Crave the Light [Project Moon Quest]

I was going to bump the thread because I thought the vote closed at 8pm instead of 6 but fair enough.

Unfortunately I don't have a post prepared so either see it most logically in a few days. Or if my ADHD grips me by the throat, posted later today at a ominous hour like 5am or something like that.

Congrats on the music group winning! Oh boy are you guys dedicated for the music bit that may or may not have repercussions.

Wonder how's your Sinner going to fair under such curious circumstances where you decided to group up under the banner of a Syndicate whose themes were centered around being batshit insane as archetype when created? Guess we'll see until I type it all out.

You swallowed your pride and forsaken yourself once again? You thought that you washed your hands clean from the deed and picked up an instrument when you swore you wouldn't do so again after what happened in the past.

It's no surprise. You were never good with your own promises, weren't you?

Yet you lie to yourself; you had to survive. You need to survive. Morals and principles were useless when it comes to your own survival, isn't it? You had to compromise them, seeking for every ledge to grip on to secure your life for another day.

It's the same thing you told yourself when times were tough and your savings dried up; the three figures of a zero imprinted in your head. You couldn't afford to rely on honest work to Hustle, you were denied a right to become a Fixer, and you had too much pride to become a Rat. So when a man came up to you with a knife and an offer, you accepted; uncaring about the consequences and pitfalls just so you can pay next month's Head Tax.

It wasn't a regular grunt who gave you such a prestigious offer. Nor of a higher level member.

But instead, you were sought out by the Conductor of the Orchestra.


Either way, let me cut off my ramblings because you're so eager to start the story, aren't you?

I would be too in your place.

Don't fret just yet, I just have one last question for you before you set off on your journey.

In every story, a protagonist must wield a weapon. One that they have long since known that they will forever wield.

Even if each iteration will break or be discarded in favor for a better, upgraded version; that protagonist will stick with one specific weapon type no matter what. And you likewise, operate under a similar mentality if you can afford it.

What is your trusted weapon of choice that you wield now?

[X] Silver Flute (Gain Title: The 'Distortionist')
You have accepted the title that the Conductor granted upon you with all the reverence of a newly converted believer. You are a Flute within this Orchestra and you will soon practice to play a grand Solo for the whole District to hear.

For that: you are gifted a beautiful, silver flute. It is a exquisite instrument, not too out of place to be distinguished from a Nestling's own expensive flute one can imagine dream of buying instead of held in your grasp, with the elegant and intricate engravings inscribed onto the metal. Etched into it were swirls of white and black, reminscient of clouds that were graced with patterns that meant something more than just meaningless finery. And above it all, it is your Flute, gifted to you by the Conductor in honor of your loyalty. You are still grateful of this gift to this very day.
Pros
[Ranged Pierce Attacks]
[Skills inflict Sinking]
Cons
[Incapable of Melee Attacks until Disarmed of 'Flute']
[Skills inflict Sinking towards Self]
[Most Devoted to the Cause]


[X] Bladed Tambourine (Gain Title: March of the Orchestra)
You have neither accepted nor denied your Title as Flute. Even though the weapon you wield says otherwise, you instead stand on the fence. The boundary which you lean precariously, either to accept your fate as Flute or Rage against this so-called chosen Destiny. For now, you took up this Bladed Tambourine and wonder as your deadline approaches, looming over your head to choose.

This Bladed Tambourine is a modified tambourine where many of the small metal jingles that would decorate its frame has instead been replaced by sharp knives that stick out from its membrane. It is a gruesome and crude instrument, often stained by blood that you couldn't bother washing it out after every battle or musical practice. It's a old thing, falling apart and seemingly one battle away from the sheet breaking in again but it is your weapon.
Pros
[Melee and Ranged Slash Attacks]
[Skills inflicts Bleed and Tremor]
[Ambivalent Reputation with the Conductor]

Cons
[Skills inflict Self-Bleed]
[Special Counter Skill inflicts 'Disarmed']
[You despise wielding this Weapon]


[X] Hurdy-gurdy (Gain Title: Disharmonious Grunt)
You reject the title of Flute and you reject the instruments that you have been offered and know you could pick up and play with the proficiency of a musical genius. (And you reject the position you are in. You know you're meant for something better than this Syndicate.)

Instead you picked up an odd weapon that seemingly no one has ever played. It is a large wooden string instrument that has a guitar shaped body but a violin-form with many of its string rubbing against a wheel operated by a handcrank with a small keyboard placed in the middle that controls the whole mechanism. If you wanted, you could strum the strings though it be hard to do so with its complex design. This unusual instrument is sturdy enough to be wielded as a bludgeoning device when you're not struggling to practice playing a harmonious music piece. You know it would be easier to tap into your latent, cursed talent to master it for combat but this is a new start. A new beginning and you're determined to not rely on your Sins to play and wield this weapon.
Pros
[Melee Blunt Attacks]
[Skills inflicts Tremor and Rupture]
[Potential Man Weapon]

Cons
[Low Reputation with the Conductor]
[Unfamiliarity with the Weapon]
[Inability to use Ranged Attacks until Proficiency is Achieved]
[Potential Man Weapon]


[X] Flesh Horn (Gain Title: The Wretch) [Favoured Attribute: Temperance Negates this Option from being Picked]
Going against your own nature, this is your act of rebellion. You endeavour to not be a Flute but a Trumpet that will be heard.

You thought what the Pianist did was horrid? You sought to become an even worse monster. This was not a Trumpet that was encased in rotting flesh. No, this oozing and bleeding mess was shaped into a figure of a Trumpet. Such a sight can horrify any spectator and made them blauch.
Made from the body of the first person you killed during your time with the Syndicate, this Flesh Horn is a horrifying abomination that isn't subject to the same law of Decay from the sheer atrocity its existence represents.
Pros
[Ranged and Melee Attacks]
[Inflict a Special Debuff against Enemies]
[Skills inflict Sinking and Rupture]
Cons
[Highly Favored Reputation with the Conductor]
[Negative Coins]
[What the Hell is this Instrument?]

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QM Note: ahahaha this took a long while. mb, thought I'd get to post this part sooner than later but I've spent a lot of time procrastinating ngl since i told myself i'm gonna take a chill break and catch up on all of the story content in other gacha games ive been playing (this took more than 3 days than planned as i spent nights, staying up at odd hours of the morning to grind content frantically before the next update came out. And said update comes out and now I gotta grind that new content to get ahead and oh boy that other game updated too and now here we are).

Another reason beyond being overwhelmed by my supposed short vacation during winter break is that I got stumped on trying craft/theorize combat mechanics. Hopefully when that gets shipped out, it won't crash and burn first battle in. idk. And also thinking about creative weapons and weapon mechanics/types that have a musical theme and ig aren't seen in canon so it looks more unique that way, so another excuse/reason this part stumped me too. we love quests dying halfway through in character creation lol

But yeah I'm trying to go more of a limbus mechanic inspired route with this Quest as you can see, with the potential of your character uptying evolving as the quest goes.