Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
He doesn't need to be in order to know of such things!
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Godcard
- Thread starter Birdsie
- Start date
- Original
- Location
- Poland
- Pronouns
- He/Him
- Location
- 1
(I'd reply to Zephyr's post but it has no non-quote text)
'accelerated' drift means it was already happening. In other words, it would've reached this state in time anyway (Isn't that what the Godcards were about, in a sense? eh, anyway-), and it had only been accelerated for at most a night (considering the timeframe for the shortest-duration option); it can't've been, like, multiple orders of magnitude either, because it 'seems' to accelerate, not 'definitely obviously and blatantly' accelerates. So, as things are framed, Zane was at most a contributing factor, if a major one.
ah, yes, but they killed more Nazis than they hired, and we don't even know if Joseph survived, so on average...
In largely unrelated things...
[X] Fall Down Until The End
My original reason for choosing Hopeless And Tireless was that I thought 'continue in some form' would mean like, controlling some other character. Not 'Zane as a ghost with comparable potential and hopefully lower odds of getting assassinated.'. That said, Fly Up causes unknown, potentially permanent, harm to the Knight Arm and might Still not kill the Mangler. and Defiance is Evil. So, Fall Down Until The End. and who knows, Zane might even survive. Theoretically. It's possible.
...
It occurs to me that Zanes probability of survival would actually have been higher if he was weaker. That way he wouldn't've even had the option of saving Johnny Buddha and so would've been forced to flee instead. which had a much higher success rate.
'accelerated' drift means it was already happening. In other words, it would've reached this state in time anyway (Isn't that what the Godcards were about, in a sense? eh, anyway-), and it had only been accelerated for at most a night (considering the timeframe for the shortest-duration option); it can't've been, like, multiple orders of magnitude either, because it 'seems' to accelerate, not 'definitely obviously and blatantly' accelerates. So, as things are framed, Zane was at most a contributing factor, if a major one.
Of course not- my point was more that time travel is the sort of information-gathering method where the exact specifics of how things will come about- and how unpredictable they are- don't prevent or notably hamper prediction. That is, if he was a time traveler, he could still tell this would happen even if Zane was the sole cause and Zanes Knight-Aspirant selection is completely unpredictable from the prior state of the world (which I'd think it would be - I assume random demons can't constantly and reliably read the mind of the Lotus Maiden.). On the other hand, if he's predicting things using knowledge or divining it using magic, he'd need to be able to pierce any defenses the maiden has / know her full psychology and everything that will affect her attentions in the relevant span, in order to predict Zane, while if Zane isn't the sole cause he'd just need to know about the future Godcards- or any thaumo-mundic drift already ongoing, since there Was already magic.
In largely unrelated things...
[X] Fall Down Until The End
My original reason for choosing Hopeless And Tireless was that I thought 'continue in some form' would mean like, controlling some other character. Not 'Zane as a ghost with comparable potential and hopefully lower odds of getting assassinated.'. That said, Fly Up causes unknown, potentially permanent, harm to the Knight Arm and might Still not kill the Mangler. and Defiance is Evil. So, Fall Down Until The End. and who knows, Zane might even survive. Theoretically. It's possible.
...
It occurs to me that Zanes probability of survival would actually have been higher if he was weaker. That way he wouldn't've even had the option of saving Johnny Buddha and so would've been forced to flee instead. which had a much higher success rate.
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OctarineShrike
Avatar of Mandos
[X] Fall Down Until The End
- Location
- Poland
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I honestly wonder then, what would happen, were we to choose a different path from the Maiden. It'll be a less dangerous path, but would the invasion happen in Zane's lifetime? Would it become a later event, one we would vote like in Hellraiser or perhaps something more background-esque? Some hidden conflict with hints here and there, until finally Zane would meet one of those demons? How strong would Zane be, if he relied on godcards and his own abilities?
Because I bet Mangler could kill off 95% of Godcard bearers for sure, and remaining 5% are people with godcards that are a great counter to him... and people who are Just That Good, of course.
How strong is Zane now, anyway? Clearly below top-tier Olympus Corp assets, but what does it mean anyway? Is Olympus the top dog? Are there occultists with more ability than the bitter Joseph, who spent innumerable hours just to sell his soul to the vilest bidder?
Guess it won't matter. Either we'll surprass those power comparisons, or we'll die with no re.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
Whatever else he may have done, Oberführer Rauff deserved his fate by his speechcraft alone.
- Location
- 1
Well, the Mangler has had his card longer than, and has higher compatibility than, I think like... everyone? (And even if Olympus has had Godcards longer, admittedly plausible, 3000% Compatibility seems like it'd take rather extreme... compatibility.) So if Olympus has stronger assets, then they're assets based on something other than the titular godcards. Possible, albeit slightly less likely, I think. Regardless, Olympus clearly isn't the top dog, because that's Hell- the invasion of which Olympus isn't going to notice(Dubiously isn't. Birdsie might've just meant 'before they send assassins after Zane'.). Which also makes it clearer what Olympus's upper limits are- the pure-physical-force requirement for stopping some of their plans is 'approximately the Mangler', which suggests that Olympus can't trivially deploy that level of force.
On the topic of Occultists, I think we can infer there are Occultists with more ability than Joseph did, assuming anyone has been trying proportionally at a later point; Thaumo-mundic drift suggests the world is currently More magical than it was, which suggests magic, and intuiting magic, would get easier over time. Of course, that's very different from an Occultist stronger than Joseph Is, since he got chosen by that demon as an apprentice or whatnot with the promise he'd return as one of the powerful demons taking over the world.
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
A tough piece of sohistry, given that Hel's Feast only happens at night! (It's viking Halloween.)Whatever else he may have done, Oberführer Rauff deserved his fate by his speechcraft alone.
- Location
- 1
- The Purifiers / Hell is Invading - Civilization Pair
Another one of the Civilizations for aSS, or, well, sort of two. This is the latest one (though there are others I haven't posted for Ambrosia/Arete yet, they are less... topical.), which rather shows as I seem to have a habit of excessive bloat as I continue to write within a context. 2500 words where the Forge Nomads weren't even 1000 even with their having much more 'other information' to append.
Hopefully it'll make the difference.
[Power Selection] A Prayer, A Choice
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
A Prayer, A Choice [Power Selection]
Knight-Aspirant, select a single 12-Ambrosia power.
[ ] Shattered Armament Singularity [12 Ambrosia] - A sacrifice of eternity, for power in the moment.
All of the future potential of Morum Parabellum is unsealed in a coruscating temporal singularity of awesome power. It can now exceed its limits and continue shaping the world - its power is roughly at the level of a highly developed, maximized, and super-trained Royal Arm, close to Imperial Rank. It has sufficient power now to allow you to survive, heal your wounds, and escape - but with this much power, you can instead choose to stand again to challenge the Mangler; not as beast and victim, but as two equals doing battle to the death.
However, a potential of this level carries its own cost - at the end of the process, Morum Parabellum is burnt into cinders and lost, mourning aflame its last breath, as the weapon has sacrificed its life for its gallant Knight. As a result, Knight-Aspirant Black loses access to his Knight Arm and most of its Invocations, retaining only a shadowy potential of the ones most dear to him.
*Assured to resolve the situation in a satisfactory manner, allowing you and your companions to survive.
*Alternatively, if some good tactics are put together to fight the Mangler, it can give you a decent chance of defeating him - or putting him down like the rabid dog he is.
*Afterwards, however, you're back to street level - still, better to go to street level than to the grave.
*It's possible to regain your Knight Arm in the future, but the path to doing so will be fraught with danger and effort - no simple task.
[ ] Divine Audience (Lesser) [12 Ambrosia] - The Maiden of the Lotus is known for training countless knights of mythological power on many worlds.
Although most of the religions which know of her, revere her in the Maiden Aspect, as the holy woman whose passage gives birth to heroes; some know of her in her much more fearsome Warrior Aspect, as the steel-eyed banner woman on a steed of white, wielding a saber and leading the charge of cosmic armies against the evil worlds and carving out a future. She is both of these Aspects at the same time, ready to take up arms in defense of righteousness, or stand back and take a more passive role.
As time around Knight-Aspirant seems to freeze, he is granted a vision in which he experiences a personal audience with the Lotus Maiden. She offers him a single lesson of training in combat, and whatever she deems to be most relevant to his situation, as well as some well-seasoned advice. Although the lesson is over in what seems like to be moments, he learns what might be the most important knowledge of his life.
*It can't be predicted what the Maiden will teach you - only she knows this.
*However, she is a celestial entity billions of years old - omnipotent as far as you are concerned - with the experience that'd certainly give.
*If from the perspective of mortals, Zane Li Black is the Brawler - an expert martial artist beyond any peer - then from the Maiden's, he is merely a mortal who's learned to punch a few breaths ago. She can make him an actual martial artist, and what a terrifying power that'd be.
*Almost sure to be useful in some manner.
*Although she has many bodies performing many functions at the same time, taking up even this fractional moment of her attention draws her away from other pursuits. Do not squander this gift, as it'd mean she'd spent time helping you that could have been spent helping other worlds!
*Doesn't guarantee anything - neither escape nor victory. And while experience is nice, it's insubstantial in the face of overwhelming power. This could very well prove to be the most suicidal option once more; maybe this Maiden is merely trying to lure you into her afterlife pyramid scheme?
[ ] Squire of Pyldret [12 Ambrosia] - An instant promotion to the status of a personal squire, in service to Knight-Champion Pyldret, one of the direct servants of the Lotus Maiden. He's been watching your progress ever since that one time you kicked a self-proclaimed demon in the face and he loves your chutzpah.
As his squire, Knight-Champion Pyldret will immediately bestow on you access to some of his most basic abilities. Which is to say, some of the basic abilities of an ancient dragon. This doesn't transform you into an actual dragon, even metaphysically; you remain human through and through. However, these abilities are very potent and versatile indeed! Among them are countless and versatile breath attacks (including a very relevant-to-your-situation Silver Breath!) the ability to fly (which is also relevant as you can alter your trajectory so as to not get Mangled), and some broad-purpose conditional enhancements (extremely relevant; bastard can't dodge if you're as fast as him).
After some time has passed, Pyldret will cut and shoot his way through the multiversal void in order to reach you. He will then resolve the most pressing issues of this world - this means nothing less than salvation for your entire universe (including, possibly, a few parallel Earths.) After that, he'll take you back physically to the Star-Made Hall to actually start your training as a knight under his tutelage. It means you'll have to say goodbye to your friends, but all of that is in the distant future.
[ ] Time, Sundered [12 Ambrosia] - An earnest request will result in the Temporal Champion's interference in your universe. A startlingly easy and yet useful power...
Knight-Aspirant Black's personal timeline is rewound back to the moment in which this entire Quest began, as he stands in the alleyway in front of the Zuchezzi brothers. He retains the use of his Knight Arm, exactly as it was in the moment he received it, back when it was Noble Rank - as well as all of his memories of what transpired. He's free to do as he pleases, either retracing his previous steps but with more positive outcomes, or attempting for a different result. He can simply choose to sequester himself in some private spot and train up to prevent the future that'll happen.
However, a few other entities of similar power remember. Most notable are the demons that had been dispatched into this world, who now arrive at the exact moment of the Quest's beginning, as well as some Olympus staff members. The Mangler doesn't remember, but when he sits in the darkness of his cell, consumed by the hunger that's tearing him apart with every breath, he can almost see recollections of a lotus shape in his mind's eye.
*A lesser variant of an option by a similar name - only a single re-do.
*It's still incredibly powerful. Maybe the best option on this list.
[ ] Aut Pax, Aut Bellum [12 Ambrosia] - Wager your future once more.
A number of potential and random benefits. All of the below would be rolled for separately.
*A 50% chance to unlock Secret Invocation: "All-Out Brawl."
*A 25% chance to unlock Secret Invocation: "Warrior At The World's End."
*A 10% chance to unlock Secret Invocation: "Fist That Ends The World."
*A 2.5% chance to unlock the Forbidden Card, a specialized form of card that only Zane Li Black can wield at any level of compatibility. Its power is immeasurable; beyond all reason and beyond all madness: virtual omnipotence locked into a rectangular shape.
However, are you sure that putting your fate in the hands of random chance is wise?
Knight-Aspirant, select a single 12-Ambrosia power.
[ ] Shattered Armament Singularity [12 Ambrosia] - A sacrifice of eternity, for power in the moment.
All of the future potential of Morum Parabellum is unsealed in a coruscating temporal singularity of awesome power. It can now exceed its limits and continue shaping the world - its power is roughly at the level of a highly developed, maximized, and super-trained Royal Arm, close to Imperial Rank. It has sufficient power now to allow you to survive, heal your wounds, and escape - but with this much power, you can instead choose to stand again to challenge the Mangler; not as beast and victim, but as two equals doing battle to the death.
However, a potential of this level carries its own cost - at the end of the process, Morum Parabellum is burnt into cinders and lost, mourning aflame its last breath, as the weapon has sacrificed its life for its gallant Knight. As a result, Knight-Aspirant Black loses access to his Knight Arm and most of its Invocations, retaining only a shadowy potential of the ones most dear to him.
*Assured to resolve the situation in a satisfactory manner, allowing you and your companions to survive.
*Alternatively, if some good tactics are put together to fight the Mangler, it can give you a decent chance of defeating him - or putting him down like the rabid dog he is.
*Afterwards, however, you're back to street level - still, better to go to street level than to the grave.
*It's possible to regain your Knight Arm in the future, but the path to doing so will be fraught with danger and effort - no simple task.
[ ] Divine Audience (Lesser) [12 Ambrosia] - The Maiden of the Lotus is known for training countless knights of mythological power on many worlds.
Although most of the religions which know of her, revere her in the Maiden Aspect, as the holy woman whose passage gives birth to heroes; some know of her in her much more fearsome Warrior Aspect, as the steel-eyed banner woman on a steed of white, wielding a saber and leading the charge of cosmic armies against the evil worlds and carving out a future. She is both of these Aspects at the same time, ready to take up arms in defense of righteousness, or stand back and take a more passive role.
As time around Knight-Aspirant seems to freeze, he is granted a vision in which he experiences a personal audience with the Lotus Maiden. She offers him a single lesson of training in combat, and whatever she deems to be most relevant to his situation, as well as some well-seasoned advice. Although the lesson is over in what seems like to be moments, he learns what might be the most important knowledge of his life.
*It can't be predicted what the Maiden will teach you - only she knows this.
*However, she is a celestial entity billions of years old - omnipotent as far as you are concerned - with the experience that'd certainly give.
*If from the perspective of mortals, Zane Li Black is the Brawler - an expert martial artist beyond any peer - then from the Maiden's, he is merely a mortal who's learned to punch a few breaths ago. She can make him an actual martial artist, and what a terrifying power that'd be.
*Almost sure to be useful in some manner.
*Although she has many bodies performing many functions at the same time, taking up even this fractional moment of her attention draws her away from other pursuits. Do not squander this gift, as it'd mean she'd spent time helping you that could have been spent helping other worlds!
*Doesn't guarantee anything - neither escape nor victory. And while experience is nice, it's insubstantial in the face of overwhelming power. This could very well prove to be the most suicidal option once more; maybe this Maiden is merely trying to lure you into her afterlife pyramid scheme?
[ ] Squire of Pyldret [12 Ambrosia] - An instant promotion to the status of a personal squire, in service to Knight-Champion Pyldret, one of the direct servants of the Lotus Maiden. He's been watching your progress ever since that one time you kicked a self-proclaimed demon in the face and he loves your chutzpah.
As his squire, Knight-Champion Pyldret will immediately bestow on you access to some of his most basic abilities. Which is to say, some of the basic abilities of an ancient dragon. This doesn't transform you into an actual dragon, even metaphysically; you remain human through and through. However, these abilities are very potent and versatile indeed! Among them are countless and versatile breath attacks (including a very relevant-to-your-situation Silver Breath!) the ability to fly (which is also relevant as you can alter your trajectory so as to not get Mangled), and some broad-purpose conditional enhancements (extremely relevant; bastard can't dodge if you're as fast as him).
After some time has passed, Pyldret will cut and shoot his way through the multiversal void in order to reach you. He will then resolve the most pressing issues of this world - this means nothing less than salvation for your entire universe (including, possibly, a few parallel Earths.) After that, he'll take you back physically to the Star-Made Hall to actually start your training as a knight under his tutelage. It means you'll have to say goodbye to your friends, but all of that is in the distant future.
[ ] Time, Sundered [12 Ambrosia] - An earnest request will result in the Temporal Champion's interference in your universe. A startlingly easy and yet useful power...
Knight-Aspirant Black's personal timeline is rewound back to the moment in which this entire Quest began, as he stands in the alleyway in front of the Zuchezzi brothers. He retains the use of his Knight Arm, exactly as it was in the moment he received it, back when it was Noble Rank - as well as all of his memories of what transpired. He's free to do as he pleases, either retracing his previous steps but with more positive outcomes, or attempting for a different result. He can simply choose to sequester himself in some private spot and train up to prevent the future that'll happen.
However, a few other entities of similar power remember. Most notable are the demons that had been dispatched into this world, who now arrive at the exact moment of the Quest's beginning, as well as some Olympus staff members. The Mangler doesn't remember, but when he sits in the darkness of his cell, consumed by the hunger that's tearing him apart with every breath, he can almost see recollections of a lotus shape in his mind's eye.
*A lesser variant of an option by a similar name - only a single re-do.
*It's still incredibly powerful. Maybe the best option on this list.
[ ] Aut Pax, Aut Bellum [12 Ambrosia] - Wager your future once more.
A number of potential and random benefits. All of the below would be rolled for separately.
*A 50% chance to unlock Secret Invocation: "All-Out Brawl."
*A 25% chance to unlock Secret Invocation: "Warrior At The World's End."
*A 10% chance to unlock Secret Invocation: "Fist That Ends The World."
*A 2.5% chance to unlock the Forbidden Card, a specialized form of card that only Zane Li Black can wield at any level of compatibility. Its power is immeasurable; beyond all reason and beyond all madness: virtual omnipotence locked into a rectangular shape.
However, are you sure that putting your fate in the hands of random chance is wise?
- Location
- 1
[X] Squire of Pyldret
Seems reasonably probable that we'd be able to escape (and Potentially win through cheese tactics like 'fly too high above to the city to even see while on a random-walk so he won't get us even if he figures out where we are and jumps, and dispense a constant stream of dissolute silver' though that's a very edge-case possibility and probably the Mangler can survive constant low-grade silver problems with his regeneration.)
Time Sundered is very powerful but doesn't Actually help much in this situation. Olympus is the reason for our main danger, with hell behind for when it gets around to it, and both will remember; If anything, Olympus would probably attack even faster, leaving Zane weaker and with fewer allies when they do. Time Reversion is a much bigger red flag than 'he connected to something outside'.
Aut Pax is a gacha. I'd assume All-Out Brawl is a bit stronger than 12 Ambrosia, Warrior is 25A, Fist is stronger yet, and the card is just ridiculous- but we already rolled the dice once, and we'll Probably get the card eventually, if nothing else.
the Audience is, as far as I can tell, a potential pick. Taken while fighting the Mangler. with mangled arms.
and Shattered Armament is great for this situation right now but then away goes the Knight Arm and away goes our ability to fight off future assassins or Hell.
Seems reasonably probable that we'd be able to escape (and Potentially win through cheese tactics like 'fly too high above to the city to even see while on a random-walk so he won't get us even if he figures out where we are and jumps, and dispense a constant stream of dissolute silver' though that's a very edge-case possibility and probably the Mangler can survive constant low-grade silver problems with his regeneration.)
Time Sundered is very powerful but doesn't Actually help much in this situation. Olympus is the reason for our main danger, with hell behind for when it gets around to it, and both will remember; If anything, Olympus would probably attack even faster, leaving Zane weaker and with fewer allies when they do. Time Reversion is a much bigger red flag than 'he connected to something outside'.
Aut Pax is a gacha. I'd assume All-Out Brawl is a bit stronger than 12 Ambrosia, Warrior is 25A, Fist is stronger yet, and the card is just ridiculous- but we already rolled the dice once, and we'll Probably get the card eventually, if nothing else.
the Audience is, as far as I can tell, a potential pick. Taken while fighting the Mangler. with mangled arms.
and Shattered Armament is great for this situation right now but then away goes the Knight Arm and away goes our ability to fight off future assassins or Hell.
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
It's worth keeping in mind that while Squire of Pyldret does grant some immediate power, it doesn't grant skill with the use of that power! It doesn't matter if Zane can theoretically breathe spears of silver that fly at Mach 3 when he doesn't even know he can breathe silver, let alone entire spears of it. It takes learning and practice to use such abilities proficiently, and learning such in the middle of a fight with a monster is a kind of dice roll of its own! Don't write up Pyldret as the automatically best pick.
Divine Audience, in comparison, would allow the Maiden to tutor him in the use of a new, critically-powerful Invocation instead - Invocations are skill and training-based, after all.
Divine Audience, in comparison, would allow the Maiden to tutor him in the use of a new, critically-powerful Invocation instead - Invocations are skill and training-based, after all.
- Location
- Poland
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Divine Audience (Lesser) [12 Ambrosia]
If Invocations are indeed something we can get, then I vote for this mystery box.
Ultimately, we prayed to the Maiden, and getting something from her is fitting.
Also, considering how omnipotent and knowledgable she is, I wouldn't be surprised if she took a look at Zane and went "Ah, of course, that situation".
For me it's a choice between this and dragon(born) powers.
If Invocations are indeed something we can get, then I vote for this mystery box.
Ultimately, we prayed to the Maiden, and getting something from her is fitting.
Also, considering how omnipotent and knowledgable she is, I wouldn't be surprised if she took a look at Zane and went "Ah, of course, that situation".
For me it's a choice between this and dragon(born) powers.
- Location
- 1
So... how much does Zane know about his enhancement? If he doesn't know any of it exists at all, then that makes it useless unless the 'conditional' enhancements are conditioned on things outside of Zane, so I assume he has some knowledge. how much can we assume he knows about his new powers? will he know he can fly? know How to fly, at least in a straight line? saying 'it grants you this ability' is pretty misleading if the ability can't actually be used until its discovered through other means, especially since it says 'Immediately bestow'. more generally, how much can we assume Zane knows about the abilities? will he know he only has the one rewind in Sundered, know his Knight Arm is going to be sealed in Shattered? etcetra.
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
He knows:
- The Knight-Champion known as Pyldret, the Dragon Champion, has chosen him as a squire and granted him a portion of his powers.
- His new powers are likely draconic in nature, so probably a breath weapon, super-condition, flying, and similar stuff.
And that's it. He'll have to learn how to call upon those powers, in the moment. Even if you know there exists such a thing as people who can move their ears, you won't know how to do the same as them unless you experiment with every muscle group of your head in order to produce the desired effect.
As for the other options, he knows the broad strokes - he knows that his Knight Arm isn't going to last for very long, and knows (or rather, correctly guesses,) there's only a single rewind.
- Location
- 1
...do you not think Time Rewinding is an extremely major concern? If I know Zane was set to be assassinated today and then time rewound several weeks I think stopping that from repeating by killing Zane would be a priority- unless I assume infinite rewinds, at least.
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Lealope
Not yet invincible
- Pronouns
- She/Her
If Olympus thinks there was a universal scale time rewinding because of Zane, why do you think that would make them more likely to attack? Any entity capable of doing that would be an entity more than capable of making Olympus have an extremely unpleasant day. If they do know it's due to Zane (and not entirely at random or some other unrelated event), they'd be more cautious and careful, not less.
