Sole Purpose
Clueless
- Location
- Spread Across Several Miles
I honestly hope that making thinking machines becomes a sort of trend for Lorelei, like some kind of crazy cat lady, except with Mad Science Contraptions instead of cats.
Abrogation (Steampunk)
Vebyast
Nascent Transhuman
...Why is WAFF mutually exclusive with plot+characters?
In other news, I think we need to change the "steampunk musical" tag to "steampunk rap battles". Who owns that one?
edit: Actually, no need to remove it, we can just have both for clarity.
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- Location
- Canada
...Why is WAFF mutually exclusive with plot+characters?
Primarily, because I forgot to write a justification and it was the first thing I could think of.
Secondly, I somewhat disliked the ferret bits in Ignition and want to focus more on the mad engineering and powerleveling here.
Sole Purpose
Clueless
- Location
- Spread Across Several Miles
Pets and Mad Science are not mutually exclusive.
Kai Merah
Hound Hearted Hedonist
- Location
- Somewhere in the corners of my imagination
I think it helps that this pet isn't a useless ferret, and would actually be important for powering our gear, zapping our enemies, and hacking their equipment. Think smart attack dog more than 'pet we only bring out to play with', like the ferrets.
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mCooperative
meanderingCephalopod
- Location
- Back in Mitakihara after like 1000 years.
[x] Give Gift approximately clever-dog-level intelligence. It's not anywhere near as messy as a biological pet would be.
I am in favor of previously-glowing good-dog-best-friend. Probably be good for Lorelei's emotional wellbeing in general, too. I suppose 'Becquerel' isn't a useful suggestion of name? }=o)
I am in favor of previously-glowing good-dog-best-friend. Probably be good for Lorelei's emotional wellbeing in general, too. I suppose 'Becquerel' isn't a useful suggestion of name? }=o)
[x] Give Gift approximately clever-dog-level intelligence. It's not anywhere near as messy as a biological pet would be.
This thing is meant to act as the core of many of our own creations, and to attach to and control the creations of other inspired. Giving it a powerful mind effectively means giving a mind to *all* of those, rather than having to build a separate one for each.
Seconding "becquerel" as name.
This thing is meant to act as the core of many of our own creations, and to attach to and control the creations of other inspired. Giving it a powerful mind effectively means giving a mind to *all* of those, rather than having to build a separate one for each.
Seconding "becquerel" as name.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[x] Give Gift approximately clever-dog-level intelligence. It's not anywhere near as messy as a biological pet would be.
Having our reactor be an AI at the level of a dog sounds adorable.
Having our reactor be an AI at the level of a dog sounds adorable.
- Location
- Somewhere.
C'mon, that's...only kind of similar.
Also, we really don't need Homestuck references.
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2.2: Prometheus
- Location
- A single human dimension
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Landslide: [x] Give Gift approximately clever-dog-level intelligence. It's not anywhere near as messy as a biological pet would be.
You're honestly not sure how long it will be until you can get some genuinely intelligent companions. Until and unless that happens, why wouldn't you spring for a pet? Playing with it might give you something to do. Even from a purely pragmatic perspective, an intelligent mind can learn on its own while a collection of contingencies would require adjustment whenever you discovered something unexpected. You just have to model it off something naturally adorable and loyal.
A change in rhythm may be necessary.
"I have no master plan,
No thoughts but that I can.
I just want a cute pet,
Is that truly a threat?
"Endless, strong, and cheerful,
Clever, quick, and loyal,
A friend to fight boredom
Without seeking freedom.
"But it won't be a slave
I don't seek my own grave.
(Unlike some, but that's done,
Light has already won.)"
With Inspiration continuing to work on Prometheus's mind, you switch part of your attention toward giving it a better method of protecting you. You think you might've been shot had it not been for your defensive module. Why not make a reflector controlled by something intelligent?
"Help drive away my woes
Shield Mother from all foes."
Familial relations?
Yes, I mean me. Mother can defend herself.
"Together we'll show all
That I don't need a thrall."
You suspect it might be cheating to base the personality of Prometheus off animals humanity spent several thousand years domesticating. Does it really count as cheating if Inspiration encourages sidestepping potential problems in such a way?
"I don't believe in God
The mere premise is flawed.
But we're not on our own,
We're to build our own throne."
Preferably of a variety it hasn't seen before. It's seen a hundred flying thrones, a thousand flying Warclanks, ten thousand supersoldier attempts. Extravagance and perfectionism are all well and good, yet it would much rather see something new and interesting.
"Light is here to assist,
Something the League has missed.
You bite the hand that feeds,
Ignore its wants and needs.
"Just do the math
Walk down that path
Your Empowered
Are outnumbered.
"Light's grown beside our race,
Changed itself to keep pace.
It's stronger than you'll dream,
Yet it doesn't like to scream.
"It's tired of your nonsense,
It's done with this pretense.
You get one last warning,
Lest the League start burning."
You frown faintly as your last few attempts at an upgrade fail rather spectacularly. It looks as though the shield is the last upgrade you'll be able to manage; you don't have enough time to improve it further and escape safely. At least the end product is far better than you'd hoped.
"We're almost out of time,
Reject your life of crime.
I won't be back to see
If you listen to me.
"That's not my job
So tell the squab
Who rules you all
How soon he'll fall.
"It isn't too late
To reject hate
But you're quite close
To a dire dose.
"We're past second chances,
Think about your stances.
The Light hates being prey,
And it does get a say.
"Remember this warning,
Consider its meaning,
Spread my words far and wide,
Step back and view your side."
You flick Skybreaker and open a path back the way you came, glancing back once to make sure Prometheus skitters along after you. As soon as you're both safely on the other side, you flip the direction and cover the opened rift with the backs of two more linked rifts.
Your Surge soon comes to an end and leaves you with just a tiny portion of the Light, but not before it delivers a few final comments.
Human Psychology.
Stressful tasks may harm productivity, you mentally translate.
Theatrical Pacing.
And you know there's more to a story than the climax?
The Light of Inspiration's satisfaction is answer enough. A good thing, too; if it demanded new sights from you all the time, you wouldn't even be able to use one of your two main traits, Redundant. You think it might be happy so long as you're working toward a goal it likes. It might not give you as much aid as it did today, but it won't easily forget you.
The comfortable semi-silence is ultimately broken by shouts from the other side of the now-blocked rift. You ignore them and crouch next to your new pet, Prometheus. He lowers its back legs to better look back at you.
"Hello there. I'm Lorelei, your creator. It's nice to meet you."
Prometheus rapidly alternates between legs in an adorable wiggle, his tail rapidly wagging from side to side.
"We should get going. Could you follow me?"
You didn't actively give him much of a vocabulary, yet some words are going to save you an awful lot of grief down the road. Prometheus doesn't answer immediately, only freezing before he abruptly lunges back toward the rift and stabs at midair with two back legs. A quiet snap of abused electronics herald a bird-sized Spyclock being forced into visibility.
Prometheus transfers the wrecked Spyclock hummingbird to its mouth-slash-cannon before skittering back toward you and placing his victim by your feet, tail and internal gears whirring happily. You stare at the ruined Spyclock for several long moments before forcing a smile and crouching down to rub the top of Prometheus's central orb.
"Good boy, Prometheus!"
You gingerly pick up the ruined Spyclock with your other hand, peering at the minuscule gears making up its internal mechanisms. Its wings and head are covered with some form of crystal or glass, but only its wings and head. Most of its body remains uncovered. Either way, granting invisibility to something that tiny is difficult, especially since it seems to be powered entirely by clockwork and a few crystals. Transmitting what its eyes see to a remote source? So very much harder. Whoever is spying on you didn't exactly skimp on resources.
Ominous.
The Spyclock is carefully placed inside one of your belt pouches. You'd like to study it later, but for now, it's time for you to get away from here.
"Bring me any others you find, okay?"
A yelp is forcefully suppressed as Promtheus rapidly scales your legs and settles where you'd normally put your backpack, hugging your waist for stability. You awkwardly pat his legs, take the few steps necessary to reach the place you left Neighilist, and...
"Why are you wearing eyeliner?"
Neighilist releases an annoyed snort and continues trying to scrape away the smudged black smiley face drawn on his forehead. After a few moments of thought, you sigh and idly reach back to rub Prometheus's core.
"I don't know who you are, but this is starting to get really annoying. Nobody likes stalkers."
A rumbling purr from Prometheus and distant birdsong are your only answers.
[] Head further into the League. Hopefully, that'll help discourage your stalker.
[] Change course and leave the League. You did poke them with a rather sharp stick AND you were probably close enough for them to get a good look at you this time. You'd rather not risk Empowered coming after you.
-[] Head south. You should be past the lands of your parents by now.
-[] Head north, back toward civilization you're vaguely familiar with.
[] Write-in
EDIT: Voting will be locked for 75 minutes after this first goes up.
You're honestly not sure how long it will be until you can get some genuinely intelligent companions. Until and unless that happens, why wouldn't you spring for a pet? Playing with it might give you something to do. Even from a purely pragmatic perspective, an intelligent mind can learn on its own while a collection of contingencies would require adjustment whenever you discovered something unexpected. You just have to model it off something naturally adorable and loyal.
A change in rhythm may be necessary.
"I have no master plan,
No thoughts but that I can.
I just want a cute pet,
Is that truly a threat?
"Endless, strong, and cheerful,
Clever, quick, and loyal,
A friend to fight boredom
Without seeking freedom.
"But it won't be a slave
I don't seek my own grave.
(Unlike some, but that's done,
Light has already won.)"
With Inspiration continuing to work on Prometheus's mind, you switch part of your attention toward giving it a better method of protecting you. You think you might've been shot had it not been for your defensive module. Why not make a reflector controlled by something intelligent?
"Help drive away my woes
Shield Mother from all foes."
Familial relations?
Yes, I mean me. Mother can defend herself.
"Together we'll show all
That I don't need a thrall."
You suspect it might be cheating to base the personality of Prometheus off animals humanity spent several thousand years domesticating. Does it really count as cheating if Inspiration encourages sidestepping potential problems in such a way?
"I don't believe in God
The mere premise is flawed.
But we're not on our own,
We're to build our own throne."
Preferably of a variety it hasn't seen before. It's seen a hundred flying thrones, a thousand flying Warclanks, ten thousand supersoldier attempts. Extravagance and perfectionism are all well and good, yet it would much rather see something new and interesting.
"Light is here to assist,
Something the League has missed.
You bite the hand that feeds,
Ignore its wants and needs.
"Just do the math
Walk down that path
Your Empowered
Are outnumbered.
"Light's grown beside our race,
Changed itself to keep pace.
It's stronger than you'll dream,
Yet it doesn't like to scream.
"It's tired of your nonsense,
It's done with this pretense.
You get one last warning,
Lest the League start burning."
You frown faintly as your last few attempts at an upgrade fail rather spectacularly. It looks as though the shield is the last upgrade you'll be able to manage; you don't have enough time to improve it further and escape safely. At least the end product is far better than you'd hoped.
Traits at time of creation: Stubborn/Redundant (Both Project Phases), Methodical (Second Phase Only).
Materials: Aether (Generator, Weapon, Rifts), Clockwork (Legs, Leg Spikes, Sensors, Weapon Housing, Rift Housing, Mind), Electricity (Generator Output, Weapon, Mind, Rifts, Shield), Crystal (Generator Housing, Mind, Sensors, Shield).
Traits
Materials: Aether (Generator, Weapon, Rifts), Clockwork (Legs, Leg Spikes, Sensors, Weapon Housing, Rift Housing, Mind), Electricity (Generator Output, Weapon, Mind, Rifts, Shield), Crystal (Generator Housing, Mind, Sensors, Shield).
Traits
- Autonomous, Intelligent (Pet), Sentient
- Auto-Fueled, Eternal, Near-Invulnerable
- Adorable, Cheerful, Climber, Dexterous, Loyal?, Quick, Stealthy (Camouflage/Silence)
- Blackboxed
- Armed (Explosive Cannon / Flamethrower, Leg Spikes), Magnetic (NF/F), Sensory
Inspiration's Gift, otherwise known as Prometheus's Gift, Gift, or Prometheus, is a perpetual energy generator and the first pet you ever made. He's about as intelligent as a particularly clever dog and resembles a hound-sized, ten-legged clockwork spider built around a swirling and glowing dark blue sphere, although one of his sensors can also act as an expressive tail. Four circular crystals at the front of his body act as eyes. He shouldn't mind carrying you and should be strong enough to do so, although you'll need to make some sort of saddle or seat to manage such.
Prometheus can form up to seven permanent linked rifts to projects with valid receiver capacity and send energy through said rifts to remotely power them. Unlike Skybreaker, Prometheus cannot create rifts without an appropriately-sized stabilization frame on the other end. You can also just use old-fashioned power cables should you not have the aether and crystals necessary for the rift frames. Power transfer is set to its maximum safe limit per slot and cannot increase its output per slot without another audience-fueled Surge. The amount of energy this generator can produce at once is not infinite, but it is quite significant. Skybreaker does not have a receiver yet. If a receiver is destroyed, the connection will be closed immediately. Rerouting rifts is not quick, but it is relatively easy. If the receiver was destroyed instead of properly closed, it may take an extra hour or two.
While a slot is not in use, it will be used to charge one of eight batteries located near the back of Prometheus's central orb. These batteries can be removed and used to power inventions without the need for rifts or cables. Opening them without proper containment measures in place will result in the excess energy traveling down any paths of least resistance — in other words, the contents of a fully charged battery would explode with an effective radius of approximately one meter. The battery itself would remain intact. Although the released payload would likely burn biological beings and ignite wood, it dissipates too soon to destroy most stone or other heat-resistant materials. This method of powering projects is significantly less efficient than simply having a permanent uplink in place.
Prometheus technically only has two weapons, but one of them has two modes of attack. He can vent partial core output in a small (max approximately 10 meter range or slightly further if firing straight down) cone, likely killing or horribly burning most organic creatures and igniting flammable objects within its path. This cannon can instead shoot pressurized explosive packets (max approximately 20 meter range) for a slightly longer-ranged attack.
It's likely this cannon can be maintained on stored power for 1 minute of continuous flamethrower use or can fire twenty packets before requiring a recharge, a process which should take about four hours. Prometheus's external batteries can further extend use by approximately four seconds per battery, although that small of an extension honestly doesn't seem worth it. Finally, Prometheus can extend or retract 10-centimeter spikes from the sides of his legs. He knows better than to hurt you with either through carelessness.
Prometheus is capable of blending in with his surroundings and climbing most surfaces without damaging them. He can also see through most forms of concealment. His sight is focused in front of him while his other senses are omnidirectional. His primary methods of detection are hearing, which is sensitive enough to act as echolocation within an approximately ten-meter radius, and touch, which lets Prometheus detect and locate groundbound creatures at over ten times that range. He can also see heat signatures and atmospheric aether.
Prometheus knows you're significantly squishier than he is and can activate a reflection field to reject many incoming metals, ferrous or not. This ability is practically automatic and would take quite a bit of sustained effort for any enemies to override. Amusingly enough, arrows are now arguably more dangerous to you than than bullets; an arrowhead reflected away from you may force an attached wooden shaft to shatter, spraying painful splinters in your general direction. You don't think anyone uses those anymore, though. Not until you head a few thousand miles east or travel overseas.
Prometheus can form up to seven permanent linked rifts to projects with valid receiver capacity and send energy through said rifts to remotely power them. Unlike Skybreaker, Prometheus cannot create rifts without an appropriately-sized stabilization frame on the other end. You can also just use old-fashioned power cables should you not have the aether and crystals necessary for the rift frames. Power transfer is set to its maximum safe limit per slot and cannot increase its output per slot without another audience-fueled Surge. The amount of energy this generator can produce at once is not infinite, but it is quite significant. Skybreaker does not have a receiver yet. If a receiver is destroyed, the connection will be closed immediately. Rerouting rifts is not quick, but it is relatively easy. If the receiver was destroyed instead of properly closed, it may take an extra hour or two.
While a slot is not in use, it will be used to charge one of eight batteries located near the back of Prometheus's central orb. These batteries can be removed and used to power inventions without the need for rifts or cables. Opening them without proper containment measures in place will result in the excess energy traveling down any paths of least resistance — in other words, the contents of a fully charged battery would explode with an effective radius of approximately one meter. The battery itself would remain intact. Although the released payload would likely burn biological beings and ignite wood, it dissipates too soon to destroy most stone or other heat-resistant materials. This method of powering projects is significantly less efficient than simply having a permanent uplink in place.
Prometheus technically only has two weapons, but one of them has two modes of attack. He can vent partial core output in a small (max approximately 10 meter range or slightly further if firing straight down) cone, likely killing or horribly burning most organic creatures and igniting flammable objects within its path. This cannon can instead shoot pressurized explosive packets (max approximately 20 meter range) for a slightly longer-ranged attack.
It's likely this cannon can be maintained on stored power for 1 minute of continuous flamethrower use or can fire twenty packets before requiring a recharge, a process which should take about four hours. Prometheus's external batteries can further extend use by approximately four seconds per battery, although that small of an extension honestly doesn't seem worth it. Finally, Prometheus can extend or retract 10-centimeter spikes from the sides of his legs. He knows better than to hurt you with either through carelessness.
Prometheus is capable of blending in with his surroundings and climbing most surfaces without damaging them. He can also see through most forms of concealment. His sight is focused in front of him while his other senses are omnidirectional. His primary methods of detection are hearing, which is sensitive enough to act as echolocation within an approximately ten-meter radius, and touch, which lets Prometheus detect and locate groundbound creatures at over ten times that range. He can also see heat signatures and atmospheric aether.
Prometheus knows you're significantly squishier than he is and can activate a reflection field to reject many incoming metals, ferrous or not. This ability is practically automatic and would take quite a bit of sustained effort for any enemies to override. Amusingly enough, arrows are now arguably more dangerous to you than than bullets; an arrowhead reflected away from you may force an attached wooden shaft to shatter, spraying painful splinters in your general direction. You don't think anyone uses those anymore, though. Not until you head a few thousand miles east or travel overseas.
"We're almost out of time,
Reject your life of crime.
I won't be back to see
If you listen to me.
"That's not my job
So tell the squab
Who rules you all
How soon he'll fall.
"It isn't too late
To reject hate
But you're quite close
To a dire dose.
"We're past second chances,
Think about your stances.
The Light hates being prey,
And it does get a say.
"Remember this warning,
Consider its meaning,
Spread my words far and wide,
Step back and view your side."
You flick Skybreaker and open a path back the way you came, glancing back once to make sure Prometheus skitters along after you. As soon as you're both safely on the other side, you flip the direction and cover the opened rift with the backs of two more linked rifts.
Your Surge soon comes to an end and leaves you with just a tiny portion of the Light, but not before it delivers a few final comments.
Human Psychology.
Stressful tasks may harm productivity, you mentally translate.
Theatrical Pacing.
And you know there's more to a story than the climax?
The Light of Inspiration's satisfaction is answer enough. A good thing, too; if it demanded new sights from you all the time, you wouldn't even be able to use one of your two main traits, Redundant. You think it might be happy so long as you're working toward a goal it likes. It might not give you as much aid as it did today, but it won't easily forget you.
The comfortable semi-silence is ultimately broken by shouts from the other side of the now-blocked rift. You ignore them and crouch next to your new pet, Prometheus. He lowers its back legs to better look back at you.
"Hello there. I'm Lorelei, your creator. It's nice to meet you."
Prometheus rapidly alternates between legs in an adorable wiggle, his tail rapidly wagging from side to side.
"We should get going. Could you follow me?"
You didn't actively give him much of a vocabulary, yet some words are going to save you an awful lot of grief down the road. Prometheus doesn't answer immediately, only freezing before he abruptly lunges back toward the rift and stabs at midair with two back legs. A quiet snap of abused electronics herald a bird-sized Spyclock being forced into visibility.
Prometheus transfers the wrecked Spyclock hummingbird to its mouth-slash-cannon before skittering back toward you and placing his victim by your feet, tail and internal gears whirring happily. You stare at the ruined Spyclock for several long moments before forcing a smile and crouching down to rub the top of Prometheus's central orb.
"Good boy, Prometheus!"
You gingerly pick up the ruined Spyclock with your other hand, peering at the minuscule gears making up its internal mechanisms. Its wings and head are covered with some form of crystal or glass, but only its wings and head. Most of its body remains uncovered. Either way, granting invisibility to something that tiny is difficult, especially since it seems to be powered entirely by clockwork and a few crystals. Transmitting what its eyes see to a remote source? So very much harder. Whoever is spying on you didn't exactly skimp on resources.
Ominous.
The Spyclock is carefully placed inside one of your belt pouches. You'd like to study it later, but for now, it's time for you to get away from here.
"Bring me any others you find, okay?"
A yelp is forcefully suppressed as Promtheus rapidly scales your legs and settles where you'd normally put your backpack, hugging your waist for stability. You awkwardly pat his legs, take the few steps necessary to reach the place you left Neighilist, and...
"Why are you wearing eyeliner?"
Neighilist releases an annoyed snort and continues trying to scrape away the smudged black smiley face drawn on his forehead. After a few moments of thought, you sigh and idly reach back to rub Prometheus's core.
"I don't know who you are, but this is starting to get really annoying. Nobody likes stalkers."
A rumbling purr from Prometheus and distant birdsong are your only answers.
[] Head further into the League. Hopefully, that'll help discourage your stalker.
[] Change course and leave the League. You did poke them with a rather sharp stick AND you were probably close enough for them to get a good look at you this time. You'd rather not risk Empowered coming after you.
-[] Head south. You should be past the lands of your parents by now.
-[] Head north, back toward civilization you're vaguely familiar with.
[] Write-in
EDIT: Voting will be locked for 75 minutes after this first goes up.
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mCooperative
meanderingCephalopod
- Location
- Back in Mitakihara after like 1000 years.
Don't have strong enough opinions to form a vote yet, and I have too much homework to think about it right now, but-
We have an adorable decapod backpack puppy! Who hunts spies for us! This is wonderful!
We have an adorable decapod backpack puppy! Who hunts spies for us! This is wonderful!
We Just Write
Blatantly Plural
- Location
- New England
- Pronouns
- Plural
Personally, I'd prefer to get out of the League.
Kai Merah
Hound Hearted Hedonist
- Location
- Somewhere in the corners of my imagination
Yay spider-puppy! It is a very good boy indeed!
I think it's about time to ditch the League and let the heat die down a bit, but does Lorelei happen to have any impression about what's the land south of here like?
I think it's about time to ditch the League and let the heat die down a bit, but does Lorelei happen to have any impression about what's the land south of here like?
globalwarmth
ruining the weather.
- Location
- Polar ice caps
lets get out of dodge!
North! Away from family, also we need to catch our stalker. They are funny but are probably one of the killer trained empowered.
North! Away from family, also we need to catch our stalker. They are funny but are probably one of the killer trained empowered.
Kai Merah
Hound Hearted Hedonist
- Location
- Somewhere in the corners of my imagination
Hmm, I think this means Inspiration is advising us to calm down for a bit. We've done some rather risky things to get top of the line equipment, but I think now's the time to do calmer things. So definitely time to skedaddle out of the League.
@Alivaril : Is north back to our parents' lands or around that vicinity? Does Lorelei have any idea what may be waiting for her southwards?
EDIT: Wait a minute. Starting vote said land of failed Blackburn candidate was north-northwest of where we started. Since we traveled west to get to League, if we go north now, will we be heading to the ruined lands of said Blackburn candidate?
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- Location
- A single human dimension
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Southeast is the territory claimed by your parents. North is yet another part of the feudal framework they belong to and that you're familiar with. You don't know what's directly south.
That's closer to north-northeast.
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Vebyast
Nascent Transhuman
...Welp. Smiley has a sense of humor.
Good puppy-cat-spider-reactor! Good boy!
That answers how Smiley was coordinating with us on the attacks. Unfortunately, this also reveals to reveals to Smiley that Prometheus can detect that level of stealth.
I'm getting the impression that Inspiration was kind of speaking through us in that song. We should prooooobably follow its advice - we've delivered the warning and told them that it's their last chance to change course, so let's give them some time to process the warning and start effecting change if they decide to do so.
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