Opalescence is one of the two specialist ability sets available to highranking members of the Loremaster profession. It is generally considered to be the more easily obtained of the two specialisations (the other being Skymastery - see HELP SKYMASTERY). The loremaster profession's specialisations are attained through the illustrious Lore Council, membership drawn from a diverse range of elders in part guild and in part lifetime appointed.
The mainstay of the Opalescence specialisation involves the lorerobes, abilities already having been obtained by dint of achieving excellence in the Alchemy skill and - by gaining the specialisation - the loremaster professional is able to unlock the true potential of this most potent of artifacts. Essentially there are numerous powers, accessed and developed by the weaving of gems into the lorerobes. Different gems illuminate distinct facets of the lorerobes' powers; more of a certain gem woven into the robes (depending on the specific power) generally strengthens the loremaster professional's use of the associated abilities. Thus there is an ongoing conflict (or consensus) across the guilds over the use and distribution of the finite gemstones. Some cities are known to support their loremaster profesionals in the development of their lorerobes; others play free-for-all; some guilds make it their business to ensure base level lorerobe gem content for all specialisats, others are purely competitive.
The attainment of the full range of possible gems woven into the lorerobes is known as the 'opalescent spectrum' and this achievement is the first target of all opalescence specialisats. The full spectrum of gems illuminates its own distinctive powers. Loremaster professionals are able to examine their robes of many-colours to quickly assess the extent of their opalescent spectrum - the act of doing so gaining a visceral insight into ranking of his/her own robes versus the lorerobes of all other opalescence specialists.
Opalescence is generally obtained by permission of the Lore Council. A request is placed with LC REQUEST OPALESCENCE and the council will then support or veto your specialisation. You can test whether you are eligible to receive Opalescence by typing LC CHECK - and if you satisfy current Lore Council criteria, you will gain the specialist skill straight away.
