Cast-Offs of Divinity - A Merchants of Divinity Quest

Impetus · Apr 4, 2024

MrRageQuit said:
Marathon first. The Infinium contract requires that we spend actions on inventing/experimenting, which would conflict with all AP being spent upon the marathon's start until it's finished.

Ah, I think that goes both ways? Now that we started the experimental project we need to spend AP on it every week until it is done, according to the info on Infinium.

dlwj2000 · Apr 4, 2024

I would say marathon first, just because it would be faster. are we allowed to say let's do two turns at once so we can work with 20 ap to get it all done in one round rather than voting to spend 10 AP and then spend 10 AP again?

EDIT that's correct actually we can't do the marathon until we finish the research unless we want to just waste the AP.

Starman · Apr 5, 2024

Finishing Marathon would yield one more AP and a training dice upgrade though, and one AP on the research isn't that big of a waste. I should have seen this coming.

Starman · Apr 5, 2024

Nominal plans,

[] Plan To Dice My Cause
-[] Arrange for an assistant. A final line of defense against interruptions. Someone to make sure all your patients arrive on time, and fill any holes in your schedule. (2 AP)
-[] Work: You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[] Declare a course of study (Biology): Gain access to +3/+1 tutoring for a skill for 10 turns. Expected to spend at least 2 TAP per turn on it and take exam at the end. Cost: 1 high dot. (1 AP)
-[] Start the marathon. (Consumes all AP until 20 have been spent.)

[] Plan To Sky My Purpose
-[] Work: You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[] Look for a hidden place to build in. Go looking yourself. Beneath the city there are countless forgotten places, and that is exactly what you need. (3 AP)
-[] Continue Experimenting: Auditory training aid (1/30) (5 AP)

We're locked into either going for Infinium+Steve or Bones in the short term. Could singularly focus on Infinium as well, but that puts Bones on the backburner for longer.

fictionfan · Apr 5, 2024

We want to put enough TAP on Pharmacology to bring it up to at least 2. That skill check is money after all.
Edit:
[] Plan To Dice My Cause
-[] Arrange for an assistant. A final line of defense against interruptions. Someone to make sure all your patients arrive on time, and fill any holes in your schedule. (2 AP)
-[] Work: You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[] Declare a course of study (Biology): Gain access to +3/+1 tutoring for a skill for 10 turns. Expected to spend at least 2 TAP per turn on it and take exam at the end. Cost: 1 high dot. (1 AP)
-[] Start the marathon. (Consumes all AP until 20 have been spent.)
Doesn't this lead to our debt going unpaid and us likely dieing?

JayTar · Apr 5, 2024

I'll be leaving the vote open for a while. At least a few days. Since I won't have time to write quite yet anyway and the turn votes deserve a little more time.

Dreaming Circuit · Apr 5, 2024

JayTar said:
Well, that was a little lopsided. Maybe I should have made Ms. Mask's deal a little better.

As we are it was almost entirely objectively worse than the other option. That'll happen sometimes when you have multiple mutually exclusive rewards.

fictionfan · Apr 5, 2024

[X]Plan general progress
-[X] Skill training (University +2) (Pharmacology) (4x TAP)
-[X]Work: You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[X] Old man Jack: Near the entrance to your Habitation block sits a old man. He sits there all day, always preforming some sort of hand craft. Whittling. Knitting. You should go give him a peace of your mind about such a shameful display! (3 AP)
-[X] Arrange for an assistant. A final line of defense against interruptions. Someone to make sure all your patients arrive on time, and fill any holes in your schedule. (2 AP)
-[X] Dive deeper: Beneath the city there are countless forgotten places. Some may even contain treasures. Go out and find them (3 AP)

H2F2 · Apr 6, 2024

[X]Plan general progress

Pittauro · Apr 6, 2024

ok, I've had this tab open for at least two weeks, I'm reading it NOW.

let's see...

Character Creation - 1

So there's mad scientist city, where intelligence reigns supreme and ethics are optional. sci-fy tech level

Mafia Wars, the city, with its gangster honor rules and codes of conduct. a bit behind modern day tech, not clear by how much.

and Magical Girl/Super Heroes/Power Rangers city, which is kind of contemporary tech, but with everyone worried about villains the "small problems" often end up forgotten.

I think I like Mad Scientist city the most, followed by magical girl city. Let's see what won..

Character Creation - 2

JayTar said:
[X] Plan: Evil Genius
-[X] Leviathan Grimm
-[X] Female
-[X] Leviathan is an archetypal mad scientist. A megalomaniac beyond compare, with the amount of morals you would find in a goldfish. Luckily for others, Leviathan has a very strong code of ethics that is followed to the letter in every situation.
-[X] The Dominion of Tom

...an evil mad scientist? REALLY?

...I dig it. For once we're not playing a good guy!

...the Grimm name kinda makes me think of Salem from RWBY. and now I'm kinda sad because I remembered Rooster Teeth sort of died, and so no more RWBY unless someone buys the IP and gives it another shot...

JayTar said:
You see only possibility. After you've crushed this city beneath your heel you will make your own city. No, you will make three! Each more magnificent then this dust pit.

let me guess, with blackjack and hookers?

JayTar said:
That imbecile of a psychologist declared you "Only possessing a clockwork replica of a conscience"? The nerve! How dare he accuse you of having a conscience! All your decisions were perfectly logical.

That's not what you're supposed to be offended at!

JayTar said:
You'll show them. You'll show them all!

yes. she is, indeed, a mad scientist.

...you know, a rec for the whole thread: who here ever heard of Dr Horrible?! If we need a mad scientist as inspiration... Really it's just an excuse to link an amazing little known musical with Neil Patrick Harris.

View: https://youtu.be/Of9kHpCv1ts?si=19N0nHzifEEqyvAY&t=1979

JayTar said:
-[] Useless skill (Skill). Start with a training multiplier of 0.8x in a skill. May be taken up to twice.

I'm going to bet anything that this was taken twice. Probably Naturalism and... not sure about the second one. Possibly Strategy.

It's not like those skills are something we can't raise at all. Once we're better/stronger and can afford good tutors, we can bring most skills to 3 dots relatively easily.

JayTar said:
-[X] Detriments:
--[X] Useless skill (Strategy and tactics). Start with a training multiplier of 0.8x in a skill. May be taken up to twice.
--[X] Useless skill (Combat). Start with a training multiplier of 0.8x in a skill. May be taken up to twice.

uh. not the choices I expected, but it makes sense if we can rely on the AI to stop explicit violence, and considering that we could fight using science tools instead.

JayTar said:
--[X] Debts. Significant debts hang over your head. To the order of 5 high dots, though other payment options may be available.
--[X] Dust poor. Instead of starting with 5 decent dots and a basic job start with 5 poor dots and no job.

I also didn't expect to start so poor. It makes for an interesting narrative though.

...I kinda feel like in Recettear now. a poor shopkeeper on the verge of bankrupcy. except now it's a poor mad scientist

JayTar said:
-[X] Level 3 skills:
--[X] Science (Biology)
--[X] Medicine (Surgery)
--[X] Social Knowledge (Rhetoric)
--[X] Performance (Acting)
--[X] Perception (Body language)
-[X] Level 2 skills:
--[X] Organizational knowledge (AI administrator protocols)
--[X] Mental Fortitude (Noticing Manipulation)
--[X] Naturalism (Foraging)
--[X] Athletics (Running)
-[X] Level 1 Skills
--[X] Combat (Firearm)
--[X] Precision (Sleight of hand)
--[X] Vehicle handling (Bike)
--[X] Academics (Gods)
--[X] Teaching (Tutoring)

so we're a mad scientist specializing in biological creations, AND we're surprisingly good at social for the standards of the genre.

well, I'm sure we can recruit a ~~poor~~ lucky guy to become our personal supersoldier bodyguard eventually!

Prologue 1

JayTar said:
Jörmungandr (No I won't call you Norman) Grimm

...my bad.

I didn't realize we had a CHUUNI mad scientist. I apologize for the misunderstanding.

JayTar said:
You watch an average looking man walk down the street. Suddenly he falls apart into a pile of vegetables. Watching closely, for a split second he seems to be both simultaneously. Like an optical illusion.

"I don't see what is funny about this."

"It's not really funny at all. It's rather disturbing honestly." He says still smiling. It looks hollow. "It's well, it's a cautionary tale. Contracts are dangerous business. Never forget that."

that's a relatively weird way for a contract to kill you, but yeah, breaking a contract CAN kill you.

or worse.

JayTar said:
After your brother was fairly and justly reprimanded in a manner fully befitting of your dignity you returned to your Cube and reset the walls.

...A tsundere chuuni mad scientist?!

JayTar said:
Jörmungandr Grimm: Can train Organizational knowledge (AI administrator protocols) and Social knowledge (???) along with their respective general skills. Provides +3 dice.

...he's quite the good tutor

JayTar said:
[] Old man Jack: Near the entrance to your Habitation block sits a old man. He sits there all day, always preforming some sort of hand craft. Whittling. Knitting. You should go give him a peace of your mind about such a shameful display! (3 AP)

Somehow this will end up with us getting a tutor for Precision, I can feel it!

JayTar said:
Gods Research. Roll Academics (Gods) to learn more about the god and what contracts they offer:
[] Doctor Infinium – The Mad scientist. The obvious choice. You just need to review your notes. You know you left them here somewhere. (1 AP)
[] Professor Tweed – The Teacher. Hmph. Probably a waste of time. (4 AP)
[] Steve – The Builder. Dispute the unfortunate association with (ugh) manual labor, you can see the merit in a god of building grand works. (4 AP)
[] MD Old Bones - The Physician. A medical doctor is still a doctor you suppose. (4 AP)

Interesting Gods to start with.

JayTar said:
Leviathan does not have Roland's beacon cheats. All the currently available options are just to research the gods.

Just you wait, one day it will be the GODS that will beg us to take their contracts!

JayTar said:
3) It depends on exactly how you define "magic". If you define it as "methods by which you can exploit the laws of the world into generating powerful effects" then well, is science not a type of magic then?
On the other hand Weight is also a sort of magic if you look at it right. In truth the weight mechanics are heavily simplified. Get enough and it can be used for many things, up to even defying the very Laws of the world. In theory you could learn to fly, just because you learned to tell the Law of gravity "NO".

On this note the original world gave us two examples of people accomplishing this.

Roland managed to basically notice a paradox due to a "modified a past event" contract. Basically he noticed that the city he lived in didn't have a name, because a Contract was used to move the naming of the city to the future.

To be precise, this kind of time-affecting power is technically impossible, and Atisuclay, a goddess which was all about acausality and time shenanigans, kind of... died when she realized it. It was all a trap from another god that wanted her dead to eat her, you see. a god-killer that grew stronger by killing and eating gods. the details are unimportant.

There was another example, from another man we actually aimed to defeat in the future. He basically told the Law of Aging "no", and that raised his lifespan.

To be clear, he said no to the law of aging for his own world. There's apparently a multiversal law of aging, which basically says mortals can't live longer than around a 1000 years no matter what, and most Gods will NOT give contracts that make you live longer that as a shared rule. That one is supposedly much more difficult to oppose, though again with enough Weight, talent and a bit of luck nothing is impossible.

Prologue 2.1

JayTar said:
With manic fervor you tear through your school things. Somewhere in here is your old notebook.

… Ah you didn't remember it being quite so-

With the care and precision of dissecting a cadaver you pick up the notebook and flip it open. Making sure not to get any pink glitter on your hands.

pink glitter? how embarassing!

JayTar said:
Academics 2 + Gods 1 = 3 dice
3d6= [2, 3, 1, 3, 1, 1] = 11

? isn't this 6d3?

JayTar said:
Once you have the contract, doing various mad scientist things (Like proving your superiority or reverse engineering novel technology) will grant points of inspiration. You may then spend a number of points of inspiration when starting a crafting project to divide the total AP cost by the number of spent points.

well, that's quite an impressive contract for a scientist, yeah. literally doing the work of years in potentially weeks.

JayTar said:
MD Old Bones

****

First, do no harm upon your patients. In exchange you gain supernaturally increased emotional resilience.

not a bad contract, really. Depends on the definition of harm. It's to the spirit, so I imagine it's going to depend on the perspective of the patient, as if they don't believe they've been harmed then arguably they've not been harmed.

JayTar said:
[] Stay as is.
Costs 1 poor dot per turn. Every turn will inflict a -1 penalty to all mental and physical rolls and a -0.05x penalty to training physical skills until a proper diet is resumed.

[] Add in vitamin supplements and flavoring agents.
Costs 3 poor dots per turn. Every other turn will inflict a -1 penalty to all mental rolls until a proper diet is resumed.

[] Creative dumpster diving
Costs 1 AP per turn. Exact results dependent on Survival (Foraging) roll, but should have no negative effects so long as you roll decently.

[] Proper packaged meals – Cheap and produced for mass consumption, they taste like utopia on your tongue.
Costs 2 low dots per turn. No negative effects.

~~[] Custom nutrition tailored~~
Haha no you can't afford that right now.

this is so depressing...

JayTar said:
[] Shady lab work. (Uses Connections)
No reputable lab would hire you on short notice. No reputable lab would have your predecessors notes end so abruptly. Looking down at the samples of human flesh, you wonder if your predecessor is among them.
Pay: 1.5 decent dots per 3 AP. Once per turn. ??? risks. Connections to a shady lab.

[] Back alley doctor (Uses Connections)
You didn't expect to come across a posse of kids half way to bleeding out in a back alley. They were very thankful for your help, and curious if you were available for future consultations. Learning that they were mercenaries on their way back from a bad job wasn't even a surprise, but their eclectic collection of augmentations and modifications did make you raise an eyebrow.
Pay: 1-3 decent dots per 2 AP. Once per turn, may be expanded with networking. May be special jobs available. Connections to a shady mercenary team.

intriguing, and a potential plot hook. I like the Back Alley Doctor in particular.

aaaand I'll pause here for now.

JayTar · Apr 6, 2024

Sensational! I love the detailed read through!

I'm not the one that decided to make Performance (Acting) one of Leviathan's core skills! But it sure makes her fun to write.

The thing to remember with her is that she is like 70% bluster. Her skills aren't actually that impressive right now. Her biggest assets are her attitude and confidence.
... And she would probably commit a felony if she heard me say that. It scares me a little that even I don't know which one.

Pittauro said:
? isn't this 6d3?

... I'm not sure how I missed that. Must have gotten the numbers mixed around when I did the die roll.
The average for 6d3 is slightly higher so I'll let it stand as-is.

MrRageQuit · Apr 6, 2024

fictionfan said:
[X]Plan general progress

We're obligated to spend points on the Experiment we started.

[X] Plan: Jack in the Box
-[X] Skill Training (University +2) (Medicine: Pharmacology) (4x TAP)
-[X] You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[X] Old man Jack: Near the entrance to your Habitation block sits a old man. He sits there all day, always preforming some sort of hand craft. Whittling. Knitting. You should go give him a peace of your mind about such a shameful display! (3 AP)
-[X] Continue Experimenting: Auditory training aid (1/30) (5 AP)

This will get us set up to complete the experiment in another 3 turns if we just do Experimenting+Work, 4-5 if we want to fit more things in. My thinking is, we get Infinium's attention but don't sign the contract so it doesn't interfere with the Old Bones Marathon. Then with both deities' attention, we can sign both contracts.

JayTar · Apr 6, 2024

MrRageQuit said:
This will get us set up to complete the experiment in another 3 turns if we just do Experimenting+Work, 4-5 if we want to fit more things in. My thinking is, we get Infinium's attention but don't sign the contract so it doesn't interfere with the Old Bones Marathon. Then with both deities' attention, we can sign both contracts.

Ah that is an unintended interaction. I will rule that AP spent to satisfy contract requirements do not disqualify you from drawing MD Old Bones' attention. That is specifically requirements for contracts you have already signed.
Stopping to eat and sleep is allowed by the marathon, and maintaining a signed contract is just as essential to your continued life and health.

MD Old Bones has Opinions and won't ignore you on such a technicality.

Pittauro · Apr 6, 2024

Worm_that_Walks said:
Met those kids while dumpster diving. It all adds up. Leviathan really is a bleeding heart

...@Jaytar, why is my Evil Mad Scientist actually a Tsundere Chuuni "Secretly" Good Mad Scientists?!

I've been ripped! I want a refund on my dreams of finally playing a villain!

Next you'll tell me she's the type of person she'd go and free slaves because "slavery is inefficient, it's not like I care if you're suffering you b-b-baka!" or she'll treat her lab assistants well and pay them properly because "satisfied assistants do better work and are more loyal, it's not like I care if they're happy it's all about the efficiency you b-b-b-BAKA!"

Fghubyygvb said:
I liked Infinium, it understands the dull part of science should be thrown in the trash and just have fun. We can do this by speeding up our research many times with the help of inspiration.

MD OldBones caused the opposite feelings. I immediately wanted to say no to him, but I need to clarify one point.

Infinium is just an excuse for Levi-tan to be as chuuni as she want and make it be the efficient and pragmatic choice!

Fghubyygvb said:
@JayTar Are those on whom we conduct experiments considered our patients?

I'm near certain they are. But as this mad scientist is a chuuni tsundere she probably thinks she's doing a favour to any patient she treats anyway.

Just wait for when she'll implant a machine gun to someone's stomach

She'll probably think "who WOULDN'T want this?!"

on a side note. Old Bones' contract is probably a major stabilizing force on this city. After all if most medics and biology-focused scientists can't harm their patients, that actually means that the mad science is least horrific on the people. That people CAN trust their medics, and that they can trust those medics and scientists known to have taken contracts from this god.

Worm_that_Walks said:
Strange how both Levi and her brother are named after legendary sea creatures despite the Dominion of Tom being in the middle of a wasteland.
Wonder what the story there is.

probably just chuuni names from chuuni parents.

Prologue 2.2

JayTar said:
You stride forward confidently, "Make way! I'm a doctor!"

The three practically spring back. You idly note their unusual haste, but further observation is put aside in favor of grabbing the medical kit and getting to work.

well, you can achieve a lot by stating things confidently. And they were obviously kind of desperate.

JayTar said:
Medicine 3 + Surgery 3: = 6 dice
6d6 = [2, 2, 2, 6, 3, 4] = 19 + 5 (Basic medical kit) =24

DC: 15/20/25

so close!

but still, good enough hopefully.

JayTar said:
Your first instinct is that he is asking for reassurance. But no, the signs are all wrong for that. The way his eyes tense. The way the other two's hands make aborted twitches for weapons. Fear. They are asking the question, but they don't want it to be true.

So you tell the truth. "I exaggerated a little for expedience." you admit with a wry grin. "Never got any sort of formal certification or practice."

The way the group relaxes vindicates your assumptions. These are people who have bad associations with the word "doctor". How strange.

it might be that doctors in this city would be forced to report them by AI law. Maybe they're not "citizens" and should not be in here?

JayTar said:
Surprisingly it is your patient who breaks the standoff. "She can come." She rasps out, surprisingly conscious. Trying to sit up.

"Don't move you dunce!" You shout. "You lost a ton of blood. I don't know how you are even awake right now."

"Leader is tough!" one of the kids says and you can see all three smiling in relief.

How dare you try to ruin my work by reopening your wounds! Stay still and heal like a good patient/test subject.

...it's not like I care about your health you b-b-b-baka!

JayTar said:
Sensational! I love the detailed read through!

I'm not the one that decided to make Performance (Acting) one of Leviathan's core skills! But it sure makes her fun to write.

The thing to remember with her is that she is like 70% bluster. Her skills aren't actually that impressive right now. Her biggest assets are her attitude and confidence.
... And she would probably commit a felony if she heard me say that. It scares me a little that even I don't know which one.

I've actually done even more details read throughs in the past. I remember doing that for basically all of "A Simple Transaction" by Rihaku... I got quite a bit of voting power there at one point to blow all on one vote (contributions made your votes worth more). And I enjoy writing comments as I read in general.

self-confidence can be a superpower, really. Many people will believe anything if you say it confidently enough.

JayTar said:
... I'm not sure how I missed that. Must have gotten the numbers mixed around when I did the die roll.
The average for 6d3 is slightly higher so I'll let it stand as-is.

The thing that surprises me the most is that nobody called it out, really. Then again, maybe someone did but didn't want to risk a re-roll

JayTar said:
"You want money?" Leader bluntly offers.

"I suppose I can accept that" You suppress your excitement. Money!

It's not like I was starving you b-b-b-BAKA!

but yeah, money is nice!

JayTar said:
Gain 3 decent dots.
They will pay you 1 decent dot per turn to stay on retainer, and an additional 1-2 dots depending on need.
There will be opportunities to earn extra, should you be willing to take some level of risk.

interesting. And hey, maybe they'll let us study their augmentations later on. They might be ex-test-subjects of some mad scientist which they're trying to avoid.

JayTar said:
Money:
[] Work: Things are quiet with Leader's injuries, but you can probably convince them to pay you for the followups on her current injures. Expected pay: 2-3 Decent dots. (2 AP)
[] Food: Perhaps you would like to change your diet? Presents diet options. May be modified by your current wealth level. (1 AP)

kind of a must. there's a need for more money, and a better diet is likely to help in the long run AND give us back the AP from dumpster diving.

JayTar said:
[] Get to know your new employers. How did they come to be mercenaries? How does the mercenary business work? (3 AP)
[] You noticed the augmentations on the team's two younger members. You know you will have to approach it delicately, but perhaps there is something you can learn from them? Requires Lab (2 AP)

augmentations can wait, getting to know them should not.

JayTar said:
[] Professor Tweed - The Teacher. Hmph. Probably a waste of time. (4 AP)
[] Steve - The Builder. Dispute the unfortunate association with (ugh) manual labor, you can see the merit in a god of building grand works. (4 AP)

not an IMMEDIATE priority, but obviously it's worthy to know what are the options

JayTar said:
To contact Gods:
Doctor Infinium:
[] Lab. If you want to pursue Doctor Infinium's attention you will need a lab.
--[] Scrape together what can fit in your Cube. Cost: 5 2 Poor dots. Gain poor quality lab. Reveal crafting rules. (1 AP)
--[] Buy some second hand equipment instead of pulling things out of the trash. Cost: 5 Low dots. Gain Low quality lab. Reveal crafting rules. (2 AP)
--[] Invest in some proper equipment. Requires larger space then your Cube. Cost: 5 Decent dots. Gain Decent quality lab. Reveal crafting rules. (4 AP)
[] Start crafting. Requires lab. (Variable AP)

does the 5 decent dots cost include the extra space? In any case I suppose waiting a turn or two might allow us to skip to the actually decent lab...

JayTar said:
MD Old Bones:
[] Arrange for an operating theater. You will need somewhere to work, and make sure you have sufficient supplies. (2 AP)
[] Arrange for a constant stream of patients. (3 AP)
[] Arrange for an assistant. A final line of defense against interruptions. Someone to make sure all your patients arrive on time, and fill any holes in your schedule. (2 AP)
[] Start the marathon. (Consumes all AP until 20 have been spent.)

fun line about the assistant, but pretty accurate admittedly. But getting some more money first should probably be the priority over this, and Infinium is also a higher value contract.

JayTar said:
Her brother, maybe but he doesn't have the correct skill set. Beyond that is for you to decide. Many things can be done via self-surgery however. If you are mad enough.

I'm reminded of Franky from One Piece, who made himself into a Cyborg.

...apparently his back is still human and vulnerable because he couldn't reach it with his hands. Because sure, THAT'S the one problem with turning yourself into a mech apparently

JayTar said:
Cybernetics I'm tentatively saying would fall under Science (robotics) with a bit of biology, but there might be a specific Science (Cybernetics) instead. Not sure yet.

You could apply an average of the two different skills/specializations.

Prologue 3

JayTar said:
[X] Plan: Professional development, work and other god
-[X] Skill training (Pharmacology) (2 TAP)
-[X] Skill training (Therapy) (2 TAP)
-[X] Work: Things are quiet with Leader's injuries, but you can probably convince them to pay you for the followups on her current injures. Expected pay: 2-3 Decent dots. (2 AP)
-[X] Family: As annoying as your brother is, maybe you should see what he is up to? (3 AP)
-[X] Professor Tweed - The Teacher. Hmph. Probably a waste of time. (4 AP)

Not what I would have gone with, but I suppose there's no rush. keeping to low cost food means we can save for the lab, and I can see a hint of Levi-tan (yes I'm calling her that until she stops being a Tsundere!) 's ethics in how she's learning to be a better medic now that she's being payed to be a medic.

Also fair enough on the god Research. with only 4 gods available for now we might as well see all of their requirements.

Fun fact for people not from Merchant of Divinity: a good that's less famous or believed to be weaker in a world might in fact be far stronger than even the most famous and worshipped god in the world... After all, Gods operate across the multiverse, not just this single world. There's very much such a thing as a big fish god in a small world pond.

That's obviously assuming that hasn't changed from the other quest.

JayTar said:
You look at her in puzzlement before checking her injuries. "You reopened the stitches. They were almost healed! What were you doing?"

don't ruin my work!

...it's not like I'm worried about you b-b-b-BAKA!

JayTar said:
You look over to Slick who pauses in cleaning suspiciously rust colored stains off of a knife. To Senior who was fretting over a singed spot on his hat. To Leader who meets your gaze with a deadpan stare.

...did he went and go for combat training while still wounded?!

JayTar said:
You navigate into the relevant menus in your phone ready to give it your all.

…
DC = 0
Auto pass!

… And find that you are already on the unrestricted whitelist for his Cube.

such a careless brother! Then again, he probably knows he goes against our ethics to harm one of our supporters.

...it's not because we're family or anything B-B-B-BAKA!

...ok, I'm quitting that joke now. It's getting boring already.

JayTar said:
You scoff. "As if! Any lab I enter is automatically made reputable by my very presence!"

That's the right attitude!

JayTar said:
Not that you don't spend the next hour pestering him just to make sure. A good scientist always tests their conclusions.

I like her!

JayTar said:
Jörmungandr Grimm's primary Social knowledge specially revealed! Jörmungandr Grimm may now train you in Social knowledge (Clandestine Proceedings).

An interesting specialty...

JayTar said:
Code:

To gain Professor Tweed's attention you will need to personally mentor someone up to a professional level (3+3) in a skill which they then go on to use in a professional capacity. The student must not have had any significant preexisting level of skill in the subject. (max level of 1) This teaching must be done purely for the sharing of knowledge. Not payment or favors.

You note that there seems to be a common thread of disallowing cross purposes. Interesting.

You also find his first contract:

Professor Tweed

**

You, the contracted, must spend at least 1 action a week on teaching. In exchange, you may make simple illusions for the purpose of teaching aids.

___________

Oh you recognize this! You've seen it in action a few times during your stint at the University. While in theory not much different from a high quality holographic slide show, the ability to adjust it with but a thought provides flexibility. The benefit isn't dramatic, but it is noticeable.

At your current level it would increase the dice size of anyone you are teaching by +1

and this explains why so many scientists waste their time on teaching.

Worth noting that it doesn't say we need to teach for free (from the contract I mean). Or how many people we can teach.

JayTar said:
You idly wonder just how far "for the purpose of teaching aids" can be stretched.

And NOW she's thinking like a merchant.

What if we're "teaching someone a lesson" in combat by punishing them for something they did, for example? Worth testing if/when we get the power.

JayTar said:
Current assets:
5 decent dots
1 Basic Habitation Cube.

Enough for the best lab!

...well, "best"...

JayTar said:
[] Now that you have some money, you should look back into the University? Not that you need help with improving your skills. But you weren't one to turn down an advantage. (3 AP)

We'll definitely want tutors to learn skills related to, for example, Teaching, so we might spend less time actually teaching someone well enough to get that contract. Also we might find a potential student there.

But it's not a priority yet. it's I'd say the worst of the three contracts anyway.

As a side note, the 20 APs worth of free healing can work as advertisement and reputation booster in preparations for payed work...

JayTar said:
[] Supplemental Research: MD Old Bones. You have questions about exactly how limiting his first contract is. Look into it. (2 1 AP)

this is a MUST. better to know it earlier.

Is "patient" a subjective or objective definition? what about harm? those things matter, and the definition is basically up to the god... and, for blue contracts, also common sense admittedly.

but usually it's the common sense of the god, though unless they're a trickster they usually shouldn't hide what they mean from you, as the gods don't want you to break their contracts after all.

aaand break and I'll go to sleep.

fictionfan · Apr 7, 2024

[X] Plan: Jack in the Box
-[X] Skill Training (University +2) (Medicine: Pharmacology) (4x TAP)
-[X] You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[X] Old man Jack: Near the entrance to your Habitation block sits a old man. He sits there all day, always preforming some sort of hand craft. Whittling. Knitting. You should go give him a peace of your mind about such a shameful display! (3 AP)
-[X] Continue Experimenting: Auditory training aid (1/30) (5 AP)

It's not the experiment that I would have picked, but I guess the contract is the important part.

Starman · Apr 7, 2024

[X] Plan: Jack in the Box

dlwj2000 · Apr 7, 2024

[X] Plan: Jack in the Box

Pittauro · Apr 7, 2024

Prologue 4.1 - Social Workout

Toboe said:
Do these options give general bonuses, or are they purely for the MD Old Bones attention actions?

there's some value in having a God like us. if we stand out enough, they MIGHT improve the rewards of their contracts. And later on custom contracts are more likely, I imagine, though probably not for the first 2 at least. (or maybe 3. the rolls seemed to be able to reveal up to that one, presumably because 4th contracts are both much rarer, and maybe even more customized).

Impetus said:
Not really sure when we'll have reason to use Therapy and Pharmaceuticals, but I guess we don't have a skill cap either, so it's whatever.

...I didn't even notice...

JayTar said:
"One of your customers just canceled their order while it was in mid transit" you confidently allege. In truth you had no such knowledge, but simply made an educated guess based on previous trends.

good guess. when they're sending thousands of meals per day (presumably), a few are bound to be canceled.

It's kind of the same principle behind overbooking.

JayTar said:
What started as some simple clarifications on the nature of sign-countersign verification quickly devolves into one of your old sibling games. "Spot the loophole."

that actually sounds like a fun (and educational!) game

JayTar said:
"Espionage. Theft. Steal data. Destroy data."

"Who hires you?"

"Laboratories. Workshops."

"Who do you target?"

"Laboratories. Workshops." she repeats with exactly the same intonation.

...but of course. Why did I expect anything else?

JayTar said:
The tension ratchets. Like something invisible is pressing down on you. You don't allow yourself to sweat. "Sometimes the data is someone" Leader says.

...and so he recruits them instead of, say, "disposing" of them?

Good idea, though it could make enemies for him.

JayTar said:
Further conversation is interrupted by light coming through the elevator's mesh grating. Three of the four walls around the elevator fall away into a vast open space.

You see a fissure. No you realize. Vast stalactites. Each the size of buildings and made of faintly glowing purple crystal. They hang out over- over- over-

Mental fortitude: 2 + Noticing Manipulation 2 = 4 dice
4d6 = [6, 2, 6, 3] = 17
DC = 15/??
DC reduced by 1

You shut your eyes and reestablish your mental equilibrium. Feeling the way your eyes and thoughts skate off of it. It is all you can do to notice it is even happening.

"That is the void."

"Yup."

mh... this reminds me of the paradox in Merchants of Divinity. that higher DC might come with a Weight reward.

I wonder what this Void is about. Probably the result of a contract power... or a Law.

JayTar said:
"That is- shouldn't the void be deeper?" The void was one of those things everybody learns about in school but never really thinks about. Below a certain elevation all matter starts to disintegrate. The only thing that kept all the continents supported was the natural repulsion the denser elements experienced when they approached it.

ok, correction, it's probably a law.

So this world isn't a "sphere". It's probably a flat world posing over a void of nothingness.

...I wonder if the "Void" is the border with the other worlds, like the Mists in the other quest. If we heard of monsters coming out of it that would confirm it.

JayTar said:
[] Intervene
You can talk the talk, and act the act. Who's to say you aren't some up and coming scientist here to make a deal? Well if you were you aren't impressed with what you see. Apply some pressure and see if you can get Silicate to crack.

well, we're here to have fun AND we are affecting an air of confidence as our standard attitude. This just makes sense AND is fun!

Prologue 4.2

JayTar said:
He pauses, assessing you "And you would be?" he asks leadingly.

"Ms. Grimm. A person of no particular importance." The trick is in how you say it. The intonation. The stance. The slight emphasis on the prefix, as if you were just holding back from saying Dr instead of Ms. A self important scientist barely hiding it.

The best lies are the ones where you're telling the truth

Levi is really fun

JayTar said:
He doesn't lean forward or anything quite so obvious. But from the glint in his eye you know you have his interest. At least, until he blinks and catches on.

"You play a dangerous game Ms. Grimm".

"I'm a dangerous person." you say, toothy grin returning. "You've been losing teams haven't you. Contractors."

clever and bold... this is a fun MC to play as.

JayTar said:
A brief stop later to pick up an unmarked box and the pair of you are back on the elevator. Leader turns to you and punches you in the shoulder.

"Ow! What was that for?" You protest in a completely reasonable tone of voice.

"Dangerous person." she says jokingly.

"I'm dangerous!" You don't whine.

Leader scoffs lightheartedly. "Like a kitten. Your words dangerous. Your skills dangerous. You? Don't worry. I can teach."

You take the high road and decline to correct her on the true danger level of kittens.

Gain 3 decent dots.
Gain Leader as a teacher. Can teach Combat (Firearms) at +2.

Well, I think she likes us

Also don't underestimate kittens! Let one close to your face and these claws can be nasty.

Nothing more dangerous that something that looks harmless but isn't.

...the disconnect between the serious and the "rah I'm dangerous rah!" moments are so amusing!

JayTar said:
Code:

To gain Steve's attention you need to spend at least 10 AP to build something of at least Small Building size. You must then destroy what you built using explosives before it is observed, except by yourself. At least a professional level (3 in general + 3 in a specialty) of artistic skill (Precision) or applicable scientific skill is required.

You consider what you found. Peculiar. In theory contacting Steve could be quick comparatively. In practice...

You look at the blank walls of your Cube. There are countless sensors. Monitoring your Cube. Monitoring the building. Monitoring the district. Monitoring the whole city. Very little goes truly unobserved. Would an AI count? Would an automated system? Your research leans towards yes.

Though perhaps you already had a lead. You look down. To where you know the Under Market is. Perhaps there you can find the privacy you need, and explosives as well.

Frustratingly you were not able to find Steve's first contract. Not yet.

eh, not a priority to re-research, but the requirement doesn't seem that bad.

After all a "small building" could be something as simple as a small storage shed, for example. We just need the materials... not sure if we have the skill high enough already, but if not then it definitely goes lower priority.

JayTar said:
Current assets:
6.8 decent dots
1 Basic Habitation Cube.

LAB LAB LAB LAB LAB!

JayTar said:
[] Now that you have some money, you should look back into the University? Not that you need help with improving your skills. But you weren't one to turn down an advantage. (3 AP)

There might even be some people who HAVE to teach due to contracts.

...you know, those contract costs really help keeping this city stable.

"First do no Harm", and so you can trust your medical doctor.
"Spend time teaching", and so you know that the best in town WILL share their knowledge, helping the next generation.
"Behave like a mad scientist in attitude"... well, I suppose it makes it less likely one of them will take over the city? Makes it more likely there will be "fair" competition due to evil plan reveals?

I wonder what the costs of the other god will be...

JayTar said:
[] Steve. Annoyingly you still don't know his first contract. Find it. (3 AP)

annoying. but I suppose we migth as well...

JayTar said:
Professor Tweed:
[] Go looking for a student. (Write in skill/specifics) (3 AP)
[] Teach! (2 AP)

I'd say later on we can offer to teach one of the mercenaries, make them the team's medic for when we will no longer have the time for it.

We'd keep a good relationship this way (and it's always useful to know a team that can get things done), we can maybe get them to share a few rumors or even some samples they steal and are not destroying at times...

JayTar said:
There is nothing technically stopping you from using Science (biology) for contacting Steve. But you would have to figure out what to make using it that meets the size requirements. I will leave that to you.

mh... I'm kinda imagining creating something like Frankenstein's monster, but it's a bit tasteless. Growing a big plant isn't exactly "building" something either, though I suppose the wood from it could give us the material.

...we have a "size" for the object, but not a weight or density or other measurement. Something like buying some flat planes of wood or metal and using them to build a crude house might work? there's still a skill requirement though...

JayTar said:
You wouldn't even need to go to the Under Market for it. There is nothing illicit about it. This isn't a corporate dystopia after all. No magical patent protections here.

You know, I'm not sure I'd call it a dystopia at all. It follows very different rules from what we're used to, but the system seems to work decently well without being that oppressive.

It's hardly perfect, it's in fact full of flaws... but so are many current societies. There's trade-offs, basically.

Then again we haven't seen the worst of it yet.

Prologue 5.1 - Finally Science

JayTar said:
Laboratory. Laboratory! Time to make a Laboratory!

A sterilizer! A humidifier! A hydrometer~
A bioreactor! An incubator! A spectrometer~
Freezers! Tweezers! Pipettes? No regret!
Filters. A purifier and a sequencer don't forget!

An autoclave. A microscope. A multimeter!
A Thermal cycler! A mixer! A calorimeter!
Bottles of polymer, reagent, substrate and reactant!
A fume hood. A centrifuge. A store for refrigerant!

Syringes for injection. Electrodes for connection!
A biochemical analyzer~

You. Just. Can't. Stop. Grinning!

well, she seems pretty happy, and I'm happy as well! MAD SCIENCE HERE WE COME!

JayTar said:
Painkiller: T1 Biology. Cost: 3, Benefit: +3 to Mental fortitude(Resisting physical pain)
Stimulant: T2 Biology. Cost: 6, Benefit: +6 to Perception (People's movement)
Adrenaline booster: T2 Biology. Cost: 6, Benefit: +6 to Athletics (Running)
Artificial organ: T3 Biology. Cost 9. Benefit: Allows a purely biological device to be implanted.

a decent starting point. I can imagine installing organs that can give the bonuses from the previous tiers "automatically", for example.

JayTar said:
Gaining new effects can be done through research, or via narrative events. The mechanics for which will be introduced very soon.

and there's already a starting option from the mercenaries' augmentations... and maybe we can convince them to share a few samples from their missions with us at times, who knows.

JayTar said:
[] Go exploring - The city is a big place. Find an abandoned place to set up in where nobody will bother you.
D100 roll for the quality of the location. High rolls may give extra advantages or opportunities.

I wonder if, again, the mercenaries might know a place. Maybe we could become neighbours!

I'll pause here for now.

Toboe · Apr 7, 2024

Pittauro said:
not a bad contract, really. Depends on the definition of harm. It's to the spirit, so I imagine it's going to depend on the perspective of the patient, as if they don't believe they've been harmed then arguably they've not been harmed.

Nope. Word of god:

JayTar said:
It doesn't matter how the procedure ends, just that when you started it you believed it would be a net benefit for the patient.

It isn't about the actual effect of the procedure or the patients opinion. It it about the the person-bound-by-the-contracts believe that the procedure is a net-benefit for the patient.
It explicitly doesn't require consent.

JayTar said:
Indeed. Though again, risk and benefit are subjective. For such a situation, you would have to be in disagreement with the patient over the risks/benefits (Because presumably if they want said risky procedure they think the benefits outweigh the costs).
"Giving the patient what they want" is a type of benefit too. So you would have to think the risks are too great for that as well.

Basically it doesn't necessitate consent. But it can still be helpful.

Rules-as-written that leaves a world of room for paternalistic evil.

Pittauro said:
on a side note. Old Bones' contract is probably a major stabilizing force on this city. After all if most medics and biology-focused scientists can't harm their patients, that actually means that the mad science is least horrific on the people. That people CAN trust their medics, and that they can trust those medics and scientists known to have taken contracts from this god.

Can't intentionally harm (by the medics/bio-scientists pov) the patient.

Huge difference.

[X] Plan: Jack in the Box

fictionfan · Apr 7, 2024

Yes to the spirit contract are generally impossible to break by accident. Well unless you somehow forgot about the existence of your contract somehow which could happen.

JayTar · Apr 8, 2024

I'll likely be closing the vote sometime tomorrow. Say in Apr 8, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Pittauro said:
Levi is really fun

Glad to when my little jokes and flourishes have been landing!

I'll be honest her, when I posted the character creation I really had no idea what the main character would be like. I had a big pile of world building and mechanics notes, but was struggling writing anything because I couldn't settle on a "voice" for the protagonist. That is why I left things so open ended during character creation. I was hoping the thread provide an basis for that.

And boy did it work out! Best bet I've made here.

Phervygbahrcaid · Apr 8, 2024

Love the quest. And the interaction between Angela and Leviathan was absolutely adorable.

Also, regarding the usage of the dragon aesthetic,: I don't know how closely @JayTar wants to stick to Merchants of Divinity's cosmology, but Dragons in that quest were interesting.

IIRC, Dragons (capitalized to distinguish them from the general idea of a flying lizard) were extremely powerful monsters originating from the Mist between universes, and killing them had metaphysical effects on whoever killed them:

storryeater said:
Instead, I will offer you some advice that may help you if you do decide to take his contracts. War loves to brand people who sign his contracts with the word "War", perhaps in imitation of how Dragonslayers get branded by the word "Dragon". This means, in layman's terms, that if you take his contracts, your name will metaphysically change to include the word "war" in it. Most people change their names to accommodate that. But you do not have to! You can just use the word "War" as a middle name you never use or say, and most of the time, it will be as if you never had it. So that cost, at least, you can skirt around."
-Excerpt from "Merchants of Divinity", Part 5 "Important gods and how to recognize them", Chapter 11, by Basil of the Clovers

Killing them was also one of the major ways of quickly acquiring Weight, although undertaking it was a extremely dangerous task:

storryeater said:
Anything more dangerous, and it has people with high Weight doing it, skewing the odds back down. (See: Monster hunting. Technically would be more dangerous, but it is a market very cornered by professionals), is something that people do not CHOOSE to do (see: surviving a natural disaster) or it is something everyone knows the danger of anyway (see: Dragon hunting. It regularly results in TPKs, and yet, people know the risks and think they are worth it.)

storryeater said:
No. Well, a little, it does state that a sufficiently powerful Merchant, a Dragon or the machinations or Avatars of certain gods (most notably the spinning one) can destroy a world, and there are implications in gods arriving early in a world in order to get to make laws, but nothing more specific.

storryeater said:
As for killing [gods], one way is Dragon bullshit, and if you ever reach the point where you can use Dragon bullshit, you'll know what to do, although whether you'd want to use it even on the most abhorrent god is another story.

This is relevant as in one sidestory, this exchange happened (regarding the flying mount granted by a god through contracts):

storryeater said:
Finally, they arrived at the jail's rooftop. A long, red serpent was awaiting them.
A dragon?" Lecoq asked.
"My god was very insistent on this not being an actual dragon or even a good facsimile of one. But this was the kind of dragon in my fairytales, so this is the kind of dragon I chose as a mount. I can, after all, so why shouldn't I?"

This implies that there might be danger in imitating Dragons too closely, although that might just be regarding the power requirement to create something recognizably capital-D Dragon-like.

So, giving ourself draconic features could be dangerous. OTOH, it would at the very least get us some divine attention.

If we're making implanted scale armor, could I suggest making them flame- and acid-resistant, as to function as a labcoat? We wouldn't be a proper Mad Scientist without one, and wearing one of our own design would show off our capabilities, in addition to looking fantastic and possibly regenerating by itself.

[X] Plan: Jack in the Box
-[X] Skill Training (University +2) (Medicine: Pharmacology) (4x TAP)
-[X] You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[X] Old man Jack: Near the entrance to your Habitation block sits a old man. He sits there all day, always preforming some sort of hand craft. Whittling. Knitting. You should go give him a peace of your mind about such a shameful display! (3 AP)
-[X] Continue Experimenting: Auditory training aid (1/30) (5 AP)

fictionfan · Apr 8, 2024

I personally have very little interest getting scale armor for ourselves. I would much rather make monsters to fight for us.

JayTar · Apr 8, 2024

Scheduled vote count started by JayTar on Apr 4, 2024 at 8:08 PM, finished with 25 posts and 7 votes.

6 people have voted
[X] Plan: Jack in the Box
-[X] Skill Training (University +2) (Medicine: Pharmacology) (4x TAP)
-[X] You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[X] Old man Jack: Near the entrance to your Habitation block sits a old man. He sits there all day, always preforming some sort of hand craft. Whittling. Knitting. You should go give him a peace of your mind about such a shameful display! (3 AP)
-[X] Continue Experimenting: Auditory training aid (1/30) (5 AP)
- MrRageQuit
- fictionfan
- Phervygbahrcaid
- Starman
- dlwj2000
- Toboe
1 people have voted
[X]Plan general progress
-[X] Skill training (University +2) (Pharmacology) (4x TAP)
-[X]Work: You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[X] Old man Jack: Near the entrance to your Habitation block sits a old man. He sits there all day, always preforming some sort of hand craft. Whittling. Knitting. You should go give him a peace of your mind about such a shameful display! (3 AP)
-[X] Arrange for an assistant. A final line of defense against interruptions. Someone to make sure all your patients arrive on time, and fill any holes in your schedule. (2 AP)
-[X] Dive deeper: Beneath the city there are countless forgotten places. Some may even contain treasures. Go out and find them (3 AP)
- H2F2

Well this was fairly decisive. Update likely tomorrow.

Impetus · Apr 8, 2024

Pittauro said:
...I didn't even notice...

Also, I think I might've to eat my words, considering that Pharmacology has become important for earning money.

Glad to see you around though, Pittauro! Your reaction posts are always nice to read.

JayTar said:
'll be honest her, when I posted the character creation I really had no idea what the main character would be like. I had a big pile of world building and mechanics notes, but was struggling writing anything because I couldn't settle on a "voice" for the protagonist. That is why I left things so open ended during character creation. I was hoping the thread provide an basis for that.

And boy did it work out! Best bet I've made here.

You know, I kind of get the feeling that's sort of how all the Merchant quests started? Personally I had some idea of how I wanted certain character options to be like but, uh, none of them got chosen? But I suppose that's the wonder of semi-collaborative writing. Likewise, Merchants had so many different character archetypes to choose from that it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that their voices weren't very well-developed from the start either.

Cast-Offs of Divinity - A Merchants of Divinity Quest

Please sir, may I have some Meows?

Idea briefcase

Please sir, may I have some Meows?

Idea briefcase

Idea briefcase

Please sir, may I have some Meows?

Please sir, may I have some Meows?

Idea briefcase

Please sir, may I have some Meows?

Idea briefcase