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.
It's likely for the best. Merchant are trading their soul and characterization after all. If I started a Merchant of Divinity quest I would give a first nature changing contract as part of character design.
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.
I don't remember the specifics but I had something of an impression that for the original merchant quest each of the starting options had something of a "character" to them. Roland for example was a peacekeeper, and that wasn't something we voted on. Plus the whole first/second person perspective thing he had going on, and various other parts of his character.
Plus I kinda vaguely remember speculation about what the non-winning character options might have been getting up to?
Anyway I did have some vague plans for possible protagonists. But since they won't be used maybe I will use them in some other capacity.
We actually did get intermittent interludes of characters who fit the description of some of the possible protagonists, so I suppose you're right. For example, there was a crazed Monster hunter fighting a Master of the Salt Guild for the sake of revenge which fit with one of the options. And Roland certainly did have a strong character from the start, if a bit unpolished.
We're probably thinking lowercase d dragons for body mods. Y'know the worst part of wanting dragon wings? I know exactly how to make them functional, and if memory serves our rival has the anti-grav we would need.
We're probably thinking lowercase d dragons for body mods. Y'know the worst part of wanting dragon wings? I know exactly how to make them functional, and if memory serves our rival has the anti-grav we would need.
I thought it was just skates well the dress works as an auto balancer. So she is able to do super sick skating moves well having no chance of falling over. But not anti-grav. The statement frees her from gravity is hyperbole.
Her dress lowers her center of gravity below the floor without getting in her way. Which is super cool, but not that sci-fi.
Or actually more then that in the skates aren't just skates, but springs allowing her to jump higher well the dress makes sure that she always maintains orientation. She also mentioned control loops so she might be able to change where her center of gravity is at continuously.
If Leviathan wants a similar effect I think she might be able to give herself a inner ear injection/tune up to give herself a superhuman sense of balance. No idea how to get super jumping with bio besides the basics of being healthy and strong.
@JayTar : Is just making ourselves super healthy something that we can project? Tailored meal plan is obviously one part, but maybe a exercise regimen would be a good idea as well. I want to match Angela's performance without any crutches or tools, but with pure physically.
If Leviathan wants a similar effect I think she might be able to give herself a inner ear injection/tune up to give herself a superhuman sense of balance. Not idea how to get super jumping with bio besides the basics of being healthy and strong.
@JayTar : Is just making ourselves super healthy something that we can project? Tailored meal plan is obviously one part, but maybe a exercise regimen would be a good idea as well. I want to match Angela's performance without any crutches or tools, but with pure physically.
I'll say inner ear enhancement would require implantation but give full bonus to Performance (Dancing) or a similar balanced based skill.
As for biological super jumping well I would remind you of Skippy...
An exercise regimen would just fall under training/tutoring, but you could tinker with your biology to an extent. Say a +0.05 increase to your learning multiplier for a single physical skill should be possible at T3 like the Neuroplasticity enhancer. To do more then one skill you would need to implant it.
(This would stack with TN meals)
You know it's kind of funny that because of mechanical reasons the adrenaline upgrade does nothing to actually make Leviathan stronger. Combat? No, you pretty much just hit as hard as normal. Lifting something heavy? That's not running so no. IRL ordinary humans can lift the back half of a car off the ground with enough adrenaline. Of course consistently doing that would cause tremendous damage to one's body.
What is really funny is that the things that we are most going to want to do to ourselves using biologically means are the things that weight is supposed to do. We want to be healthier (HP). We are to be more skilled.
We are in a weird position in this quest where Leviathan is likely to modify herself more then gods do. Hopefully we find some gods that are into that I remember a few from the original that would love it.
Edit: Of course a big reason for us to make monsters is so we can test out all the body modifications before using them on ourselves. Also just generally that we don't want to use low quality work on ourselves and our first stuff is obviously going to be low quality comparitively to our latter work.
What is really funny is that the things that we are most going to want to do to ourselves using biologically means are the things that weight is supposed to do. We want to be healthier (HP). We are to be more skilled.
We are in a weird position in this quest where Leviathan is likely to modify herself more then gods do. Hopefully we find some gods that are into that I remember a few from the original that would love it.
Edit: Of course a big reason for us to make monsters is so we can test out all the body modifications before using them on ourselves. Also just generally that we don't want to use low quality work on ourselves and our first stuff is obviously going to be low quality comparitively to our latter work.
In particular I feel like Chaatoc and Leviathan would get along swimmingly. Though I suppose the one who's name changes would likely offer us something to assist in modifying ourself.
[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)
"You're still here." You address the bearded old man. Perhaps you could have dismissed him. Just an old malfunctioning automaton. But chance scrutiny noted an inconstancy. Under the wrinkles and hair he moved with vigor. Eyes clear and sharp. Joints and bones stressed without care. All subtle signs of life extension treatment. If not necessarily recent. Perhaps he held some purpose before being discarded.
"Hah! Rain, rust or dust. None can stop me." he says the familiar saying dismissively.
"Stop what? This vulgar display?"
The older man pauses, hands stilling. He turns his head and inspects you, before looking back to his work in dismissal. "Would it help if I told you I am preforming an experimental archaeology study on traditional craftsmanship techniques?"
Yes- you almost say. To preform bot-work is ghastly, but to study bot-work is noble. Something stops you. The lilt of his voice. The corners of his smile. He is mocking you. "No. You're lying."
"Yup." You wait for him to continue. Instead he ignores you.
"Why are you doing this?" you grind out.
Finally he stops. Returning the cloth and wood construction to his lap and looking at you again. "Because I want to."
You grapple with that for a few moments. "Why. Do you want to."
"Because I want to."
"Why do you want to?"
"Because I want to."
"Why do you want- no this is dumb." You huff and almost turn away. But doing so would be conceding victory to this irritating individual. Instead you glower at him.
He laughs a dry rasping laugh "Ha. Ha. Ha. I know your type. You need something you can understand. How about spite?"
"Spite? Do you bear some grudge against society that you fulfill by nauseating innocent passerby?"
"Hah! Not quite. Tell me this bigshot, got any contracts?" You don't answer but he seems to read something in your expression "Not yet huh? Well before you sign any tell me this: What are you going to do when you retire?"
You let the question bounce around your head for a moment. Retirement? What a silly thought. You were no obsolete machine to be phased out. "Why would I ever stop?"
"Ah, you are one of those." For a moment he looks almost sad, or perhaps nostalgic.
Wait. Retirement. You mentally arrange the puzzle pieces and take a second look at the man."Wait a moment. You're Genome Jack. You were in my textbooks!" The age threw you off, but now that you really looked his facial features were unmistakable.
"Don't call me that" he grinds out. For a moment you feel a flicker of force and presence. Enough to make you believe this individual really is the esteemed figure you expected. Then he sighs and falls back in his chair.
You correct the step back you don't remember taking. "Why are you here? You could be doing anything." You wave your hand in the direction of the rest of the city, attempting to encompass its entirety it in a single gesture.
He chuckles, finding that funny for some reason. "Have you ever considered why gods offer contracts?"
"Hm? It benefits them too no?" This was gods 101.
"Yes" Jack smiles through his beard "But it's not just contracts. Every action in their name or aligned with their purpose. Large or small. They seek it."
You turn the thought over in consideration. It was hardly a revelation. "So?"
"So spite" he says casually tying off the last piece of his construction. An umbrella. Then he throws it at you.
You pick it up and inspect it. It's construction is decent you suppose. Nothing about it stands out as exceptional.
By the time you look back Jack is stated on a new umbrella, ignoring you once more. You consider interjecting, but shake your head and walk off instead. How disappointing.
Gain handmade umbrella.
Gain Old Jack as a +1 precision "Teacher" (He won't teach you, but you can watch)
Training at the University (Basic): (3+2)d4=5d4 per TAP
4 TAP spent.
20d4 = [4, 3, 3, 3, 1, 3, 1, 3, 2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1, 3, 1, 3, 1] = 48*1.3 = 62 exp
Medicine (Pharmacology) now at 2 (22/90)
You put the fool from your thoughts and focus on your goals. The Pharmacology tutor you book is utterly mediocre, but your brilliance shines nonetheless. You take a moment to update your record with the city allowing you a slightly broader patient pool.
Medicine 3 + Surgery 3 + Pharmacology 2= 8 dice
8d6 = [3, 2, 4, 6, 1, 1, 4, 5] = 26
26-18=8
Gain 3.8 decent dots
Work at your new clinic picks up to a steady clip. Between off the record trauma care you consult on the population's many minor ills and pains.
Stand here so I can take a scan. It's just a cold, take two pills a day and come back next week if you are still sick. No your foot isn't broken, it's just a bruise. Are you comfortable around needles? Grip my hand as hard as you can. Have you noticed any changes recently? The stitches will dissolve in two to three weeks.
You wouldn't say it is boring, but there is a certain banality to it. The lure of a steady job and a comfortable life. It falls deaf on your ears. As if.
The first thing you do is trawl the archives for data on the hearing of every animal you can. Your task would be hopeless if you were starting from nothing. But if nothing else the city is very good at making reference books and databases for scientific data. You mentally thank whichever lab technicians were responsible for the highly exhaustive tables you find.
With the data in hand you start collecting sound samples. After all what sounds would an animal react most strongly to but the ones it experiences naturally. Everything from the crack of falling rocks, to the coo of a pigeon.
You finish the week by placing an order for a set of laboratory mice. As soon as they arrive you will start your first round of testing.
Auditory training aid: T3 Biology. Cost 9. Benefit: Gain +9 Naturalism (Animal Training). This is reduced to +3 for spontaneous uses. Research progress: (6/30) AP
One decent dot subtracted for debt payments
Two low dots subtracted for food payments
One low dot subtracted for lab use expenses
Turn actions:
You have 4 TAP and 10 AP:
Current assets:
1.33 high dots
1 Basic Habitation Cube.
Repurposed Garage:
-Space: 17/25
-Amenities: Power
-Rooms: Decent Laboratory (16)
-Neuroplasticity enhancer: Gain +1 to learning dice size. (1)
Current expenses:
Debt repayment 4.2 High dots remain - 1 decent dot per turn.
Simple Packaged meals - 2 low dots per turn.
Training:
Available trainers:
Jörmungandr Grimm: Can train Organizational knowledge (AI administrator protocols) and Social knowledge (Clandestine Proceedings) along with their respective general skills. Provides +3 dice.
Leader: Can train Combat (Firearms) along with its respective general skills. Provides +2 dice.
University: Can provide +2 to any Scientific or Academic skill for 1 decent dot.
Old Jack: Can "provide" +1 to Precision, or a random Precision specialty.
Format:
-[] Skill training (Trainer) (Skill or Skill (Specialty)) (x TAP)
Personal:
[] Work: You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
[] Food: Perhaps you would like to change your diet? Presents diet options. May be modified by your current wealth level. (1 AP)
[] Purchases: Buy something at previously known shops. (Current options: The Clown Club) (1 AP)
-[] (Write In Purchases)
[] Declare a course of study (Skill): 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)
[] Tag along on a mission. Pay 5+ decent dots. Note: Ability to survive in or avoid combat is highly recommended. (2 AP) [] Have a confrontation with Angela Bright (3 AP)
You aren't ready. You'll need something to show off.
Science:
[] Read research papers (Topic): Gain an Effect you can learn. Roll to see how close the effect is to what you specify. The more specific you are the lower the chances. The higher tier the lower the chances. Cost: 1 decent dot (2 AP)
Social:
Exploration:
[] Explore the city: The city contains many strange wonders. Some are even useful. Go out and find them. (2 AP)
[] Dive deeper: Beneath the city there are countless forgotten places. Some may even contain treasures. Go out and find them (3 AP)
[] You found a strange building containing clown vending machines. Who uses it and why? Investigate it to satisfy your curiosity. (3 AP)
Gods Research. Roll Academics (Gods) to learn more about the god and what contracts they offer:
[] Steve. Annoyingly you still don't know his first contract. Find it. (3 AP)
[] Doctor Infinium. Perhaps you would like to try looking further? You don't think you will get much at your current skill level. (4 AP)
[] MD Old Bones. Perhaps you would like to try looking further? You don't think you will get much at your current skill level. (4 AP)
[] Professor Tweed Perhaps you would like to try looking further? You don't think you will get much at your current skill level. (4 AP)
[] Supplemental Research: Write in. Perhaps there is some other question you want answered? (2 AP)
To contact Gods:
Doctor Infinium:
[] Draft a schematic (Write in schematic) (1 AP)
[] Start crafting. Requires lab. (Variable AP, must be at least 30 in total)
[] Start Experimenting. Requires lab. (Write in desired effect) (Finishing AP: Write in) (Variable AP)
[] Continue Experimenting: Auditory training aid (6/30) (Variable AP)
MD Old Bones:
[] 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.)
Professor Tweed:
[] Go looking for a student. (Write in skill/specifics) (3 AP)
[] Teach! (2 AP)
Steve:
[] Look for a hidden place to build in. See if the Under Market has any leads. Likely to cost at least 1 high dot. (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)
[] Acquire explosives. The Under Market should have something. Likely to cost at least 1 high dot. (2 AP)
[] Acquire explosives. Maybe you can make them yourself? Requires Science (Chemistry). Requires Lab. (? AP)
[] Start building. Requires location. (Write in what you plan to build) (10 AP)
[] Write in. Perhaps there is something else? (?? AP)
New mechanic!
Time skip. If your plan for multiple turns is going to be exactly the same you may include the following line in your vote:
-[] Duration of plan: x Turns (Current maximum of 3) AN: Old Jack is kinda a jerk. Leviathan also presses all his buttons so uh, getting anything out of him will not be easy. This also digs a bit into the cultural mores of the city.
Kinda curious why Old Jack hates Leviathan's guts who wouldn't love a socially awkward mad scientist with a confidence that is only nature for one of their station?
You can't hide from my eyes, Leviathan! I can see that sweet heart you hide on the inside!
Anyways, here's a straightforward plan:
[X] Plan: PhD Leviathan
-[X] 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)
-[X] Skill training (Course of study) (Science (Biology)) (4 TAP)
-[X] Work: You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[X] Continue Experimenting: Auditory training aid (6/30) (7 AP)
We can timeskip 2 weeks next turn to almost finish the training aid, after which we can get the MD marathon going.
Kinda curious why Old Jack hates Leviathan's guts who wouldn't love a socially awkward mad scientist with a confidence that is only nature for one of their station?
You can't hide from my eyes, Leviathan! I can see that sweet heart you hide on the inside!
Anyways, here's a straightforward plan:
[X] Plan: PhD Leviathan
-[X] 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)
-[X] Skill training (Course of study) (Science (Biology)) (4 TAP)
-[X] Work: You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[X] Continue Experimenting: Auditory training aid (6/30) (7 AP)
We can timeskip 2 weeks next turn to almost finish the training aid, after which we can get the MD marathon going.
Good plan, but you need to include the length of timeskip in the plan. Also I assume that there is no problem with training biology during the MD marathon?
Interesting to see some facets of Tomite values. Automation must be quite old if manual craftsmanship is regarded as repulsing. OTOH that might just be Lev being insulted by someone being deliberately inefficient (how ghastly).
Also, @JayTar , how many weeks are in a year in this world (since we have the confrontation with Angela in a year)?
Jack's actions are what I would expect if someone was trying to contact a god of handcrafting when they don't know of any god of handcrafting, but assume that one must exist in the wide multiverse. [] Plan: PhD Leviathan
-[] 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)
-[] Skill training (Course of study) (Science (Biology)) (4 TAP)
-[] Work: You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[] Continue Experimenting: Auditory training aid (6/30) (7 AP)
-[] Duration of plan: 2 Turns (Current maximum of 3)
Edit:
Wait the plan doesn't work. Declaring a course of study costs an AP and we aren't doing that again in the second week.
So next week we look into changing our diet again, but that means that we can't timeskip.
Kinda curious why Old Jack hates Leviathan's guts who wouldn't love a socially awkward mad scientist with a confidence that is only nature for one of their station?
I wouldn't say he hates her guts. But she leans very strongly into an archetype that he has a lot of unresolved feelings about, many of them not positive.
Leviathan is in many ways, the perfect child of this city.
Her bedside manner is actually pretty good, when she cares to use it at least.
Actually I might even say is above average, given the somewhat warped standard of this city.
Interesting to see some facets of Tomite values. Automation must be quite old if manual craftsmanship is regarded as repulsing. OTOH that might just be Lev being insulted by someone being deliberately inefficient (how ghastly).
Also, @JayTar , how many weeks are in a year in this world (since we have the confrontation with Angela in a year)?
A little of column A a little of column B. The bias definitely exists, but Leviathan takes it a bit further then most. It has popped up a little less obviously in the past too.
In a city of science the value of a human is in their mind. Thus a human who works without mind has no value.
Of course the reality is more complicated and a certain amount of creative job title "reinterpretation" goes on to emphasize the more cerebral aspects of various jobs. Plus there is a genuinely a very high degree of automation.
The next major timed event is not in one year though, it is scheduled in 10 turns from turn 7:
So the end of turn 17. There will be a very strong possibility for a rival confrontation then, but you can initiate one at other times if you feel ready too.
Okay just this once I will allow for small action differences (Like 1 AP) between the weeks as long as you make clear where the AP is going for each week.
[X] Plan: PhD Leviathan 2 week timeskip
-[X] First week: 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)
-[x] Second week: Food: Perhaps you would like to change your diet? Presents diet options. May be modified by your current wealth level. (1 AP)
-[X] Skill training (Course of study) (Science (Biology)) (4 TAP)
-[X] Work: You have a clinic to run now. Pay based on Medicine + Surgery + Pharmacology roll (2 AP)
-[X] Continue Experimenting: Auditory training aid (6/30) (7 AP)
-[x] Duration of plan: 2 Turns (Current maximum of 3)
She has a whole dot in both ethics and therapy specialization with 3 dots in the base skill. Also skill 6 in acting. So Leviathan knows what is expected and can fake it convincingly. Also she does take pride in her work even if she finds this work banal.
How hard would it be to make an auto doc? Likely very easy however most of these patients are here for reassurance.
Both lab assistants and auto-docs tie back into the intelligent creation rules I workshopped for the festival fight demonstration.
The answer is that intelligent creations tend to have more limited skill lists, and still need to "learn" the skills. Often at a slower rate.
An auto-doc could do everything you are doing and more. In fact there likely do exist. But since they don't benefit form contracts or weight they fall off at the higher tiers. And since you have to have people working at the lower levels to get people at the high levels it is cheaper to just use them.
For a lab assistant, I haven't fully pinned down the rules for how that will work yet, but my current draft has assistants needing to roll over what you rolled to contribute. Then subtract AP based on the difference. Up to say half of a projects cost. They could roll a bunch of times but only the highest would count.
So an assistant could save an AP here or there, but they would need to be in at least the same ballpark of skill as you are.
