EternalObserver
eYe Gaze baCk
- Location
- The Void
personally like Heartsworn as well
It's a Girl's World -- And Lilly wants Adventure
- Thread starter Slyvena
- Start date
- Original Mature Fantasy Action
[X] If people want to come here, they could train with us.
-[X] But I don't want word of my talent getting out. Please. Only a few people you trust.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
-[X] But I don't want word of my talent getting out. Please. Only a few people you trust.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
I don't hate intuitor, and it would likely synergize well with a broad range of ethea and give us some minor tricks for things they don't cover, but I still think you're overestimating it. The spirit of it seems to be "jack of all trades, master of none". It will probably give us some neat tricks but nothing about it says it's going raise us above baseline human the way he was talking about. I'd also hesitate to call Heartsworn narrow when it talks about making our dreams and ambitions manifestly physical and making words into bonds. That could cover pretty much anything.
Last edited:
Nando
they, them
I don't expect it to make us super-human on its own, but to help us make the best out of the broad range of our other abilities.
Like controlling our super-human body, incorporating "Essence Sight" into our fighting style etc.
In short: help us advance to the level of "competent in the usage of our abilities" in a shorter time frame.
And I wasn't talking about Heartsworn, but generally. Even though I'm still not convinced about it, 'specially with the headspace Lily seems to be in. I feel like something to help her make sense of what's going on right now would be more useful for her well being than a "make something conceptual physical" thing that's gonna dump a whole lot of even more meta-physical questions on her.
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
...
HAH!
It's foreshadowing about Whatsherface the godling isn't it?
"Yeah it's great to be superhumanly strong and tough, but it's far better to have more advantages than your opponent rather than have one or two that are beyond them."
She's all about her "One Thing", and it's so good that it'd choke out growth in most other fields--doubly so as she's also a literal child and doesn't have the capacity to listen to others and have that assumption corrected.
...
Still, I am literally sweating at that bullet dodged.
I dunno what the best choice here is though.
That being said... Yeah, Dream + Brave apparently turns Lilly into an untiring engine of chirpy goodness and heroism, and she can spread the stamina growth too.
And yeah, apparently Stamina Restoring Magic is a big deal.
HAH!
It's foreshadowing about Whatsherface the godling isn't it?
"Yeah it's great to be superhumanly strong and tough, but it's far better to have more advantages than your opponent rather than have one or two that are beyond them."
She's all about her "One Thing", and it's so good that it'd choke out growth in most other fields--doubly so as she's also a literal child and doesn't have the capacity to listen to others and have that assumption corrected.
...
Still, I am literally sweating at that bullet dodged.
I dunno what the best choice here is though.
That being said... Yeah, Dream + Brave apparently turns Lilly into an untiring engine of chirpy goodness and heroism, and she can spread the stamina growth too.
And yeah, apparently Stamina Restoring Magic is a big deal.
Last edited:
- Location
- Central Standard Time
Hmm.
Our strength lies in our Demigod Ethos. But it also lies in our ability to take multiple!
My takeaway is that we should refrain from taking specializing any Ethos, barring us proccing a Mythical or other mitigating circumstances.
- Location
- Milky Way
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] Return to the site of your first awakening. Try to reconnect with the serenity and peace of the Dream.
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] In their darkest hour, with a great shout, the men rallied.
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] Return to the site of your first awakening. Try to reconnect with the serenity and peace of the Dream.
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] In their darkest hour, with a great shout, the men rallied.
Last edited:
- Location
- Central Standard Time
And as an addendum: we should consider OpSec more when making decisions, including Ethos choices.
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
Yeah, I agree--being open in this case was valuable because we could lean into the rare opportunity to bash open a new path. But we shouldn't make a habit of it.
As it is, what is 'Known' of our Ethos seems to be an Essence/Pithe hybrid that can convert the former into the latter and use it to fuel physical feats. A very good one but probably not unheard of--which is likely the biggest upside to having our core 'Public' face being comprised of two Common Ranks that could fit into the same narrative. Infosec was maintained on Cleaver which is the real outlier and red flag.
It effectively gives Lilly astonishing stamina and physical traits, but no particular direct martial expertise despite being well suited for learning it. It's still an amazing chassis even if you dismiss the support elements of being able to train your watchmen harder and to endure longer in a siege environment, and that last bit is what pushed it from "Hey we'll take you if you sign on when you're thirteen" to "We will take you now, please, you're amazing"
They're probably going to think she's got some Rare Ethos that's hard to deal with, which is still big deal material.
Last edited:
I think this is overreacting a bit. He was assuming both that we have only one ethos, and that what he said about Ethea firming as they develop holds true for us. The first we know is false, the second I'm not certain of. Regardless, while I agree we should broaden the Ethea we have as much as possible, restricting ourselves to only generalist options will limit us as well. Lilly specifically notes that she can in fact cover every base by taking an Ethos for it. As an aside, being more specific and unusual is the only commonality to rarer ethos, Mythic or not.
Also I'd still be wary of of mystery girl, whether she's actually heading our way or not. She's clearly been touched by something similar, she might be a one trick pony, she might have multiple Ethea we haven't seen yet.
Last edited:
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
We just had it confirmed we're close enough to the place she's going to reach it and be back by morning. She's totally coming our way.
Maybe? I'm not completely discounting it but I'm still not certain. The interlude made it seem like whatever she was looking for was in the Silent Sea, and we can reach it and return with superhuman speed and endurance. It's close-ish, but not right next door.
Although it does make me want avoid going there.
Last edited:
- Pronouns
- he
[X] If people want to come here, they could train with us.
-[X] But I don't want word of my talent getting out. Please. Only a few people you trust.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] Return to the site of your first awakening. Try to reconnect with the serenity and peace of the Dream.
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
-[X] But I don't want word of my talent getting out. Please. Only a few people you trust.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] Return to the site of your first awakening. Try to reconnect with the serenity and peace of the Dream.
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
- Location
- PA
[X] If people want to come here, they could train with us.
-[X] But I don't want word of my talent getting out. Please. Only a few people you trust.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
Hrrm...
-[X] But I don't want word of my talent getting out. Please. Only a few people you trust.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
Hrrm...
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] Marcus, Micah, let's play.
"Introduction" is such a weird way to phrase this option. Even if mum wasn't already an interesting character with intriguing plot lines (which she is), this phrasing increases my curiosity tenfold. Oh well, whether the choice of words was deliberate or not, I would have chosen this option.
I really want to have more scenes with the younger siblings, especially after the waking up scene. Yay approval voting!
[X] I'm happy to help you. But no one else.
[X] Um. I'm not really comfortable with that. And dad might disagree… (Deflect)
The thread and (somewhat dad) already decided to trust Matthew, but OpSec is still a thing and I can't bring myself to trust most of the people in this society.
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] Return to the site of your first awakening. Try to reconnect with the serenity and peace of the Dream.
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] Seeing the 'memory' in wood is actually a lot of fun. How else could such an ability be put to use?
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
Trees! Trees! Trees! Trees!Hopefully I didn't messed up the tally.
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The words of guidance are fickle and seemingly random. Try to get a handle on how to control or at least steer them.
[X] 'Tis a grim work bloodletting, 'tis grimmer people still who perform it.
The Lore ministry is one of the reasons why I don't want that Lily will join the watch. The first has much more power than the latter and I don't want any more of this Lore Warden attention.
[X] Marcus, Micah, let's play.
"Introduction" is such a weird way to phrase this option. Even if mum wasn't already an interesting character with intriguing plot lines (which she is), this phrasing increases my curiosity tenfold. Oh well, whether the choice of words was deliberate or not, I would have chosen this option.
I really want to have more scenes with the younger siblings, especially after the waking up scene. Yay approval voting!
[X] I'm happy to help you. But no one else.
[X] Um. I'm not really comfortable with that. And dad might disagree… (Deflect)
The thread and (somewhat dad) already decided to trust Matthew, but OpSec is still a thing and I can't bring myself to trust most of the people in this society.
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] Return to the site of your first awakening. Try to reconnect with the serenity and peace of the Dream.
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] Seeing the 'memory' in wood is actually a lot of fun. How else could such an ability be put to use?
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
Trees! Trees! Trees! Trees!
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The words of guidance are fickle and seemingly random. Try to get a handle on how to control or at least steer them.
[X] 'Tis a grim work bloodletting, 'tis grimmer people still who perform it.
The Lore Warden can suck it. He also said to Lily's dad that her healing talent is significant enough to lock her in a tower.
The Lore ministry is one of the reasons why I don't want that Lily will join the watch. The first has much more power than the latter and I don't want any more of this Lore Warden attention.
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
Eh...
To be fair, it'd be more suspicious for us to get cold feet right now after the enthusiasm we previously showed.
Right now? We are a rare find but not an unthinkable one--because our apparent abilities line up very nicely from a non-omniscient perspective. It looks from there to be more like we got a nice Rare Ethos with a specialty that lines up very nicely as a support element for martially focused people--like the Watch. We lack control--but control can be taught.
Us suddenly getting cold feet is suspicious. What we should do is volunteer no more information than we already have.
To be fair, it'd be more suspicious for us to get cold feet right now after the enthusiasm we previously showed.
Right now? We are a rare find but not an unthinkable one--because our apparent abilities line up very nicely from a non-omniscient perspective. It looks from there to be more like we got a nice Rare Ethos with a specialty that lines up very nicely as a support element for martially focused people--like the Watch. We lack control--but control can be taught.
Us suddenly getting cold feet is suspicious. What we should do is volunteer no more information than we already have.
Last edited:
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
So, here's what I feel would be a decent posture.
[X] I'd be willing to come and help the Watch train.
-[X] Just pay me a decent rate for my time. More than usual, nothing crazy.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
[X] In their darkest hour, with a great shout, the men rallied.
Going completely off the rails with helping them train? Probably not the best idea, but we don't want to volunteer nothing either. Right now, this is not a formal offer of employment, but it does let us network with a respectable branch of people, and that's not nothing. More importantly, it lets us train our support elements--and it seems like whatever's going on, we can convert Ambient Essence into restoring someone's Pithe--which is an extremely big deal if not necessarily the "Holy shit this is way too big for me" level of things.
Mom introduction because I want to know what her story is too.
Getting Cleaver's rank 0 effect down is also going to be important, as that seems to be what lets us 'Nudge' things in our favor.
I'll admit, the second 'Free' action is something I'm shaky on. Trying to figure out 'Hey what's this doing?' though is going seems important, but at present I'm a little reluctant to dive back into the grove when our plate's full.
Finally, for our Brave Blood advancement, a morale boost seems like it'd be valuable no matter what we do later on. Might also be a counter to shit like Valerie's Commands.
[X] I'd be willing to come and help the Watch train.
-[X] Just pay me a decent rate for my time. More than usual, nothing crazy.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
[X] In their darkest hour, with a great shout, the men rallied.
Going completely off the rails with helping them train? Probably not the best idea, but we don't want to volunteer nothing either. Right now, this is not a formal offer of employment, but it does let us network with a respectable branch of people, and that's not nothing. More importantly, it lets us train our support elements--and it seems like whatever's going on, we can convert Ambient Essence into restoring someone's Pithe--which is an extremely big deal if not necessarily the "Holy shit this is way too big for me" level of things.
Mom introduction because I want to know what her story is too.
Getting Cleaver's rank 0 effect down is also going to be important, as that seems to be what lets us 'Nudge' things in our favor.
I'll admit, the second 'Free' action is something I'm shaky on. Trying to figure out 'Hey what's this doing?' though is going seems important, but at present I'm a little reluctant to dive back into the grove when our plate's full.
Finally, for our Brave Blood advancement, a morale boost seems like it'd be valuable no matter what we do later on. Might also be a counter to shit like Valerie's Commands.
- Location
- Central Standard Time
I'm also iffy on the Watch, but I suspect trying to hide would be counterproductive: secrecy will attract attention in a way that open misdirection won't.
[X] I'd be willing to come and help the Watch train.
-[X] Just pay me a decent rate for my time. More than usual, nothing crazy.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
[X] In their darkest hour, with a great shout, the men rallied.
[X] I'd be willing to come and help the Watch train.
-[X] Just pay me a decent rate for my time. More than usual, nothing crazy.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
[X] In their darkest hour, with a great shout, the men rallied.
- Location
- PA
[X] I'd be willing to come and help the Watch train.
-[X] Just pay me a decent rate for my time. More than usual, nothing crazy.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
[X] In their darkest hour, with a great shout, the men rallied.
-[X] Just pay me a decent rate for my time. More than usual, nothing crazy.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] This isn't the first time the Dream has caused physical changes in your body. What's going on there?
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
[X] In their darkest hour, with a great shout, the men rallied.
Solarstream
It's all in the cards
- Location
- Zombie World
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] If people want to come here, they could train with us.
-[X] And you have to allow anyone who wants to come, girls included.
-[X] But I don't want word of my talent getting out. Please. Only a few people you trust.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] Rest. It's been a big day and no one is going to hold it against you for just taking it easy.
[X] They beat me. But my bruises make me stronger.
-[X] And you have to allow anyone who wants to come, girls included.
-[X] But I don't want word of my talent getting out. Please. Only a few people you trust.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
[X] Rest. It's been a big day and no one is going to hold it against you for just taking it easy.
[X] They beat me. But my bruises make me stronger.
Slyvena
I don't like pie.
- Location
- Pie Shop
Lilly will be a little smarter on her own now. (You only gotta be burned a little to learn Fire = Hot)
And definitely won't namedrop things like the Words of Guidance for no reason.
Last edited:
- Location
- San Ramon, CA
[X] If people want to come here, they could train with us.
-[X] But I don't want word of my talent getting out. Please. Only a few people you trust.
I think this option makes the most of "profit vs exploitation" of what we have available. The main concerns I have with joining the Watch right away is 1. getting pidgeonholed as the Stamina Battery, and 2. the Lore Warden figuring out that we got Pithe the DAY AFTER we got our analysis done, causing him to investigate further. With this method, we can make connections with people who have been at least partially vetted as trustworthy, and we can still get training until we are good enough to join the Watch on our combat prowess instead of just being the Coffee Girl.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
We can learn about our aunt. We can learn about our name. We can let her know that her daughter hasn't been replaced with an eldritch abomination that grows exponentially stronger....yet.
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] Return to the site of your first awakening. Try to reconnect with the serenity and peace of the Dream.
Yeah, the starting tree seems to be our big cheat in regards to most of our progress with our first Ethos. Might be good to check on the source.
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
...Hey, Lilly, did you notice that you saw text regarding the projected demise of living things? I mean, if you get Shinigami Eyes AND the ability to nudge their fate, it might help some people you care about avoid unfortunate accidents.
[X] In their darkest hour, with a great shout, the men rallied.
None of the abilities seemed to be the reflex/precog boost that Mathew said would shore up our weakness. The "bruises makes you stronger" implies a strength boost over time (which would pair well if we can secure more training sessions), and the "bloodletting" might help us get over our hemophobia, but in the interests of going "wider", I'm voting for what could be either a group buff or a desperation boost.
-[X] But I don't want word of my talent getting out. Please. Only a few people you trust.
I think this option makes the most of "profit vs exploitation" of what we have available. The main concerns I have with joining the Watch right away is 1. getting pidgeonholed as the Stamina Battery, and 2. the Lore Warden figuring out that we got Pithe the DAY AFTER we got our analysis done, causing him to investigate further. With this method, we can make connections with people who have been at least partially vetted as trustworthy, and we can still get training until we are good enough to join the Watch on our combat prowess instead of just being the Coffee Girl.
[X] Mum, I feel like I've barely seen you since… well, you know. (Introduction to Sarah)
We can learn about our aunt. We can learn about our name. We can let her know that her daughter hasn't been replaced with an eldritch abomination that grows exponentially stronger....yet.
[X] [Dream within the Forest]
-[X] Return to the site of your first awakening. Try to reconnect with the serenity and peace of the Dream.
Yeah, the starting tree seems to be our big cheat in regards to most of our progress with our first Ethos. Might be good to check on the source.
[X] [Cleaver of Fortune]
-[X] The thing with the ants was just the tip of what's possible. You're so close to figuring this out.
...Hey, Lilly, did you notice that you saw text regarding the projected demise of living things? I mean, if you get Shinigami Eyes AND the ability to nudge their fate, it might help some people you care about avoid unfortunate accidents.
[X] In their darkest hour, with a great shout, the men rallied.
None of the abilities seemed to be the reflex/precog boost that Mathew said would shore up our weakness. The "bruises makes you stronger" implies a strength boost over time (which would pair well if we can secure more training sessions), and the "bloodletting" might help us get over our hemophobia, but in the interests of going "wider", I'm voting for what could be either a group buff or a desperation boost.
Slyvena
I don't like pie.
- Location
- Pie Shop
If you are talking about who Yolun mentioned in 1.5, that was Clarissa (from 1.6). She got skewered with a rapier by a noble for backtalking. Nearly got the whole family executed too, but the noble was 'merciful' and didn't punish the rest.
Clarissa was very much like Lilly and you remind Yolun of her quite a bit. Especially since you're just a couple years younger than when she died.
Sarah's family hasn't come up in the story yet.
Yeah your Ethos failed its roll to grow in that direction pretty hard, so none of the Level Up Choices have that as a primary feature.
- Location
- San Ramon, CA
Ah, thank you for the clarification. I hadn't quite put that together.
I am a bit more curious about how Oaths work. When Heartsworn first came up, my first instinct was thinking of Fey deals like in the Dresden Files, which Lilly...is currently ill-suited for, in my opinion (being a liar causes backlash, poorly-chosen words can allow the other person to keep to the letter but defy the spirit, etc). However, seeing it used as more of a Ritual that can be mutually beneficial and (more importantly) can't be used to trap people makes me think I may have been a bit harsh. Oh, I'm sure that there are Oaths that can be used to harm others (just I'm sure applications of Pithe and Essence can do), but it's good to know that there isn't an inherent zero-sum mentality required to use Oaths effectively.
I am a bit more curious about how Oaths work. When Heartsworn first came up, my first instinct was thinking of Fey deals like in the Dresden Files, which Lilly...is currently ill-suited for, in my opinion (being a liar causes backlash, poorly-chosen words can allow the other person to keep to the letter but defy the spirit, etc). However, seeing it used as more of a Ritual that can be mutually beneficial and (more importantly) can't be used to trap people makes me think I may have been a bit harsh. Oh, I'm sure that there are Oaths that can be used to harm others (just I'm sure applications of Pithe and Essence can do), but it's good to know that there isn't an inherent zero-sum mentality required to use Oaths effectively.