We need to break his concentration right? I know this is often a joke but most people don't see it coming and it would put him in a vulnerable position.
Now you might say he's a priest/monk and has a high pain threshold or self-control due to some self-flagellation (not just whips but purposely fasting), but believe you me no man can stand after his balls are targeted.
Ah, okay. I mean, I don't think it's a bad idea. But I'd rather trust in our allies and keep up the pressure on the priest. Like Deadman said, I believe we'll also receive nid should we get any help, so it's best to take out the priest since that'd also remove the buff that the priest put on the soldiers.
Actually, I think it refers to the Rosary. There are 59 beads in a modern rosary. The "main" beads are grouped in five groups of ten, called decades. The others separate the decades (these tend to be larger) or are used to start the prayer/hold the cross. Each decade represents a different mystery of the Rosary.
As such, I think that it wouldn't be amiss to assume that the each decade refers to a different realm of cultivation, with the level within said realm denoted by the bead. It would make a certain amount of sense for Catholic cultivation to be more regimented than its Norse Pagan equivalent, given the more organized nature of the former religion. Creating a more organized template for Norse cultivation could help fend off the missionaries, and I consider it a good long-term goal.
Now for the bad news, despite there being only five decades on a modern rosary, there are fifteen mysteries, not counting the five added in 2002. While they weren't formalized until the 16th century, even back then they were a longstanding tradition. So yeah, the good Father might be rather far from top tier, although he might be close to the height of what you'd find in a random village.
I mean, he evidently just casually spat a "Defense is impossible just die" barrage of attacks that could apparently only be countered with Halting Vortex given how our defense dice didn't even come into play with that, and it's cheap enough to be spammable.
He might not be Steinarr level Robust, but he's doing this at the same time that he's buffing the local garrison to the point where they can fight back against a gang of strong Norse Cultivators when they were originally just a joke. He's probably either peak Ironbrother or low Steelfather level, which begs the question of what the fuck was he doing at a random town like this in the first place.
His movement trait was apparently also good enough that he could completely ignore our second Firebomb Strike while still making us pay the cost for it, given how we only got to roll to hurt him once but the narrative says we still attacked him twice.
And despite buffing his dudes, despite apparently shitting an assload of magic, he's still at full resource at the end of his turn, which means he's not even especially pressed right now.
So yeah, top Ironbrother or low Steelfather level. What was he doing here
You're trying to contextualize this guy in our system: don't do that. His cultivation doesn't work like ours. Read the invisitext: his casting stat is 'Soma', that is breath. This means he's presumably using the Word of God, specifically the Ol' Testament bits related to "kill 'em all, you got this boys" bits. More importantly, he's not buffing the mooks, they're getting to activate their own cultivation through being near him. His system is strictly magic-based, though: if we figure out how to crack his shield, then one good thump and the squishy monk gets to go to Heaven, one way trip.
Actually, I think it refers to the Rosary. There are 59 beads in a modern rosary. The "main" beads are grouped in five groups of ten, called decades. The others separate the decades (these tend to be larger) or are used to start the prayer/hold the cross. Each decade represents a different mystery of the Rosary.
As such, I think that it wouldn't be amiss to assume that the each decade refers to a different realm of cultivation, with the level within said realm denoted by the bead. It would make a certain amount of sense for Catholic cultivation to be more regimented than its Norse Pagan equivalent, given the more organized nature of the former religion. Creating a more organized template for Norse cultivation could help fend off the missionaries, and I consider it a good long-term goal.
Now for the bad news, despite there being only five decades on a modern rosary, there are fifteen mysteries, not counting the five added in 2002. While they weren't formalized until the 16th century, even back then they were a longstanding tradition. So yeah, the good Father might be rather far from top tier, although he might be close to the height of what you'd find in a random village.
I think all this is probably absolutely correct. I also think it refers to how much Fervor he has. There's absolutely no reason both can't be true and quite a few sound mechanical reasons why they probably are.
Like, it's an obvious Rosary reference, yes, and it likely means more or less what you suggest in-universe...but in terms of the system, it also works nearly perfectly if it's the Fervor Pool the guy has available, so why wouldn't it be both?
I feel like it's fair to assume that it's the priest buffing them, as it is explicitly said to be his power that is affecting them. Not to mention that if they really were tapping into their cultivation system, they'd be much stronger - all this is doing is removing their self-preservation, making them attack with reckless abandon in exchange for leaving themselves wide open.
A quick google translate of Soma gave me "Body" in Latin which does make me think it's Hamr rather than Hugr. See this tidbit
Soma is also a word of ancient Greek origin and means "body"; it is largely from this latter origin that the field of somatic therapy has developed to emphasize the individual's internal experience of the body. In Greek translations of the Bible, soma is aligned with the body of Christ, a corpse revived with spirit.
I think all this is probably absolutely correct. I also think it refers to how much Fervor he has. There's absolutely no reason both can't be true and quite a few sound mechanical reasons why they probably are.
Like, it's an obvious Rosary reference, yes, and it likely means more or less what you suggest in-universe...but in terms of the system, it also works nearly perfectly if it's the Fervor Pool the guy has available, so why wouldn't it be both?
I'm not disagreeing with you that the Rosary level and Fervor level are linked. I'm just not willing to bet that it's a one-to-one ratio. For example, it's quite plausible that a Catholic cultivator gets a point of Fervor with each Bead, and an additional x Fervor with each completed Decade.
I'm not disagreeing with you that the Rosary level and Fervor level are linked. I'm just not willing to bet that it's a one-to-one ratio. For example, it's quite plausible that a Catholic cultivator gets a point of Fervor with each Bead, and an additional x Fervor with each completed Decade.
That's possible, but Gabriel having 18 and this guy having 46 both seem about right for what we've seen them doing if their stat investments are permanent rather than temporary...like, those being their working pools seems pretty spot on.
Honestly, I would like to see the difference between the Eastern Orthodox cultivators and Catholic ones.
I would also like to see the differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardic. And if they have a way to cultivate through wealth and such.
Honestly, I would like to see the difference between the Eastern Orthodox cultivators and Catholic ones.
I would also like to see the differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardic. And if they have a way to cultivate through wealth and such.
Personally i want to figure out he 7000 date, my guess is religions spread slower due to cultivation, since you have physical proof of religious belief so to convert you have to refine your system until its more applying/stronger than your neighbors and then slowly uproot the local system. AKA for Christianity to spread this far took much longer
Scheduled vote count started by Imperial Fister on Mar 29, 2023 at 5:59 PM, finished with 54 posts and 5 votes.
[X] Plan Lock Him Down
-[X] Stoke Saemd (+32 Orthstirr)
-[X] 37d6 Attack (all tricks)
-[X] 0d6 Defense
-[X] 0d6 Intercept
-[X] Use an 11d6 Honed Leaping Cleave + Ember-Wing-Cloak (-22 Orthstirr total...oof) to close with Father Gerrit near instantly while still being maneuverable and hit him real hard, respond to whatever he does next with an 9d6 (11d6 w/Hugareida) Inertia-Arresting-Throw (-6 Orthstirr) to trap him in melee with us, then use a 7d6 Knee-Groin-Trick (-1 Orthstirr) and one each 7d6 and 6d6 Honed Power Chop attacks (-4 Orthstirr) to really put the hurt on him and hopefully finish him off.
-[X] In response to any melee Trick Attack after we've used IAT, use Contested Movement (-3 Orthstirr) and if that doesn't work use Halting Vortex (-4 Orthstirr). In response to any ranged trick attack after we've used IAT (or before we can) just use Halting Vortex (-4 Orthstirr). If we are attacked with a non-Trick attack we take it, unless it would kill us and we still have Orthstirr, in which case we use Halting Vortex (-4 Orthstirr).
-[X] Tactics – Leap at him using EWC for mobility then lock him down with IAT and go to town with Honed Power Chops.
We need to break his Faith, don't we? Isn't that the way to beat Christian Magic? which may mean ignoring him for a moment and burning down a church or desiccating some other holy space or object, something like that?
[X] Plan Lock Him Down
-[X] Stoke Saemd (+32 Orthstirr)
-[X] 37d6 Attack (all tricks)
-[X] 0d6 Defense
-[X] 0d6 Intercept
-[X] Use an 11d6 Honed Leaping Cleave + Ember-Wing-Cloak (-22 Orthstirr total...oof) to close with Father Gerrit near instantly while still being maneuverable and hit him real hard, respond to whatever he does next with an 9d6 (11d6 w/Hugareida) Inertia-Arresting-Throw (-6 Orthstirr) to trap him in melee with us, then use a 7d6 Knee-Groin-Trick (-1 Orthstirr) and one each 7d6 and 6d6 Honed Power Chop attacks (-4 Orthstirr) to really put the hurt on him and hopefully finish him off.
-[X] In response to any melee Trick Attack after we've used IAT, use Contested Movement (-3 Orthstirr) and if that doesn't work use Halting Vortex (-4 Orthstirr). In response to any ranged trick attack after we've used IAT (or before we can) just use Halting Vortex (-4 Orthstirr). If we are attacked with a non-Trick attack we take it, unless it would kill us and we still have Orthstirr, in which case we use Halting Vortex (-4 Orthstirr).
-[X] Tactics – Leap at him using EWC for mobility then lock him down with IAT and go to town with Honed Power Chops.
0~0~0
Your heart pounds in your ears as a crown of iron spikes sprouts from your head. Candle flames flicker on as the last dregs of your orthstirr flood your system. Sweat beads on your brow and sticks your hair to your head.
One way or another, this can't go on much longer.
Father Gerrit looks down his nose at you. Wordless prayers leave his lips as a trio of white fire bolts orbit around him.
He flicks his staff and you burst into motion. (Trick Attack: 40 vs Defense: Autopass (Leaping-Cleave), Defender Wins!)
The trio of bolts smash into the earth with a wicked hiss as you launch into the air. Crimson power wraps around Sagaseeker as your virthing spreads out behind you like an owl's wings. You twist at the torso, bringing Sagaseeker back behind your head.
Father Gerrit scoffs, looking rather bemused with this turn of events. White fire flows around him as he laughs, "How foolish can you get, heathen girl? An attack like that leaves you wide open!"
The moment he points his staff your way is the exact moment you reach the apex of your leap. The exact moment you eclipse the sun with your cloak of singed feathers.
The bolts fire and so do you.
Crimson flame jets from your virthing as you throw yourself into a crescent-shaped dive. You spin, rolling through the air as blasts of white-fire turn in a wide arc to follow. You miss the roof's edge by inches.
The bolts don't.
Father Gerrit stares, wide eyed as his magic rocks the house and you make your move. (Honed Trick Attack: 41 vs Defense: 17, Attacker Wins! Shield Stripped!)
Golden shards rain down around you as your blow reduces the roof to splinters.
Gerrit smashes through a table laden for the mid-morning meal and the family of four it served screams in fear as you follow him. Light glares in his palm as he staggers to his feet. But by the time he turns to cast, you've already thrown out Standstill. (Trick Attack: 39 vs Defense: 16, Attacker Wins!)
Wrapping him in a shroud of stilling force, he's helpless as you touch down and burst into motion.
Pivoting on the heel, you bring your knee to bear. Your aim to deliver a strike that men everywhere know to fear. (Trick Attack: 21 vs Defense: N/A, Attacker Wins! Focus Disrupted!)
His teeth lock together as your knee finds something soft and ever-so vulnerable. His pupils dilate to pinpricks as Standstill frees him from its bonds.
His hands dart to his waist as you raise Sagaseeker high. (Honed Trick Attack: 29 vs Defense: N/A, Attacker Wins! 3 Endurance Damage Dealt!)
'Kill him!' Blackhand roars his pride as you bring your crimson-blazing atgeir down. Sagaseeker sings its songs of joy as you leave Gerrit half the man he once was.
At your utter limit, you turn and stumble from the house — leaving the residents to their hollow whimpering.
Christians are weak, until they very suddenly aren't.
(19 Orthstirr Gained! (Includes Drengskapr!))
(Feat Gained: The Frisian Father)
(+1 to Nut-Cracker)
Pick one as a reward:
[ ] Muna: Fighting Father Gerrit (Upgrades Fight of Your Life)
[ ] Muna: Fighting Father Gerrit (Provides Twist: Punching Up)
0~0~0
With Father Gerrit gone and the mortal defenders massacred, the town swiftly surrenders to your gentle mercies.
What to do with the population?
[ ] (Population) Thralldom
-[ ] (Optional) Only take those of use while letting the rest go
-[ ] (Optional) Offer an opportunity for those you choose to Ransom themselves
[ ] (Population) Let them go (Reduces Heat)
What to do with the buildings?
[ ] (Buildings) Pillage for everything of value
-[ ] (Optional) Then Raze it to the ground (Potential for extra loot but Raises Heat)
[ ] (Buildings) Leave it all as is, as a message and show of power (Reduces Heat)
And finally, as reward for your service against Father Gerrit, you get an extra share of the loot. Where do you take it from?
[ ] (Loot) The Mayor's House
[ ] (Loot) The Church
[ ] (Loot) The Food Stores
[ ] (Loot) Leave it up to the Nornir
(Loot: 32, 45, 60) 137. Not the best loot roll the world's ever seen, but not awful either.
Current Raid Lootbag:
(63oz Silver, 1oz Gold)
(27oz Bog Iron, 3oz Forged Iron)
(14 Food)
(36 Fodder)
0~0~0
AN: That was a fun end to a hard fight. Good job everyone! Excellent planning, if I do say so myself. That wasn't a matter of luck, you out-planned that nerd!
No moratorium, as it's starting to get a little late. Remember, please vote by plan for the sake of my sanity if nothing else!
One of the original drafts of this fight had mind bullshit happening, but I decided to throw it out in favor of wizard-blaster because I decided that it was just a little bit more fair than mind shenanigans when this is your first fight since the tutorial, iirc.
You can have one (1) certified official Imperial Fister FunPoint!*
*While points may mean prizes, Imperial Fister FunPoints are purely ornamental in nature and are not accepted legal tender under any known or current economical systems
