A magic square is a square grid of numbers, usually integers, where the sum of each row, each column, and both main diagonals is the same value. It is a fascinating mathematical concept that has been studied for centuries. One interesting variation of the magic square is the voice ripple magic square. In a voice ripple magic square, the numbers are arranged in a specific way to create a visual effect. The numbers are positioned in a spiral pattern, starting from the center and moving outward. The spiral is created by placing the numbers in a clockwise direction, and when the grid is filled, the numbers seem to ripple outwards from the center, hence the name 'voice ripple'.
The spiral is created by placing the numbers in a clockwise direction, and when the grid is filled, the numbers seem to ripple outwards from the center, hence the name 'voice ripple'. The visual effect created by a voice ripple magic square is quite mesmerizing. When you look at the grid, it appears as if the numbers are radiating outward in a circular motion, resembling ripples.
Wherefore the witch-watcher
The witch-watcher is a witch archetype from _Heroes of the High Court_, and I think it's worth a second look not because it's good -- it really, really isn't -- but because it's kind of a a perfect storm of bad design decisions. That's an extreme opinion, but let's walk through it and see if you agree. (You can find the complete archetype here.)
First there's the concept: a witch who acts as a guardian and protector. That's a cool idea! It doesn't even have to be for nobles, particularly -- one could imagine a witch protecting a particular family, or a temple, or whatever. So far, so good; it's probably going to be an NPC archetype, but that's fine.
Next there's the name, and here's where things start to go awry. "Witch-watcher" is. umm. not such a great name? Generously, it sounds like "dishwasher". Less generously, note that it's a witch archetype, so strictly speaking it's a witch-watcher witch. And then we look at the witch-watcher itself, and. oh dear. Let's start with the bad news: this archetype gives up one spell slot per level. That's pretty huge, especially since witches don't get bonus slots for specializing.
So, what do you get in return for this? Well, every day you get to pick one person as your "covenant ally". You have a short list of specialized buffs that you can throw on that person. A couple of these buffs are actually okay-ish in principle; for instance, you can choose to give your ally spell resistance, or an AC bonus of up to half your level, or a bonus on all saves of up to half your level. That doesn't sound so bad! Except. (1) Granting the buff burns a standard, and (2) your ally must be within 30 feet, and (3) the duration of the buff is your Int bonus. in minutes.
This is, mechanically, crap. Most of the covenant ally effects can be duplicated by low-level buffs. For instance, a 5th level witch-watcher can grant a +2 buff to AC for 3-4 minutes. A wizard of the same level can simply cast Cat's Grace, which gives the same buff plus bonuses to CMD and Reflex saves, lasts longer, and still leaves the wizard with more spell slots to play with. If you only want AC, okay, a cleric can give you +2 with a simple casting of Shield of Faith. Similarly, the "give more hp" buff is basically Aid, a first level spell. Giving up one spell slot / level to gain a handful of weakish buffs is just bad design. -- And before you ask, the buffs don't interact with witch hexes in any useful way. This is a witch archetype, but it could just as easily be a wizard, sorceror, or cleric archetype. It's a cool idea that is weirdly flavorless in the execution.
It's particularly annoying given that this is obviously an NPC archetype. The point of a witch-watcher is to hang around the King or whoever, protecting him. But I can, without breaking a sweat, think of at least three different ways of doing this that would be mechanically and thematically better than "cast some feeble, short-lived buffs on the King" -- and I bet you can too. (And can I just note how silly that 30' range is? The witch has to hang around within 30' of the King, 24/7, or she's completely useless.)
I will note one odd feature: reading the RAW, the ally can be chosen from anywhere -- it's just "a single creature" -- and consent is not required. So, I could choose Great Cthulhu and give him a minor AC buff or a few extra hp. Alternately, I could use this to rig gladiatorial bouts -- the combatant may not even realize he's being buffed, and the covenant ally ability is (Su), which means it won't show up to most magic-detecting spells. IOW, the witch-watcher works better as a match-fixer.
If I'm going off on this, it's because it represents a pattern I think is really common in Paizo's design of archetypes (and PrCs too, but that's another story): Come up with a thematically cool idea! -- and then nerf it so badly that nobody in their right mind would want to play it. Here's hoping they adjust this philosophy for PF2.
Initially being classmates, Nico and Komugi had a good friendship since Nico used to help her with her problems. Some time later, Komugi would reveal herself as a warlock in charge of kidnapping Nico in order to revive Jura, revealing that she had been pretending to get along with Nico.
The effect is enhanced when the numbers are placed in a gradient, meaning that the numbers transition from dark to light as they move away from the center. Voice ripple magic squares are not only visually appealing but also mathematically intriguing. The pattern formed by the numbers in the grid follows a specific algorithm, allowing for interesting mathematical properties. For example, the sum of each row, column, and diagonal remains constant, just like in a traditional magic square. Additionally, voice ripple magic squares can be constructed using different number sequences, such as prime numbers or Fibonacci numbers. This adds an extra layer of complexity and fascination to these grids. It also showcases the versatility and adaptability of the magic square concept. In conclusion, the voice ripple magic square is a captivating variation of the traditional magic square that creates a visual effect of numbers rippling outwards from the center. This visual effect, combined with the mathematical properties of the grid, makes it an intriguing topic for exploration and study. Whether appreciated for its aesthetics or mathematical intricacies, the voice ripple magic square is a fascinating concept in the realm of mathematics..
Reviews for "The therapeutic benefits of magic square voice ripples"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Magic Square Voice Ripple" to be a confusing and disjointed experience. The storyline was difficult to follow, and the characters lacked depth and development. The writing style was erratic, making it hard to stay engaged. Overall, I was disappointed with this novel and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I really struggled to get through "Magic Square Voice Ripple". The plot was convoluted and made little sense, with random events happening without any clear connection. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, and I found it hard to care about their fates. The writing itself was clunky and filled with unnecessary metaphors, making it a chore to read.
3. Michael - 2 stars - "Magic Square Voice Ripple" failed to live up to the hype for me. The story started off promising, but quickly became muddled and confusing. The author seemed more focused on creating elaborate descriptive passages than actually progressing the plot or developing the characters. It felt like a jumbled mess of ideas without any clear direction. Overall, I was disappointed in this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Emily - 1 star - "Magic Square Voice Ripple" was an absolute disaster in my opinion. The writing was pretentious and overly complex, making it a struggle to understand what was happening. The characters were unlikable and lacked any depth, making it impossible to connect with them. The plot meandered without any purpose, and I found myself growing more frustrated with each page. I would advise against wasting your time on this book.