Rihaku
The Internet
No one would blame you for losing to Polemgaos, you would just have "gotten unlucky" in having to fight him so early. But that's extremely defeatist thinking, for the likes of Odyssial...
[Exalted, ?] Most High
- Thread starter Rihaku
- Start date
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- Tags
- exalted (white wolf)
No one would blame you for losing to Polemgaos, you would just have "gotten unlucky" in having to fight him so early. But that's extremely defeatist thinking, for the likes of Odyssial...
Rihaku
The Internet
Of course you do, it's stored in Uly's Storage Goremaul! Along with drink, other provisions, various poisons and firepowder, and utility items! So convenient~
That's why he can travel light.
You can get much out of Nilul, it just requires the right approach and an actual plan. Don't think of this as something you can trivially do, even if she wants to help you!
You do have some idea of how he fights already, having read the stories and seen his stance. Basically, the stories weren't false.
Well, if you send someone with PTSD into a combat situation, they might lock up, even if the lives of hundreds are on the line. What follows could be hundreds dead.
If you didn't plan for the contingency where their PTSD kicks in, though, you can't really expect the best. If Nilul's genuine, she's got hangups. If she's not genuine, she's certainly not going to break persona for this. Regardless, just asking is unlikely to work, similar to how shouting at a bipolar person to stop being sad is unlikely to work.
They can be, though it's mostly weapons, so you don't really need it; Ambition has potentially infinite Evocations anyway. Armors tend to have fewer Evocations anyway, though some of them are pretty OP. Falling Star Percussion, wtf?
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- Location
- Southern Virginia
If we can't ask Nilul directly, perhaps we could ask indirectly? Something along the lines of indicating that we suspect she has something planning against the Cathak, and while we won't ask what it is, instead ask if confronting Polemgaos later would be better than doing so right away? We'd probably need her help to rig things to avoid him, anyway.
[X] Avoid
We need to be as prepared as possible
We need to be as prepared as possible
Ridiculously Average Guy
I'm you, but stronger
- Location
-
[X] Decompress
[X] Full War Regalia
[X] Encounter
Ulyssian is here for the XP, its fine even if he loses.
[X] Full War Regalia
[X] Encounter
Ulyssian is here for the XP, its fine even if he loses.
Rihaku
The Internet
That's an unusual sentiment.
Yes, that's the plan I've seen brought up here and there. Certainly something you could try, though it would be more time-efficient if you guys had a comprehensive strategy. But eh, Ulyssian's not great at social.
- Location
- Southern Virginia
Stunting asking Nilul, then. Fairly brief, no need to get very elaborate about it.
The target was finally alone.
Ulyssian gracefully leaped down from the rafters in their quarters, where he had stayed unobserved as a visiting Dragonblooded had droned on about some party arrangements. His patience was neigh-inexhaustible and the training it provided his skill at stealth and athletics was useful, but it had been on the whole a less optimal use of his time than it could have been. That was unfortunate, but so was regreting the inefficiency.
"Nilul," he spoke as he landed without any other sound behind her back. He tried not to let any irritation into his voice.
"Uly," she replied even as she turned around. Nilul was smirking. She thought something had been accomplished, he was sure. "I'm so sorry to interrupt your training, but when Cynis Arremva throws a feast anyone who is anyone has to obtain an invite. And I did. For both of us."
Ulyssian resisted the urge to groan or slap his forehead. He had a mission. Instead, he nodded. Perhaps compliance would make her complacent. "Very well."
Her eyes widened in feigned shock. "No grumbling? No complaining about how your time would be better spent running around the rooftops or rolling around in the dirt? Who are you and where is my Uly?"
"Don't call me that," he responded gruffly. "I have observed some of your machinations. I have overheard more. It is clear to me you are planning something around Cathak Polemgaos."
She batted her eyes coquettishly at him. "Oh Uly, what sort of woman do you think I am?"
"A very dangerous one," he replied flatly. "I will not ask you what you hope to accomplish with him. Or Cathak Vaela. However there is a chance I may encounter Polemgaos in the first round. We can make that a certainty. Or we can act to insure I do not face him before the second round. Which course of action would work best for your purpose, and which would work best for mine?"
~325 words, for what little that matters. Also I suck at making up Dynast names.
The target was finally alone.
Ulyssian gracefully leaped down from the rafters in their quarters, where he had stayed unobserved as a visiting Dragonblooded had droned on about some party arrangements. His patience was neigh-inexhaustible and the training it provided his skill at stealth and athletics was useful, but it had been on the whole a less optimal use of his time than it could have been. That was unfortunate, but so was regreting the inefficiency.
"Nilul," he spoke as he landed without any other sound behind her back. He tried not to let any irritation into his voice.
"Uly," she replied even as she turned around. Nilul was smirking. She thought something had been accomplished, he was sure. "I'm so sorry to interrupt your training, but when Cynis Arremva throws a feast anyone who is anyone has to obtain an invite. And I did. For both of us."
Ulyssian resisted the urge to groan or slap his forehead. He had a mission. Instead, he nodded. Perhaps compliance would make her complacent. "Very well."
Her eyes widened in feigned shock. "No grumbling? No complaining about how your time would be better spent running around the rooftops or rolling around in the dirt? Who are you and where is my Uly?"
"Don't call me that," he responded gruffly. "I have observed some of your machinations. I have overheard more. It is clear to me you are planning something around Cathak Polemgaos."
She batted her eyes coquettishly at him. "Oh Uly, what sort of woman do you think I am?"
"A very dangerous one," he replied flatly. "I will not ask you what you hope to accomplish with him. Or Cathak Vaela. However there is a chance I may encounter Polemgaos in the first round. We can make that a certainty. Or we can act to insure I do not face him before the second round. Which course of action would work best for your purpose, and which would work best for mine?"
~325 words, for what little that matters. Also I suck at making up Dynast names.
Ridiculously Average Guy
I'm you, but stronger
- Location
-
He's here to get better, not necessarily to win. That's a bonus. Even if he loses against Dragon Chuck Norris, a good showing against him would be as good as (if not better) than a normal victory.
I've thought about it and the whole perpetual reincarnation plan seems to have a pretty big weakness. All it takes is getting killed by a spirit-killing charm and our soul would be completely destroyed and we wouldn't have had any more chances. Did Ulysses have any protections in place to prevent this from happening to himself or any future incarnation?
Vote tally:
[X] Full War Regalia
No. of votes: 26
Guile, Savonarola, inawarminister, kinglugia, Aloysius, Gaudy Guise, me.me.here, Van Ropen, cyberswordsmen, Celestrail, Fumbles, Reckless_Sun, Thomasfoolery, Cavalier, Serous, Orm Embar, meianmaru, veekie, SirLagginton, Khaos, useofstrike32, Yzarc, Ghost, Nezi karaketas, CrawlingChaos74, Ridiculously Average Guy
[X] Sword and Self Meditation
No. of votes: 15
sithmor, LordOfMurder, dragon, Daniel14541, DOOMPOTATO, aja318, Emerald Oracle, trekbook, Vitaris, afterthought53, Anasurimbor, 1986ctcel, Dark Lord Bob, nairit, TheOtherSandman
----
[X] Decompress
No. of votes: 26
inawarminister, kinglugia, aja318, Aloysius, Gaudy Guise, me.me.here, cyberswordsmen, Celestrail, trekbook, Fumbles, Reckless_Sun, afterthought53, 1986ctcel, Dark Lord Bob, nairit, TheOtherSandman, meianmaru, veekie, SirLagginton, Khaos, useofstrike32, Yzarc, Ghost, Nezi karaketas, CrawlingChaos74, Ridiculously Average Guy
[X] Investigate
No. of votes: 7
sithmor, LordOfMurder, Savonarola, Vitaris, Thomasfoolery, Cavalier, Serous
[X] Attempt to Poison Everyone
No. of votes: 2
dragon, DOOMPOTATO
[X] Write-in: The Power of Friendship - Specifically, shadow the Nellens congregation. Make Saery's extensive network of mortal informants your own. She is clever and well-connected, and Raern seemed smart enough to rely on her abilities. You will do likewise. Hopefully House Nellens's information gathering abilities are as great as you believe, and can turn something up on some of the unusual entrants this year that you did not expect.
No. of votes: 1
Guile
[X] Write-in: The Power of Friendship
No. of votes: 2
Van Ropen, Anasurimbor
[x] Guile's write in
No. of votes: 1
Emerald Oracle
----
[X] Avoid
No. of votes: 14
Gerrou, afterthought53, 1986ctcel, Orm Embar, vali, vel10, SirLagginton, Diller, Khaos, Nezi karaketas, Random Asian Person, Garlak, CrawlingChaos74, inventive alias
[X]Avoid. We want an excellent showing. I doubt we can win.
No. of votes: 1
Robotninja
[X] Encounter
No. of votes: 10
CharlBaal, Dark Lord Bob, nairit, TheOtherSandman, meianmaru, veekie, useofstrike32, Yzarc, Ghost, Ridiculously Average Guy
----
[X] Cathak Polemgaos
No. of votes: 10
sithmor, Guile, LordOfMurder, dragon, Savonarola, me.me.here, trekbook, Vitaris, Cavalier, Serous
[X] Cynis Esertia
No. of votes: 1
sithmor
[X] Sesus Taldrim
No. of votes: 3
LordOfMurder, Anasurimbor, Cavalier
[X] Ayala
No. of votes: 3
Savonarola, aja318, Serous
[X] Strange Heart
No. of votes: 1
Van Ropen
[X] Masked Individual
No. of votes: 1
Thomasfoolery
[X] Peleps Champion
No. of votes: 1
Thomasfoolery
[X] Full War Regalia
No. of votes: 26
Guile, Savonarola, inawarminister, kinglugia, Aloysius, Gaudy Guise, me.me.here, Van Ropen, cyberswordsmen, Celestrail, Fumbles, Reckless_Sun, Thomasfoolery, Cavalier, Serous, Orm Embar, meianmaru, veekie, SirLagginton, Khaos, useofstrike32, Yzarc, Ghost, Nezi karaketas, CrawlingChaos74, Ridiculously Average Guy
[X] Sword and Self Meditation
No. of votes: 15
sithmor, LordOfMurder, dragon, Daniel14541, DOOMPOTATO, aja318, Emerald Oracle, trekbook, Vitaris, afterthought53, Anasurimbor, 1986ctcel, Dark Lord Bob, nairit, TheOtherSandman
----
[X] Decompress
No. of votes: 26
inawarminister, kinglugia, aja318, Aloysius, Gaudy Guise, me.me.here, cyberswordsmen, Celestrail, trekbook, Fumbles, Reckless_Sun, afterthought53, 1986ctcel, Dark Lord Bob, nairit, TheOtherSandman, meianmaru, veekie, SirLagginton, Khaos, useofstrike32, Yzarc, Ghost, Nezi karaketas, CrawlingChaos74, Ridiculously Average Guy
[X] Investigate
No. of votes: 7
sithmor, LordOfMurder, Savonarola, Vitaris, Thomasfoolery, Cavalier, Serous
[X] Attempt to Poison Everyone
No. of votes: 2
dragon, DOOMPOTATO
[X] Write-in: The Power of Friendship - Specifically, shadow the Nellens congregation. Make Saery's extensive network of mortal informants your own. She is clever and well-connected, and Raern seemed smart enough to rely on her abilities. You will do likewise. Hopefully House Nellens's information gathering abilities are as great as you believe, and can turn something up on some of the unusual entrants this year that you did not expect.
No. of votes: 1
Guile
[X] Write-in: The Power of Friendship
No. of votes: 2
Van Ropen, Anasurimbor
[x] Guile's write in
No. of votes: 1
Emerald Oracle
----
[X] Avoid
No. of votes: 14
Gerrou, afterthought53, 1986ctcel, Orm Embar, vali, vel10, SirLagginton, Diller, Khaos, Nezi karaketas, Random Asian Person, Garlak, CrawlingChaos74, inventive alias
[X]Avoid. We want an excellent showing. I doubt we can win.
No. of votes: 1
Robotninja
[X] Encounter
No. of votes: 10
CharlBaal, Dark Lord Bob, nairit, TheOtherSandman, meianmaru, veekie, useofstrike32, Yzarc, Ghost, Ridiculously Average Guy
----
[X] Cathak Polemgaos
No. of votes: 10
sithmor, Guile, LordOfMurder, dragon, Savonarola, me.me.here, trekbook, Vitaris, Cavalier, Serous
[X] Cynis Esertia
No. of votes: 1
sithmor
[X] Sesus Taldrim
No. of votes: 3
LordOfMurder, Anasurimbor, Cavalier
[X] Ayala
No. of votes: 3
Savonarola, aja318, Serous
[X] Strange Heart
No. of votes: 1
Van Ropen
[X] Masked Individual
No. of votes: 1
Thomasfoolery
[X] Peleps Champion
No. of votes: 1
Thomasfoolery
- Location
- Fabulously Rainbow Ireland
here edit: Sidereal'd
Vote tally:
##### 3.19
[] Investigate
No. of votes: 7
sithmor, LordOfMurder, Savonarola, Vitaris, Thomasfoolery, Cavalier, Serous
[] Sword and Self Meditation
No. of votes: 15
sithmor, LordOfMurder, dragon, Daniel14541, DOOMPOTATO, aja318, Emerald Oracle, trekbook, Vitaris, afterthought53, Anasurimbor, 1986ctcel, Dark Lord Bob, nairit, TheOtherSandman
[] Cathak Polemgaos
No. of votes: 10
sithmor, Guile, LordOfMurder, dragon, Savonarola, me.me.here, trekbook, Vitaris, Cavalier, Serous
[] Cynis Esertia
No. of votes: 1
sithmor
[] Write-in: The Power of Friendship - Specifically, shadow the Nellens congregation. Make Saery's extensive network of mortal informants your own. She is clever and well-connected, and Raern seemed smart enough to rely on her abilities. You will do likewise. Hopefully House Nellens's information gathering abilities are as great as you believe, and can turn something up on some of the unusual entrants this year that you did not expect.
No. of votes: 1
Guile
[] Full War Regalia
No. of votes: 26
Guile, Savonarola, inawarminister, kinglugia, Aloysius, Gaudy Guise, me.me.here, Van Ropen, cyberswordsmen, Celestrail, Fumbles, Reckless_Sun, Thomasfoolery, Cavalier, Serous, Orm Embar, meianmaru, veekie, SirLagginton, Khaos, useofstrike32, Yzarc, Ghost, Nezi karaketas, CrawlingChaos74, Ridiculously Average Guy
[] Sesus Taldrim
No. of votes: 3
LordOfMurder, Anasurimbor, Cavalier
[] Attempt to Poison Everyone
No. of votes: 2
dragon, DOOMPOTATO
[] Ayala
No. of votes: 3
Savonarola, aja318, Serous
[] Decompress
No. of votes: 26
inawarminister, kinglugia, aja318, Aloysius, Gaudy Guise, me.me.here, cyberswordsmen, Celestrail, trekbook, Fumbles, Reckless_Sun, afterthought53, 1986ctcel, Dark Lord Bob, nairit, TheOtherSandman, meianmaru, veekie, SirLagginton, Khaos, useofstrike32, Yzarc, Ghost, Nezi karaketas, CrawlingChaos74, Ridiculously Average Guy
[] Write-in: The Power of Friendship
No. of votes: 2
Van Ropen, Anasurimbor
[] Strange Heart
No. of votes: 1
Van Ropen
[] Avoid
No. of votes: 14
Gerrou, afterthought53, 1986ctcel, Orm Embar, vali, vel10, SirLagginton, Diller, Khaos, Nezi karaketas, Random Asian Person, Garlak, CrawlingChaos74, inventive alias
[] Guile's write in
No. of votes: 1
Emerald Oracle
[] Masked Individual
No. of votes: 1
Thomasfoolery
[] Peleps Champion
No. of votes: 1
Thomasfoolery
[]Avoid. We want an excellent showing. I doubt we can win.
No. of votes: 1
Robotninja
[] Encounter
No. of votes: 10
CharlBaal, Dark Lord Bob, nairit, TheOtherSandman, meianmaru, veekie, useofstrike32, Yzarc, Ghost, Ridiculously Average Guy
Rihaku
The Internet
Thanks, guys.
There is one strategy you guys could use - Odyssial can use Fate-Shifting Solar Arete once per night's rest. Usually he reserves it for right before he goes to sleep, to preserve maximum flexibility throughout the day, but it's getting to be that time anyway, and it works on any roll. He can also lower his TNs due to Peerless Skill by spending a scene preparing for a roll. Normally, that would be a waste for many actions, but he really does need all the help he can get. With these powers combined... he might have a chance of getting through to Nilul, or seeing through her mask.
[ ] Use the Hypercompetence to Ask Her - Combined with a stunt, you could actually get a very respectable result on this roll, if you're lucky. You might also be able to force an answer out of her by intimidating her - that would be mechanically more effective, but might have untoward consequences. If successful, you might be able to connect with Nilul, getting her to reveal more of her plan.
[ ] Use the Hypercompetence to Case Her Profile - Having trouble trusting her? With a small amount of luck, this would be the absolute strongest Investigation attempt you could currently make, a blowout roll that should at least give you an indirect intuition about something even if she is perfectly inscrutable. You might even learn about her final motives, or the nature of the things that trouble her!
[ ] Use the Hypercompetence on a War Roll - No, the best option is to continue as you were, and use your technique on a Strategic War roll to analyze the information you gathered today and plan out tomorrow's actions. Also defends you from enemy attempts at striking indirectly, as you discern and counter their strategies peerlessly!
In the future, remember that you can make plans to use your hypercompetence once per day! Though Odyssial will need a good reason to bust it out before night-time, since he might always need it for a fight (as he's planning to during the tournament)
It was a backup plan, one contingency of many, in the first place. The first plan was always to avoid being killed in the first place. Towards that end, Odyssial had hundreds, maybe tens of thousands, of separate plans. Hence the almost destroying Creation thing when they tried to kill him.
There is one strategy you guys could use - Odyssial can use Fate-Shifting Solar Arete once per night's rest. Usually he reserves it for right before he goes to sleep, to preserve maximum flexibility throughout the day, but it's getting to be that time anyway, and it works on any roll. He can also lower his TNs due to Peerless Skill by spending a scene preparing for a roll. Normally, that would be a waste for many actions, but he really does need all the help he can get. With these powers combined... he might have a chance of getting through to Nilul, or seeing through her mask.
[ ] Use the Hypercompetence to Ask Her - Combined with a stunt, you could actually get a very respectable result on this roll, if you're lucky. You might also be able to force an answer out of her by intimidating her - that would be mechanically more effective, but might have untoward consequences. If successful, you might be able to connect with Nilul, getting her to reveal more of her plan.
[ ] Use the Hypercompetence to Case Her Profile - Having trouble trusting her? With a small amount of luck, this would be the absolute strongest Investigation attempt you could currently make, a blowout roll that should at least give you an indirect intuition about something even if she is perfectly inscrutable. You might even learn about her final motives, or the nature of the things that trouble her!
[ ] Use the Hypercompetence on a War Roll - No, the best option is to continue as you were, and use your technique on a Strategic War roll to analyze the information you gathered today and plan out tomorrow's actions. Also defends you from enemy attempts at striking indirectly, as you discern and counter their strategies peerlessly!
In the future, remember that you can make plans to use your hypercompetence once per day! Though Odyssial will need a good reason to bust it out before night-time, since he might always need it for a fight (as he's planning to during the tournament)
It was a backup plan, one contingency of many, in the first place. The first plan was always to avoid being killed in the first place. Towards that end, Odyssial had hundreds, maybe tens of thousands, of separate plans. Hence the almost destroying Creation thing when they tried to kill him.
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[X] Use the Hypercompetence on a War Roll
I don't know if I'll have time for reasoning as it's 4am and I'm bingeing Hannibal, but I like this one.
I don't know if I'll have time for reasoning as it's 4am and I'm bingeing Hannibal, but I like this one.
[X] Use the Hypercompetence to Case Her Profile
Emerald Oracle
Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet the Force
- Location
- The Else
Why is the red roll red this time? is it just the opportunity cost? Or is it that it's the least likely to succeed? or is it some other thing that my poor mind can not even bear to countenance?
- Location
- Southern Virginia
[X] Use the Hypercompetence to Ask Her - Combined with a stunt, you could actually get a very respectable result on this roll, if you're lucky. You might also be able to force an answer out of her by intimidating her - that would be mechanically more effective, but might have untoward consequences. If successful, you might be able to connect with Nilul, getting her to reveal more of her plan.
Well, I already supplied one stunt. Sufficiently good? Maybe if the strategy is actually the right one. Connecting a bit with Nilul would help allay the near-constant paranoia that seems to grip certain posters whenever she is involved with anything. It should also strengthen that relationship, going a way to making her more willing to be straightforward and building a basis for mutual trust; important since we already voted to stop constantly profiling her against a betrayal. And if we can get to a point of trusting her she will be a powerful ally for the tournament and beyond. It's enough to risk making the War roll with "only" the Solar Excellency and Ulyssian's usual diligence.
Well, I already supplied one stunt. Sufficiently good? Maybe if the strategy is actually the right one. Connecting a bit with Nilul would help allay the near-constant paranoia that seems to grip certain posters whenever she is involved with anything. It should also strengthen that relationship, going a way to making her more willing to be straightforward and building a basis for mutual trust; important since we already voted to stop constantly profiling her against a betrayal. And if we can get to a point of trusting her she will be a powerful ally for the tournament and beyond. It's enough to risk making the War roll with "only" the Solar Excellency and Ulyssian's usual diligence.
[X] Use the Hypercompetence on a War Roll
We voted to trust Nilul, because we didn't want to waste effort on keeping vigil against her. Also, this is likely to be one of our toughest fights, so we'll need all the help we can get. Maybe we should stunt informing Nilul of our plans so she can adjust hers, but if we put off the fight with Polemgaos we'll be tired from earlier fights, which will keep us from using the benefit of the full nights rest we got. Also, Rihaku has mentioned the best plan for victory is to win a clash early on, and we'll need the willpower/bonus for that.
We voted to trust Nilul, because we didn't want to waste effort on keeping vigil against her. Also, this is likely to be one of our toughest fights, so we'll need all the help we can get. Maybe we should stunt informing Nilul of our plans so she can adjust hers, but if we put off the fight with Polemgaos we'll be tired from earlier fights, which will keep us from using the benefit of the full nights rest we got. Also, Rihaku has mentioned the best plan for victory is to win a clash early on, and we'll need the willpower/bonus for that.
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Rihaku
The Internet
Nilul's color theme is red!
Indeed, you do already have an applicable stunt for this option, assisting in it.
Emerald Oracle
Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet the Force
- Location
- The Else
Welp, that's me told. Who am I to stand against color coordination? Regardless, I'm with Cavalier.
[x] Use the Hypercompetence to Ask Her
Dang, these red options are getting attractive lately. I didn't think I was big on the whole High Risk High Reward stuff, but I keep voting for 'em!
Ridiculously Average Guy
I'm you, but stronger
- Location
-
[X] Use the Hypercompetence to Ask Her
Let's see. Moon fills the Dragon Blood slot, Lea the Lunar, Ody is Solar, Ivory is the Sidereal, and Lilun fills both the Yozi (cause her ancestry) and Akuma and/or Deathlord slot. Now we just need an Alchemical (though...Ody might qualify as one).
Truly we have created the ultimate ExaltedHarem Circle.
Let's see. Moon fills the Dragon Blood slot, Lea the Lunar, Ody is Solar, Ivory is the Sidereal, and Lilun fills both the Yozi (cause her ancestry) and Akuma and/or Deathlord slot. Now we just need an Alchemical (though...Ody might qualify as one).
Truly we have created the ultimate Exalted
Stunt with hypercompetence only succeeds if we're lucky?
Intimidating. Is it going to be like this every time we need something form Nilul?
Casing her profile sounds nice, but is not an immediate concern. High possibility of not getting currently needed information. An attempt of investigating Nilul herself it can be done later with the same rate of success either way. Hopefully knowing her plan will be at least as beneficial as a War Roll. Plus, the option has an added bonus of connecting with her.
[X] Use the Hypercompetence to Ask Her
Intimidating. Is it going to be like this every time we need something form Nilul?Casing her profile sounds nice, but is not an immediate concern. High possibility of not getting currently needed information. An attempt of investigating Nilul herself it can be done later with the same rate of success either way. Hopefully knowing her plan will be at least as beneficial as a War Roll. Plus, the option has an added bonus of connecting with her.
[X] Use the Hypercompetence to Ask Her
I wonder what the long term consequences for our relationship with Nilul will be after a ~20 success intimidation? Surely it will promote trust and harmony.
- Location
- Southern Virginia
And then there's the TN reducing effect of Peerless Skill. Hmm, a scene of observing Nilul in action and careful consideration about his approach count? That is sort of implied by the stunt but I did consider brevity a virtue there...