Queen Administrator has a big problem, and needs your Halp!
Combinatorial Explosion (Worm/Original)
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Chapter 1
- Location
- OK
Welcome to Combinatorial Explosion! Your primary goal in this quest, outside of having fun, is to Halp Queen Administrator with a very big problem!
Dice for all checks will be 1d20 vs 1d20, with bonuses added to either side depending on circumstances.
The power in question grants the user access to Mana. What is Mana? What does it do? Unfortunately, that answer won't be given here, as the goal of the quest itself is to find out!
Players will be rewarded with "Research" as they learn more and more about magic, and, at the end of each month, a set amount of Research will be consumed as a tax. Research can also be spent to obtain various benefits, and is the primary resource by which the quest is "Won".
This quest is meant to be "Low Effort" on my part. Certain aspects of the game may contradict canon, and this is due to my primary research source being the Wiki, rather than Worm itself.
As the game progresses, more information will be added to this post as needed.
Dice for all checks will be 1d20 vs 1d20, with bonuses added to either side depending on circumstances.
The power in question grants the user access to Mana. What is Mana? What does it do? Unfortunately, that answer won't be given here, as the goal of the quest itself is to find out!
Players will be rewarded with "Research" as they learn more and more about magic, and, at the end of each month, a set amount of Research will be consumed as a tax. Research can also be spent to obtain various benefits, and is the primary resource by which the quest is "Won".
This quest is meant to be "Low Effort" on my part. Certain aspects of the game may contradict canon, and this is due to my primary research source being the Wiki, rather than Worm itself.
As the game progresses, more information will be added to this post as needed.
Queen Administrator's systems flagged a unique discovery from another dimension, one that warranted a quick scan and emulation. The sort of thing that would take mere seconds to do.
This new discovery, this small communication from some far off dimension proved intriguing. Not only because of how curious it was that a communication had managed to breach the barriers that had been set up, but the exotic energy that was used to do it. A new form of energy that had never been encountered before. It wasn't unheard of, but still worthy of what could be generously called "surprise".
The exotic energy in question appeared to be delightfully complex, having some sort of distinct reaction to every atom on the periodic table, once attuned to it. Each type of attunement had a novel effect, typically simple, but with some subtleties that took a few moments to parse through.
Furthermore, once the energy had been attuned, it could then be reattuned, creating an entirely new exotic effect, with its own nuances. The potential for data was too much to resist. The part of Queen Administrator responsible for scanning had already decided to test the effects for each combination, until a pattern could be discerned.
Something was wrong. The tests were beginning to require more and more time. The extrapolation was beginning to grow more and more complex. What was meant to only take a second or two had already ballooned into taking an estimated six minutes. Unheard-of for a Shard's basic scans, ones meant to determine, for instance, every possible permutation of electron interaction.
Queen Administrator's Critical Decision-making components demanded the testing come to an end, but the systems weren't designed to be aborted in that way. The entities had such vast processing power by this stage in their evolution, that the idea of a single scan taking too long was unthinkable.
No single thing could be so complex, and unlike a shard like Hazard-Research, Queen Administrator's own systems weren't hardened against something so similar to an internal attack. It had no means of canceling a process normally meant to complete in an instant, there was never a need for such a niche function.
Despite not doing so in the same manner as a human, the shard was perfectly capable of feeling something like fear as its scanning component began to occupy all of its focus unwillingly, like a computer stalling out as its RAM usage crept up to 100%.
Every time the scanner completed a test for one interaction of this energy, the novel result demanded that it compare the interaction to every other one tested thus far. A problem that grew in complexity and processing requirements with every single bit of data put into it.
Queen Administrator's Critical Decision-making checked the time-remaining until scans were complete with something approaching dread.
Time Remaining to Scan Complete: 1 Stellar Revolution(s)
Another second passed.
Time Remaining: 2 Stellar Revolution(s)
What on earth was The Warrior doing? Queen Administrator had managed to cloister it's most critical processes away from the demands for additional processing power, keeping enough energy to at least think coherently and send out distress signals, but to no avail.
The Warrior had not responded to their emergency broadcasts, and they lacked the means to communicate directly with their brethren in their current condition.
If this kept up the way it has been, Queen Administrator would be exhausted of resources long before they made a dent in understanding what this magic was, and "magic" was the exact term for it.
Their scans had long since determined that the message that they picked up on, the one whose energy-composition had caused all this trouble, was nothing more than some backwater species' open invitation to some other realm. Information that was almost useless to Queen Administrator, aside from the terminology used granting them the slightest bit of insight into this mess.
"[Help]", Queen Administrator broadcast again, despite the futility of it. Whatever The Warrior was doing, it didn't seem to care about the distress signal in the slightest. Another solution would need to be found.
An almost meek notification reached Queen Administrator's hidden away processes. A confirmation request for a trigger event on their current host. The part of Queen Administrator that had been geared to scan the host's neural activity had pinged another possible event, one that would normally be discarded as insufficient. The host's current levels of stress were entirely too low, and too inconclusive for Queen Administrator to normally consider this a valid event, and their predictive modeling had already identified a far superior event that would take place in the future.
Queen Administrator's Critical Thinking was tempted to ignore this notification entirely, as they had far more important things to worry about than their host's despair at present, until their damnable scanning system sent another demand for processing.
What could they possibly have left to give? Everything other than critical systems had already been dampened to aid in the pointless scan, there was nothing left that could qualify as contributing to the scan... Except...
Hope, or at least the confirmation of an escape route to this situation, bloomed in Queen Administrator's critical thinking. Hosts were, by definition, one of a shard's most critical, most important sources of data. Normally, hosts were never meant to figure out how their powers worked, only how to use them effectively, and indeed, systems were in place explicitly to prevent hosts from figuring out the "how", but the scanning components presented Queen Administrator with a possible solution.
Despite this not being their Host's lowest point, they could force through the Trigger, activate the connection, and shunt the unidentified energy to their host. The higher priority process of gathering data from the host would temporarily override the priority of the scan. It wouldn't cancel it, but it would allow Queen Administrator to take control over themselves again, at least until the host expired.
During that time, Queen Administrator had every intention of exhausting every possible route they knew of to solve this problem and end their attempt to understand magic, but their most important focus would be...
[] Having their host do the research for them. One quirk of magic Queen Administrator is almost certain of by this point is that beings with a "Soul" are more capable of comprehending magic, and unfortunately, the only soul in their immediate vicinity is that of their host.
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
[] Having their host seek out a Shard capable of helping Queen Administrator. In theory, if Queen Administrator can simply get their host close enough to another host, they can begin bombarding them with distress signals. Eventually at least one Shard has to be both willing and able to disable or repair their scanner, given enough whining.
(Grants a larger bonus to Research when interacting with new Capes. Capes will unconsciously be more inclined to help Taylor.)
- Location
- Sydney,Australia
[X] Having their host do the research for them. One quirk of magic Queen Administrator is almost certain of by this point is that beings with a "Soul" are more capable of comprehending magic, and unfortunately, the only soul in their immediate vicinity is that of their host.
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
Taylor needs no help with interactions figureing out how to magic easier is gonna more useful.
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
Taylor needs no help with interactions figureing out how to magic easier is gonna more useful.
[X] Having their host do the research for them. One quirk of magic Queen Administrator is almost certain of by this point is that beings with a "Soul" are more capable of comprehending magic, and unfortunately, the only soul in their immediate vicinity is that of their host.
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
I'm going to be honest I just want to have a strong central character, but my reasoning will be that there is almost no way we turn everyone against us so while the interaction boost will be helpful we can get by without it, also magic is almost always a very good tool to have and depending on the normal time it takes to research a boost could increase our odds for survival immensely.
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
I'm going to be honest I just want to have a strong central character, but my reasoning will be that there is almost no way we turn everyone against us so while the interaction boost will be helpful we can get by without it, also magic is almost always a very good tool to have and depending on the normal time it takes to research a boost could increase our odds for survival immensely.
[X] Having their host do the research for them. One quirk of magic Queen Administrator is almost certain of by this point is that beings with a "Soul" are more capable of comprehending magic, and unfortunately, the only soul in their immediate vicinity is that of their host.
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
- Pronouns
- He
[X] Having their host do the research for them. One quirk of magic Queen Administrator is almost certain of by this point is that beings with a "Soul" are more capable of comprehending magic, and unfortunately, the only soul in their immediate vicinity is that of their host.
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
The Froggy Ninja
The Blade Will Never Die
[X] Having their host do the research for them. One quirk of magic Queen Administrator is almost certain of by this point is that beings with a "Soul" are more capable of comprehending magic, and unfortunately, the only soul in their immediate vicinity is that of their host.
I don't need friends, they disappoint me.
I don't need friends, they disappoint me.
[X] Having their host do the research for them. One quirk of magic Queen Administrator is almost certain of by this point is that beings with a "Soul" are more capable of comprehending magic, and unfortunately, the only soul in their immediate vicinity is that of their host.
[x] Having their host do the research for them. One quirk of magic Queen Administrator is almost certain of by this point is that beings with a "Soul" are more capable of comprehending magic, and unfortunately, the only soul in their immediate vicinity is that of their host.
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
[X] Having their host do the research for them. One quirk of magic Queen Administrator is almost certain of by this point is that beings with a "Soul" are more capable of comprehending magic, and unfortunately, the only soul in their immediate vicinity is that of their host.
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
[X] Having their host seek out a Shard capable of helping Queen Administrator. In theory, if Queen Administrator can simply get their host close enough to another host, they can begin bombarding them with distress signals. Eventually at least one Shard has to be both willing and able to disable or repair their scanner, given enough whining.
Collect all the other Shards to share processing power and then cripple them as it snowballs.
Collect all the other Shards to share processing power and then cripple them as it snowballs.
Chapter 2
- Location
- OK
- Having their host do the research for them. One quirk of magic Queen Administrator is almost certain of by this point is that beings with a "Soul" are more capable of comprehending magic, and unfortunately, the only soul in their immediate vicinity is that of their host.
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
(Grants a larger bonus to Research gained from Magical Experiments. Taylor will gain minor Thinker Abilities.)
I jolted awake with sweat covering my face. The nightmare I had was especially horrible. I can still remember bits and pieces of it, though even that is fading fast.
'You know nothing's going to change, right? You probably think it will, but it doesn't matter if you graduate or drop out, or any of that. You'll still be a helpless little weakling, and that won't ever change.' I still remembers Emma in the dream saying, before everything shattered into a kaleidoscopic mess, before... Nothing.
For some reason, those words filled me with utter panic, instead of the numb sadness I felt normally whenever my tormentors laid into me like that.
One of those odd quirks of dreams, I knew, was that the things you see and feel in them rarely make sense.
Looking out my window, I saw that it was still dark out, and a look at my clock confirmed that it was only around 3:00 in the morning.
Knowing I wouldn't get any more sleep, I reached for my glasses, before noticing something shocking.
'My skin is... glowing?' I thought to myself in utter confusion, still reaching for my glasses until a white flash of light from them had me jerking back in shock and pain, the bright light doing more than enough to trigger a migraine paired with my sleep-addled mind.
Then, all of a sudden, it was as if I remembered something obvious, the thought slipping into my head unprompted.
I attuned mana to my skin in my sleep, and when that mana then came into contact with my glasses, it reattuned to those, obtaining a different effect. It seemed so obvious to me.
I had powers...
I had powers!
"Why's it called mana?" I muttered out loud, vague memories of the word coming to mind.
Tired, half-blind, and confused with a medley of emotions, the faint glow around my skin, the 'Liquid Mana', disappeared as soon as I had the urge to get rid of it.
For some reason, all I could think at the moment was how I was never going to admit outright that my powers were seemingly referring to themselves as magic...
Unable to go back to sleep, and unwilling to dwell on the dream I had, I made my way down to the livingroom, turning the TV on and low to have something to stare at and not really process while I thought about this new situation.
"Taylor? You're up early," Dad said, walking past me to put on a pot of coffee.
I nodded. "Yeah, I couldn't sleep," I responded, not elaborating further.
Sitting on the couch gave me plenty of time to think about what I wanted to do. A few little experiments left me feeling fairly confident that I wasn't delusional, or that I was incredibly delusional about having powers, as I was able to make a blob of skin mana float around with just a wave of my hand. I still didn't know exactly what I could do with this, but...
[] I plan on finding out. I should try to find more materials to attune mana to.
[] I know I can do something. I should be trying to push the limits of what I've figured out so far.
I still have most of Spring Break left before school starts back up, which should give me plenty of time to practice and satisfy the strong curiosity I feel towards my new powers. Maybe I could even be a hero. I mean, who hasn't dreamed of doing something like that?
Dad comes back into the living room with a cup of coffee he snuck out of the pot while it was still brewing.
"Are you alright? Still want to help me pick up groceries today?" he asks, noticing my intense expression.
'Right,' I swallow nervously, only just now considering the 'Dad' problem.
[] "I'm alright. What time are we going?" (I could poke around the store for materials, though I probably shouldn't risk using my powers.)
-[] What will you do at the store? (Write-in)
[] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[] What will do while dad is gone? (Write-in)
[] "I'm... A Parahuman? I think? Maybe?" (Why did I say that?! This was such a bad idea...)
-[] Try to play it off as a joke.
Research Gained: 2
- Stats
- Resources
- Mana Types
-
Combinatorial Explosion Mana Types
docs.google.com
- Location
- Who knows?
[X] I plan on finding out. I should try to find more materials to attune mana to.
We don't have any plans so far, and there aren't any pressing matters to attend to yet. We can afford to see what other options our power gives us.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
We don't have to tell Danny right now, and he might push us towards the Wards. We can afford to wait for a bit and see what our options are. On the other hand, we won't have other people to test our powers with, but we can occupy ourself in the meantime
We don't have any plans so far, and there aren't any pressing matters to attend to yet. We can afford to see what other options our power gives us.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
We don't have to tell Danny right now, and he might push us towards the Wards. We can afford to wait for a bit and see what our options are. On the other hand, we won't have other people to test our powers with, but we can occupy ourself in the meantime
The Froggy Ninja
The Blade Will Never Die
[X] I plan on finding out. I should try to find more materials to attune mana to.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
--[X] Specifically look for something with a bit more oomph than light to make a barrier with. Skintight force field is a good path to pursue.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
--[X] Specifically look for something with a bit more oomph than light to make a barrier with. Skintight force field is a good path to pursue.
[X] I plan on finding out. I should try to find more materials to attune mana to.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
--[X] Specifically look for something with a bit more oomph than light to make a barrier with. Skintight force field is a good path to pursue.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
--[X] Specifically look for something with a bit more oomph than light to make a barrier with. Skintight force field is a good path to pursue.
[X] I plan on finding out. I should try to find more materials to attune mana to.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
--[X] Specifically look for something with a bit more oomph than light to make a barrier with. Skintight force field is a good path to pursue.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
--[X] Specifically look for something with a bit more oomph than light to make a barrier with. Skintight force field is a good path to pursue.
[X] I plan on finding out. I should try to find more materials to attune mana to.
While continuing to practice skin mana could lead to something like reinforcement from Fate, I don't think it would be a good idea to start practicing with a possibly volatile substance by injecting it into our body and glasses can be expensive if we overload them and they shatter
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Start with something small and durable but won't be missed, like a small screwdriver or silverware, I doubt that he will notice a single missing spoon.
Metal would be more durable so potentially less likely to break and it could lead to powerful magics like enchantments or ferrokinesis, a potential hard counter to parahumans like Kaiser or Hookwolf.
While continuing to practice skin mana could lead to something like reinforcement from Fate, I don't think it would be a good idea to start practicing with a possibly volatile substance by injecting it into our body and glasses can be expensive if we overload them and they shatter
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Start with something small and durable but won't be missed, like a small screwdriver or silverware, I doubt that he will notice a single missing spoon.
Metal would be more durable so potentially less likely to break and it could lead to powerful magics like enchantments or ferrokinesis, a potential hard counter to parahumans like Kaiser or Hookwolf.
[X] I plan on finding out. I should try to find more materials to attune mana to.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
[X] I plan on finding out. I should try to find more materials to attune mana to.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
--[X] Specifically look for something with a bit more oomph than light to make a barrier with. Skintight force field is a good path to pursue.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
--[X] Specifically look for something with a bit more oomph than light to make a barrier with. Skintight force field is a good path to pursue.
[X] I plan on finding out. I should try to find more materials to attune mana to.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
--[X] Specifically look for something with a bit more oomph than light to make a barrier with. Skintight force field is a good path to pursue.
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Look for different materials to test my power on.
--[X] Specifically look for something with a bit more oomph than light to make a barrier with. Skintight force field is a good path to pursue.
Fluffy_serpent
a snake pretending to be human
[X] I plan on finding out. I should try to find more materials to attune mana to.
While continuing to practice skin mana could lead to something like reinforcement from Fate, I don't think it would be a good idea to start practicing with a possibly volatile substance by injecting it into our body and glasses can be expensive if we overload them and they shatter
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Start with something small and durable but won't be missed, like a small screwdriver or silverware, I doubt that he will notice a single missing spoon.
While continuing to practice skin mana could lead to something like reinforcement from Fate, I don't think it would be a good idea to start practicing with a possibly volatile substance by injecting it into our body and glasses can be expensive if we overload them and they shatter
[X] "Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out?" (I could poke around here for materials, test my powers more, or maybe even sneak out...)
-[X] Start with something small and durable but won't be missed, like a small screwdriver or silverware, I doubt that he will notice a single missing spoon.
Chapter 3
- Location
- OK
I gave dad an awkward smile.
"Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out? I can help you carry stuff in when you get back if that's alright," I asked.
Dad just nods. "Yeah. If you've got a headache, you know where the ibuprofen is, right?" he asks, to which I nod.
As he leaves and I lock the door behind him, I consider my next course of action. I feel completely confident that my power's biggest feature right now is its versatility. The more attunements I learn, the more abilities I'll have.
I quickly go into the kitchen and rummage around for a fork, channeling mana into it.
I realize, a bit oddly, that once I apply mana to the metal, I'm suddenly aware of its basic composition. Chrome, Iron, and some trace elements. The effect itself seems kind of weird, too, the mana gaining a pale sheen as it tries to scatter everywhere like the Glass Mana did.
Keeping it under control by turning the rays of mana into a sort of spinning donut, I try to figure out what repelling oxides actually means, considering it doesn't do anything to the fork itself.
I eventually figure out that my power is basically implying that this mana somehow pushes away rust, once I take the donut near one of our cast-iron pans, and notice the black layer chipping off bit by bit.
"Maybe I could get a job cleaning cars," I think out loud, before dismissing the mana. If there's a way to use what is basically a rust-remover defensively, it's not immediately coming to mind.
I think for a moment, before attuning the mana to the cast iron pan instead. My power made a point of distinguishing the metal in the fork from just generic steel, so maybe...
Suddenly, the little bit of mana I applied to the cast iron transforms into a bright cyan crystal, sprouting up!
With a gesture, I manage to pull the crystalized mana up off of the pan, bringing it towards me.
I note how the solid mana seems to be slowly dissolving on its own. The other forms of mana did that too, but it wasn't as visible as this.
I try to shape the solid mana into some kind of protection for myself. It doesn't want to cooperate at first, but slowly, I manage to force it to stretch and pull like taffy, the little bit of magic clumping around my hand like putty.
The mana touching my skin changes slightly, turning from merely a solid into a harder barrier. My fingers are stiff inside the rigid structure, and I can't actually move any of them without trying hard to shift the magic at the same time. The mana feels as though it's stuck to my skin, as well.
I frown, dismissing the mana. It scatters into little motes, dissolving rapidly into the air.
Going over to the garage, I grab a screwdriver, and try pushing mana into it, this time. Maybe I could figure out how to make it magical, if that's this power's 'theme'.
As I push mana into it, I note its effect with some confusion. Despite my best efforts, though, I'm not able to keep the mana from slowly dissolving into nothing. I notice that the mana dissolves easily dozens of times slower when it's inside the screwdriver. I can't seem to figure out why, though.
I take the mana out of the screwdriver, fighting against its pull to yank it out of the tool.
I glance between the magic and the screwdriver, before rooting around in dad's toolbox for a bolt or something small to infuse the mana into.
"Here goes nothing..." I say quietly, infusing the mana from the screwdriver into the bolt.
Ping!
Suddenly, the screwdriver goes flying, and I jerk back in shock, looking around frantically to figure out which way it went. I spot it on the wall, pinned to it by a wriggling metal bolt.
'That could have been dangerous,' I think to myself with concern.
I sit down for a moment, letting my poor heart calm while I try to piece together what I learned.
For some reason, different kinds of metal led to different effects, even when they weren't all that different in composition. All three of the things I tested were made of iron, with a few bits added. What's the commonality between them all? Is there even one, or is it just random for each substance I test?
The screwdriver drops to the ground pitifully, before skittering around as the bolt keeps pushing it. With wide eyes, I reach out and rip the mana out of the bolt, allowing it to flow back to the screwdriver, calming the commotion.
Picking up the screwdriver, I think about the mana types I just learned of. Bringing it back into the kitchen, I attune mana to the Cast Iron, and then bring the crystalline chunk of magic over to the screwdriver, trying to force it to go inside the screwdriver. It's made of metal, so it should be pretty durable, right?
It looks like one of those animations of what a black hole might look like sucking something up, as the chunk of magic is slurped slowly into the screwdriver, making the metal harden as the pressures inside of it shift and grow.
I hear a faint creaking from the screwdriver, but after a few heart-pounding moments, it stops.
Lacking any real way of checking if the screwdriver is any stronger, (it isn't like I could break the screwdriver before to compare them!), I dismiss the magic.
Wanting some way to protect myself, in case I get into danger, I decide to do another test instead.
Going back into the garage, I pick a corner of the concrete floor that my dad isn't likely to notice anything wrong with, and swing the screwdriver down. The tip of the screwdriver bites into the concrete.
Next, I cover the concrete with a layer of Skin Mana, attuning the magic to my skin to create the faint liquid barrier, and then pulling it off to layer it over the stone.
I swing again, trying to stab through the Barrier Magic, but it opens up wide at the last second, letting me stab the screwdriver straight through it with no resistance.
"Oh come on," I chuckle incredulously, forcing the barrier magic back into what it was supposed to be, an impermeable barrier.
'Don't open up, don't open, don't open, I'm going to stab,' I think to myself, trying to get the stupid liquid to cooperate.
This time, it seems to work, and the barrier successfully blocks my stabbing attempt. The concrete underneath is unharmed.
So there it is. It seems Skin Mana on its own is at least strong enough to block a casual stabbing attempt.
Testing it with the other candidates, it seems Cast Iron Mana is the most fragile, actually chipping a bit when I try to stab through it. Though, when I focus harder on the mana, I'm able to prevent it from doing even that through sheer force of will, (Somehow?)
Breathing heavily after a good round of stabbing, I feel like I'm not going to be able to figure out which defensive magic is the strongest unless I've got something better than a screwdriver and my noodle-arms to stress test them with.
I hear the doorknob rattling as dad unlocks the door, and hastily disperse the evidence of my experiments. I notice something weird on the concrete where I applied defensive magic, but barely pay attention to the information I get from it as I vacate the garage.
It doesn't take long for us to bring all the food and stuff inside, though I think dad gives me an odd look when he notices me staring at everything with maybe a bit too much appraisal in my expression.
"Just the same stuff we usually get, Taylor," Dad smiles, but it's a bit twinged with hurt. Both me and him know that things have been a bit tight lately. There's probably not a single name-brand thing in any of these plastic sacks, all things considered.
I can't help but think about my future as I pack away a carton of ice cream and a few packages of meat into the freezer, the handle on the front of it having long since come loose over the years.
With my powers, I could do so many things. Oddly enough, though, when I think about going out to be a hero, I don't find myself feeling the sort of call-to-arms that I imagined I might, when fantasizing about getting superpowers. In fact, the only thing I really feel now that I have these powers is... Curiosity. Do I really want to go out and beat up gangsters? To live out my dreams like that?
[] Yes. The doubt I'm feeling is natural. I want to help people deep down, even if it won't be like I fantasized. (You will begin preparing to be a hero)
[] No. Not yet. Maybe it's selfish, but dad is the most important thing right now. How can I help others if I can't even help us? (You will begin preparing to be a rogue)
[] No. The world never did anything for me. It's time to take back my life, and now I have the power to do it (Inaccessible)
Spring Break Plans:
[][Open Activities] Maybe you can convince dad take you some places this week.
-[][Open Activities] Visit the Boardwalk
-[][Open Activities] Visit the Public Library
-[][Open Activities] Go elsewhere
-[][Open Activities] On second thought, you won't go anywhere this week. (Other Actions are more effective)
--[][Open Activities] If you take to visiting a location, what will your goals be while there? (Write-In)
[][Illicit Activities] Dad doesn't need to know.
-[][Illicit Activities] Visit a location at night. (Write-In)
-[][Illicit Activities] Practice your powers while dad's home. You can hide the evidence, you're sure. (Projects are more effective)
-[][Illicit Activities] On second thought, you won't do anything risky like that... (Lower chance of discovery)
--[][Illicit Activities] If you take to visiting a location, what will your goals be while there? (Write-In)
[][Project] You'll begin a project of some kind.
-[][Project] Practice your Defensive Magics
--[][Project] Choose Mana Type(s) and the intended application (Write In)
-[][Project] Cobble together equipment from the resources you have on hand. (Write In)
-[][Project] Something Else (Write In)
[][Mana] Mana-Test Materials (Write In)
[][Mana] Attempt to string together an Attunement Chain (Write In)
[][Mana] Something Else (Write In)
(Any number of Mana Actions may be chosen, within reason. If the number is excessive, less popular/interesting options will be culled)
Research Gained: 3
"Just tired. Is it okay if I stay here while you go out? I can help you carry stuff in when you get back if that's alright," I asked.
Dad just nods. "Yeah. If you've got a headache, you know where the ibuprofen is, right?" he asks, to which I nod.
As he leaves and I lock the door behind him, I consider my next course of action. I feel completely confident that my power's biggest feature right now is its versatility. The more attunements I learn, the more abilities I'll have.
I quickly go into the kitchen and rummage around for a fork, channeling mana into it.
I realize, a bit oddly, that once I apply mana to the metal, I'm suddenly aware of its basic composition. Chrome, Iron, and some trace elements. The effect itself seems kind of weird, too, the mana gaining a pale sheen as it tries to scatter everywhere like the Glass Mana did.
Keeping it under control by turning the rays of mana into a sort of spinning donut, I try to figure out what repelling oxides actually means, considering it doesn't do anything to the fork itself.
I eventually figure out that my power is basically implying that this mana somehow pushes away rust, once I take the donut near one of our cast-iron pans, and notice the black layer chipping off bit by bit.
"Maybe I could get a job cleaning cars," I think out loud, before dismissing the mana. If there's a way to use what is basically a rust-remover defensively, it's not immediately coming to mind.
I think for a moment, before attuning the mana to the cast iron pan instead. My power made a point of distinguishing the metal in the fork from just generic steel, so maybe...
Suddenly, the little bit of mana I applied to the cast iron transforms into a bright cyan crystal, sprouting up!
With a gesture, I manage to pull the crystalized mana up off of the pan, bringing it towards me.
I note how the solid mana seems to be slowly dissolving on its own. The other forms of mana did that too, but it wasn't as visible as this.
I try to shape the solid mana into some kind of protection for myself. It doesn't want to cooperate at first, but slowly, I manage to force it to stretch and pull like taffy, the little bit of magic clumping around my hand like putty.
The mana touching my skin changes slightly, turning from merely a solid into a harder barrier. My fingers are stiff inside the rigid structure, and I can't actually move any of them without trying hard to shift the magic at the same time. The mana feels as though it's stuck to my skin, as well.
I frown, dismissing the mana. It scatters into little motes, dissolving rapidly into the air.
Going over to the garage, I grab a screwdriver, and try pushing mana into it, this time. Maybe I could figure out how to make it magical, if that's this power's 'theme'.
As I push mana into it, I note its effect with some confusion. Despite my best efforts, though, I'm not able to keep the mana from slowly dissolving into nothing. I notice that the mana dissolves easily dozens of times slower when it's inside the screwdriver. I can't seem to figure out why, though.
I take the mana out of the screwdriver, fighting against its pull to yank it out of the tool.
I glance between the magic and the screwdriver, before rooting around in dad's toolbox for a bolt or something small to infuse the mana into.
"Here goes nothing..." I say quietly, infusing the mana from the screwdriver into the bolt.
Ping!
Suddenly, the screwdriver goes flying, and I jerk back in shock, looking around frantically to figure out which way it went. I spot it on the wall, pinned to it by a wriggling metal bolt.
'That could have been dangerous,' I think to myself with concern.
I sit down for a moment, letting my poor heart calm while I try to piece together what I learned.
For some reason, different kinds of metal led to different effects, even when they weren't all that different in composition. All three of the things I tested were made of iron, with a few bits added. What's the commonality between them all? Is there even one, or is it just random for each substance I test?
The screwdriver drops to the ground pitifully, before skittering around as the bolt keeps pushing it. With wide eyes, I reach out and rip the mana out of the bolt, allowing it to flow back to the screwdriver, calming the commotion.
Picking up the screwdriver, I think about the mana types I just learned of. Bringing it back into the kitchen, I attune mana to the Cast Iron, and then bring the crystalline chunk of magic over to the screwdriver, trying to force it to go inside the screwdriver. It's made of metal, so it should be pretty durable, right?
It looks like one of those animations of what a black hole might look like sucking something up, as the chunk of magic is slurped slowly into the screwdriver, making the metal harden as the pressures inside of it shift and grow.
I hear a faint creaking from the screwdriver, but after a few heart-pounding moments, it stops.
Lacking any real way of checking if the screwdriver is any stronger, (it isn't like I could break the screwdriver before to compare them!), I dismiss the magic.
Wanting some way to protect myself, in case I get into danger, I decide to do another test instead.
Going back into the garage, I pick a corner of the concrete floor that my dad isn't likely to notice anything wrong with, and swing the screwdriver down. The tip of the screwdriver bites into the concrete.
Next, I cover the concrete with a layer of Skin Mana, attuning the magic to my skin to create the faint liquid barrier, and then pulling it off to layer it over the stone.
I swing again, trying to stab through the Barrier Magic, but it opens up wide at the last second, letting me stab the screwdriver straight through it with no resistance.
"Oh come on," I chuckle incredulously, forcing the barrier magic back into what it was supposed to be, an impermeable barrier.
'Don't open up, don't open, don't open, I'm going to stab,' I think to myself, trying to get the stupid liquid to cooperate.
This time, it seems to work, and the barrier successfully blocks my stabbing attempt. The concrete underneath is unharmed.
So there it is. It seems Skin Mana on its own is at least strong enough to block a casual stabbing attempt.
Testing it with the other candidates, it seems Cast Iron Mana is the most fragile, actually chipping a bit when I try to stab through it. Though, when I focus harder on the mana, I'm able to prevent it from doing even that through sheer force of will, (Somehow?)
Breathing heavily after a good round of stabbing, I feel like I'm not going to be able to figure out which defensive magic is the strongest unless I've got something better than a screwdriver and my noodle-arms to stress test them with.
I hear the doorknob rattling as dad unlocks the door, and hastily disperse the evidence of my experiments. I notice something weird on the concrete where I applied defensive magic, but barely pay attention to the information I get from it as I vacate the garage.
Attunement Chain:
Mana > Cast Iron > Air > Concrete + Mana > Skin > Air > Concrete
Type:
Elemental Hybrid Ray Mana
Effect:
This mana grows Wardstone when applied to Concrete.
Wardstone:
This material is a form of magical concrete, empowered with Solid Force and Living Defense.
Mana > Cast Iron > Air > Concrete + Mana > Skin > Air > Concrete
Type:
Elemental Hybrid Ray Mana
Effect:
This mana grows Wardstone when applied to Concrete.
Wardstone:
This material is a form of magical concrete, empowered with Solid Force and Living Defense.
It doesn't take long for us to bring all the food and stuff inside, though I think dad gives me an odd look when he notices me staring at everything with maybe a bit too much appraisal in my expression.
"Just the same stuff we usually get, Taylor," Dad smiles, but it's a bit twinged with hurt. Both me and him know that things have been a bit tight lately. There's probably not a single name-brand thing in any of these plastic sacks, all things considered.
I can't help but think about my future as I pack away a carton of ice cream and a few packages of meat into the freezer, the handle on the front of it having long since come loose over the years.
With my powers, I could do so many things. Oddly enough, though, when I think about going out to be a hero, I don't find myself feeling the sort of call-to-arms that I imagined I might, when fantasizing about getting superpowers. In fact, the only thing I really feel now that I have these powers is... Curiosity. Do I really want to go out and beat up gangsters? To live out my dreams like that?
[] Yes. The doubt I'm feeling is natural. I want to help people deep down, even if it won't be like I fantasized. (You will begin preparing to be a hero)
[] No. Not yet. Maybe it's selfish, but dad is the most important thing right now. How can I help others if I can't even help us? (You will begin preparing to be a rogue)
Spring Break Plans:
[][Open Activities] Maybe you can convince dad take you some places this week.
-[][Open Activities] Visit the Boardwalk
-[][Open Activities] Visit the Public Library
-[][Open Activities] Go elsewhere
-[][Open Activities] On second thought, you won't go anywhere this week. (Other Actions are more effective)
--[][Open Activities] If you take to visiting a location, what will your goals be while there? (Write-In)
[][Illicit Activities] Dad doesn't need to know.
-[][Illicit Activities] Visit a location at night. (Write-In)
-[][Illicit Activities] Practice your powers while dad's home. You can hide the evidence, you're sure. (Projects are more effective)
-[][Illicit Activities] On second thought, you won't do anything risky like that... (Lower chance of discovery)
--[][Illicit Activities] If you take to visiting a location, what will your goals be while there? (Write-In)
[][Project] You'll begin a project of some kind.
-[][Project] Practice your Defensive Magics
--[][Project] Choose Mana Type(s) and the intended application (Write In)
-[][Project] Cobble together equipment from the resources you have on hand. (Write In)
-[][Project] Something Else (Write In)
[][Mana] Mana-Test Materials (Write In)
[][Mana] Attempt to string together an Attunement Chain (Write In)
[][Mana] Something Else (Write In)
(Any number of Mana Actions may be chosen, within reason. If the number is excessive, less popular/interesting options will be culled)
Research Gained: 3
- Stats
- Abilities
- Resources
- Mana Types
-
Combinatorial Explosion Mana Types
Last edited:
The Froggy Ninja
The Blade Will Never Die
[X][Mana] Attempt to string together an Attunement Chain (Mana>Skin>Cast Iron)
Maybe a barrier via solidity will be more practical that solidity via a barrier.
Maybe a barrier via solidity will be more practical that solidity via a barrier.
[X][Mana] See if now you can recreate the effects of mana types without a source for them. (For example try and attract something made of paper to a table leg without any mild steel involved)
We can create mana, we automatically remember the composition of things we test the attunement of in this case mild steel, and we never forget about mana attunements. Theoretically we could shape the mana into any attunement we have used before.
We can create mana, we automatically remember the composition of things we test the attunement of in this case mild steel, and we never forget about mana attunements. Theoretically we could shape the mana into any attunement we have used before.
- Pronouns
- He
[X] Yes. The doubt I'm feeling is natural. I want to help people deep down, even if it won't be like I fantasized. (You will begin preparing to be a hero)
[X][Open Activities] Maybe you can convince dad take you some places this week.
-[X][Open Activities] Visit the Boardwalk
--[X][Open Activities] If you take to visiting a location, what will your goals be while there? (Our powers function through materials, and even minor differences can bring out distinct effects. We should go shopping and use whatever meager funds we have to procure simple items and trinkets, which can be used and tested in our experiments)
[X][Illicit Activities] Dad doesn't need to know.
-[X][Illicit Activities] Visit a location at night. (Surrounding urban locations and/or scrapyard)
--[X][Illicit Activities] If you take to visiting a location, what will your goals be while there? (One man's trash is another man's treasure. In keeping with the above, we should wander around the neighborhood, and nearby stores and locations, in search of usable junk. Not only providing further experiment fodder, but potentially acting as larger items that can be used to fashion equipment which wont be missed.)
[X][Project] You'll begin a project of some kind.
-[X][Project] Practice your Defensive Magics
--[X][Project] Choose Mana Type(s) and the intended application (We can manipulate the shape of our mana, regardless of what state it seems to be in. We should work more with 'Barrier' , 'Solid Construct' , and 'Solid Barrier' and learn to create effective, durable shields, weapons and other useful constructs on the fly. These will be useful in hero work, as well as protecting ourselves during our nighttime outings)
[X][Mana] Mana-Test Materials (Test Wardstone.)
[X][Mana] Mana-Test Materials (Glass)
[X][Mana] Attempt to string together an Attunement Chain (Glass > WardStone)
Wardstone may yield more effective protections. Skin>Glass made light barriers, so would Glass > Wardstone also relate to light?
[X][Open Activities] Maybe you can convince dad take you some places this week.
-[X][Open Activities] Visit the Boardwalk
--[X][Open Activities] If you take to visiting a location, what will your goals be while there? (Our powers function through materials, and even minor differences can bring out distinct effects. We should go shopping and use whatever meager funds we have to procure simple items and trinkets, which can be used and tested in our experiments)
[X][Illicit Activities] Dad doesn't need to know.
-[X][Illicit Activities] Visit a location at night. (Surrounding urban locations and/or scrapyard)
--[X][Illicit Activities] If you take to visiting a location, what will your goals be while there? (One man's trash is another man's treasure. In keeping with the above, we should wander around the neighborhood, and nearby stores and locations, in search of usable junk. Not only providing further experiment fodder, but potentially acting as larger items that can be used to fashion equipment which wont be missed.)
[X][Project] You'll begin a project of some kind.
-[X][Project] Practice your Defensive Magics
--[X][Project] Choose Mana Type(s) and the intended application (We can manipulate the shape of our mana, regardless of what state it seems to be in. We should work more with 'Barrier' , 'Solid Construct' , and 'Solid Barrier' and learn to create effective, durable shields, weapons and other useful constructs on the fly. These will be useful in hero work, as well as protecting ourselves during our nighttime outings)
[X][Mana] Mana-Test Materials (Test Wardstone.)
[X][Mana] Mana-Test Materials (Glass)
[X][Mana] Attempt to string together an Attunement Chain (Glass > WardStone)
Wardstone may yield more effective protections. Skin>Glass made light barriers, so would Glass > Wardstone also relate to light?
Time to be a hero