@LordRoustabout, if the shard is a Worm fan SI and it's basing its judgment and predictions on the Worm series then is it really taking into account the growth of Joe?
Is the shard not a bit too married to the idea of Taylor defeating Scion? Surely Joe could, after long enough do a much better job then the cannon outcome.?
I'm looking forward to some serious conflict between how the shard remembers Worm, and how it actually would be to experience it first hand. We saw a glimpse of this with Aisha. Hopefully, there's a deeper exploration of that.
I've gotten into this on other sites, but the prediction regarding Taylor's importance to defeating Scion is the result of the communication limitations of the passenger connection, ambiguity over Scion's full power, and bias towards and enthusiasm for Taylor. The Khepri/Golden Morning scenario is the only confirmed way of defeating Scion. Every other option is based on a theoretical match-up. Scion's full power is not clear as he never completely cut loose and word of god makes some very strong claim. Also, because 'magic' is being treated the same as parahuman abilities by the universe's metaphysics there trump based counters to the high level magic that would normally be able to take out Scion. There is not enough information to say with confidence that any combination of powers will be enough to take Scion in a head on, no holds barred conflict.
It is not 'the Celestial Forge cannot defeat Scion without Taylor', it's 'Taylor is part of the only scenario confirmed to defeat Scion'. The problem was that did not come across clearly in the emotional link, and was mixed with other reactions at the same time.
A few minor things I wanted to say:
1. "Tinker"
It's kind of bizarre for the PRT (not just Armsmaster) to rate him as a non-Tinker. Worm power codes are practical/tactical/functional, with no real fundamental element. Saying he's not a Tinker is saying that he isn't a source of advanced gear and/or he doesn't need tools and materials. Maybe they could argue the tools and materials part, though that's extremely dubious given what they've seen. But they know perfectly well that he gave the Undersiders super-cutting abilities for the bank battle, and they're conceding he wasn't present at the battle. If that's not considered functionally equivalent to a Tinker like Dragon providing containment foam then it should be treated as functionally equivalent to a power-granting Trump like Teacher or Bastard Son or Galvanate providing extraordinary capabilities to their minions. Given him sourcing extraordinary cutting capabilities for a battle he wasn't present at, either he needs to have a Tinker rating or a Trump rating.
2. randomized jumpchain Tinker perks
I enjoy the writing. Characterization and drama are done quite well - his interactions with The Undersiders, Panacea, Garment, his psychologist, and Coil have been great. Plotting works well enough when it actually happens, though pacing is a bit wonky. But the real problem is... much of the story is centered around his Tinkering. Tinkering-centric stories *can* be done well. But his Tinkering capabilities are sourced from Jumpchain. Which still could be done well... much of Jumpchain runs on arbitrary fiat, clashing metaphysics, and worse, but with careful selections and intelligent setting fusion that could be massaged in to something good for a Tinker story. Except that perks are selected mostly randomly and the MC has never gained the ability to disable perks, so "careful selections" are out the window from the start, and "intelligent setting fusion" is a tall order indeed under the circumstance. It's a bit late now, but I would have strongly recommended some sort of authorial filter on what perks/items or combinations of perks/items are available. Even some in-story filtering could have helped a little, giving the MC a tiny bit of control over what sorts of perks/items he gains.
Also, the power-curve is a bit wonky, with a long-term rate of 100cp every 2000 words. I'd have suggested something with diminishing returns, with more words needed per CP as the story progressed.
...I had a number 3 but seem to have misplaced it somewhere in the caverns of my mind...
The threat ratings cited were provisional, and thus not fully vetted. Armsmaster said it looked like a parahuman effect rather than a constructed item and that was enough for the moment. None of it was final, and the important thing was the ratings in other categories as they would be used to determine countermeasures deployed in the field. No one was expecting ratings made from a single reported conversation and one example of work to be comprehensive.
For the pacing, technical descriptions, and power curve issues are points I'm aware of and am doing what I can to mitigate. Those are somewhat intrinsic to the structure of the story, and that structure makes the process of writing the story much more engaging. This is also a deep dive into the Celestial Forge, which is about fully exploring some more obscure Jumpchain perks. I think there's an interesting element to seeing the effect an unusual or unbalanced power can have on a character and the world around him.
So do you think the next chapter will be an interlude or a pho thing? Also is March a OC or is she from wild bow?
A deeper look at the PHO reaction is coming, but probably a couple of chapters away.
I would have to assume that after this the March lady would likely have a kill order against her. Although I get the feeling that this goes a lot deeper than just having March as the coordinator. Interesting!
It was cool to see the Wards perspective on the limitations that are put on them.
Good job March. Kill Order coming in 3, 2, 1. Congratulations you just proved you deserve to be killed to protect the public. Enjoy the notoriety for however long it takes for Uncle Sam to come and stomp you into dust
Awesome chapter, Thank you!
I doubt they will be handing out kill orders so soon. Love how you're fleshing out the characters, it's easy to sympathize or hate them.
Keep up the good work and cheers!
Honestly surprised March doesn't have a kill order yet. Seems disruptive and dangerous enough to have at least warranted the personal attention of some Powerful members of the PRT and then subsequently birdcaged.
Since the MC can heal better than Panacea, he's probably going to get a blank check, behavior-wise. As long as he doesn't do anything on the level of the Nine, he should be okay. Though the PRT is going to want to buy his healing, no matter what Piggot says --she has bosses who will want access to that level of healing, even if only in Endbringer fights.
And if that healing, which is better than Panacea's, can help Eidolon with his power-slump? Well, Cauldron might not know that yet, but they could very well hope it might and act accordingly. Hell, they might try to bring him in as a sort of Hero 2.0
Sphere is probably going to go after the MC, though... Time to stock up on wartime stuff. And if anyone asks WHY the MC has such dangerous stuff, he can just casually point to the Nine or the Endbringers and go "that's why."
There are problems with kill orders that make people reluctant to issue them even in situations where they are completely called for. Kill orders are the declaration of an effective free for all against the target. It's what's used when Protectorate capes like Sere or Crucible aren't enough. Kill Orders are not Uncle Sam taking the action, they're every loony vigilante showing up to try their luck.
They also have to be discussed and approved by the local PRT, civilian government, police, judges and regional PRT directors. They tend to move at the speed of government as a delay on any level will propagate through the chain. A kill order is complete chaos and an invitation for collateral damage. As long as Bakuda is holding the city hostage with her deadman's switch there was be serious resistance to issuing a kill order against any member of the ABB since she'll almost certainly get caught in the crossfire.
A kill order against March could be particularly bad since she has a talent for directing large and small scale engagements. That collateral damage could end up pointed exactly where she wants it and be several times worse than expected.
With the events of the night a kill order will certainly happen at some point, but it won't be issued immediately or before the Protectorate gets a good handle on the situation and confirms they can't deal with it themselves.
Apeiron's healing was already suspect thanks to the mess with Amy. It will need to be thoroughly vetted before they accept it for Protectorate capes or civilian use. No one wants to end up with another Teacher or Ingenue. There will still be people desperate enough to not care about potential risks, so demand for it is going to be very high. With how the broadcast was structures it will be very clear that a visit from Mannequin and Bonesaw is just a matter of time. Once he sees the broadcast and online reaction prepping for the Nine is going to become a major priority.
