I’ve run into an issue and I figure now is a good time to test out the poll function of WordPress. I want to give Nyx a magical defense item and I’ve run into problems with how it should work. It’s a magic bracelet that has taken on the following forms throughout the planning process:
- Magically move arm to block all non-magical ranged weapons such as arrows, bolts, javelins, stones, etc. This is the original, but it also feels like a blatant rip-off of Wonder Woman’s bullet blocking bracers.
- Magically move arm to block all non-magical close range weapons, leaving Nyx’s arm numb and the attacker stunned. She can cast minor spells as she retreats. Problem is that this negates her greatest weakness, which is that she can be physically overpowered in a non-magical fight.
- Bracelet can emit a blast barrier once a day and is set off by an attack coming within two inches of Nyx. A blast barrier is a sudden defense that includes a force wave, a sonic blast, a low level fire wave, and a dust shield. Basically, a big explosion around Nyx to blind, deafen, char, and knock down nearby enemies. I’m thinking this can also affect nearby allies that aren’t quick enough to give her space. The area of the spell will be no more than a 5-yard radius. I’m still working the kinks out of this one since I just came up with it, but I figure I’d get an outside opinion.
Those are the three choices. So, let’s see how the poll goes:
Legends of Windemere 
I like the Range Blocking bracelet because it seems to be the most useful. The second one (Melee) is a good idea but I don’t like it the fact that the bracelet isn’t powerful enough to completely protect her from all injury (numb arm). I really don’t care for the last one, as you stated, because she could as easily kill her allies as she could her enemies, plus if she can only use it once and it only spreads out for five yards, it doesn’t feel like it is the most helpful of items. Of course, the last might be the best choice for originality and I’m sure you could write about how well Nyx likes the results, or that she doesn’t care for it and keeps it around strictly for emergency use, does she dares use it again, or maybe she could rig it to explode before giving it to her enemy as a make-believe peace offering, in hopes that the villain will use it against her, only to take himself out of the picture by mistake. You know, I think all three bracelets have pros and cons. It just depends if there is a special purpose you have in mind for it, like maybe in one particular battle. Either way, I love the magic bracelet idea!
LikeLike
The third bracelet is actually non-lethal. It causes enough disorientation for Nyx to fall back and get out of swinging range to cast more of her spells. I put the numb arm on the second bracelet because I had this horrible image of Nyx blocking everything and blasting away at point-blank range. She’s very powerful (as her debut demonstrated), so I have to be careful with the magic items I give her. The purpose is because other characters are gaining special items and abilities while Nyx isn’t getting anything. I wanted to go with defense because she has no problem with offense.
I will admit that I’m leaning toward the third bracelet only because it’s unique and I think it forces Nyx and her friends to be careful. The one time use also forces strategy.
There is another option that I’ve been playing with, which is that Nyx’s unique magic causes her to lose her power for a minute or two after using any magic item. That would minimize the ‘god complex’ that she could gain from a powerful magic item.
LikeLike
I see, well in that case, #3 is my favorite! (Though I still think the first one would be cool…and that’s the one I voted for) 🙂
LikeLike
Number one is definitely a cool one as long as DC Comics doesn’t sue me over copying Wonder Woman’s bullet-blocking bracelets. 😉 I’m going to see how the poll goes for the week and make a final decision. It could even be a combo of one and three. The blast barrier could be set off by a range weapon. As an old friend pointed out in a private message, the challenge to getting to Nyx with a melee weapon is to get through her spells, Luke’s swords, Sari’s daggers and illusions, and the other champions weapons and powers. So, defense against melee weapons might not be as major as I thought. Going to be interested to see how things play out.
LikeLike
Indeed! I’ll be excited to see which one you pick. Really cool idea!
LikeLike
Thanks. Though if I don’t use the third bracelet for Nyx, I know who I could give it to and it’d be pretty devastating. As long as that character isn’t upset about getting hand-me-downs. 🙂
LikeLike
Hmm, interesting! You sure have got my attention! When does this book come out???
LikeLike
This is actually for the fourth book of the series, which I’m editing now. I got to the point where she gets the bracelet (currently the melee version) and it just didn’t feel right, but it didn’t feel wrong either. As for the release of book 2, I don’t have a specific date. I’m hoping for the end of April, but it really depends on how long the cover art takes.
LikeLike
Oh, okay. Well, then I’m looking forward to this whole series!
Do you do your own cover art?
LikeLike
No. Sadly, I have the drawing ability of an armless octopus. My wife’s cousin in Arizona is a professional artist, so he’s been nice enough to do my cover art for me. As you can see from the first cover, it’s definitely worth the wait. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh yes, I agree: the cover was stunning! I’m not too talented with a paintbrush either, so I’ve just used pictures I’ve taken with my digital camera for book covers. Could you give me some advice? Do you think books with illustrated covers or books with photographs for covers are better? And what is better, having a picture of a character (like Luke and Stiletto on your book cover) or just scenery?
LikeLike
Honestly, I’ve seen great books with both. It really depends on the overall effect, so you can’t really say one is better than the other. It also depends on the genre. Fantasy is typically illustrated with a character or creature on the cover to give a sense of the magical world. Drama and more Earth-based ones can have photographs without much problems. Scenery can work for just about every genre.
LikeLike
Okay, thank you so much!
I hope you have a really great week!
LikeLike
You too. I’ve got a toddler home from school, so it’s going to be an exciting week at least. I just have to remember to stretch before he demands horseback rides and wrestling. 🙂
LikeLike
Sounds like a good plan! 🙂
LikeLike