Greetings.

In addition to the usual skill fixes, I have implemented a new mechanic,
aimed at fixing the problems with the blackout affliction.

The blackout affliction is now subject to a system of diminishing
returns. This means that if you get hit by a blackout attack while
already under effect of blackout, or shortly after regaining senses, the
effectiveness of the new blackout attack will be reduced. The reduction
is based on whether you are still blackouted (effectiveness is halved
then), or how much time has passed since the blackout ended (full
effectiveness is restored after half the duration of the original
blackout).

An example should illustrate the above better. Let's say that you are
hit by an 8-second blackout attack, and then again by another 8-second
blackout. If the second attack comes while you are still blackouted, it
will only last 4 seconds. If it comes less than 4 seconds after the
first blackout has ended, its duration will be between 4 and 8 seconds.
If it comes more than 4 seconds after the first blackout has ended, it
will once again hit at full effectiveness.

Users of Telepathy will find that they can once again successfully use
Blackout even if the target is still affected, as the restriction is no
longer necessary with the above system in place.


As for the usual skill fixes and adjustments, here is what I have done
this time:

General
-------

- Fixed a problem causing some mobiles and items to reset in trees
within indoors locations; this should fix the n'Aryanvella quest and
possibly others


Perception
----------

- TREEWATCH and SKYWATCH will no longer detect phased people


Predation
---------

- Speed of FLING DART and TWINSHOT has been increased slightly

- When using the DASH ability, onlookers will see you leaving in the
correct direction now; this applies to Bonding and Sabotage as well

- Palming will be properly cleared when switching to another profession

- Swifttrack will not drain endurance if the target cannot be tracked to

- After you RELEASE HOSTAGE, the lucky target will no longer be
following you

- You can no longer take a hostage while flying

- Fixed some problems with the SHADOW ability; this also applies to
Sabotage


Runelore
--------

- Some sketching times have been adjusted:
- sketching the uruz rune will be faster now
- sketching while off balance will take additional 2 seconds instead of
doubling the time
- the additional equilibrium loss after sealing a regular circle has
been reduced to one second; this does not apply to any of the special
circles

- The deathsight message from a carved sowulu rune will correctly
include the killer now

- The RAIDO rune will no longer be wiped if the activation attempt fails
due to a monolith sigil being present

- You can no longer sketch runes on another player if you are graced

- Fixed a problem allowing you to continue standing a totem after being
knocked prone, entangled or otherwise hindered; you will now stop
standing the totem after a short while in such situations

- Located and fixed the infamous bug causing one to never recover
equilibrium from sketching a rune

- Fixed a problem causing rune sketching to complete even if an
anti-magic surge prevents the attempt

- Sharpening a weapon will properly remove knife etchings now

- Fixed the message when CARVE is interrupted

- Fixed a problem causing VORTEX to misbehave in some situations

- Fixed a problem allowing to sketch multiple identical body runes on a
target


Sabotage
--------

- SCAN should work correctly now

- WORM TREMORS can no longer be used if you do not have the ability

- FIxed several problems with WORM TREMORS, it should report all attacks
correctly now

- You can no longer sit on furniture while phased

- You can no longer fashion, disassemble and reassemble siege weapons
while phased

- You can no longer man and target siege weapons while phased

- You can no longer hire guards while phased

- Fixed a problem allowing you to LISTEN through closed doors and gates.
This also applies to Predation and the Earhorn engineering item.
EAVESDROP will still work through closed doors and gates.

- Listen and Eavesdrop will be blocked by the Privacy room enhancement
now


Shielddance
-----------

- SHIELD WARD will no longer cost mana if you already have the defence
active

- SHIELD PULVERISE will now display the correct message if there is no
sigil in the room

- Fixed a problem causing SHIELD PARRY to not be feintable in some
situations

- SHIELD PARRY will now have the same restrictions as the regular parry

- Fixed spelling in one of the SHIELD THROW messages


Smithing
--------

- AB SMITHING SOULQUENCH no longer states that three quenches decrease
weapon quality, as they do not

- Fixed a typo in AB SMITHING SMELT


Survival
--------

- Equilibrium and mana cost of RESTORE will no longer be affected by
mangled limbs

- INSOMNIA will no longer cost mana if you already have the defence
active

- SWING UP/DOWN will now require two working arms

- Updated the description of the Satiation ability in AB SURVIVAL



Penned by my hand on the 15th of Vita, in the year 582 AD.