After a short lecture on the Gothic environment and its threats, as well as the nature of the Theme, the Educator and Class stood in the middle of a broad avenue on the edge of Huron, the eerie settlement. Smiling, the Educator discharged the Class to explore and meet back in front of the Academy in six hours. He then strode away, cane clacking cheerfully on the cobblestones
Educator is having the time of his life. Bet he's really excited for what Sol is going to pull off.
leaving the hapless youths with no guidance save the desperate voice of Ms. Parker, who failed to elicit obedience.
Poor woman, she is trying but she's just really ineffectual and can't really do anything.
It took a little convincing and even a bit of self-rationalization, but Solomon managed to sway Penelope to assist him in a deed usually perceived as most foul.
Robbery.
Silly Sol, robbery from Eldritch forces beyond your ken is the job description of being a Wizard.
"Not a lot," she said. "Fortuna's basically Europe, right down to the shape of the continent."
He took a second to imagine that. "Only Europe? What about the rest of the world?"
"Dissolves into pale mist, the further you go away from the center. Any who wander into it are lost," she said, sounding as if reciting a second-hand account. "Aside from that, we haven't explored much of it yet. It's mostly politics and medieval fiefdoms bickering with each other, so you'd probably hate it."
Penny is pretty observant and can likely pick up on Sol's despair. Also good to know that there is a world border in the form of a mist, or at least Penny has been told that.
"Hmm." Solomon already had a couple of ideas, although only a few of them were grounded in anything truly substantial. It seemed that analyzing the correspondences between Themes was simultaneously a low-hanging and relatively flavorful fruit. "Well, I'll let you know if I come up with something solid. I've got a couple of ideas, but none that I really like. I'm not against letting people borrow my ideas, assuming they're at least willing to listen to me when I speak."
She cocked her head to the side. "You don't feel listened to?"
"Not really."
"Why? I believe you, that you can see the future."
He raised an eyebrow. "That belief's really spread around, huh?"
"Well, you've been going to 'remedial lessons.' Whatever that is. I assure you no one else has that, so, yeah, a lot of people are wondering what's up with you," she said, letting out a slight snort. "If you need someone to hear you out, I've got an open ear."
"Thanks," he said, strangely gratified. It wasn't only Harrison, then? Had the Educator's seminars paid off more substantial dividents than initially believed?
Damn Sol really is a mess and it's shown really well here. He's surprised to see someone other than Harrison listen to him. Also it looks like the remedial lessons has spread pretty far given the fact everyone seems to know about it now.
It'd form the embryonic nucleus of an entity - in several weeks or months. It'd need time to metamorphose even after that and create an elementary identity from its amorphous bulk. However, in due time, the entity would become a potentially colossal, world-ending threat: something the Gothic Class may well have to deal with in time.
Holy shit it's the Gothic Class's End Boss, I will say once again coming here was worth it.
The Magician was about applying human resourcefulness, and Solomon had every tool needed at his disposal to make the most of this precious opportunity: chalk and the ability to procure more, the memorized contents of a bookshelf's worth of occult tomes, and the lucid acumen that foresaw any errors. More than anything, he possessed the Necronomicon, the contents of which had a ritual sketched out specifically for an occurrence such as this. This wasn't a threat to the world, or at least it didn't have to be. Instead, it could be turned into a tremendous opportunity. Here, there was only hubris for someone who didn't understand their own capabilities.
Okay I slept on the Necronomicon thinking that it's only use was as a shitty spell book because the cognitohazards where gone, nope it's clearly the real deal. Thank you for buying it, without you this feat of bullshit wouldn't have been possible.
It wouldn't take you significant effort to convince Penelope to aid you with this insane proposal, as you're able to strike all the right chords of pursuing strength with her in a short exchange of dialogue - it was accounted for in the Will expenditure.
Okay so Penny is down for whatever will be done if Sol frams it correctly and it's already been accounted for.
[ ] Absorption - A common saying among the world's Enrolled villains forewarns of the hubris in absorbing an energy field bigger than one's own head. How can you then act so confident, when you're about to do that to an energy field bigger than your own house? It's simple: you're built different.
*Absorb the wellspring. Gain 2,000-3,000 XP (variable, random.) This XP counts as doubled if spent on Eldritch.
*75% chance to unlock Eldritch (Level 1) for an hour, after which your symbiote will enter hibernation until you actually purchase the Aspect.
Yeah I was about to say that classic quote. This is the safe choice that doesn't cost any Will but gives really low gains compared to other paths.
[ ] Distribution - However, you aren't the only individual here, and needn't be the sole beneficiary! After explaining the mechanisms of the ritual and permitting her a look into your charts, convince Penelope this is a safe procedure and she ought to partake.
*Absorb the wellspring into yourself and Penelope. Both of you gain 1,500-2,250 XP (variable, random.) This XP counts as double if spent on Eldritch / Seraph.
*75% chance to unlock Eldritch / Seraph (Level 1) for an hour, after which your symbiote and Penelope's grace enter hibernation until you actually purchase the Aspects. Your chances are separate, therefore the odds that at least one of you gets an immediate benefit is doubled relative to Absorption.
Safe choice where we empower Penny and ourself, I prefer this to Absorption because it empowers Penny as well. I do think that we should get a Penny + out of this though.
[ ] Storage - Instead, ritualistically store the contents of the wellspring in a purified container. As a result, you'll be able to use it later to terrifying effect, either to empower yourself as above, to create an artifact, or for a myriad of other purposes.
*Acquire: Eldritch Flask.
No will cost and putting it off for further gain. It's possible we'll be able to empower ourself even more than we could right now or make a really badass artifact. But there is the huge risk of the Eldritch Flask getting stolen and the fact that we don't really have any security right now.
[ ] Eldritch Immersion [30 Will, 12 Credit] - Why absorb mere potential? Force the power out into the candid light. The Rite of Absorption, mighty as it may be, is only a gross and lesser reflection of the ritual that offers real power. Complete the Rite of Eldritch Immersion, as described on page one hundred and six of the Necronomicon.
A complicated and inherently unstable ritual, entwining the essence of the wellspring more completely with your spirit. Combined with your expenditure on Advanced Empowerment, it'll require altogether twenty-four Credit to produce the ingenuity of thought to come up with a reliable stabilizing schema.
*Gain 10,000 XP. This XP counts as doubled if spent on Eldritch or Arcanum.
*Gain Aspect: Eldritch (Level 4) immediately.
*Discount Eldritch (Level 5) by 50%.
*Develop an Eldritch Technique of your choice at Level 2 immediately, and another at Level 1.
*Become the strongest first-year.
The fuck it we ball path where we eat the essence of an End Boss and is of course the most costly path. 10,000 XP and it'll be 20,000 if we only spend on Eldritch or Arcanum. Eldritch to a level we will be equal to physical Roles never mind the casting boosts from it. And we'll become the Strongest First Year. This boosts from this is monstrous and can't be understated.
If we go down this path we won't have to worry about the Class bullies and the Bible Class won't be able to push us around nearly as easily. We also have the immediate boost in power that will keep Sol safe and make sure that he can deal with the massive target on his back from Remedial Classes. But it does show that Sol is capable of monstrous feats of growth which puts another target on his back.
It's also a way for Sol to become independent and not need to rely on anyone. We can also stop going the Enrollment Classes for a good long while and instead focus on Remedial Classes and other stuff which will free up lots of action slots.
[ ] Angelic Immersion [25 Will, 10 Credit] - And yet... inherent to your nature is the mentorship of another, not the assumption of a central role. Much as the Hermit shines with a lantern to guide the way, the Magician shows the secrets of the Arcana to its clients.
Better yet, you'll have many excuses to slack off as a result and demand favors from the one empowered instead of yourself...
*Penelope gains 15,000 XP. This XP counts as doubled if spent on Seraph, Truthseeker, or Lawbringer.
*Penelope gains Aspect: Seraph (Level 4) immediately.
*Penelope discounts Seraph (Level 5) by 75%.
*Penelope develops two Seraph Techniques of her choice at Level 2 immediately.
*Penelope isn't dumb enough to turn down cosmic power. It may be at least partially desperation that drives her to accept, but she wouldn't do this without some trust.
*Penelope will become the strongest first-year.
*She'll be profusely thankful for your aid in smacking down the Engine. +++Penelope.
*This is blatant simping.
*Furthermore, because this is in tune with your Role, you gain 250 XP.
I'm going to say it straight up right now, I ship Sol and Penny. But even I am not exactly comfortable with this level of simping.
This costs slightly less Will and SC than Eldritch Immersion.
If we do this Penny becomes strong as hell. She'll be able to lay down the law on the Tarot Class and do the work of getting the class in order for us. She'll also gain a massive opinion boost on Sol and owe him a lot, 4 pluses is just bellow "besties who trust each other unconditionally". And then there is post Enrollment to consider, she has connections to oldest Enrolled Class and her parents are two of the strongest Enrolled in the world.
Quotes from Birdsei
She can develop Techniques or Aspects to help you cross the gap to her, such as with Balance.
She can become a passive source of Will
So it's possible for this to benefit Sol in the long term in terms of XP and Will given that she can become a passive Will booster and can argue for a Technique or Aspect to help boost Sol up to her level as a learning aid.
This will also put a huge target on Penny's back because her massive strength gain will be noticed and people will pay more attention to her than Sol. Though people will likely put together the fact that he empowered her.