Good night guys. See you in the morning we delve into the final level of Perdition's edge, hopefully free a spirit of industry and battle whatever may dwell there.
"And so, the nascent Demon Empress shattered the home of her greatest rival, bringing hope to the hopeless slaves of the Wicked City, tearing from Mikaboshi's hold the spirit of human industry both literally and metaphorically, challenging not only his claim to the throne of the Demon Emperor but also his claim to the ferromancy of human ingenuity, his assertion that the future was his..."
I wonder if what we're doing here will actually damage Mikaboshi's power base in ways not limited to 'setting his literal power base on fire'. Sure he's not Fae, but symbols are a powerful thing in Dresden Files. It's entirely possible what we're doing right now will have mystics and seers worldwide notice something, similar to how everybody knew something happened when the Fivefold Courts came into being.
"And so, the nascent Demon Empress shattered the home of her greatest rival, bringing hope to the hopeless slaves of the Wicked City, tearing from Mikaboshi's hold the spirit of human industry both literally and metaphorically, challenging not only his claim to the throne of the Demon Emperor but also his claim to the ferromancy of human ingenuity, his assertion that the future was his..."
I wonder if what we're doing here will actually damage Mikaboshi's power base in ways not limited to 'setting his literal power base on fire'. Sure he's not Fae, but symbols are a powerful thing in Dresden Files. It's entirely possible what we're doing right now will have mystics and seers worldwide notice something, similar to how everybody knew something happened when the Fivefold Courts came into being.
I wonder if what we're doing here will actually damage Mikaboshi's power base in ways not limited to 'setting his literal power base on fire'. Sure he's not Fae, but symbols are a powerful thing in Dresden Files. It's entirely possible what we're doing right now will have mystics and seers worldwide notice something, similar to how everybody knew something happened when the Fivefold Courts came into being.
I am fairly sure that the only other attack comparable to what we are doing was Hanuman nuking Lanka. This should well knock him out of the competition for Demon Emperor for centuries at least, if not completely.
If we are taking them with us let's maximize our chances so he doesn't become a burden. As Lash said they won't be able to keep up. If we end up picking up more people we'd want more lifting power for MHM aswell, could also better use it to pull apart obstacles.
Also loot.
If we have the lift capacity, we can literally pick up a couple tons of stuff as we leave.
Especially if it looks like it was essential to the functioning of this place. Or a library, or a bunch of yangstones.
I am fairly sure that the only other attack comparable to what we are doing was Hanuman nuking Lanka. This should well knock him out of the competition for Demon Emperor for centuries at least, if not completely.
Its Mikaboshi.
He built the Wicked City and became a Yama King after being chased out of Japan where he'd built a smaller magic empire.
He survived, and arguably surpassed, both Emma O and Pika Don.
If there's anyone who will survive this sort of issue with most of his power intact, its him.
One of the biggest reasons Mikaboshi was first among peers was that he focused on the future, as the Wicked City shows. He was the only one doing so, and so his rivals were busy dividing the pie and weakening each other while he got a whole new pie all to himself.
No longer. Molly and the FCoF, along with this mission, have effectively broken his monopoly on 'modern' Hells. If he were a god it'll be like going from the only god of Death to being one of several, splitting his domain and power and influence immensely. He's gonna be pissed when he realizes how pissing off Molly resulted in him losing decades if not centuries of accumulated power and progress.
Its Mikaboshi.
He built the Wicked City and became a Yama King after being chased out of Japan where he'd built a smaller magic empire.
He survived, and arguably surpassed, both Emma O and Pika Don.
If there's anyone who will survive this sort of issue with most of his power intact, its him.
We can actually keep him down. Buy Broadcast announcement prana, come back, possibly with a splendor for boosts, and make some inspiring speeches. Wicked City, which he tied himself to, is built on certain flows of chi. He can't (easily or without consequence) disentangle himself from said city. By changing the city we might even change him.
Also, we should do something highly public that helps / improves lives of our allies and/or subjects. We have shown that we retaliate brutally against those that attack what we perceive as our interests or allies. We now need to demonstrate that we reward very generously who instead choose to help us.
One of the biggest reasons Mikaboshi was first among peers was that he focused on the future, as the Wicked City shows. He was the only one doing so, and so his rivals were busy dividing the pie and weakening each other while he got a whole new pie all to himself.
No longer. Molly and the FCoF, along with this mission, have effectively broken his monopoly on 'modern' Hells. If he were a god it'll be like going from the only god of Death to being one of several, splitting his domain and power and influence immensely. He's gonna be pissed when he realizes how pissing off Molly resulted in him losing decades if not centuries of accumulated power and progress.
To be fair, just Molly and Sanctuary existing would have broken his monopoly anyway.
That said, I will point out that he's one of only a handful of Yama Kings who were human, and remember what its like.
He used to control a significant portion of Japan, and set up the Wicked City from scratch.
He undoubtedly has experience with rebellious subjects.
I expect this to put a serious crimp in his style, but Im not really of the belief that this will set him back centuries or even decades. He's not Ravana, he's not going to retreat and sulk.
We can actually keep him down. Buy Broadcast announcement prana, come back, possibly with a splendor for boosts, and make some inspiring speeches. Wicked City, which he tied himself to, is built on certain flows of chi. He can't (easily or without consequence) disentangle himself from said city. By changing the city we might even change him.
Also, we should do something highly public that helps / improves lives of our allies and/or subjects. We have shown that we retaliate brutally against those that attack what we perceive as our interests or allies. We now need to demonstrate that we reward very generously who instead choose to help us.
Nobody here, not even Solars, can quite pull off the bullshit brainwashing that Solar social charms were able to achieve in 2E.
And frankly, while Yomi Wan is a significant portion of the Infernal mythos in ExWoD, in this Dresdenverse AU we have bigger, more pressing problems than harassing a Yama King.
That whole rebel thing that we voted into the backstory of our Hell hasnt been addressed, for example.
Or the ongoing Vampire War.
Or Peabody.
I dont see why.
Molly feeds and cares for a small community of outcasts; she doesnt make a public production of it, but anyone who is anyone definitely knows about it. Emma-O's agents knew about it, and they literally came from across the world.
Molly's principal contribution to the lives of her lesser allies is the persistent security umbrella of a heavy hitter intimately concerned with their safety from supernatural threat. Which allows them to go about their business, even approach other supernaturals, in safety. Most of them arent asking for more than that.
I dont see why.
Molly feeds and cares for a small community of outcasts; she doesnt make a public production of it, but anyone who is anyone definitely knows about it. Emma-O's agents knew about it, and they literally came from across the world.
Molly's principal contribution to the lives of her lesser allies is the persistent security umbrella of a heavy hitter intimately concerned with their safety from supernatural threat. Which allows them to go about their business, even approach other supernaturals, in safety. Most of them arent asking for more than that.
Because we are very rapidly moving into big boy politics. Not just a "wandering xianxia master who slaughters evils" type either. Actual, genuine big boy politics with stuff like dealing with the economy, and having military exchanges, and drafting treaties, and inciting rebellions.
And in that light, we don't want to be perceived as only a rogue state- a walking disaster that can only be avoided. When we arrive into town we don't want everyone to hide. We want to have people and factions wanting to cooperate with us, wanting to genuinely help us. This is why we need to show both that hostility will be punished, which we are doing now, and that cooperation will be rewarded, which we have been doing with LoC somewhat, but need to do more, and in a much more public way.
He used to control a significant portion of Japan, and set up the Wicked City from scratch.
He undoubtedly has experience with rebellious subjects.
I expect this to put a serious crimp in his style, but Im not really of the belief that this will set him back centuries or even decades. He's not Ravana, he's not going to retreat and sulk.
Having had rebel subjects before is very different from having an artifact weapon goading endless numbers into it. The circumstances are too different and handling some unknown rebels for an unknown period of time isn't justification for the idea that he's hyper competent in this area.
I've been slowly jumping between Arcs reading this story, would it be convenient for you to list the favours/tasks we owe people in the same place we have favours people owe us? (Right now I can't tell what we still owe Odin to do)
It would make it a lot easier for me to try and speculate on long term tasks and our progress or lack thereof, perhaps for XP allocation when this Arc ends. Thanks!
Because we are very rapidly moving into big boy politics. Not just a "wandering xianxia master who slaughters evils" type either. Actual, genuine big boy politics with stuff like dealing with the economy, and having military exchanges, and drafting treaties, and inciting rebellions.
And in that light, we don't want to be perceived as only a rogue state- a walking disaster that can only be avoided. When we arrive into town we don't want everyone to hide. We want to have people and factions wanting to cooperate with us, wanting to genuinely help us. This is why we need to show both that hostility will be punished, which we are doing now, and that cooperation will be rewarded, which we have been doing with LoC somewhat, but need to do more, and in a much more public way.
The key to being a normal state over a rogue one is consistency. Having normal relationships and being reachable for comment by your peers does more than grand gestures to your own people.
Some intelligence sharing meetings where we spread what Mikaboshi was trying to do and what we did to him in response, which I thought we were already planning to do, fill that role better.
"Stay out of trouble. Sheathe that," you motion at the demon arm as Tiffany translates. At the flash of worry passing over the bone white face once she's done you add: "As a best you can."
Breathe in air, polluted-poisoned, breathe out essence will-manifest. No sooner had your newest ally withdrawn the worst of the cutting surfaces for tools only moderately alarming, that you deftly pick him up in an unseen grip from among his fallen fellows and press on. He does not prove too heavy, not at all, the act of lifting helping you respite. From darkness he was stolen, in darkness yet he dwells, but darkness need not be his... the thought passes you by in the rush of corridors straight and oblique.
Lost 2 Essence (MHM and Excelency) -> Now at 10/15
Regain 2 Essence (Urge of the Forbidden) -> Now at 12/15
Lost 1 Willpower -> Now at 7/9 (ATB)
Alas neither surprise nor luck can carry you forever. On sub-level nineteen of the fortress amid a maintenance gallery tall enough to fit the whole of Notre Dame inside of is that you hear the screech of twisting metal not behind you but above.
"Intruders, know that your lives and souls are forfeit under the All-Revealing Light of the Dread Star" The sound booms from every corner of the structure, loud enough to rupture unenhanced humans eardrums. "Surrender.... Surrender... Surr....ender!"
The command comes in Doppler-warped waves as diving out of the blackness above on anti gravity platforms a trio of Wardens arrive, each garbed in sleek black armor, not a mote of dust on it. Sleek too are the drones flying on wings like knives at their side each looking for a target, under-slung guns pivoting on joints of blackened bone.
Chained to the corners of each platform are three gobs of polished grey stone, hematite some corner of your mind notes, having once had a bracelet made out of them when you were little. But these were not inert pieces of metal, each animate and screaming at frequencies almost too low to hear. They're living elemental shields for the Akuma raising their weapons in eerie synchronicity, far faster than any human could react to, maybe even faster than you, not that it matters.
You're already moving.
"More of them!" Tiffany calls out, no hint of panic, or even fear in her voice as she points to one of the many high access ports into the chamber spitting out a stream of lesser drones, bright and crackling with Yin-lightning. Slave-catchers, they are throwing out anything close enough to intercept, the thought bleeds through from Usum laced with contempt, but also worry. Just as you are he is aware of the great weakness all of your company shares, there are only so many of you, so many hands and minds and powers abroad.
"Surrender and your Excru...ciations... will be... shorter!"
The steel armed technician is either sobbing or praying you are not sure which. Yet the Bane-arm twists and contorts into cylindrical shape, some kind of gun. Order or no, terror or no he had found hope and he wasn't about to give it up without a fight, no matter the contentions of power all around.
Because we are very rapidly moving into big boy politics. Not just a "wandering xianxia master who slaughters evils" type either. Actual, genuine big boy politics with stuff like dealing with the economy, and having military exchanges, and drafting treaties, and inciting rebellions.
And in that light, we don't want to be perceived as only a rogue state- a walking disaster that can only be avoided. When we arrive into town we don't want everyone to hide. We want to have people and factions wanting to cooperate with us, wanting to genuinely help us. This is why we need to show both that hostility will be punished, which we are doing now, and that cooperation will be rewarded, which we have been doing with LoC somewhat, but need to do more, and in a much more public way.
I dont agree.
Joking aside? We dont work at random, we dont murder supernaturals indiscriminately, and we keep truces and non-aggression pacts.
Twice we have let significant parties of Red Court vampires walk away.
Once we have let a party of akuma retreat. We have publicly appeared at one White Court diplomatic function and at Avalon itself, we have hosted a party of wizards, and each time we have honored community standards of guest right.
Both Odin and Mab operate vehicles that bear the recognizable design work of Molly's hands, showing a willingness to deal, within limits. We have notElves around our aboveground workshop.
When we rolled into Vegas, we retrieved Arlene's missing Whampire, and then at the temple we didnt retaliate for being attacked by the warbot, nor did we hold the Mafia guys responsible for attacking us.
We're currently backing the new Vegas Rep until he finds his feet; we didnt take over the city.
Even in Chicago, when we went to Chinatown, we talked to the shen there; we made no demands, and have largely left them alone since clearing Emma-O's people out.
And we have been fairly rigorous about keeping supernatural shit out of the eye of mundane society, even when attacked in public by other people who arent so scrupulous.
Molly has been a pretty responsible, restrained citizen of the supernatural world by community standards.
The key to being a normal state over a rogue one is consistency. Having normal relationships and being reachable for comment by your peers does more than grand gestures to your own people.
Some intelligence sharing meetings where we spread what Mikaboshi was trying to do and what we did to him in response, which I thought we were already planning to do, fill that role better.
^^^
Im pretty sure that those who need to know already know what Mika tried to pull; his fingerprints are all over Basilisk for whoever takes a look. That said, we are probably going to need to set up official offices in the next six months or so, and spend a little more effort on local social outreach.
Im pretty sure that those who need to know already know what Mika tried to pull; his fingerprints are all over Basilisk for whoever takes a look. That said, we are probably going to need to set up official offices in the next six months or so, and spend a little more effort on local social outreach.
While that is true taking a look would be difficult for a lot of the big movers and shakers. Donnar is quite odd with how much he keeps up on modern tech. Most beings his age do not know what a computer is much less the internet. Senior Council Wizards actively cannot interact with tech of that complexity. There is a reason, beyond just the economy having a 'Kick me' sign on its back why he was able to come so close.
