Green Flame Rising (Exalted vs Dresden Files)
- Thread starter DragonParadox
- Start date
- Crossover Fantasy
- Location
- Who knows?
[X] You are considering your options (may be taken as an invitation to sweeten the pot)
Yeah Rendered Villain Disposal makes the commute time practically nil. And I doubt The Order of the Cauldron is really gonna complain about getting an in with Harvard if they really want influence. But also, this stuff is months away, no need to commit right now
Yeah Rendered Villain Disposal makes the commute time practically nil. And I doubt The Order of the Cauldron is really gonna complain about getting an in with Harvard if they really want influence. But also, this stuff is months away, no need to commit right now
[X] You are considering your options (may be taken as an invitation to sweeten the pot)
I'm not a fan of giving Chicago to Marcone, which is what Odin is trying to set up here. I'm even less of a fan of splitting up our circle and things we've invested a lot of our very scarce AP into.
That said, it's a long time until the school year starts. Nine months of PC-speed growth could change a lot of things.
I'm not a fan of giving Chicago to Marcone, which is what Odin is trying to set up here. I'm even less of a fan of splitting up our circle and things we've invested a lot of our very scarce AP into.
That said, it's a long time until the school year starts. Nine months of PC-speed growth could change a lot of things.
- Location
- Australia
[X] Why not both? I could be convinced to commute, but maybe not to move entirely.
[X] You are considering your options (may be taken as an invitation to sweeten the pot)
[X] You are considering your options (may be taken as an invitation to sweeten the pot)
- Location
- Right Where I Am
[X] You are considering your options (may be taken as an invitation to sweeten the pot)
Even if we firmly want to do it we don't want to just jump at his word at this point, and we especially don't want to make this decision without consulting some of the people in our life. Plus, a bit interested in what he might offer. Maybe a discount on soul fire knowledge?
I'm not opposed to us expanding to the Boston area, but I am opposed to us letting go of Chicago. Our ability to maintain a presence in Chicago even if we go to Harvard is considerable though, and will grow.
If we do this, then I absolutely want us to create a city-god of Chicago as part of our faction beforehand. Also, I think we should establish a more lasting relationship with Porter beyond this one project.
Odin has his own interests and plans that he wants us out of the way for, but I do believe that this a genuine and well intentioned offer at the same time. We are an up and coming power to be, and giving us a place to spread our wings and establish ourself where we aren't in the way of what else he has going on would be better for him than screwing us over when it's that easy.
Even if we firmly want to do it we don't want to just jump at his word at this point, and we especially don't want to make this decision without consulting some of the people in our life. Plus, a bit interested in what he might offer. Maybe a discount on soul fire knowledge?
I'm not opposed to us expanding to the Boston area, but I am opposed to us letting go of Chicago. Our ability to maintain a presence in Chicago even if we go to Harvard is considerable though, and will grow.
If we do this, then I absolutely want us to create a city-god of Chicago as part of our faction beforehand. Also, I think we should establish a more lasting relationship with Porter beyond this one project.
Odin has his own interests and plans that he wants us out of the way for, but I do believe that this a genuine and well intentioned offer at the same time. We are an up and coming power to be, and giving us a place to spread our wings and establish ourself where we aren't in the way of what else he has going on would be better for him than screwing us over when it's that easy.
DragonParadox said that the warden that would have been there by the time of Small Favor hasn't moved there yet. Butterflies mean that they may or may not be doing so now.
Yeah, short story had them making their move that night.
I want him to end up in prison with his business dismantled. In the meantime stopping him from becoming Baron Marcone is good.
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
Just thought of a way to get a bunch of highly skilled semi expendable minions that can fight for us. Get False Springs Beckon (•••) (9 xp) go to a old folks home and recruit all the military veterans who will suddenly be able to fight like they could in their prime.
Really we could likely empty out folks homes to get a bunch of highly experienced people who desperately don't want to go back to having dementia.
That plus Inner Demons unchained gets us a lot of people.
Really we could likely empty out folks homes to get a bunch of highly experienced people who desperately don't want to go back to having dementia.
That plus Inner Demons unchained gets us a lot of people.
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Agreed. With an addition that we should work out both finding and integrating new ghouls into the system. We know that at least some of "our" ghouls were just normal people who had strange and unexplainable (to them) "superpower puberty", at which point they were forced to flee mortal society. We need to work out protocols for spotting such people early in the process of said puberty, catching them and recruiting them before their lives are destroyed. That's probably going to be a part of Paranet's online functionality. For ghouls and probably others (I am fairly sure there are white court by-blows and such out there too).
Taking over Chicago Underground in a more firm way seems like a natural step after Last Station is finished, and would be a step in the right direction.
Assuming that we aren't directly taking over ourselves, which I can see, because we'd be busy elsewhere, and for all that Molly is a socially-oriented Exalt, she's not a politically oriented one, we should think of who we would offer as an alternative. Odin is clearly interested in Chicago (and other major cities, I am betting) being secured and consolidated.
It can't be someone with direct ties / obligations to major supernatural organizations, that defeats the purpose of the whole exercise. We could maybe try to get Helen or Anna there? Helen runs Marcone's brothel, so there are connections there, she could be a viable compromise figure, beholden in part to everyone involved (us, Marcone, Odin, etc).
That's a very interesting idea, and an old mostly-mundane WW2 (theoretically, WW1 through korean war vet is possible, back in 2006) veteran who has seen some sh*t, even if it was mostly mundane would be a very interesting character to interact with, especially if they are both experienced in life, and ignorant of supernatural. When we increase alchemy, we could buy life extension treatment too.
- Location
- Brazil
Great idea that would be great for us, too bad it will fail for the same reasons as other equally good ideas, the self-search for the morality of the topic where we are not allowed to seek the full usefulness of our Infernal charms (some points I admit but most of them I just think they deny because they don't want to accept that they're playing as an Infernal and not a Solar) and the inevitable allegations that it would go against Molly's morals.
It's hard to be an true Infernal fan in this world
.
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
With our backing we could likely get Murphy elected.
- Location
- Brazil
But it wouldn't be a compromise candidate, which is what Yog was talking about, instead of helping (or at least silently accepting with some support) we would have to politically fight them and others all the time before and after if it's her. Murphey, in my opinion, is a good person but not very... flexible, we should say, to be a good person in that chair
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
I don't really feel like compromising when we can just win.
Murphy as she is, is an agent of the Library of Congress. If she was drummed out of the force, and was an independent actor, I could see it. It would still be a terrible choice (she is not very politically minded or flexible enough to handle a lot of questions of rulership), but it would be viable. As it is, she's someone our freeholding lord should be in good relationship with, but not a candidate herself. Which is why I believe we should introduce Order of Cauldron to Chicago SI as one of our future actions.
We need someone with management experience, not directly tied to any major organization, and not fully and magically dependent on us (thus, Thomas is not the best choice).
A compromise is also a win to us, it's just a question of how many resources we have to spend fighting for said win and getting others to accept it.
Also, can Molly even get into Harvard? Assuming no direct cheating (i.e. having cyberdevils handle exams for her, or bribing someone), Molly have Int 4 (very good), and Academics (which is for humanities) 1, science 0. Technology is at 2, but still. She would need to improve her GPA, ace the exams, and get letters from her school. Molly has no excellencies relevant to exam taking, so we'll have to either buy them, or rely on DC adjusters.
And If I am reading this right, we have to apply by January 1st, and already missed the early deadline. So we can't actually wait a lot. If we are really considering this, that's one AP we have to spend next month, getting everything in order.
And If I am reading this right, we have to apply by January 1st, and already missed the early deadline. So we can't actually wait a lot. If we are really considering this, that's one AP we have to spend next month, getting everything in order.
- Location
- Brazil
I... I am not going to discuss this same subject with you again but I will leave my opinion on all our relations with the other factions summarized before I leave: the less mortal enemies we have, being acceptable competitors, the better, so that we can spend our resources on our interests and adventure rather than constant spending against others.
Bribery to the right people and cyberdevil hacking work miracles.
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- Location
- Germany
I'm more worried on the practical side.Great idea that would be great for us, too bad it will fail for the same reasons as other equally good ideas, the self-search for the morality of the topic where we are not allowed to seek the full usefulness of our Infernal charms (some points I admit but most of them I just think they deny because they don't want to accept that they're playing as an Infernal and not a Solar) and the inevitable allegations that it would go against Molly's morals.
It's hard to be an true Infernal fan in this world
FSB solves exactly 1 issue per casting.
Does old age and all accumulated issues over a lifetime count as one?
Or do we have to use the charm multiple times per senior?
Cause lets be honest, on the average old people are not "just" old, but have various long-term health problems.
It doesn't help us if someone we relieve of dementia also has a fake hip, shaky hands or a weak heart.
FSB already doesn't scale that greatly, with us regularly having to top it up (which costs Essence) and the more times we have to use it per person, the worse it scales.
I assumed that to be Odin's problem. If he wants it, arranging it is on him.
I don't really like this option. Using excellncies and DC adjusters to ace the exams, and presenting our accomplishments like Chicago Synthetics on our application is fair game in asserting our Exalted Glory. It's demonstrating that we can handle the load. Using cyberdevils is just cheating.
Transformation splendors. Peaches of Immortality is a 1 dot splendor (described below), with one big caveat. The caveat is transformation duration. The banned Twisted Horror Curse (3 pt. Root Element) has the following duration rules
The transformation root that I am using for the splendor has almost exactly the same rule
but doesn't have the alternative option. If the option is allowed, then we can get peaches of immortality as a one dot splendor. If not, it's a 5 dot one (you get 5 dot duration, then add Elongation of the Curse on top of that). So, depends on @DragonParadox .
The Splendor takes the form of something that is vital, or lively, or green, or fecund, or, most
likely, something made of wood. It might even be a living plant. This Element defines the
Splendor's physical form and gives it a character, and that character is aligned with the
elemental power of wood. Other Elements may draw upon this fact.
The Splendor easily blends into natural surroundings when it would be useful for it to be hidden,
and immediately stands out when its owner is looking for it, or to those it wishes to attract. As an
Adornment, increases its user's Initiative modifier by two. As the basis for a Fascination, it may
generate the creator's choice of: fragrant scents; an area encompassing (Splendor's rating x 5)
yards in which animals and insects will not attack; enticing fruit, which may act as the focus for
a Root Element; or an aura of peace and tranquility.
likely, something made of wood. It might even be a living plant. This Element defines the
Splendor's physical form and gives it a character, and that character is aligned with the
elemental power of wood. Other Elements may draw upon this fact.
The Splendor easily blends into natural surroundings when it would be useful for it to be hidden,
and immediately stands out when its owner is looking for it, or to those it wishes to attract. As an
Adornment, increases its user's Initiative modifier by two. As the basis for a Fascination, it may
generate the creator's choice of: fragrant scents; an area encompassing (Splendor's rating x 5)
yards in which animals and insects will not attack; enticing fruit, which may act as the focus for
a Root Element; or an aura of peace and tranquility.
The Splendor causes a transformation in accordance with its character, as defined by Form
Elements such as Form of Graceful Air. The nature of the transformation depends on the Form or
Forms in play, but might include transformation into things like a sparrow (air), pig (earth), a
living flame (fire), a fish (water), a stag (wood), a walking corpse (death), a semitranslucent
spirit (spirit), or a fantastic beast such as a sphinx (dreams). These are meant to be examples, and
not an all-inclusive list.
As an Adornment, this Splendor requires a point of Willpower and a turn spent in transformation
to either assume the characteristic form or return to the user's native form.
As part of a Fascination the maximum duration of the transformation (assuming it isn't cut short
earlier by fulfilling some criteria built into the Splendor) is one day for a 1-2 dot Splendor, one
week for a 3-dot Splendor, one month for a 4-dot Splendor, and one year for a 5-dot Splendor.
Elements such as Form of Graceful Air. The nature of the transformation depends on the Form or
Forms in play, but might include transformation into things like a sparrow (air), pig (earth), a
living flame (fire), a fish (water), a stag (wood), a walking corpse (death), a semitranslucent
spirit (spirit), or a fantastic beast such as a sphinx (dreams). These are meant to be examples, and
not an all-inclusive list.
As an Adornment, this Splendor requires a point of Willpower and a turn spent in transformation
to either assume the characteristic form or return to the user's native form.
As part of a Fascination the maximum duration of the transformation (assuming it isn't cut short
earlier by fulfilling some criteria built into the Splendor) is one day for a 1-2 dot Splendor, one
week for a 3-dot Splendor, one month for a 4-dot Splendor, and one year for a 5-dot Splendor.
1 dot Simulacra (Clone) Arcana.
Strength 1
Dexterity 1
Stamina 1
Charisma 1
Manipulation 1
Appearance 2
Intelligence 2
Perception 2
Wits 2
Rapid Healing: If the Arcana is capable of natural healing, then it now heals at the same rate as Exalted do.
Unaging: The Arcana is designed with especially durable enchantments, or has had its genetic profile modified to disable ageing, or has had its corpse sprayed with remarkably efficacious preservatives. If the Arcana is of a variety that would normally get older (or wind down over time) and eventually die, it doesn't. Phantasms and golems don't normally need this Feature to endure indefinitely, unless the golem is made of something notably prone to wear and tear like soft wood or wax.
Strength 1
Dexterity 1
Stamina 1
Charisma 1
Manipulation 1
Appearance 2
Intelligence 2
Perception 2
Wits 2
Rapid Healing: If the Arcana is capable of natural healing, then it now heals at the same rate as Exalted do.
Unaging: The Arcana is designed with especially durable enchantments, or has had its genetic profile modified to disable ageing, or has had its corpse sprayed with remarkably efficacious preservatives. If the Arcana is of a variety that would normally get older (or wind down over time) and eventually die, it doesn't. Phantasms and golems don't normally need this Feature to endure indefinitely, unless the golem is made of something notably prone to wear and tear like soft wood or wax.
From there, if we increase the ratings of the splendor to 3, we get a lot more stuff to play with. And I haven't used merits for anything yet. Also, I think there's a mistype in the document, because at 3 dot, Arcana get 21 freebie points, and 15 everwhere else. Either they are supposed to get 21 points at 3-5 dots (possible), or 21 is a typo.
Edit: no, it's possible at 3 dots if stacking Elongation of the Curse onto one Element multiple times (instead of only applying multiple elongations to multiple elements) is allowed
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Odin directly says "I think you are a smart girl, and can get in". He's not just going to bribe someone, I feel. And bargaining for him to do so is just a waste. I'd much rather take the deal for soulfire lessons.
Shape-changing means you stake on the attributes of whatever you are changing into, that is what shape means, especially when it comes to mental stats, there is no way to justify taking the best of both there. I could see mental stats being carried over, but not physical ones or even social ones since many of those are dependent on the shape you are in. So like as a general rune a werewolf monster not very high in appearance no matter how pretty they are in human shape.
ClawClawBite
Mad Engineering!
- Location
- Seattle, WA
[X] You are considering your options (may be taken as an invitation to sweeten the pot)
Mostly as it seems the best chance to push Team MIT. Then again, I went there, so may be a bit biased.
I will also note that Harvard and MIT do have an agreement where students can cross register for classes the other does not offer, so if she wants some ancient languages while going to MIT, those options should be open.
Mostly as it seems the best chance to push Team MIT. Then again, I went there, so may be a bit biased.
I will also note that Harvard and MIT do have an agreement where students can cross register for classes the other does not offer, so if she wants some ancient languages while going to MIT, those options should be open.
Commentary first.
First things first:
We have shared interests with Odin vis a vis keeping everything from burning down in our faces, and keeping the riff raff out.
But its worth keeping in mind that his interests are not identical to our own. No malice or malevolence required here.
Whats good for Odin and the world is not necessarily the best for Molly.
===
=This is the 18th of November. The White Court purge happened on the 13th of November, five days ago.
By now, Odin will have a good idea of what happened and why.
Given that Gard was probably in the city when the late Duke Skavis summoned an unfettered lesser Walker, with all its effects on the local magical environment, he sure as fuck knows that a Walker showed up and was summarily shanked, even if he doesnt know that it was a permakill.
-
And apparently more than five hundred years old, if he predated Columbus. And while the details are incomplete, that plot certainly sounds like some sort of ascension ritual; if he just wanted to murder a bunch of people, there's easier ways to do so.
Still, he is dead. Probably dead; I assume Odin can confirm that sort of thing, but we didnt personally see the body or personally verify that the soul passed on. This is a reminder that events progress with or without or involvement, so we cant simply assume that stuff will wait on us.
That said, that makes for the second member of the Executive Board of the Thule Society we know of:
We might want to consider whether we want to share the names of his associates with Odin; atm we only shared it with Harry. Doing it this way might allow us to launder that information deniably.
Johann was killed two months ago according to Odin.
Given that its currently mid-November, that means he was killed in mid-September. That would have been around Arc 5, when Molly ran into Leinth/Isabella/Greene and figured out there was a naagloshii running around.
Which might explain why Broken Seeker has been apparently passive despite bringing in his coven of disciples for war months ago, if the guy he was dealing with on the human side suffered a sudden onset of mortality.
===
Worth noting:
The Skavis HQ mansion is in Boston. Lara explicitly mentions this during the purge:
Its probably not a coincidence that both Kattrin and Johannes were also living and operating here.
Certainly, both of them could not have been operating openly in Boston without the knowledge and possibly cooperation of the late Duke Skavis, not if his base was there.
Which suggests that there is probably a connecting line between Corpsetaker-Evil Bob-Kattrin-Johann-Skavis-Red Court-Outsider.
Probably one going Madrigal Raith-Skavis-Johann-Naagloshii as well.
It may well imply that Monoc might have been involved in Elisa's trip to the Boston area; assuming the Raiths needed clued-in support troops without tipping off the Skavis or any allies they might have had.
Boston was probably one of Evil Bob's potential destinations after we killed Kattrin as well.
===
-Worth noting that Odin casually reveals his ability, or the ability of some of his people, to extract information from the bodies of the dead. Thats Divination, Psychometry or Intellectus. The fact that they dont know everything about Johann's affairs tells us that, at least in this AU, the limited intellectus of the Valkyries towards some dead people doesnt extend to all the dead or all their affairs.
We could probably do better, assuming we can find where he used to live, or where his body is buried.
If there's a body, and they didnt incinerate the remnants.
-Given that both Kattrin and Johann were based in the same city of Boston, one can assume that the plots to set people on fire in Boston and to eat the Ankou in Chicago were linked, or at least mutually-supporting.
It certainly explains why Kattrin chose such a public venue as a museum to murder a bunch of people, instead of just kidnapping vagrants and randos off the street and doing it in an out of the way warehouse. And it suggests that everyone else on the Thule Society board finds the idea of breaking the Masquerade if not a primary goal, then something they arent opposed to.
It still doesnt explain why a Denarian would be tied up in that, so thats a mystery.
But it does reinforces the message that most people trying to break the Masquerade are NOT our friends, and that Masquerade breaches favor the bad guys.
And it does make it possible that moving to Boston will bring us into conflict with some of Kattrin and Johann's executive colleagues.
===
Gonna note that donor and legacy admissions are a big thing at Ivy League colleges.
For example, Jared Kushner gained admission to Harvard in 1998 after his real estate businessman father pledged $2.5 million to the school. Its never an explicit quid pro quo, but money and influence does talk and tip the scales.
Someone like Odin probably has financial and Old Boy links in the area going back to before the Civil War.
Odin can guarantee our admission at will should he choose.
===
WHAT WE KNOW THAT ODIN KNOWS
1) Molly feels like an archdevil, yet retains sufficient sanction from the White God that she lives under a Knight's roof
2) She has a supermode, works old sorcery of some sort according to Mab, summons spirits, and is a craftsperson of superhuman capability
3) She is sufficiently potent to murder a greater akuma 1v1 with minimal injury, hours after incapacitating a shikome
4) She has the capability to detect and exorcise Nemesis/the Enemy without killing the victim
5) She killed a Walker 1v1 without going super, when a few months previously she had to go super to fight and kill Kattrin. Which suggests that she is growing in power
6) Characterwise, besides the character references, she dropped six figures and went into supernatural debt in order to save a bunch of ghouls and Undertown vagrants. And was the proximate cause of the White Court purge when the machinations of the Skavis ruling house impinged on people she was associated with.
===
We dont know if the offer of tutoring Soulfire is only contingent on us taking the deal.
That said, we still have the business card from Monoc Securities. And we can probably salvage a focus from one of the vehicles that was hit with Soulfire, so we can dig up a price, or an alternative tutor if necessary.
===
Brother Devsimar, our tutor in the Shih arts, currently lives in Chicago.
Even if we chose to take Odin's offer, we cant assume that he will pull up sticks and follow. Especially since we know he has at least one other student in the city.
Of course, we could commute via Rendered Villain Dispersal.
But its something to think about, because our plans affect other people.
===
OOC?
There's a strong element of determining whether the QM wants to change cities to give themselves writing room and plot room.
That is something to keep in mind.
Molly rolls 15 successes on 17 dice to read intentions (Perception+Empathy)
This means that Molly has a good read on his motivations and can confirm that he means her no ill, and that the offer is genuine.
That doesnt mean that his offer is the best for her, or that conflicts of interest are not a thing that may be influencing him, but it does mean there's no malice involved.
COMMENTARY
First things first:
We have shared interests with Odin vis a vis keeping everything from burning down in our faces, and keeping the riff raff out.
But its worth keeping in mind that his interests are not identical to our own. No malice or malevolence required here.
Whats good for Odin and the world is not necessarily the best for Molly.
===
=This is the 18th of November. The White Court purge happened on the 13th of November, five days ago.
By now, Odin will have a good idea of what happened and why.
Given that Gard was probably in the city when the late Duke Skavis summoned an unfettered lesser Walker, with all its effects on the local magical environment, he sure as fuck knows that a Walker showed up and was summarily shanked, even if he doesnt know that it was a permakill.
-
Johann of Cleaves was apparently a Marauder of some sort.
And apparently more than five hundred years old, if he predated Columbus. And while the details are incomplete, that plot certainly sounds like some sort of ascension ritual; if he just wanted to murder a bunch of people, there's easier ways to do so.
Still, he is dead. Probably dead; I assume Odin can confirm that sort of thing, but we didnt personally see the body or personally verify that the soul passed on. This is a reminder that events progress with or without or involvement, so we cant simply assume that stuff will wait on us.
That said, that makes for the second member of the Executive Board of the Thule Society we know of:
Four of them are still running around, including the Denarian.
We might want to consider whether we want to share the names of his associates with Odin; atm we only shared it with Harry. Doing it this way might allow us to launder that information deniably.
Johann was killed two months ago according to Odin.
Given that its currently mid-November, that means he was killed in mid-September. That would have been around Arc 5, when Molly ran into Leinth/Isabella/Greene and figured out there was a naagloshii running around.
Which might explain why Broken Seeker has been apparently passive despite bringing in his coven of disciples for war months ago, if the guy he was dealing with on the human side suffered a sudden onset of mortality.
===
Worth noting:
The Skavis HQ mansion is in Boston. Lara explicitly mentions this during the purge:
"Elisa secured the Skavis manse in Boston just as you planned father, it has been recovered intact though the auspices of loyal subjects formerly in House Skavis employ and the other operations are also going to plan..." A blunter way to present that she has all the blackmail House Skavis did than she would prefer you are sure, but for the most part you are concerned with gulping down some no doubt rare white wine so as to keep your stomach from rebelling.
Certainly, both of them could not have been operating openly in Boston without the knowledge and possibly cooperation of the late Duke Skavis, not if his base was there.
Which suggests that there is probably a connecting line between Corpsetaker-Evil Bob-Kattrin-Johann-Skavis-Red Court-Outsider.
Probably one going Madrigal Raith-Skavis-Johann-Naagloshii as well.
It may well imply that Monoc might have been involved in Elisa's trip to the Boston area; assuming the Raiths needed clued-in support troops without tipping off the Skavis or any allies they might have had.
Boston was probably one of Evil Bob's potential destinations after we killed Kattrin as well.
===
-Worth noting that Odin casually reveals his ability, or the ability of some of his people, to extract information from the bodies of the dead. Thats Divination, Psychometry or Intellectus. The fact that they dont know everything about Johann's affairs tells us that, at least in this AU, the limited intellectus of the Valkyries towards some dead people doesnt extend to all the dead or all their affairs.
We could probably do better, assuming we can find where he used to live, or where his body is buried.
If there's a body, and they didnt incinerate the remnants.
-Given that both Kattrin and Johann were based in the same city of Boston, one can assume that the plots to set people on fire in Boston and to eat the Ankou in Chicago were linked, or at least mutually-supporting.
It certainly explains why Kattrin chose such a public venue as a museum to murder a bunch of people, instead of just kidnapping vagrants and randos off the street and doing it in an out of the way warehouse. And it suggests that everyone else on the Thule Society board finds the idea of breaking the Masquerade if not a primary goal, then something they arent opposed to.
It still doesnt explain why a Denarian would be tied up in that, so thats a mystery.
But it does reinforces the message that most people trying to break the Masquerade are NOT our friends, and that Masquerade breaches favor the bad guys.
And it does make it possible that moving to Boston will bring us into conflict with some of Kattrin and Johann's executive colleagues.
===
Gonna note that donor and legacy admissions are a big thing at Ivy League colleges.
For example, Jared Kushner gained admission to Harvard in 1998 after his real estate businessman father pledged $2.5 million to the school. Its never an explicit quid pro quo, but money and influence does talk and tip the scales.
Someone like Odin probably has financial and Old Boy links in the area going back to before the Civil War.
Odin can guarantee our admission at will should he choose.
===
WHAT WE KNOW THAT ODIN KNOWS
1) Molly feels like an archdevil, yet retains sufficient sanction from the White God that she lives under a Knight's roof
2) She has a supermode, works old sorcery of some sort according to Mab, summons spirits, and is a craftsperson of superhuman capability
3) She is sufficiently potent to murder a greater akuma 1v1 with minimal injury, hours after incapacitating a shikome
4) She has the capability to detect and exorcise Nemesis/the Enemy without killing the victim
5) She killed a Walker 1v1 without going super, when a few months previously she had to go super to fight and kill Kattrin. Which suggests that she is growing in power
6) Characterwise, besides the character references, she dropped six figures and went into supernatural debt in order to save a bunch of ghouls and Undertown vagrants. And was the proximate cause of the White Court purge when the machinations of the Skavis ruling house impinged on people she was associated with.
===
We dont know if the offer of tutoring Soulfire is only contingent on us taking the deal.
That said, we still have the business card from Monoc Securities. And we can probably salvage a focus from one of the vehicles that was hit with Soulfire, so we can dig up a price, or an alternative tutor if necessary.
===
Brother Devsimar, our tutor in the Shih arts, currently lives in Chicago.
Even if we chose to take Odin's offer, we cant assume that he will pull up sticks and follow. Especially since we know he has at least one other student in the city.
Of course, we could commute via Rendered Villain Dispersal.
But its something to think about, because our plans affect other people.
===
OOC?
There's a strong element of determining whether the QM wants to change cities to give themselves writing room and plot room.
That is something to keep in mind.
Odin rolls 7 successes on 14 dice to make an offer (presumably Cha/Man + Empathy/Expression).
Molly rolls 15 successes on 17 dice to read intentions (Perception+Empathy)
This means that Molly has a good read on his motivations and can confirm that he means her no ill, and that the offer is genuine.
That doesnt mean that his offer is the best for her, or that conflicts of interest are not a thing that may be influencing him, but it does mean there's no malice involved.
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Ok, sure. I refined the concept anyway. It maps perfectly into the myths, and into wan xian and into cultivator xianxia tropes. And it's still within confines of 3 dot splendor and arcana, meaning no need to hunt down dragons and ancient god-monsters:
Form of Verdant Wood (1 pt. Form Element)
Transformation (3 pt. Root Element)
Elongation of the Curse (1 pt. Mystic Element) X3 (or Elongation X2 + Mystic Fortification). This is the dicey part that I need approval for. It raises the rating of the splendor to 3 from 1, using the added points in an almost-allowed way to make the transformation permanent.
Transformation (3 pt. Root Element)
Elongation of the Curse (1 pt. Mystic Element) X3 (or Elongation X2 + Mystic Fortification). This is the dicey part that I need approval for. It raises the rating of the splendor to 3 from 1, using the added points in an almost-allowed way to make the transformation permanent.
Growing in the hidden corner of the world, protected and nourished by the mystic power of a Dragon Nest and a blood of celestial exalt freely and regularly given on each Solstice, the Tree of Immortality is a promise and a hope that the coming Sixth Age will not be that of Ruin, but instead of a glorious rebirth and newly minted Legends. The peaches it produces are almost illuminated from within by a light of the sun, and anyone fully consuming one will be gifted with a chance to walk the Path Unending. Not all, however, is as rosy as can be assumed at the first glance. The Tree of Immortality and its fruits are a product of their age, when the whole world hangs on the edge of Oblivion. Those taking the first bite of the offered fruit would find the taste far discordant with the enticing visage. Foul and revolting, it tastes like all the sins and atrocities in the world. A strong will (willpower roll against difficulty 8) is required to consume it all, flesh and pit alike, and grasp the offered chance.
3 dot Arcana
Willpower 3 (carry over from before transformation)
Superior Body
Superior Mind X2
Superior Poise
Willpower 3 (carry over from before transformation)
Physical (Primary + Superior Body)
Strength 4 (3+1)
Dexterity 4 (3+1)
Stamina 4 (3+1)
Social (secondary + Superior Poise)
Charisma 3 (2+1)
Manipulation 3 (2+1)
Appearance 4 (3+1)
mental (tertiary + Superior Mind X2)
Intelligence 4 (2+2)
Perception 3 (2+1)
Wits 4 (2+2)
Strength 4 (3+1)
Dexterity 4 (3+1)
Stamina 4 (3+1)
Social (secondary + Superior Poise)
Charisma 3 (2+1)
Manipulation 3 (2+1)
Appearance 4 (3+1)
mental (tertiary + Superior Mind X2)
Intelligence 4 (2+2)
Perception 3 (2+1)
Wits 4 (2+2)
Talents (primary, 11 points)
Alertness 5 (3 +2 from freebie point)
Athletics 5 (3 + 2 from freebie points)
Awareness 3
Brawl 1
Expression 1
Skills (secondary, 7 points)
Melee 3
Etiquette 3
Stealth 1
Knowledges (tetriary, 3 points)
Occult 3
Alertness 5 (3 +2 from freebie point)
Athletics 5 (3 + 2 from freebie points)
Awareness 3
Brawl 1
Expression 1
Skills (secondary, 7 points)
Melee 3
Etiquette 3
Stealth 1
Knowledges (tetriary, 3 points)
Occult 3
Clones are, for most intents, mortals, although they're immune to the Delirium (see W20). They can only soak bashing damage. A clone may be either a genetic replica of a single person, or a hybrid of the features of multiple tissue donors — essentially a "child" of the donors, created in a clone tank.
Superior Mind X2
Superior Poise
If the Arcana is capable of natural healing, then it now heals at the same rate as Exalted do.
The years seem to pass you by. Time moves on, but you
remain essentially the same physical age as you were when this
Merit stopped your aging process. Maybe you discovered the
Fountain of Youth, upgraded yourself to perpetual stability,
assumed an odd relationship with the time stream, or entered
an uncanny bargain that preserved your current age. And so,
although you continue to accumulate the scars, experience,
and perspective of age, your body maintains a consistent state
of chronological development. Note that this is not the same
thing as immortality – injuries and sickness can kill you just as
surely as they'll kill any other person. Age-based decrepitude,
however, is not something you'll have to worry about.
remain essentially the same physical age as you were when this
Merit stopped your aging process. Maybe you discovered the
Fountain of Youth, upgraded yourself to perpetual stability,
assumed an odd relationship with the time stream, or entered
an uncanny bargain that preserved your current age. And so,
although you continue to accumulate the scars, experience,
and perspective of age, your body maintains a consistent state
of chronological development. Note that this is not the same
thing as immortality – injuries and sickness can kill you just as
surely as they'll kill any other person. Age-based decrepitude,
however, is not something you'll have to worry about.
Blessed with great vitality, you heal injuries with heroic speed and ease. Your own injuries from lethal damage heal as if they were bashing damage (see the Healing Damage chart in Mage 20, p. 406), and aggravated damage heals as if it were one level higher than it is. (Wounded-level damage, for instance, would heal at the Injured-level rate.) Bashing damage, regardless of its extent, heals within an hour.
If you're trying to heal someone else, you subtract -2 from the difficulty of the roll, even if that roll involves casting a Life Sphere healing Effect. (The usual +3 maximum modifier and minimum difficulty of 3 still apply – see Mage 20, p. 503.) As long as you remain in physical touch with the injured party, that character uses your healing
rate as her own. Your touch also soothes minor pains – muscle spasms, headaches, and so forth – within a minute or two.
Beyond its healing powers, this rush of life-energy simply feels good, too. Your aura shines with bright vitality, and your Resonance reflects your strong connection to the primal life-force. On the inevitable downside, vampires find your blood delicious – twice as potent as normal human vitae (worth double the usual blood points, for players of Vampire: The Masquerade) – and unspeakably refreshing.
If you're trying to heal someone else, you subtract -2 from the difficulty of the roll, even if that roll involves casting a Life Sphere healing Effect. (The usual +3 maximum modifier and minimum difficulty of 3 still apply – see Mage 20, p. 503.) As long as you remain in physical touch with the injured party, that character uses your healing
rate as her own. Your touch also soothes minor pains – muscle spasms, headaches, and so forth – within a minute or two.
Beyond its healing powers, this rush of life-energy simply feels good, too. Your aura shines with bright vitality, and your Resonance reflects your strong connection to the primal life-force. On the inevitable downside, vampires find your blood delicious – twice as potent as normal human vitae (worth double the usual blood points, for players of Vampire: The Masquerade) – and unspeakably refreshing.
According to the surviving myths and stories, in the forever lost Age of Legends, this level of ability was just barely enough for one to challenge Heavens and to start their journey on the path of immortality. Whether this is true or not, in modern age, the Immortal Cultivator Body transformation requires an investment from a celestial. Upon consuming the fruit of the Tree of Immortality, the mortal target will be wracked with symptoms reminiscent with strong food poisoning. For a night and a day they will be affected by high fever and delirium, diarrhea, vomiting and copious sweating, as their bodies are being remade and impurities are expelled in a form of black tar-like foul smelling toxic sludge. Surprisingly enough, they don't require medical care to last through the process, as their bodies are actually growing in strength and vitality through it.
When the process completes itself, the target will find themselves rid of almost all blemishes and imperfections, as if they spent a day with a professional makeup artist. They will feel a spark of life burning in their body, the vitality overflowing them, and their strengths raised almost to the peak of human ability. Their senses will be far sharper and, if they didn't have it before, they will find themselves with awareness and instinctive understanding of the supernatural forces of the world they are now part of.
in the days, years and centuries to come they will find that normal human limits no longer apply to them. With diligent cultivation of their new potential, they will be able to rise to superhuman capability in all their aspects. Those who reach truly enlightened states will discover that it is their minds that are most transcendent, even if at first glance the transformation is aimed at the physical body.
When the process completes itself, the target will find themselves rid of almost all blemishes and imperfections, as if they spent a day with a professional makeup artist. They will feel a spark of life burning in their body, the vitality overflowing them, and their strengths raised almost to the peak of human ability. Their senses will be far sharper and, if they didn't have it before, they will find themselves with awareness and instinctive understanding of the supernatural forces of the world they are now part of.
in the days, years and centuries to come they will find that normal human limits no longer apply to them. With diligent cultivation of their new potential, they will be able to rise to superhuman capability in all their aspects. Those who reach truly enlightened states will discover that it is their minds that are most transcendent, even if at first glance the transformation is aimed at the physical body.
Basically, an unaging rapidly healing super-vital mortal with a potential to train to superhuman levels and baked in supernatural awareness
So, the Peachtree of Immortality. The result is basically a starting xianxia cultivator an the cusp of starting training. And still 3 dots, so no need to kill anything.
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Depending on how Gard's Intellectus works, she might be able to access Walker's knowledge. Honored dead. The Walker died fighting honorably for its cause. And it was a permakill, first in ages. As you say, it doesn't cover all dead, and it strongly depends on how "honored" is counted.
Might be something to trade for Soulfire lessons, I think. Especially if we can give him locations or their asset lists.