We don't have any at the moment but we can use this opportunity to see what works and what doesn't.
Last edited:
DoofQuest- a Disney Villains Victorious CK2-Style Quest
- Thread starter Made in Heaven
- Start date
- Crossover
We don't have any at the moment but we can use this opportunity to see what works and what doesn't.
- Location
- Germany
I am definitely for Researching the Crystal Key next turn:
- Sooner or later, Toffee will move against us and I´d rather have at least *something* to attempt countermeasures instead of not preparing
- The Key got a pretty low DC that we stand a really good chance at acing with just a little clever allocation of skills (heck, thanks to a sucess critting automatically and the Key explicitly lowering the DC for Researching the Other-Dimension-Inator, I wouldn´t be surprised if a crit success for the Key bled over into the Inator becoming really good on top of already-stated benefits)
- After our talk Xanatos decided that he wanted us to have the Key, meaning that he implicitly would come to our aid if we ran into problems since he considers us reasonably capable enough to make the Key work as a boon against Toffee
So yeah, next turn any plans incorporating the Key will get my direct support for now.
As for the Interlude, it clearly shows to me that Demona will bring down the Magical Masquerade very soon (dunno if next turn or the one after that specifically)...meaning that Xanatos (whom I expect to have heeded our warning) at least started to prepare for it.
- Sooner or later, Toffee will move against us and I´d rather have at least *something* to attempt countermeasures instead of not preparing
- The Key got a pretty low DC that we stand a really good chance at acing with just a little clever allocation of skills (heck, thanks to a sucess critting automatically and the Key explicitly lowering the DC for Researching the Other-Dimension-Inator, I wouldn´t be surprised if a crit success for the Key bled over into the Inator becoming really good on top of already-stated benefits)
- After our talk Xanatos decided that he wanted us to have the Key, meaning that he implicitly would come to our aid if we ran into problems since he considers us reasonably capable enough to make the Key work as a boon against Toffee
So yeah, next turn any plans incorporating the Key will get my direct support for now.
As for the Interlude, it clearly shows to me that Demona will bring down the Magical Masquerade very soon (dunno if next turn or the one after that specifically)...meaning that Xanatos (whom I expect to have heeded our warning) at least started to prepare for it.
It's extremely unlikely that Molly was working for Toffee because if Toffee was worried about some item someone might buy, especially one as cheap as the Dimensional Key, he'd just have bought it, or have Molly buy it in this case. Moreover, we passed all the Intrigue checks for the Key and didn't notice Molly paying attention to it at all.
I find it a lot more likely that the item Molly was talking about was the Talisman, there we didn't pass all our intrigue checks (we barely passed 1/3 in fact) and we did bid an absolutely crazy amount so it was impossible to outbid us.
- Location
- the Netherworld Dood
I find it hard to beilve the Talisman would cause concern. Its powerful and useful sure but it's use does not effect the strategic situation nearly as much as the key would
You say it like the key it's extremely valuable but it isn't. The Glooms had been using tons of them before coming to Earth for example.
And again, if Molly was working for Toffee and he was interested in the key:
1. We would have noticed that Molly was looking at the key after passing the 140DC
2. Toffee would just have bought it. There's absolutely no reason for Toffee to have not done so if he was worried about the key.
As for why the Talisman instead of the key? Maybe it just messes really bad with Molly's boss plans or something like that. But in any case, it's one of the very few items we didn't pass the Intrigue check and one that even if Molly was ready to buy she wouldn't have been able to (I mean, we bet more than 200% the value of the item, which is crazy). The other alternative is that Molly's boss didn't have enough money, but that would only make sense if it was Demona has she bought the ??? item before the auction.
A pole, which for all we know could be the lance of Longinus, sans spearhead, or part of some other mythical polearm.
Torgamous
Aspiring Gynoid
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Only if the key was uniquely dangerous among dimensional travel options, and it's kind of the worst one ever, being both random and non repeating. If Toffee were interested in the key, it's because of what someone like us buying it means for our plans, and letting us have the thing is a minor inconvenience compared to knowing that we got it.
That depends on what the strategic situation as Molly's boss sees it actually is. Like, as an absurd example, ENCOM could not possibly care less about dimensional travel, but astral projection could do some weird stuff with digitization. As a less absurd example, that talisman is currently our only defense against the Dream Queen.
- Location
- the Netherworld Dood
Barondoctor
The things I chase come to me.
- Location
- The other side of the mirror
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Crystal Key IS the first step to dimension tech and unless I miss my guess that's happening asap, especially because "OOPS ALL CRITBERRIES" is next turn.
The next person to complain about Not doing dimension tech will get a lot more unpleasantness from me than this casual reminder. These circular arguments with ever escalating rhetorical nastiness are an annoyance to have to scroll through.
So quit making it happen for all of us.
The next person to complain about Not doing dimension tech will get a lot more unpleasantness from me than this casual reminder. These circular arguments with ever escalating rhetorical nastiness are an annoyance to have to scroll through.
So quit making it happen for all of us.
BlueWerewolf25
The Dreamer
- Location
- Wouldn't You Like To Know?
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Man, it's tiring to watch y'all arguing.
Demona is Xanatos' problem first and foremost, since she primarily operates in his territory. Whatever she'll do, it will no doubt be hitting NYC first. Best thing we can do is set up a warning system, then just wait. The End.
I think Molly was referring to the Talisman. The Crystal Key is a one-way trip to another dimension, but ONLY one trip. And I highly doubt these magic nutters will think, "Doofenshmirtz will just use the key to create an inator that lets him travel through dimensions". Not exactly the magic option is it? Also, Toffee doesn't know about Janna, so while he might suspect that we saw through him, I doubt we're high enough on his list to warrant anything beyond careful observation. And he has a war to fight. Phobos isn't someone you can brute force.
Demona is Xanatos' problem first and foremost, since she primarily operates in his territory. Whatever she'll do, it will no doubt be hitting NYC first. Best thing we can do is set up a warning system, then just wait. The End.
I think Molly was referring to the Talisman. The Crystal Key is a one-way trip to another dimension, but ONLY one trip. And I highly doubt these magic nutters will think, "Doofenshmirtz will just use the key to create an inator that lets him travel through dimensions". Not exactly the magic option is it? Also, Toffee doesn't know about Janna, so while he might suspect that we saw through him, I doubt we're high enough on his list to warrant anything beyond careful observation. And he has a war to fight. Phobos isn't someone you can brute force.
I am, as a matter of fact, wondering if this is the Longinus.
Gargoyles does as much with the Arthurian mythos as it does with Shakespeare, the Holy Lance features very prominently in the Grail Quest, whatever Demona is doing is apparently happening during Christmas and there is the matter of the potentially related Notre Dame break-in.
- Location
- the Netherworld Dood
the lance is held in the Vatican Not Notre dame.
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
Just because (hypothetically) Demona has the Lance and was involved in the Notre Dame break in doesn't mean that she broke into Notre Dame to obtain the Lance. Her plan has clearly taken multiple turns to unfold, so she may well have taken a variety of actions and have a plan that relies on multiple "moving parts."
Wasn't notre dame robbed or something a few turns ago?
- Location
- the Netherworld Dood
Stealing the Lance is a rather high profile move that would be easily noticed.
I doubt it's the lance. I think like others have said it might be Prospero's staff or some other artifact.
I mean the first thing that comes to mind is the locator staff from Indiana Jones but that wasn't magical
BlueWerewolf25
The Dreamer
- Location
- Wouldn't You Like To Know?
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
So funny story about that...one of my current college subjects has us learning about Coordinated Management of Meaning Theory. One model of communication under this is Serpentine Model. It talks about the presence of Logical Force in a conversation, a moral pressure or sense of obligation that a person feels to respond in a given way when communicating with someone else. And conflicting Logical Forces create an unwanted repetitive action (URP) where a strongly coordinated set of unfortunate actions result in a non-satisfying communication experience that seems inescapable. It's a conversational sequence neither party wants to repeat, but does so anyway.
So basically, thanks for contributing to my research.
ReaperofInterest
Herald of Disaster
So for next turn, I'm thinking we should reach out to Shere Khan at least, but the other diplomacy action is what I'm questioning. Should we try to recruit someone, or multiple people? Should we attempt to reach out to Magic New York? Maybe collaborate with Shego or Xanatos on something, or form a research agreement? I can see good arguments for all of them, really.
- Location
- Philippines
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Maybe collab with the both of Xanay and Shego on the same turn? Though what do we have to discuss with together?
ReaperofInterest
Herald of Disaster
Hmm...looking at the map, Xanatos' territory is next to the wasteland as well, right? Well, we could collaborate with him and Shego on dealing with the drug ring. After all, there's nothing stopping them from moving to his territory, and it'd be a good way of seeing how well we can all work together when dealing with a common enemy.
Stratagemini
Totally a Fire Ferret.
- Location
- Central Park
- Pronouns
- He/Him/They/Them
I'm not a big fan of hostile takeovers. For one thing, a lot of these kings are not entirely dependent on their company's wealth. Trevor is, as is Glomgold, but every other one of these is probably going to set a king with other direct combat related assets after us with the intent to kill us and take our company. Especially Demona. Even with Trevor, the fact that he's part of the zaibatsu means that he probably has some protection from a number of superpowered mercenaries, and kicking that nest of ants might be something that we don't want to do. There are much better ways to get a king out of the way. Especially Trevor now that we have Wendy.
Nightstone is the only company we can feasibly take over right now.
Normally I would say it would be a terrible idea to have an immortal genocidal monster out after our skins. But since demona is just about to pull something big (that we're involved in!), taking our company out from under her actually isn't that bad of an idea.
We don't have to propose anything. Once we invite them to collaborate, there's a sub vote with different options.
ReaperofInterest
Herald of Disaster
Actually... @Made in Heaven, quick question: if we wanted to collaborate with Shego and Xanatos on a project, would that be one action or two?
BlueWerewolf25
The Dreamer
- Location
- Wouldn't You Like To Know?
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Are we gonna invite the Dickens to our Christmas Party? It might be funny 
Interlude: Executive Summary, Part I
- Location
- Pennsylvania
Mirage took a moment to smooth out the folds of her dress. All things considered, the week was going well. Funtelligence and Sycorax had both responded positively to Dr. Heinz's overtures. Ms. Amara had been pleasant and upbeat, and Trevor had been led by the nose during a dinner meeting. Mirage was happy to let the man read whatever he wanted into that. The last of the big three among the Zaibatsu, and perhaps the biggest, was Bakaemono.
Few could forget the dramatic events several years ago that led to the company's restructuring. Cut corners and building code violations piled up into total collapse, burying Alastair Krei in his office and leaving one of the largest companies on the West Coast rudderless. Without Krei present to run damage control, shares plummeted and investors fled. The company was bought out, reorganized, and renamed in the span of a few months. The sheer scale of the conglomerate, coupled with its importance to dozens of electronics and hardware concerns, kept it alive, but when the ash settled it had become utterly divorced from its founder's vision. It wouldn't be the first time a founder was betrayed by his legacy.
Mirage allowed herself a slight smile at the thought.
The Kreitech campus had changed so much as to be unrecognizable, silky modernist curves and white concrete replaced by a faceless black monolith that towered like a tombstone over San Fransokyo. Despite being built in the heart of the Financial District, close to the bay, the top of the building drew almost level with the twin peaks south of the city. The waiting room Mirage found herself in did all it could to reinforce the image of cutting edge power and modernity that Bakaemono sought to display; the room was filled with mirrors, presenting an eternal reflection of everything and everyone present. Aside from herself and Vanessa, there was only one other person in the room at the moment, who was…
Well, this was interesting.
The woman sitting across from her was thin, dressed in a gray pencil skirt and conservative jewelry . She seemed to be in her mid to late forties, and had an air of authority about her that was evident even as she flipped through a robotics journal. And if Mirage was not mistaken, she was also…
"Excuse me." Mirage said gently, giving the woman a moment to look up from her material and tacitly accept the beginning of a conversation. "I apologize for the interruption, but would you be Professor Grace Granville?"
"Yes?" The woman replied, a gentle lilt inviting her to continue.
"Hi, my name is Elizabeth Peña." Mirage said, leaning forwards to shake the woman's hand. "I work for Doctor Heinz Doofenshmirtz, of DEI."
"Ah the 'evil' company."
"My manager is a tad eccentric." Mirage admitted, taking the expected response in stride and injecting just enough humor into her tone to turn the understatement into a knowing wink rather than a bald-faced lie. "But nonetheless we do good work."
"That I will admit. DEI may not tout their positive achievements quite so loudly as they do their… unusual branding, but the work you have done in animal genetics is impressive, and your leading role in the past food crisis is commendable."
"Between the two of us," Mirage said quietly, "I believe that you can expect more from DEI in the near future.
Granville proffered a gentle smile, as good a signal as any for Mirage to continue. "What are you doing here today, Professor? If you don't mind me asking."
"A meeting with a former student. SFIT maintains strong connections to our alumni, and many of them come back to us with research proposals or other topics of coordination."
Mirage saw an opening.
"I imagine SFIT must have very strong industry connections. Do companies recruit on campus?"
"Why yes, we hold regular fairs. Are you interested in sending a representative?" Granville smirked gently.
How nice of her to offer what they were both thinking.
"Do you have the information of someone I could speak to further?"
"I'll have them get in touch." Granville replied. "Doctor Doofenshmirtz's creations certainly capture the imagination, and I think your company would be an excellent opportunity for our graduates. Some of his inventions defy explanation."
"They're not that impressive." Vanessa said, looking up from her phone for the first time since they'd entered the building.
Mirage sighed internally, smile pasted on her face. The doctor had asked her to bring along his daughter, hoping she would 'pick up a thing or two' in the process. She had hopes that Vanessa had taken in at least some idea of how the business world worked and how deals were made, but the girl had not seemed particularly enthused. She couldn't let this new go however; this was a very clear opportunity for Vanessa to make a connection with the head of the most prestigious university on the West Coast. Mentally, she prepared herself to spend some of the social capital she'd acquired in this conversation to present the boss' daughter in the best possible light.
"Vanessa, this is Dean Granville, head of the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. Professor Granville, this is Vanessa Doofenshmirtz, daughter of our CEO. She's here with me on a work study."
"Hey." Vanessa said disinterestedly, eyes already slipping back to her phone.
Professor Granville frowned.
Mirage began debating the value of continuing down this path, but before she could reach a decision, the receptionist called her over. Well, time for the Hail Mary.
"Vanessa, I'll be going in to speak with Ms. Silverman now. Please, wait out here."
"Kay."
Professor Granville watched as the woman whose name was most likely not Elizabeth moved towards the executive offices. First and foremost, regardless of past failings, Grace considered herself an educator. And here, she was quite sure, was someone in need of educating.
"You look about the right age to be considering college, Ms. Doofenshmirtz." she began. "I assume you are considering SFIT?"
"I guess." Vanessa frowned, reluctantly stowing her phone. "Dad seems convinced I'll be going to SFIT or West Coast Tech or one of the other big names."
Granville's lips thinned. This would be the difficult part. "If you want to follow in the footsteps of your father, Ms. Doofenshmirtz-"
"I don't."
Professor Granville blinked. "What?"
"I don't."
Ah. It was one of those situations. This she was familiar with. Granville drew herself up, concentrating far more presence than her thin frame would suggest.
"Well then, young lady. If you wish to forge your own path, I recommend you begin now. I have seen the rich and powerful grow up to live in their parents' shadows before, but it is not inevitable. Avoiding it takes effort, focus, and balance, none of which I see in front of me today. SFIT is a springboard for many young minds, but whether it is right for you remains to be seen. Regardless, if you wish to be considered on your own merits, you had best start displaying them."
Few could forget the dramatic events several years ago that led to the company's restructuring. Cut corners and building code violations piled up into total collapse, burying Alastair Krei in his office and leaving one of the largest companies on the West Coast rudderless. Without Krei present to run damage control, shares plummeted and investors fled. The company was bought out, reorganized, and renamed in the span of a few months. The sheer scale of the conglomerate, coupled with its importance to dozens of electronics and hardware concerns, kept it alive, but when the ash settled it had become utterly divorced from its founder's vision. It wouldn't be the first time a founder was betrayed by his legacy.
Mirage allowed herself a slight smile at the thought.
The Kreitech campus had changed so much as to be unrecognizable, silky modernist curves and white concrete replaced by a faceless black monolith that towered like a tombstone over San Fransokyo. Despite being built in the heart of the Financial District, close to the bay, the top of the building drew almost level with the twin peaks south of the city. The waiting room Mirage found herself in did all it could to reinforce the image of cutting edge power and modernity that Bakaemono sought to display; the room was filled with mirrors, presenting an eternal reflection of everything and everyone present. Aside from herself and Vanessa, there was only one other person in the room at the moment, who was…
Well, this was interesting.
The woman sitting across from her was thin, dressed in a gray pencil skirt and conservative jewelry . She seemed to be in her mid to late forties, and had an air of authority about her that was evident even as she flipped through a robotics journal. And if Mirage was not mistaken, she was also…
"Excuse me." Mirage said gently, giving the woman a moment to look up from her material and tacitly accept the beginning of a conversation. "I apologize for the interruption, but would you be Professor Grace Granville?"
"Yes?" The woman replied, a gentle lilt inviting her to continue.
"Hi, my name is Elizabeth Peña." Mirage said, leaning forwards to shake the woman's hand. "I work for Doctor Heinz Doofenshmirtz, of DEI."
"Ah the 'evil' company."
"My manager is a tad eccentric." Mirage admitted, taking the expected response in stride and injecting just enough humor into her tone to turn the understatement into a knowing wink rather than a bald-faced lie. "But nonetheless we do good work."
"That I will admit. DEI may not tout their positive achievements quite so loudly as they do their… unusual branding, but the work you have done in animal genetics is impressive, and your leading role in the past food crisis is commendable."
"Between the two of us," Mirage said quietly, "I believe that you can expect more from DEI in the near future.
Granville proffered a gentle smile, as good a signal as any for Mirage to continue. "What are you doing here today, Professor? If you don't mind me asking."
"A meeting with a former student. SFIT maintains strong connections to our alumni, and many of them come back to us with research proposals or other topics of coordination."
Mirage saw an opening.
"I imagine SFIT must have very strong industry connections. Do companies recruit on campus?"
"Why yes, we hold regular fairs. Are you interested in sending a representative?" Granville smirked gently.
How nice of her to offer what they were both thinking.
"Do you have the information of someone I could speak to further?"
"I'll have them get in touch." Granville replied. "Doctor Doofenshmirtz's creations certainly capture the imagination, and I think your company would be an excellent opportunity for our graduates. Some of his inventions defy explanation."
"They're not that impressive." Vanessa said, looking up from her phone for the first time since they'd entered the building.
Mirage sighed internally, smile pasted on her face. The doctor had asked her to bring along his daughter, hoping she would 'pick up a thing or two' in the process. She had hopes that Vanessa had taken in at least some idea of how the business world worked and how deals were made, but the girl had not seemed particularly enthused. She couldn't let this new go however; this was a very clear opportunity for Vanessa to make a connection with the head of the most prestigious university on the West Coast. Mentally, she prepared herself to spend some of the social capital she'd acquired in this conversation to present the boss' daughter in the best possible light.
"Vanessa, this is Dean Granville, head of the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. Professor Granville, this is Vanessa Doofenshmirtz, daughter of our CEO. She's here with me on a work study."
"Hey." Vanessa said disinterestedly, eyes already slipping back to her phone.
Professor Granville frowned.
Mirage began debating the value of continuing down this path, but before she could reach a decision, the receptionist called her over. Well, time for the Hail Mary.
"Vanessa, I'll be going in to speak with Ms. Silverman now. Please, wait out here."
"Kay."
Professor Granville watched as the woman whose name was most likely not Elizabeth moved towards the executive offices. First and foremost, regardless of past failings, Grace considered herself an educator. And here, she was quite sure, was someone in need of educating.
"You look about the right age to be considering college, Ms. Doofenshmirtz." she began. "I assume you are considering SFIT?"
"I guess." Vanessa frowned, reluctantly stowing her phone. "Dad seems convinced I'll be going to SFIT or West Coast Tech or one of the other big names."
Granville's lips thinned. This would be the difficult part. "If you want to follow in the footsteps of your father, Ms. Doofenshmirtz-"
"I don't."
Professor Granville blinked. "What?"
"I don't."
Ah. It was one of those situations. This she was familiar with. Granville drew herself up, concentrating far more presence than her thin frame would suggest.
"Well then, young lady. If you wish to forge your own path, I recommend you begin now. I have seen the rich and powerful grow up to live in their parents' shadows before, but it is not inevitable. Avoiding it takes effort, focus, and balance, none of which I see in front of me today. SFIT is a springboard for many young minds, but whether it is right for you remains to be seen. Regardless, if you wish to be considered on your own merits, you had best start displaying them."
- Location
- Philippines
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welp, we heard vanessa, Guess we're giving DEI to Janna if we somehow croak.