Upon further checking, the Seal is kind of a poor idea.
"Attuning a seal of Cecelyne costs four motes of Essence.
Stamping a document with the seal costs one committed
mote. The effects of the seal cannot be canceled at will.
They only end when the stamped document is approved,
denied or destroyed, at which point the stamp turns to sand
and falls from the page."
5 motes just to inconvenience one document. This is more fit for a subordinate, I think.
I'm not so certain on the seal; you have to commit motes to get the delay effect, and you can't un-commit them by choice. Considering how much stuff we're going to be getting, if we intend to throw serious hurdles into the rails of someone's plans we're going to have to spend a significant chunk of our remaining pool on it. Plus, it requires us to physically access the documents we're stamping- certainly possible, but still not the easiest task and a time-consuming activity as we'd have to keep doing it to maintain the effect.
The wards are generalist. 'Guns' covers everything that would reasonably be called a gun.
I like the marker idea a lot, but it isn't fast travel. It takes 5 days, but is instantaneous from our point of view. that means we don't even get training time I think.
It's kinda singular in use, don't you think? Sure, there might be other targets we'll get the chance to use it against, but it's more...gimmicky fun, rather than essential, if that makes sense?
The weapon wards got errated to a single type of weapon. So choose something like machine guns or automatic assault rifles as a weapon ward type since those are the most widespread weapons.
Hearthstone: The free WtD without the negatives makes the Deceiver's Stone the most valuable choice for the moment, but there are a lot of good choices here for the future.
[X] Deceiver's Stone
Relics: Hmm, I'm considering Six-Heart Stormspitter over a Hellcaster. The ability to use varying magical ammunition (though we're currently lacking in detail on options here) outweighs the slighter higher damage, range, and ammo capacity of the latter, especially if the matched pair of Stormsplitters (no offhand penalty) counts as a single choice given the lower rating. Ruling on that, @Alexander89 ? Otherwise, the magical taser that can be used in CQC is more likely to be immediately useful than the demonic sniper rifle, though we should pick that up at some point if we continue to develop our Archery/Guns with relevant Charms.
Infernal Relics: First, either a Hearthstone Amulet or Bracers, depending upon how concealable the latter are. Like Enjou, I favor the ED version of the bracers.
Weapon Ward (Guns) is obvious and too useful to ignore. We can still maintain some balance by simply choosing the 2-dot version which leaves magical and Knightmare weapons effective. Mooks should be mooks, especially based on what Code Geass characters survive in terms of gunfire. Cornelia is the main example I'm thinking of here.
Others have covered my reasons against the Seal of Cecylene before I posted, so that's out. And likewise, the Keys maintain the five day travel time, which limits their viable use as an escape beyond the most dire emergencies. I'd like to think we can use our other abilities to more ably manage threat assessment than to leave Lelouch in such straits, but having a fallback is always wise. This comes at a price, but may still be worth it when our actions become more public.
If we decide against the Keys, the Prayer Strips aren't particularly useful for the moment, so we may want to begin considering a custom artifact of some sort.
As for actions, praying is foremost, but we should take advantage of the location and inquire as to the crafters' services. We don't necessarily have to use them now, but IC knowledge of what they can provide is useful. Beyond that, reading the scroll is important to arranging our Fetich tutor.
[X] Stay there some more, praying to Oramus (1)
[X] Ask the demons around here what they can offer you (2)
[X] Read the Scroll (3)
The weapon wards got errated to a single type of weapon. So choose something like machine guns or automatic assault rifles as a weapon ward type since those are the most widespread weapons.
The weapon wards got errated to a single type of weapon. So choose something like machine guns or automatic assault rifles as a weapon ward type since those are the most widespread weapons.
The weapon wards got errated to a single type of weapon plus the artifact versions are a whole another type. So choose something like machine guns or automatic assault rifles as a weapon ward type since those are the most widespread weapons.
Hmm. I must have missed that errata. Actually, that raises up another thought.
@Alexander89 Does the Knightmare Frame Ward protect us when we're IN a Knightmare Frame?
Also, everyone should be aware that the Deceiver's stone doesn't block ALL downsides of WtD.
This attunement to darkness has a price, as direct sunlight in Creation imposes a -1 internal penalty to all non-reflexive actions. Said penalty can be ignored for a scene with the expenditure of one Willpower.
I suppose the question is whether we really WANT WtD for Lelouch. There are 3 big charm trees associated past WtD-a pretty cool ranged combat tree(from Life-Blighting Emptiness attack), a combat debuffing tree (Seeing is Blindness) and a memory-alteration social tree (Tarnished Golden years) that effects people's intimacies. None of them are bad, but none are essential for our build.
Various other mini-cool trees are around though, like 'our little secret -> your little problem', which lets us turn other people into scapegoats. Honestly though, the mimicry of Oramous can do that anyway, with a tad more effort. Do people have any particular TED charms they want?
Weapon Ward (Artifact 2 to 5)
All weapons of a type—swords, spears, daggers and so forth—share a certain quality of Essence, a thread of similarity that runs through them and ties
them together. Infernal artisans may draw upon that similarity to construct wards against specific types of weapons. Demon warriors place great stock in
these talismans. One who wears a sword ward, for instance, scoffs at a Solar's blazing daiklave, for he knows that it poses little threat to him. A weapon ward consists of an intricately engraved amulet containing a writ of protection in Cecelyne's name, inscribed in blood upon tanned demon skin. It pulses like a heart and is always warm to the touch. Attuning to a weapon ward costs four motes of Essence. Weapons of the ward's type recognize Cecelyne's authority and quail from it. An attacker wielding such a weapon against the bearer suffers a -10 external penalty to attack rolls and raw damage. Arrow wards are particularly valuable in Malfeas, for they also provide complete protection against the ravaging Arrow Wind.
Despite the depth of their power, weapon wards provide only limited protection to their wearers. Faced with a sword ward, nothing prevents an opponent from discarding her daiklave and smashing the wearer with a goremaul or strangling him with her bare hands. Also, Cecelyne's writ only allows the use of one weapon ward at a time. Attuning to a second ward breaks one's attunement to the first.
This categorization of weapon types is metaphysical rather than physical, and the metaphysical is in large part defined by language. (Blame Elloge.) As such, if a weapon might reasonably be associated with the name of the weapon type repelled by the ward, then the ward functions against that weapon. So a sword ward will block both a short sword and a great sword with equal ease, a javelin—being a small throwing spear—is subject to a spear ward, and a khatar—also known as a 'punch dagger'—is susceptible to the power of a dagger ward. When in doubt as to whether a weapon ward will function against a given weapon, assume that the ward will function against that weapon.
A weapon ward must be defined to function against a specific type of weapon. Axe wards, chain wards, seven-section staff wards and whip wards are all viable options. Edged weapon wards, projectile wards and harmful-object wards are not legitimate weapon ward types. For purposes of a weapon ward, it is the weapon's type that matters, not how it is used. For example, a sword ward will protect equally against blows delivered with a daiklave's edge, flat or pommel.
Two-dot weapon wards protect against all mundane weapons of the chosen type, even when enhanced by Charms. Against artifact and relic weapons, however, they are useless.
Weapons sized for Warstrider and Knightmare Frame's use need three-dot wards.
A four-dot weapon ward stops all weapons of its type, both mundane and magical.
Magical weapons sized for Warstrider and Knightmare Frame's use need five-dot wards.
Mundane Guns: pistol, rifle, heavy machine gun, rocket launcher, stun gun, submachine gun.
Mundane Blasters: laser pistols and the classic energy weapons of sci-fi pulp. Think of the Varis, but for humans. As for now all of them are just hypothetical, but they will start to be used greatly in the future.
Artifact Guns: called Shellcasters, they are gun made with magic. Britannia makes a few of them, mostly reserved to nobility and elite Dragonblooded. Hell instead if producing them non-stop and are available to all Peers and Citizens. They can use normal bullets.
Also, everyone should be aware that the Deceiver's stone doesn't block ALL downsides of WtD.I suppose the question is whether we really WANT WtD for Lelouch.
There are 3 big charm trees associated past WtD-a pretty cool combat tree(from Life-blighting Emptiness attack), a combat debuffing tree (Seeing is Blindness) and a memory-alteration social tree (Tarnished Golden years) that effects people's intimacies. None of them are bad, but none are essential for our build. Various other mini-cool trees are around though, like 'our little secret -> your little problem', which lets us turn other people into scapegoats. Honestly though, the mimicry of Oramous can do that anyway, with a tad more effort. Do people have any particular TED charms they want?
It should be kept in mind that that penalty against sunlight is internal (reduced dice pool by one, rather than successes) and that a simple expenditure of Willpower can get rid of the penalty. The penalty isn't all that bad, as Lelouch can spend a lot of time doing social-fu indoors rather than out, and if going into a battle we can just spend the Willpower.
Now, as to what Charms we want in the Witness to Darkness tree...
Seeing Is Blindness - Inflicts blindess on the target if it succeeds.
Life-Blighting Emptiness Attack - Lets us inflict our Willpower in lethal dice to supplement a ranged attack.
Hollowing Echo Venom - Adds a poison effect to LBEA, which as I've previously stated is quite powerful.
Cornered Titan Desperation - Lets us use LBEA on a melee attack if it meets the conditions. One of those is making a surprise attack. We have a Charm that makes all attacks unexpected.
My Dark Lady -> Darkling Grace Complete - The Ebon Dragon's Pantheon Charm is behind WTD, and we are limited in the number of Pantheon Charms we can get by the number of Yozis whose Charm sets we have access to.
There are other useful Charms as well not mentioned here, but those are the core ones I want.
Picking the Deceiver's Stone here gives us Witness to Darkness for free, and removes the primary penalty. We definitely want Witness to Darkness due to everything that comes behind it. Also consider that this stone is free, and if we want to build another Manse in the future to get another hearthstone we most definitely aren't going to make it a dot one manse. As such this is probably the only chance we'll get (or at least take) to get the Deceiver's Stone.
@Alexander89 - I'm thinking of switching to a Weapon Ward. What classification is the standard Britannian soldier's machine gun under the rules? Rifle, I'm guessing? That would defend against mundane sniper rifles as well...
@Alexander89 - I'm thinking of switching to a Weapon Ward. What classification is the standard Britannian soldier's machine gun under the rules? Rifle, I'm guessing? That would defend against mundane sniper rifles as well...
Fair enough point on WtD. The Cornered Titan Desperation combination is pretty powerful, and not something I'd thought of. Plus I do really want those Pantheon Charms. I guess I'm sold on Deceiver's Stone.
@Alexander89 - I'm thinking of switching to a Weapon Ward. What classification is the standard Britannian soldier's machine gun under the rules? Rifle, I'm guessing? That would defend against mundane sniper rifles as well...
[X] Stay there some more, praying to Oramus (1)
[X] Ask the demons around here what they can offer you (2)
-[X] Make the Mask of Zero allow Beautiful In My Way fascination effect go through even though face is hidden.
-[X] Make the Silken Armor of Zero increase DV against attacks by 3
[X] Read the Scroll (3)
I want to say they're a little too big for that, looking at the episodes with them. They're definitely weapons that need two hands to aim and fire accurately, unlike most submachine guns.
[X] Stay there some more, praying to Oramus (2)
[X] Ask the demons around here what they can offer you (3)
-[X] Make the Mask of Zero allow Beautiful In My Way fascination effect go through even though face is hidden.
-[X] Make the Silken Armor of Zero increase DV against attacks by 3
[X] Read the Scroll (1) [x] Visit Malfeas, see how demons live (4)
[X] Choose three Lesser Infernal Relics:
-[X] Infernal Hearthstone Amulet (Artifact 1)
-[X] Key to the Infernal Gates (Artifact 3)
--[X] Condition: Works on any door with a Yozi's name marked on it.
-[X] Weapon Ward (Artifact 2) - Machine Guns
[X] Choose two items from the "Relic Guns: Hellcasters" section here.
-[X] Hellcaster (Artifact 2)
-[X] Stormwand (Artifact 1)
Seal would be interesting if you could hit Charles with it.
[X] Choose two items from the "Relic Guns: Hellcasters" section here.
-[X] Six-Heart Stormspitter (Artifact 1)
-[X] Stormwand (Artifact 1)
A magitech gun for killing, and a magitech gun for stunning.
[X] Choose three Lesser Infernal Relics:
-[X] Infernal Hearthstone Amulet (Artifact 1)
-[X] Key to the Infernal Gates (Artifact 3)
-[X] Weapon Ward (Artifact 2) - Guns
The Amulet to let use have a Hearthstone on us and use it, the Key for if we ever need to make a quick escape, and the weapons ward so we don't have to worry about getting shot. Not sure what category of gun we should get warded against though.
[X] Stay there some more, praying to Oramus 1
[X] Find this supposed "flying" Manse 2
I want to say they're a little too big for that, looking at the episodes with them. They're definitely weapons that need two hands to aim and fire accurately, unlike most submachine guns.
So, it is probably an assault rifle, but it could be a submachine gun. It might be the best to just wait a QM ruling on this one (which might also hopefully clear up the confusion about how narrow definition for the weapon type is when considering the Weapon Ward in this quest).
Seal of Cecelyne is thoroughly not worth it. I'd say replace it with either weapon ward, bracers or the minion-summoning prayer strip. Maybe we might want a wasp to ride, or a Sesselja to help us with a medical problem or something.
[X] Deceiver's Stone
[X] Choose two items from the "Relic Guns: Hellcasters" section here.
-[X] Hellcaster (Artifact 2)
-[X] Stormwand (Artifact 1)
[X] Choose three Lesser Infernal Relics:
-[X] Infernal Hearthstone Amulet (Artifact 1)
-[X] Key to the Infernal Gates (Artifact 3)
--[X] Condition: Works on any door with a Yozi's name marked on it.
-[X] Weapon Ward (Artifact 2) - Guns
[X] Stay there some more, praying to Oramus (1)
[X] Read the Scroll (2)
[X] Ask the demons around here what they can offer you (3)
-[X] Make the Mask of Zero allow Beautiful In My Way fascination effect go through even though face is hidden.
-[X] Make the Silken Armor of Zero increase DV against attacks by 3
[x] Visit Malfeas, see how demons live (4)
Also voting to visit demons because a) contacts are nice and b) there are some charms that let us summon or transform or draw abilities from demons we've encountered.
I just reread the update and have added "[] Visit the Scattered Cities (3)" to my vote - we need to do that in order for the demons there to enchant our Zero gear. I suggest others do the same.
I just reread the update and have added "[] Visit the Scattered Cities (3)" to my vote - we need to do that in order for the demons there to enchant our Zero gear. I suggest others do the same.
Speaking of Yozis and Hearthstones, I have a question about how those work. Basically, I'm wondering if we're only allowed to attune to Yozi-aspected Hearthstones that are aspected to our Caste, Patron, or Favored Yozi? Or are we allowed to attune to any kind of Yozi Hearthstone, and it's just that it's easier to get a hold of Hearthstones that are attuned to our Caste, Patron or Favored Yozi?
The second: you can attune to any kind of Yozi Hearthstone. It's just that it's easier to get a hold of Hearthstones that are attuned to your Patron because you have his personal support.
That said, what was the DC for convincing a freshly-exalted DB to betray her people and join the Reclamation? Or at least work with Reclamation agents?
She isn't betraying her people. Realistically speaking she just got involved in the scheming of a foreign nation, and forced asked to collaborate. It partially goes against her military code, but it doesn't violate her Motivation or Intimacies so we aren't giving her unacceptable orders.
Really, the poor girl just need to relax a little.
...Could we also get a certain character's rainbow-hair from Kill La Kill if we prove worthy enough for Oramus? We could also start making epic speeches about the benefits of silk clothing.
I don't know much about Akito, but from his depiction here he strikes me as the kind of guy who's fine with following orders so long as he gets sent into combat a lot and has lots of fun on leave. More Isidoros than Malfeas.
Yeah. He will still occasionally flip you the bird on principle, because Primordial of Anarchism, but if it is something he wants to do anyway he will do it.
Well, I used the word 'may' in there to imply that the Infernal can choose whether or not to add those successes. Though adding the Sea keyword makes some sense.
The Sea That Marched Against The Flame wrath against those who have betrayed her is vast, but greater still is her kindness towards her children. The Infernal pays ten motes and one willpower, then touches a Beloved character. As long as the motes remain committed, the Infernal becomes aware of any rolls the Beloved character makes and can choose to add (Infernal's Essence) automatic successes to them. The Beloved character must be within one mile of a Sea (as defined by the Sea keyword) for this charm to work. If a Beloved character targeted by this charm loses her Beloved status, the charm automatically ends.
Ok, I can see that. Maybe Lelouch having the thought "You know, I just walked in to see Clovis like it was nothing. What if others try to do it to me? What if a bird in a tree watching me is a Lunary?" and getting really paranoid, so grabbing the first solution that comes along.
I don't think Lunar shapeshifting would, but maybe change it to "see through magical disguises and transformations".
Alternatively, maybe make it into Oramus's form of Essence sight. It's not like SWLiHN would be the only Yozi who would have that type of Charm, after all. So, since DGP wouldn't be offsetting the drawback from What Is and What Should Never Be, it needs greater justification for it's negative aspects since you're not replacing one drawback with another. So basically it would look like this:
Thoughts? Unlike All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight and Essence-Dissecting Stare, this is always on and provides a defined method for seeing through disguises and transformations (unlike the vague version those get of it maybe warranting a bonus depending on circumstances), but due to that you get the drawback of the obsession causing eyes that have an Obvious effect when looking directly into them (and eventually all the time). I think this fits with Oramus's themes. He's more in tune with the Wyld than the other Primordials, so him being able to readily see through the petty disguises of the Raksha would be something he'd need.
Ok, that works, I think. Just so I'm clear on that, does leaving a Bordermarch for even a moment and being firmly in Creation and then going back reset the timer?
I don't see why an essence-empowered Gawain would create Wyld Zones. Though Elevators, if anything, ought to be Creation-reinforcing structures. Perhaps they are simply gates to the part of Yu-Shan where the Collective Unconscious is housed?
However, Wyld-generating weaponry can probably be created on its own.
The Collective Unconscious isn't situated in Yu-Shan, and it isn't the Labyrinth. However, in some way it's similar to the Labyrinth, being a strange separated space created by the will of all dead humans.
Madrid. 2:00 AM.
A lone man stays in his office, reading report after report.
Where? Where did the bastard go?
That was the question that Diego de Villar, chief of the military police has been asking to himself all the week. Where had Andres Granado go?
He had disappeared without a trace from his Villa, where he was under arrest, despite the heavy vigilance.
He must have bribed someone, he thought. It annoyed him - he had personally chosen all the guards based on their loyalty - but it was the only explanation. Everybody has a price and Granados always was an expert exploiting human greed.
He had spent years working in the case. Since Al-Aiun. Working to prove that the disaster was caused by Granados's mismanagement, and his embezzlement of the war funds. It wasn't easy, of course. He had too many friends, too much influence in the republic's government. Enough to be considered a presidential candidate. He had needed to find the original, not cooked books, to convince the few officers brave enough to declare against him. And when finally it all worked, it has been to satisfying, to see his downfall.
But now it seemed like he had disappeared from the face of the Earth. Not a single camera had spotted him. No witnesses. Nothing. In the worst case, it was possible that he had managed to escape the country, and that he was now selling EU military secrets to Britannia.
He started the next report. The possessions found in Granado's house. Seventeen sports cars. Twenty five million Euros in cash. Three-hundred and fifteen pieces of jewelry (the man had three mistresses). A private zoo. Etc. Etc. The strangest piece of all, a human sized golden Ovoid. Foolproof evidence of his rampant corruption and lack of morals. But not a single clue of where he could be now.
"Are you looking for me, old friend?"
Santiago looked up, startled, and, sure enough, the general was right there in the door. Except he was thirty years younger, and there was something wrong about him.
"What the hell?" He started, just before someone - a shadowy figure who just appeared behind him somehow - grappled him, closing his mouth.
"I bet you really want to know what I was up to, right? Well, a new friend taught me some of his tricks. Let me show you one."
And then, he was covered in shadows and began to mutate, until the terrified Diego was looking at a perfect clone of himself.
"Neat, huh? I think I will enjoy your life."
And then everything was blackness.
Name: General Andres Granados de Seral.
Age: 63 (Looks around thirty)
(People that knew him personally can recognize him, but most people don't)
Motivation: Recover his fortune and prestige.
Urge: Gain political control of Spain. Benthic.
Caste: Fiend
Patron Yozi: Ebbie the friendly dragon.
Favored Yozi: Ta'akozoka
Charms:
First Ebon Dragon Excellency. Shadow spite curse.
Loom snarling deception. Eldritch Secrets Mastery. Witness to Darkness. Selfishness Is Power. Cracked Cell Circumvention. Bloodless murk evasion.
First Ta'akozoka Excellency, Ta'akozoka Mythos exultant
Miser and Merchant Awareness. Verdant Iris Envy. Gilded Aegis Uncaring. Meeting the soul's price.
------
Andres Granados is a Great Man. A military genius. The fated leader that will lead Spain back to it's old glory and take back the empire from the clutches of Britannia.
That's what he believes, at least. In truth, his military record is quite lackluster, with not a single major victory and quite some embarrassing defeats (In large part due to his habit to use the war funds for his own use), including the disaster of Al-Aiun. He is, however, as good at lying to others as he is at lying to himself. Even before his Exaltation, his capacity to deflect blame and steal the merits of others was nearly supernal, and, before his arrest, he was one of the more popular politicians in the republic and a potential Presidential candidate.
For now, he will keep to play as the chief of police. Not forever (He can't impersonate him perfectly), but for some time, that he will use to destroy his political rivals, recover his hidden cash reserves and blackmail materials, and enter in contact with his old friends and allies. In time he plans to come back to the political arena with a new identity, using his real (Now young looking) appearance.
All our infernals were too sympathetic, so i made a completely unlikable one (Charisma 5 notwithstanding)
For artifacts, I think we want a Hearthstone Amulet - we have three Hearthstones, but only two need to have the special ability active regularly. The Gem of the Conventicle Malfeasant we just need touching us to give us motes, and we can swap out a stone in another amulet when needed. We could also go with the Bracers, but it should be kept in mind that we couldn't wear those unless in our Zero costume, as they aren't really concealable I don't think. (though @Alexander89 could tell us otherwise) If we do go with the Bracers, I'd go with Ebon Dragon ones personally.
You need to wear loose, long sleeves to conceal them. Zero's costume qualifies, the rest of your normal clothes...not so much.
For the others, we definitely want a Weapon Ward against some mundane weapon. Probably against machine guns. I'm not sure what would be best for the third choice.
With how fabulously flamboyant his charms make Oramus seem, Daendels is kinda ... boring for being his fetich. I know TCD's, even fetich ones, aren't identical to their greater selves' themes, but still.
On what to get, I mostly agree with Enjou. Though I'm unsure about one thing: @Alexander89, is the Deceiver's Stone still the same as in the Hearthstone -list, or is it the updgraded and modified 2/3 dot version that you mentioned in one of your posts?
EDIT: Or wait, has it already been modified, even if still staying as a one dot Hearthstone?
Relics: Hmm, I'm considering Six-Heart Stormspitter over a Hellcaster. The ability to use varying magical ammunition (though we're currently lacking in detail on options here) outweighs the slighter higher damage, range, and ammo capacity of the latter, especially if the matched pair of Stormsplitters (no offhand penalty) counts as a single choice given the lower rating. Ruling on that, @Alexander89 ? Otherwise, the magical taser that can be used in CQC is more likely to be immediately useful than the demonic sniper rifle, though we should pick that up at some point if we continue to develop our Archery/Guns with relevant Charms.
@Alexander89 - I'm thinking of switching to a Weapon Ward. What classification is the standard Britannian soldier's machine gun under the rules? Rifle, I'm guessing? That would defend against mundane sniper rifles as well...
Wow, so going back to the pre-errata version of it, then, Alexander89? Minton did make that errata to balance it out since Infernals was one of his first exalted books
Maybe I need to read Alchemical...