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Cast-Offs of Divinity - A Merchants of Divinity Quest

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Worm_that_Walks said:
So is building an immortal meat abomination that is in eternal pain and hates all living things :)
I am very helpful....
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I think if we want to go this way, it would be more effective to start emerging new aggressive and prolific species of animals and release them into the wastelands outside the city. It would have a pretty big impact on the world and this connection would be almost impossible to track (who cares what happens in the wastelands?). It was also a good experiment in itself, giving a lot of practical experience in biology and animal husbandry.
Of the cons, there would be only those people who would die from our creatures and a completely destroyed ecosystem. But again, as long as it doesn't affect us, who cares?
 
Oh and there were some questions about which Organizational knowledge specialty would apply to The Dominion of Tom.
Well it's not is "Republic laws". The Dominion of Tom is not a republic.

Technically speaking, it's a dictatorship under the eponymous Tom.
Practically speaking everything is delegated to administrative AI. If you go out shooting people in broad daylight, an unfairly powerful drone is going to drop out of the sky and you are going to have a bad time. If you want permits to build a new skyscraper, you are going to need to submit a properly formatted report. Etc.

Unless intent otherwise is expressed I will assume whatever Organizational Knowledge specialty is the relevant one (AI administrator protocols) as it is the one that would make sense to learn given your starting location.
 
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  • Voting
    • Since the voting seems to have cooled down, I have set it to close at the 72 hour mark:
    Feb 25, 2024 at 8:00 PM
    The votes are currently tied. If you haven't voted yet, now is a good time.

    Meanwhile for everyone, what are your thoughts regarding Leviathan's appearance? Feel free to throw in suggestions.
     
  • Voting
    • I associate the image of Leviathan with Levia Barisol, but perhaps the similarity of the name and profession is partly to blame for this.


     
    Personally I'm imagining something less expressionless? Perhaps something like this would work:


    Feels like it fits Leviathan's (only slightly) crazy aura with the sharp teeth. And disregard for morality in the dead eyes. Also found this for when Leviathan has to interact with her family:

     
    Actually, I'm changing my vote, simply because Mechs don't interest me as much as mad surgeons do, and we already have a merchants story that is focused around mechs. So I think that the doctor has more story to tell.

    [X] Plan Bootstraps Charismatic Surgeon
     
    Vote closed
  • Voting
    • Scheduled vote count started by JayTar on Feb 22, 2024 at 8:00 PM, finished with 41 posts and 8 votes.
    • [X] Plan Bootstraps Charismatic Surgeon
      -[X] Merits:
      --[X] Talented (Science). Pick a skill to start with a training multiplier of 1.3x in a skill. May be taken up to three times.
      --[X] Prodigy (Science). Requires Talented. Upgrades training multiplier of chosen skill to 2x.
      --[X] Talented (Medicine). Pick a skill to start with a training multiplier of 1.3x in a skill. May be taken up to three times.
      --[X] Talented (Social knowledge). Pick a skill to start with a training multiplier of 1.3x in a skill. May be taken up to three times.
      --[X] Connections. You have either one moderately important contact, or several less important ones. Specifics to be determined in a later vote. Cannot be taken with No support network.
      -[X] Detriments:
      --[X] Useless skill (Strategy and tactics). Start with a training multiplier of 0.8x in a skill. May be taken up to twice.
      --[X] Useless skill (Combat). Start with a training multiplier of 0.8x in a skill. May be taken up to twice.
      --[X] Debts. Significant debts hang over your head. To the order of 5 high dots, though other payment options may be available.
      --[X] Dust poor. Instead of starting with 5 decent dots and a basic job start with 5 poor dots and no job.
      -[X] Level 3 skills:
      --[X] Science (Biology)
      --[X] Medicine (Surgery)
      --[X] Social Knowledge (Rhetoric)
      --[X] Performance (Acting)
      --[X] Perception (Body language)
      -[X] Level 2 skills:
      --[X] Organizational knowledge (AI administrator protocols)
      --[X] Mental Fortitude (Noticing Manipulation)
      --[X] Naturalism (Foraging)
      --[X] Athletics (Running)
      -[X] Level 1 Skills
      --[X] Combat (Firearm)
      --[X] Precision (Sleight of hand)
      --[X] Vehicle handling (Bike)
      --[X] Academics (Gods)
      --[X] Teaching (Tutoring)
      [X] Plan: Full Metal Grimm
      -[X] Merits:
      --[X] Talented (Vehicle handling)
      --[X] Talented (Science)
      --[X] Prodigy (Science)
      --[X] Well-Off
      -[X] Detriments:
      --[X] Useless Skill (Naturalism)
      --[X] Useless Skill (Teaching)
      --[X] A Grudge
      -[X] Level 3 skills:
      --[X] Science (Mechanical engineering)
      --[X] Vehicle handling (Mech)
      --[X] Mental Fortitude (Noticing Manipulation)
      --[X] Social Knowledge (Rhetoric)
      -[X] Level 2 skills:
      --[X] Academics (The Gods)
      --[X] Organizational Knowledge (Domination Law)
      --[X] Combat (Improvised)
      --[X] Perception (Body language)
      --[X] Performance (Lying)
      -[X] Level 1 Skills
      --[X] Athletics (Running)
      --[X] Precision (Blacksmith)
      --[X] Naturalism (Undercity)
      --[X] Teaching (Tutoring)
      [X] Plan: Professor Ekhidna
      -[X] Merits:
      --[X] Talented (Science). Pick a skill to start with a training multiplier of 1.3x in a skill. May be taken up to three times.
      --[X] Prodigy (Science). Requires Talented. Upgrades training multiplier of chosen skill to 2x.
      --[X] Well off. Instead of starting with 5 decent dots start with 5 high dots.
      --[X] Starting weight. Start with +2 weight due to notable past actions. Small seemingly, but the earliest weight is the hardest.
      --[X] Talented (Naturalism). Pick a skill to start with a training multiplier of 1.3x in a skill. May be taken up to three times.
      -[X] Detriments:
      --[X] A grudge. Someone somewhere, you have given cause to hate your guts.
      --[X] Useless skill (Perception). Start with a training multiplier of 0.8x in a skill. May be taken up to twice.
      --[X] Useless skill (Precision). Start with a training multiplier of 0.8x in a skill. May be taken up to twice.
      --[X] No support network. Your family will be distant or non-existent. Nor will you have any friends or acquaintances willing to help. Can't be taken with Connections.
      -[X] Level 3 skills:
      --[X] Science (Biology)
      --[X] Naturalism (Animal farming)
      --[X] Medicine (Surgery)
      --[X] Performance (Intimidation)
      -[X] Level 2 skills:
      --[X] Athletics (Running)
      --[X] Teaching (Lecturing)
      --[X] Social knowledge (Public speech)
      --[X] Mental fortitude (Resisting mental pain)
      [X] Plan: No Mere Plebian
      -[X] Merits:
      --[X] Starting Weight
      --[X] Talented (Science)
      --[X] Prodigy (Science)
      --[X] Well-Off
      -[X] Detriments:
      --[X] Useless Skill (Naturalism)
      --[X] Useless Skill (Teaching)
      --[X] A Grudge
      -[X] Level 3 skills:
      --[X] Medicine (Pharmacology)
      --[X] Mental Fortitude (Noticing Manipulation)
      --[X] Science (Chemistry)
      -[X] Level 2 skills:
      --[X] Academics (The Gods)
      --[X] Combat (Firearm)
      --[X] Organizational Knowledge (Domination Law)
      --[X] Perception (People's Movements)
      --[X] Precision (Disarm Security)
      -[X] Level 1 Skills
      --[X] Athletics (Running)
      --[X] Performance (Lying)
      --[X] Social Knowledge (Rhetoric)
      --[X] Vehicle Handling (Automobile)
    Click to expand...


    And looks like we have a last minute tie breaker!
    The plan that won... Well this will be interesting.

    Not going to lie, going minimum money is going to pose some fun challenges in the early game.

    Turn post should be soon...
     
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  • Voting
    • Breaking out of poverty should give us even more weight for our successes at least. I'm glad I was able to hop in at the end and swing the vote one way or the other, I've been missing the old Merchants of Divinity.
     
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    Prologue 1
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    • Prologue 1:​

    Location: Habitation Block 17-C. Cube 3156:

    "Haha! Hey, hey Levi! Sis! Come have a look at this!" Entering your Cube you find yourself confronted by a particular nexus of annoyance. Your brother, Jörmungandr (No I won't call you Norman) Grimm.

    "Hello dearest brother. Abusing family permissions again?" Technically he was not in your Cube this time. He just moved his Cube to be directly adjacent to yours and then directed the modular walls to lower.

    "Hehe it's not my fault if you didn't change the settings~"

    DC: Trivial
    Auto pass
    You immediately pull out your phone, navigate to the habitation settings menu, find the relevant option and switch it from "Allowed" to "Request permission first".

    "Now was there a reason for your intrusion? Or shall I evict you."

    "What I can't just come visit my darling little sis?" He smiles guilelessly with that punchable face of his.

    Your finger hovers over the button to reset the walls.

    "Wait wait. Okay. Come look at this." He waves his hands and points to the holographic monitor on his desk.

    This had better not be one of his stupid jokes. You cautiously walk over, pausing for only a moment at the boundary line between rooms. On the monitor loops a short clip from a news broadcast of some sort. You watch an average looking man walk down the street. Suddenly he falls apart into a pile of vegetables. Watching closely, for a split second he seems to be both simultaneously. Like an optical illusion.

    "I don't see what is funny about this."

    "It's not really funny at all. It's rather disturbing honestly." He says still smiling. It looks hollow. "It's well, it's a cautionary tale. Contracts are dangerous business. Never forget that."

    "You think you can scare me away with some deplorable tale?" You hadn't mentioned your plans to your brother. He had figured it out anyway. He was annoying like that.

    "No. I know you are aiming for the big leagues. I can't stop you and wouldn't if I could. All I can do is help where I can." He reaches over and assaults your hair with one of his hands.

    "Unhand me you foul monkey!" You pout glower.

    "Hehe I'm going to be so proud of my little sis!"

    "Cease your pointless blathering!"

    "Make me!"

    "Why you-!"


    After your brother was fairly and justly reprimanded in a manner fully befitting of your dignity you returned to your Cube and reset the walls.

    The faint hum of the hover rails moving your Cube to a more favorable location forms a backdrop as you examine the item you appropriated from your brother. A memory stick.

    Plugging it in and checking the readme, you find a short message from your brother.

    "Hey sis, just some links to get you started!"

    Below are a collection of Archive links to various informational resources related to contracting. Nothing specific to any gods, but a good general overview with adequate data. As good as could be expected from publicly available sources.

    You don't sulk.

    At the very least this will save the few minutes it would have taken to find these on your own. You knew you tolerated your brother for some reason.

    The only thing left was to decide how you were going to take on the world.


    First you must research the god. Dedicated research can give information on the god, and what contracts they offer.
    Every god has some set of non-trivial actions that must be done to draw their attention. The exact difficulty depends on the god and the situation, but most gods will require multi-turn effort to contact.

    Once you have done enough research and drawn their attention, they will appear to you in a vision, and offer you their first contract.
    Contractor's name: name of the god this contract belongs to.

    Stars: the Total Weight you gain by the act of signing it. Also affects consequences of breaking it or failing it.

    Black/white means you must adhere to what is written to the letter. Blue means you must adhere it to the spirit. Red means your nature will fundamentally change according to the letter of the contract. Purple means your nature will fundamentally change according to the spirit of the contract. Green means that you have to fulfill the conditions, to the letter, and then you get to enjoy the benefits with no further cost. Yellow means that you have to fulfill the conditions, and then you get to enjoy the benefits with no further cost.

    Signature: empty until you accept, then has your name.

    Yellow and Green contracts do not provide weight until they have been completed.
    If you break a contract:

    1) You lose all benefits it granted, including the Total Weight you gained from it.
    2) You lose additional Total Weight equal to the Total Weight it initially granted. If you say break a 2 star contract, you will lose 4 weight in total. Having your Weight reduced to 0 kills you.
    3) If the contract has a cost, you are still affected by its cost for turns equal to (Contract stars^2) turns. So a 1 dot contract affects you for 1 turn, a 2 dot contract for 4, a 3 dot contract for 9, etc. The god in question has some degree of influence over how exactly the cost expresses.
    4) Immediately take (Stars+1)d(Stars+3) damage. So 2d4 for a 1 star contract. 3D5 for a 2 star. Etc. If your HP is reduced to zero you die or get hit by consequences of the god's choice. (Not necessarily death, it depends on the god. But even if it isn't quest-wrecking, expect massive issues)
    5) You make the god angry. Exact reaction depends on the god. Most will refuse any future contracts. Some may send their followers after you or invest time/energy in trying to kill you.

    If a god breaks a contract with you, you keep all the benefits, can lose the costs, and gain the weight you would have lost via breaking it. This also hurts the god in question.
    The social consequences depend entirely on the situation. If it was your fault the god broke the contract they will likely be extremely angry. If it was not, reasonable gods will not be angry and may even apologize.
    Contracts may also be ended by mutual agreement by both parties. You lose all benefits and costs, with no further consequences.
    Each turn you have a number of AP and TAP determined by your weight. You start with 10 AP, and gain +1 per 5 weight. Your TAP is 1+AP/3.
    Each turn AP may be spent to take actions, and TAP may be spent do to do training.

    TAP may be assigned in the format of:
    -[] Skill training (Trainer) (Skill or Skill (Specialty)) (x TAP)

    Each TAP spent rolls a number and type of dice dependent on your weight, and grants you that much exp to the chosen skill or specialty. Using a trainer increases this number of dice. Using good facilities may increase the size of the dice.
    By default these dice are 3d3 per TAP.

    The exp gained is multiplied by your training rate before it is applied.

    So for example:
    -[] Skill training (Jörmungandr Grimm) (Social knowledge) (3 TAP)

    Would result in rolling (3+3)d3 * 3 = 18d3 dice.
    Say the dice are rolled and the sum is 31. You then gain 31*1.3= 40.3= 40 exp to Social knowledge.

    Turn actions:
    You have 4 TAP and 10 AP:

    Current assets:
    5 poor dots.
    1 Basic Habitation Cube.
    The clothes on your back.
    A box of your old school junk.

    Current expenses:
    Debt repayment - 1 decent dot per turn. ERROR CREDITS NOT FOUND
    Nutrient paste - 1 poor dot per turn.

    Training:
    Available trainers:
    Jörmungandr Grimm: Can train Organizational knowledge (AI administrator protocols) and Social knowledge (???) along with their respective general skills. Provides +3 dice.

    Format:
    -[] Skill training (Trainer) (Skill or Skill (Specialty)) (x TAP)


    Money:
    [] Find a job. You desperately need money. It's going to suck. Maybe there some other solution you can figure out? (2 AP)
    [] Food: You aren't technically starving. But eating only nutrient paste long term is going to cause problems. Figure out a solution. (2 AP)
    [] Loan: Your finances are dire. You need to figure out what is going on with your loan, before something much worse happens. (1 AP)


    Social:
    [] Family: As annoying as your brother is, maybe you should see what he is up to? (3 AP)
    [] Old man Jack: Near the entrance to your Habitation block sits a old man. He sits there all day, always preforming some sort of hand craft. Whittling. Knitting. You should go give him a peace of your mind about such a shameful display! (3 AP)


    Personal:
    [] Lab. Science. You need it. It will be a tight fit, but you should be able to squeeze the bare basics into your Cube. If you cut a few corners. Cost: 5 2 Poor dots. Gain poor quality lab. Reveal crafting rules. (1 AP)


    Exploration:
    [] Explore the city: The city contains many strange wonders. Some are even useful. Go out and find them. (2 AP)
    [] Dive deeper: Beneath the city there are countless forgotten places. Some may even contain treasures. Go out and find them (3 AP)


    Gods Research. Roll Academics (Gods) to learn more about the god and what contracts they offer:
    [] Doctor Infinium – The Mad scientist. The obvious choice. You just need to review your notes. You know you left them here somewhere. (1 AP)
    [] Professor Tweed – The Teacher. Hmph. Probably a waste of time. (4 AP)
    [] Steve – The Builder. Dispute the unfortunate association with (ugh) manual labor, you can see the merit in a god of building grand works. (4 AP)
    [] MD Old Bones - The Physician. A medical doctor is still a doctor you suppose. (4 AP)

    [] Perhaps there are some other gods you could look into? (4 AP)
    You have no use for second rate gods.


    [] Write in. Perhaps there is something else? (?? AP)

    AN: The very first turn! Vote by plan. Ask any questions!
    Haven't forgotten the Connections, hopefully will work it in organically in the next few updates.
     
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    • [X] Plan: Money, loans and gods.
    -[X] Skill training (Academics) (4 TAP)
    -[X] Find a job. You desperately need money. It's going to suck. Maybe there some other solution you can figure out? (2 AP)
    -[X] Food: You aren't technically starving. But eating only nutrient paste long term is going to cause problems. Figure out a solution. (2 AP)
    -[X] Loan: Your finances are dire. You need to figure out what is going on with your loan, before something much worse happens. (1 AP)
    -[X] Doctor Infinium – The Mad scientist. The obvious choice. You just need to review your notes. You know you left them here somewhere. (1 AP)
    -[X] MD Old Bones - The Physician. A medical doctor is still a doctor you suppose. (4 AP)
    Here are the three most pressing things for us.

    JayTar The character sheet has not been updated and there are no rules for training skills in the manual.
     
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    Added training rules:
    Each turn you have a number of AP and TAP determined by your weight. You start with 10 AP, and gain +1 per 5 weight. Your TAP is 1+AP/3.
    Each turn AP may be spent to take actions, and TAP may be spent do to do training.

    TAP may be assigned in the format of:
    -[] Skill training (Trainer) (Skill or Skill (Specialty)) (x TAP)

    Each TAP spent rolls a number and type of dice dependent on your weight, and grants you that much exp to the chosen skill or specialty. Using a trainer increases this number of dice. Using good facilities may increase the size of the dice.
    By default these dice are 3d3 per TAP.

    The exp gained is multiplied by your training rate before it is applied.

    So for example:
    -[] Skill training (Jörmungandr Grimm) (Social knowledge) (3 TAP)

    Would result in rolling (3+3)d3 * 3 = 18d3 dice.
    Say the dice are rolled and the sum is 31. You then gain 31*1.3= 40.3= 40 exp to Social knowledge.

    Of note for those returning from the original Merchants of Divinity, I added a tutorial/clarification:
    JayTar said:
    First you must research the god. Dedicated research can give information on the god, and what contracts they offer.
    Every god has some set of non-trivial actions that must be done to draw their attention. The exact difficulty depends on the god and the situation, but most gods will require multi-turn effort to contact.

    Once you have done enough research and drawn their attention, they will appear to you in a vision, and offer you their first contract.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Leviathan does not have Roland's beacon cheats. All the currently available options are just to research the gods.
     
    [X] Plan Counting Chickens
    -[X] Skill training (Academics) (4 TAP)
    -[X] Find a job. You desperately need money. It's going to suck. Maybe there some other solution you can figure out? (2 AP)
    -[X] Loan: Your finances are dire. You need to figure out what is going on with your loan, before something much worse happens. (1 AP)
    -[X] Family: As annoying as your brother is, maybe you should see what he is up to? (3 AP)
    -[X] Old man Jack: Near the entrance to your Habitation block sits a old man. He sits there all day, always preforming some sort of hand craft. Whittling. Knitting. You should go give him a peace of your mind about such a shameful display! (3 AP)
    -[X] Lab. Science. You need it. It will be a tight fit, but you should be able to squeeze the bare basics into your Cube. If you cut a few corners. Cost: 5 2 Poor dots. Gain poor quality lab. Reveal crafting rules. (1 AP)

    Don't know if not researching the Gods now and building the lab while in debt is the right play, but going for it. Training Academics because that's the lowest hanging fruit that will be immediately relevant whenever we research the Gods. Burning on Socials to see if there's any potential Trainers there.
     
    Starman said:
    Don't know if not researching the Gods now and building the lab while in debt is the right play, but going for it.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Contracts will impose arbitrary restrictions on us, so it's better to immediately find out what they will be in order to make long-term plans. Well, besides, we are in a city where Darwinian principles reign and above all, the result is appreciated, contracts are a chance to quickly get ahead and the sooner it is done, the more impressive it will be.
     
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