- Location
- Actually pretty lost
We've been explicitly told we won't lose any functionality, I think? Or did that apply only to muscles?
Consumption
- Thread starter Alivaril
- Start date
- Original
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
There was a vote, which won by a modest and non-overwhelming margin, to ask Delight to use her expertise in creating 'adorable pretty princess' looks on Melia.
The question of how far to take Delight's "reshape you as a Disney princess" offer, and whether we want Melia to be more of a Cinderella or more of a Sleeping Beauty, remains valid.
There is no reason to say "welp, we went for 'adorable pretty princess,' so we have to go for 'MAXIMALLY adorable pretty princess,' even to the extent of reshaping musculature."
Last edited:
Madou Sutegobana
Autocorrupt has been disabled.
- Location
- Twin Realms Mandala
The point was that when it was pointed out that people not taking us seriously because of cuteness could interfere with us learning magic, the response was that we should ignore such shortsighted people, but when its brought up that upper class people might not be as helpful to us if we have signs of lower class upbringing, the response was that we must remove any indications that we aren't noble born.
I am not aware that Melia is so calloused and muscular that it is impossible for Delight to change her appearance to cute without removing these glaring flaws.
Also I am not aware of anyone advocating anyone else vote to change Melia's mind about appearance modification, nor have I voted for Melia to bow out of the appearance modification myself.
And I don't believe that would really fit the definition of sunk costs, unless the person was continuing to do so after Melia has already had the body modification and has suffered no setbacks and gained many friends.
Though if Melia doesn't get screwed over for this decision I call bullshit on Alvilril's claim that we need to be careful what we wish for.
Remember Melia's first impression of Delight? Delight chose her look - that's should be the first impression we give everyone from now on.
Nixeu
Lord of Madness, Harbinger of Llamas
- Location
- Your nightmares.
Sorry if I was a bit harsh. I can get like that, when I'm not watching my language. Like, when it's late at night. But there's logical reasons for making the decisions we have, was my point. Undermining them now isn't actually helpful.
It's certainly possible.Possible plot-hook in the backstory there. Wanna bet Dad's name is Vasil?
Correct. That doesn't make it any less of a thing.
Eh. It sounded like an argument at the time. I should have made it clear I took it much less as a personal thing, and more as something meant to sway others.
Because, frankly, they kinda are our problem, to some extent. Also, this is more a case of 'do we moderate the effect, or go with the full effect we already voted for?' Which is fine, but is mildly annoying.
Eh. That's a mixed bag, but our elementals skew the odds in our favor, since the negatives there (target for pickpockets and the like, seen with hostility) are either already handled (see: the last pickpocket we encountered), or can be handled by Melia not acting like a stereotypical noble.
Plus, on many post-industrial worlds, lack of calluses would be the norm. That helps skew things for me. Those worlds are already going to be difficult to blend in on. Any little bit helps.
Indeed. I personally feel like it's probably not worth it, for various reasons, but I do understand a number of the reasons behind it.
I mean, there kinda is? Not if stated precisely in that manner, but there are reasons to go for it.
Less 'ignore', more 'work around them'. Working around nobles is an option, yes. But it's annoying.
Though, I suppose there is something to be said for making it clear we know bugger all about court politics. Or being thought ignorant of them by nobles, when we're not. That might actually make it worth keeping them, now that I consider it.
I'm less certain about being more obviously not from a post-industrial world, though. We're a bit too young to have been in most of the professions that build calluses on such worlds. Certainly, not long enough to build said calluses. Then again, it's probably going to be ages before we know enough to be blending in there.
Hm. Well, you've at least got me to thinking.
Define 'screwed over'. I expect to encounter downsides, yes. Which is why I'm already trying to figure out ways around them, and pointing them out. Most things are trade-offs. The trick is minimizing disadvantages, and maximizing advantages, while working to prevent future problems.
Which one? You talking about the lack of skin blemishes? Or the voice, which is due primarily to her magic? Because every other trait of Delight's brought up in the first chapter we met her, and the peek we took through the portal, doesn't apply to Melia. Unless there's a QM note I'm missing.
Well I felt that calluses would make people think "This cute kid has had a rough childhood" which is helpful for edging into being seen to have limited kinds of competencies with not getting in trouble when left on our own.
Nixeu
Lord of Madness, Harbinger of Llamas
- Location
- Your nightmares.
Issue being possible incongruity with our other enhanced features. Delight's good, but there are some logical conclusions it's likely even she can't avoid. Still, it's a decent point.
I'm really torn on this one...
Wait...looking noble means certain questions will raise eyebrows. Well. Sh*t.
[X] Leave the marks of hard work. (Actual apparent upbringing?)
Delight is an Astral and wanted to appear as such, an awfully honest stance to take when she could easily hide it (for as long as it takes for her to open her mouth, anyway). She's explicitly trying to avoid that too-perfect look on her clients.
Madou Sutegobana
Autocorrupt has been disabled.
- Location
- Twin Realms Mandala
[X] Leave, but make less obvious, the marks of your labor.
Yes, I actually had not made up my mind until now.
Yes, I actually had not made up my mind until now.
Last edited:
Spectral Waltz
Scatterbrained Writer
- Location
- Walking the Endless Corridors
...Yeah alright, I'll switch to that.
[X] Leave, but make less obvious the marks of your labor.
[X] Leave, but make less obvious the marks of your labor.
[x] Leave, but make less obvious, the marks of your labor.
3.7: Loot Distribution
- Location
- A single human dimension
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Hide/remove the marks of your labor. (Higher apparent upbringing?)
You stare down at your own hands and try to imagine them without the marks. Your mental imagery fails you. You'd imagine they'd be a great deal smaller, but beyond that? You suppose you'll have to wait and see. Delight is right about lower-class people having less to offer, and even if you think looking down on you because of your hands would be a bit stupid, idiocy never stopped anyone from being judgmental. You might as well make sure it doesn't hurt you.
"I guess we can hide them?"
"Yes. Yes, we can. Now, your verbal consent and full name, please."
You frown. You can't tell if Delight was trying to be funny or is just impatient.
"Yes, I agree to the terms most recently listed. My name is Melia Foster. Is that it?"
The crystal in Delight's palm glows red for little more than an instant. Before your eyes can even adjust, it vanishes and crumbles to dust. Delight slowly moves to offer it to you.
"Do you have a suitable cup of water? It's easier to swallow when it's been dissolved in liquid."
Oh, dammit. At least it's not sharp now?
You hesitate for a moment before shaking your head.
"I mean, I do, but I don't want to contaminate my water jug and I don't think I could drink all of it at once anyway. Can I just eat it as-is?"
"If you think you can. Hold out your hands, please."
With that rather ominous comment, Delight pours the dust into your cupped palms. You dip your hands back to pour it into your open mouth, vaguely noting the absence of any sticking to your hands. You'd expected to have to resort to licking.
To your own surprise, the doesn't actually taste that awful. Sickeningly sweet, certainly, but nothing which would make you spit it out. You just wouldn't eat it for pleasure. You're able to swallow it without any problems, whereupon it does all of absolutely nothing. At least, that you can detect. Your pathways remain clean and the rest of your body feels perfectly normal.
"Time for us to go," Delight declares abruptly. "Feed your elementals, dismiss them, and step into one of the circles, in that order. Keep your entire body inside it at all times and don't panic if the world turns topsy-turvy. That's normal. I also have a basin in my entryway if you're one of the people who gets violently sick from cross-realm transportation; if you do fall into that unfortunate population, please use it instead of the carpet."
You look down at them and abruptly realize something rather important: you can't actually summon theabducted rescued light elemental just yet. If you left now, you'd have a very difficult time meeting with it again. Leaving it behind seems like it would just be cruel, but you don't want to provoke jealousy in your elementals by overly favoring the new one. Maybe you'll be able to make it up to them later...?
You hold up your newest elemental. "Can we bring this little light with us? I can't summon him yet."
You haven't even finished speaking before Delight shakes her head.
"There is no diagram I know of capable of transporting the physical and immaterial simultaneously. The required filters are mutually exclusive. Just leave it."
Never!
You try to think of alternate methods. You don't have multiple days in which to befriend the little guy, nor do you have any sweets to bribe it with. Crystallized mana would probably work, but you need that to keep yourself safe. You're also not sure you'll be able to give him enough to properly befriend him without being forced to give your older elementals smaller portions. Doing so seems like a great way to provoke jealousy if you aren't careful.
[] Follow Delight's proposed plan to avoid encouraging elemental rivalries; give the bulk of the crystals to your earth and air elementals.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
[] Distribute the crystals evenly among all your elementals. You're sure they'll all be useful in their own ways.
-[] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it.
[] Write-in
You stare down at your own hands and try to imagine them without the marks. Your mental imagery fails you. You'd imagine they'd be a great deal smaller, but beyond that? You suppose you'll have to wait and see. Delight is right about lower-class people having less to offer, and even if you think looking down on you because of your hands would be a bit stupid, idiocy never stopped anyone from being judgmental. You might as well make sure it doesn't hurt you.
"I guess we can hide them?"
"Yes. Yes, we can. Now, your verbal consent and full name, please."
You frown. You can't tell if Delight was trying to be funny or is just impatient.
"Yes, I agree to the terms most recently listed. My name is Melia Foster. Is that it?"
The crystal in Delight's palm glows red for little more than an instant. Before your eyes can even adjust, it vanishes and crumbles to dust. Delight slowly moves to offer it to you.
"Do you have a suitable cup of water? It's easier to swallow when it's been dissolved in liquid."
Oh, dammit. At least it's not sharp now?
You hesitate for a moment before shaking your head.
"I mean, I do, but I don't want to contaminate my water jug and I don't think I could drink all of it at once anyway. Can I just eat it as-is?"
"If you think you can. Hold out your hands, please."
With that rather ominous comment, Delight pours the dust into your cupped palms. You dip your hands back to pour it into your open mouth, vaguely noting the absence of any sticking to your hands. You'd expected to have to resort to licking.
To your own surprise, the doesn't actually taste that awful. Sickeningly sweet, certainly, but nothing which would make you spit it out. You just wouldn't eat it for pleasure. You're able to swallow it without any problems, whereupon it does all of absolutely nothing. At least, that you can detect. Your pathways remain clean and the rest of your body feels perfectly normal.
"Time for us to go," Delight declares abruptly. "Feed your elementals, dismiss them, and step into one of the circles, in that order. Keep your entire body inside it at all times and don't panic if the world turns topsy-turvy. That's normal. I also have a basin in my entryway if you're one of the people who gets violently sick from cross-realm transportation; if you do fall into that unfortunate population, please use it instead of the carpet."
You look down at them and abruptly realize something rather important: you can't actually summon the
You hold up your newest elemental. "Can we bring this little light with us? I can't summon him yet."
You haven't even finished speaking before Delight shakes her head.
"There is no diagram I know of capable of transporting the physical and immaterial simultaneously. The required filters are mutually exclusive. Just leave it."
Never!
You try to think of alternate methods. You don't have multiple days in which to befriend the little guy, nor do you have any sweets to bribe it with. Crystallized mana would probably work, but you need that to keep yourself safe. You're also not sure you'll be able to give him enough to properly befriend him without being forced to give your older elementals smaller portions. Doing so seems like a great way to provoke jealousy if you aren't careful.
[] Follow Delight's proposed plan to avoid encouraging elemental rivalries; give the bulk of the crystals to your earth and air elementals.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
[] Distribute the crystals evenly among all your elementals. You're sure they'll all be useful in their own ways.
-[] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it.
[] Write-in
- Location
- Actually pretty lost
[X] Follow Delight's proposed plan to avoid encouraging elemental rivalries; give the bulk of the crystals to your earth and air elementals.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
Pretty sure this is what we want to take, unless anyone has any bright (heh) ideas about how to make a light elemental love us really quick?
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
Pretty sure this is what we want to take, unless anyone has any bright (heh) ideas about how to make a light elemental love us really quick?
[X] Distribute the crystals evenly among all your elementals. You're sure they'll all be useful in their own ways.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it.
[X] Follow Delight's proposed plan to avoid encouraging elemental rivalries; give the bulk of the crystals to your earth and air elementals.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
We don't currently have a reward that helps against monsters so impartial treatment feels like an unfortunate necessity right now. I'm sure we'll balance things out later. Maybe. I feel sorry for that poor fire elemental though.
e: Don't feel that strongly.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
We don't currently have a reward that helps against monsters so impartial treatment feels like an unfortunate necessity right now. I'm sure we'll balance things out later. Maybe. I feel sorry for that poor fire elemental though.
e: Don't feel that strongly.
Last edited:
- Location
- Bowling Green
[X] Follow Delight's proposed plan to avoid encouraging elemental rivalries; give the bulk of the crystals to your earth and air elementals.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
- Location
- United States of America
[X] Follow Delight's proposed plan to avoid encouraging elemental rivalries; give the bulk of the crystals to your earth and air elementals.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
- Location
- United States
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Follow Delight's proposed plan to avoid encouraging elemental rivalries; give the bulk of the crystals to your earth and air elementals.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
- Location
- US
[X] Follow Delight's proposed plan to avoid encouraging elemental rivalries; give the bulk of the crystals to your earth and air elementals.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
- Location
- West Michigan
[X] Follow Delight's proposed plan to avoid encouraging elemental rivalries; give the bulk of the crystals to your earth and air elementals.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
Nixeu
Lord of Madness, Harbinger of Llamas
- Location
- Your nightmares.
Hm. I'm not actually sure about following Delight's advice, when it comes to our elementals. Our abilities are incredibly unusual, even where we came from. We're unlike the vast majority of summoners, having an intrinsic bond to our elementals. They don't actually misbehave, for the most part.
More to the point, they seem to prioritize Melia's happiness over everything, including any sort of disagreements they have with each other. Given how our elementals have known each other for so long, I doubt there's much odds of them suddenly deciding to fight. Especially as it would make Melia unhappy. Killing one another seems really unlikely.
Honestly, I'd prefer to keep things fairly balanced, though I do think the waters should get a tad less, since they're currently a bit bigger. That said, she has a point about the Air and Stone elementals being useful.
[x] Feed each of your elementals enough to try even out all of their levels/sizes.
-[x] Start with air and stone elementals.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
Not entirely happy with this phrasing, but it's good enough.
More to the point, they seem to prioritize Melia's happiness over everything, including any sort of disagreements they have with each other. Given how our elementals have known each other for so long, I doubt there's much odds of them suddenly deciding to fight. Especially as it would make Melia unhappy. Killing one another seems really unlikely.
Honestly, I'd prefer to keep things fairly balanced, though I do think the waters should get a tad less, since they're currently a bit bigger. That said, she has a point about the Air and Stone elementals being useful.
[x] Feed each of your elementals enough to try even out all of their levels/sizes.
-[x] Start with air and stone elementals.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it. (Locked with this option; Leave no one behind!)
Not entirely happy with this phrasing, but it's good enough.
- Location
- UK
- Pronouns
- They/Them
I'm a little confused about the last bit. Fire and water have a natural rivalry so is it the fact that the water elementals are Class 1 while those of fire are Class 0 that would encourage water to assault fire if neglected? Does that not just postpone the problem though since we need fire to be strong enough to not be attacked? I would think our priority should be bringing the rest up to Class 1 but I suppose singling out water would result in a stronger reaction than limiting the food of dirt, fire and water.
Last edited:
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
[X] Distribute the crystals evenly among all your elementals. You're sure they'll all be useful in their own ways.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it.
I'm... still here I guess? Maybe?
No matter how knowledgeable a tutor Delight is and how eagerly we follow her advice in other areas, I am pretty darn sure she doesn't properly understand Melia's bond with elementals. She seems to think that actually making friends with one is "the hard way," which suggests she has little or no experience or regard for it.
As I've said before, I don't think it's a good idea to leave our elementals thinking Mommy is playing favorites. "Leave No One Behind" is a higher principle, but "strengthen the more beneficial elementals tactically" is not. That's the kind of thinking a regular wizard would adopt towards elemental minions, and regular wizards don't befriend them the way we do.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it.
I'm... still here I guess? Maybe?
No matter how knowledgeable a tutor Delight is and how eagerly we follow her advice in other areas, I am pretty darn sure she doesn't properly understand Melia's bond with elementals. She seems to think that actually making friends with one is "the hard way," which suggests she has little or no experience or regard for it.
As I've said before, I don't think it's a good idea to leave our elementals thinking Mommy is playing favorites. "Leave No One Behind" is a higher principle, but "strengthen the more beneficial elementals tactically" is not. That's the kind of thinking a regular wizard would adopt towards elemental minions, and regular wizards don't befriend them the way we do.
[X] Distribute the crystals evenly among all your elementals. You're sure they'll all be useful in their own ways.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it.
-[X] The quickest way to an elemental's heart is through their stomach. Independent of the rest of your distribution plan, feed the light elemental crystalized mana until you can summon it.