Earth Bet: House of the Sun (Cultist Simulator/Worm)
- Thread starter Witherbrine26
- Start date
Huh, thought we were going to do some socializing to take advantage of the Grail influence…
I think it'd be good to work a little less and get at least one social action in.
I think it'd be good to work a little less and get at least one social action in.
[X]Plan: Waste No Time
[X] Plan: Taking advantage of opportunities and preparing for conflict.
Alicja can wait a single turn. This Grail boost only lasts ONE turn. Take advantage, or it's gone with no clear way on how to get it back. Plus it gives us the chance to possibly boost another Lore next turn that we'll need- Grail. In general, it's good, lets us Improve ourselves, explore if our trait is affected by ALL attention from the Lores or specific ones, and lets us Possibly get something from the Well that'll aid us in the fight.
I want her dead ASAP, but I want to waste our opportunities and chances even less. If that thing at the bottom of the Well helps us long term, it'll be WELL worth the wait.
Alicja can wait a single turn. This Grail boost only lasts ONE turn. Take advantage, or it's gone with no clear way on how to get it back. Plus it gives us the chance to possibly boost another Lore next turn that we'll need- Grail. In general, it's good, lets us Improve ourselves, explore if our trait is affected by ALL attention from the Lores or specific ones, and lets us Possibly get something from the Well that'll aid us in the fight.
I want her dead ASAP, but I want to waste our opportunities and chances even less. If that thing at the bottom of the Well helps us long term, it'll be WELL worth the wait.
If we were to go after the mansus expedition, shouldn't we up our Grail rather than our Edge? The hurdle is distinctly Grail/Winter, but we are only one scrap away from Grail.
To raise the alternative thought, we're using the Influence to go after our wayward Loremaster, and it may well see action in our career opportunity to hunt down that crimelord since we seem to use Grail for charismatic leadership.
The Well isn't going anywhere, and indeed even with the influence we're still only level one in both Grail and Winter. As we so dramatically saw in certain other quests recently, (and even this one for that matter) Mansus adventures can easily wound us.
We're going into not one but two combat situations, one with our Foe and one with our Quarry, so it seems rather hasty to me to chance a third dangerous encounter.
The plan Shade is voting for doesn't have us attacking our rival this turn, so it's not three dangerous combats all at once. In addition, this is our first Expedition and we can easily hit Grail 2 this turn since we need only 1 Scrap. We won't be as poised to hit that Expedition again for a rather long time.
Which is why going for Edge 2 in a plan that has you exploring the Well is silly. Get Grail 2, it'll make an AotL Grail more effective too.
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Well first of all, thank you for reminding me to actually vote, completely slipped my mind it did.
[X]Plan: Waste No Time
Secondly, yes if the plan is to go after the Well while the Influence is in play, then the Grail scrap should be prioritized over the Edge scrap that turn. I hadn't looked that closely at the other plan since I'd already made up my mind.
Huh, I thought for sure that people would pick the other plan. Then again, our character leans well into immediate action rather than planning.
I made my plan because unlike the well, our enemy won't sit still and I think that giving her any time to establish herself is a mistake.
Who knows? Given she hates us so much she would hunt us for years, she may make a fine gift to our Master.
I made my plan because unlike the well, our enemy won't sit still and I think that giving her any time to establish herself is a mistake.
Who knows? Given she hates us so much she would hunt us for years, she may make a fine gift to our Master.
Nice but order. Do the rite/learning before atacking.
Here we use
so we don't pick order, only actions themselves.
- Pronouns
- He
A bit late but, better late than never.
[X] Plan: Leave Arch alone
-[X] On work and the challenges it entails.
--[X] You'll work your hours and no more (Gain no extra actions, default)
-[X] On your Foe, and the danger she wields
--[X] Attack her, finish this (This is Assaulting an Opponent Expedition)
-[X] On promotion and improvement (The below actions improve your chance of being selected as Director should Carol be unable to perform her duties)
--[X] You have crucial information on Wraith, go after him
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] You Master is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge)
-[X] On Rites, Rituals and the things inbetween
--[X] You'll cast The Attention of the Laws (Edge)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out
--[X] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
---[X] Explore the Luster-Drowned Well
The influence gives us the equivalent of Grail 3 so I'd prefer to capitalize on the opportunity while we have it. Also, I'd rather leave Arch alone and not risk screwing things up further, let someone else handle it.
Edit: although Wraith can be left alone as it's not a fleeting action so I'll leave this other plan up if people prefer it.
[X] Plan: Leave Wraith alone
-[X] On work and the challenges it entails.
--[X] You'll work your hours and no more (Gain no extra actions, default)
-[X] On your Foe, and the danger she wields
--[X] Attack her, finish this (This is Assaulting an Opponent Expedition)
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] You Master is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge)
-[X] On Rites, Rituals and the things inbetween
--[X] You'll cast The Attention of the Laws (Edge)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out
--[X] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
---[X] Explore the Luster-Drowned Well
-[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[X] Find Arch and try to quell his Fascination
[X] Plan: Leave Arch alone
-[X] On work and the challenges it entails.
--[X] You'll work your hours and no more (Gain no extra actions, default)
-[X] On your Foe, and the danger she wields
--[X] Attack her, finish this (This is Assaulting an Opponent Expedition)
-[X] On promotion and improvement (The below actions improve your chance of being selected as Director should Carol be unable to perform her duties)
--[X] You have crucial information on Wraith, go after him
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] You Master is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge)
-[X] On Rites, Rituals and the things inbetween
--[X] You'll cast The Attention of the Laws (Edge)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out
--[X] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
---[X] Explore the Luster-Drowned Well
The influence gives us the equivalent of Grail 3 so I'd prefer to capitalize on the opportunity while we have it. Also, I'd rather leave Arch alone and not risk screwing things up further, let someone else handle it.
Edit: although Wraith can be left alone as it's not a fleeting action so I'll leave this other plan up if people prefer it.
[X] Plan: Leave Wraith alone
-[X] On work and the challenges it entails.
--[X] You'll work your hours and no more (Gain no extra actions, default)
-[X] On your Foe, and the danger she wields
--[X] Attack her, finish this (This is Assaulting an Opponent Expedition)
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] You Master is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge)
-[X] On Rites, Rituals and the things inbetween
--[X] You'll cast The Attention of the Laws (Edge)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out
--[X] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
---[X] Explore the Luster-Drowned Well
-[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[X] Find Arch and try to quell his Fascination
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Vote Closed
New
Winning Vote:
[X]Plan: Waste No Time
-[X] On work and the challenges it entails.
--[X] You'll work your hours and no more (Gain no extra actions, default)
-[X] On your Foe, and the danger she wields
--[X] Attack her, finish this (This is Assaulting an Opponent Expedition)
-[X] On promotion and improvement (The below actions improve your chance of being selected as Director should Carol be unable to perform her duties)
--[X] You have crucial information on Wraith, go after him
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] You Master is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge)
-[X] On Rites, Rituals and the things inbetween
--[X] You'll cast The Attention of the Laws (Edge)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[X] Find Arch and try to quell his Fascination
[X]Plan: Waste No Time
-[X] On work and the challenges it entails.
--[X] You'll work your hours and no more (Gain no extra actions, default)
-[X] On your Foe, and the danger she wields
--[X] Attack her, finish this (This is Assaulting an Opponent Expedition)
-[X] On promotion and improvement (The below actions improve your chance of being selected as Director should Carol be unable to perform her duties)
--[X] You have crucial information on Wraith, go after him
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] You Master is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge)
-[X] On Rites, Rituals and the things inbetween
--[X] You'll cast The Attention of the Laws (Edge)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[X] Find Arch and try to quell his Fascination
Turn 4 - Results, Part 1
New
[X]Plan: Waste No Time
-[X] On work and the challenges it entails.
--[X] You'll work your hours and no more (Gain no extra actions, default)
-[X] On your Foe, and the danger she wields
--[X] Attack her, finish this (This is Assaulting an Opponent Expedition)
-[X] On promotion and improvement (The below actions improve your chance of being selected as Director should Carol be unable to perform her duties)
--[X] You have crucial information on Wraith, go after him
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] You Master is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge)
-[X] On Rites, Rituals and the things inbetween
--[X] You'll cast The Attention of the Laws (Edge)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[X] Find Arch and try to quell his Fascination
-[X] On work and the challenges it entails.
--[X] You'll work your hours and no more (Gain no extra actions, default)
-[X] On your Foe, and the danger she wields
--[X] Attack her, finish this (This is Assaulting an Opponent Expedition)
-[X] On promotion and improvement (The below actions improve your chance of being selected as Director should Carol be unable to perform her duties)
--[X] You have crucial information on Wraith, go after him
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] You Master is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Edge)
-[X] On Rites, Rituals and the things inbetween
--[X] You'll cast The Attention of the Laws (Edge)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[X] Find Arch and try to quell his Fascination
It was a Friday evening, the kind of night where most people were heading home, unwinding from the week, and settling in for a weekend of relaxation. But not you. Instead of heading back to the comfort of your own place, you found yourself driving across town, steering towards Arch's apartment. It wasn't exactly your idea of a good time, but you didn't want him consumed by the light of Glory.
When you arrived at the building, it was clear Arch wasn't living in luxury. The apartment complex had seen better days, and the lack of security gates or other barriers made it easy for you to slip in unnoticed. You parked in the underground lot, the sound of your shoes echoing as you stepped out of the car and made your way toward the stairs. The place reeked of neglect, not just from the chipped paint and stained floors but from the quiet, the kind that lingered in a building filled with too many people and not enough life.
You weren't entirely sure how Ai had gotten his address—it wasn't like Arch had shared that kind of information freely—but Ai had a way of knowing things, slipping into the cracks of people's lives like water through stone. The scrap of paper she'd given you had his address scribbled in elegant, flowing cursive. She was as close to a spymaster as any of you had, and you suspected she knew more than she let on, including things about you.
The stairwell echoed as you ascended, each step bringing you closer to whatever mess Arch had fallen into. Fifth floor. The climb wasn't difficult, a welcome stretch after a day of sitting behind a desk. Most of your days had been like that lately—stuck in the office, swamped with paperwork and decisions that kept you from the real work. Exercise had fallen to the wayside, but the steady rhythm of your feet on the stairs was nice.
You paused at his door, the scrap of paper still in your hand confirming you were at the right place. The number on the door matched. You took a deep breath, bracing yourself for whatever you might find on the other side, then knocked. Not too soft, not too hard—just enough to ensure anyone inside would hear you, even if they were passed out or lost in their own head.
[Letting you in: DC 70]
[Roll: 85+8(Diplomacy)+5(GRAIL)+10(An Awareness of Appetite) = 108]
"No!" Arch's voice rang out from inside, sharp and panicked. "No visitors, I'm busy!" You frowned at the sound, his tone full of something too close to mania. You hesitated for a brief second, then slammed your fist against the door, harder this time, raising your voice.
"I'm here to learn," you called out, your voice steady but commanding. "I heard you've discovered something wonderful." You listened closely, hearing the frantic shuffling inside, the kind that came with sudden clarity or desperation. A few moments later, the lock clicked, and the door creaked open.
"Ah, yes—yes, it is wonderful that—" Arch began, but his words died the moment he saw you standing in the doorway. His smile faltered, replaced by an awkward grimace. He looked disheveled, his clothes rumpled and his face gaunt like he hadn't slept or eaten properly in days. The gleam in his eyes, though—that unhealthy spark of obsession—was still there, flickering like a dying ember.
He tried to slam the door shut, but you were quicker. You jammed your foot in between the door and the frame, ignoring the sharp pain as it crunched into your foot. "No, no—I've got it, I've written a whole new manuscript on the light—" he rambled, trying to push the door closed, but you easily muscled your way inside. Arch was an academic, not exactly someone who spent time building muscle, so his resistance was short-lived.
"Relax, I'm here to see what you're working on," you said, your voice calm but firm, and it seemed to cut through the haze in his mind. Something shifted in him like a switch had flipped, and before you knew it, he was pulling you toward the cluttered table, eager to show off the mess of papers that lay scattered across it.
You sat down beside him, watching as he tripped over his own words, trying to explain his theories and discoveries. But you tuned most of it out. You weren't here for the theories, not now. What you needed was to bring him down from the edge before he got even worse.
[Snuffing out Fascination: DC 60]
[Roll: 82+8(Diplomacy)+5(MOTH) = 95]
"And, and, and—" Arch's voice trailed off as he blinked down at the paper in front of him, confusion washing over his face. He flattened the sheet, his fingers trembling slightly as he picked up a pencil and began to scribble in the margins. Simple math—13 plus 12, double-checking it against the equations he had scrawled in the middle of the page.
"Fuck," he groaned, dropping his head into his hands. "I fucked up. Thirteen plus twelve, and it threw everything off." He threw his pencil down in frustration, slumping back in his chair and staring at the mess of papers in front of him.
You reached over, snagging the pencil before he could pick it back up. "Hey," he protested weakly, but as he looked around the disaster that had become his apartment, his shoulders sagged, and he let out a long, defeated sigh.
"You need to slow down," you told him, your voice gentle but firm. "Take a break, get some rest. You're burning yourself out." He scoffed, but there was no heat in it. He knew you were right, even if he didn't want to admit it.
"I know," he muttered, getting to his feet. "I know." He started picking up a few scattered papers, his movements slow, deliberate. After a moment, he looked over at you, his expression softer, less manic. "You mind helping?"
"Sure," you replied, and together the two of you began to clean up the apartment. Clothes were tossed into the laundry, dishes scrubbed clean, the fridge restocked with something other than takeout containers and half-empty cans of soda. It was a slow process, and you could tell Arch was annoyed at times when you reminded him to do something simple, but he didn't resist your help. He was thinking now, really thinking, about what had happened in the past few days.
You were just thankful to have broken him out of that mania, even if you did have to spend the weekend getting him and his apartment back in shape.
You have cured Arch of his Fascination and while he may not admit it he is thankful. You are now Friends and have learned that his main lore is, unsurprisingly, Lantern.
This was really going to suck. You weren't exactly the biggest fan of the Master—her methods were brutal, and she wasn't the warmest of personalities—but you couldn't deny her intelligence or her deep knowledge of the Lores. That's why you found yourself here again, standing in front of the bar, ready to face another grueling lesson. You knew what was coming: it was going to hurt, and by the end of it, you'd feel like you'd been scraped raw. But you were already here, and turning back now wasn't an option.
"Afternoon, Anatoly," you said, walking past the bar with a nod. You weren't expecting a response, but something made you pause and glance back. Sure enough, it was Ai behind the counter, pouring drinks and helping the smattering of patrons who had filtered in. She looked different today, dressed in a sleek suit instead of the usual flowing dresses she favored. As you watched her walk back and forth, you couldn't help but notice a familiar cadence in her steps. It reminded you of Anatoly—the way he commanded a room with silent authority, even while doing something as mundane as pouring a drink.
"Who put you on drinks today?" you asked, sliding into an empty seat at the bar. She didn't respond right away; she just tilted her head slightly in the direction of the stairs. Ah. That made sense. Anatoly was probably upstairs, working on something, and had left her to handle things down here.
"I'll take something light," you said, fishing some bills out of your pocket. Ai nodded without a word and set about preparing your drink. A minute later, a small shot glass appeared in front of you, its contents clear and unassuming. You handed over the money, and without fanfare, she pocketed the bills. No need for small talk between the two of you. She knew what you were here for, and so did you.
"This is light?" you asked with a raised eyebrow after the shot burned its way down your throat. It took a few seconds for the warmth to spread, but when it did, it felt like your insides had been set on fire.
"Burns in a small amount," she whispered, barely audible over the quiet hum of the bar. You rolled your eyes but didn't argue. A splash of alcohol was what you needed to fortify your nerves, but it wasn't going to make what came next any easier.
"Well, thanks," you muttered, pushing away from the bar and standing up. "I'll be upstairs." Ai didn't respond; she just gave you a small nod as you turned and made your way to the staircase.
The wooden floorboards creaked under your weight, each step sending a hollow echo up the stairwell. The second floor was quieter, almost eerily so, but you weren't in any hurry. To your left, you could see the faint glow of light seeping from the edges of the office door. Anatoly's silhouette moved inside, focused, busy with whatever work he had to get done. You weren't about to interrupt him.
Instead, you turned to the right, towards the door that made your stomach twist into knots. Your instincts screamed at you to leave, to run, to do anything other than walk through that door. Your lizard brain begged you to listen—to take the easy way out, to avoid what was waiting for you on the other side. But you ignored the fear, gritting your teeth as you opened the door and stepped inside and-
!!!
-fell back as a small form hit your chest. The Masters hands clutched at your suit as she leaned in, sniffing your clothes. Your heart pounded so hard in your chest you could feel it in your throat, and you were certain you'd pissed yourself just a little.
You stayed perfectly still as she circled you, her nostrils flaring as she inhaled deeply, searching for something. Then, a rough, guttural sound escaped her—a laugh, low and full of dark amusement.
"You've come to be taught?" she asked, her voice as harsh and grating as ever, like broken glass scraping across your skin. You nodded mutely, still too shaken to trust your voice. Slowly, your heartbeat began to steady, your fear easing just enough to let you rise to your feet. She watched you, eyes gleaming with something predatory, but she let you stand.
"Then let me teach you… so you can dispatch your foe," she murmured, and you weren't surprised she knew. She always knew. You merely nodded again and followed her as she moved to the center of the room, her presence filling the space like a storm cloud.
"You know of Cunning and Strength, at least somewhat" she began, her voice carrying a weight that pressed down on you. "But I will teach you of Agony."
You shifted as she opened her mouth and-
"Please, I have a family!"
"The war is over, yet you support them."
"They said they would kill my family if I didn't!"
"Do you think I care? You support them. If you care that much, you can burn with them."
You gasped as you trembled, tears dripping from your eyes. You remembered it, that time that you had lashed out so many years ago. You felt things welling up in your chest, horrid pain and feeling you had closed behind shuttered doors. You hated this pain, you hated what you had done, and you hated those curdling emotions.
A shuddering breath escaped your lips, and you blinked the tears away, focusing on the present. The room came back into focus, and the Master was still there, watching you from the windowsill, her malevolent grin wider than ever. She hopped down, her movements slow and deliberate, her tattered clothing and flowers in her hair that would have been comical on anybody else. But there was nothing funny about her. Not to you. Not now.
"Good," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction as she gave you a single pat on the head. Your body tensed at the contact, but you didn't flinch. Not this time. You blinked as she pulled away, her eyes never leaving you as she disappeared back into the hidden door she had emerged from.
You stayed on your knees for a moment longer, collecting yourself, breathing in and out, in and out. The emotions still sat heavy in your chest, but you ignored them, focusing on calming the storm inside before you finally rose to your feet.
You were going home and taking a nap. You needed it.
Your Master has spoken to you about Edge once more, about one of the three tenets of victory. You have learned about Agony, and just how much you hate the path that has led you here. Gain 1 Edge scrap
Edge lore is now level 2
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- Location
- florida
Excellent news before the fight.
Yay our first Friend(how surprising he is Lantern, please note my sarcasm). Also damn those rolls were good.
Master being the Master was quite fun as well and further proof she is incapable of not being evil even if she helps.
Now we already have Arch's first step of friendship should we invest actions in the rest of the inner circle or do we go Lantern Confidante part 2?(Those in the Know are aware of who was the first Lantern Confidante)
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We should definitely try to friend Ai next. I like her.