Here is my plan:

[X] Plan Working Towards Surviving the Black
-[x] Case V: The Search for Sirius Black (1 Actions [1 Action in May, 1 Action in June]) - There is a dangerous criminal on the loose, and it is your job to track him down. Sirius Black is a wanted man, and it is believed that he may be hiding out close to the castle. No one should get near, there is danger at all steps. You are determined to find him. You know that Black is cunning and resourceful, and you will have to use all of your acquired abilities and detective skills to track him down. With your determination and intelligence, you are confident that you will be able to solve this case and bring Black to justice.
-[x] Runes Club Research x1
-[x] Overdrive applicable: Stage III, A Hogwarts Map x3
--[x] Apply Overdrive x2
-[x] Overdrive applicable: What hides behind trees I (Danger identified: Dementors. You know have a counter spell and some experience with soul-sucking foes.) – The deep Forbidden Forest extends around to the west of the castle. Everyone knows everything there is to know about the Forbidden Forest; it is a forest and it is forbidden. The rest is just rumors… werewolf's, vampires, monsters and spiders. All dangers a child could imagine await you in the forest. Why were you trembling in anticipation about breaking out of the castle through the passageway behind the mirror and exploring what had been forbidden to you for way too long? (Takes 3 Actions, can't be taken in the same month as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Break through your Horizon)
-[x]x7 personal actions.
-[x] Alchemy x2
-[x] Learning x 3 (Antidote to Uncommon Poisons (Needed for exams at the end of the year), Lumos (Deep Understanding), Point Me, Diffindo, Incendio (Deep Understanding)
-[X] Learning x2 (Creativity (until 6), then DADA to A+)

Purpose of the Plan:
For the upcoming event of the Search of Sirius Black, I plan on upping combat as much as possible. Because it is probable that we will need it. We have a low-hanging DADA bonus of 9 to 10, which would become 11 at the end of term (hopefully before the adventure) which would give us +6 from now. We need to raise Creativity to 6 in order to allow the DADA cap to become 11 for the end of term boost.

With +2 Alchemy, we can also work on Goggles next turn if we want. Just don't want to close off the choice for next turn depending on what we get from the forbidden forest.

So, idea of plan:
1. Get +6 to DADA for combat by end of next month
2. Set us up for Goggles, which can get us +5 combat...and maybe some insight into Dementors while they are still around? Certainly helpful with tracking down Sirius and maybe Wormtail.
3. Finish up the required potions and then maybe get spells that would be helpful with the investigation.

Also voting in the alternative:
[X] Plan Searching for Black and preparing for Ghostly Googles
 
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Are we sure we want to do Sirius and forest exploration at the same time? Seems kinds reckless but than it might fit the character.
 
Well, if I read the action right, we have to do the Search for Sirius black over two months- 1 action at a time. So, if we want to do Forest Exploration this semester, we have no choice.
 
Here is my plan:

[X] Plan Working Towards Surviving the Black
-[x] Case V: The Search for Sirius Black (1 Actions [1 Action in May, 1 Action in June]) - There is a dangerous criminal on the loose, and it is your job to track him down. Sirius Black is a wanted man, and it is believed that he may be hiding out close to the castle. No one should get near, there is danger at all steps. You are determined to find him. You know that Black is cunning and resourceful, and you will have to use all of your acquired abilities and detective skills to track him down. With your determination and intelligence, you are confident that you will be able to solve this case and bring Black to justice.
-[x] Runes Club Research x1
-[x] Overdrive applicable: Stage III, A Hogwarts Map x3
--[x] Apply Overdrive x2
-[x] Overdrive applicable: What hides behind trees I (Danger identified: Dementors. You know have a counter spell and some experience with soul-sucking foes.) – The deep Forbidden Forest extends around to the west of the castle. Everyone knows everything there is to know about the Forbidden Forest; it is a forest and it is forbidden. The rest is just rumors… werewolf's, vampires, monsters and spiders. All dangers a child could imagine await you in the forest. Why were you trembling in anticipation about breaking out of the castle through the passageway behind the mirror and exploring what had been forbidden to you for way too long? (Takes 3 Actions, can't be taken in the same month as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Break through your Horizon)
-[x]x7 personal actions.
-[x] Alchemy x2
-[x] Learning x 3 (Antidote to Uncommon Poisons (Needed for exams at the end of the year), Lumos (Deep Understanding), Point Me, Diffindo, Incendio (Deep Understanding)
-[X] Learning x2 (Creativity (until 6), then DADA to A+)

Purpose of the Plan:
For the upcoming event of the Search of Sirius Black, I plan on upping combat as much as possible. Because it is probable that we will need it. We have a low-hanging DADA bonus of 9 to 10, which would become 11 at the end of term (hopefully before the adventure) which would give us +6 from now. We need to raise Creativity to 6 in order to allow the DADA cap to become 11 for the end of term boost.

With +2 Alchemy, we can also work on Goggles next turn if we want. Just don't want to close off the choice for next turn depending on what we get from the forbidden forest.

So, idea of plan:
1. Get +6 to DADA for combat by end of next month
2. Set us up for Goggles, which can get us +5 combat...and maybe some insight into Dementors while they are still around? Certainly helpful with tracking down Sirius and maybe Wormtail.
3. Finish up the required potions and then maybe get spells that would be helpful with the investigation.

What's the bonus on levelling up creativity? Because the DC is going to be 50 which isn't a great chance for a level up. I haven't done the math but we might actually be better off using the actions for more spells rather than raw stats as this point since we're going to grab a universal level up next month anyway.

If we wanted higher DADA now we should have put our recent level up into something other than luck.
 
I'm curious if we want to learn new spells, (that we don't know about).
Because if we do, don't we need to search for them this month in order to be able to learn them next month?
And if I remember correctly learning new spells is essential for duels because It give us more of an arsenal to surprise our opponents and especially fight against older students who already have have more spells to chose from.
 
I don't believe we have a bonus- it's a straight 50/50 shot which is why I structured it so if we get it the first time, we can get the DADA this turn. But, if not, we can get it next turn.

Yeah, Creativity would have been a nice level up to have (I supported it).

But, we didn't vote for it and thus I made this plan to try and get the +6. It is still (statistically) a good move if we want to get the +6 in combat and will help in future DADA research.

In the two months we have, this probably is the better move as compared to improving Understanding of Magical Creatures or Occulmancy for a +1 bonus. I do think we need to work on those, but with the limited two months we have, it is triage and priority.

I believe prioritizing our combat roll as much as possible is the best course of action since it will probably be a contested roll rather than a straight DC and it probably will come up (not a guarantee, of course). Also, because combat is the one area where we can actually have a substantive affect on the bonuses. +11 if we have Goggles versus +1 x4 on various other skills and maybe an extra spell (or two if we roll well).
 
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[X] Plan The Search for Black with a Map in the Forrest

Because screw risking a low roll.

Is it really that big of a deal when we can just finish it in a single (overcharged even) action next turn and still have it for the investigation? I get not risking it, but goggles are such a large improvement compared to just getting a bit better at mind stuff that I honestly cannot see why we'd allocate the points there right now.
 
[X] Plan The Search for Black with a Map in the Forrest

Because screw risking a low roll.
The only risk would be to need a single action in the next month to finish it...

And since we have another action already locked up, it is not like we can use that action to exchange for more personal actions

But if enough people want me to, I can use the Random Encounter action for the map instead...

I'm curious if we want to learn new spells, (that we don't know about).
Because if we do, don't we need to search for them this month in order to be able to learn them next month?
And if I remember correctly learning new spells is essential for duels because It give us more of an arsenal to surprise our opponents and especially fight against older students who already have have more spells to chose from.

I mean that is why I want to unlock Stupefy ASAP, as Harry said it is "a wizard's bread and butter.", and since we don't want to kill anyone in the Tournament is is the best offensive spell that we can get...
 
Is it really that big of a deal when we can just finish it in a single (overcharged even) action next turn and still have it for the investigation? I get not risking it, but goggles are such a large improvement compared to just getting a bit better at mind stuff that I honestly cannot see why we'd allocate the points there right now.
I don't view the Goggles to be as big an impact as some of you do. I'm voting more for the map then anything else in the plan.
 
I'm voting more for the map then anything else in the plan.

Any particular reason why you value it so much? As far as I can see we don't need it this month and getting it next month, if we even fail the roll, is trivial.

On the other hand the goggles are a pretty big combat bonus, two spells in one, able to provide insight into dementers (which we'll lose access to next month), something significant to show Nicholas when we go back to the island, and we can only get them in time if we set it up this month.

I genuinely can't see how they're not a big deal? Is there something I'm missing?
 
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[X] Plan Searching for Black and preparing for Ghostly Googles

Because I want stupefy and alchemy is the most relevant of our skills to upgrade.

Still wish we could prioritize stats, but I guess I'll campaign for that on the summer break.
 
From the spider charts in the Character Sheet it looks like a grade O grade in the electives is a grade D- in the Character Sheet.
Those charts are of course not up to date, but this bit is still relevant.

EDIT: I dislike trying to format things ><
An updated Spider Chart Other Skills
I should think about doing this in a Google Cloud format style to not have to update pictures every time, because I dread the work and formatting in the Character Sheet, which is why I mostly look at my own notes. Sometimes there are errors in the online Version I don't see in time. The grade cutoff was for example not shown right in the Character Sheet.

But as you guys have earned it by now, here a bit more transparency for the relevant matter. Following the grade cut-offs for a subject in each term (For simplification only the O grade):

When do you have an O in a subject during school?

1 → D--First Year8 → A-Fifth Year
2 → D-Second Year10 → A+Sixth Year
4 → D+Third Year12 → ESeventh Year
6 → PFourth Year

As you see, the way the game was set up is that your class progress alone can keep your grade stable at whatever it is, when you have the True Ravenclaw trait.

For the question as to what happens with Arithmancy & Magical Theory: I was mistaken here and corrected by multiple people in the meantime. It is correct that you have selected two classes that work into your progress there, which means you will have a jump of two grades for each Class Progress level. Here fyi the schedule for your third year. I don't think I have ever shared this information, because I wanted the liberties to do whatever I want if the story calls for it (But in the end, I was pretty careful to hold to the schedule. If you match the days of the calender for 1993, it always is correctly addressed in the chapters).

08:30-9:30MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
9:35 – 10:30PotionsPotionsCharmsCharmsDADA
10:35-11:30DADAMagical TheoryTransfigurationStudy of Ancient RunesHistory of Magic
11:35-12:30History of MagicTransfigurationPotionsDADATransfiguration
13:30-14:30TransfigurationCharmsHerbologyHerbologyAstronomy
15-16Study of Ancient RunesArithmancyMagical TheoryArithmancyHerbology
After 19:00Runes ClubAstronomyDueling Club

Also for the hell of it, you will get all the insights today. These are the classes you share with each house:

Classes shared with:
Hufflepuff

Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Potions
Slytherin
Charms, Astronomy
Gryffindor
History of Magic, Transfiguration

Elective Classes: All together, because there are so few students per house.
Magical Theory, Arithmancy, Study of Ancient Runes

If there have been any inconsistencies, you can talk to my lawyer about it!





There is some interesting wording at the beginning here, spcifically noting that Jacob "finalized Case IV in time". It sort of implies that if he didn't finish Case 4 now that Case 5 wouldn't have appeared. I'm guessing because it is a harder case that requires Jacob to cover a lot of ground that it takes more time and if Jacob waited till May to complete Case 4, June by itself woulnd't be enough time to complete Case 5. Something to keep in mind going forward that the Cases might have a time constraint of some sort.
Yes, exactly. But: It also counts for other things. You missed out on other timed things already and you will probably in the future. These are not limited to the Cases. This special case would have been either opened by finishing the Hogwarts Map or Case IV by May. So, you were right in time with one of them :)

should we write a letter to mcgonagall/flitwick and ask to use a time turner?
I said it before, but if you start abusing the letters to game the action system, I will have to take it away. Right now I see it as an action that I either mention in one sentence or write out if there is actually anything interesting to say. Things like this would change that.

I was inspired, so I did a bit of drawing.
Hope you all like it !


Oh god, this is so cute. I love it! The bucket and the Mermaid's Breath are such special touches. Thank you @Arthelys this means a lot. May I work these into the story? If you guys go to tame one of them, I'd love to use it as Jacob's paintings.

I will write you a private message :)


Sadly, that wouldn't work. The map takes Normal Actions while learning Alchemy would be a Personal Action.
Yes. The map derived out of a special sequence of prior quests, which makes it different. Building something with Alchemy will usually count towards Personal Actions instead.


Also one last thing for transparency reasons. When I do the calculation for the bonus of your enemies, spell (or attack) variation definetly counts into that. If someone has a wider arsenal available than you, they get a plus on their rolls (So, it's not only the bonusses that you get that count for combat success). You won't get much more detail than that from me, because Jacob is not yet experienced enough to put relations into that.


Vote still open. Current Tally:

10 people have voted
[x] Plan The Search for Black with a Map in the Forrest
-[x] Case V: The Search for Sirius Black (2 Actions [1 Action in May, 1 Action in June]) - There is a dangerous criminal on the loose, and it is your job to track him down. Sirius Black is a wanted man, and it is believed that he may be hiding out close to the castle. No one should get near, there is danger at all steps. You are determined to find him. You know that Black is cunning and resourceful, and you will have to use all of your acquired abilities and detective skills to track him down. With your determination and intelligence, you are confident that you will be able to solve this case and bring Black to justice.
-[X] Runes Club Research x1
-[X] Random Encounter – Just… Go and live your life. You don't need to plan everything in your life out.
-[X] Overdrive applicable: Stage III, A Hogwarts Map x4
-[x] Overdrive applicable: What hides behind trees I (Danger identified: Dementors. You know have a counter spell and some experience with soul-sucking foes.) – The deep Forbidden Forest extends around to the west of the castle. Everyone knows everything there is to know about the Forbidden Forest; it is a forest and it is forbidden. The rest is just rumors… werewolf's, vampires, monsters and spiders. All dangers a child could imagine await you in the forest. Why were you trembling in anticipation about breaking out of the castle through the passageway behind the mirror and exploring what had been forbidden to you for way too long? (Takes 3 Actions, can't be taken in the same month as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Break through your Horizon)
--[x] Apply Overdrive x2
-[x]x6 personal actions.
-[x] Legilimency & Occlumency x1
-[x] Understanding of Magical Creatures x1
-[x] Learning x 4 (Antidote to Uncommon Poisons (Needed for exams at the end of the year), Lumos (Deep Understanding), Point Me, Diffindo, Incendio (Deep Understanding), Reducio)
10 people have voted
[x] Plan Searching for Black and preparing for Ghostly Googles
-[x] Case V: The Search for Sirius Black (2 Actions [1 Action in May, 1 Action in June]) - There is a dangerous criminal on the loose, and it is your job to track him down. Sirius Black is a wanted man, and it is believed that he may be hiding out close to the castle. No one should get near, there is danger at all steps. You are determined to find him. You know that Black is cunning and resourceful, and you will have to use all of your acquired abilities and detective skills to track him down. With your determination and intelligence, you are confident that you will be able to solve this case and bring Black to justice.
-[X] Runes Club Research x1
-[x] Random Encounter
-[x] Overdrive applicable: In Search of New Spells (find spells that can incapacitate an/or stunt your opponents)
-[x] Overdrive applicable: Stage III, A Hogwarts Map x3
-[x] Overdrive applicable: What hides behind trees I (Danger identified: Dementors. You know have a counter spell and some experience with soul-sucking foes.) – The deep Forbidden Forest extends around to the west of the castle. Everyone knows everything there is to know about the Forbidden Forest; it is a forest and it is forbidden. The rest is just rumors… werewolf's, vampires, monsters and spiders. All dangers a child could imagine await you in the forest. Why were you trembling in anticipation about breaking out of the castle through the passageway behind the mirror and exploring what had been forbidden to you for way too long? (Takes 3 Actions, can't be taken in the same month as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Break through your Horizon)
--[x] Apply Overdrive x2
-[x]x6 personal actions.
-[x] Alchemy x2
-[x] Learning x 4 (Antidote to Uncommon Poisons (Needed for exams at the end of the year), Lumos (Deep Understanding), Point Me, Diffindo, Incendio (Deep Understanding), Reducio, Expelliarmus (Deep Understanding))
2 people have voted
[X] Plan Taking Things Siriusly
-[X] Case V: The Search for Sirius Black (2 Actions [1 Action in May, 1 Action in June])
-[X] [Normal]Runes Club Research (Progress 9/10. Multiple Actions on this count as multiple rolls stacking)
-[X] [Normal]Overdrive applicable: Stage III, A Hogwarts Map (Multiple Actions on this count as multiple rolls stacking) x4
-[X] Overdrive applicable: What hides behind trees I
-[X] [Normal]Overdrive applicable: In Search of New Spells x3

--[X][Sneaking and Capture]
-[X][Personal] Overdrive applicable: Do your research (Antidote to Uncommon Poisons, Lumos (Deeper Understanding), Waddiwasi, Diffindo, Engorgio/Reducio) x 5
2 people have voted
[x] Plan Working Towards Surviving the Black
-[x] Case V: The Search for Sirius Black (1 Actions [1 Action in May, 1 Action in June]) - There is a dangerous criminal on the loose, and it is your job to track him down. Sirius Black is a wanted man, and it is believed that he may be hiding out close to the castle. No one should get near, there is danger at all steps. You are determined to find him. You know that Black is cunning and resourceful, and you will have to use all of your acquired abilities and detective skills to track him down. With your determination and intelligence, you are confident that you will be able to solve this case and bring Black to justice.
-[X] Runes Club Research x1
-[x] Overdrive applicable: Stage III, A Hogwarts Map x3
--[x] Apply Overdrive x2
-[x] Overdrive applicable: What hides behind trees I (Danger identified: Dementors. You know have a counter spell and some experience with soul-sucking foes.) – The deep Forbidden Forest extends around to the west of the castle. Everyone knows everything there is to know about the Forbidden Forest; it is a forest and it is forbidden. The rest is just rumors… werewolf's, vampires, monsters and spiders. All dangers a child could imagine await you in the forest. Why were you trembling in anticipation about breaking out of the castle through the passageway behind the mirror and exploring what had been forbidden to you for way too long? (Takes 3 Actions, can't be taken in the same month as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Break through your Horizon)
-[x]x7 personal actions.
-[x] Alchemy x2
-[x] Learning x 3 (Antidote to Uncommon Poisons (Needed for exams at the end of the year), Lumos (Deep Understanding), Point Me, Diffindo, Incendio (Deep Understanding)
-[X] Learning x2 (Creativity (until 6), then DADA to A+)
1 people have voted
[X] Plan in Blackest Night
-[X] Normal Actions (x10)
-[X] Case V: The Search for Sirius Black (2 Actions [1 Action in May, 1 Action in June])
-[X] Random Encounter – Just… Go and live your life. You don't need to plan everything in your life out.
-[X] Write a Letter (Free Action)
--[X] To your parents. You're curious, there's always more layers to magic whenever you look further. Perhaps they could share an experience, or anecdote, about magic that wasn't quite what it seemed on the surface. Your current obsession of a Hogwarts Map is proving a fascinating puzzle, in any case. The layers...
-[X] Runes Club Research x1
-[X] Overdrive applicable: Stage III, A Hogwarts Map x4
-[X] Overdrive applicable: What hides behind trees I
-[X] Personal Actions (x6)

-[X] Overdrive applicable: Train, Learn, Achieve x1 Constitution
-[X] Overdrive applicable: Train, Learn, Achieve x1 Empathy
-[X] Overdrive applicable: Do your research x3 Antidote to Uncommon Poisons (Needed for exams at the end of the year), Lumos (Deep Understanding) - Charm, Expelliarmus (Deep Understanding) - DADA.
-[X] Overdrive applicable: In Search of New Spells – Try to find a spell(s) within or close to your reach that would allow you to stun, knock out, or otherwise thoroughly bind a cunning, desperate, fully grown wizard.
 
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Any particular reason why you value it so much? As far as I can see we don't need it this month and getting it next month, if we even fail the roll, is trivial.

On the other hand the goggles are a pretty big combat bonus, two spells in one, able to provide insight into dementers (which we'll lose access to next month), something significant to show Nicholas when we go back to the island, and we can only get them in time if we set it up this month.

I genuinely can't see how they're not a big deal? Is there something I'm missing?
The map proves Sirius is inside the castle. That's my major point. Also, the Goggles likely won't see through Hogwarts Walls. Its been home to how many teenagers for how many years now? The walls are probably charmed like hell to not allow seeing through them.

I'd rather not come literal face to face with Dementors alone if I can help it.

Combat boost is irrelevant short for the adventure into the woods which we are already doing this upcoming month.

And I don't give a shit about impressing Nicolas.
 
I don't view the Goggles to be as big an impact as some of you do. I'm voting more for the map then anything else in the plan.
So if my plan would have 4 actions on the map, would you vote for it?... Because if more people want me to switch I would do it

And about the Glasses... Would you mind clarifying why you think that they are not "As impactful, as some of you do" I mean the effects they provide may be minor by themselves alone, and not that useful for a regular Hogwarts student, but they are EXTREMELY useful for an explorer
Ghostly GogglesMagical Item. You now have a much higher understanding about what it is to be a ghost. For a second, you walked in their shoes and looked through their eyes. They live in a spectrum of the world far different to yours, bridging between the here and the there as most of their magic has passed on and some of their soul stayed behind. You may be able to build something that did the same; give an item magic and then simulate the process the Grey Lady let you feel. Simulate the process of dying and give yourself the ability to see between the living- and the afterlife. [While wearing Ghostly Goggles; Allows you to see the spirits of the living; Gain a +5 in combat against creatures; Gain the ability to see a form of afterimages as footprints that living creatures leave behind; Gain the ability to see living things through walls; ?? when interacting with Dementors ??] (Requires Alchemy and Ancient Runes skill of at least P), DC: 400.
Confirmed by the QM we get.
  • A decent bonus for combat.
  • An effective tracking tool
  • A detect life effect that applies to walls
  • A Mystery Box that has to be taken this year to resolve it (we are unlikely to get into contact with Dementors for years)
So why don't you think they would be worth it?
 
[x] Plan The Search for Black with a Map in the Forrest
-[x] Case V: The Search for Sirius Black (2 Actions [1 Action in May, 1 Action in June]) - There is a dangerous criminal on the loose, and it is your job to track him down. Sirius Black is a wanted man, and it is believed that he may be hiding out close to the castle. No one should get near, there is danger at all steps. You are determined to find him. You know that Black is cunning and resourceful, and you will have to use all of your acquired abilities and detective skills to track him down. With your determination and intelligence, you are confident that you will be able to solve this case and bring Black to justice.
-[X] Runes Club Research x1
-[X] Random Encounter – Just… Go and live your life. You don't need to plan everything in your life out.
-[X] Overdrive applicable: Stage III, A Hogwarts Map x4
-[x] Overdrive applicable: What hides behind trees I (Danger identified: Dementors. You know have a counter spell and some experience with soul-sucking foes.) – The deep Forbidden Forest extends around to the west of the castle. Everyone knows everything there is to know about the Forbidden Forest; it is a forest and it is forbidden. The rest is just rumors… werewolf's, vampires, monsters and spiders. All dangers a child could imagine await you in the forest. Why were you trembling in anticipation about breaking out of the castle through the passageway behind the mirror and exploring what had been forbidden to you for way too long? (Takes 3 Actions, can't be taken in the same month as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Break through your Horizon)
--[x] Apply Overdrive x2
-[x]x6 personal actions.
-[x] Legilimency & Occlumency x1
-[x] Understanding of Magical Creatures x1
-[x] Learning x 4 (Antidote to Uncommon Poisons (Needed for exams at the end of the year), Lumos (Deep Understanding), Point Me, Diffindo, Incendio (Deep Understanding), Reducio)
 
@Tabula Rasa something I want to clarify...

Would this condicional vote be allowed?

[] Overdrive applicable: Stage III, A Hogwarts Map x4
-[] If the previous action is finished with less than 4 actions use the excess in Random Encounter
 
*Looks at the plans*
*Sees Forbidden Forest exploration*

Having a part of our soul eaten stopped us from exploring dangerous places for one month.

...

Maybe this wasn't that big of a shock for you guys, as it was for me. But if Soul Snatcher was instead a Mind Snatcher, Jacob'd have died right there.
 
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