The amulet of ranging is a powerful accessory in the world of fantasy and role-playing games. As its name suggests, it enhances the abilities of characters who rely on ranged attacks and weapons. Commonly found in magical treasure chests or as a reward for completing difficult quests, the amulet of ranging has become a coveted item among players. When equipped, the amulet provides several benefits to the wearer. Firstly, it increases the accuracy and precision of their ranged attacks. This means that their projectiles, whether arrows, bolts, or spells, are more likely to hit their target with deadly accuracy.
Then there's Evanora, Theodora's older sister. Evanora (Rachel Weisz) is the manipulator, the real wicked witch, and---as far as I'm concerned---easily the best character in the whole film. Weisz plays the villain convincingly, with enough menace and restraint to pull it off.
When she is wrongfully informed that the wizard has been disloyal to her, she willingly undergoes a magical transformation to become evil, and thus forsake the people of Oz, because she can t stand the pain of rejection. Fortunately, where Tim Burton failed to create characters I could care about in his adaptation of Alice, Sam Raimi s Oz prequel is another story altogether.
This means that their projectiles, whether arrows, bolts, or spells, are more likely to hit their target with deadly accuracy. For characters who heavily rely on ranged attacks, this boost in accuracy can make a significant difference in their overall effectiveness in battle. Additionally, the amulet of ranging often provides some form of bonus damage to ranged attacks.
'Oz the Great and Powerful' Vs. 'The Wizard of Oz' Vs. 'Wicked': Breaking Down the Monkeys, Witches and Yellow Brick Roads
You know the Wizard of Oz is wonderful, great and powerful. Victor Fleming's "The Wizard of Oz" has been telling us that for generations. But what was Oz like before Dorothy and her little dog arrived from Kansas and shook things up?
The world of Oz created by children's author L. Frank Baum is so rich with storytelling possibilities that other writers have offered enchanting prequels of their own. The Broadway sensation "Wicked" focuses on the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West, while Sam Raimi's new movie "Oz the Great and Powerful" explores how the Wizard came to Oz, greatness and power.
As someone whose experienced both the thrill of seeing "Wicked" on Broadway and the exhilaration of Raimi's 3D journey into Oz, I've compiled a string of comparisons on how each of these dueling prequels tap into the iconography we all know and love.
Be warned, there are SPOILERS for both "Wicked" and "Oz the Great and Powerful" ahead.
Land of Oz
In "The Wizard of Oz," the citizens of Oz live in perpetual fear of the Wicked Witch, despite the best efforts of Glinda the Good Witch and the Wizard. Festively dressed Munchkins hide in tiny villages as she and her sister's cruel flying monkeys rain terror all along the Yellow Brick Road.
In "Wicked," we see familiar locations like the witch's castle, Munchkinland and the Emerald City. But we're also shown that Oz is changing. Anthropomorphic animals that have long talked, taught and functioned as members of the community are being caged and literally made speechless.
In "Oz the Great and Powerful," Raimi takes the opportunity to expand Oz beyond the poppy fields and Yellow Brick Road, revealing glowing-eyed Venus flytraps, a "chinatown" populated by living porcelain dolls, river fairies with razor-sharp teeth and a tribe of genius tinkers who can build anything imaginable. But it's a place terrorized by an evil witch . though her identity is a mystery.
The Witches
In both prequels, we're treated to the Witch with her trademark green skin, pointed black hat and broom. In "Wicked" she starts out green but kind-hearted. "Oz the Great and Powerful" introduces her as beautiful and peach-skinned, but with a fiery temper that soon spurs her to change inside and out for the worse.
The former deals in moral ambiguity; the latter paints her as born to be bad. "Wicked" presents the Witch as a misunderstood outcast; "Oz the Great and Powerful" shows her as evil to her core with the cackle to prove it. Similarly, Glinda is less good/more complex in "Wicked" and nothing but sweetness and light in "Oz."
The Wizard
In "The Wizard of Oz," the man behind the curtain is revealed to be essentially a con man from Kansas with no powers but a penchant for thoughtful gift-giving. This approach is closely followed in "Oz the Great and Powerful," as Oscar 'Oz' Diggs starts off a as womanizing scoundrel and sideshow magician who plays the people of Oz for his own ends until he sees the light . well, rather, Glinda.
Where Raimi's movie shows the will-be wizard's arrival to Oz, "Wicked" has him already ruling over it. At the play's start, he's an idol to the young and not-yet-wicked Witch . that is, until she discovers his evil plan to make Oz more like his homeland, striking its animal citizens dumb and forcing conformity. Here his wonderfulness is all smoke and mirrors.
Monkeys
The chattering minions of the Witch in "The Wizard of Oz" also get an origin in "Wicked." There she creates them at the command of the wizard to show him her incredible prowess in spell casting. Regrettably, it's a spell she can't undo.
"Oz the Great and Powerful" presents two forms of flying primate. The first is a chipper, chatty monkey in a bellhop's uniform who proves to be one of Oscar's closest allies; the others are big, bat-winged baboons who gleefully ravage the good people of Oz at the command of the Wicked Witch.
Dorothy & Company
"Wicked" serves as an origin story not just for the witches and flying monkeys but also for the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. The Witch creates each in a well-meaning but flawed attempt at heroism. As for Dorothy, her arrival via falling house proves key to the plot, though she's never seen on stage.
"Oz the Great and Powerful" predates "The Wizard of Oz" by at least 16 years in the connective chronology, so there's no Dorothy here (though we do meet her mom). Oscar is sort of given credit for the creation of Dorothy's friends, having declared a lion a "coward" after scaring him off with a smoke bomb, and urging the tinkers to make metal men dressed as scarecrows (these later two are more nods to "The Wizard of Oz" than thorough allusions, though). In the end, this one is all about Oscar becoming the titular Great and Powerful Oz.
In all fairness, Elphaba, too, takes a dark turn because of a lover. In Act II, her boyfriend, Fiyero, is captured and tortured by the Wizard’s men. Believing him dead, Elphaba sings “No Good Deed,” a ballad in which she declares, “Let all of Oz be agreed: I am wicked through and through. Since I could not succeed, Fiyero, in saving you, I promise no good deed will I attempt to do again.”
This allows characters to deal more damage when using their preferred ranged weapons. The bonus damage can be in the form of increased damage per hit or a chance to inflict critical hits on enemies. Either way, having an amulet of ranging can significantly increase a character's offensive capabilities, making them a formidable adversary on the battlefield. Furthermore, the amulet of ranging may also possess other useful abilities or attributes. Some amulets enhance the character's speed, allowing them to move quickly and maneuver more effortlessly. Others might provide resistance to certain elements or status effects, making the character more resilient in combat. These additional attributes further enhance the value and versatility of the amulet, making it a valuable asset for any character. However, acquiring an amulet of ranging is not an easy task. Often, players have to embark on an arduous journey, defeating deadly monsters, navigating treacherous dungeons, and solving complex puzzles to obtain this prized item. The rarity and difficulty of obtaining the amulet add to its desirability and prestige among players. In conclusion, the amulet of ranging is a sought-after accessory in the world of fantasy and role-playing games. Its ability to enhance the accuracy, damage, and other attributes of characters who rely on ranged attacks makes it a powerful asset on the battlefield. However, obtaining this amulet is not an easy feat, requiring players to face challenging obstacles and overcome formidable foes. Once acquired, the amulet of ranging becomes a symbol of strength and mastery, propelling the character to new heights of power and effectiveness..
Reviews for "The Amulet of Ranging: A Must-Have Accessory for Every Archer"
1. Mark - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Amulet of Rangibg". The story felt rushed and the characters were underdeveloped. It was difficult to connect with any of them or care about their journey. The writing style was also quite dry and uninspiring. I had high hopes for this book, but it ultimately fell flat for me. I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Emily - 2 stars
I found "Amulet of Rangibg" to be quite predictable and lacking in originality. The plot twists were easily guessable and the overall storyline felt formulaic. Additionally, the dialogue was stiff and the emotions of the characters seemed forced. I didn't feel invested in the outcome of the story and it left me feeling disappointed. Overall, it was an average read at best.
3. Ryan - 2 stars
While the concept of "Amulet of Rangibg" was intriguing, the execution fell short for me. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me feeling confused and disconnected from the setting. Additionally, the dialogue was clunky and the character motivations were not well-developed. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver.
4. Sarah - 3 stars
"Amulet of Rangibg" had some interesting elements, but it ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied. The action scenes were well-written and kept me engaged, but the plot was predictable and lacked depth. The main character was also quite bland and lacked any real development. I was hoping for a more immersive and memorable reading experience, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me.
5. Chris - 3 stars
"Amulet of Rangibg" had potential, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. The world-building was intriguing, but it felt superficial and left many unanswered questions. The pacing was also inconsistent, with some parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. Overall, it was an average fantasy read, but I was hoping for more depth and complexity in the storytelling.