I didn't join myself, but I remember being a little sad that he did seem like just a beast while I was reading. It wasn't until he started screaming "Father!" as he was being killed did I think "oh, hm, maybe there was more to him."
If I recall correctly, the majority of his screentime was as he was being observed from afar. It's hard to get characterization under those circumstances, unless they're fond of talking to themselves.
If I recall correctly, the majority of his screentime was as he was being observed from afar. It's hard to get characterization under those circumstances, unless they're fond of talking to themselves.
He was also desperate to break free and intent on using the well of divine power (that was actually a fragment of Aea) to give him the boost he'd need to escape his magical bonds. I think some of the posts where Hedgy glanced at him might have hinted at that.
After that, the battle is as good as won. Most of the ghost ships begin to crumble, shattering into pieces and then sinking into the depths, reclaimed by Uncle Mishrak once again. Here and there, you see some of the stragglers consumed by emerald flames, or smashed to pieces by a single swipe of Lavokthagua's mighty tail, or… Actually, Sildar and Jorantul seem to think that this is a good time to take a break, so they cheerfully do nothing for a few minutes while they rest and recover from their exertions.
Before long, Aspitolm's dreaded fleet of ghost ships is no more. All that's left is a few spars of driftwood and floating clumps of unidentifiable debris. Flotsam, bobbing on the waves. And nothing else.
"This isn't very dignified," says Lavokthagua, sounding mildly offended that you and the others are all standing on top of his shell.
By this time, night has fallen. You're tired and your nerves are frazzled, so you don't feel like celebrating immediately. Instead, you go back to the Undersea Palace to rest. And then you start preparing a proper celebration the following morning, which will take place on a small island off the coast of Rivayne, where there is a splendid sandy beach. On one side, it is lapped by azure waves; on the other, there are dunes piled high over many centuries, with scrubby bushes on top and a path leading through a pine forest further inland.
The island is uninhabited, since long experience has taught the Rivayni to stay away from isolated coastal areas where they might be raided and enslaved by the Aspitis. It is a serenely lovely place, of great natural beauty, and you plan to disturb it as little as possible. But that doesn't mean you can't have a wonderful party, in which everyone who took part in your recent victory has been invited to partake.
Jorantul claims to be an excellent cook – and Sildar has backed up his claim – but is unsure as to whether Vardian cuisine will be to everyone's tastes. Apparently, it tends to be very spicy. You see him deep in conversation with Raef as to how portal magic could be used to procure some of his preferred ingredients. Also, Red Ruin seems fascinated with the idea of learning how to cook and has been trailing after them, listening intently to their conversation without showing any signs of understanding it. Perhaps it's fortunate that most of your companions don't actually need to eat.
For instance, Lavokthagua is enormous, too large to be sustained by anything other than magic, which is what keeps him alive and prevents him from being crushed to death beneath his own weight whenever he's not underwater. His existence contravenes a large number of natural laws, which were laid down by the Elder Gods – and the only reason he is able to survive is that one of the Elder Gods said so, thereby proving their laws to be mere guidelines – and it's probably a good thing that he doesn't really need to eat, or you suspect he'd need to eat vast amount of fish or krill or plankton every day, which might prove problematic for the ocean's other inhabitants. Or maybe he'd be like just another whale – there seem to be plenty of them about – and it wouldn't make much of a difference.
Catharne isn't nearly as huge as he is, but magic is what enables her to fly and move about with greater elegance and agility than would be expected of a creature larger than a horse. Also, although her appetite is prodigious, you suspect she doesn't eat as much as she would if she didn't spend most of her time having shapeshifted into the form of a teenage girl. She is a magical being, brought to life by Mishrak's magic, and her life processes are at least partly supernatural.
Similarly, the four elves who joined you in attacking the undead fleet – Raef, Samaya, Green Flame and Red Ruin – were once human, but were almost immediately turned into vessels for the power of the Elder Gods. They are immortal, with no need to eat, drink or sleep. Maybe they'll enjoy sampling new foods, but they don't need to. You doubt any of them have a functioning digestive system. So, if they decide to eat, what will happen to the slurry they are unable to digest? Will the raging furnace of magic inside them convert it into fuel, reducing it little by little into drifting vapour they can breathe out? Or will they eventually be forced to vomit up what their bodies are unable to process? You're not sure you want to think too hard about that.
It occurs to you to wonder how Sildar and Jorantul have lived for several hundred years without seeming to age at all. To what extent are they sustained by Mawroth's divine power? If they didn't eat or drink, or someone tried to suffocate them to death, would they still be kept alive by the Father of Crows? What exactly is going on with them? You're tempted to ask Mishrak if he would examine them, but you're not sure how you would explain it to them or how you would convince them it was a good idea. They're apparently unaware of how long they've lived and how much time has passed since they were banished from their respective homelands. And they have proved oddly resistant to anyone trying to explain it to them.
You needn't have worried. That afternoon, the party is a somewhat muted affair, but everyone appears to be enjoying themselves well enough. The food is delicious, if a little unusual. An entire roast ox has been set aside for Lavokthagua, who seems surprised but grateful. Samaya has brought some of her elf tagalongs with her and decided they might as well make themselves useful by dancing and playing music. Bellona has invited your parents, who seem pleased and proud of what she – and you and all your friends – have accomplished.
While everyone else is busy with their own conversations – including Jana and Catharne, who are gleefully describing the day's heroics to your parents – you lean up against Lavokthagua, who is a small mountain looming up out of the sand.
"Am I but furniture for you to prop yourself up with?" he asks, sounding mildly amused.
"I can move, if you like, uncle," you offer.
"It suppose it makes no real difference. Though I must admit it still feels strange that there's a human who considers herself to be one of my relatives."
"Is that 'strange' in a bad way, or…?"
"Not necessarily. Unusual, for sure. My father – Vlakoroth – wouldn't have allowed anything of the sort. But then, if he had acknowledged that the lives of physical beings other than dragons might have some value to them, he might still be alive. And so might many of my siblings."
"Mishrak is different to your father," you say. It seems like a fairly neutral comment to make, a mere filler to keep the conversation flowing, not likely to provoke an argument or debate.
"Oh, very different. Even though some would say he has taken my father's place," Lavokthagua agrees. "As far as I can tell, the chief difference between them is that Mishrak loves his creations and delights in everything they do. Whereas Vlakoroth saw his creations as extensions of himself. Their triumphs were his triumphs and their failures were aberrations that had to be erased." He pauses, contemplating for a few moments, before continuing, "That's not to say I like everything about Mishrak. He is… very eccentric, isn't he? And he seems to think nothing of using his powers to transform people into other things, for any reason whatsoever. For instance… my old body was unsuited to life underwater, so he turned me into what I am now. A giant turtle."
"Didn't he ask you first?" you ask, taken aback.
"Yes, he did. He was very convincing. I agreed with everything he said. But maybe I shouldn't have. This body still feels very strange to me."
"Well, maybe you should tell him. I'm sure he'd be willing to change you back, if you just asked."
"I don't think I should. Not right now, while I can still be useful to the war effort," he says. "Besides, he was only trying to be kind. He thought he was doing the right thing."
What should Elys talk to Lavokthagua about? And, while we're here, is there anyone else she should talk to?
The next update will probably be the last in the current chapter, at the end of which your Warscore will increase by a hefty amount.
Ah, the impression I got from everything that was heard about both Uncle Lavok's situation and what information they got about dragons in general was that dragons were quite literally created to be power-hungry tyrants that subjugated the weak. While I won't say that there was no opportunity to investigate and draw personal conclusions, I don't remember much information presented that painted a different picture in the first place.
Anyway! On that note, maybe ask Lavokthagua about how he's finding his new freedom otherwise? If there's something he would like, or if he put any thought to what he would like.
And, uh, maybe put a mental sticky note on "talk to Uncle Mishrak about boundaries."
While everyone else is busy with their own conversations – including Jana and Catharne, who are gleefully describing the day's heroics to your parents – you lean up against Lavokthagua, who is a small mountain looming up out of the sand.
"Am I but furniture for you to prop yourself up with?" he asks, sounding mildly amused.
"I can move, if you like, uncle," you offer.
"It suppose it makes no real difference. Though I must admit it still feels strange that there's a human who considers herself to be one of my relatives."
"That's not to say I like everything about Mishrak. He is… very eccentric, isn't he? And he seems to think nothing of using his powers to transform people into other things, for any reason whatsoever. For instance… my old body was unsuited to life underwater, so he turned me into what I am now. A giant turtle."
Mishrak is eccentric.
So is Catharne (the noble steed!).
And Elys (considering a dragon and a dragon turned god as family).
And Vlakoroth.
But the first three are eccentric in ways that are compatible with living with others, and with being happy.
Vlakoroth is dead. And his live doesn't sound like it was very fun.
Plus, probably need something to keep life interesting if you are as old as Mishrak.
Lavokthaguas life story is pretty eccentric too. And tragic.
Could become eccentric and happy (slowly).
<edit for clarity>
Elys should:
</edit>
Agree that people would probably call Mishrak eccentric, same about her (Elys) considering dragons and dragonlings family.
But having Mishrak and Catharne in her life is great, so what does the opinion of people minding "eccentric" matter?
Lavokthagua could be a great friend, too. Show him another human thing: Give him a hug.
Also, ask him about his live beside the war effort missions: Are there things he likes doing? People he likes being around?
"I don't think I should. Not right now, while I can still be useful to the war effort," he says. "Besides, he was only trying to be kind. He thought he was doing the right thing."
Should also tell him, that if it isn't just the new form being unusual still, there will be things to do for his original form, too. Especially now that the undead fleet is smashed, halving the Aspiti naval power. No need for him to stay a turtle if that makes him uncomfortable.
Anyway! On that note, maybe ask Lavokthagua about how he's finding his new freedom otherwise? If there's something he would like, or if he put any thought to what he would like.
We should tell Lavokthaguas that he's more than his worth to the war effort, and if he wants to he can still contribute in a form that's more comfortable to him.
We should also definitely talk to Mishrak about boundaries.
His existence contravenes a large number of natural laws, which were laid down by the Elder Gods – and the only reason he is able to survive is that one of the Elder Gods said so, thereby proving their laws to be mere guidelines
I am sure the Elder Gods thought far enough ahead to consider what would happen if they ate food. Right? Surely at least Nymandor, since he expected his elves to blend with humans.
An entire roast ox has been set aside for Lavokthagua, who seems surprised but grateful. Samaya has brought some of her elf tagalongs with her and decided they might as well make themselves useful by dancing and playing music. Bellona has invited your parents, who seem pleased and proud of what she – and you and all your friends – have accomplished.
"I don't think I should. Not right now, while I can still be useful to the war effort," he says. "Besides, he was only trying to be kind. He thought he was doing the right thing."
I think some dismantling of this line of thought, as other posters have noted, is warranted. But in addition to that... maybe he could use a chance to put his new body through its paces? Figure out if it's just that he's unfamiliar with this body or if there's something about it that genuinely needs correction. That's something that can only be discovered with inward reflection.
Anyway! On that note, maybe ask Lavokthagua about how he's finding his new freedom otherwise? If there's something he would like, or if he put any thought to what he would like.
We should tell Lavokthaguas that he's more than his worth to the war effort, and if he wants to he can still contribute in a form that's more comfortable to him.
Full agreement on him not being the sum of his successes & failures, but it could also just be him having found something to do to pull himself out of a depressive slump of his whole life being uprooted.
Speaking of:
Maybe introduce him to the elves?
They are the only other people from his age, besides Mishrak. (And Zora Alishandra)
Ah, the impression I got from everything that was heard about both Uncle Lavok's situation and what information they got about dragons in general was that dragons were quite literally created to be power-hungry tyrants that subjugated the weak.
Yes, that's exactly what dragons were designed to be. However, they also have free will, so they can choose to do otherwise. Mishrak and Lavokthagua have both decided that being a power-hungry tyrant would probably get them killed, so they've restrained themselves. On the other hand, Gozraka/Tatse Gozira was a power-hungry tyrant who was such a good ruler that the people of the Dragon Empire still consider him to be the benevolent ruler of their country, even though he died two thousand years ago.
I am sure the Elder Gods thought far enough ahead to consider what would happen if they ate food. Right? Surely at least Nymandor, since he expected his elves to blend with humans.
I think some dismantling of this line of thought, as other posters have noted, is warranted. But in addition to that... maybe he could use a chance to put his new body through its paces? Figure out if it's just that he's unfamiliar with this body or if there's something about it that genuinely needs correction. That's something that can only be discovered with inward reflection.
Lavokthagua was abducted from a time before Vlakoroth's war against humanity and also before the creation of elves. I'm not sure what he'd talk to them about.
Lavokthagua was abducted from a time before Vlakoroth's war against humanity and also before the creation of elves. I'm not sure what he'd talk to them about.
Ah, my error, just remembered "Lavokthagua is from the first age" + "Elves are from the first age" and thought they might have some commonality, but you are right, there is still much too much time for that to make sense.
Full agreement on him not being the sum of his successes & failures, but it could also just be him having found something to do to pull himself out of a depressive slump of his whole life being uprooted.
Well, there's a difference between going around, living a life, and really putting yourself through your paces, tiring yourself out, finding your limits, and finding what you can do with your body. Or if it's just one part of it that never felt right, spending a little time thinking on it can help identify the issue. Like maybe it's the shell, or the new jaw, or being able to retract his limbs that just doesn't fit with his self-identity.
"Well, maybe you should tell him. I'm sure he'd be willing to change you back, if you just asked."
"I don't think I should. Not right now, while I can still be useful to the war effort," he says. "Besides, he was only trying to be kind. He thought he was doing the right thing."
"I think he should have made absolutely certain it was what you wanted before he went ahead and did it," you say, feeling indignant on Lavokthagua's behalf.
"He meant well. I suppose he always does," the turtle-dragon replies, sounding drier than the sand he is sprawled on top of.
"Maybe he needs an assistant," you muse. "Someone he can discuss his ideas with – someone who isn't afraid to tell him when they're bad ideas – before he puts them into practice."
"Interesting suggestion," says Lavokthagua, noncommittally. "He's been on his own for so long that I think he'd be greatly shocked to have anyone commenting on his work before he's finished with it."
"Have you tried experimenting with your new body?" you ask. "How strong are you? How fast can you swim? What marvellous feats of endurance can you perform? And so on."
"Oh, it's a wonderful body. Mishrak worked very hard on it. But it isn't my body," he says. "It still feels strange to me, even after several years."
"If you really don't like it, you don't have to keep it," you point out. "You are more than your usefulness to the war effort. Do what is right for you, not for anyone else. If you want your original body back, you should tell Mishrak that."
"I'm not sure what I want," he admits. "But at least fighting in this war gives me a purpose. Without that, I don't know what I would have left."
"Well… when we've beaten the Aspitis at sea, we'll be fighting them on land – on the island of Tolmar, which is where the city of Aspitolm is – and they'll have plenty of fortifications we'll need to get past. And then I'm sure a giant earth dragon with huge burrowing claws will be a valuable ally under those circumstances."
He inclines his head, just slightly. "I'll look forward to it."
"But after that…" You pause, organizing your thoughts, and decide to try a slightly different approach: "During the First Age, before Hurondus kidnapped you, what did you want out of life?"
Another pause, while he considers his answer. Then: "I wanted for nothing. I had my lair, my territory, a minuscule part of Creation I called my own, and I knew it was all mine. I could do whatever I wanted to, so I built my lair strong and secure, hunted because I enjoyed it, ate whatever was tasty, and proudly surveyed my domain from a high vantage point. I was a rough beast, savage and ignorant, with little curiosity or desire to improve myself. The little king of a little river valley. But then I discovered how easily it could all be taken away from me. Hurondus enslaved me, brought me to this unfamiliar time and forced me to guard his home. One of his many homes. For decades, I was magically bound, barely able to move, driven to madness by unending isolation, and I…" He gives a reptilian grimace. "Thanks to my brother, I remember very little of it. Don't think me ungrateful for everything he's done for me. Nevertheless, ever since I was freed, I have been less… complacent than I once was. I cannot rest easy, no matter where I am or in what company. I sleep with one eye open."
It had been your hope that by reminding him of the past, you could encourage him to look to the future. While he was thinking about the life he had before, you could guide him towards thinking about what kind of life he would like to have after the war is over. Would he like to live like he once did, so long ago? At least, that was your intention. But now you hesitate. More and more, you sense that this was a bad idea. Your questions have unearthed too many of Lavokthagua's bad memories.
"I suppose… from a certain point of view, I owe Hurondus my life," he murmurs, as if speaking to you over a vast distance. "I would certainly have died in Vlakoroth's war if I hadn't already been abducted and taken away from my home time. In many ways, I wouldn't be here if not for him."
You do your best to comfort him and express your sympathy by giving him a hug. However, your arms stretch over only a tiny portion of his scaly body.
"What are you doing? If you're trying to measure the length of me, you'll need some tools – a rope or a few pieces of string, perhaps – and not just your twiglike arms."
"I'm trying to hug you. It's something humans do to comfort each other," you inform him.
He spends a few moments in silent contemplation. "Thank you," he says, at last. "I know you mean well. You and Mishrak are well-suited to each other."
After you've finished talking to Lavokthagua, you join your parents by the campfire and try some of the food. It's delicious, but very spicy. You wonder to what extent Red Ruin was allowed to 'help' in its preparation.
"So, what's next? Now you've destroyed the Aspitis' undead fleet, what will be your next trick?" asks your father, playfully.
"I don't know. What do you think will happen next?" you ask.
Your mother takes your question seriously: "The Aspitis have, in effect, lost half of their naval strength. They'll be forced to go on the defensive. While they're doing that, we should press our advantage, retake the isles and get ready to invade Tolmar. Keep attacking and never relent until our enemies have nothing left."
"Which means that fairly soon we might recapture Ismar," says your father. "How do you feel about that, Elys? For most of your life, it was your home."
"Home is the people I love. Wherever they are, I'm home," you declare.
"So, Ismar holds no special place in your heart? It's just another place, as far as you're concerned?" He seems almost saddened by that.
"I doubt the Aspitis have left anything to remind me of my childhood," you point out. "And even if they have, they'll have desecrated it, turned it into a horrible mockery of what it once was."
"Perhaps you're right," he says, with a nod.
"I know I am," you say, in a tone of mock-smugness that has everyone rolling their eyes at you.
At the end of the current story arc, the Aspiti Empire now have a total of 22 Warscore. Their Warscore increases at a rate of 2 per month (and can be increased by various special events).
The destruction of the Aspitis' undead fleet has led to the Coalition (of forces leagued against the Aspiti Empire) gaining an extra 15 warscore. They now have a total of 33 Warscore. Their Warscore increases at a rate of 1 a month (and can be increased by Elys's actions).
Whichever side gains a total of 54 Warscore first will be the winner of this stage of the war.
BTW, I realise I haven't given Elys any xp recently. I definitely should have given a lot of xp for her involvement in freeing Zora Alishanda. However, it wouldn't be enough for her to gain another Rank. And I'm fairly sure that the next time she'll gain a Rank will be when Aspitolm is defeated, which is when I'm planning to bring this quest to an end, so I'm not sure there's much point in her accumulating more xp when she won't have a chance to spend it.
What do you want Elys to do next month? (Choose one)
[] Go to Mishrak's undersea palace and spend time meeting various representatives of the different groups that make up the Coalition. (+Warscore?)
-[] Ask Sildar and Jorantul how they're getting on.
-[] Meet some of the Wranni.
--[] Be pleasantly surprised to see an old friend.
-[] Talk to some of the Deep Ones.
-[] Meet Red Ruin and a few of the orcs.
[] Join in the assault on Ismar and Windskil.
-[] Take part in the beach assault.
OR
-[] Sneak in beforehand and start sabotaging the defences.
OR
-[] Serve as air support.
[] Go to Norrange and meet her grandfather, Count Lymond Sayce. (+Warscore?)
-[] Visit her uncle, Elward, his wife, Raene, and her cousin, Jesric.
--[] It turns out that Lord Gerrod Burntree may have had something to do with the death of Yslena's younger sister, Joyzelle.
---[] Join Gareth and Yslena in confronting him.
[] Arrange a meeting with the high council of the Sisterhood of the Iron Orchid.
-[] Attempt to persuade them to that the remainder of their forces should join in the war against Aspitolm.
--[] Suggest that you can get a lot of new recruits for them (by providing armour and weapons for the wannabe lady knights from the orphanage).
[] Start building up your own sources of wealth and income so you won't have to keep asking Uncle Mishrak for money all the time.
-[] Write in: how?
[] DIPLOMACY MISSION: Visit the Avanni capital, Ontopophis. Present yourself to the God-Empress as an ambassador.
-[] Invite the Avanni to join the war against Aspitolm. (+Warscore?)
[] Go with Mishrak to the city of Suantum, in the Dragon Empire.
-[] Meet with some of his priests and find out what they have been learning from him.
[] Finish reading Kelamon Dumar's How to Enter the Underworld.
[] Do something else (write in)*.
*If there's anything I've forgotten to add to this list, that doesn't mean that you can't do it.
[X] Finish reading Kelamon Dumar's How to Enter the Underworld. [] Write in: Help Mishrak make a selection of followers for him to teach biomancy so they can Help transpeople transition.
[] Write in: Try to find a watermagic tutor that could teach magically-interested deep ones, Lavokthagua (if he wants),and Elys.
@Chandagnac:
Could i get a sanity check on the write-ins?
Well, if the past only holds painfull memories:
Let the sleeping dogs lie. Focus on the future.
We should see if there are opportunities to expose Lavokthagua to different things he could do, so he has actual choices/opportunities.
Let's tie up some loose ends and help the Iron Orchid rehabilitate their image now that the playwright has been dealt with.
[X] Arrange a meeting with the high council of the Sisterhood of the Iron Orchid.
-[X] Attempt to persuade them to that the remainder of their forces should join in the war against Aspitolm.
--[X] Suggest that you can get a lot of new recruits for them (by providing armour and weapons for the wannabe lady knights from the orphanage).
The destruction of the Aspitis' undead fleet has led to the Coalition (of forces leagued against the Aspiti Empire) gaining an extra 15 warscore. They now have a total of 33 Warscore. Their Warscore increases at a rate of 1 a month (and can be increased by Elys's actions).
I'm a little confused about the numbers and whether this includes the Knights of St. sponsorship bonus. Nerya's Orphanage, which gave an additional +1 increase to warscore every turn?
[X] Finish reading Kelamon Dumar's How to Enter the Underworld.
[X] Write in: Help Mishrak make a selection of followers for him to teach biomancy so they can Help transpeople transition.
[X] Write in: Try to find a watermagic tutor that could teach magically-interested deep ones, Lavokthagua (if he wants), and Elys.
[X] Write in: Help Mishrak make a selection of followers for him to teach biomancy so they can Help transpeople transition.
[X] Write in: Try to find a watermagic tutor that could teach magically-interested deep ones, Lavokthagua (if he wants), and Elys.
Mishrak wants to start doing that in the Dragon Empire, where he has a large number of worshippers who are well-educated, well-funded and have a large enough support network that they probably wouldn't have too worry too much about (for example) individual members being targeted by criminal gangs and forced to work for them.
I suppose Elys could get a water magic tutor, if you want, but I think that should be a separate vote. It's something she could potentially learn at school, actually.
I'm a little confused about the numbers and whether this includes the Knights of St. sponsorship bonus. Nerya's Orphanage, which gave an additional +1 increase to warscore every turn?
Yes, it does. Previously, the Coalition's Warscore was 17. They gained 15 from your successful mission and +1 from their continued sponsorship by the Knights of St. Nerya's Orphanage. 17+15+1 = 33
Nevertheless, ever since I was freed, I have been less… complacent than I once was. I cannot rest easy, no matter where I am or in what company. I sleep with one eye open."
I hope this at least stirs him to think about the future - what he wants, what he's looking for. There's precious little purpose in this or any world but that which we forge ourselves, so perhaps what he's missing is something he simply hasn't tried yet.
"So, Ismar holds no special place in your heart? It's just another place, as far as you're concerned?" He seems almost saddened by that.
"I doubt the Aspitis have left anything to remind me of my childhood," you point out. "And even if they have, they'll have desecrated it, turned it into a horrible mockery of what it once was."
Truly, the Aspitis signed their empire's death warrant the day they invaded Ismar. I doubt they'd be where they are in a war against a coalition if they hadn't loosed a free agent with powerful backing to gather them under one banner.
[x] Finish reading Kelamon Dumar's How to Enter the Underworld.
I will say, I am a little surprised to see the broad consensus here, but it feels like the right move - a relatively short arc, and information on the Mystic Path, freely given. Those calls were way too close for my liking.
I am totally thinking some Rivayne drama after that, though.
I suppose Elys could get a water magic tutor, if you want, but I think that should be a separate vote. It's something she could potentially learn at school, actually.
So I should remove Elys from the vote to make getting the fish people water magic tutoring reasonable?
Or general no with an added "you could get Elys tutoring in standard magics in school, if you want"
I will say, I am a little surprised to see the broad consensus here, but it feels like the right move - a relatively short arc, and information on the Mystic Path, freely given.
While I agree that getting the Deep One some training in water magic would be a good idea, I don't think it's likely to make a difference any time soon. Before Mishrak transformed them, basically all of the Deep Ones were poor, uneducated and had no ability to use magic. Getting them to the stage where they can actually use water magic is likely to be a long-term project, which I doubt will bear fruit before this quest draws to a close.
Getting one of the teachers at Elys's school to teach her water magic would take a lot less time. Indeed, she could probably gain proficiency in only a few months. However, I think I'd prefer it to be its own vote option, separate from the current vote.
While I agree that getting the Deep One some training in water magic would be a good idea, I don't think it's likely to make a difference any time soon. Before Mishrak transformed them, basically all of the Deep Ones were poor, uneducated and had no ability to use magic. Getting them to the stage where they can actually use water magic is likely to be a long-term project, which I doubt will bear fruit before this quest draws to a close.
Can we still start things like that if we think it would be an Elys thing to do and that the part of the journey we'd see would be interesting?
(the rest of the journey just being something that happens after we stop seeing what goes on Elys' world)
Or would you prefer we didn't start new things unlikely to come to fruition?
I will say, I am a little surprised to see the broad consensus here, but it feels like the right move - a relatively short arc, and information on the Mystic Path, freely given. Those calls were way too close for my liking.
Potentially. If it's something Elys has a good reason to be involved in. But in this case I feel like training the Deep Ones is something Mishrak should be doing without the need for Elys's input. Especially considering she has so many other things on her plate already.
