Remove ads

[Exalted, ?] Most High

Reader mode
[X] Counter-Infiltration

Imagine for a moment one your boss' peers is almost literally betrayal incarnate. Now imagine you run into his daughter, who you know inherited some of his capabilities, and you've got information from up-top, which you can easily suspect comes from her father, that you need to keep an eye out incase you see her because returning her is important for your factions plans. She claims otherwise. Who the fuck do you believe?! Which source is the least untrustworthy?!

If they haven't been informed of her, Nilul being social focused should leave her with the advantage. If they have been informed, then the fact that they've been informed can actually be used against them because of the unreliability and reputation of the source of that knowledge, which should minimize, remove, or (admittedly unlikely) overpower the advantage being informed gives them. The worst case scenario is that they actually work for ED himself instead of another Yozi, so regardless of his trustworthiness they'll probably want to fulfill his orders, but given their castes I'm willing to wager they don't.
 
TMIoverload said:
[X] Counter-Infiltration

Imagine for a moment one your boss' peers is almost literally betrayal incarnate. Now imagine you run into his daughter, who you know inherited some of his capabilities, and you've got information from up-top, which you can easily suspect comes from her father, that you need to keep an eye out incase you see her because returning her is important for your factions plans. She claims otherwise. Who the fuck do you believe?! Which source is the least untrustworthy?!
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
This is using 3E (which is 1E) lore, so the Ebon Dragon doesn't have chronic backstabbing disorder.
 
Forbearance is the safest choice. While we should probably plan for the possibility of being found out by the Infernals, it would be safer to not interact with them as much as possible.

If we interact with them, we would have to reveal to them that Uly and Nilul are solar tier exalted, and giving th3m that information would probably cause them to look more closely at us and the academy, which I don't really want.
 
I know we're a little bit past the planning stages for fighting Polemgaos, and I apologize if this has been brought up so far, but apparently two handed weapons and dual wielding two weapons of the same type gives a +2 to clash attacks. As that seems to be Ulyssian's main defense and ambition does not seem to be two-handed sword, perhaps we should get a regular straight sword to pair with Ambition?
 
If people are going to pick [] Counter-infiltration could you guys at least put up a few stunts to convince Nilul AND make sure we don't get caught by the infernals (some more stunts to help us with Polemgaos can't hurt either) as well as to take advantage of that XP modifier (since it'll allow us to get another Evocation before the fight)
 
Ghost said:
I know we're a little bit past the planning stages for fighting Polemgaos, and I apologize if this has been brought up so far, but apparently two handed weapons and dual wielding two weapons of the same type gives a +2 to clash attacks. As that seems to be Ulyssian's main defense and ambition does not seem to be two-handed sword, perhaps we should get a regular straight sword to pair with Ambition?
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Ambition is a longsword which means that while it can be used with one hand is meant to be two-handed weapon. We are ok in this respect.
 
aja318 said:
Ambition is a longsword which means that while it can be used with one hand is meant to be two-handed weapon. We are ok in this respect.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Longswords, straight swords by the rulebook, don't have the two-handed tag and neither do daiklaves. The tag is what grants the bonus. Ergo, unless Rihaku wants to have Ambition have that tag, despite it not being that way in the rulebook than Uly doesn't get that bonus.
Daiklave
Tags: Lethal, Melee, Balanced
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
I should note, that I think having the two-handed tag apply to longswords when wielded with two hands is a good ruling; but, that would be a change from the rules as written, so I think it would be best to state something like that.
 
Last edited:
Ghost said:
Longswords, straight swords by the rulebook, don't have the two-handed tag and neither do daiklaves. The tag is what grants the bonus. Ergo, unless Rihaku wants to have Ambition have that tag, despite it not being that way in the rulebook than Uly doesn't get that bonus.
I should note, that I think having the two-handed tag apply to longswords when wielded with two hands is a good ruling; but, that would be a change from the rules as written, so I think it would be best to state something like that.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

That is not the case. Only Ambition has its custom tag set (Light, Melee, Two-Handed if wielded with two hands, Chopping if wielded with two hands), to represent its supernatural balance and cutting power. That was explicitly laid out in its description.

Normal long swords absolutely do not get that, it would be overpowered.
 
Last edited:
Rihaku said:
That is not the case. Only Ambition has its custom tag set (Light, Melee, Two-Handed if wielded with two hands, Chopping if wielded with two hands), to represent its supernatural balance and cutting power. That was explicitly laid out in its description.

Normal long swords absolutely do not get that, it would be overpowered.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Not trying to argue the point, it would be rather difficult, but could you point me to where the crunch is explicitly laid out? As I did not see it in any of the threadmarked posts around the time in which ambition was acquired and would like to know if there is more information I missed. Also, perhaps I didn't make it clear, but I was talking about Ambition in particular not all straight swords when I mentioned the tags.
 
me.me.here said:
Argle. My original plan has been torn in two. :cry:

[X] Counter-Infiltration

Because proving to Nilul that she doesn't need to be completely terrified of Infernals tickles my fancy. Also, for some reason I just don't feel the Infernals are dangerous. And I actually do feel like buying our own personal legion to act as our honor guard when we march out east to meet Lea/take control of the Blessed Isle - maybe even two.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Nilul isn't terrified of Infernals per se, she is terrified of Hell's overall resources and their intentions towards her. If several beings of cosmic power, their literally nigh on infinite hordes of minions, and their Solar-tier lieutenants were hunting you, likely with the intention to torture and experiment upon you for possibly eternity, you'd be scared too!

Anasurimbor said:
Can Nilul see through Ulyssian's disguise, or just those of the Infernals?
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

It's roll dependent, so she can't see through yours reliably. Which also means there may be Infernals she hasn't yet seen, here...

dragon said:
[X] Counter-Infiltration

I want to win the tournament and uncover the plot of the infernals. While making them think we're allies and taking care of nilul's phobia.

completely ridiculous, but we've always pulled through before and we still have fate stealing palm to help the conversation go our way.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

You've pulled through in the past by relying on either mass stunts or by focusing on areas where Uly is strong. This is kinda neither!

Serous said:
Forbearance is the safest choice. While we should probably plan for the possibility of being found out by the Infernals, it would be safer to not interact with them as much as possible.

If we interact with them, we would have to reveal to them that Uly and Nilul are solar tier exalted, and giving th3m that information would probably cause them to look more closely at us and the academy, which I don't really want.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Indeed, don't forget that you will have to reveal something of Sesus Ulyssian to go forth with this plan - exceptionally risky of itself! You are relying on the identity of Sesus Ulyssian for your power in the Realm, do you really want to endanger that by leaking your Anathema (or whatever non-DB exalt you are pretending to be) nature to some random Infernals? You know literally nothing about them! Your Realm game could be over on a whim!
 
[X] Forbearance

Switching my vote. Giving away that we are a Solar is too costly, and the assassination plans have been cut away.
 
[X] Forbearance

I see no way how the other option could work, and if it goes wrong, it would have catastrophic consequences.
 
Fanwork ##520 words

Is that how you do this?
1986ctcel said:
If people are going to pick [] Counter-infiltration could you guys at least put up a few stunts to convince Nilul AND make sure we don't get caught by the infernals (some more stunts to help us with Polemgaos can't hurt either) as well as to take advantage of that XP modifier (since it'll allow us to get another Evocation before the fight)
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Well, she may be slightly out of character, but...


"… So we'll need to meet them," Ulyssian finished calmly.
"What, no. Uly, no. Why are we even still here? I could have a boat chartered in literally five minutes." Nilul babbled. "Forget the boat; I'll walk."
"Across the sea?" Uly asked, just to be sure.
"Sure! I have arms, I can swim. It's a better plan than intentionally meeting with two of the Infernal host."

"Nilul," Ulyssian said patiently.
"No, Uly," she said fiercely.

"Nilul, think about it," Ulyssian repeated stodgily. "I cannot leave; the reputation I stand to gain in the tournament is crucial to Zao's plans. It is literally worth anything short of my life."

"And what about my life?" Nilul asked. If it were anyone else, it would be a shrill and waspish reply, but from her it was somehow still smooth and slightly seductive.

"Of course my first thought was for you to flee," Uly nodded urbanely. "But where there are two, there could be a third. And unless I stain my name – perhaps irrevocably – I cannot flee with you, to protect you. The risk of you retreating alone is unknown, but may be substantial. The probabilities suggest-"

"I'll take my chances," Nilul said firmly. "I am quite good at escaping, you'll find."
"And that is the other reason," Ulyssian went on, no more expression to him than a dead fish.
"You're reacting from fear right now-"
"Logically, I think you'll find. These are corrupted Solaroids, Uly – two of them, and forty eight more where they came from. That is a force that anyone with sense would fear."

"Fear has it's place," Uly acknowledged. "But you are so afraid – rightly, I suppose – that for the first time I've known you, you've stopped trying to seek advantage."

Nilul paused, and Ulyssian knew he had scored a hit. Of some kind. This was not really his forte.

"Your disguises are top notch, and your ability to lie extraordinary," Uly said. That was, in fact, something of an understatement, as was his next comment. "My ability to read body language down to the minute shift of muscle and nerve, the rush of blood and heartbeat, is all but unmatched. I will know if they react. And we need to know what they know."

"So your recommendation…" Nilul said slowly, "is for the fox to turn and face the baying of the hounds."

"I prefer to think of it as a hound pack meeting another pack, with a different but not necessarily conflicting master."

Uly saw her react not with fear, but with cool calculation. Finally.

She said, "I assume you have a plan."
"That I leave to you. Securtity precautions, on the other hand, that I can do…"
 
Last edited:
Rihaku said:
Nilul isn't terrified of Infernals per se, she is terrified of Hell's overall resources and their intentions towards her. If several beings of cosmic power, their literally nigh on infinite hordes of minions, and their Solar-tier lieutenants were hunting you, likely with the intention to torture and experiment upon you for possibly eternity, you'd be scared too!



It's roll dependent, so she can't see through yours reliably. Which also means there may be Infernals she hasn't yet seen, here...



You've pulled through in the past by relying on either mass stunts or by focusing on areas where Uly is strong. This is kinda neither!



Indeed, don't forget that you will have to reveal something of Sesus Ulyssian to go forth with this plan - exceptionally risky of itself! You are relying on the identity of Sesus Ulyssian for your power in the Realm, do you really want to endanger that by leaking your Anathema (or whatever non-DB exalt you are pretending to be) nature to some random Infernals? You know literally nothing about them! Your Realm game could be over on a whim!
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...


In that Case

[X] Forbearance

Giving away our Anathema nature to two Infernals whose strength might be a match for our own and we know nothing about?

No no just no.
 
Ghost said:
Not trying to argue the point, it would be rather difficult, but could you point me to where the crunch is explicitly laid out? As I did not see it in any of the threadmarked posts around the time in which ambition was acquired and would like to know if there is more information I missed. Also, perhaps I didn't make it clear, but I was talking about Ambition in particular not all straight swords when I mentioned the tags.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

I'm on my phone so I can't go thread diving, it should be the same post where Ambition's tags were described. But it doesn't really matter, if you have any mechanics questions about it, just feel free to ask.

Algalon said:
[X] Forbearance

I see no way how the other option could work, and if it goes wrong, it would have catastrophic consequences.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Well, you risk information on you in order to gain information on them. It's a question of what you value more, and what your risk tolerances are. Also if you want to see Ayala and Fei Ling in the quest or if you'd prefer to go back to the Academy after beating / losing to Polemgaos.
 
It does appear that counter infiltration is currently ahead on both votes and arguments, though our last vote count was a while ago. However, please remember that your current plans only matter if you survive against Polemgaos! Regardless of which side you support, Polemgaos is an issue, though a greater one for Forbearance.
 
Somewhat favouring Counter-Infiltration, though not without developing our plans for that more and I'm not sure I can go through the discussion until now and come up with something to contribute in time.
I think I'll just try to get out my Reaction to the last chapter before it's too late. Maybe I'll even manage the one I skipped as well, but we'll see.
 
When voting / arguing, please do not forget the crucial question of which you would like to see - more of the Tournament, or more of the Academy. Word count is limited, and I would prefer not to get bogged down on an arc unless it is an interesting or necessary one. The tournament does also have some opportunities for plot XP.

Pipeman said:
Somewhat favouring Counter-Infiltration, though not without developing our plans for that more and I'm not sure I can go through the discussion until now and come up with something to contribute in time.
I think I'll just try to get out my Reaction to the last chapter before it's too late. Maybe I'll even manage the one I skipped as well, but we'll see.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Well, you've got several hours more! But I don't think it would ever be said that Pipeman did not do his fair share of XP generation - or, indeed, far more than his share!
 
Reader mode
You must login or register to reply here.
Remove ads
Back
Top