Here's a reaction to contribute to the Vigor Incarnate+Dominion(War) setup. This reaction was finished circa To Battle's Close. 1498 Words
People have done a lot of speculating about what Rihaku meant with this title here. My pet theory is that he thought Ennobling would be more enticing than people found it.
Burgeoning under the weight of all they'd consumed, the two of them stumbled and Gisena gracefully strode into their suite to recover from the feast.
Considering Gisena was mooching off other peoples plates, the question is how much did she eat? She's tried to become less controlled after she got isekaied but she either failed in that goal, or was physically incapable of eating enough to experience similar effects to Lord Hunger and Letrezia. Which leads to the question of what Findross does to Gisena's biology. Does it all just disappear into a Findross singularity that's fueling her body as opposed to something as mundane as conventional digestion transferring nutrients?
It was an elegant series of rooms, sparsely decorated yet opulent. Swooping calligraphies and handworks of glazed porcelain decorated the walls, while the doorknobs and countertops were carved from lucent jade; a single bonsai shedding cherry blossoms graced the entrance hall.
I tried googling Lucent Jade to get pictures for what it looks like. The first page was cases for Cell phones. I tried googling types of Jade and apparently that's not a technical term for jade. So I finally went and googled Lucent. The Doorknobs and Countertops are literally glowing. They are emitting light. The mundane light sources just walked out, because the glowing doorknobs and countertops convinced them they have this in the bag. It's like fallout in here with all the radium only nobody's getting cancer. Nobody can sleep either because they can't turn the glowing doorknobs and countertops off. This is insanely fancy. The kind of fancy you stick in a cliched stereotype mental institution like Arkham Asylum it is that insane.
The austere refinement of clean lines and floors contrasted with the plush extravagance gracing every surface liable to human touch.
So the doorknobs in addition to glowing, are soft. What kind of rock did they make these doorknobs out of? This is weird enough for me to remember Vimbee from Welcome to Night Vale. It's a pale blue, completely edible rock the Night Vale school systems Geology class added to the curriculum because it had been a while since anybody had added a new type of rock, with points given to the first student to discover a real-world example.
Their room looked out onto a small courtyard of textured stonework and peach trees,
These aren't the kind of peaches that make people immortal though. Those are stuck in the Realm of Evening we need Pillars of Creation to get into. Only one magic generating feature per town everybody!
beneath which plunged the unspoiled slope of the mountain, its harrowing incline revealing the city beneath in all its glittering splendor. The windows were presently open, bare to the icy wind of the high mountain, but small runnels of Elixir water framed the room entire, their delicate steam warding off any imprecation of the cold.
So there's a complete circuit of Elixir spring water surrounding the room like a magic circle, or square, or something. Was this resort originally meant as a prison for magical creatures from the Dresdenverse? Also, I would love it if the cold was cursing us out from beyond the magical barrier the circle/square of elixir water and steam is providing. That would be hilarious. Google imprecation, apparently one of the meanings is spoken curses.
Hunger reached out and grabbed a peach from a branch sagging under its fresh, ripe weight. It was delightful, the sun-bright sweetness of its flesh contrasting with the frost-dusted texture of its skin. This, nonsensically, was closer to eating a fish off one's own line. He smiled.
Of course, Lord Hunger doesn't give a fark that these aren't the peaches of immortality, considering he hasn't unlocked Pillars of Creation yet.
In a nonsensical show of solidarity, Gisena and Letrizia decided to delay their enjoyment of the public baths to the next night, stating they didn't want Hunger to be left out.
Nonsensical from who's perspective? Lord Hunger's? Are they both fond enough of anime genre conventions that they're trying to engineer a proper hot springs scene? Though yeah I suppose you can't get the full benefits of a Hot Spring as a ghost until you find a way to give your ghost body a circulatory system and the ability to feel the water as opposed to it just going through you.
"We'll just enjoy the waters in the suite! Besides, there're magical experiments to be done!" Gisena stared at him through the distorting glass of one of Letrizia's vials.
Yes! Look at me still talking when there's SCIENCE to do. When I look up there it makes me glad I'm not you. *Still alive starts playing*
"What are we even paying for if you're not going to use the hot springs?" Hunger grumbled.
The discretion of the staff while we give ourselves more superpowers? Since that's the reason everybody goes to 5 star hotels after all, the free Cauldron vials under the pillows.
"It'll be all for naught if we don't use them together," Gisena said dramatically, laying her hands against her chest. "And that would be the greatest loss of all.
Shiptease anybody?
Why not enjoy the spring water in our room today? There's no point in you bathing as a ghost, so just think of it as an incentive not to get your physical form killed tomorrow!"
Even more shiptease!
"But then... how would I know I trained my hardest?" He raised his eyebrows.
Data gathering and research? Finding ways to measure your progress and working via experiment to see what gets you the most of your desired gains?
Letrizia smacked him on the shoulder. "You joke now, but continue along this path and in a few months that's what you'll really believe!"
He looked blankly at her. "It is what I really believe."
I guess this is point where we gaze into the dark side of our decision to take the Ring of Hunger and a magic system that can get stronger by doing impressive things if you survive. Our incentive structure is skewed towards reckless behavior.
"Moving on," Gisena said lightly, "Isn't this even better, sampling the full gamut of experiences? One night in the room, one in the baths."
Gisena seems to be leaning hard on the explore side of the explore vs exploit dichotomy right now.
"I want to try awakening my Element first!" Letrizia said. "If I'm a mage, will the Voyaging Realm still try to stop me from extracting you? There's surprisingly little literature on this."
So the question here is whether or not everybody in a position to write about this question got killed by Voyaging Realm shenanigans or whether it's a legitimate case of nobody having tried it yet.
"What are you going to do if it does try to stop you?" He looked around. "We're hardly prepared for an apocalypse."
So far. We are hardly prepared for an apocalypse so far Lord Hunger. That doesn't mean you won't get there eventually. Apocrypha or other shenanigans should make sure of that.
"My bodyguard will protect me!" Letrizia declared. "At the rate your strength is growing, that shouldn't be too unrealistic, right?"
We unfortunately, aren't quite at the point where we can say things like "All the lights in the sky may be enemy, but that simply means I must strike them all down" and back it up just yet.
"Perhaps. But can your country afford to pay those rates?"
If we conquer them and buff the living daylights out of them they most certainly can! Conquering countries via debt? Not a bad idea.
"That's hardly my problem!" She turned up her nose. "Though, I am hoping to have Verschlengorge repaired before then. Maybe we can find a magus capable of doing it, or we can just incrementally heal him up with your Ring. It's been strange to be the one protected these past weeks. I've been dying to show you guys what we can really do!"
Considering our blood powers just hit rank 7 as of the point I'm writing this, you'll get your wish soon enough Letrezia. Then you can om nom nom as many astral beasts as you can eat assuming your devour to heal system is back online and we can get the Armament lore from the totality system.
"...Speaking of Verschlengorge, where is he parked?"
I'm getting very strong echoes of Megas XLR out of this turn of phrase. Maybe we should get Azure Moon, master our soul evocation and hybridize Verschlengorge with a car so it can be Megas in truth.
"The separatists are looking after him. Don't worry, they know better than to call down the wrath of the Empire. In normal cases the greater Empire doesn't really have the Armaments to spare for small rebellions like this one, but that clemency would swiftly cease if they were brazen enough to steal actual Armaments!"
Let's hope your connections to the Empire haven't burned away and become meaningless by the time we get out of the Voyaging Realm.
"It's all right, they're appropriately terrified of her station," Gisena assured him. "The privilege of nobility!"
Assuming she's still nobility and/or news from the outside world about the Empire's political situation doesn't reach the Elixir Sovereignty.
He rolled his eyes. "Onwards then. Let me have a look at that blood."
Maybe Scarlet Legion is a reference to the blood properties people need to have to initiate into Surgecrafting?
"Magic~ magic~" Letrizia clapped her hands happily. Gisena put on a brave smile, but there was just the barest flicker of emotion in her eyes, bitter perhaps at the thought that, though there hardly was a more talented Sorceress, her powers would only ever allow her to unmake what was wondrous, drag down the supernal into the grey mundane. So brief he could have imagined it. Hunger said nothing.
We could have helped you ascend to the level of the Maiden, but unfortunately for you we went for Crimson Flare instead. Enjoy your blood buffs as a consolation prize I guess.
The process of unlocking 'High Elementalism,' Gisena theorized, ought be shockingly trivial for someone with access to the Ring of Blood. He merely had to heighten a few obscure properties of the target's blood, and then when exposed to a sufficient quantity of apex-grade Elixir Water they would naturally awaken to their Element.
He supposed any magical system with steep and obscure requirements would not have arisen organically in an otherwise mundane society of settlers. As far as Gisena'd seen, The waters of the spring were both temporary and wholly unique. Perhaps the settlers had merely gotten stupendously lucky, or some agent had not caused them to stumble upon the springs.
"Some agent had not caused them to stumble upon the springs"? I think there may be a typo here because I'm having difficulty parsing this. It makes more sense if you get rid of the word "not" meaning an external party pointed them to the springs.
"Okay, let's do this!" Gisena cheered. "Ready, hun?"
Oh. That pun/shortening of Hunger's name into a term of marital affection for shiptease purposes. We could have done something about this dynamic to freshen things up. I suppose Aeira does that a bit but it probably needs more freshening. Like Renaissance woman, or giving her the Azure Ring so they have to worry about primacy contests.
He placed a hand on Letrizia's head, focusing intently. The Ring of Blood responded to his intentions and would never accidentally harm an ally, but this was complex work still, operating on a number of esoteric sanguine qualities that only existed in trace amounts under standard conditions.
The stakes gave us a hunger proc from this and that was awesome.
Letrizia blushed, but stood stock still, the very picture of stoic determination.
"Okay, that should do it." He raised his hand. "I'm maintaining the enhancement now. Go."
Gisena and Letrizia quickly ran into the master bathroom, and he heard the low crash of onrushing waters as Gisena turned all the high-powered faucets of the bath to full blast. A (presumably) torrential blast of water struck Letrizia.
For some reason, I'm applying Dominator from Psycho Pass as the BGM for this scene, like some kind of homage to the Casino raid from Panopticon Quest that used this as BGM.
"Is this really necessary?" Letrizia yelped. She gave a brief shriek of embarrassment. "Miss Gisena!!"
I can't hear you over the techno music Letrezia! It's really loud.
"Hm? My dress is wet too, and I'm not even getting new magics out of this!"
"I liked this school uniform!"
"But isn't it the uniform of seperatist scum?"
"Any reaction?" He yelled into the room.
Gisena's head popped out. "Yup, it's working perfectly! A little too well, actually. She's absorbing all the magic in the waters, so we'll have to maintain a constant flow. This should be ultimately be a good thing. The more magic she absorbs, the stronger the elemental catalysis reaction, and the more impressive her eventual Element will be! It may take a few hours. Will you have any trouble keeping her blood enhanced for the duration?"
Too bad we couldn't have done this during a full moon but I suppose we didn't have the Arete to be able to do that.
"A few hours?!" Letrizia screamed. "I don't wanna get all pruney! Eewww..."
He frowned. "The blood augmentation shouldn't be a problem. And considering how much we paid, water use really shouldn't be an issue, but they might inquire and object. That would be my primary concern."
If they did, it might activate the Tyrant's Doom, leaving him no choice but to defy them.
Thankfully in hindsight we did not have to worry about that.
Gisena shrugged, stepping out. Gently she gathered her damp hair and squeezed it out onto a towel. "It's for a good cause. Well, we still have some money, right? Maybe I'll step outside and bribe the desk staff, ensure their high-ups never get a good look at this particular oversight? It would be a shame if they tried to impose some meaningless rules on us and you were forced to kill them all!"
"I wouldn't have to kill them," he grunted. "I'd just refuse to stop using their water, which might escalate into the use of force, which might force me to kill them all. But that would be on them."
Impressive mental gymnastics Lord Hunger. As expected from the person who is also a sword, mantle, and ring.
"So, you're not going to let me steal your money?" Gisena pouted.
"If the Sovereignty's currency is so important to you," he said magnanimously, "then you may have it, no need for false pretenses. Don't think this erases your earlier debt, however."
I lost track of the ledgers for this in joke a long time ago.
"I would never dream of it!" Gisena happily took the money and returned a few minutes later, having secured the cooperation of the desk staff.
Many tedious hours later, it was finally done.
Letrizia emerged, body swaddled in a pink terrycloth robe. "Guhh... I'm completely shriveled and I don't feel any more magical at all."
"Give it a night, dear." Gisena examined her curiously, eyes green and bright. "The Element is definitely percolating. It has yet to take form!"
It's like magic coffee! It needs to percolate!
Letrizia yawned, swaying slightly. "Okay, Miss Gisena. I'll... give it a shot..."
Gisena caught her and shot Hunger a smile. "Looking forward to doing this yourself tomorrow?"
Oh fuck the hell yes I am!
"What about you? Is Sorcery is the only path for one of the Maiden's followers?"
She shook her head. "I already know which Element this process would give me. Sad to say it would be totally redundant! Perhaps the Maidengrace is too prescient, or simply too powerful to countermand..."
Too bad we didn't make you the Maiden, give you the power to declare your own rules.
"Perhaps I'll forge you an artifact that does something novel. Save us from death another nine times and we'll call it square."
Do you even know how to forge magic artifacts Lord Hunger? You don't have Azure Moon to make magic items with! Though I suppose we could give you the Azure Ring to pay that debt.
"Only nine?" Gisena giggled. "So I can expect something tomorrow?"
"How conceited... after we're safely finished with the Temple, maybe. But you'll have to work extra hard to earn it."
Again, I'm not sure what basis you have for thinking you can cash that check unless you're willing to give her the Azure Ring. I may be fascinated by the two of you having to worry about contests of primacy but are you willing to deal with those? Seriously Lord Hunger.
She flashed him a salute. "Aye-aye, captain!"
They retired to their chambers for the night. As usual, Hunger fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. He was awoken the next day by Letrizia.
"HOLY SHIT, I CAN DO MAGIC!!"
"...Ugh." He blinked open his eyes. It had definitely not been nine hours.
"I'M A WIZARD, HUNGER!"
I remembered that art where Letrezia gets in Lord Hunger's face to say that. Yep. You didn't need Hagrid to show up to tell you that at all Letrezia, you realized that yourself.
[X] Sharpbright and [X] Stay and Train were the winners.
Though Gisena did most much of the work, the intellectual challenge and somewhat pressing stakes (limited time, failure could damage Letrizia) of this intellectual pursuit did result in some Advancements for Hunger!
You have 2 picks and a bit over 10 Arete.
[ ] 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.
I'm glad we got a noncombat hunger proc out of this. Also I'm kind of curious what 2 Arete buff is behind fierce quickening.
[ ] 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.
We found out what the buff is after three of this, Charisma powered broad spectrum defenses are funky and awesome.
[ ] 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.
As of the point this was written we get refunds for this.
[ ] 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.
Maybe later I guess?
[ ] Sublime Transfusion - 2 Arete. The restorative vigor of blood willingly given. The wielder may donate his blood to another in order to heal them. This applies regeneration at a rate triple the wielder's own, and this healing effect is treated as if possessing conceptual potency a full Rank higher than the wielder's baseline, minimum 7. Even organisms of different species can be revitalized through such means.
Part of the obsolete plan to use Verschlengorge as a siege weapon.
[ ] Ennobling - 2 Arete (2 picks)
Ambition's work is conducted atop the shoulders of giants. Raise up one's servants to appropriately towering stature.
The process of comprehensive elevation of all positive attributes of the blood. Applied continuously over a long period, boons may become permanent and expand in scope, enhancing all qualities of the target and their future offspring. Applies up to +++All Stats to the target, Lifespan improves by fourfold. Elevates the target by .5 Rank to a maximum of 3.5. Does not work on yourself or on species whose native Rank is higher than 4.5.
Effects become permanent after a few weeks focused on a single target, or a few years focused on a small population. Further Advancements may improve both the scale and speed of augmentation. With a thought, the original bestower may retract any boon so given, so long as they possess the Ring of Blood.
We may or may not be about to use this to forment a rebellion and fight the entire immortal council at once.
[ ] Evening Sky - Philosopher's Wreath - 7 Arete (2 picks)
The twilight hours are a time of contemplation, growth of mind and spirit. Perhaps there are more things in earth and heaven than are dreamt of in one's philosophy. But that may not always be so.
They for whom the heavens themselves are aegis and raiment, these are the hours to speak - perchance to dream. And in dreaming, grow strong beyond the imagining of mortal men.
[+Intelligence, +Wisdom, +Charisma]
Select one magic system which you have personally encountered and which is no greater than the Noble Praxis. You may use that system to the limits of your Intelligence or applicable Attributes, developing any appropriate qualities within reason, but this may no more than double your overall advancement. Alternatively, you may improve an existing magic you possess under the same conditions, hastening your rate of advancement in that art by [Intelligence x 100%] and substantially increasing both the variety and the conceptual potency of effects available to it.
Allied mages with which the wearer dialogues extensively find they may develop novel applications of existing abilities and steadily grow in knowledge & power with effort, independent of their own paradigm. This can no more than triple their overall level of advancement, but any progression done on their own will raise this cap. Should said mage no longer be allied, the wearer may strip this power at will, like a dream dissolving at break of day.
We could literally have undergone some level of intelligence explosion if we had taken this and I want to apply this to Edeldross with the white hot fury of a thousand suns.
---
What did Hunger focus on in his Edeldross training? He will develop somewhat in all areas, but this is the primary target of his training.
[ ] Magnitude - Improves the magnitude of the +All Stats buff and the strength of blasts and barriers created. Simple, yet undeniably effective.
[ ] Control - Improves the tightness and consistency with which he can direct Edeldross in all forms, allowing for more precise buffs on both self and allies, as well as better placement of effects. May unlock more complex applications of Edeldross.
[ ] Experimentation - Focus entirely on developing a specific pseudo-grace maximized to augment Hunger's physical capabilities. This will operate seamlessly in addition to the Edeldross +All Stats buff, but will override that buff where its benefit is greater. Estimated Chance of success: ~70-80%, can be improved with participation. +Gisena.
Control unlocked Edeldross Adept I think. Totally worth it.
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