First off, welcome back! It's always great to have fresh faces in the lands, and while it's a little daunting coming back after a long hiatus it should also be very exciting. Gemstone has made some fabulous changes over the years so I'm sure you're going to fall in love with it all over again.

As for builds, you have a LOT of options available to you. Empaths are extremely flexible in their training -- it's one of the reasons why I love them as much as I do. Perhaps if you could tell us a basic preference of type: Healing, Spell-hunting, Weapon-hunting (or some combination thereof) it would make it easier for us to help you hone a training plan. If there are any hobbies or personal eccentricities you want to support from an RP-perspective, definitely let us know that, too.

If you're in game and would like some help there, feel free to look up Niadja in Icemule, she's always happy to take new empaths under her wing! Apprentice cobblers and alchemists are also always welcome.

Again, welcome home!

~Niadja

Empath, older than dirt, but still younger than Rolfard.

Thanks to everyone! I was really just kidding about the financing thing. I think that I have found a training schedule that is working for me at this younger age. It is tough being too weak to hunt, not enough skill to heal, etc. But I think that with a focus on armor/shield/OHB/PhysFit/HarnessPower as well as Minor Spirit/Empath spell circles I can manage to hunt (slowly with the aid of mass buffs) and help a little with healing (minor wounds).

I also wasn't kidding about the items! I really do have some 4x falchions, runestaves, and some other junk that I am going to be pawning, if you want to pay the pawnshop price for them. Just let me know.

________________________________
>Barnom exclaims, "I smell delicious!"

>Barnom says, "Like sage and nutmeg."

OK, let's break that state,emt down. I have player an empath through 6 incarnations over a 5 year period (Thank the gods for fixskills!). Started off with OHE/shield, as many spell casters do, went to pure caster, went to THW warpath, back to pure caster, and finally back to THWs. Empaths hunt well with any build! I like the THW build because I can whack even magic immune critters. Also empaths get the best weapon AS adders of any spell casting class (although my warmage is actually a better hunter due to the effect of e-wave plus self cast haste). Initially you will want the better DS from OHE/shield (as opposed to THWs) because you won't be having spirit barrier (102) in effect. At cap, however, my empath can hunt with 102 in effect, despite the -50 weapon AS penalty.

The bells of Hell
go ting-a-ling-a-ling
for you but not for me

Also, using weapons doesn't mean you won't have a good magical attack. Wither, boneshatter, weapons, CM skills ... all good.

> ne
[Lich Citadel, Darkway]
Thick white smoke blankets the floor of the chamber, the only light coming from the broad strips of energy running along the walls. An eerie chill hangs in the air. You also see a whirling soul wraith.
Obvious exits: east, southwest
> incant 1115
A whirling soul wraith claws at you!
AS: +430 vs DS: +600 with AvD: +27 + d100 roll: +23 = -120
A clean miss.
>
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Wither...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a whirling soul wraith.
Your mental command surges outward, echoing your need to the stray spirits nearby...
CS: +478 - TD: +389 + CvA: +25 + d100: +22 == +136
Warding failed!
A nebulous haze shimmers into view around a whirling soul wraith, plunging inward to envelop its right arm!
... 5 points of damage!
Glancing blow to the right arm leaves a trail of vapor in its wake.
... 20 points of damage!
Strong hit rips arm from wrist to elbow.
The wound vanishes as the ethereal flesh swirls around in chaotic patterns.
... 30 points of damage!
Hard strike shatters arm into vapor.
The arm reforms before your eyes!
Cloudy tendrils writhe throughout the wraith's form, ravaging it for 26 points of damage!
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R> incant 1115
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Wither...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a whirling soul wraith.
Your mental command surges outward, echoing your need to the stray spirits nearby...
CS: +478 - TD: +389 + CvA: +25 + d100: +58 == +172
Warding failed!
A nebulous haze shimmers into view around a whirling soul wraith, plunging inward to envelop its right leg!
... 5 points of damage!
Right ankle stung!
The soul wraith stamps in silent annoyance.
... 25 points of damage!
Quick strike to the right leg!
The soul wraith makes no bones about it.
... 35 points of damage!
Painful attack flays the leg from thigh to calf.
New skin lies, snakelike, beneath the old.
Cloudy tendrils writhe throughout the wraith's form, ravaging it for 71 points of damage!
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R>
A whirling soul wraith drifts southwest.
> sw
[Lich Citadel, Darkway]
The very walls seem to shift, as if formed from liquid darkness. Coils of white smoke twist and turn, drifting up and down the corridor. You also see a whirling soul wraith.
Obvious exits: northeast, southwest
> stance offen
> cman feint
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
[Roll result: 92 (open d100: 7) Bonus: 13]
You feint to the left, the soul wraith almost buys the ruse, but recovers just in time.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R> stance offen
> cman feint
>
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
[Roll result: 164 (open d100: 79) Bonus: 13]
You feint high, the soul wraith buys the ruse and twists awkwardly to block the blow that never came!
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R> stance offen
> mstrike target
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
You concentrate intently, focusing all your energies.
You explode into a fury of strikes and ripostes, moving with a singular purpose and will!
You swing a superior mithril flail at a whirling soul wraith!
AS: +449 vs DS: +363 with AvD: +44 + d100 roll: +1 = +131
... and hit for 24 points of damage!
Glancing blow to the stomach.
Good thing it won't be eating soon.
You swing a superior mithril flail at a whirling soul wraith!
AS: +449 vs DS: +347 with AvD: +44 + d100 roll: +90 = +236
... and hit for 80 points of damage!
Hard strike shatters arm into vapor.
The arm reforms before your eyes!
You hear a sound like a weeping child as a white glow separates itself from the soul wraith's body as it rises, disappearing into the heavens.
A whirling soul wraith releases a groan of mingled ecstasy and relief as it fades away.

Your series of strikes and ripostes leaves you winded and out of position.
Roundtime: 8 sec.
R> stance defen
You are now in a defensive stance.
> look
[Lich Citadel, Darkway]
The very walls seem to shift, as if formed from liquid darkness. Coils of white smoke twist and turn, drifting up and down the corridor.
Obvious exits: northeast, southwest
>
You feel recovered from your whirlwind flurry of strikes.
>
You feel more refreshed.
> ne
[Lich Citadel, Darkway]
Thick white smoke blankets the floor of the chamber, the only light coming from the broad strips of energy running along the walls. An eerie chill hangs in the air.
Obvious exits: east, southwest
> e
[Lich Citadel, Wide Hall]
The hall expands here, yet remains covered in darkness save for the light coming from the strips of white energy running down parallel walls. A strange clattering sound echoes from further away.
Obvious exits: southeast, west, up
> stance defen
You feel fully energetic again.
>
You are now in a defensive stance.
> se
[Lich Citadel, Feast Yard]
The floor is sticky with blood and littered with the half-eaten corpses of humans, elves and dwarves. Strange, malformed creatures move throughout the bodies, picking them up and gnawing on them absentmindedly. You also see some ambrominas leaf and a whirling soul wraith.
Also here: Lord Perivan
Obvious exits: east, south, northwest
>
The winds around a whirling soul wraith speed up and whirl tighter about its form.
> s
[Lich Citadel, Feast Yard]
Corpses twitch on the slick floors, their bodies still shifting as hordes of ghouls move about. Low, pitiful moaning fills the area with mournful noise. You also see a glowing-eyed spirit golem.
Obvious exits: north, east
>
A glowing-eyed spirit golem tries to ensnare you in its solid glaes arms!
With extreme effort, you beat back the attack with your flail!
> stance offen
> cman feint
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
[Roll result: 131 (open d100: 66) Bonus: 13]
You feint to the right, the spirit golem buys the ruse and twists awkwardly to block the blow that never came!
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R>
Lord Perivan just arrived.
> stance offen
> mstrike target
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
You concentrate intently, focusing all your energies.
You explode into a fury of strikes and ripostes, moving with a singular purpose and will!
You swing a superior mithril flail at a glowing-eyed spirit golem!
AS: +449 vs DS: +276 with AvD: +42 + d100 roll: +61 = +276
... and hit for 56 points of damage!
Strike to the chest breaks a rib!
You swing a superior mithril flail at a glowing-eyed spirit golem!
AS: +449 vs DS: +276 with AvD: +42 + d100 roll: +12 = +227
... and hit for 48 points of damage!
You broke the spirit golem's nose!

Your series of strikes and ripostes leaves you winded and out of position.
Roundtime: 8 sec.
R>
Lord Perivan just went east.
> stance offen
> attack
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
You swing a superior mithril flail at a glowing-eyed spirit golem!
AS: +449 vs DS: +216 with AvD: +42 + d100 roll: +46 = +321
... and hit for 72 points of damage!
Strike pierces gall bladder!
That's gotta hurt!
Roundtime: 5 sec.
R>
A glowing-eyed spirit golem tries to ensnare you in its solid glaes arms!
AS: +430 vs DS: +464 with AvD: +38 + d100 roll: +13 = +17
A clean miss.
R> stance offen
> attack
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
You swing a superior mithril flail at a glowing-eyed spirit golem!
AS: +449 vs DS: +265 with AvD: +42 + d100 roll: +87 = +313
... and hit for 65 points of damage!
Nice puncture to the back, just grazed the spine!
Roundtime: 5 sec.
R> look
A lumbering hideous shrickhen rushes in, her form weaving and shaking as her parts attempt to work together.
R>
[Lich Citadel, Feast Yard]
Corpses twitch on the slick floors, their bodies still shifting as hordes of ghouls move about. Low, pitiful moaning fills the area with mournful noise. You also see a lumbering hideous shrickhen and a glowing-eyed spirit golem.
Obvious exits: north, east
R> stance offen
> attack
You are now in an offensive stance.
R>
You swing a superior mithril flail at a glowing-eyed spirit golem!
AS: +449 vs DS: +249 with AvD: +42 + d100 roll: +73 = +315
... and hit for 66 points of damage!
Left elbow smashed into a thousand pieces.
You hear a sound like a weeping child as a white glow separates itself from the spirit golem's body as it rises, disappearing into the heavens.
With a loud crash, the golem's form sags to the floor, its reptilian head finally freed from its monstrous glaes form.
Roundtime: 5 sec.
R>
You feel recovered from your whirlwind flurry of strikes.
R>
A lumbering hideous shrickhen drums her hands on her head and a ring of cold blue fire springs up around her.
R> incant 1106
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a lumbering hideous shrickhen.
You concentrate intently on a lumbering hideous shrickhen, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward her!
CS: +478 - TD: +429 + CvA: +25 + d100: +29 == +103
Warding failed!
The hideous shrickhen shudders with moderate convulsions as pearlescent ripples envelop her body.
The hideous shrickhen is battered for 36 points of damage!
... 25 points of damage!
Strong blow to abdomen!
The hideous shrickhen is stunned!
... 10 points of damage!
Light strike to abdomen.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R> stance offen
> cman feint
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
[Roll result: 112 (open d100: 51) Bonus: 23]
You feint to the left, the hideous shrickhen buys the ruse and moves to block the blow that never came!
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R> stance offen
> attack
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
You swing a superior mithril flail at a lumbering hideous shrickhen!
AS: +449 vs DS: +516 with AvD: +42 + d100 roll: +38 = +13
A clean miss.
Roundtime: 5 sec.
R> incant 1106
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a lumbering hideous shrickhen.
You concentrate intently on a lumbering hideous shrickhen, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward her!
CS: +478 - TD: +429 + CvA: +25 + d100: +50 == +124
Warding failed!
The hideous shrickhen shudders with moderate convulsions as pearlescent ripples envelop her body.
The hideous shrickhen is smashed for 47 points of damage!
... 20 points of damage!
Good blow to head!
... 15 points of damage!
Nice blow to right arm!
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R>
You feel more refreshed.
> stance offen
> cman feint
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
[Roll result: 153 (open d100: 92) Bonus: 23]
You feint to the left, the hideous shrickhen buys the ruse and twists awkwardly to block the blow that never came!
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R> loot
You search the spirit golem.
It left a cracked soulstone behind.
A glowing-eyed spirit golem's form cracks, then melts to the floor.
> stance offen
> attack
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
You swing a superior mithril flail at a lumbering hideous shrickhen!
AS: +449 vs DS: +311 with AvD: +42 + d100 roll: +36 = +216
... and hit for 73 points of damage!
Whoosh! Several ribs driven into lungs.
Roundtime: 5 sec.
R> stance offen
> mstrike target
You are now in an offensive stance.
>
You concentrate intently, focusing all your energies.
You explode into a fury of strikes and ripostes, moving with a singular purpose and will!
You swing a superior mithril flail at a lumbering hideous shrickhen!
AS: +449 vs DS: +303 with AvD: +42 + d100 roll: +38 = +226
... and hit for 72 points of damage!
Whoosh! Several ribs driven into lungs.
You swing a superior mithril flail at a lumbering hideous shrickhen!
AS: +449 vs DS: +303 with AvD: +42 + d100 roll: +34 = +222
... and hit for 66 points of damage!
Shield arm mangled horribly.
You hear a sound like a weeping child as a white glow separates itself from the hideous shrickhen's body as it rises, disappearing into the heavens.
A lumbering hideous shrickhen's arms, legs and head separate from her torso as the dissimilar parts finally fall still.
A lumbering hideous shrickhen glances around, looking a bit less confident.
The brilliant luminescence fades from around a lumbering hideous shrickhen.

Your series of strikes and ripostes leaves you winded and out of position.
Roundtime: 8 sec.
> loot
You search the hideous shrickhen.
She didn't carry any silver.
She had a large grey pearl on her!
She had nothing else of value.
A lumbering hideous shrickhen's parts decay away.<<



The bells of Hell
go ting-a-ling-a-ling
for you but not for me