Well, yeah, but having an overarching goal of sticking it to the fundamental rules of reality is a quest worthy of a Solar.
[Exalted, ?] Most High
- Thread starter Rihaku
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- exalted (white wolf)
And insisting that our votes matter kind of undermines the "if you choose Coldness Ody is doomed to being megaHitler" argument.
Usernames
Merc gonna merc ya
Forget about future playstyle, the only thing that matters is suviving the upcoming battle. We pick the style that gives Ody the best chances of killing his enemy and living to tell the tale.
Guile
Having a really great time right now
Okay. So why Melee is kind of not a good idea right now:
It involves us trying to defeat an almost unstoppable Daeva armed with 6 supernal swords in a sword-fighting match. IE: the thing he's best at.
Unarmed at least has us try to get into a range where swords aren't terribly useful, and use leverage to negate his enormous strength advantage. Melee is called out by Rihaku as being the most powerful but also riskiest option. Considering Ody could die at any time here, this is a bad thing.
Also, I guess this would be good for Solar Hero Style, or whatever 3E gives for Brawl charms.
It involves us trying to defeat an almost unstoppable Daeva armed with 6 supernal swords in a sword-fighting match. IE: the thing he's best at.
Unarmed at least has us try to get into a range where swords aren't terribly useful, and use leverage to negate his enormous strength advantage. Melee is called out by Rihaku as being the most powerful but also riskiest option. Considering Ody could die at any time here, this is a bad thing.
Also, I guess this would be good for Solar Hero Style, or whatever 3E gives for Brawl charms.
Rihaku
The Internet
And which is that?
Glorious Solar Fisticuffs seems like a bad idea against something with more arms and muscles than us; it doesn't finish the fight quickly, either, which is what we really need to do. Victory depends on being able to cut him down before he has a chance to take stock of the situation and realize that Odyssial merits effort on his part.
Skirmishing could sync well with high Heartlessness, though, as it lets us dodge his senses long enough to use the traps and stealth the style favours. Hmm... the idea merits further consideration. There was and presumably still is a vocal faction that favored more use of cunning and plans, so that might be a good compromise option. It all hinges on avoiding Larsyifex's hostility radar, though.
Skirmishing could sync well with high Heartlessness, though, as it lets us dodge his senses long enough to use the traps and stealth the style favours. Hmm... the idea merits further consideration. There was and presumably still is a vocal faction that favored more use of cunning and plans, so that might be a good compromise option. It all hinges on avoiding Larsyifex's hostility radar, though.
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[X] Guilt.
Guilt is a normal thing, it is a deep pain that can not easily be fixed, but it is as much as a motivation as fury or conviction.
There are many who avoid ruinous things due to guilt, who do things that benefit them and others because of the guilt that drives them. Penance is something that a guilt-struck being can follow, and for Odyssial his penance would surely be of greater care in his ambitions, a care we so desperately as those of SB often forget to look at things with care in their lust for power and the excitement of the progress.
It is easy to review options and see what on paper gives massive benefits that outstretch the other options at the cost of some heartlessness, but the world is not a theoretical construct and that which seems promised, that seems good on paper may not turn out to be so much sweeter than the other fruits in the end.
What else will we do that could have been prevented if we do not have the reflection that guilt gives us? If we do not wish to commit any more actions that may have us grieve or fill us with regret, then we shall have to do more than just simply become stronger.
Guilt is a normal thing, it is a deep pain that can not easily be fixed, but it is as much as a motivation as fury or conviction.
There are many who avoid ruinous things due to guilt, who do things that benefit them and others because of the guilt that drives them. Penance is something that a guilt-struck being can follow, and for Odyssial his penance would surely be of greater care in his ambitions, a care we so desperately as those of SB often forget to look at things with care in their lust for power and the excitement of the progress.
It is easy to review options and see what on paper gives massive benefits that outstretch the other options at the cost of some heartlessness, but the world is not a theoretical construct and that which seems promised, that seems good on paper may not turn out to be so much sweeter than the other fruits in the end.
What else will we do that could have been prevented if we do not have the reflection that guilt gives us? If we do not wish to commit any more actions that may have us grieve or fill us with regret, then we shall have to do more than just simply become stronger.
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Usernames
Merc gonna merc ya
It's the most powerful option we got and he is weak to the blade on fire/heat or whatever. I don't think Ody can harm or really do damage with his bare hands against this foe.
Well, Unarmed is more risker than Melee and it's doesn't have as much benefits in the battle compare to melee. Skirmishing have less risk but the longer the battle, the more Larsyifex pride is hurt, and the more serious he becomes. It's better to end the battle as quickly as possible.
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Guile
Having a really great time right now
Well, his armor is, anyway.
That sword cuts both ways, though; what opportunities would we deny ourselves if we temper greatness with guilt? What advantages could we not seize? A stronger Odyssial means a better world in the long run; even discounting his long-term goals, I can't imagine the citizens of the regions he administrates would want for anything.
Alternatively, if we do not wish to grieve or feel regret, then we could simply only cultivate emotional bonds with those possessed of the power to withstand all the woe the world can muster.
It seems to me that Guilt is the option of feeling sad that even though we were better than anyone could ever expect we still weren't perfect, and thus must always remember and despair at our imperfect nature, while Coldness is the option of saying "Fuck that!" and deciding to actually be perfect.
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Consolidating all choices:
[X] Dawn
[X] Fury
[X] Skirmishing
Reasoning for Fury - guilt doesn't seem particularly healthy. Because it really isn't his fault. He couldn't have accounted for helping his tribe the best way he could would mean a random sociopathic thingy would come and murder his whole tribe. Coldness seems too depressing - I want Odyssial to actually have a few friends, not just one or become an expected utility engine. Fury is a nice compromise.
For weapon:
Melee is wayyyy too risky. And slightly weird. Swords also doesn't really seem to be the way to go. Our best bet right now is that the Daeva is humouring us. Letting us pretend to be setting traps and stuff. Let's use this in a single burst hit. Because that's our best bet.
[X] Dawn
[X] Fury
[X] Skirmishing
Reasoning for Fury - guilt doesn't seem particularly healthy. Because it really isn't his fault. He couldn't have accounted for helping his tribe the best way he could would mean a random sociopathic thingy would come and murder his whole tribe. Coldness seems too depressing - I want Odyssial to actually have a few friends, not just one or become an expected utility engine. Fury is a nice compromise.
For weapon:
Melee is wayyyy too risky. And slightly weird. Swords also doesn't really seem to be the way to go. Our best bet right now is that the Daeva is humouring us. Letting us pretend to be setting traps and stuff. Let's use this in a single burst hit. Because that's our best bet.
[X] Fury
[X] Melee
[X] Melee
Can one be perfect without keeping in mind the possibility of failure and removing it, of truly reviewing the bad that could come with the good of plots? Marching forth towards a bright future is good, but careful 'lest you be blinded and are left unable to see the pothole.
Is the lessening of risk worth the potential extra gains we might gain? I say yes, there is no question that we will not become powerful, that we will not get to the top. This is the path that lets us keep it best and rise up more steadily. We do not need to take two steps back for every one we take forward due to impudence.
Rihaku
The Internet
Well, not necessarily perfect. As close enough to Omnipotent as necessary, perhaps.
It would help regardless of which option was chosen, even if the stunt and the vote come out differently. So feel free to get creative or strange.
That is a high bar indeed. Odyssial himself could not withstand the woe of the Usurpation, for all that he bled it dry.
In the end I argue for Guilt to see what would come of that theme. Guilt, remorse, to admit that we've been in a way in error and try to make up for it. It is not something that I've seen SB/SV do often.
I feel like that SB/SV'ers as a whole have a tendency to be self-righteous, so it might make a interesting deviance.
Raging against the heavens/the state of the world is a narrative theme we've explored much in our times in these forums, but what of what guilt possesses and promises? have we seen much of that so far? I do not think so.
I feel like that SB/SV'ers as a whole have a tendency to be self-righteous, so it might make a interesting deviance.
Raging against the heavens/the state of the world is a narrative theme we've explored much in our times in these forums, but what of what guilt possesses and promises? have we seen much of that so far? I do not think so.
Usernames
Merc gonna merc ya
Uh how are we suppose to feel guilt? Ody did the best he could while human. I don't think he can blame himself or feel guilt.
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[X] Dawn
In the face of the coming darkness, where will Odyssial's thoughts lie? I feel his thoughts -and his heart- will be with the light. Of his sister, of his clan and of a future where he can fight for the right to finally enjoy creations splendor.
[X] Coldness
Here, now, Odyssial faces overwhelming odds. Just like yesterday. While the circumstances have become more extreme, have they? I look to the day the sky fell and primordial poison ravaged the land. In that moment, the great and the lucky squared their shoulders and steeled their hearts. Odyssial was already leaving. I do not see fury in the face of challenge or rage in the face of misfortune. As the sun itself left him, he turned back to camp to prepare. Action and victory. The finding of a way. Anything else is superfluous.
Rather than focus on the sacrifice of heart and sentimentality, I think we can capture Odyssial's willpower through focusing on his actions. Perhaps this would need a 'Focus' write-in. Yet Rihaku said Odyssial would not recoil from emotion. If this option were so, I would definitely choose another. The absolute acceptance of his emotions to the point where they cannot be separated from his deeds appeals to me. After all, for a prayer-sheep to reach for heights above even the progenitors, could they honestly hold that dream and be anything less than whole?
[X] Skirmishing
First post on SV!
Consider, if we skirmish and Larsyifex never reaches melee, we have achived some form of nigh impossible success. Since I do not think a hedonistic Daeva would retreat, that would be Lars (ah, giving him a derisive nickname is satisfying) dying before reaching us. Far more likely is that when he does, we simply switch to melee.
Since I am choosing combat style purely on what I think is Odyssial would actually do (given that while we guide his actions, he is still a character) I am just going to vote for the strategy which I think has the best chance of winning.
Here is my reasoning:
1. Wrestling - stylish, but really, our arms exert how mich force exactly? This thing shrugs off boulders. Seems like a cool idea but a trap.
2. Melee - hold that thought
3. Skirmishing - a preparatory phase before melee. I would be relying on Odyssial to figure out how to skirmish effectively. However, if the skirmishing does not provoke seriousness in Larsyifex before reaching melee, it seems superior to immediately engaging.
4. Therefore, skirmishing seems to actually be the melee choice, albeit with a possibly advantageous preparatory phase. Seems reasonable and in character to me.
Finally, a few points of observation.
1. Larsyifex's armor seems to have a very low melting point. We do not actually know whether this is a weakness, but it did leave direct access to his fur. A possible avenue for devastating blows.
2. Cogolem stones seemed to do minimal damage, however they did cause him to actually move. Perhaps a detabilising salvo of these before a last ditch melee would help.
3. Our sister has shown amazing occult prowess creating such a flexible artifact for us. Perhaps the one she wears is likewise useful. As for it being incomplete, Odyssial may know enough about her to deduce whether she would have made herself one first, prototype or otherwise.
4. The dagger was placed reverently on the ground. Is this Larsyifex revering an aspect of its creator? The same daeva who gambles and cheats other aspects of that same creator? Perhaps we were mistaken.
5. Finally, perhaps this is me misinterpreting or missing something, but Lars seemed to lose track of us. Could be something there worth consideration.
As for the weapon, our sword should fare us well. Our sling will be useful, but perhaps the dagger will do the trick.
Plenty of inteesting points raised so far, I look forward to participating in this quest with each of you.
In the face of the coming darkness, where will Odyssial's thoughts lie? I feel his thoughts -and his heart- will be with the light. Of his sister, of his clan and of a future where he can fight for the right to finally enjoy creations splendor.
[X] Coldness
Here, now, Odyssial faces overwhelming odds. Just like yesterday. While the circumstances have become more extreme, have they? I look to the day the sky fell and primordial poison ravaged the land. In that moment, the great and the lucky squared their shoulders and steeled their hearts. Odyssial was already leaving. I do not see fury in the face of challenge or rage in the face of misfortune. As the sun itself left him, he turned back to camp to prepare. Action and victory. The finding of a way. Anything else is superfluous.
Rather than focus on the sacrifice of heart and sentimentality, I think we can capture Odyssial's willpower through focusing on his actions. Perhaps this would need a 'Focus' write-in. Yet Rihaku said Odyssial would not recoil from emotion. If this option were so, I would definitely choose another. The absolute acceptance of his emotions to the point where they cannot be separated from his deeds appeals to me. After all, for a prayer-sheep to reach for heights above even the progenitors, could they honestly hold that dream and be anything less than whole?
[X] Skirmishing
First post on SV!
Consider, if we skirmish and Larsyifex never reaches melee, we have achived some form of nigh impossible success. Since I do not think a hedonistic Daeva would retreat, that would be Lars (ah, giving him a derisive nickname is satisfying) dying before reaching us. Far more likely is that when he does, we simply switch to melee.
Since I am choosing combat style purely on what I think is Odyssial would actually do (given that while we guide his actions, he is still a character) I am just going to vote for the strategy which I think has the best chance of winning.
Here is my reasoning:
1. Wrestling - stylish, but really, our arms exert how mich force exactly? This thing shrugs off boulders. Seems like a cool idea but a trap.
2. Melee - hold that thought
3. Skirmishing - a preparatory phase before melee. I would be relying on Odyssial to figure out how to skirmish effectively. However, if the skirmishing does not provoke seriousness in Larsyifex before reaching melee, it seems superior to immediately engaging.
4. Therefore, skirmishing seems to actually be the melee choice, albeit with a possibly advantageous preparatory phase. Seems reasonable and in character to me.
Finally, a few points of observation.
1. Larsyifex's armor seems to have a very low melting point. We do not actually know whether this is a weakness, but it did leave direct access to his fur. A possible avenue for devastating blows.
2. Cogolem stones seemed to do minimal damage, however they did cause him to actually move. Perhaps a detabilising salvo of these before a last ditch melee would help.
3. Our sister has shown amazing occult prowess creating such a flexible artifact for us. Perhaps the one she wears is likewise useful. As for it being incomplete, Odyssial may know enough about her to deduce whether she would have made herself one first, prototype or otherwise.
4. The dagger was placed reverently on the ground. Is this Larsyifex revering an aspect of its creator? The same daeva who gambles and cheats other aspects of that same creator? Perhaps we were mistaken.
5. Finally, perhaps this is me misinterpreting or missing something, but Lars seemed to lose track of us. Could be something there worth consideration.
As for the weapon, our sword should fare us well. Our sling will be useful, but perhaps the dagger will do the trick.
Plenty of inteesting points raised so far, I look forward to participating in this quest with each of you.
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The same way other people feel guilt? It is irrational, like all emotion. You lost the people you treasured and trusted to defend, it will be perfectly possible to feel guilt despite all logic and reasoning in the world says you've did your best. I am not voting for Guilt but it make sense as much as any other options.
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Usernames
Merc gonna merc ya
Ody isn't most people Salbazier.
He is whatever we define him by our choice.
