@Witherbrine26 Can we study Malenia's disease through personal actions?
Is it possible to ask Malenia for help in completing any tasks? For example, to direct her to kill a fire giant using the Rune of Decay rune or army management?
I mean, of course we can do this as a Guard Miquella action, but in the first case it puts us at risk from the rune, and in the second it makes half of Malenia's attributes useless because ultimately our bonuses will be used, not hers.
@Witherbrine26 Can we study Malenia's disease through personal actions?
Is it possible to ask Malenia for help in completing any tasks? For example, to direct her to kill a fire giant using the Rune of Decay rune or army management?
I mean, of course we can do this as a Guard Miquella action, but in the first case it puts us at risk from the rune, and in the second it makes half of Malenia's attributes useless because ultimately our bonuses will be used, not hers.
We cannot delay the planting of the sprout for a long time, it will probably last a maximum of a few turns and this delay will not give anything. But if we plant it right away, then we get growth progress in these few turns.
So you wish to plant it now? When we don't have a base of power. When we don't have a base period, what is a delay of a turn or 2 when we can plant it in a more advantageous position or place of power?
This area is perfect for it. [Frenzied Flame] burning away any [Rot] that tries to take hold and creating ash to feed the next cycle of growth.
What is more heretical than profaning the sources of Destruction to create a Better Future
[X] Plan: Deliberate mercy w/out Planting
-[X] Recruit Followers: You need people to help you, and the nearby villages may be taken into the fold. Of course, they are suspicious folk so that it may be difficult.
--[X] Small Villages
-[X] The Fire Gaint Problem-Peaceful: This is foolhardy in the extreme. That giant is likely driven to madness, and you have no doubt it will attempt to slay you if possible, but if you manage to at least calm its temper, it will serve as a potent guard. [HERESY] and [CHARM]
-[X] Approach the Guilty: Heretics who blooded glintstone with both innocent vitals and their own. They may be mad and possibly attempt to attack you, but allies are sorely needed.
-[X] Defenses: You need to set up a proper defensible location if you are to survive. Malenia is currently ensuring nothing is capable of harming you, but she won't be around the entire time; a simple cave would be enough.
-[X] Secure Food-Gathering: A more peaceful method, herbs, berries, and other such things. The possible stock you can gain is much lower, but the chance of stumbling across something deadly is also much lower.
-[X] Information Gathering: Up here, away from the rest of the world, information is going to be hard to come by. However, Traveling Merchants do rarely make their way up here and you may be able to tease tales out of them.
-[X] Catalog the surroundings: This mountaintop is wild and free; the first step to understanding the more esoteric is understanding the basics. You'll need to write down what you find before you can delve deeper.
-[X] Spread the word of St. Trina: That other part of you is not known here, but given some time, she may be. As proven by your mother, religion is a potent tool. However, you don't want word of you getting out. so a lesser part of you will serve as a figurehead.
-[X] Bless nearby villages: A prayer for rain here, a small bit of healing there. The people here are without gods, but that does not mean they will deny your help. This may be the first foot in the door for better relations with the more paranoid villages
-[X] Simplify the recipe for Unalloyed Gold: Your wonder metal is incredible but very hard to make. Only the most skilled of smiths in the capital could forge it; if you want to spread it, the recipe will need to be written in plain terms. [Learning]
-[X] Develop a spell: If you want to solve problems, the simplest thing is magic. You have great knowledge of Incantations so why not figure out a solution from that? [Piety]
--[X] Create a spell that will put everyone who approaches or sees Sapling to sleep (St. Trina's Blessing)
-[X] Guard Miquella: It is nearly impossible for you to get rid of her for some time. So you'll have to grin and bear it for the next while as she never lets you out of her sight. [Prowess]
[] Maintain Miquella's Gift: The prosthetic is a hardy thing, but it is also delicate, needing proper mince to ensure it is unmarred. Your sister will sit down with her tools and do just that. [Learning]
[] Focus on your Great Rune: You must cultivate that burning in your breast if you wish to claim godhood. That lava in your veins will grow as you attune to it. [Piety]
Can we use Unalloyed Gold to prevent or mitigate critical failures during rot research?
For example, "--[] Keep 1 measure of Unalloyed Gold handy to use during unforeseen circumstances"
How much time is left before we need to plant a Sapling?
Can we use Unalloyed Gold to prevent or mitigate critical failures during rot research?
For example, "--[] Keep 1 measure of Unalloyed Gold handy to use during unforeseen circumstances"
How much time is left before we need to plant a Sapling?
Yes, it won't complete prevent the crit fail but it will mitigate it somewhat
No strict time limit for it, assume that Miquella is ensuring it is cared for each turn. However the mountaintops are not a good place for a young plant so you will have to plant it eventually
Adhoc vote count started by Witherbrine26 on Jul 19, 2024 at 8:30 AM, finished with 20 posts and 5 votes.
[X] Plan: Deliberate mercy w/out Planting
-[X] Recruit Followers: You need people to help you, and the nearby villages may be taken into the fold. Of course, they are suspicious folk so that it may be difficult.
--[X] Small Villages
-[X] The Fire Gaint Problem-Peaceful: This is foolhardy in the extreme. That giant is likely driven to madness, and you have no doubt it will attempt to slay you if possible, but if you manage to at least calm its temper, it will serve as a potent guard. [HERESY] and [CHARM]
-[X] Approach the Guilty: Heretics who blooded glintstone with both innocent vitals and their own. They may be mad and possibly attempt to attack you, but allies are sorely needed.
-[X] Defenses: You need to set up a proper defensible location if you are to survive. Malenia is currently ensuring nothing is capable of harming you, but she won't be around the entire time; a simple cave would be enough.
-[X] Secure Food-Gathering: A more peaceful method, herbs, berries, and other such things. The possible stock you can gain is much lower, but the chance of stumbling across something deadly is also much lower.
-[X] Information Gathering: Up here, away from the rest of the world, information is going to be hard to come by. However, Traveling Merchants do rarely make their way up here and you may be able to tease tales out of them.
-[X] Catalog the surroundings: This mountaintop is wild and free; the first step to understanding the more esoteric is understanding the basics. You'll need to write down what you find before you can delve deeper.
-[X] Spread the word of St. Trina: That other part of you is not known here, but given some time, she may be. As proven by your mother, religion is a potent tool. However, you don't want word of you getting out. so a lesser part of you will serve as a figurehead.
-[X] Bless nearby villages: A prayer for rain here, a small bit of healing there. The people here are without gods, but that does not mean they will deny your help. This may be the first foot in the door for better relations with the more paranoid villages
-[X] Simplify the recipe for Unalloyed Gold: Your wonder metal is incredible but very hard to make. Only the most skilled of smiths in the capital could forge it; if you want to spread it, the recipe will need to be written in plain terms. [Learning]
-[X] Develop a spell: If you want to solve problems, the simplest thing is magic. You have great knowledge of Incantations so why not figure out a solution from that? [Piety]
--[X] Create a spell that will put everyone who approaches or sees Sapling to sleep (St. Trina's Blessing)
-[X] Guard Miquella: It is nearly impossible for you to get rid of her for some time. So you'll have to grin and bear it for the next while as she never lets you out of her sight. [Prowess]
[X] Plan: Deliberate mercy
-[X] Recruit Followers: You need people to help you, and the nearby villages may be taken into the fold. Of course, they are suspicious folk so that it may be difficult.
--[X] Small Villages
-[X] The Fire Gaint Problem-Peaceful: This is foolhardy in the extreme. That giant is likely driven to madness, and you have no doubt it will attempt to slay you if possible, but if you manage to at least calm its temper, it will serve as a potent guard. [HERESY] and [CHARM]
-[X] Approach the Guilty: Heretics who blooded glintstone with both innocent vitals and their own. They may be mad and possibly attempt to attack you, but allies are sorely needed.
-[X] Defenses: You need to set up a proper defensible location if you are to survive. Malenia is currently ensuring nothing is capable of harming you, but she won't be around the entire time; a simple cave would be enough.
-[X] Secure Food-Gathering: A more peaceful method, herbs, berries, and other such things. The possible stock you can gain is much lower, but the chance of stumbling across something deadly is also much lower.
-[X] Information Gathering: Up here, away from the rest of the world, information is going to be hard to come by. However, Traveling Merchants do rarely make their way up here and you may be able to tease tales out of them.
-[X] Plant the Sapling: What may be a tree like the Erdtree has been brought here. However, it is confined to a pot and slowly withering away. You may be able to keep it alive, but for it to thrive, it must be planted in soil and allowed to grow.
-[X] Spread the word of St. Trina: That other part of you is not known here, but given some time, she may be. As proven by your mother, religion is a potent tool. However, you don't want word of you getting out. so a lesser part of you will serve as a figurehead.
-[X] Bless nearby villages: A prayer for rain here, a small bit of healing there. The people here are without gods, but that does not mean they will deny your help. This may be the first foot in the door for better relations with the more paranoid villages
-[X] Simplify the recipe for Unalloyed Gold: Your wonder metal is incredible but very hard to make. Only the most skilled of smiths in the capital could forge it; if you want to spread it, the recipe will need to be written in plain terms. [Learning]
-[X] Develop a spell: If you want to solve problems, the simplest thing is magic. You have great knowledge of Incantations so why not figure out a solution from that? [Piety]
--[X] Create a spell that will put everyone who approaches or sees Sapling to sleep (St. Trina's Blessing)
-[X] Guard Miquella: It is nearly impossible for you to get rid of her for some time. So you'll have to grin and bear it for the next while as she never lets you out of her sight. [Prowess]
Scheduled vote count started by Witherbrine26 on Jul 18, 2024 at 6:54 PM, finished with 26 posts and 8 votes.
[X] Plan: Deliberate mercy w/out Planting
-[X] Recruit Followers: You need people to help you, and the nearby villages may be taken into the fold. Of course, they are suspicious folk so that it may be difficult.
--[X] Small Villages
-[X] The Fire Gaint Problem-Peaceful: This is foolhardy in the extreme. That giant is likely driven to madness, and you have no doubt it will attempt to slay you if possible, but if you manage to at least calm its temper, it will serve as a potent guard. [HERESY] and [CHARM]
-[X] Approach the Guilty: Heretics who blooded glintstone with both innocent vitals and their own. They may be mad and possibly attempt to attack you, but allies are sorely needed.
-[X] Defenses: You need to set up a proper defensible location if you are to survive. Malenia is currently ensuring nothing is capable of harming you, but she won't be around the entire time; a simple cave would be enough.
-[X] Secure Food-Gathering: A more peaceful method, herbs, berries, and other such things. The possible stock you can gain is much lower, but the chance of stumbling across something deadly is also much lower.
-[X] Information Gathering: Up here, away from the rest of the world, information is going to be hard to come by. However, Traveling Merchants do rarely make their way up here and you may be able to tease tales out of them.
-[X] Catalog the surroundings: This mountaintop is wild and free; the first step to understanding the more esoteric is understanding the basics. You'll need to write down what you find before you can delve deeper.
-[X] Spread the word of St. Trina: That other part of you is not known here, but given some time, she may be. As proven by your mother, religion is a potent tool. However, you don't want word of you getting out. so a lesser part of you will serve as a figurehead.
-[X] Bless nearby villages: A prayer for rain here, a small bit of healing there. The people here are without gods, but that does not mean they will deny your help. This may be the first foot in the door for better relations with the more paranoid villages
-[X] Simplify the recipe for Unalloyed Gold: Your wonder metal is incredible but very hard to make. Only the most skilled of smiths in the capital could forge it; if you want to spread it, the recipe will need to be written in plain terms. [Learning]
-[X] Develop a spell: If you want to solve problems, the simplest thing is magic. You have great knowledge of Incantations so why not figure out a solution from that? [Piety]
--[X] Create a spell that will put everyone who approaches or sees Sapling to sleep (St. Trina's Blessing)
-[X] Guard Miquella: It is nearly impossible for you to get rid of her for some time. So you'll have to grin and bear it for the next while as she never lets you out of her sight. [Prowess]
[X] Plan: Deliberate mercy
-[X] Recruit Followers: You need people to help you, and the nearby villages may be taken into the fold. Of course, they are suspicious folk so that it may be difficult.
--[X] Small Villages
-[X] The Fire Gaint Problem-Peaceful: This is foolhardy in the extreme. That giant is likely driven to madness, and you have no doubt it will attempt to slay you if possible, but if you manage to at least calm its temper, it will serve as a potent guard. [HERESY] and [CHARM]
-[X] Approach the Guilty: Heretics who blooded glintstone with both innocent vitals and their own. They may be mad and possibly attempt to attack you, but allies are sorely needed.
-[X] Defenses: You need to set up a proper defensible location if you are to survive. Malenia is currently ensuring nothing is capable of harming you, but she won't be around the entire time; a simple cave would be enough.
-[X] Secure Food-Gathering: A more peaceful method, herbs, berries, and other such things. The possible stock you can gain is much lower, but the chance of stumbling across something deadly is also much lower.
-[X] Information Gathering: Up here, away from the rest of the world, information is going to be hard to come by. However, Traveling Merchants do rarely make their way up here and you may be able to tease tales out of them.
-[X] Plant the Sapling: What may be a tree like the Erdtree has been brought here. However, it is confined to a pot and slowly withering away. You may be able to keep it alive, but for it to thrive, it must be planted in soil and allowed to grow.
-[X] Spread the word of St. Trina: That other part of you is not known here, but given some time, she may be. As proven by your mother, religion is a potent tool. However, you don't want word of you getting out. so a lesser part of you will serve as a figurehead.
-[X] Bless nearby villages: A prayer for rain here, a small bit of healing there. The people here are without gods, but that does not mean they will deny your help. This may be the first foot in the door for better relations with the more paranoid villages
-[X] Simplify the recipe for Unalloyed Gold: Your wonder metal is incredible but very hard to make. Only the most skilled of smiths in the capital could forge it; if you want to spread it, the recipe will need to be written in plain terms. [Learning]
-[X] Develop a spell: If you want to solve problems, the simplest thing is magic. You have great knowledge of Incantations so why not figure out a solution from that? [Piety]
--[X] Create a spell that will put everyone who approaches or sees Sapling to sleep (St. Trina's Blessing)
-[X] Guard Miquella: It is nearly impossible for you to get rid of her for some time. So you'll have to grin and bear it for the next while as she never lets you out of her sight. [Prowess]
As you are bundling up to head out, the first thing you notice is your dear sister. She has refused to move from your side ever since you woke up a few days ago. Turning to face her, you decide just to ask.
"Why are you staying so close? I can handle myself," you tell her. She frowns under the helm you made from her. You've known her from birth and, as such, can tell what she is feeling.
"I will be fine," you gently reassure her. You have a few more dangerous things planned that will accept her help, but that doesn't mean you want her to stick to your side the entire time.
"No, I will not budge," she replies, and you hold back a sigh. She was in one of her stubborn phases, and it would be nearly impossible to kick her out of it. Well, that wasn't quite true. You did have a simple trick to do it, but you wouldn't when she just wanted to see you safe.
"Very well, follow me," you told your Blade and so she followed behind you. Her prosthetic strapped on tight, just in case.
Guard Miquella
56+65(Prowess) = 121
The first step to getting the people's approval was blessing them. You didn't want to be known as Miquella up here; that sort of information could easily trickle back down, and soon, one of your many siblings would knock on your door, demanding your Great Rune. It may burn in your veins and cause you to spit fire at times, but it was yours, and you weren't going to give it up.
So instead, you would approach in the guise of St. Trina, your lesser half. Your sister following close behind lessened the effect, but you'd just have to deal with it.
Spread the word of St. Trina
5+38(Piety) = 43 < 80 Failure
Approaching the nearest village, you see a human garbed in thick clothes trudging through the snow. He seemed wary, eyes darting between the two of you as he raised a torch.
"Who are you?" he shouted, clearly wary; you cleared your throat as you approached. You were using religion to try and win them over, so you had to be careful; who knew if they worshipped somebody else?
"Greetings! I come to speak in the name of St. Trina—" you started to say before being cut off.
"No, we have enough religions. You can leave; you got here just fine!" he shouts, his voice tinged with anger. You heard the metal on your dear sister's arm creak as she prepared to fight, but you placed a hand on her arm.
"It is fine. If they do not want our help, then forcing it will do no good," you told her, causing her to stand down. You then turned on your heel and started trudging through the snow the way you came.
You had other plans, and this was only the first; you could return later.
Catalog the surroundings
82+25(Learning) = 107 > 80 Success
You had been resting after your failed attempt at spreading the word of St. Trina. This was an excellent time to learn more, and you think you have discovered something. Trudging through the snow with your dear sister at your back, you saw a large, run-down building.
As you entered, you thought it might make a good place to rest, only to be struck dumb by the iconography on the walls. A statue of your mother was up there; arms spread wide as she looked down with a kind smile.
"I didn't think she had churches this far north," you commented, to which Malenia nodded.
"I agree; such structures like this show an intent to settle down," she replied. That made sense, which, of course, conflicted with the utter lack of people beyond heretics and those forced here. However, as you looked around the church, you could feel something else, a faint presence that reminded you of your time under the golden leaves of the Erdtree.
Searching
46+29(Intrigue) = 75 > 60
"There is something else here," you told Malenia as you started to look around for whatever was giving you that faint feeling. Your sister kept guard, her helmeted gaze peering out past the walls of the church to ensure nobody could sneak up on the two of you.
It took quite a while, but you managed to find a small goblet. A shimmering sap was held on top. You sniffed the liquid and were hit by a wave of nostalgia. A faint memory of your father showing you the base of the Erdtree. Swallowing a lump in your throat, you tucked it away; you didn't know what it was, but you could figure that out later.
Gain Sacred Tear
You decided the best option was to approach another village. The last one had shunned you, but this time, you weren't spreading religion but seeking people you could recruit. You doubted many would be willing to join. However, even a handful of disgraced would be enough to start, which was all you needed.
Approaching this town, you were surprised by the crowd of people waiting for you. They wore thick clothes, just like everybody else except you and your sister, but you could see strands of hair coiled around the colors of the clothes.
"Hail St. Trinia! Bringing of sleep and calm!" the largest man bellowed out, followed by many of the others bowing deeply. You blinked, astonished you didn't expect your other half to spread this far. However, it seemed that this village was a small cult of your own and one who knew you well enough to see that you were St. Trina.
"Greetings," you said, your voice thick with honey and tongue silvered as you approached the leader. He dropped to his knees with a broad smile and fervor in his eyes.
"Come inside, let us get warm," you told him, and he rapidly nodded and stood up. The other villagers followed behind, all clamoring to reach out and merely touch a scrap of you. Malenia stood by your side as your stalwart shield and ensured they were kept back with sharp glares and the presence of a demigod.
As you settled into one of the few houses, a warm bowl was placed in front of you. Holding back, you waited despite your hunger; you had a few questions first.
"How do you know who I am?" you asked the leader, who smiled broadly as he ran a finger over the lock of hair around his neck.
"A Wandering Merchant stopped by once. He spoke of the fair St. Trina, a comely girl who could tame madness with a song. You are the spitting image of who he spoke; you are clearly St. Trina," he said, and the few people who had managed to squeeze inside this room nodded along, all of them watching you with something approaching awe in their eyes.
You didn't expect this, but it was better than you had hoped.
Gain 30 Humans
Gain 4 Houses (Can support 10 Humanlike Pops)
Gain 2 Hunting Lodges (Reserves 10 people to create 15 Food)
Gain 1 Woodcutter (Reserves 10 people to create 5 Resources)
The people here were small in number, barely more than two dozen, but they were hardy folk. They were self-sufficient even if they would not expand. However, they had told tales of wolves and other such creatures decimating people when they attacked. You wouldn't abide by such things, not when these humans were yours.
Defenses
81+10(Martial) = 91 > 30 Success
"What do you have in spare?" you asked Somnus, the tall man who had greeted you and the leader of this small village. He wasn't anything special, but he was their leader and, as such, the person you spent the most time with.
"Not much your holiness," he replied. The time you had spent here was not enough to dampen his or any of the other people's zeal. You knew that may cause friction in the future, but for now, it would serve you quite well. A loyal populace, even one as small as this, was a blessing.
"Very well, in that case, we will be covering ambush points and similar places," you told Somnus, who nodded as the two of you started walking through the village.
You weren't doing anything groundbreaking, but your status as St. Trina meant they listened to you when you spoke. So orders to stand their ground and marshal a few of the hunters to provide defense if needed were something that was eagerly followed.
It wasn't amazing or even all that good. Proper soldiers would still steamroll your village, but wolves and other threats would find it harder to attack, which was all you could hope for right now.
Your next attempt was much less successful. You had thought to bolster your food stores with gathering food but misunderstood how barren the land truly was. Very little grew, and your attempts to search were kindly shut down.
"So you are saying nothing grows here?" you asked Somnus, who sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yes, there's a reason we go hunting. Farms and the like are a fool's errand," he replied somewhat awkwardly, denying you. It seemed he would rather be honest than lie to you and have you fail.
"Very well," you intoned, your mind already turning as you thought of new plans. Hunting could only provide so much food; if you desired a true nation, you would need another food source.
You were surprised when, one day, a Wandering Merchant rode into town wearing his hat and playing an instrument. You smiled as you approached the man, who set his instrument aside before hopping off his horse.
"Greetings, I am Alafair. Would you like to purchase something?" he asked while starting to get things off his horse.
Information Gathering
37+29(Intrigue) = 66 > 50 Success
"Perhaps I would ask what is happening beyond this mountain first," you replied, causing him to turn towards you. His tainted eyes narrowed slightly before he shrugged.
"Very well, I suppose I can offer some free information. The biggest is somebody called the Veiled Monarch, who is reinforcing the capital. Quite strange that you would have thought one of the demigods would have claimed the throne," Alafair told you.
You didn't know who the Veiled Monarch was, but it was worrying that none of your siblings had managed to claim the capital. You may want to check that out if there is a new player you need to know.
"So, you buying anything?" Alafair asked, cutting into your thoughts.
What do you buy? Vote by Plan (200 Runes)
[] [Shopping] 20 Food (40 Runes) [Can be chosen twice]
[] [Shopping] 10 Mundane Resources (20 Runes) [Can be chosen twice]
[] [Shopping] 5 Magical Resources (20 Runes) [Can be chosen once]
[] [Shopping] 5 Weaponry (20 Runes) [Can be chosen thrice]
[] [Shopping] 1 Magical Weaponry (20 Runes) [Can be chosen once]
[] [Shopping] Sell 1 Unalloyed Gold (250 Runes) [Can be chosen once]
[] [Shopping] Nothing
Despite their rejection of you, the people here needed some help, so you returned to the village that had rejected you before. The same man came out to approach you and your sister; this time, despite his wariness, he was less nervous at your approach. You had done nothing last time, so it was unlikely you would do anything this time.
"We don't want—" he started to say before you cut him off.
"I am not here to preach merely to help," you told him calmly. You looked up at him with simple eyes that just wanted to help. The man sighed as he rubbed his brow before turning around and heading back towards the village.
"Fine, just don't start anything," he said. You shared a small smile with Malenia; nobody except for a few could stop the two of you up here. So, his unspoken threat was amusing in a way.
Entering the village, you got to work; Golden Fundamentalism was not a miracle field of magic, not like others could. However, you were perhaps one of the greatest users of it in the modern age, so you got to work.
"Apologies about that earlier," Arkeia said with a fragile smile. You shrugged. You were a bit annoyed, but you understood his skepticism, so you didn't mention your thoughts.
"It is fine; we are just here to help," you replied, causing him to cringe again.
"Well, I know that now. Thank you again," he said, bowing his head politely as you and your dear sister left.
You had gotten your foot in the door, which was the most important part; recruitment could come later.
Reduce most DCs for the nearby villages
You had seen some of the red briar-cloaked figures off in the distance as you walked around the mountaintops, but now you were planning on approaching them. Their headquarters was easy to see, but first, you would be approaching one of the smaller groups. Malenia was the most skilled demigod, but up here at the top of the world, there could be stranger things that could beat her, and if she tried to defend you and fight, even she could lose. So you were approaching a smaller group first.
Approach the Guilty
54+40(Diplomacy) = 94 > 70 Success
"Greetings," you said politely as you approached a small cave. Outside was a Guitly, his eyes gouged out by red thorns. That didn't seem to impair him all that much as he turned to face you. He then started as his eyes traced up and down your body, carefully avoiding Malenia.
"We would like to talk," you continued the man, then bowed deeply before standing back up.
"Of course, I will take you to our leader," the man said, his voice trembling as he kept eyesockets filled with red thorns on you. You shared a glance with Malenia before descending into the tunnel.
Soon, you arrived at a somewhat homely place; fire roared in a makeshift hearth as the food was placed out in front of you and the woman across from you. She wore a similar garb with eyes of red thorns; she also seemed unable to take her eyes off you.
"Thank you for your hospitality," you tell her as you take a drink from the soup bowl. It was bloody, but you didn't expect anything else. You took a second to marshal your thoughts before continuing.
"I was looking for allies and was wondering if you would be willing to join," you settled on.
"I am Kaelith, the Headmistress of this coven, and I would agree on one principle. We would request some of your blood," she stated, and you now knew what she and the other mages were looking at: your veins.
Malenia's arm twitched slightly, ready to pull out the blade within, but you raised a hand.
"I see. May we have time to think about it?" you asked. It would be valuable to head back and get out of here before you make your choice.
"Sure," Kaelith shrugged as she raised her bloody soup to her lips. You and Malenia then rose to your feet and departed. You didn't want to be in close proximity to a bunch of blood-hungry people while they wanted your blood.
Simplify the recipe for Unalloyed Gold
56+25(Learning) = 81 > 80 Success
You were in your room writing on one of this village's few papers. The mayor had given you his house, but given the few buildings available, you couldn't exactly shove everybody else out, given the lack of housing.
Currently, you are working on simplifying your recipe for Unalloyed Gold. Currently, you were the only person able to create it, and that was with the tools available at the capitol, which was unmovable. So you had to make it similar if you wanted to be able to ward off Outer Gods.
Thankfully, it seemed to be going quite well.
+1 Progress (1/10)
The second thing you were using your limited free time for was creating a new spell. You were planning on planting the sapling, but it would be easy to uproot it when it was small. So, for that purpose, you dug into your nascent divinity and started work on a spell.
Develop a spell-Location Based Sleep Spell
85+38(Piety)+30(St. Trina's Blessing) = 153 > 70 Success
It was a relatively simple spell; you placed a sensor in four locations, forming a box. When somebody who wasn't you or keyed into the spell entered the range, the spell would trigger. It would release a thick mist that would make anybody in range fall asleep.
Of course, people who didn't need to sleep or were strong enough could avoid the effect or at least manage it. You weren't too worried about that right now; if somebody that powerful had entered the sapling's room, things were already going very poorly.
So, for now, you made sure you had the spell down and could cast it easily. Improvement could come later.
Learned Room of Slumber: Anybody who enters the location this spell was cast in will fall into a deep slumber until they are removed. Upon casting this spell designate people, they will not trigger it
"This is a poor idea," Malenia said as she looked down at you. You agreed with that, but you needed to do this.
"If I don't at least try, then it will be able to cause problems with impunity," you told her for the sixth time. She grimaced as she followed you through the snow but said nothing else.
You were walking up towards the last Fire Giant; he was shackled here by potent magic and far more powerful incantations than you could bring to bear. However, he was still a sapient being, which meant you could reason with him, so you were approaching him.
The Fire Giant stood tall, his twin eyes burning with flames as he looked down. He was tired, you could tell, tired of spending eons here, yet he was bound to this location for reasons you didn't know.
Diplomacy would be hard for many reasons. You looked like your mother, who waged war against his kind. Whatever magic bound him here likely compelled him to strike against anybody trying to pass, and most damning of all, you didn't speak the same language.
So you merely stood in the snow, your Great Rune burning in your veins and slowly twisting what kept him bound as your eyes pleaded with him.
The Fire Gaint Problem-Peaceful [HERESY] and [CHARM]
92+40(Diplomacy)+20(Charisma of Miquella)+19(Great Rune of Heresy) = 179 > 130 Critical Success
Your eyes were a child's eyes, one who didn't want conflict, who looked up at a father with curiosity and a glimmer of innocence. You didn't know the history of this Fire Giant, but you knew how to compel affection.
You couldn't compel affection from him; however, he could feel the wakening of his bonds and your good nature. So he merely watched from afar.
As you looked at him, you felt something else, a burning in your veins joined by a faint burn on your front. As if something was looking at you, the presence faded quickly as the Fire Giant turned away.
You quickly left as well, unnerved as something you thought to be true was upended.
"I think we should be cautious," you told Malenia who titled her head in confusion, "I don't think their God is as dead as we were told."
The Last Fire Giant won't attack Miquella and those he travels with. However, he is still forced to attack anybody who attempts to pass him
What do you call your nation?
[] [Nation] St. Trina's Chosen (Your people's choice)
[] [Nation] Something else? (Write in)
Vote by Plan
Remember you have [HERESY] and [CHARM] additions
[DECAY] addition can only be added to the Action Malenia is taking
[] Recruit Followers: You need people to help you, and the nearby villages may be taken into the fold. Of course, they are suspicious folk so that it may be difficult.
-[] From where (Currently available: Small Villages)
[] Seek Sapient Allies: You are going to be wandering about and trying to find people willing to help you. This will be dangerous given where you are, and Malenia will hate it, but you need more than humans if you want to move forward.
[] Approach the Fire Monks: They guard much as the giant does. They will not appreciate your approach, but you may be able to at least get your foot in the door. That is the first step to gaining their aid.
[] Approach the Guilty: Heretics who blooded glintstone with both innocent vitals and their own. They may be mad and possibly attempt to attack you, but allies are sorely needed.
-[] Recruit with blood (Reduce one random stat by 1. Gain 30 Guilty)
-[] Recruit with Runes (-15 Runes/Turn. Gain 30 Guilty)
-[] Attempt to win them over (Diplomacy. Gain 30 Guilty)
[] Approach the Zamor: You do not know if any ancient enemies of the Giants remain, but if they do, you would be able to gain potent allies—or at least take the first step towards that.
[] Approach the Astrologers: Achingly familiar to Raya Lucaria, sorcerers of all sorts are potent force multipliers. If you get on good terms with them, you may be able to start getting proper magical support.
[] Continue approaching the Fire Giant: It may not directly attack you but you can sense the hatred burning behind it's eyes, it is just tired and so it does not attack you. It may take some time but you are willing to put in the effort to cool that hatred.
[] Write-in (Something else, must be approved by QM)
[] Defenses: You have basic defenses set up; now it's time to ensure you have well-built defenses. This will require some tools and resources but you have them now [Costs 10 Mundane Resource, improves defense bonus to +10]
[] Raid the villages: A more violent method of procuring what is needed, but sometimes you have no other choice. Put a village to the sword and ensure nobody is allowed to escape; you will have your supplies. [Gain a random amount of food, a random amount of Mundane Resources and a small chance of Weaponry]
[] Secure Food-Hunting: Another option is to strike out and secure your food from the flesh of animals. The beasts here are hardy and used to hiding, so that it will be hard. [Gain 10 Food]
[] Write-in (Something else, must be approved by QM)
[] Gather Resources: Lumber, stone, and many other things that are needed to build a settlement. You have none of them and will need to gather them. Given the lack of people to help, it will be challenging, but you'll power through it [Gain 5 Resources]
[] Gather Magical Resources: If the lack of simple resources is an issue, the lack of magical ones will be a bigger problem, especially this far north. Even something as simple as seals and staves will be out of your control until you gather some [Gain 1 Magical Resource]
[] Secure Food-Gathering: A more peaceful method, herbs, berries, and other such things. The possible stock you can gain is much lower, but the chance of stumbling across something deadly is also much lower [Gain 5 Food]
[] Build something: You have the people but need a place for them to work. You know the blueprints for a few things, so let's get to work.
-[] What do you build?
(Houses: 5 Mundane Resources
Hunting Lodge: 5 Mundane Resources
Woodcutter: 5 Mundane Resources )
[] Write-in (Something else, must be approved by QM)
Set up an information network: You met a Wandering Merchant; you could pay him to gather rumors and ferry them up here. It would be pricey but it would be worth it to learn what goes on down below [Costs 50/Runes a turn. Unlocks the Rumour Mill]
[] Information Gathering: Up here, away from the rest of the world, information is going to be hard to come by. However, Traveling Merchants do rarely make their way up here and you may be able to tease tales out of them. [Learn a random Rumour]
[] Secret Hunting: Here, at the top of the world, many secrets are hidden away. You don't know what you find, but if you want to learn, you'll have to head out and seek out hidden sights. [Discover the location of something useful]
[] Write-in (Something else, must be approved by QM)
[] Study Something: There are many things you do not have a full understanding of. You may not have much, but you are smart, and that should be enough [Improve your understanding of an item]
-[] What? (Runes, Unalloyed Gold, the Sapling, Sacred Tear)
[] Plant the Sapling: What may be a tree like the Erdtree has been brought here. However, it is confined to a pot and slowly withering away. You may be able to keep it alive, but for it to thrive, it must be planted in soil and allowed to grow [Plant a spaling that will grow with time]
[] Catalog the surroundings: This mountaintop is wild and free; the first step to understanding the more esoteric is understanding the basics. You'll need to write down what you find before you can delve deeper [Reduce the DC of certain Actions and gain information on the surroundings]
[] Research a new building: You are smart and need more if you want to grow. So sit down pen in hand and start working on blueprints
-[] What do you want this building to do? (Write in)
[] Write-in (Something else, must be approved by QM)
[] Spread the word of St. Trina: That other part of you is not known here, but given some time, she may be. As proven by your mother, religion is a potent tool. However, you don't want word of you getting out. so a lesser part of you will serve as a figurehead. [Improve Morale of people when recruited]
[] Spread the word of Miquella: You are not known here, perhaps to a select few, but beyond that, you are merely a newcomer. As proven by your mother, religion is a potent tool, and you do not fear those you may speak word of you. [Improve Morale of people when recruited]
[] Collect donations: You are low on everything from food to Runes; a few donations may be needed if you want to survive. It's not as effective for relation building as blessing without asking for something, but the folk may be convinced to part with their goods in exchange for a few blessings. [Gain a small amount of Runes]
[] Bless nearby villages: A prayer for rain here, a small bit of healing there. The people here are without gods, but that does not mean they will deny your help. This may be the first foot in the door for better relations with the more paranoid villages. [Reduce DC for nearby villages]
[] Write-in (Something else, must be approved by QM)
Personal Actions
[] Develop a spell: If you want to solve problems, the simplest thing is magic. You have great knowledge of Incantations so why not figure out a solution from that? [Piety]
-[] What field and what do you want it to do? (St. Trina's Blessing or Golden Fundamentalism)
[] Research magic: To expand your understanding, you'll have to delve deeply into magic, both old and new. You won't be seeking out new spells but explorations of old understandings or delving into what new magic can be found here. [Piety]
-[] What field (St. Trina's Blessing or Golden Fundamentalism)
[] Simplify the recipe for Unalloyed Gold: Your wonder metal is incredible but very hard to make. Only the most skilled of smiths in the capital could forge it; if you want to spread it, the recipe will need to be written in plain terms. [Learning] (1/10 Progress)
[] Forage for a seal: Without a focus on your magic, it's still potent but not as good as it could be. It will be challenging, but you may be able to find one here. [Intrigue]
[] Focus on your Great Rune: You must cultivate that burning in your breast if you wish to claim godhood. That lava in your veins will grow as you attune to it. [Piety]
[] Cast a spell: you have magic you can bring to bear, why not use it and show what you can use?
-[] What spell do you cast?
[] Train a stat: You must be better if you want to claim the throne. This is merely the first step.
-[] What stat (Diplomacy, Martial, Stewardship, Intrigue, Learning, Piety, or Prowess)
[] Guard Miquella: It is nearly impossible for you to get rid of her for some time. So you'll have to grin and bear it for the next while as she never lets you out of her sight. [Prowess]
[] Maintain Miquella's Gift: The prosthetic is a hardy thing, but it is also delicate, needing proper mince to ensure it is unmarred. Your sister will sit down with her tools and do just that. [Learning]
[] Cultive the Rot: A deadly bargain, but you will need more potent aid to survive. This is not blooming; you would never ask your dear sister to bloom. However, you would ask her to bring the Scarlet Rot to the surface for a time. [Piety]
[] Focus on her Great Rune: she holds a fragment of the Elden Ring in her breast. It curdles in her veins, and given time, she may allow it to blossom into a ring of its own. [Piety]
[] Train a stat: She believes she must be better if she wants to properly serve as your blade. This is merely the first step.
-[] What stat (Diplomacy, Martial, Stewardship, Intrigue, Learning, Piety, or Prowess)
[X] Plan: Progressive progress.
-[X] Bless nearby villages: A prayer for rain here, a small bit of healing there. The people here are without gods, but that does not mean they will deny your help. This may be the first foot in the door for better relations with the more paranoid villages. [Reduce DC for nearby villages]
-[X] Recruit Followers: You need people to help you, and the nearby villages may be taken into the fold. Of course, they are suspicious folk so that it may be difficult.
--[X] Small Villages
-[X] Approach the Astrologers: Achingly familiar to Raya Lucaria, sorcerers of all sorts are potent force multipliers. If you get on good terms with them, you may be able to start getting proper magical support.
-[X] Continue approaching the Fire Giant: It may not directly attack you but you can sense the hatred burning behind it's eyes, it is just tired and so it does not attack you. It may take some time but you are willing to put in the effort to cool that hatred. [HERESY] and [CHARM]
-[X] Defenses: You have basic defenses set up; now it's time to ensure you have well-built defenses. This will require some tools and resources but you have them now [Costs 10 Mundane Resource, improves defense bonus to +10]
-[X] Build something: You have the people but need a place for them to work. You know the blueprints for a few things, so let's get to work.
--[X] Houses: 5 Mundane Resources [X4]
-[X] Secret Hunting: Here, at the top of the world, many secrets are hidden away. You don't know what you find, but if you want to learn, you'll have to head out and seek out hidden sights. [Discover the location of something useful]
-[X] Study Something: There are many things you do not have a full understanding of. You may not have much, but you are smart, and that should be enough [Improve your understanding of an item]
--[X] Unalloyed Gold
-[X] Spread the word of St. Trina: That other part of you is not known here, but given some time, she may be. As proven by your mother, religion is a potent tool. However, you don't want word of you getting out. so a lesser part of you will serve as a figurehead. [Improve Morale of people when recruited]
-[X] Simplify the recipe for Unalloyed Gold: Your wonder metal is incredible but very hard to make. Only the most skilled of smiths in the capital could forge it; if you want to spread it, the recipe will need to be written in plain terms. [Learning] (1/10 Progress)
-[X] Watch the Great Rune of Decay curdle in your sister's veins and how it affects the Rot in her body. Perhaps you can figure out how to make this process kill the Rot?
--[X] Keep 1 measure of Unalloyed Gold handy to use during unforeseen circumstances
-[X] Focus on her Great Rune: she holds a fragment of the Elden Ring in her breast. It curdles in her veins, and given time, she may allow it to blossom into a ring of its own. [Piety]
We need to build additional houses for new followers and also get some rare resources just in case we don't need them.
As long as we have no vacant houses, we can continue to expand the network of potential allies.
It would also be nice to get this Fire Giant as an ally, he would make a very good weapon.
Witherbrine26 Is the action of studying the Influence of the rune of Malenia on Rot allowed?
Can we try to recruit a Wandering Merchant into our cult in order to get free access to Rumour Mill? As far as I understand, they all suffer from insanity and with the help of our Unalloyed Gold, we could cure it.
Will the Room of Slumber spell be cast automatically when Sapling lands?
Shouldn't we have made progress in strengthening the rune by managing to shake the beliefs of the Fire Giant?
If you want to replace this action, I advise you to study Unalloyed Gold, we still need to do this as soon as possible because it is necessary both to reduce the complexity of making Unalloyed Gold and to heal Malenia.
If you want to replace this action, I advise you to study Unalloyed Gold, we still need to do this as soon as possible because it is necessary both to reduce the complexity of making Unalloyed Gold and to heal Malenia.
How about switching the action to finding good spot for the sappling? Given that we actually seems to put roots here, sappling is not bad per se. But some preparation are in order before.
How about switching the action to finding good spot for the sappling? Given that we actually seems to put roots here, sappling is not bad per se. But some preparation are in order before.
It would be best to plant it in some secluded crevice or valley among the mountains. But I'm not sure that this is wise, because this tree should "truly shelter all who deserve it". If we plant it in a place that is too hidden, then our followers will not be able to use its protection when it grows up.
@Witherbrine26 Is the action of studying the Influence of the rune of Malenia on Rot allowed?
Can we try to recruit a Wandering Merchant into our cult in order to get free access to Rumour Mill? As far as I understand, they all suffer from insanity and with the help of our Unalloyed Gold, we could cure it.
Will the Room of Slumber spell be cast automatically when Sapling lands?
Shouldn't we have made progress in strengthening the rune by managing to shake the beliefs of the Fire Giant?
Yes, that would give you acess to the Rumor Mill. He could also act as a small trader who can go out and buy things for you
No, you would need to spend a Personal Action casting the spell. However that does let you cast the spell however many times you want so you could set up multiple Room of Slumber
