Errr ...Yog. we cannot keep taking the potion. We simply do not have the ingredients.
It is not a longterm solution. Not even a short term one.
Basically what DragonParadox said. But I take your point. Which is why, and after thinking a bit, I propose a different plan:
[X] Plan Social Expression
-[X] Molly (20 XP)
--[X] Empathy 5 (4 XP)
--[X] Subterfuge 5 (3+4 = 7 XP)
--[X] Expression 2 dots, 5 XP
--[X] Expression excellency, 4 XP
-[X] Lydia (9 XP)
--[X] Hunter's Bolt (6 XP)
--[X] Oxen Body (3 XP)
So, my reasoning is like this:
1) Subterfuge 5 is a must with the secret we now know. So, it goes into both plans. This is our social defense ability, we need to max it.
2) Empathy is also required to be able to read Mab. This is our social investigation ability. We need to max it in order to be able to read Mab.
3) Neither awareness nor alertness are applicable for talking to Mab. However, reading the descriptions provided, it turns out that Expression is:
Expression
This is your ability to get your point across clearly,
whether through conversation, poetry, or even in 140
characters or fewer. Characters with high Expression
can phrase their opinions or beliefs in a manner that
cannot be ignored (even if their opinions are misin-
formed or worthless). They might also be talented ac-
tors, skilled at conveying moods or communicating
emotion with every gesture. Additionally, this Talent
represents your ability for poetry, creative writing, or
other literary art forms. For many elders, Expression
is the subtle art of crafting a satirical epigram capable
of socially crippling one's longtime rival. For younger
Kindred, Expression may well be the key to convinc-
ing thirty stake-wielding Anarchs to converge on the
Sheriff's private hunting ground with the right text
message. You can choose a specialty in Expression,
even at less than 4 dots.
• Novice: Your talent has matured past crude poetry on notebook paper.
•• Practiced: You could lead a college debate team.
••• Competent: You could be a successful writer.
•••• Expert: Your work is Pulitzer material.
••••• Master: Steve Jobs asks you for input on his next mobile device.
Possessed by: Actors, Writers, Poets, Politicians, Journalists, Web Personalities, Rabble-Rousers
Specialties: Acting, Poetry, Fiction, Impromptu, Conversation, Social Media
Essentially, expression is our social attack ability. We have been using empathy as a substitute, I think, and sometimes etiquette, but in principle, this is what we should be using, with a specialty in Conversation.
If we are to do more than withstand the social attacks by Mab, we need to be able to make arguments and talk to her. Which is what expression with an excellency would be for.
4) I dropped Seeing is Blindness. I am not fond of this decision, but Lydia, as our circlemate, gets the combat upgrade this turn, which is, in my mind, an equivalent of spending XP on combat stuff.
@DragonParadox how much does specialty cost to buy?
@Yog
Might I suggest buying an Occult specialty for Etiquette?
I'll need to know how much it costs first.
