hard to tell what might/might not work in this situation, and it's kinda imperative that whatever I do choose to use works. Oh yeah, I need to mention that I'm not sure if I'll be able to come up with the 40 nature gems in time to cast the enchantment.

My god has a level of 4 in fire, nature and death. Another thing I realized recently was that I'd need to construct the cheapest item possible to boost his nature one more level in order to cast the enchantment. So, it seems as though the cards aren't exactly stacked in my favor. Not to mention, this is assuming he'll actually be healed of this affliction.

Anyone have any sage advice here? Like I said, it's not the end of the world if he biffs, but it might be nice to have this information in the future.

[Norfleet]

You can preserve him longer by having him go into a battle and cast one of the healing spells whose names I cannot recall: That'll restore some of his hitpoints and stall the countdown a bit. Alternatively, you can give him an item of regeneration, which will also restore his hitpoints, even outside of combat, IIRC, which should keep him alive indefinitely. In both cases, he'll continue to acquire more afflictions and become progressively more gimpy, however.

[Truper]

There are only 3 options, and you've already hit upon the easiest - Gift of Health. The others are summoning a Faerie Queen, who gets the "heal" command, just like Arco priestesses, and forging the Chalice, a unique magic artifact. None of these things are guaranteed to work immediately - they each have a chance of healing an affliction each turn.

The cheapest nature-boosting item you can forge is a Thistle Mace.

[Taqwus]

In a pinch, your pretender could probably also heal himself by casting Drain Life or using life-draining weapons.

With Nature... do you have Charm researched? Might be handy for snagging an Arco priestess if you can find one, or (less likely, probably) the Tien Chi immortal healer.

[sumner]

Originally posted by Taqwus:
In a pinch, your pretender could probably also heal himself by casting Drain Life or using life-draining weapons.

With Nature... do you have Charm researched? Might be handy for snagging an Arco priestess if you can find one, or (less likely, probably) the Tien Chi immortal healer.

Nope. No Tien Chi or Arco in the game. Thanks for the replies though. I think I'll send create a ring of regen for the time being. Until I can cast that enchantment at least. Actually, while I'm on the topic, does the gift of healing not heal certain ailments? I'm guessing it doesn't restore limbs and such, right? Will it heal never-healing wounds?

[Nagot Gick Fel]

Originally posted by sumner:
does the gift of healing not heal certain ailments?

It can heal every affliction, although it may take time. It won't heal curses or horror marks (these aren't afflictions). It won't heal afflictions caused by magic organs (eyes, hearts). It won't heal disease on a leader holding a Fever Fetish as long as he equips the item.

I'm guessing it doesn't restore limbs and such, right?

Wrong.

Will it heal never-healing wounds?

Eventually it will, but this affliction is harder to get rif off than most.

[Taqwus]

Yup. Gift of Health can heal any and all afflictions of friendlies in your dominion. Not only that, but all your units in your dominion have higher maximum hit points -- up to roughly double in 10-str dominion. For 40 gems (base), it's a bargain -- of course, you need to boost to prevent dispels or somebody else overwriting with his own Gift of Health. It's very, very nice to have.

[Argitoth]

Originally posted by Taqwus:
For 40 gems (base), it's a bargain -- of course, you need to boost to prevent dispels or somebody else overwriting with his own Gift of Health. It's very, very nice to have.

What are the rules on overwriting a spell? Is it the more gems you put into a global enchantment, the more gems you have to put in to recast over it?

[magnate]

Yes, somebody please post some wisdom about dispelling and/or overcasting global enchantments.

Pangaea cast Gift of Health many turns ago (>10). Does it get stronger with age?

I tried to cast it, using 49 gems (all I had) - didn't work. Fair enough. Tried to dispel his, using 60 astral pearls - still didn't work! How many gems will he have used??? Does the level of astral mage matter for dispelling? Will level 5 or 6 astral be better than level 3 with the same number of pearls?

Argh.

CC

[Peter Ebbesen]

Originally posted by Wyatt Hebert:

I may be wrong, but I don't think so (also, the bracelet requires 3S1N, and Construction 6, I believe.)

You are wrong. It costs NNNS, 20 nature gems and 5 astral, not SSSN.