A Simple Transaction I
- Thread starter Rihaku
- Start date
- Original
Enohthree
Hypersane
It's possible, to where I'd say probable, that the 'Pillar of Earth' was made up wholesale by Augustine for the purposes of having a trap tailor made to the only observable exploitable behavior we exhibited (consuming a tower of power) accounting for the fact that she couldn't scry on us.
It fits too, she made up Lord Protector as a Tyrant persona and her whole darn Divine Patron from scratch to deflect suspicion, why not make up a 'Fundamental Pillar' while she's at it?
Shard
One and Many
- Location
- Malaysia
That explains the giant kaiju at the beginning.
It's a low-percentage gambit as a trap alone, the effort would be wasted if Hunger didn't bite, so it certainly empowered her and had a purpose beyond being bait. Fortifications to engrave her runes on, the literal high ground, amplification of earth-based magics, an aura antithetical to the Cloak of Sky that partially nullified its powers, etc. As to whether Augustine just created it as an ad hoc solution to her Hunger problem, with no deeper legacy? Unclear. The ToE was described as a pillar at one point, but English only has so many applicable nouns, could be noise.
It was a hasty effort, reflected in its Arete cost (half a full EFB). But on the other hand, it's impressive that she could make even a reflection of one of the Mirellyian dynasty's defining relics in a day. Lots of facts about Augustine are, in hindsight I should've fought harder for Diplomacy. But she was in a position to know enough fundamental facts about the Voyaging Realm to take inspiration from it. I'd really like to know more about this wellspring of Myth we keep hearing about, what makes the Mythic so bloody special? We could try and swing by the Walls (no mention of damage, should still be standing) on the way out, though I don't know that the thread has any remaining appetite for detours.
Hm, accepting all this theorizing at face value, could we make a diagram (heh) of the Voyaging? The Halo surrounds the Realm but is more visible closer to its center (we also keep being offered Halo-type Advancements, the Accursed only knows why), logically it intersects with the Pillars somewhere...
You're misreading my argument. I'm not saying that this tiny pillar holding up nothing more than Augustine's house that we easily cut down with no consequences is one of the literal underpinnings of the entire Voyaging realm. I'm saying that just as a random pirate had a scrap of Evening, which in itself is just a part of the Sky, so too does Augustine have a scrap of Earth, which was incorporated in her tower.
The voyaging realm is artificial. The whole thing is a galaxy-sized landmass crammed into something the size of Jupiter, all while still having the same sun, moon, and stars. The magic responsible for creating the 'fake' sun, moon, and stars I'm calling the Pillar of Sky. The magic responsible for cramming all that land together and then constantly moving it around I'm calling the Pillar of Earth. I call these monumental creations of magical architecture Pillars because we got offered the "Pillars of Creation" EFB, which implies that the Voyaging Realm has Pillars. Our mantle is assocaited with the sky pillar, and so naturally views anything associated with the earth pillar as its rival.
The Precipitous Span
Rihaku
The Internet
The Precipitous Span
Hunger finally has some free time! Now to decide which of his many pressing priorities to take care of. At the end of this timeskip he will receive roughly +0.2 Rank (after multipliers) for his Nilfellian adventure.
Select 2, or take 1 Cursebearer's Strain to select 3.
Cursebearer's Strain - Neglect to properly maintain your position abreast of all Curses. -1 Mental Stability, +20-50% power to next Apocryphal proc.
[ ] Sightseeing - Take a load off and tour the Realm of Myth, as you originally declared to the captain at the guard-post. Given the intensity of recent events you're pretty much overdue for a vacation anyway. This is a realm of wondrous splendor and it'd be a shame to depart without taking in the sights and sampling the epic fare. Just recall the artistry of that mere street vendor whom first lead you to the Princess! [+Mental Stability, +Wis, +4 Relationship +s to be distributed as desired among party members]
*You could theoretically unlock Super Juggernaut Undead Chimera! Get that RANK, boys.
*The only option with a high% probability of food porn.
*Don't take this alongside Cursebearer's Strain. That would be silly.
[ ] Consolidate Power - While Adorie's grip on power is secure, there is still much to be done to ensure an efficient and just administration. The matter of the extensive territories conquered by the Lord Protector is a thorny one to resolve, as retraction of Augustine's conquests and restoration of the prior governments is a deeply unpopular position. Assisting Adorie now could yield dividends in the future, as you would have not only a stalwart, but a formidably powerful and well-organized ally in the Voyaging Realm for the years and millennia to come. [++Adorie, +Adorie Rank, +Nilfel strength, +Nilfel Prosperity, +Elixir Prosperity]
*If this option is taken, Hunger will also investigate other means of semi-permanent empowerment via blood augmentation, Grace development, etc. Could lead to additional +Nilfel/Elixir strength or prosperity depending on rolls.
*On a spectacular success, will improve Hunger's Rank gains by an additional +0.1 after multipliers. Re-rolls may be used to improve the result. You don't have many, though.
[ ] Regency - As you intend to be departing the Voyaging Realm soon, it may be wise to set up your existing kingdoms with a benevolent and capable administrator. Gisena's benevolence is questionable and she is coming with you regardless, so now is the time to establish Adorie as de-facto regent of both the Elixir Kingdom and Stenallon's domain. A crucial step to take if you do not wish to be pulled back to the Voyaging Realm by the Apocryphal Curse for the express purpose of defending your existing lands. [+Adorie, +Adorie Rank, +++Elixir Strength, ++Elixir Prosperity, ++Temple Strength, +Temple Prosperity]
*Note that +Nilfel Strength is worth a lot more, in terms of troop quantity and quality, than +Elixir or +Temple Strength, but the forces of Nilfel are typically deployed within the Realm of Myth and will weaken somewhat past its walls unless within the presence of the Mirellyian bloodline.
*This diminishment also affects their lifespan, so Nilfellian troops are understandably reluctant to leave the Realm of Myth.
*Even weakened, the average Nilfellian captain is more than a match for an Ancient of the Temple.
[ ] Artifice Gopher - Gisena's been too busy working on foundational Graces to develop any Artifacts capable of assisting in magus extraction, but perhaps if Hunger were to gather materials, that state of affairs could change... there are certainly abundant reagents within the Realm of Myth, and as you currently have no leads it would be a start towards your chiefmost pressing problem, the Chains of Fate!
*Gisena will have time to build an Artifact that offers at least some insight or utility in resolving the magus extraction problem. Exact efficiency presently unknown.
*Unlike Intensive Research, this is guaranteed to at least generate some sort of actionable lead beyond kidnapping Republic personnel, though it may be excessively dangerous to pursue or only yield incomplete information. Such is the power of a Maiden!
*Re-rolls may be used to improve the result, with each successive re-roll generating a mounting effectiveness bonus as Gisena iterates on previous experience. You don't have many, though.
[ ] Intensive Research - Perhaps the Signs of the Empyrean can offer some leverage against this problem... Adorie is perhaps the most knowledgeable on the topic, having studied the magics of Myth from a young age, and possessing Rank enough to channel some of its effects, though only ever from a theoretical standpoint (military applications being, obviously, disallowed during the term of her custody). Thus, this option will benefit stronger from improving Adorie's Rank.
*By default, discounts by 50% the cost of accelerating the 4th Sign of the Empyrean
*If Consolidate Power is taken, instead grants the 4th Sign for free
*If both Regency and Consolidate Power are taken, instead grants both the 4th and the 5th signs for free.
*Possibly tremendous value, but requires a similarly tremendous commitment of effort, and for a party member that isn't even accompanying you outside the Voyaging Realm. Unless...?
*Getting closer to Adorie's EFB could unlock even greater utility on the horizon
[ ] Mentor's Duties - Train the kids in the use of their Elements and general tactics in combat. It's important that they're able to contribute at a relevant level in battle, given the Apocryphal Curse. [+Aobaru, +Letrizia, +Aeira, ++Power for all the kids]
*While they're unlikely to withstand someone of Hunger's power on the battlefield, perhaps with severe training and teamwork they might be able to contribute if they maintain their distance and play defensively...
*As you have Undying Vanguard, the safe intensity of training can improve!
*Also advances the utility effects of their Elements.
[ ] Study the Blade - While they prattled on, he studied the blade.
*Generates +1 standard and +1d3 Praxis picks. You may spend Arete to generate more.
*May be taken multiple times, but each successive selection has escalating costs in terms of mental and physical strain. Suffer -2 temporary Willpower if taken twice, and -5 if taken three times.
*An opportunity to generate stacking Praxis picks such as this does not come about very often... the amount of effective free Arete this option generates could be enormous, and represents an opportunity to begin getting your combat stats closer to par with your Rank.
*Re-rolls may be used on the Praxis picks generated.
The digital waterfall has so much to offer, a copious stream of new ideas and experiences, but it must be balanced by the concrete and reified lest the toxins of overreach contaminate this beautiful vessel.
[ ] Dungeoneering - Seek out the Foremost lore by the most reliable means: a primary source. Attempts to locate and confront Augustine's mother. Could be suicidally dangerous, especially since you slew her daughter, but maybe Aobaru's presence will stay her hand?
*Consumes two options
*Instead of a timeskip, Hunger & Co will attempt to locate the Shard of the Arcanist for a discussion
*Could be incredibly dumb, or profitable - the Shard surely knows much more of the Foremost protections upon this Realm than almost any other still living.
Hunger finally has some free time! Now to decide which of his many pressing priorities to take care of. At the end of this timeskip he will receive roughly +0.2 Rank (after multipliers) for his Nilfellian adventure.
Select 2, or take 1 Cursebearer's Strain to select 3.
Cursebearer's Strain - Neglect to properly maintain your position abreast of all Curses. -1 Mental Stability, +20-50% power to next Apocryphal proc.
[ ] Sightseeing - Take a load off and tour the Realm of Myth, as you originally declared to the captain at the guard-post. Given the intensity of recent events you're pretty much overdue for a vacation anyway. This is a realm of wondrous splendor and it'd be a shame to depart without taking in the sights and sampling the epic fare. Just recall the artistry of that mere street vendor whom first lead you to the Princess! [+Mental Stability, +Wis, +4 Relationship +s to be distributed as desired among party members]
*You could theoretically unlock Super Juggernaut Undead Chimera! Get that RANK, boys.
*The only option with a high% probability of food porn.
*Don't take this alongside Cursebearer's Strain. That would be silly.
[ ] Consolidate Power - While Adorie's grip on power is secure, there is still much to be done to ensure an efficient and just administration. The matter of the extensive territories conquered by the Lord Protector is a thorny one to resolve, as retraction of Augustine's conquests and restoration of the prior governments is a deeply unpopular position. Assisting Adorie now could yield dividends in the future, as you would have not only a stalwart, but a formidably powerful and well-organized ally in the Voyaging Realm for the years and millennia to come. [++Adorie, +Adorie Rank, +Nilfel strength, +Nilfel Prosperity, +Elixir Prosperity]
*If this option is taken, Hunger will also investigate other means of semi-permanent empowerment via blood augmentation, Grace development, etc. Could lead to additional +Nilfel/Elixir strength or prosperity depending on rolls.
*On a spectacular success, will improve Hunger's Rank gains by an additional +0.1 after multipliers. Re-rolls may be used to improve the result. You don't have many, though.
[ ] Regency - As you intend to be departing the Voyaging Realm soon, it may be wise to set up your existing kingdoms with a benevolent and capable administrator. Gisena's benevolence is questionable and she is coming with you regardless, so now is the time to establish Adorie as de-facto regent of both the Elixir Kingdom and Stenallon's domain. A crucial step to take if you do not wish to be pulled back to the Voyaging Realm by the Apocryphal Curse for the express purpose of defending your existing lands. [+Adorie, +Adorie Rank, +++Elixir Strength, ++Elixir Prosperity, ++Temple Strength, +Temple Prosperity]
*Note that +Nilfel Strength is worth a lot more, in terms of troop quantity and quality, than +Elixir or +Temple Strength, but the forces of Nilfel are typically deployed within the Realm of Myth and will weaken somewhat past its walls unless within the presence of the Mirellyian bloodline.
*This diminishment also affects their lifespan, so Nilfellian troops are understandably reluctant to leave the Realm of Myth.
*Even weakened, the average Nilfellian captain is more than a match for an Ancient of the Temple.
[ ] Artifice Gopher - Gisena's been too busy working on foundational Graces to develop any Artifacts capable of assisting in magus extraction, but perhaps if Hunger were to gather materials, that state of affairs could change... there are certainly abundant reagents within the Realm of Myth, and as you currently have no leads it would be a start towards your chiefmost pressing problem, the Chains of Fate!
*Gisena will have time to build an Artifact that offers at least some insight or utility in resolving the magus extraction problem. Exact efficiency presently unknown.
*Unlike Intensive Research, this is guaranteed to at least generate some sort of actionable lead beyond kidnapping Republic personnel, though it may be excessively dangerous to pursue or only yield incomplete information. Such is the power of a Maiden!
*Re-rolls may be used to improve the result, with each successive re-roll generating a mounting effectiveness bonus as Gisena iterates on previous experience. You don't have many, though.
[ ] Intensive Research - Perhaps the Signs of the Empyrean can offer some leverage against this problem... Adorie is perhaps the most knowledgeable on the topic, having studied the magics of Myth from a young age, and possessing Rank enough to channel some of its effects, though only ever from a theoretical standpoint (military applications being, obviously, disallowed during the term of her custody). Thus, this option will benefit stronger from improving Adorie's Rank.
*By default, discounts by 50% the cost of accelerating the 4th Sign of the Empyrean
*If Consolidate Power is taken, instead grants the 4th Sign for free
*If both Regency and Consolidate Power are taken, instead grants both the 4th and the 5th signs for free.
*Possibly tremendous value, but requires a similarly tremendous commitment of effort, and for a party member that isn't even accompanying you outside the Voyaging Realm. Unless...?
*Getting closer to Adorie's EFB could unlock even greater utility on the horizon
[ ] Mentor's Duties - Train the kids in the use of their Elements and general tactics in combat. It's important that they're able to contribute at a relevant level in battle, given the Apocryphal Curse. [+Aobaru, +Letrizia, +Aeira, ++Power for all the kids]
*While they're unlikely to withstand someone of Hunger's power on the battlefield, perhaps with severe training and teamwork they might be able to contribute if they maintain their distance and play defensively...
*As you have Undying Vanguard, the safe intensity of training can improve!
*Also advances the utility effects of their Elements.
[ ] Study the Blade - While they prattled on, he studied the blade.
*Generates +1 standard and +1d3 Praxis picks. You may spend Arete to generate more.
*May be taken multiple times, but each successive selection has escalating costs in terms of mental and physical strain. Suffer -2 temporary Willpower if taken twice, and -5 if taken three times.
*An opportunity to generate stacking Praxis picks such as this does not come about very often... the amount of effective free Arete this option generates could be enormous, and represents an opportunity to begin getting your combat stats closer to par with your Rank.
*Re-rolls may be used on the Praxis picks generated.
The digital waterfall has so much to offer, a copious stream of new ideas and experiences, but it must be balanced by the concrete and reified lest the toxins of overreach contaminate this beautiful vessel.
[ ] Dungeoneering - Seek out the Foremost lore by the most reliable means: a primary source. Attempts to locate and confront Augustine's mother. Could be suicidally dangerous, especially since you slew her daughter, but maybe Aobaru's presence will stay her hand?
*Consumes two options
*Instead of a timeskip, Hunger & Co will attempt to locate the Shard of the Arcanist for a discussion
*Could be incredibly dumb, or profitable - the Shard surely knows much more of the Foremost protections upon this Realm than almost any other still living.
- Location
- US
TBH, while Dungeoneering is cool, I'd really prefer to not do that. When we have our first opportunity for a timeskip, let's make it a real timeskip.
Making sure his people are prosperous and strong feels like something he'd care about.
So, since we've chosen to head over to the Human Sphere soon, this is critical for any plan, I think. Got to have a method to port the mages out, after all. Especially considering we're a mage.
However, these are also quite good. In the long-term, I think that this'd surpass a single Praxis EFB (Two Praxis actions gets us close to that), and besides, I think this is the sort of thing that'd make Hunger happy.
Making sure his people are prosperous and strong feels like something he'd care about.
Last edited:
- Location
- The Middle of the Howling Wilderness
Memes aside, I think Artifice + Consolidate/Regency is the way to go here. Get ready to depart the Voyaging Realm, but do some work to get everything nice and stable as a base for our future conquest of the Human Sphere.
Zampano
🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
- Location
- Simping for DSB
[X] Cursebearer's Strain
[X] Sightseeing
[X] Consolidate Power
[X] Regency
[X] Artifice Gopher
[X] Intensive Research
[X] Mentor's Duties
[X] Study the Blade
[X] Study the Blade x2
[X] Study the Blade x3
[X] Dungeoneering
[X] Sightseeing
[X] Consolidate Power
[X] Regency
[X] Artifice Gopher
[X] Intensive Research
[X] Mentor's Duties
[X] Study the Blade
[X] Study the Blade x2
[X] Study the Blade x3
[X] Dungeoneering
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DarkSideBard
Flying, without moving on
Wow, Spicy Rihaku
I say that doing anything here that we can do in Pillars is probably inefficient. If we want 1. To put to rest problems before we leave, 2. To get stronger, and 3. to leave the VR safely, I don't see any other set of picks that handles it quite as well, even though I DESPISE taking a Cursebearer's Strain and would rather spend time sightseeing and training the kids. Open to being convinced another way, because I'd really rather be wrong. Maybe Regency + Intensive Research is better, but the combination doesn't give Sign bonuses at all, and individually Regency is more important that Consolidate power.
I also don't really want to fuck up leaving the VR and get handed a 50% boosted Apocryphal Proc that is literally an Apocalypse.
[X] Regency
[X] Consolidate Power
[X] Intensive Research
Is this implying that Gisena isn't going to steal them all? It's admittedly possible to allocate the relationship growth equally, one plus for every follower save Adorie and Versch (who needs no appeasement save feeding and repairs), but balance-bro options have historically fared... poorly.
Genesys
(Discrete Mokona)
- Location
- California
very tempted to press the 3x praxis button frankly but that's probably a bad idea
plus I do want to sightsee
main "exclusive" actions are adorie's governance, talking to shard
relax, research, mentorship, and praxis can all be done in evening
artifact gen maybe not, I don't think evening-generated stuff can exit, just the effects on the body
eh I'm sure gisena can just build an artifact into our party or whatever
tentative vote. 3xpraxis very tempting.
[X] Sightseeing
[X] Regency
plus I do want to sightsee
main "exclusive" actions are adorie's governance, talking to shard
relax, research, mentorship, and praxis can all be done in evening
artifact gen maybe not, I don't think evening-generated stuff can exit, just the effects on the body
eh I'm sure gisena can just build an artifact into our party or whatever
tentative vote. 3xpraxis very tempting.
[X] Sightseeing
[X] Regency
DarkSideBard
Flying, without moving on
Is anybody else worried about Gisena's weird choice to not just Skyviel herself and move on? It seems like terrible prioritization considering the constant waves of danger we're in, especially since her Charisma is otherworldly even dialed down. I get that she's probably working on other things too, but....
Did...did she look in the mirror after we won and accidentally got a faceful of her own face as an infohazard, and is trapped in a Narcissus-like state where she's incapable of choosing to dial down the App at all?
Did...did she look in the mirror after we won and accidentally got a faceful of her own face as an infohazard, and is trapped in a Narcissus-like state where she's incapable of choosing to dial down the App at all?
Rihaku
The Internet
But you've already gotten Gisena's EFB! Letrizia's would be quite strong...
Tyrant_Rayne
Probably Not Evil… Maybe
- Location
- Canada
You're assuming she wasn't already obsessed with herself before her ascension.
emphasis mine.
As a die-hard Destroyer Halo advocate this is probably hypocritical on some level, but she shouldn't waste time on trying to thread the needle on a perfect solution that lets people 'appreciate' her appeal while nullifying the memetic hazard aspect. She can't fulfill her role as a smooth social operator like this. Just bite the Skyveil bullet, make a Grace to give herself a metaphorical dial and move on. To do otherwise is an inefficient use of resources, something that according to the interlude is apparently one of Gisena's weaknesses; she's an omnidisciplinary genius, but bad at deciding what to do with her talents. Absent the Duty that defines the lives of Manifest Realm humans, it's understandable that she'd default to following Hunger around. On that note, the Maiden literally didn't speak to people, perhaps for this very reason? I wrote off her deaf-mute status according to Joanian canon as a consequence of the meta-singularity that produced her, but maybe it was just forbearance on her part.