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Cast-Offs of Divinity - A Merchants of Divinity Quest
- Thread starter JayTar
- Start date
- Sci-Fi Fantasy
JayTar
Idea briefcase
It is 100% just her opinion. The Unreliable Narrator tag exists for a reason. Leviathan blatantly lies several times during this update. Mostly for humorous effect, but her opinions will sneak in elsewhere too.
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[X] Plan: Money, loans and better 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] Professor Tweed – The Teacher. Hmph. Probably a waste of time. (4 AP)
-[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] Professor Tweed – The Teacher. Hmph. Probably a waste of time. (4 AP)
I don't quite understand this formula.
That is, in our case, when we invest 4 tap in the Academy, it will be equal.
(4+3)d3 * 4 = 28d3
- Location
- Texas
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[x] Plan: Money, loans and gods.
JayTar
Idea briefcase
You can split your TAP investment between multiple skills. The given example was if you invested 3 TAP into training a skill with a +3 trainer.
In the case of 4 TAP into academics this turn, you would get:
4*3d3=12d3 exp.
There is no +3 or like because you don't currently have a trainer for it.
Now admittedly it wouldn't be that hard to get a trainer for it... if you had any money.
Vote timer notice
JayTar
Idea briefcase
Practically it is more of a soft cap then a hard cap. Later contracts will become increasingly difficult. Requiring increasing dedication/increasingly difficult deeds. The true total number of contracts a god could in theory offer is larger then is relevant for the current scope of things.
They might be slow to offer later contracts at a certain point if they don't like you enough. That theoretical point is also a good deal in the future too though. Unless you do something to make some particular god angry.
Overall it's not something to be concerned with right now. We can revisit it when you get 6+ contracts in a single god.
What is the difference between primary and secondary gods? Is this the official separation of the gods? Is there a difference in their gifts, which are provided by the primary and secondary gods?
Does religion even exist in this world in the usual sense of the word as a system of organized cults with its own scriptures, rituals and moral imperatives?
Does magic exist outside of what contracts grant?
Is a component of fame or actual influence necessary to gain Weight from influencing the world?
For example, if we secretly changed the ecosystem of an entire continent, would we gain as much weight as if we made a scientific discovery that would affect only our city?
- Location
- Texas
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I don't know if its going to be different for thread than it was in the orignial merchants but here's what it was like in that story:
1. Calling other gods "second rate" was a character flourish rather than a technical description, the only gods which are actively more powerful in this multiverse are the 13, none of which are listed among the gods we could contact.
2. Was variable in the previous world and is likely variable here, but I can't comment on this world.
3. This is also variable based on the world which we are in, different worlds have different inherent magics or none at all, and some can be carried over between worlds.
4. From what I understand of weight, the level of renown you have matters less than the metaphorical weight of your actions. You can be practically unknown and have massive weight think of a manipulator in the shadows.
JayTar
Idea briefcase
French Cowboy largely has the right of it, but to give my word on it:
1) At your level, what gods are considered first rate or second rate is entirely a matter of opinion and culture. One god might be more powerful then another, but it is like telling an ant that an aircraft carrier is more powerful then a battleship.
2) Organized religions may or may not exist. Nothing prevents it, and some gods may encourage it. But you haven't seen any yet.
3) It depends on exactly how you define "magic". If you define it as "methods by which you can exploit the laws of the world into generating powerful effects" then well, is science not a type of magic then?
On the other hand Weight is also a sort of magic if you look at it right. In truth the weight mechanics are heavily simplified. Get enough and it can be used for many things, up to even defying the very Laws of the world. In theory you could learn to fly, just because you learned to tell the Law of gravity "NO".
4) Fame can give you weight (since becoming widely renowned is after all notable) but it isn't necessary for weight.
Scale isn't the only determiner of weight gained from an action. "Importance" and "Directness" are also factors. It depends.
I should mention that the exact specifics of weight are not known in character or by the general public. A general level of correlation has been established between "take a bunch of contracts" and "Become more generally competent at everything, even things that aren't related." (Mainly through a number of high level case studies).
People knowledgeable in the field might also speculate that a like effect is present in those who achieve great success without taking large numbers of contracts (As rare as they are). But no causation has been proven.
So any action intending to farm weight would need to be justified in character. Admittedly Leviathan's personality does leave a rather large allowance for "Doing it JUST TO PROVE I CAN". But even she will question the merits of causing some sort of large scale change and then not claiming credit. Not unless it also achieves some other goal.
1) At your level, what gods are considered first rate or second rate is entirely a matter of opinion and culture. One god might be more powerful then another, but it is like telling an ant that an aircraft carrier is more powerful then a battleship.
2) Organized religions may or may not exist. Nothing prevents it, and some gods may encourage it. But you haven't seen any yet.
3) It depends on exactly how you define "magic". If you define it as "methods by which you can exploit the laws of the world into generating powerful effects" then well, is science not a type of magic then?
On the other hand Weight is also a sort of magic if you look at it right. In truth the weight mechanics are heavily simplified. Get enough and it can be used for many things, up to even defying the very Laws of the world. In theory you could learn to fly, just because you learned to tell the Law of gravity "NO".
4) Fame can give you weight (since becoming widely renowned is after all notable) but it isn't necessary for weight.
Scale isn't the only determiner of weight gained from an action. "Importance" and "Directness" are also factors. It depends.
I should mention that the exact specifics of weight are not known in character or by the general public. A general level of correlation has been established between "take a bunch of contracts" and "Become more generally competent at everything, even things that aren't related." (Mainly through a number of high level case studies).
People knowledgeable in the field might also speculate that a like effect is present in those who achieve great success without taking large numbers of contracts (As rare as they are). But no causation has been proven.
So any action intending to farm weight would need to be justified in character. Admittedly Leviathan's personality does leave a rather large allowance for "Doing it JUST TO PROVE I CAN". But even she will question the merits of causing some sort of large scale change and then not claiming credit. Not unless it also achieves some other goal.
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- Location
- Sweden
The JoJo method of flight I see.
Vote closed
Ahh can't believe I missed out character creation, the original quest was awesome and I'm really glad a few spinoffs have sprouted since then (what with it being dead).
And sometimes you just need training wheel in the shape of walkie talkies.
Prologue 2.1
JayTar
Idea briefcase
Prologue 2.1:
[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)
-[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)
You pace back and forth within your Cube. Three steps forward. Turn. Three steps back. Just barely enough space for it with everything in storage mode.
Four walls. One door. Two air vents. One bed, currently folded against the wall. One desk and chair, currently folded against the wall. One basic holographic display. One basic phone, currently connected to the display.
A prison cell? Or final refuge. One last island of safety, being eroded by tides of debt and poverty.
No, you will not stand for it. Even if the floor crumbles you will build stairs beneath your very feet. You have everything you need.
Your pride demands no less.
Training alone: 3d3 per TAP
4 TAP spent.
12d3 = [3, 3, 1, 3, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 1] = 25 Academics leveled to 2 (0/125)
4 TAP spent.
12d3 = [3, 3, 1, 3, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 1] = 25 Academics leveled to 2 (0/125)
With manic fervor you tear through your school things. Somewhere in here is your old notebook.
… Ah you didn't remember it being quite so-
With the care and precision of dissecting a cadaver you pick up the notebook and flip it open. Making sure not to get any pink glitter on your hands.
Academics 2 + Gods 1 = 3 dice
3d6= [2, 3, 1, 3, 1, 1] = 11
DC: 5/10/20/40 for Attention/1st/2nd/3rd Contract.
3d6= [2, 3, 1, 3, 1, 1] = 11
DC: 5/10/20/40 for Attention/1st/2nd/3rd Contract.
You find your notes on Doctor Infinium. The god of mad science. One of the most well known gods in the Dominion of Tom. Anyone with an ounce of ambition dreams of being a renowned scientist.
By complete coincidence you share a number of personality traits in common with those known to be favored by the god.
Strangely, you can't seem to find anything relating to how the god looks, except the vaguest generalities.
Code:
To gain Doctor Infinium's attention you will need to complete a worthy science project. One with at least a total AP cost of 30. To do this you will of course need a lab.
At least a professional level of scientific skill (3 in general + 3 in a specialty) is required. Fortunately you already possess such.
The project must be for entirely self centered reasons. You must be doing it for no reason greater then because you can. You will need an idea.
Once you start the project you must work on it every turn until it is done.A transcription their first contract is also easy to find:
Doctor Infinium
**
You, the contracted, must spend at least 1 action a week on inventing or experimenting. In exchange Unshackle Your Inspiration!
___________
**
You, the contracted, must spend at least 1 action a week on inventing or experimenting. In exchange Unshackle Your Inspiration!
___________
Reviewing case studies shows a clear pattern. A cycle of time active in the field, and of great bursts of progress on their inventions. Creating things that would take months or years for anyone else in just weeks.
Once you have the contract, doing various mad scientist things (Like proving your superiority or reverse engineering novel technology) will grant points of inspiration. You may then spend a number of points of inspiration when starting a crafting project to divide the total AP cost by the number of spent points.
Academics 2 + Gods 1 = 3 dice
3d6=[2, 3, 3, 2, 2, 1] = 13
DC: 5/10/20/40 for Attention/1st/2nd/3rd Contract.
3d6=[2, 3, 3, 2, 2, 1] = 13
DC: 5/10/20/40 for Attention/1st/2nd/3rd Contract.
MD Old Bones requires a bit more digging. You spin up an Archive browser and get to it, taking notes in your only notebook. A summery leads to a transcription of an interview which is then compared against an obscure database and a series of old journals.
Piece by piece a picture forms.
Code:
To gain MD Old Bones' attention you need to spend 20 consecutive AP practicing medicine to help people.
At least a professional level of medical skill (3 in general + 3 in a specialty) is required. Fortunately you already possess such.
It must be done altruistically. No payment or favors may be accepted.His first contract is:
MD Old Bones
****
First, do no harm upon your patients. In exchange you gain supernaturally increased emotional resilience.
______________
****
First, do no harm upon your patients. In exchange you gain supernaturally increased emotional resilience.
______________
Through your research you get the impression that Doctor Infinium's first contract is a common type of cost used by many gods. MD Old Bones breaks from this practice.
MD Old Bones' first contract must be something he feels very strongly on.
By the time you set down your notebook it is time for you to eat. Not by the constant pangs of hunger, but by the timer you set to ensure you were consuming the medically required number of calories.
You
Your medical aptitude meant you knew the long term complications you were risking. The paste was missing several nutrients essential for humans, taking a toll on your body. Not to mention the mental strain of consuming nothing but tasteless paste. Obviously you need to fix this. You consider your options and grimace. Without money you weren't going to get far.
[] Stay as is.
Costs 1 poor dot per turn. Every turn will inflict a -1 penalty to all mental and physical rolls and a -0.05x penalty to training physical skills until a proper diet is resumed.
[] Add in vitamin supplements and flavoring agents.
Costs 3 poor dots per turn. Every other turn will inflict a -1 penalty to all mental rolls until a proper diet is resumed.
[] Creative dumpster diving
Costs 1 AP per turn. Exact results dependent on Survival (Foraging) roll, but should have no negative effects so long as you roll decently.
[] Proper packaged meals – Cheap and produced for mass consumption, they taste like utopia on your tongue.
Costs 2 low dots per turn. No negative effects.
Haha no you can't afford that right now.
The next problem was your debt. A big problem. If you had money you could at least start paying it off. Enough to prevent it from going to collections. If you had assets perhaps they could fill the hole. You don't.
Organizational knowledge 2 + AI administrator protocols 2 = 4 dice
4d6=[1, 1, 4, 2, 1, 4]=13
DC: 10/15/20 for 1/2/3 turn grace period.
4d6=[1, 1, 4, 2, 1, 4]=13
DC: 10/15/20 for 1/2/3 turn grace period.
Your command of the cities systems bought you time. Your scientific education and talents made you eligible for a small grace period. One week. By the end of next week you would need to start paying. Or else. Failure to pay would result in getting progressively shut out of the cities systems. Information. Transportation. The additional burdens caused by this would be the first steps in a death spiral leading to exile, or worse.
You needed money now.
Fortunately you had options.
[] Tutoring (Requires a combined Teaching+tutoring of 3)
There is always a market for tutoring. At your skill level you won't be making a great deal, but with work you can tread water at least.
Pay: 3-5 low dots per 2 AP tutoring session. May repeat multiple times per turn. Pay may increase with higher teaching skill.
[] Test subject: (Risky)
Technically an option available to any resident of the city, only the most desperate or reckless would consider it. Volunteer for the cities most risky and unhinged experiments.
Pay: 1 decent dot per 1 AP test. May repeat multiple times per turn. Random rolls for severity. On the low end may gain minor negative conditions. On the high end may gain major negative conditions, or even be placed in life threatening circumstances.
[] Shady lab work. (Uses Connections)
No reputable lab would hire you on short notice. No reputable lab would have your predecessors notes end so abruptly. Looking down at the samples of human flesh, you wonder if your predecessor is among them.
Pay: 1.5 decent dots per 3 AP. Once per turn. ??? risks. Connections to a shady lab.
[] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
You didn't expect to come across a posse of kids half way to bleeding out in a back alley. They were very thankful for your help, and curious if you were available for future consultations. Learning that they were mercenaries on their way back from a bad job wasn't even a surprise, but their eclectic collection of augmentations and modifications did make you raise an eyebrow.
Pay: 1-3 decent dots per 2 AP. Once per turn, may be expanded with networking. May be special jobs available. Connections to a shady mercenary team.
AN: And so, the scope of the problem is revealed to you. If you don't pick either of the options that use Connections I will have to figure out something for it later.
Dust Poor + Debts + The Dominion of Tom was perhaps one of the most challenging start combinations possible. You start practically two steps from a cliff. It is fortunate that Connections, and some of your other starting choices provide outs.
Technically you can mix and match money making methods, but this vote is for which one you pursue this turn. Whichever you pick, you will gain one turn of wages immediately.
5 low dots for tutoring, 1 decent dot for test subject. 1.5 decent dots for Shady lab work. 3 Decent dots for Back alley doctor.
Choices with variable pay will in the future depend on skill rolls and other choices you make.
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[X] Creative dumpster diving
[X] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
Met those kids while dumpster diving. It all adds up. Leviathan really is a bleeding heart. Also, can just spend an extra AP per turn for the same amount of work as shady science and work towards Old Bones' blessing. Pays more on average than the other options as well. and grants reputation. and if the mercenaries make big, some of the weight might rub off on us.
[X] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
Met those kids while dumpster diving. It all adds up. Leviathan really is a bleeding heart. Also, can just spend an extra AP per turn for the same amount of work as shady science and work towards Old Bones' blessing. Pays more on average than the other options as well. and grants reputation. and if the mercenaries make big, some of the weight might rub off on us.
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- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Creative dumpster diving
[X] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
Watching Leviathan run mental circles around herself justifying the decision to get MD Old Bones' attention sounds hilarious to me, I want to see it. Probably not what the god intended it to be used for, but increased emotional resilience sounds like it could be useful in helping Leviathan not screw herself over with the pride, thin skin, or stress issues it sounds like she has, and her strict ethics code means that she might not necessarily have that much of an issue with not harming her patients. And later contracts would probably have more straightforwardly useful benefits; the god seems like the sort to make sure his contractees stick with a minimum level of moral fiber/dedication before giving them anything more. Only real issue is that she is very very poor right now, and not in a position to be working for free like he wants. So maybe someday.
[X] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
Watching Leviathan run mental circles around herself justifying the decision to get MD Old Bones' attention sounds hilarious to me, I want to see it. Probably not what the god intended it to be used for, but increased emotional resilience sounds like it could be useful in helping Leviathan not screw herself over with the pride, thin skin, or stress issues it sounds like she has, and her strict ethics code means that she might not necessarily have that much of an issue with not harming her patients. And later contracts would probably have more straightforwardly useful benefits; the god seems like the sort to make sure his contractees stick with a minimum level of moral fiber/dedication before giving them anything more. Only real issue is that she is very very poor right now, and not in a position to be working for free like he wants. So maybe someday.
- Location
- France
[X] Creative dumpster diving
[X] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
[X] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Creative dumpster diving
[X] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
[X] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
How much does she need to pay?
(To keep up with interest)
JayTar
Idea briefcase
Since Survival (Foraging) didn't fully make sense in the context of a city, I've partly reinterpreted it into something more like scavenging. Dumpster diving. Digging out hidden loot caches. Etc.
I'm curious on people's feedback on how I've been doing so far. Both new and returning.
Glad to see you (and everyone from the old quest) here!
I'm curious on people's feedback on how I've been doing so far. Both new and returning.
1 decent dot per turn:
Big fan of how it's going so Far! Which probably isn't too surprising considering Leviathan was my suggested protagonist.
It was a very far-sighted decision on our part to develop academic skills, which helped us to pass the second milestone with two gods at once.
I liked Infinium, it understands the dull part of science should be thrown in the trash and just have fun. We can do this by speeding up our research many times with the help of inspiration.
MD OldBones caused the opposite feelings. I immediately wanted to say no to him, but I need to clarify one point.
JayTar Are those on whom we conduct experiments considered our patients?
[X] Proper packaged meals
[X] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
I also found the moment with pink sequins funny, and for some reason I am absolutely sure that in childhood Leviathan imagined that it was the pollen of death that would kill anyone who wanted to read her notebook without asking.
I liked Infinium, it understands the dull part of science should be thrown in the trash and just have fun. We can do this by speeding up our research many times with the help of inspiration.
MD OldBones caused the opposite feelings. I immediately wanted to say no to him, but I need to clarify one point.
JayTar Are those on whom we conduct experiments considered our patients?
[X] Proper packaged meals
[X] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
Everything is pretty good so far. It will be interesting to see how you depict Leviathan committing their atrocities, whether she will also be childishly spontaneous or switch to a more serious mode.
I also found the moment with pink sequins funny, and for some reason I am absolutely sure that in childhood Leviathan imagined that it was the pollen of death that would kill anyone who wanted to read her notebook without asking.
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- Location
- Sweden
I mean, reasonably speaking the very definition of a patient is someone who is receiving medical treatment, so while I'm not necessarily for unethical experimentation, it should be fine as long as we don't actually intend to treat them, just experiment.