- Location
- Arcadia
In other words, do not push it. Take Settra's already unprecedented beneficence for what it is and be thankful for it. He could have easily made the duels even more grueling if he wished.
Echoes of Creation (30k/Exalted)
- Thread starter Yzarc
- Start date
- Crossover
If that's how he's going to play it, he's going to find that the enemy of my enemy is not my friend as if he and the Shard of Winter do each other enough damage to each other that we can shoot him in the back of the head.
As we can take the view that we graciously allowed him to back down and suggest the duels with his champions rather than us killing him and his army and recycling them for spare parts, and he's spat on our generosity.
On the gift, unless Yzarc is generous enough to let us retcon it, as we took Malleable Spirit before knowing it would never work, then we might just want to start running to turn invisible.
Specific weapons are as much stunt fodder as anything else, but generally, as it's a war game, from the Warhammer side at least gear really matters - particularly for a Demigoddess of the Machine God.
Edits done, I had her use Apecraft's Blessing to use her weapons with... realistically as low of a DC as it can go, she is mental primary right now and that's a mental roll.
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Actually, talking of weapons; long shot, but the Mechanicus does actually have weapons designed specifically to kill daemon engines. They're a known issue for them. Arc weapons are designed to drive out possessing spirits, putting the hurt on the spirit while disabling the possessed object.
The Necrosphinx is basically a daemon engine.
We probably don't have one though.
Hmm, another option, which may not work - Thalassa could have used Instant Diagnosis on the previous constructs as they were getting damaged.
As she learned how to repair them, she'd have learned what makes them tick, and possibly how best to make them not tick any more.
The Necrosphinx is basically a daemon engine.
We probably don't have one though.
Hmm, another option, which may not work - Thalassa could have used Instant Diagnosis on the previous constructs as they were getting damaged.
As she learned how to repair them, she'd have learned what makes them tick, and possibly how best to make them not tick any more.
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Yzarc
The Spark of Madness
Edited my post to clarify it.
Yes. It is easier to retcon the gift than justifying Settra allowing you time to change it.
Ah... OK then changing back, one moment.
Edit: Quoting the plan here so people can see it:
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[X] Thalassa vs Usirian (Switch with Lorgar)
KnightofTempest
The Man who would be King
- Location
- Chicago
[X] Thalassa vs Usirian (Switch with Lorgar)
Do we need a new stunt?
Also, the interaction of Because I Think I Can and Charmed Life mean that these two actions:
-[] Turn 1 Action 1: Preternatural Awareness Use willpower with Iron Resolve for +2 Success
-[] Turn 1 Action 2: Spirit Ward Use Willpower for +1 Successes (No Iron Resolve)
Almost certainly don't cost Willpower.
Thalassa should probably be 'spending' a Willpower for an extra success a lot because of this.
Notably, we should probably be 'spending' a Willpower on Death by a Thousand Cuts for an extra attack per turn for the scene.
This may possibly be too good to be true, but the literal language of the merit interacts interestingly with the way you can spend any amount of Willpower for extra successes when activating psychic powers. If read literally, then for any 3 dot or above power you can spend ten points of Willpower for ten extra successes, and then, because that roll is extraordinarily likely to succeed, get all ten back.
This is a bit risky if people have perfect or quasi-perfect defences or wards, where it could very rarely go catastrophically wrong, but in many cases it could be amazingly useful.
Also, the interaction of Because I Think I Can and Charmed Life mean that these two actions:
-[] Turn 1 Action 1: Preternatural Awareness Use willpower with Iron Resolve for +2 Success
-[] Turn 1 Action 2: Spirit Ward Use Willpower for +1 Successes (No Iron Resolve)
Almost certainly don't cost Willpower.
Thalassa should probably be 'spending' a Willpower for an extra success a lot because of this.
Notably, we should probably be 'spending' a Willpower on Death by a Thousand Cuts for an extra attack per turn for the scene.
This may possibly be too good to be true, but the literal language of the merit interacts interestingly with the way you can spend any amount of Willpower for extra successes when activating psychic powers. If read literally, then for any 3 dot or above power you can spend ten points of Willpower for ten extra successes, and then, because that roll is extraordinarily likely to succeed, get all ten back.
This is a bit risky if people have perfect or quasi-perfect defences or wards, where it could very rarely go catastrophically wrong, but in many cases it could be amazingly useful.
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I thought about spending Willpower for Death by a Thousand Cuts... and obviously so did the GM
Death of a Thousand Cuts
System: Reflexively Roll Physical + Athletics at base difficulty and no extra or bonus sux or superhuman attributes. Each success gives the demigod one additional attack per turn at full dice that counts towards their action limit but not their Multi-Action Penalty. The charm can only be rolled at the start of combat and starts from the next turn. This lasts for the duration of the scene. If you go first in combat, you can roll this reflexively and enjoy the extra attacks from the first turn.
You cannot spend willpower for extra successes on it. No extra success, no bonus success, no superhuman attributes for that one
Ah, my mistake. It would indeed be too good.
Rereading it again, it wouldn't help much anyway. Any successes over three don't help anyway, as I think the limit is five extra actions (or maybe even five actions).
On a side note; I'm much more confident about defeating a giant animated stone statue with her immune to earth based attacks. If it does work and the first time the Necrosohinx hits her she just goes soaring off into the distance unharmed, firing back all the way, before crashing back down to earth, which also doesn't harm her, it would be very funny.
Presumably it would have other attack modes, but they probably aren't as good, and it's unlikely to initially realise it needs to use them.
BTW I think I may have figured out a way for Lorgar to use his Mythos against the Tomb Scorpion
[] Telepathy 5: Contact the Liche Priest that is the heart of the Tomb Scorpion
-[] Gaslighting: Figure out how to invert his intimacy of loyalty to Setra
-[] Social Combat: Try to get him to throw the fight, all the others lost so it would not be that noticeable.
[] Telepathy 5: Contact the Liche Priest that is the heart of the Tomb Scorpion
-[] Gaslighting: Figure out how to invert his intimacy of loyalty to Setra
-[] Social Combat: Try to get him to throw the fight, all the others lost so it would not be that noticeable.
Actually, as no one is voting for the instructions
[X] DragonParadox
On the vote; one thing we may want to consider is pre-emptively targeting its tail, particularly its stinger. If it has any non earthen attacks, it's likely to come from there.
I could see that working, although I could also see Settra having what are essentially mythos powers to enforce loyalty.
This tactic also synergises well with the use of Psychic Hypnosis and Psychic Vampire. Morgan has Synergy 4 so he can combine those powers into a single custom phenomena, although what it precisely does is at Yzarc's discretion.
High level true faith can also turn corporeal undead creatures into living humans, so another thing he could try is to do that to the dead Liche Priest.
Unlike living Liche Priests, the one in the Tomb Scorpion actually is undead, and I strongly doubt the Tomb Scorpion is designed to be controlled by a living creature.
[X] DragonParadox
On the vote; one thing we may want to consider is pre-emptively targeting its tail, particularly its stinger. If it has any non earthen attacks, it's likely to come from there.
I could see that working, although I could also see Settra having what are essentially mythos powers to enforce loyalty.
This tactic also synergises well with the use of Psychic Hypnosis and Psychic Vampire. Morgan has Synergy 4 so he can combine those powers into a single custom phenomena, although what it precisely does is at Yzarc's discretion.
High level true faith can also turn corporeal undead creatures into living humans, so another thing he could try is to do that to the dead Liche Priest.
Unlike living Liche Priests, the one in the Tomb Scorpion actually is undead, and I strongly doubt the Tomb Scorpion is designed to be controlled by a living creature.
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Having thought about it some more, for the telepathy, I'd go with:
[] Use Synergy 4 to create a gestalt psychic phenomena combining Telepathy 3/4 (telepathy is a free action, can learn anything you want from target's memory, entire conversations worth of communication between telepath and target can happen in the blink of an eye), Telepathy 5 (telepathic communication can potentially be indistinguishable from the target's own thoughts if the telepath makes a social roll, so they act on those thoughts at the first opportunity), Psychic Vampirism 2 (to drain the receiver's Willpower to resist), and Precognition 4 (to find out how the receiver is likely to respond or if they have mental defences).
- [] Contact the Liche Priest that is the heart of the Tomb Scorpion with the Gestalt phenomena.
-[] Gaslighting: Figure out how to invert his intimacy of loyalty to Setra
-[] Social Combat: Try to get him to throw the fight using the ability to hold entire telepathic conversations instantly, all the others lost so it would not be that noticeable, and him Telepathically collaborating with Lorgar to stage manage a defeat is hard to distinguish from Lorgar's precognition, as the Liche Priest can make attacks that would have been real if Lorgar has been unaware of them. If that fails, Lorgar should continue to use the Telepathy 3 to make it a free action to use the Telepathy 5 ability to disguise telepathic communication as their own thoughts to encourage the liche priest to take Lorgar's preferred actions and to let Lorgar know what he does if he chooses to do something else.
There's need to be a stunt, but unless the dead Liche priest has very good mental defences they're probably screwed, and if they do Precognition should tell Lorgar that in advance.
Telepathy 4's ability to hold entire conversations worth of communication in an instant without requiring an action makes combat time social attacks vastly more powerful. Telepathy 5's ability to let you disguise your communication as their own thoughts is amazing in combination with that.
It would be worth spending a lot of Willpower on extra successes on the telepathy to push through any mind shields the Liche Priest does have to establish the Link, if Precognition reveals that they're present but not absolute.
Even if he doesn't throw the fight, Lorgar's social skills mean that he should basically always pass the social roll to disguise his communication as the Liche Priest's own thoughts subsequently and so dance to Lorgar's tune - and as the initial attack would also be disguised as the priest's own thoughts, he would probably never be aware he was attacked.
[] Use Synergy 4 to create a gestalt psychic phenomena combining Telepathy 3/4 (telepathy is a free action, can learn anything you want from target's memory, entire conversations worth of communication between telepath and target can happen in the blink of an eye), Telepathy 5 (telepathic communication can potentially be indistinguishable from the target's own thoughts if the telepath makes a social roll, so they act on those thoughts at the first opportunity), Psychic Vampirism 2 (to drain the receiver's Willpower to resist), and Precognition 4 (to find out how the receiver is likely to respond or if they have mental defences).
- [] Contact the Liche Priest that is the heart of the Tomb Scorpion with the Gestalt phenomena.
-[] Gaslighting: Figure out how to invert his intimacy of loyalty to Setra
-[] Social Combat: Try to get him to throw the fight using the ability to hold entire telepathic conversations instantly, all the others lost so it would not be that noticeable, and him Telepathically collaborating with Lorgar to stage manage a defeat is hard to distinguish from Lorgar's precognition, as the Liche Priest can make attacks that would have been real if Lorgar has been unaware of them. If that fails, Lorgar should continue to use the Telepathy 3 to make it a free action to use the Telepathy 5 ability to disguise telepathic communication as their own thoughts to encourage the liche priest to take Lorgar's preferred actions and to let Lorgar know what he does if he chooses to do something else.
There's need to be a stunt, but unless the dead Liche priest has very good mental defences they're probably screwed, and if they do Precognition should tell Lorgar that in advance.
Telepathy 4's ability to hold entire conversations worth of communication in an instant without requiring an action makes combat time social attacks vastly more powerful. Telepathy 5's ability to let you disguise your communication as their own thoughts is amazing in combination with that.
It would be worth spending a lot of Willpower on extra successes on the telepathy to push through any mind shields the Liche Priest does have to establish the Link, if Precognition reveals that they're present but not absolute.
Even if he doesn't throw the fight, Lorgar's social skills mean that he should basically always pass the social roll to disguise his communication as the Liche Priest's own thoughts subsequently and so dance to Lorgar's tune - and as the initial attack would also be disguised as the priest's own thoughts, he would probably never be aware he was attacked.
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Turn 7: The Third Fight
Yzarc
The Spark of Madness
Colchis - 831.M30
The battlefield was set against the backdrop of ancient ruins, the remnants of a once-great civilization now standing as silent witnesses to the clash of divine wills. Thalassa, high priestess and warrior of the Machine God, stood resolute. Her armor, an intricate blend of sacred metal and divine circuitry, shimmered with the power of her faith. In her hands, she wielded two archeotech guns, relics of a bygone era that manipulated gravity itself.
Opposite her stood Usirian, the dark priest of Pha'a and Usekhp. His form was cloaked in shadow, his eyes glowing with an unholy light. The air around him seemed to ripple with dark energy, a testament to his mastery of the ancient and sinister powers of his gods. In one hand, he held a staff topped with a skull, the other hand crackling with necromantic energy.
The two divine champions faced each other, the air thick with tension and anticipation. The ground beneath them seemed to hum with the energy of their opposing deities, each seeking to assert their dominance over the other.
"The Machine God is the embodiment of progress and innovation," Thalassa declared, her voice carrying the weight of absolute conviction. "Through the divine machinations of His will, we transcend the limitations of flesh and ascend to a higher state of being. The Machine God's power is absolute, His wisdom unparalleled."
Usirian sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Pha'a and Usekhp are the true rulers of the cosmos. Their power is eternal, their will unyielding. The Machine God is but a pale imitation of their grandeur. Through their blessings, I command the forces of life and death itself."
With a flick of her wrist, Thalassa unleashed a barrage of gravitic pulses from her archeotech guns. They streaked across the battlefield, distorting the very fabric of reality as they moved. Usirian countered with a wave of his hand, summoning a wall of dark energy to deflect the attack. The pulses exploded against the barrier, warping space and lighting up the battlefield in a dazzling display of divine power.
"You cannot hope to withstand the power of the Machine God," Thalassa intoned, her eyes blazing with divine light. "His knowledge is infinite, His power boundless. You and your dark gods are nothing but relics of a bygone era, destined to be forgotten."
Usirian snarled, his form shifting and warping as he called upon the dark powers of Pha'a and Usekhp. "You underestimate the true power of my gods. Their dominion over life and death is absolute. They have ruled since time immemorial, and they will continue to rule long after your Machine God has been reduced to dust."
The ground beneath Thalassa's feet erupted as tendrils of dark energy shot up, seeking to ensnare her. She leaped back, her movements fluid and precise, and countered with a sweep of her guns, cutting through the tendrils with ease. Her armor glowed brighter, the runes etched into its surface pulsing with divine energy.
"You speak of power, Usirian, but you fail to grasp the true essence of the Machine God's might," Thalassa said, her voice steady and unwavering.
Usirian responded with a blast of necromantic energy, dark and foul. Thalassa raised her guns, and fired, deflecting the attack.
"The Machine God's power is absolute," Thalassa declared. "Your dark sorcery cannot hope to overcome them."
Usirian's eyes narrowed, and he raised his staff high, calling upon the full power of his gods. The air around him darkened, and the ground trembled as ancient forces were summoned forth. A massive wave of dark energy surged towards Thalassa, threatening to engulf her.
Thalassa stood her ground, her faith unwavering. She channeled the full power of the Machine God through her guns, a beam of pure gravitational force shooting forth to meet Usirian's attack once more. The two forces collided, and the battlefield was bathed in blinding light and darkness. The ground shook, and the air crackled with the intensity of their clash.
For a moment, it seemed as though neither side would give way. The divine light of the Machine God and the dark energy of Pha'a and Usekhp were locked in a deadly stalemate, each struggling to overpower the other. Thalassa gritted her teeth, her form straining as she poured every ounce of her faith and power into the beam.
Finally, with a titanic effort, Thalassa's gravitational force began to push back the darkness. The beam inched forward, slowly but surely, overwhelming Usirian's dark energy. Usirian's eyes widened in disbelief and fury, but he could do nothing to stop the relentless advance of Thalassa's divine power.
The dark energy dissipated, and Usirian was thrown back, his form battered and weakened. Thalassa stood triumphant, her armor glowing with the radiant light of the Machine God. She had proven the superiority of her faith, her power unmatched.
But as the dust settled, it was clear that the battle was far from over. Usirian struggled to his feet, his eyes burning with hatred and determination. The stalemate had been broken, but the war between their divine wills raged on.
Thalassa, took a deep breath. "Usirian," she began, her voice steady and composed, "we are at an impasse. Our powers are formidable, but it seems we are evenly matched. Perhaps words can illuminate what our weapons cannot."
Usirian, his eyes still burning with dark energy, nodded slowly. "Very well. Let us debate the merits of our gods. Let us see whose divine will truly holds the greater power."
Thalassa straightened, her presence commanding and resolute. "The Machine God is the embodiment of progress, innovation, and unity. Through His divine will, we transcend the limitations of flesh and achieve a higher state of being. Our technology is an extension of His power, a testament to the infinite potential of a united mind. The Machine God does not just grant power; He grants purpose, guiding us towards a future where all can share in His glory."
Usirian scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Your Machine God is nothing more than a construct of metal and circuits, devoid of true life. Pha'a and Usekhp are the rulers of life and death, their power eternal and unyielding. They command the forces of nature, the very essence of existence itself. Through their blessings, I wield the power to control life and death, to bend reality to my will. Your Machine God is but a pale imitation of their grandeur."
Thalassa's eyes narrowed, her resolve unwavering. "You speak of life and death, Usirian, but you fail to understand the true essence of existence. The Machine God represents more than mere survival; He represents the transcendence of mortality. Our technology, our faith, they are the culmination of countless minds working in unison, bound by purpose and devotion. We are not slaves to the whims of nature; we are its masters, shaping our destiny through the divine will of the Machine God."
Usirian's expression darkened, his form shimmering with dark energy. "Your arrogance blinds you. You believe that your technology makes you superior, but it is nothing more than a crutch. True power lies in the natural order, in the eternal cycle of life and death. Pha'a and Usekhp have ruled since time immemorial, their power unchallenged. Your Machine God is but a fleeting moment in the grand tapestry of existence, destined to be forgotten."
Thalassa raised her chin, her gaze unwavering. "You underestimate the power of unity and progress, Usirian. The Machine God is not bound by time or mortality. He is the embodiment of our collective will, our shared purpose. Through Him, we achieve immortality, not as individuals, but as a united whole. Our technology is not a crutch; it is the realization of our divine potential."
Usirian's eyes blazed with fury. "You delude yourself. Your technology will fail, your faith will falter, and your Machine God will fall. Pha'a and Usekhp have seen the rise and fall of countless civilizations, their power eternal. They will outlast your Machine God, and their dominion will remain unchallenged."
Thalassa's voice was calm, yet firm. "Time will tell, Usirian. But know this: the Machine God is not just a deity; He is the embodiment of our hopes, our dreams, our collective will. As long as we have faith, as long as we strive for progress, He will endure. The power of unity, of purpose, is greater than any individual force. The Machine God will guide us to a future where all can share in His glory."
Usirian's form shimmered with dark energy, his eyes narrowing. "We shall see. But remember, the power of life and death, of the eternal cycle, is not easily challenged. Pha'a and Usekhp will not be denied their dominion."
Thalassa's lips pressed into a thin line as she readied her stance, eyes locked onto her adversary. "Life and death are but two sides of the same coin, Usirian. The Machine God transcends such duality, bringing order to chaos and progress to stagnation."
Usirian's laughter echoed through the desolate battlefield. "Order to chaos? Progress to stagnation? These are but words. The eternal cycle is not chaos; it is the fundamental law of existence. Every end is a new beginning. Your Machine God seeks to impose artificial order, but in doing so, He disrupts the natural harmony."
Thalassa's archeotech guns hummed softly, the gravitational forces they commanded rippling through the air. "Natural harmony is a fallacy. Nature is brutal, indifferent, and unkind. Through the Machine God, we rise above such cruelty, creating a world where logic and reason prevail over primal savagery."
"Primal savagery?" Usirian's dark energy pulsed with renewed vigor. "You misunderstand the true nature of existence. Pha'a and Usekhp do not revel in savagery; they embody the balance of all things. Life and death, creation and destruction, these forces are not to be feared but embraced. Your Machine God's rejection of this balance will lead to His downfall."
Thalassa stepped forward, her voice unwavering. "Balance is but a veil for complacency. The Machine God teaches us to strive for more, to harness the potential within us all and forge a future of our own making. Through Him, we unlock the secrets of the universe, transcending the limitations imposed by the so-called natural order."
Usirian's eyes blazed with a cold, dark fire. "You speak of unlocking secrets, yet you blind yourself to the truths that have governed existence since time began. Pha'a and Usekhp do not impose limitations; they reveal the paths we must take to understand our place in the cosmos. Your Machine God's defiance of this wisdom will be His undoing."
Thalassa raised her archeotech guns, the gravitational waves around her intensifying. "Wisdom is not static, Usirian. It evolves, just as we do. The Machine God represents the pinnacle of that evolution, guiding us towards a destiny where knowledge and innovation reign supreme. We are not bound by the past; we are architects of the future."
Usirian's form flickered, dark energy coalescing around him. "You cannot escape the past. It is the foundation upon which all is built. Pha'a and Usekhp are the eternal witnesses of this truth, their power unchanging and undeniable. Your Machine God may wield great influence, but He cannot erase the primal forces that shaped the universe."
Thalassa's eyes shone with determination. "The past is a foundation, yes, but it is not a shackle. The Machine God empowers us to build upon that foundation, to reach heights undreamed of by those who came before. We honor the past by surpassing it, not by being enslaved to it."
For a moment, the battlefield was silent, the two divine champions locked in a standoff of wills and beliefs. The tension was palpable, the air thick with the weight of their convictions.
Usirian finally spoke, his tone more measured. "Perhaps there is wisdom in your words. The cycle of life and death, the balance of creation and destruction, they are eternal truths, but I see now that they are not the only truths. The Machine God's pursuit of progress and innovation holds a different kind of power, one that cannot be dismissed."
Thalassa nodded slowly, her gaze softening. "And perhaps I have been too quick to dismiss the balance you hold so dear. The Machine God's path is one of relentless advancement, but there is value in understanding the rhythms of the natural world. Both paths hold merit, and perhaps, together, they can illuminate a greater truth."
Usirian's dark energy dimmed slightly, his form becoming more tangible. "A tie, then. Not of defeat, but of mutual respect. Our gods represent different aspects of the divine, each with their own strengths and wisdom. Perhaps it is in this diversity that true understanding can be found."
Thalassa lowered her weapons, the gravitational waves dissipating into the air. "Agreed. Let us honor this stalemate as a testament to the power and wisdom of both our gods. We have fought fiercely, but it is in recognizing each other's strengths that we find true victory."
GAIN:
Thalassa gains Mythos 3.
CHOOSE REWARD:
Thalassa gains one of the Following
[] LORE OF THE FORGE
[] LORE OF DEATH
[] LORE OF FLESH
WHAT HAPPENED?
Thalassa is, like all Archmagos, a Priest/tess of the Machine God. Now the Machine God IS a Special case among Gods. I will spoil no more on this. But what happened here is that two pinnacles of Craft of their respective gods met.
One, the Stone Statue, which was never alive but had life and death breathed into it, along with a will and a soul.
Then there was the Demigoddess, who broke all limits and ascended to a new and higher state of being, improving at break neck speed.
So they fought and as the rolls were even, so they debated Theology, trying to figure out whose Mythos would prevail. This Divine Discourse conferred understanding one's patron to the other. The Weaker Mythos would break before the stronger.
But both were roughly evenly matched (rolls were wacked here) and they called it a draw with EACH party gaining something from this.
Incidentally, this is also how Demigods unlock additional Lores, via defeating opposing divinity.
That said, keep in mind that Unreliable Narrator is in FULL effect.
The battlefield was set against the backdrop of ancient ruins, the remnants of a once-great civilization now standing as silent witnesses to the clash of divine wills. Thalassa, high priestess and warrior of the Machine God, stood resolute. Her armor, an intricate blend of sacred metal and divine circuitry, shimmered with the power of her faith. In her hands, she wielded two archeotech guns, relics of a bygone era that manipulated gravity itself.
Opposite her stood Usirian, the dark priest of Pha'a and Usekhp. His form was cloaked in shadow, his eyes glowing with an unholy light. The air around him seemed to ripple with dark energy, a testament to his mastery of the ancient and sinister powers of his gods. In one hand, he held a staff topped with a skull, the other hand crackling with necromantic energy.
The two divine champions faced each other, the air thick with tension and anticipation. The ground beneath them seemed to hum with the energy of their opposing deities, each seeking to assert their dominance over the other.
"The Machine God is the embodiment of progress and innovation," Thalassa declared, her voice carrying the weight of absolute conviction. "Through the divine machinations of His will, we transcend the limitations of flesh and ascend to a higher state of being. The Machine God's power is absolute, His wisdom unparalleled."
Usirian sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Pha'a and Usekhp are the true rulers of the cosmos. Their power is eternal, their will unyielding. The Machine God is but a pale imitation of their grandeur. Through their blessings, I command the forces of life and death itself."
With a flick of her wrist, Thalassa unleashed a barrage of gravitic pulses from her archeotech guns. They streaked across the battlefield, distorting the very fabric of reality as they moved. Usirian countered with a wave of his hand, summoning a wall of dark energy to deflect the attack. The pulses exploded against the barrier, warping space and lighting up the battlefield in a dazzling display of divine power.
"You cannot hope to withstand the power of the Machine God," Thalassa intoned, her eyes blazing with divine light. "His knowledge is infinite, His power boundless. You and your dark gods are nothing but relics of a bygone era, destined to be forgotten."
Usirian snarled, his form shifting and warping as he called upon the dark powers of Pha'a and Usekhp. "You underestimate the true power of my gods. Their dominion over life and death is absolute. They have ruled since time immemorial, and they will continue to rule long after your Machine God has been reduced to dust."
The ground beneath Thalassa's feet erupted as tendrils of dark energy shot up, seeking to ensnare her. She leaped back, her movements fluid and precise, and countered with a sweep of her guns, cutting through the tendrils with ease. Her armor glowed brighter, the runes etched into its surface pulsing with divine energy.
"You speak of power, Usirian, but you fail to grasp the true essence of the Machine God's might," Thalassa said, her voice steady and unwavering.
Usirian responded with a blast of necromantic energy, dark and foul. Thalassa raised her guns, and fired, deflecting the attack.
"The Machine God's power is absolute," Thalassa declared. "Your dark sorcery cannot hope to overcome them."
Usirian's eyes narrowed, and he raised his staff high, calling upon the full power of his gods. The air around him darkened, and the ground trembled as ancient forces were summoned forth. A massive wave of dark energy surged towards Thalassa, threatening to engulf her.
Thalassa stood her ground, her faith unwavering. She channeled the full power of the Machine God through her guns, a beam of pure gravitational force shooting forth to meet Usirian's attack once more. The two forces collided, and the battlefield was bathed in blinding light and darkness. The ground shook, and the air crackled with the intensity of their clash.
For a moment, it seemed as though neither side would give way. The divine light of the Machine God and the dark energy of Pha'a and Usekhp were locked in a deadly stalemate, each struggling to overpower the other. Thalassa gritted her teeth, her form straining as she poured every ounce of her faith and power into the beam.
Finally, with a titanic effort, Thalassa's gravitational force began to push back the darkness. The beam inched forward, slowly but surely, overwhelming Usirian's dark energy. Usirian's eyes widened in disbelief and fury, but he could do nothing to stop the relentless advance of Thalassa's divine power.
The dark energy dissipated, and Usirian was thrown back, his form battered and weakened. Thalassa stood triumphant, her armor glowing with the radiant light of the Machine God. She had proven the superiority of her faith, her power unmatched.
But as the dust settled, it was clear that the battle was far from over. Usirian struggled to his feet, his eyes burning with hatred and determination. The stalemate had been broken, but the war between their divine wills raged on.
Thalassa, took a deep breath. "Usirian," she began, her voice steady and composed, "we are at an impasse. Our powers are formidable, but it seems we are evenly matched. Perhaps words can illuminate what our weapons cannot."
Usirian, his eyes still burning with dark energy, nodded slowly. "Very well. Let us debate the merits of our gods. Let us see whose divine will truly holds the greater power."
Thalassa straightened, her presence commanding and resolute. "The Machine God is the embodiment of progress, innovation, and unity. Through His divine will, we transcend the limitations of flesh and achieve a higher state of being. Our technology is an extension of His power, a testament to the infinite potential of a united mind. The Machine God does not just grant power; He grants purpose, guiding us towards a future where all can share in His glory."
Usirian scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Your Machine God is nothing more than a construct of metal and circuits, devoid of true life. Pha'a and Usekhp are the rulers of life and death, their power eternal and unyielding. They command the forces of nature, the very essence of existence itself. Through their blessings, I wield the power to control life and death, to bend reality to my will. Your Machine God is but a pale imitation of their grandeur."
Thalassa's eyes narrowed, her resolve unwavering. "You speak of life and death, Usirian, but you fail to understand the true essence of existence. The Machine God represents more than mere survival; He represents the transcendence of mortality. Our technology, our faith, they are the culmination of countless minds working in unison, bound by purpose and devotion. We are not slaves to the whims of nature; we are its masters, shaping our destiny through the divine will of the Machine God."
Usirian's expression darkened, his form shimmering with dark energy. "Your arrogance blinds you. You believe that your technology makes you superior, but it is nothing more than a crutch. True power lies in the natural order, in the eternal cycle of life and death. Pha'a and Usekhp have ruled since time immemorial, their power unchallenged. Your Machine God is but a fleeting moment in the grand tapestry of existence, destined to be forgotten."
Thalassa raised her chin, her gaze unwavering. "You underestimate the power of unity and progress, Usirian. The Machine God is not bound by time or mortality. He is the embodiment of our collective will, our shared purpose. Through Him, we achieve immortality, not as individuals, but as a united whole. Our technology is not a crutch; it is the realization of our divine potential."
Usirian's eyes blazed with fury. "You delude yourself. Your technology will fail, your faith will falter, and your Machine God will fall. Pha'a and Usekhp have seen the rise and fall of countless civilizations, their power eternal. They will outlast your Machine God, and their dominion will remain unchallenged."
Thalassa's voice was calm, yet firm. "Time will tell, Usirian. But know this: the Machine God is not just a deity; He is the embodiment of our hopes, our dreams, our collective will. As long as we have faith, as long as we strive for progress, He will endure. The power of unity, of purpose, is greater than any individual force. The Machine God will guide us to a future where all can share in His glory."
Usirian's form shimmered with dark energy, his eyes narrowing. "We shall see. But remember, the power of life and death, of the eternal cycle, is not easily challenged. Pha'a and Usekhp will not be denied their dominion."
Thalassa's lips pressed into a thin line as she readied her stance, eyes locked onto her adversary. "Life and death are but two sides of the same coin, Usirian. The Machine God transcends such duality, bringing order to chaos and progress to stagnation."
Usirian's laughter echoed through the desolate battlefield. "Order to chaos? Progress to stagnation? These are but words. The eternal cycle is not chaos; it is the fundamental law of existence. Every end is a new beginning. Your Machine God seeks to impose artificial order, but in doing so, He disrupts the natural harmony."
Thalassa's archeotech guns hummed softly, the gravitational forces they commanded rippling through the air. "Natural harmony is a fallacy. Nature is brutal, indifferent, and unkind. Through the Machine God, we rise above such cruelty, creating a world where logic and reason prevail over primal savagery."
"Primal savagery?" Usirian's dark energy pulsed with renewed vigor. "You misunderstand the true nature of existence. Pha'a and Usekhp do not revel in savagery; they embody the balance of all things. Life and death, creation and destruction, these forces are not to be feared but embraced. Your Machine God's rejection of this balance will lead to His downfall."
Thalassa stepped forward, her voice unwavering. "Balance is but a veil for complacency. The Machine God teaches us to strive for more, to harness the potential within us all and forge a future of our own making. Through Him, we unlock the secrets of the universe, transcending the limitations imposed by the so-called natural order."
Usirian's eyes blazed with a cold, dark fire. "You speak of unlocking secrets, yet you blind yourself to the truths that have governed existence since time began. Pha'a and Usekhp do not impose limitations; they reveal the paths we must take to understand our place in the cosmos. Your Machine God's defiance of this wisdom will be His undoing."
Thalassa raised her archeotech guns, the gravitational waves around her intensifying. "Wisdom is not static, Usirian. It evolves, just as we do. The Machine God represents the pinnacle of that evolution, guiding us towards a destiny where knowledge and innovation reign supreme. We are not bound by the past; we are architects of the future."
Usirian's form flickered, dark energy coalescing around him. "You cannot escape the past. It is the foundation upon which all is built. Pha'a and Usekhp are the eternal witnesses of this truth, their power unchanging and undeniable. Your Machine God may wield great influence, but He cannot erase the primal forces that shaped the universe."
Thalassa's eyes shone with determination. "The past is a foundation, yes, but it is not a shackle. The Machine God empowers us to build upon that foundation, to reach heights undreamed of by those who came before. We honor the past by surpassing it, not by being enslaved to it."
For a moment, the battlefield was silent, the two divine champions locked in a standoff of wills and beliefs. The tension was palpable, the air thick with the weight of their convictions.
Usirian finally spoke, his tone more measured. "Perhaps there is wisdom in your words. The cycle of life and death, the balance of creation and destruction, they are eternal truths, but I see now that they are not the only truths. The Machine God's pursuit of progress and innovation holds a different kind of power, one that cannot be dismissed."
Thalassa nodded slowly, her gaze softening. "And perhaps I have been too quick to dismiss the balance you hold so dear. The Machine God's path is one of relentless advancement, but there is value in understanding the rhythms of the natural world. Both paths hold merit, and perhaps, together, they can illuminate a greater truth."
Usirian's dark energy dimmed slightly, his form becoming more tangible. "A tie, then. Not of defeat, but of mutual respect. Our gods represent different aspects of the divine, each with their own strengths and wisdom. Perhaps it is in this diversity that true understanding can be found."
Thalassa lowered her weapons, the gravitational waves dissipating into the air. "Agreed. Let us honor this stalemate as a testament to the power and wisdom of both our gods. We have fought fiercely, but it is in recognizing each other's strengths that we find true victory."
GAIN:
Thalassa gains Mythos 3.
CHOOSE REWARD:
Thalassa gains one of the Following
[] LORE OF THE FORGE
[] LORE OF DEATH
[] LORE OF FLESH
WHAT HAPPENED?
Thalassa is, like all Archmagos, a Priest/tess of the Machine God. Now the Machine God IS a Special case among Gods. I will spoil no more on this. But what happened here is that two pinnacles of Craft of their respective gods met.
One, the Stone Statue, which was never alive but had life and death breathed into it, along with a will and a soul.
Then there was the Demigoddess, who broke all limits and ascended to a new and higher state of being, improving at break neck speed.
So they fought and as the rolls were even, so they debated Theology, trying to figure out whose Mythos would prevail. This Divine Discourse conferred understanding one's patron to the other. The Weaker Mythos would break before the stronger.
But both were roughly evenly matched (rolls were wacked here) and they called it a draw with EACH party gaining something from this.
Incidentally, this is also how Demigods unlock additional Lores, via defeating opposing divinity.
That said, keep in mind that Unreliable Narrator is in FULL effect.
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- Pronouns
- Zack
[X] LORE OF FLESH
[X] LORE OF THE FORGE
[X] LORE OF THE FORGE
- Location
- India
[X] LORE OF FLESH
VEE can do everything Lore of Flesh can do and Artifact forging is better than Lore of the Forge
[X] LORE OF DEATH
This gives us an ability we otherwise could not match.
[X] LORE OF DEATH
This gives us an ability we otherwise could not match.
[X] LORE OF DEATH
[X] LORE OF DEATH