u/Rising_Storms

For example, I struggle the most with designing conjuration abilities because I find conjuration to be the most creative in terms of form, but restrictive in terms of function. I think it's because I will think of how a conjured ability looks with no problem, but then struggle with what I want it to do.

This is a personal nen ability that I've been working on for months, but couldn't quite get it right. I finally came up with a version that I'm happy with and wanted to share. The objective is an ability similar to Crazy Slots (i.e. a nen beast that transforms into a limited number of basic objects) but simpler, with the advantage being how creative the user is with using the objects rather than the objects themselves having some overly supernatural power outside of growing/regenerating.

• Ability Name: Woody Bonez
• Nen Type: Conjuration
• The user conjures a floating wooden skull crowned in leaves. It can grow and weave wooden vines into any of the seven constructs tattooed on the user's right arm. Each tattoo acts as a blueprint, defining a construct's form, while the vines provide its material. To activate, the user touches the appropriate tattoo with their left hand, causing the vines to weave into its designated form with the skull attached.. To switch constructs, the entire skull must be dispelled and reconjured to weave another. If a tattoo is visibly damaged, its construct becomes inaccessible until the tattoo heals. The true power of Woody Bonez lies in its ability to scale and regenerate its configurations at the expense of the user's aura with the vines regenerating through physical contact. A construct may be scaled or reoriented so long as it retains its basic shape. This allows a single blueprint to serve numerous purposes, with larger constructs requiring more aura to create. Woody Bonez thus rewards the creativity and improvisation of its user, as its versatility comes not from creating countless constructs, but from the user  finding unconventional methods to use the seven constructs.
  • Staff: A woven staff that can be made to extend quickly to a great length. The staff can be used as a melee weapon, a walking stick, a stilt, or a spear that can quickly pierce a target from afar. The skull allows it to be used as a bludgeoning tool.
  • Shield: A dome-like shield that spirals outward from the skull. This can be grown into a full dome, and is used as a simple shield that can block most attacks as its front absorbs impact shock. It can also be used as a raft if oriented downward.
  • Ropes: A collection of wooden vines that the user can employ like thick ropes. Since the vines can both grow and shorten, the skull can be used as a grappling hook, or used as a net to catch falling allies by anchoring to nearby structures.
  • Basket: A cylindrical, cup-shape, often with two vine straps on one side. This construct can be scaled down to be used as a cup, or made larger to act as a basket to carry items. Through clever ingenuity, it could be used as a pseudo-shovel.
  • Cage: A box composed of several wooden bars all originating from the skull on top. This construct is often used to trap those within it. However, if the user does not maintain contact with the bars, a strong enough foe could break free.
  • Bridge: A series of vines with woven planks running down their length to form a simple rope bridge. This is often used to travel across large gaps, but can so be oriented vertically as a ladder, or scaled as smaller to be used as a stretcher.
  • Cabin: A simple, empty woven cabin that’s often used for shelter. At its largest, the cabin can fit up to eight people inside and is capable of protecting them from elements. If used while airborne, the cabin can technically be used to crush foes.

I'm working on a nen user who, due to their background, interprets nen as witchcraft, seeing abilities as "spells" to be cast. As they developed their abilities, they subconsciously placed a condition on themselves that each ability requires a physical component(s) to work. This makes sense as they are an emitter, and thus conjuration would be the type they'd struggle with most.

This user carries several components with them: a spell book, a broom, some crystals, herbs, etc. They also travel with their pet who they refer to as their familiar. I'd love to hear if you guys think it would be possible, and how you'd approach the idea of adding two other nen users to this ability to form a coven.

• Animal Familiar (emission/manipulation) - by placing a collar that's been decorated with a silver charm around their pet, the user can remotely control their familiar, and even see through their pet's eyes by closing their eyes and entering zetsu. Their familiar can thus be used for reconnaissance, and to fulfill simple tasks that the user needs.

• Broom Flight (emission) - using a broom that the user must craft by hand, the user can mount the broom, then use emission to propel themselves through the air by firing a jet of aura through the bristles. By pointing the bristles at a target, they can use this as a generic aura blast. They can only fly for a few hours before running out of aura.

• Crystal Reiki (emission/manipulation) - The user infuses their aura into their crystals through a ritual that can only be performed under a full moon. Once charged, the crystals are used to emit its stored aura into a willing target, aligning the target's emotions and mental state towards the symbolic characteristic of the crystals.

• Book of Shadows (emission/manipulation/enhancement) - Using their personal journal, the user collects information about all of the "spells" they've learned. However, this book is also used as a condition for the user to fire bolts of emitted aura as a generic projectile attack. By using unique, physical components, the user can adjust these bolts to specific spells. Once the user runs out of pages, that's it, they can't add anything else unless they destroy the book and thus start from scratch. * No matter how minor the effect, each cursed or charm bolt requires two physical components to work, and only lasts 13min. Once activated, the components teleports away for a one-time use, so the user collects a stock of them. Each component reflects a symbol/meaning that the user is familiar with such as a butterfly representing transformation, or an oak branch representing strength.

  • Cursed Bolts (emission/manipulation) - The user fires a bolt of aura that manipulates its target to embrace a specific belief, akin to hypnosis (for example, a "Turn to Frog" spell will make the victim believe and thus behave like a frog).
    • In the case of "Turn to Frog" the user would need a butterfly to represent transformation, and a frog to represent the aspect.
  • Charm Bolts (emission/enhancement) - The user fires a bolt of aura that enhances its target physically or mentally, acting as a blessing (for example, a "Power Blessing" spell would make an ally or their weapon physically stronger.
    • In the case of "Power Blessing" the user would need an oak branch to represent strength, and a wax/clay effigy of the intended target.

Out of curiosity, what is the difference between a fully trained nen user (i.e. Hunters) vs. nen geniuses who aren't even aware that they're using nen (i.e. Komugi). Does it generally boil down to whether or not someone has an ability?

I'm very new to paintball, and had to buy my first jersey since it was so hot. It's an HK Army jersey called "Slime" so it has electric green on it. But it was the only one I could find in my size at the time during the game. With that said, I just bought my first mask which was purchased so I didn't have to borrow my friend's mask. I ended up getting the JT Nuclear Green Flex 8 in black/electric green since I liked how it looked and it matched my jersey. With that said, the rest of my gear are hand-me-downs from my friends, so it's a mishmash of stuff.

My original idea was to buy all matching gear for cohesion, but my friends (and a lot of posts I've seen online) talk about how cringe it is to do that, especially buying from HK Army. With that said, I'm thinking about changing my mind on that, but I'm worried if I will look corny on the field with my jersey and mask matching (they're the only things that match).

What's the general consensus now? I have no problem avoiding buying more matching stuff if it will make me look cringe on the woodsball field.

I'm brand new to paintball, and just got back from Skirmish ION this weekend (Normandy Game). ION was only my second game, but I'm starting to really love the sport, especially the commodity and welcoming energy of the players on the field.

Right now, I have my own marker, and jersey, but a lot of my equipment is borrowed or given to me. My friends gave me a few pods to have, and a 4500psi tank. I'm borrowing my friend's goggles, harness, and hopper, but would like my own.

For my marker, I'm currently using the Tippman Stormer Tactical. For each piece of equipment, I'm trying to match it to my jersey which is an HK Army HSTL jersey in black/neon green. I'm waiting on upgrading my marker later when I have more cash.

• Goggles: I'm currently looking at either the JT Proflex or the JT Flex 8. I'm leaning to the Flex 8 due to visual style (i.e. it looks cool to me), but I've heard that the Proflex is better all around, especially breathability and customization.
• Harness: I'm currently looking at the Eject-X Harness 5. After playing two games, one of my struggles was the harness I was given was older and kept opening on me from time to time, so I want something a bit more secure but easy to use.
• Hopper: I'm not sure what kind of hopper I should get. Right now, I'm borrowing a Virtue battery operated force fed hopper. I believe the Virtue Spire IV. Would any hopper style work for the Tippman Stormer?

My goal is to get each piece little by little starting with the mask, then the harness, then the hopper. If I would get an additional piece of equipment, it might be a pair of paintball pants so I don't have to keep using my jeans (which have been working fine).

Any advice on the three items I listed? Specifically the mask and whether I'd be better off getting the JT Proflex rather than the JT Flex 8? As I've stated, I'm really starting to enjoy the sport and would like to go more frequently with my friends soon.

I'm a black male about to go on a camping trip with his white friends. I've been camping before when I was a kid, again with white friends, but as an adult, I'm ever more aware of the stories spreading across the internet, most recently the story of Nolan Wells. I'm going with four friends over the weekend five to six hrs from home. Why am I nervous?

• One of the guys has been my best friend since we were little kids. He's conservative, has had a confederate flag pin in his truck, obsessed with German history, yet always has my back and made me apart of his family.
• One of the guys is a more recent acquaintance. Politically, he's probably the most moderate of the group. He is the one who I'm grabbing a ride with to the camp grounds. He's cool, but I've known him the least.
• One of the guys is also more of an acquaintance, the youngest, and enjoys South Park-like racist jokes (even showing me "racist humor" in the hopes that I'm one of the "cool" black people who can take a joke).

Outside of the three guys, most of my friends back home make it VERY clear that they are anti-racist. I do have black friends, but they're scattered to the winds as I live in a predominantly white area.

With all of that said, after what's happened to Nolan Wells, and so many stories coming to the surface about other mysterious black deaths, I'm wondering if my paranoia for my safety is justified. Also, should I cancel my trip with them? Or not go to any future away trips like this in the future?

I'm a black male about to go on a camping trip with his white friends. I've been camping before when I was a kid, again with white friends, but as an adult, I'm ever more aware of the stories spreading across the internet, most recently the story of Nolan Wells. I'm going with four friends over the weekend five to six hrs from home. Why am I nervous?

• One of the guys has been my best friend since we were little kids. He's conservative, has had a confederate flag pin in his truck, obsessed with German history, yet always has my back and made me apart of his family.
• One of the guys is a more recent acquaintance. Politically, he's probably the most moderate of the group. He is the one who I'm grabbing a ride with to the camp grounds. He's cool, but I've known him the least.
• One of the guys is also more of an acquaintance, the youngest, and enjoys South Park-like racist jokes (even showing me "racist humor" in the hopes that I'm one of the "cool" black people who can take a joke).

Outside of the three guys, most of my friends back home make it VERY clear that they are anti-racist. I do have black friends, but they're scattered to the winds as I live in a predominantly white area.

With all of that said, after what's happened to Nolan Wells, and so many stories coming to the surface about other mysterious black deaths, I'm wondering if my paranoia for my safety is justified. Also, should I cancel my trip with them? Or not go to any future away trips like this in the future?

I'm not sure if this has been discussed already, just a thought I had.

Does it make sense that, instead of straight up transformation, transmutation can change the shape, but not the material, of real-life objects (i.e. malleability)? As a comparison, think of how transmutation works in Full Metal Alchemist. The user's understanding of the material(s) is crucial for the change, but they would need to carry the material around, or have it nearby somehow to use their ability. This may explain why we see more transmuters focus on altering the characteristics of their own aura instead, it's less cumbersome.

This could answer how Youpi can sculpt his body to produce spikes, his additional arms, or his wings. He's using the same material, but sculpting its shape. Then we have Bisky who has the same material (her body), but it's been compressed then sculpted to her cute form. With Youpi and his multiple eyes, this could be a weird gray area wherein he either uses transmutation to shape his body into something he already has (i.e. eyes), or he dips into conjuration to produce more eyes. Same for his rage form, it makes sense that he dips into conjuration to at least form that blade, maybe that head/shield form on his other arm.

How does this differ from conjuration? For two reasons. 1) Conjuration can create new materials; and 2) conjuration can impose rules to grant additional abilities to their objects. So, when we see all of those conjurers with transformation abilities, we can see how they not only changed the shape of the material, but create new material that didn't exist. For example, Biohazard, Fist Full of Weapons, Rider's High, as well as (stay with me here) the transformations of Crazy Slots. This dip can also explain things like Fun Fun Cloth dipping into transmutation to produce its shrinking effect (same material, different size).

I've never been a fan of the idea that transformation abilities are transmutation or conjuration. I felt that context mattered here as how what kind of transformation it is. I'd love to hear thoughts on this.