So the Imperial separatists won. Fair enough, I was a bit more interested in the Magus, but I'm fine with it.
But the lowest rank gain/heal for Verschle? Really?
I'm disappointed.
ok, MAYBE you didn't want to risk the highest rank, that 10% chance of overwhelming dangerous encounters WAS pretty risky.. but not even the 5.25 rank? Really?
I'm disappointed. We could have had totality control and extra lore, for just 2 measly arete.
Stingy... What did Verschle do to you!? He's such a good boy!
They set out on vacation, at last departing the barren wastelands of the Temple exterior in search of a place to recuperate and unwind. With Gisena still meditating in Verschlengorge's cockpit, it was up to Hunger to man the Armament's shoulders and keep a lookout for incoming Astral denizens. Though Verschlengorge was considerably more powerful than it had been, still it was too wounded to be a match for Hunger himself, and that showed in the strength of its Astral beacon. Assaulted by mediocre monstrosities, Hunger did not so much as exert himself on the first day of the trip, each incoming wave dispatched before it had finished emerging from its portal.
He could have so much stronger...
It was curious that the Astral invaders were never dispirited by failure, their resolve apparently unbreakable. Though the beasts clearly weren't mindless, they attacked with suicidal vigor, even into so utterly hopeless a situation as this. Perhaps they weren't cognizant of the fact that Verschlengorge had bodyguards at all.
It seems to imply the attacks are not quite organized at least. Maybe it's just instincts?
He wondered what dynamics governed the process of their attraction to the Armament, subsequent organization and transport to the physical realm. If Verschlengorge's Astral Beacon did not advertise the existence of any being around it, then he could understand their obliviousness at the presence of a bodyguard. If its presence was fundamentally antithetical to the values of the Astral beings, that would justify their heedless courage.
Was there some way to exploit this? Could he incrementally increase his own power by slowly healing Verschlengorge and ambushing the steadily stronger creatures that came for it? Possibly, though the method was somewhat unreliable and slow. The former was tolerable, the latter potentially disqualifying. At all times the Apocryphal Curse loomed over them; speed of growth was critical to outpacing its relentless escalation.
Live, and grow strong. The very act of the former would necessitate the latter. In that sense it was a convenient yoke, one that impelled him ruthlessly towards his ultimate goal: vengeance against beings whose power was too great for his current mind even to fathom.
Yeah, the Hunger ring and Apocryphal DO offer some sinergy, though Apocryphal it's too unreliable to actually be something we can count to be of help to us... which is, after all, the whole points of our curses.
Cutting through another group of Astral invaders, Hunger frowned. There was some disquieting symmetry to the whole situation. The invaders were driven by an inescapable need to destroy Verschlengorge and were blind to the strength of its defender. Was that not an uncanny mirror of his own situation with the Imprisoned Ring? He too was compelled to reach it, and similarly ignorant of its ultimate guardians. Was it even possible for him to prevail here, when the Temple had stood unconquered for millennia before? What if its final defender was simply so powerful that no amount of strength accumulated against its lessers would suffice to challenge it? He himself was the same to these beasts.
A simple massive discontinuity in combat strength would serve as a hard deterrant against invaders like himself or Ber, whose growth was rapid but fundamentally incremental in nature. A meta-contextual moat of sheer ability. The torment of the Ring was nearly unbearable, but even more unbearable was the prospect that he could fail.
Yeah, if the inner guardians were just that much stronger, that would certainly be a problem. Luckily we could always go and search for stronger opponents OUTSIDE the Temple if we really needed to, especially if we manage to raise our rank even more (or get Ruling Ring)
That's probably only really a chance for us because we DID somewhat mitigate the call of the temple though. Most normal adventurers would be stuck there, and if the guardians inside were just that much stronger, they'd be basically doomed to failure, unless somehow an adventurer that was strong enough arrived.
..Actually, that's the perfect trap for us. A temple that can't be cleared just with what the temple itself offer. Something that's pretty counter-intuitive to the average rpg-player. Did Apocryphal plan for that as well?
And yet the prospect of unnecessary delay filled him with contempt. They who only challenged foes that were unquestionably weaker had discarded the most crucial strength of all. Stagnation of the self, a slow diminishing of the vital spirit, was their inescapable fate, for in their hearts they knew themselves to be cowards.
mh.. is this because of the ring, because of our choices, or both?
Probably both. Not sure if this is a good mindset for a cursebearer, but then again we DID choose the "grow through worthy challenges" kind of grow...
"Doing some meditation of your own?" Letrizia asked. Verschlengorge's primary eyes turned in his direction, shimmering gold with fleeting specks of blue.
"Was it that obvious?" He propped the Forebear's Blade against a gun turret and rose to meet her gaze.
"It's good to be self-absorbed once in a while, but you can brood when we're not on vacation. Just take a look at this scenery!"
The Armament strode through high, sheer canyons of water-sluiced stone, rock of pale violet and ochre that gave way to densely-packed layers of compressed crystal, glittering like stained glass beneath the desert sun. The pulverized dust of stone and crystal formed great sloping lines through the ancient riverbed, sharp color against the stark barrens, the fingerpaint trail of some primordial colossus whose knuckles were the mountain-range, its glacier-sheets his nails.
That DOES sound beautiful.
On a random thought, I can't wait until virtual reality headsets become more common and cheap. In time such fantasy landscapes could be realized in them, and they're the kind of scenery that are hard-to-impossible to find in real life, depending on the exact description..
Sure, it's not the same as seeing them in person, but having a thousand different wonderful worlds you can explore in vr would still be very nice..
He nodded. "It's pleasant. Shall we stop for lunch?"
"Hehe. You said it, not me!"
"The words of a woman on the precipice of an eating disorder."
Spread out on Letrizia's blue and white picnic blanket, they encamped for lunch with a few of her declining stock of genuine sandwiches. She also produced a clear yellow powder that, when poured into water, resulted in a pitcher's worth of fresh lemonade.
the wonders of scify-tech... but is it as good as TRUELY fresh lemonade?!
Also it's only a problem if she runs out!
"Verschlengorge's refrigerator is almost empty," Letrizia remarked glumly, pitifully but dutifully enjoying her share.
...so it's about to become a problem apparently 😅
He closed his eyes. "I was going to surprise you, but I ordered some specialty meats from a group of merchants I met in the Outer Temple. When we return, we'll pick them up."
"Really!?" She perked up. "You're the best!"
She leapt towards him, tightly hugging his neck. "I take back all the bad things I said about you! This is wonderful! You're the best bodyguard ever!"
He patted her head fondly. "I was right. You do have an eating disorder."
"But you've never seen an eating disorder this cute!" Gisena was perched dangerously on the canyon's edge, legs swinging freely. "Too bad, if only I had some way to capture this moment forever..."
"I don't care what you say. Nothing can make me unhappy right now." Humming merrily to herself, Letrizia returned to consuming her sandwich, now with ravenous, uninhibited bites.
"Were you always like this, or did piloting Verschlengorge make you this way..."
..Let's be real, we're nearly more of a cool uncle than a bodyguard at this point.
I'd say father, but she DOES still have one of those
Also Letrizia decided to provoke the only God nearly as powerful as the Accursed:
Murphy!
Their idyllic repast was interrupted, however, by the appearance of a matte-gray flying vehicle overhead. He frowned. Its angular lines were almost reminiscent of Verschlengorge's own armor...
Gisena oohed appreciatively as it made a perfectly vertical descent to land near the lip of the canyon. Armored figures emerged swiftly, carrying lean, mechanized rifles alongside torso-length polarized shields.
"What the..." Letrizia frowned. "That's Empire military surplus. Who are these guys?"
"Stay behind me." Hunger rose, Evening Sky a cloud of menace behind him.
eh, they probably think the empire sent us to them.
Would the Empire even care, honestly? Better for would-be-separatist to go to the voyaging realm rather than have them start troubles at home after all. It would probably depend a lot on just what they took with them, and how they acquired it.
One of the more finely-maintained armors approached, gun slung towards the ground. "You there! Who are you, and what are your intentions towards the Elixir Sovereignty?"
"Elixir Sovereignty?" Letrizia raised a mildly amused eyebrow, looking as if she were restraining a laugh.
"We don't have any intentions for you," Hunger said plainly. "You came to us."
"You are impinging on our northeast border," the armored figure replied. "With what appears to be a Imperial Armament. I apologize if we overreacted, but we came to the Voyaging Realm to break free of the Empire's reins. Even if you possess an Armament, if you seek to deprive us of our liberty, know that we will resist your incursion to the last."
I wonder if he's bluffing or if he's actually serious. THen again, maybe he can see that Verschle is hurt and hopes they might have a chance if it came to that.
"Your border means nothing to me," Hunger shrugged. "But I have no intention of killing you unless attacked."
sentences like this really make me notice just how much the Tyrant's Doom influences Hunger's thoughts and actions. I wonder just how aware of it he is.
He knows it
intellectually but does he really
understand?
"Hmph. These guys must have made it deep into the Voyaging Realm before I was stationed here. I've never even heard of them." Letrizia frowned. "Separatists. I'm surprised they're still alive."
"Enemies of yours?" Hunger asked, idly spinning the Blade.
She shook her head. "Not really. Technically I guess they're traitors to the crown, but they're harmless enough. Maybe we can trade with them? Could be a trial run for your mercenary work in the future."
"I see. Probably best for you two to negotiate, then. I'll stand behind you and look menacing."
"Of course, that's a bodyguard's job, after all."
Gisena walked over to the armors, disarmingly beautiful, the picture of wide-eyed naïveté. "Oh my, such miraculous devices! Excuse me, do you mind if I take a look? What an incredible rifle! I've used kinetic sidearms before, but this one appears to be plasma-powered. It must be tremendously more effective. May I see it? It's just that I've never encountered such advanced technology before in my life..."
Hunger blinked. He'd expected one of her usual ploys, but no. She really was just enthusiastically studying their machines.
---
Naive Hunger, don't you know? Honesty can be just as dangerous and disarming as a well-crafted lie. A true master knows when to use each and in what proportions!
...or at least that's how Gisena would justify it if asked
Who knows, she might even be telling the truth!
What's Letrizia's primary objective?
[ ] Hot Springs And Go - Trade the pearl for two nights' of suites at their premier hot springs resort. Comes with all-you-can-eat room service. [+.75 Arete, 70% Condition Healing, 30% Double Healing]
keeping ourself to the vacation plan.
[ ] Lift the Siege - Semi-treasonous or not, these were still her fellow countrymen. As they are beset by a zombie-monster apocalypse, bred by some sort of super undead, it's only fair that her super-juggernaut undead chimera show it who's boss. Lord Hunger is always on about needing worthy opponents to grow stronger, anyway. The separatists, overjoyed with her magnanimous intercession, will gift the party with hot-springs vouchers for life and all the gourmet food and military surplus hardware that the girls could ask for. [Fight the Rotbeast. Worth 3 picks and Premium Vacation at the resort if you prevail.]
We get a fight, exp, and get payed for it with the vacation mentioned above. What's not to love? We need the extra picks anyway, maybe we can take another defining advancement!
[ ] Investigate the Schools - There had to be a reason Verschlengorge brought them here, and through her connection with the Armament she felt it lay among the peers of her age group. Evasive as the separatists have been, still they would not keep her from the truth. She was Verschlengorge's pilot, who had devoured system-spanning fleets and withstood supernovas, who had trawled the Astral nebulae and conquered their Sovereigns and stood astride the hungry dark of a naked singularity. Even that invincible specimen of common matter had quailed before the greater devourer then. What was a... high school... to the likes of her?! [If successful, gain access to the magic system of those born within the Elixir Springs. You can still visit the Hot Springs later.]
not sure I get WHY we can't do both. I imagine it's a matter of not having enough time.. Another magic system is certainly attractive, and would give Letrizia a new tool. And who knows, maybe she can teach Hunger and Gisena later on!
...and yet, I think I'd gowith Lift the Siege. Maybe we can make a short stop here AFTER the temple?
---
You have about 9.5 Arete. You've received 1 pick from slaying the monsters attracted by Rank 4.5 Verschlengorge. Alas, they were simply no match for a blade infused with uttermost strength.
THat's not a bad amount of Arete... Might be better to save it for the 3 picks from the fight though. Maybe we can still get Inheritor (the 3 picks 7 arete steal the soul and powers of an enemy mage)?
[ ] Forebear's Blade - Echo of the Forebear - Cloud-shadow of the Forebear's might.
Legendary strength and speed, and the resilience to exert them. Can be taken multiple times. [+Might, +Agility]
[ ] The Ring of Power - Dominion - 2 Arete
A ring of power does not exert influence casually. It has its own will, its own preferences, and if that will should be inseparable from its owner's, its sway thereby shall be greater for it.
Select a domain of influence. While acting within its domain, [Ring of Power] effects are substantially less taxing and more potent; the effects of this can be abstracted as follows: treat the owner's Rank as if it somewhat* higher for related actions. You may select this advancement multiple times, choosing a different domain each time. If multiple domains apply, their bonuses do not compound.
*+0.5 if Low, +.25 if Mid, +.1 if High.
The available domains for Hunger are: War, Passion
[ ] Fierce Quickening - The absurd violence of Blood unleashed. Let all that falls within its dominion be spilled, if it be in service to the Ringbearer. Adds [++Agility, +Wits] to the bonuses from Quickening, subject to the usual conditions. Can be taken up to 3 times.
[ ] Vigor Itself - The primordial might and glory of Blood resplendent. Let all who witness its form tremble, and be subject. Adds [++Might, +Charisma] to the bonuses from Quickening, subject to the usual conditions. Can be taken up to 3 times.
[ ] Augment Dominion: Blood - The world-wielding will of the Ring.
Treat the wielder's Rank as if it were (.5 Low/.25 Medium/.1 High) higher for purposes of the [Ring of Power] effect applied to the Blood domain, increasing its potency and versatility. Repeatable, but costs 1 more pick each time.
[ ] Evening Sky - Opalescence - The soft light of evening before which all attacks falter.
Improves defensive parameters. [+Protection]
[ ] Evening Sky - Iridescence - 2 Arete - The sharp light of the stars before which all malice is lessened.
+Protection, +Charisma. Expands the range of effects subject to the Evening Sky, allowing it to passively weaken almost all forms of magic. Even Nullity itself can be once withstood before the Sky recedes.
[ ] Exalted Spirit - 2 Arete. Conjunctional [Hunger, Evening Sky]. Mind made vigorous as the body. Gain +Int, +Wits, +Wis, +Cha, -Heartlessness, while in a form with physical blood. Allies under blood enhancement gain +Int, +Cha. Blood enhancement requires physical blood.
As I said before, I think we should take Exalted Spirit. It also buffs our allies, and if Letrizia goes for their magic system it might help her if it depends on int (or even cha!).
Alternatively Iridescence would also be good (didn't it need Opalescence though?), otherwise I'd probably go with our second Vigor Itself, or Fierce Quickening.
[ ] Slice Fate - 7 Arete. Conjunctional [Forebear's Blade, Letrizia]. By unity with thy implement, cast off the chains of Fate and seize destiny with thine own two hands. +1 re-roll per 24 hours for Hunger. Enables Letrizia to become [The Devouring Sorceress]. ++Letrizia, +Gisena.
---
oh, another new one...and it's Sorcery for Letrizia!!!
you know, this + the high-school means Letrizia might get TWO different magics at her disposal, and Devouring Sorceress would likely sinergyze pretty well with the Armament, and maybe offer some new avenue of mitigation for Decimator!
As promised, blurbs for the two winning 25 Arete options:
[ ] Super Juggernaut Undead Chimera - 25 Arete
Defining Advancement. If chosen, you may have no more than five Defining Advancements.
Super Juggernaut - The character may manifest an Armament Shroud even if they are not Rank 9+. His Pressure has no influence outside the Shroud. Within the radius of the Shroud, the character's effective Pressure is massively intensified, massively increasing the difficulty of opposition to him and allowing for the manifestation of character-unique effects.
If the character is already Rank 9+, halve the effects of Tiredness and Exhaustion on him and double his Shroud's effective radius and any numerical values in his Shroud effects. Manifesting a Shroud is taxing to the will.
Undead Chimera - Gain the memetic benefits of undeath without the penalties. Immune to most poisons and diseases, not hampered by the loss of most internal organs, no need to eat, breathe, drink or sleep. For each type of undead the character can be said to represent (no more than five), choose one Attribute to apply a +100% bonus to, or increase his current Rank by 10%. Attribute bonuses affect present and future levels. You may stack choices, but each consecutive stack reduces the value by half. Thus, choosing AGI twice yields +150% AGI, and choosing Rank twice yields +15% Rank.
so... a battle form for our rank use, and a "undead, except not really" effect.
We're basically a revenant already, come back from the dead to get our revenge...
It's strong, but I don't like it for some reason. It just doesn't
speak to me, not compared to Ruling Ring, Pillars of Creation, or even Once and Future.
[ ] Cut Through - 25 Arete
Add the character's Willpower to his effective Might and Agility. Elevate the character's sword techniques by one step along the Infinite Singularity Husk.
The character may develop a set of techniques that are equivalent to those of the Sword Praxis, that sliver of the Royal Praxis focused on techniques of the blade. If a Cursebearer, the character may eventually develop techniques equivalent to the Imperial Sword Praxis instead. Naturally, almost any conceivable effect can eventually be realized even through the medium of swordplay, if one's canvas is the Imperial Praxis itself, though the strengths and weaknesses of the Praxis continue to apply.
ok, so will to might and agility... we raise one step in the conceptual power scale for sword technique.
oh, and we also
get some very limited access to the IMPERIAL PRAXIS.
Sure, it's limited but... well, a small slice of infiniti is STILL infinity!
This is certainly worth considering, and I like it MUCH more than the chimera thing.
Not sure if I'd take it before Ruling Ring though, simply because getting the 25 arete is going to be HARD.
well, not completely sure about the current build. I'm honestly REALLY tempted by trying to give Letrizia double magic, especially after Verschle got so little healing...but then again keeping the arete for the 3-picks option makes sense...
