Taking into account the trait of "TREASURED HORN" we can assume that our moth is unique, or at least with other members of its species it is necessary to negotiate individually.
Winning Vote:
[X] Plan: Preparing for a Heart Ritual - Dappled Wing helping
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] You'll end a few minutes early, subtly of course (Gain an extra action)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals and summoned creatures
--[X] Search out a Ritual (Ask for cult's SH follower)
--[X] Search the Woods for summonable creatures
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Heart)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
--[X] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
-[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[X] Get involved Damsel of Distresses planning (There will be a vote on how to approach this later.)
-[X] [Dappled Wing] Ensure our planning meeting with DoD stays secret
Scheduled vote count started by Witherbrine26 on Jan 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM, finished with 78 posts and 16 votes.
[X] Plan: Preparing for a Heart Ritual - Dappled Wing helping
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] You'll end a few minutes early, subtly of course (Gain an extra action)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals and summoned creatures
--[X] Search out a Ritual (Ask for cult's SH follower)
--[X] Search the Woods for summonable creatures
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Heart)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
--[X] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
-[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[X] Get involved Damsel of Distresses planning (There will be a vote on how to approach this later.)
-[X] [Dappled Wing] Ensure our planning meeting with DoD stays secret
[X] Plan: Preparing for a Heart Ritual
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] You'll pray and preach as you have been told to (Gain no extra actions, reduce any worry raised by taking time off, default)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals and summoned creatures
--[X] Search out a Ritual (Ask for cult's SH follower)
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Heart)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
--[X] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
-[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[X] Get involved Damsel of Distresses planning (There will be a vote on how to approach this later.)
-[X] [Dappled Wing] (Search for an easy expedition)
[X] Plan Extra Credit
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] You'll end a few minutes early, subtly of course (Gain an extra action)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals and summoned creatures
--[X] Search out a Ritual (x2) (ask if SH cult members can help out)
--[X] Search the Woods for summonable creatures
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
--[X] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
-[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[X] Get involved Damsel of Distresses planning (There will be a vote on how to approach this later.)
-[X] [Dappled Wing] (Search for an easy expedition)
Why do I get the feeling our Dappled Wing will interpret that order as "hunt down and gut anyone spying on that specific meeting", resulting in a panic over a possible Cape Serial Killer on the loose?
Why do I get the feeling our Dappled Wing will interpret that order as "hunt down and gut anyone spying on that specific meeting", resulting in a panic over a possible Cape Serial Killer on the loose?
The Emir understands as well as, and perhaps even better than, us that Dappled is a hunter, so his instructions will imply protective measures against this. This is the minimum that is automatically expected from a member of the inner circle who leads the rituals and invocations of the cult.
The Emir understands as well as, and perhaps even better than, us that Dappled is a hunter, so his instructions will imply protective measures against this. This is the minimum that is automatically expected from a member of the inner circle who leads the rituals and invocations of the cult.
Yes, I thought about including some specific wording which would make sure something like that does not happen, but then decided Emir can think of it himself.
We are not the ones giving the specific order to Dappled Wing, Emir is. And he is not some kind of literal genie who will only do what we ask of him and nothing else. He will do what we vote for, but do it in a way he thinks is best for him.
[X] Plan: Preparing for a Heart Ritual - Dappled Wing helping
-[X] On work and the people you preach to.
--[X] You'll end a few minutes early, subtly of course (Gain an extra action)
-[X] On the goal, of rites, rituals and summoned creatures
--[X] Search out a Ritual (Ask for cult's SH follower)
--[X] Search the Woods for summonable creatures
-[X] On learning the Lores.
--[X] Lady Mylissa is willing to teach, request a lesson
---[X] What lore? (Heart)
-[X] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
--[X] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
-[X] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)
--[X] Get involved Damsel of Distresses planning (There will be a vote on how to approach this later.)
-[X] [Dappled Wing] Ensure our planning meeting with DoD stays secret
Seeing Delilah sitting in your kitchen, sipping tea, was a peculiar sight. Her presence always brought with it an air of unpredictability, but it was even more unusual for her to just appear like this, demanding a drink not ten minutes ago. Now, the two of you sat across from one another at the table, the silence hanging thick in the air. Delilah didn't seem to mind it—she rarely did—but you found your thoughts wandering as the moments ticked by, unsure of what exactly she had in mind for this visit.
When Delilah finally spoke, her words came without warning, cutting through the quiet with the same subtlety as a sledgehammer. "Lady Mylissa has requested that you bring Damsel of Distress closer to the cult."
You blinked, her directness catching you off guard, though it shouldn't have. Delilah was not one for tiptoeing around delicate matters. Setting down your teacup, you took a moment to study her face, trying to read any deeper intent in her calm, unreadable expression. She looked back at you steadily as if waiting for you to process the weight of her words.
"I assume this has to do with the meeting and Damsel's plans?" you asked, more out of necessity than genuine curiosity. The nod Delilah gave in response confirmed what you had already suspected. This was no casual request. The situation was more complicated than it appeared at first glance.
Damsel of Distress was, by all accounts, a wildcard—a powerful force that could swing events in unpredictable directions. You had spent enough time observing her, learning how she thought and how to maneuver her into relying on you, trusting you. You were confident in your ability to pull her further into your orbit, to nudge her subtly closer to Lady Mylissa's designs. But even knowing that the request still sat heavy in your stomach. It was one thing to offer guidance and influence; it was another to know that Lady Mylissa had her eye on this particular pawn in her plans.
"Alright," you finally said, keeping your tone neutral. It wasn't a commitment, not really, and you had no doubt that Delilah had noticed the careful ambiguity in your response. But she said nothing more on the matter. After all, Lady Mylissa had not yet decided to call in her full favor on this. You doubted she would either; that favor was something concrete tying you to the cult, and she wouldn't burn it on a single parahuman.
Delilah's lips twitched in what might have been satisfaction, though it was hard to tell with her. She stood, leaving the teacup on the table, untouched since her first sip. "Good," was all she said before she walked out of your kitchen, her departure as sudden as her arrival. No parting words, no further instructions—just the soft sound of the door closing behind her.
You let out a breath, rubbing your forehead as you leaned back in your chair, staring at the ceiling for a long moment. The weight of her request lingered in the air, the complexity of it tugging at your mind. You were walking a fine line now, balancing your own influence over Damsel of Distress with the demands of Lady Mylissa. One misstep could unravel everything.
You glanced over at the clock. You were meeting with Damsel and Charlotte later, so there would be time to figure out your next steps then.
[Secret Meeting DC: 35]
[Roll: 37+12(Intrigue)+10(MOTH) = 59]
You weren't meeting at Damsel's place tonight, which was unusual. Instead, you were heading to Charlotte's. She had assured you it would be safe, and while you trusted her judgment, you had taken an extra precaution. The Dappled Wing was circling above, unseen, keeping watch from the shadows, its instincts sharp and its predatory nature attuned to even the slightest disturbance. It should have been more than enough to ensure security, but there was still a faint nervousness gnawing at you. The Dappled Wing had its... tendencies. A misstep or misunderstanding might cause problems of its own.
You took a breath, steeling yourself. The stakes weren't clear yet, but you could feel that something significant was brewing. Nothing could go wrong this early—not before you even knew what the full plan was. You had no clear idea of what Damsel intended beyond her desire for something long-term. This operation, whatever it was, would last at least a month, perhaps two. It wasn't something to be rushed into recklessly, and that worried you as much as it intrigued you. The vagueness of her ambitions left too many possibilities hanging in the air.
Arriving at Charlotte's modest home, you rapped gently on the door. Almost immediately, it swung open to reveal Charlotte standing there with her usual bright smile. She ushered you inside quickly, the warmth of her home contrasting with the growing tension in your mind. You made your way to the table, sitting down with an air of casualness that belied the watchful eye you kept on your surroundings. Charlotte wouldn't betray you—there was no reason to suspect that. But even so, being careful never hurt. Trust, after all, was fragile, easily shattered by the wrong whisper or glance.
Thankfully, nothing seemed amiss. The Dappled Wing had remained silent as well, which meant it hadn't detected any threats. You allowed yourself a moment of relief. If things went smoothly, you might even leave tonight without feeling the weight of yet another danger hanging over your head. But that all depended on what Damsel had in store.
Not long after, the door opened again, and Damsel strode in, immediately shifting the atmosphere in the room. There was something about her presence that demanded attention, and tonight, she was not the girl you had become accustomed to. She wasn't the young woman seeking guidance, learning to balance her powers and her ambitions. No, this Damsel was garbed for war.
Her appearance was striking—a long black dress that trailed elegantly to her ankles, far more regal than the simple attire she usually wore. It clung to her figure, flowing with every movement, and her face was obscured by a mask—delicate, yet sinister, with its edges curving upward like the hint of a smile or a sneer. It wasn't ostentatious, but it was enough to change her entirely. This wasn't a girl seeking help; this was a supervillain ready to carve out her place in the world. The sight of her sent a faint prickle up your spine, a reminder of the dangerous waters you were stepping into.
Without preamble, Damsel made her intentions clear. "I'm going to push the PRT out of town," she declared, her voice firm and unyielding. There was no hesitation, no trace of the self-doubt that often clung to her. This was bold. It was audacious. And it was dangerous.
You blinked, taking in her words. A shiver of apprehension ran through you, your mind already racing through the implications. Pushing out the PRT wasn't just a grand gesture—it was a move that could spiral out of control quickly, inviting retaliation and drawing unwanted attention. The risks were monumental, not just for her but for everyone involved. The town would be caught in the crossfire, and you weren't sure Damsel fully understood how far things could go if her plan gained traction.
Still, you remained composed. You were here, and she had trusted you enough to involve you in her plans, to let you offer advice. That trust was not something you could take lightly. But now you had to decide—how were you going to handle this.?
[] Feed the PRT: This has to stop, call up Edict and let her know what Damsel is planning. She'll come by with some folks in the midst of the job and do her best to take Damsel out. With any luck she'll get the help she needs, and won't be in Stafford anymore.
-The cult will disapprove of this, as will Charlotte
-Damsel may be taken out of play, bundled away to a jail cell or another city.
-The PRT will appreciate this; in their eyes, you will be more trustworthy.
[] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
-You will have access to all of the Cult's resources for this.
-Damsel will trust you much more, you'll be Close Friends.
-Not strictly legal; the PRT may lean on you a bit after the job.
[] Support her: You will simply help her, not fancy tricks beyond offering a hand here and there. Is it illegal? Of course. Will the cult disapprove? Absolutely. But some things aren't about that; some things are about being a good person, and helping Damsel of Distress may just fall under that.
-Just you, Charlotte, and Damsel.
-Damsel will grow more into herself.
-Very illegal; should you be suspected to be involved, the PRT will start poking around.
This is how you will be approaching the planning and will effect your options next turn. However this turn the effects will be only narrative.
[X] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
It's skeevy, but I don't think this is a choice we should go all-in on; there's little to gain and much to lose. Plus, ratting her out would waste the nat 100 and actions we spent getting here.
[X] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
[X] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
This doesn't seem to me to be worth pissing off the cult (and Charlotte). And I can't really see Damsel's plan to push out the PRT going off without bringing a lot of heat down on us (especially since we're already known to be interacting with her).
[X] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
[X] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
Yeah, no. As much as I want Emir to be a somewhat good person and as much as I want to actually support Damsel, actually going along with her plan is a terrible idea.
I would prefer putting her in our debt and not in cult's debt, though. But this can be done by limiting the cult assets used.
[X] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
Do we have to sabotage?
In the case of Damsel, this is deadly dangerous considering that she will undoubtedly blow us to atoms if she finds out about it?
Can we just wait for her to fail naturally so that we can start pulling her towards the cult?
[X] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
Ah, if only we could outright tell her "We're working on getting the PRT under our thumb, and it would be very annoying if you chased them off after all this work. Want to join?"
Damsel's plan is a bad idea for everyone. Including Damsel. And calling the PRT... if they actually wanted to apprehend her they already would have.
[X] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
Do we have to sabotage?
In the case of Damsel, this is deadly dangerous considering that she will undoubtedly blow us to atoms if she finds out about it?
Can we just wait for her to fail naturally so that we can start pulling her towards the cult?
Sabotage is part of the reel in. It's nothing overt, and frankly a lot of it will be simply letting Damsel run off with her own poor plans. You're simply not offering the best advice and letting her take the lead. Issue is she's not the best at that. So your sabotage is less active and much more you're not reigning in her issues.
[X] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
[X] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
[X] Support her: You will simply help her, not fancy tricks beyond offering a hand here and there. Is it illegal? Of course. Will the cult disapprove? Absolutely. But some things aren't about that; some things are about being a good person, and helping Damsel of Distress may just fall under that.
Sabotage is part of the reel in. It's nothing overt, and frankly a lot of it will be simply letting Damsel run off with her own poor plans. You're simply not offering the best advice and letting her take the lead. Issue is she's not the best at that. So your sabotage is less active and much more you're not reigning in her issues.
This convinced me to reel her in. It would be for the best for everyone involved that PRT continues to exist here. Preferably under cult's control.
[X] Reel her in: You'll let her stumble and pick her up before she hits the ground. Careful sabotage here and a nudge there will cause her to fall further into your debt.
