Probably not... On the other hand tossing the fish up in the air and then thousand cutting it to have some perfectly sliced Sashimi land in everyone's plate might temporarily edge out Shroud in the moment at least.
A Simple Transaction I
- Thread starter Rihaku
- Start date
- Original
Probably not... On the other hand tossing the fish up in the air and then thousand cutting it to have some perfectly sliced Sashimi land in everyone's plate might temporarily edge out Shroud in the moment at least.
Lealope
Not yet invincible
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Planning with regards to our needs in the long term. Will need a lot of adjusting as we learn more but y'know what they say about plans and planning.
1 month
Goals: immediate survival, preparing for civilisation.
Live, and grow strong. Before we really start taking off, we need to find a safer place where we can rest, gather resources, allies and information. To do that, we should probably start picking more immediate power options. We've been pretty greedy with Nightmare Praetor, now is the time to just cash in and keep moving. As for our preparations, we need to ensure we can interact with civilization on some level if we want to ensure our ability to scale against the Apocryphal. Seram benefited from the Porcelain Faction's aid and we could do the same. Permission to pilot Vershlengorge, transport to the harshest battlefields, the information they posses on Curse Mitigation. All things we could get with a good relationship to these guys.
For the sake of these, I'm going to suggest we go with Substantially and Star-Cloaked Shroud. The former gives us another + with Letrizia, who is by far our best chance for integration between her title, personal resources and authority over Vershlengorge. Her vouching for us would go a long, long way to make people be willing to work around our issues. We can capitalize on this through Evening Sky's Charisma bonus, which would also let us survive much better thanks to the Protection and status resistance it provides. That it's potential isn't limited and can be further developed with our Progression is a substantial advantage. And alternative to this is choosing A Curse, Deferred; Rihaku's already stated that Letrizia would be significantly reassured if she knew we were pursuing Mitigation as fast as we could. Even if it blunts our affinity for Vershlengorge, it gives us two years to build a working relationship with the civilizations of this world and makes our hero less mentally vulnerable to the Apocryphal.
Regardless, I'd like to get into the habit of taking +Letrizias for social options, the more she likes and respects us, the more inclined she'll be to advocate on our behalf. Might also make her feel a bit less horrified the first time we get a serious Tyrannical episode. We should also take this time to Commune with Vershlengorge at least once, we should see what's on offer when it comes to Arete purchases, even if we don't buy anything.
1 year
Goals: Resolve the Decimator, develop trust with the organization
Whatever we choose, we need to find a way to live with the Decimator. That might take the form of specialized Mitigation, spending as much time as possible in the Astral, living inside Vershlengorge so they can take the same measures they use for him, restricting ourselves to the Voyaging Realm etc. The fact is that we can't both be a Wound That Walks and interact with society. It's not viable for the person our character is, not to mention the risk of a civilization deciding we're more trouble than we're worth and carpet bombing our general location.
Developing trust means we'll have to work with them for extended periods of time before they're satisfied we're not completely insane. As someone who has rapport with us, experience with Vershlengorge, expertise in Rank and the trust of the organization, I can't imagine it'll be too hard to get Letrizia as our handler. Combined with Gisena, that should smooth out any friction and ensure nobody gets any bright ideas about vivisection tables. Considering they've seemingly got the instruments to detect Curses, they might even be able to objectively confirm the existence of our Doom and make accommodations accordingly. Quite glad we didn't break truce with the pirate, we can still be bound by our word which is one way to get around our issues and one I imagine we'll employ extensively.
With a firm foundation and a degree of external aid, this is when we can really start going crazy with the high potential options. So long as the government doesn't want us dead outright, we're likely safe from anything but Apocryphal procs which means we can throw ourselves into fights and let them bail us out if necessary. That would allow them to study our Accretion, our Progression and (if we get in the giant robot) our affinity with Vershlengorge. A good alternative would be to work with them on studying the Foremost; they've clearly got something to do with the Accursed and perhaps we can get aid from the caches of another Forebear. Grave robbing won us the day in our second world, why stop now?
This is also when we should start experimenting with Vershlengorge and decide if we want to become a pilot or keep working on foot. The former grants a lot of immediate, tangible power and grants us a lot of immediate influence as the one who can draw out the true potential of a superweapon. It catapults us into the big leagues right away. The latter is helpful if we want to remain relatively beneath notice. I doubt they could ever imagine that a single human being could reach into the realms of an Armament and not needing to be a giant robot to express that power has a lot of advantages. It does mean we'd get tossed around a lot more by circumstances though.
10 years
Goals: Power growth
Yeah, yeah, I know that's always a priority for a Progresser but what I mean is that we should start really putting our nose to the grindstone at this point. Start cashing in on the relationships and resources we've managed to build up and spend them all on fueling our ascent. Perhaps even working to restore Vershlengorge to its former glory if we've decided to use him. Cash in on all the potential we've built up, that rapid ascent would turn us into one of the big boys, even if we're not a pilot. That's when our Intelligence and Charisma bonuses will pay off the most.
That we live in a mass media society is great for this because it makes it possible to fuel Accretion through resources. I don't think we've ever had a hero whose also been a sci-fi!Hollywoood superstar celebrity. We've even got the shitty attitude to go with it. Get the organization to pay for the promotion of our image, the countless battles we've been through would be a spectacular story. Movie deals, videogames, HBO TV shows, push our image as far as it will go. With out gorgeous face, solid charisma and incredible physicality, we'll rise to the top in no time. Imagine how far our Accretion Rank will advance when our name is on the lips of an entire interstellar civilization. When our face is on every billboard and poster. Gisena could be our co-star!
Then, we should start the cycle again. Adapt to our new circumstances, begin building up potential and then burst into action. Hopefully we'll be able to engage in a lightning fast conquest after one or two centuries and then stabilise our rule. I don't want to wait too long and get to know what the Apocryphal cooks up to challenge us once we're the strongest.
P.S: 1214 words.
1 month
Goals: immediate survival, preparing for civilisation.
Live, and grow strong. Before we really start taking off, we need to find a safer place where we can rest, gather resources, allies and information. To do that, we should probably start picking more immediate power options. We've been pretty greedy with Nightmare Praetor, now is the time to just cash in and keep moving. As for our preparations, we need to ensure we can interact with civilization on some level if we want to ensure our ability to scale against the Apocryphal. Seram benefited from the Porcelain Faction's aid and we could do the same. Permission to pilot Vershlengorge, transport to the harshest battlefields, the information they posses on Curse Mitigation. All things we could get with a good relationship to these guys.
For the sake of these, I'm going to suggest we go with Substantially and Star-Cloaked Shroud. The former gives us another + with Letrizia, who is by far our best chance for integration between her title, personal resources and authority over Vershlengorge. Her vouching for us would go a long, long way to make people be willing to work around our issues. We can capitalize on this through Evening Sky's Charisma bonus, which would also let us survive much better thanks to the Protection and status resistance it provides. That it's potential isn't limited and can be further developed with our Progression is a substantial advantage. And alternative to this is choosing A Curse, Deferred; Rihaku's already stated that Letrizia would be significantly reassured if she knew we were pursuing Mitigation as fast as we could. Even if it blunts our affinity for Vershlengorge, it gives us two years to build a working relationship with the civilizations of this world and makes our hero less mentally vulnerable to the Apocryphal.
Regardless, I'd like to get into the habit of taking +Letrizias for social options, the more she likes and respects us, the more inclined she'll be to advocate on our behalf. Might also make her feel a bit less horrified the first time we get a serious Tyrannical episode. We should also take this time to Commune with Vershlengorge at least once, we should see what's on offer when it comes to Arete purchases, even if we don't buy anything.
1 year
Goals: Resolve the Decimator, develop trust with the organization
Whatever we choose, we need to find a way to live with the Decimator. That might take the form of specialized Mitigation, spending as much time as possible in the Astral, living inside Vershlengorge so they can take the same measures they use for him, restricting ourselves to the Voyaging Realm etc. The fact is that we can't both be a Wound That Walks and interact with society. It's not viable for the person our character is, not to mention the risk of a civilization deciding we're more trouble than we're worth and carpet bombing our general location.
Developing trust means we'll have to work with them for extended periods of time before they're satisfied we're not completely insane. As someone who has rapport with us, experience with Vershlengorge, expertise in Rank and the trust of the organization, I can't imagine it'll be too hard to get Letrizia as our handler. Combined with Gisena, that should smooth out any friction and ensure nobody gets any bright ideas about vivisection tables. Considering they've seemingly got the instruments to detect Curses, they might even be able to objectively confirm the existence of our Doom and make accommodations accordingly. Quite glad we didn't break truce with the pirate, we can still be bound by our word which is one way to get around our issues and one I imagine we'll employ extensively.
With a firm foundation and a degree of external aid, this is when we can really start going crazy with the high potential options. So long as the government doesn't want us dead outright, we're likely safe from anything but Apocryphal procs which means we can throw ourselves into fights and let them bail us out if necessary. That would allow them to study our Accretion, our Progression and (if we get in the giant robot) our affinity with Vershlengorge. A good alternative would be to work with them on studying the Foremost; they've clearly got something to do with the Accursed and perhaps we can get aid from the caches of another Forebear. Grave robbing won us the day in our second world, why stop now?
This is also when we should start experimenting with Vershlengorge and decide if we want to become a pilot or keep working on foot. The former grants a lot of immediate, tangible power and grants us a lot of immediate influence as the one who can draw out the true potential of a superweapon. It catapults us into the big leagues right away. The latter is helpful if we want to remain relatively beneath notice. I doubt they could ever imagine that a single human being could reach into the realms of an Armament and not needing to be a giant robot to express that power has a lot of advantages. It does mean we'd get tossed around a lot more by circumstances though.
10 years
Goals: Power growth
Yeah, yeah, I know that's always a priority for a Progresser but what I mean is that we should start really putting our nose to the grindstone at this point. Start cashing in on the relationships and resources we've managed to build up and spend them all on fueling our ascent. Perhaps even working to restore Vershlengorge to its former glory if we've decided to use him. Cash in on all the potential we've built up, that rapid ascent would turn us into one of the big boys, even if we're not a pilot. That's when our Intelligence and Charisma bonuses will pay off the most.
That we live in a mass media society is great for this because it makes it possible to fuel Accretion through resources. I don't think we've ever had a hero whose also been a sci-fi!Hollywoood superstar celebrity. We've even got the shitty attitude to go with it. Get the organization to pay for the promotion of our image, the countless battles we've been through would be a spectacular story. Movie deals, videogames, HBO TV shows, push our image as far as it will go. With out gorgeous face, solid charisma and incredible physicality, we'll rise to the top in no time. Imagine how far our Accretion Rank will advance when our name is on the lips of an entire interstellar civilization. When our face is on every billboard and poster. Gisena could be our co-star!
Then, we should start the cycle again. Adapt to our new circumstances, begin building up potential and then burst into action. Hopefully we'll be able to engage in a lightning fast conquest after one or two centuries and then stabilise our rule. I don't want to wait too long and get to know what the Apocryphal cooks up to challenge us once we're the strongest.
P.S: 1214 words.
ImperatorV
The Laughing One
- Location
- The Voyaging Realm
Evening Sky is the best! Great immediately, great long term, and unlike Lord Reaper doesn't lack defensive options! Vote for the Star-Cloaked Shroud!
In all seriousness though, I'm becoming increasingly convinced that my originally aesthetic-driven choice is the best one. Remember in EFB Nameless's early game got carried hard by two FB purchases, and 7 arete is about the equivalent to a FB. Between the two choices, Evening Sky provides better defenses, and survival is paramount! Our charge is to live and grow strong. Star-Cloaked Shroud provides the protection to live, and the long-term potential to grow strong.
Talace
It must be raining somewhere else!
Not just in the short-term! Let your imagination run wild, and speculate at all the multi-colored vote options Rihaku will give us as Progression inevitably unlocks more and more mystery boxes-- what about a defense against attacks that ruin esoteric defenses (there's always an Evening Sky above the Sky, after all) or interactions with other Sky/Star/Night themed content!
- Location
- US
[X] Of Fishermen, A King
[X] Star-Cloaked Shroud
[X] Star-Cloaked Shroud
- Location
- Pindorama
Do you guys have any plans to deal with Exhausted? Seriously, it's implied to be pretty crippling. We don't know how long it lasts either; if Apocrypha prods again before we recover, we are screwed. We can't go to Arete debt this update, so I urge anyone voting for a 7 Arete option to vote for Substantially so that our moment of weakness is diminished. It's wise to take no chances when it comes to the Apocryphal Curse. And it's not like we don't benefit substantially from +Letrizia now that we have decide to spill.
So let's try to avoid disaster, hm?
So let's try to avoid disaster, hm?
Maragas
Nothing to see here.
- Location
- Tree House
Big problem. I like Dragon theme more! Checkmate!
- Location
- USA
- Pronouns
- He/Him
With Lord Reaper we're stronger than before despite the condition! It positions us excellently for the looming spectre of the Apocryphal Curse.
Rihaku
The Internet
Careful that you're not branded a memetic hazard for taking too many +Appearance choices in the meantime! Imperia's problem could become your own!
And think of the fangirl swarms... *shudder*
Btw, fame is relevant to Accretion Rank but it's not necessarily an integral part, you can get just as much by painstakingly working on your weapon and manually improving it over time with ingenuity/craftsmanship, or by accomplishing great feats with it even if unnoticed. Though, the nature of the powers you would be offered may differ!
It also gives you more thematic availability in your Accretion advancement! Convert that combat Experience into an even broader array of effects!
It doesn't just grant you an attack with sevenfold strength and speed with crippling properties, it also provides that attack with range! You can cheese foes far mightier than yourself with a crushing alpha strike!!
And it still boosts your stats somewhat, so you won't be a total glass cannon. It's actually quite a balanced build, despite an unreasonably powerful offense.
Shard
One and Many
- Location
- Malaysia
What's next, not!Arthur Drake comes over to swear fealty?!
Well, okay, dealing with fangirl swarms would be a unique experience in Rihaku quests. Especially if like we get protagonists coming over to select the Lord Hunger faction.
Last edited:
Rihaku
The Internet
True, there is no real or pressing need for you to achieve a legendary feat of fishing at this juncture, especially not at such a cost when you've just gotten a major power boost and need only survive long enough to take advantage of it! Substantially also increases your Letrizia rank! And improves your nutrition, all relevant factors for good performance and morale.
Gotta get those omega-3s!
More importantly, you guys can't get into the habit of yoloing every vote and relying on luck or Arete to bail you out. There are some risks that those things just don't work very well against! To succeed against the tribulation that is the Apocryphal Curse will require not just determination, but planning and wisdom as well!
- Location
- The Surface Of A Hostile Planet
[X] Star-Cloaked Shroud
With the clarification from Rihaku that we end up net power positive with this even with Exhaustion, I've been convinced to go for it.
A wide-spectrum defense greatly mitigates the number of avenues the Apocyphal Curse has to screw with us in the short term, and the broader conceptual foundation and charisma boost will likely serve us well in the long term.
Plus it just sounds more interesting than the Lord Reaper build to me.
With the clarification from Rihaku that we end up net power positive with this even with Exhaustion, I've been convinced to go for it.
A wide-spectrum defense greatly mitigates the number of avenues the Apocyphal Curse has to screw with us in the short term, and the broader conceptual foundation and charisma boost will likely serve us well in the long term.
Plus it just sounds more interesting than the Lord Reaper build to me.
I thought this was the case but glad to have it confirmed. As it's not as fun advancing by being the face of pepsi (Still got that Old Terra flavor!) compared to a lot of more mythic style methods. I'm not sure how much data we'll want to expose about ourselves generally as well so being able to control that is good.
Rihaku
The Internet
Plus, remember what happened the last time you tried to harness the adulation of the masses? Talk about bad first experiences!
- Location
- Planet Earth
Alright, Rihaku's explanations and thread discussions have convinced me to go for Star-Cloaked Shroud. With the way Letrizia reacted to our statement(awe, not fear) there shouldn't be problems we can't deal with, mitigation while nice isn't quite necessary. As such, the broad and powerful defenses of the Shroud, paired with the force of will, make it a very good option both in long term potential and in short term survival.
[X] Of Fishermen, A King
[X] Star-Cloaked Shroud
[X] Of Fishermen, A King
[X] Star-Cloaked Shroud
Shard
One and Many
- Location
- Malaysia
Apocryphal Curse is sounding more and more like Immortal Tribulation from EFB with every statement you make about it.
- Location
- Poland
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Of Fishermen, A King
[X] Star-Cloaked Shroud
Okay, changing it.
The cloak is just too comfy, especially with the Apocryphal Curse circling around us, hungrily.
[X] Star-Cloaked Shroud
Okay, changing it.
The cloak is just too comfy, especially with the Apocryphal Curse circling around us, hungrily.
Rihaku
The Internet
The Lord Reaper's rate of advancement is even higher, though! Offensive power provides its own form of safety in removing threats before they can take action!
LordOfMurder
Bhaal
- Location
- Australia
[X] Of Fishermen, A King
[X] Lord Reaper
Thomasfoolery has swayed me from my love of the slumber options with the promise of the ultimate fishing build. If we're to catch a legendary fish with our sword we might as well do it with sevenfold skill.
Lord Reaper is actually pretty good due to our hunger build since we get more xp from stronger enemies and this lets us hit seriously out of our weightclass. The best defense is after all a good offence!
This will let us take some worthy opponent and errantry actions or the equivalent at the next decision point and reap some serious hunger gains.
[X] Lord Reaper
Thomasfoolery has swayed me from my love of the slumber options with the promise of the ultimate fishing build. If we're to catch a legendary fish with our sword we might as well do it with sevenfold skill.
Lord Reaper is actually pretty good due to our hunger build since we get more xp from stronger enemies and this lets us hit seriously out of our weightclass. The best defense is after all a good offence!
This will let us take some worthy opponent and errantry actions or the equivalent at the next decision point and reap some serious hunger gains.
Last edited:
- Location
- Planet Earth
Worth noting, like with all Glass Cannon builds it requires you're able to strike first. Ambushes, faster opponents, multiple opponents, any enemy or scenario with a stealth focus, simple natural disaster, all of these can absolutely fuck over as offensively focused a build as Lord Reaper. Offense does jack shit if you never get a chance to use it after all.
- Location
- Pindorama
[X] Of Fishermen, A King
[X] Star-Cloaked Shroud
Fine, fine. Going for the option with the most survivability. Helps us with Letrizia as well. Gotta flex that charisma.
[X] Star-Cloaked Shroud
Fine, fine. Going for the option with the most survivability. Helps us with Letrizia as well. Gotta flex that charisma.