That was all well thought-out, except for the quoted statement. I might as well tell you now that voting is closed: had you ceded initiative to her with the other option, she would have cast Dream Come True.
Now, she is a counterbalance to her might-have-been teammate Nightmare Child. Where Fabienne summons endless hordes, she summons champions.
And with the roll I made in advance (to determine if giving you the choice here was even relevant), that champion unit might actually have brought you into a lot of trouble. I did not build it because I am lazy and wanted to wait for whether I actually have to though, so I can not say for sure.
Adhoc vote count started by Naron on Jun 17, 2018 at 3:44 PM, finished with 4699 posts and 12 votes.
[X] Just beat her down, she was mean and you are not in the mood to indulge her.
That was all well thought-out, except for the quoted statement. I might as well tell you now that voting is closed: had you ceded initiative to her with the other option, she would have cast Dream Come True.
Now, she is a counterbalance to her might-have-been teammate Nightmare Child. Where Fabienne summons endless hordes, she summons champions.
And with the roll I made in advance (to determine if giving you the choice here was even relevant), that champion unit might actually have brought you into a lot of trouble. I did not build it because I am lazy and wanted to wait for whether I actually have to though, so I can not say for sure.
Really now? Did that roll have an in-built scale-to-threat function or something? And, for comparison purposes, assuming Benign Twins had been summoned with a roll, how would their roll compare to the one you got?
That was all well thought-out, except for the quoted statement. I might as well tell you now that voting is closed: had you ceded initiative to her with the other option, she would have cast Dream Come True.
What kind of idiot does something like that again after it went so horribly wrong the first time?
At least this implies that just beating her down means she won't/probably won't cast it.
Anyway, if we do buy anything ATM, it should probably be Event Horizon. It's a major ability of some sort that we have all the requirements for. Reflected godlight wouldn't be too bad, though the fact we can't use the requirements ATM is a flaw. Raging shine or overcome greater is workable, I guess, but I don't really think they'd change much in most cases.
Without spells we rely on scepters, and our scepters are significantly less effective than Rogue. Short of buying a Scepter to 25, we aren't really changing that.
Unless the hidden ability is absolutely terrifying or her APT is somewhere around twenty AND she has a way to counter shuriken, Nightmare has no chance against us. We only need to worry about her summons. We don't know what kinds of things her summons are, so we don't know what to do to prepare for them, but we would need a lot of focused investment to match the benigns offensively.
They have a slayer ability, a juggernaut weapon, a hypersonic weapon, up to 300k damage, and a total of about 20 APT. If they can't handle it's defenses, the only defense we can handle via EXP is sheer durability, which we counter via a lot of levels on a single scepter - any case where Overcome Greater is useful is probably one where Rogue would have already shredded it, bringing sunlight scepter to 20 doesn't increase our total max damage as much as even 2 levels in moon's. Raging shine might do it, but it's a gamble.
Oh right, and it needs to be able to survive Ana's killing spells, too.
The main way we could help is actually just via Protector of the Tide, because the Benign's defenses are not as sure as their offense.
I don't think we need more veil levels right now, but if we are spending XP on this fight ATM, we should get veil levels. If the fight actually needs offensive XP, we can do it next update. Event Horizon or reflected godlight are mystery boxes, and have high enough requirements that they should be pretty powerful, so they are decent options regardless.
...this was the only time something unusual ever happened to her casting. She has no idea it even did much, so it makes much more sense to chalk whatever happened up to a coincidence and carry on. Nothing supports a theory saying that her Spell itself is faulty.
Really now? Did that roll have an in-built scale-to-threat function or something? And, for comparison purposes, assuming Benign Twins had been summoned with a roll, how would their roll compare to the one you got?
She was unconcious and the others might not have been... and there are previous summons in the city, who would pick a fight.
Besides, again, anything unusual is much more likely to have been a coincidence even if it was her Spell. Which, you know, it was.
...this was the only time something unusual ever happened to her casting. She has no idea it even did much, so it makes much more sense to chalk whatever happened up to a coincidence and carry on. Nothing supports a theory saying that her Spell itself is faulty.
Also like...we cast Scorching Sunlight, clothes usually explode off if their face doesn't. If it doesn't work the first time...why wouldn't we hit them again with it if we could? Sometimes they have ablative defenses or the like. If it doesn't work, double tap then try a different strategy.
But the tactical consideration is much simpler: We're without our spells at the moment so we can't play nice like someone acting in a position of strength would. No heals. No armor removal. No blinding.
So we play hardball due to being weaker since we cannot afford risks.
Also like...we cast Scorching Sunlight, clothes usually explode off if their face doesn't. If it doesn't work the first time...why wouldn't we hit them again with it if we could? Sometimes they have ablative defenses or the like. If it doesn't work, double tap then try a different strategy.
But the tactical consideration is much simpler: We're without our spells at the moment so we can't play nice like someone acting in a position of strength would. No heals. No armor removal. No blinding.
So we play hardball due to being weaker since we cannot afford risks.
So just reached Godspeed Forsaken Future, what the fuck is up with every single fight being Sun & Moon getting fucked by enemies affinities while nothing they do does a single god damn fuck to anyone when it's important.
So just reached Godspeed Forsaken Future, what the fuck is up with every single fight being Sun & Moon getting fucked by enemies affinities while nothing they do does a single god damn fuck to anyone when it's important.
Um... this has nothing to do with their Affinities.
Straight-up? I made Magical Girls how they would spend their EXP character-wise and gave them each some neat stuff because every MG has neat stuff.
Sun and Moon have neat stufftm, too. The problem with this is that among this neat stufftm is your exponentially growing numbers.
Player decisions favoured expensive story-centric Items instead of raw combat potential. I do neither agree nor disagree with this, but the fact remains that buying these Items (all three Connection-stages, including Anastasia) left them with few EXP to spend on stats. Most of those went into different Abilities, most of which already proved their worth.
In the end, the decision to just go at the minimum numbers reasonable and wait for more EXP is playing out in the twins constantly being unable to meet opponents who specced for combat. It is a viable playstyle, but leads to the situation you seem so angry about.
Plus, you know, this is Fresh Meat. I am crap as a killer-QM so you only died once so far, but I have to at least pay "Nightmare Difficulty" some lip-service by throwing powerful stuff at you so you can not go "My numbers will darken the sky" and the opposition just evaporates.
It's frustrating as all hell to find a legitimately entertaining quest and then to start realizing about half way through that everyone seems to be ignoring combat in favor of shiny distractions every damn time they get any experience unless they were dragged kicking and screaming to the shop section titled "Not Fucking Dying"
It's frustrating as all hell to find a legitimately entertaining quest and then to start realizing about half way through that everyone seems to be ignoring combat in favor of shiny distractions every damn time they get any experience unless they were dragged kicking and screaming to the shop section titled "Not Fucking Dying"
Ludger spent EXP; changes added to character sheet
[X] Just beat her down, she was mean and you are not in the mood to indulge her.
"Fine," is what you say before taking off, as fast as you can, which is much faster than before now; enough to surprise Nightmare Guard, making her only barely get her shield up in time... not that it helps.
(Moonlight Scepter: +116915 Base Damage, +58457 Superior Discipline ,+146143 Godlike Strength, +225 dice, +300 Rebalanced Existence = 322,040 Total Damage
Intercept!
Dreams: +4000 Base Damage, +1149 dice, +300 Hostile Fable Effect Out of Balance = 5,149 Total Damage
316,891 Difference, Moonlight Scepter wins!
Nightmare Guard no longer has a shield
Moonlight Scepter: +316,891 Intercept Damage 23766 Disciplined, +11883 Superior Discipline, +32207 Godlike Strength, dice suppressed, +300 Rebalanced Existence = 68,156 Total Damage
Nightmare Guard: +3500 Base Resilience, -1750 holyshitwtf, +1434 dice, +300 Fabled Existence Out of Balance, x8 Defensive Bulwark = 25,472 Total Damage Reduction
Your first swing comes at full power, with every ounce of strength your muscles can muster. She tries to block it with her shield, but the pure force behind your scepter pushes it aside as if there was no resistance at all; the weapon is ripped out of her hand and sails away at near-sonic speed.
In the split-second between her failed block and your next strike, you can see fear seep into her eyes; you both know that a direct hit with that much force will kill her, a quiet understanding that she is more than just outmatched. Your hands reverse momentum from your first swing, but most muscles relax and you measure a much more precise response; the Moonlight Scepter's head crashes into Nightmare Guard's stomach and sends her flying toward the already ruined building ahead, though she falls short and lands in the dirt.
The girl does not get up, instead panting heavily and clutching her tummy with pained groans. "Owwww..."
It may be wrong to feel good right now, but you do. It is incredibly pleasing to be the top dog for once when you are the one outmatched most of the time. Ana stares wide-eyed and with no small amount of shock while your twin-older sisters nod at you. Rico supplies an approving grin on top of it, but that is how far you get before your surroundings start to blur... and you are back in the meadow, with your beaten opponent now by your feet.
It was only... maybe ten minutes? Yet it feels as if much more time passed. The only one who notices you being back is Fairy Knight, though she seems pretty surprised. "Already? You were only gone for a minute or two."
You almost protest her words before realising that time must have been wonky while reality crashed, so you keep quiet. This is probably something you should not tell anyone but your family about. Though it does get a little difficult to keep your expressions neutral when the older girl's eyes find Rico and Eva, her question as to who they are expected by now. The older twins ignore her though, looking around with interest and a subtle happiness that makes your heart throb. Right now, you know that if they were alone, they would probably roll around in the grass and laugh together. Tears are glistening in Eva's eyes anyway.
Rico is the first to fall out of that weird mood, though; her eyes find something behind you and start to shine. "Ohhh, a catfight!"
"A what?" you ask while turning, only to find a bundle of girls on the ground, pulling hairs and screeching quietly while trying to get on top and... are those scratch-marks on Ming's cheek?
You all watch the spectacle for a moment while Fairy Knight supplies an explanation, though she looks faintly embarassed about her fellow leaders: "They started about ten seconds after you... left. Miss Lin was understandably upset, I do not think I have seen her get this agitated before. It is a small miracle they only do this instead of actually fighting."
None of you is entirely sure what to do right now; they do not seem as if they would like to be interrupted, but you can not just let them continue doing this when the problem was already solved. So you ask: "Should we, uh, break them up?"
"We probably should," Eva responds to your question before poking your shoulder and pointing at Ming. "Can you take her? I will take the other one. You can explain what's going on here later."
"'Kay."
"Now wait, why do you two get to do that?"
"Because you're too weak, Rico."
"Boo! I want to grope cute girls, too!"
Eva actually pauses in her step to give her twin a long look while Fairy Knight just raises an eyebrow. Somehow, despite the fact the older girl looks much more stern, a sister's disapproval still weighs much heavier than a stranger's. "That's reason number two."
Then she ignores Rico's pout and carries on, with you quickly following her. Both Evas are in this now, carefully moving up from opposing sides, waiting. You do not need to wait for long as Ming tries to get some room by pushing Stygian Sovereign away; there is the opening you needed. Both of you move almost in synch, snaking one arm around their respective waists and the other around their throats to pull them back and away from each other. Ming thrashes for a moment before recognising Eva in front of her with a confused "Ngu?"
"When did you turn into a teen?"
"I didn't."
"Huh? Hu-what?!"
"Hey, let go!"
"Do you promise to be good?"
"I said let go!"
"I take that as a no, so no."
The other leader is still struggling, but neither of them had a chance in breaking out of your iron grips. Ming openly gapes at you being around twice, having gone slack in your arms.
Then a shadow appears right behind your older self, raising an ethereal scythe to strike-
(Dreamstealer: +5000 Base Damage, +37500 Superslayer, +2500 Back Attack, no dice = 45,000 Total Damage
Attack negated)
-only for a Kunai to divert the attack into the ground next to Eva. You know it would not have done much harm to her, but seeing this still makes you relax somewhat.
Before you can do more than take in the shadowy reaper hovering above a surprised but not scared Eva however, you can feel magic pulse through the girl you are holding; what you see with Ana and Rico quickly makes you let go of her, too. Ming's eyes changed colour into a malevolent purple, every line in her face speaking of anger. Delicate brows are scrunched together as she whispers quietly: "That's it."
(God's Glare: +15000 Base Damage, +7500 Rage, +756 dice = 23,256 Total Damage
Stygian Beast: +2000 Base Resilience, no dice = 2000 Total Damage Reduction Unstoppable
23,256 Total End Damage Intangible (50%): 11,528 Total End Damage
Stygian Beast Health: 50,000 - 11,528 = 38,572)
The pure force of her gaze lashes out and pushes you aside even while she did not aim for you, tearing into the ghost and shredding off large pieces of smoky ectoplasm; Eva lets go of her own charge to turn around while the creature shies away.
Ming does not seem calm again, though. She just raises her hands while her horns begin emitting sparks, be they of anger or her actual spell. "I had it now. Hollow Echo!"
And with the last word, blood begins to ooze out of her fingertips; its iron stench is overwhelming as it colours the ground crimson before splattering all over the monster.
(Hollow Echo: +50000 Base Damage, no dice, +500 Hostile Legend Effect = 50,500 Total Damage
Echo: 1; No Echo.
Stygian Beast: +2000 Base Resilience, no dice = 2,000 Total Damage Reduction
48,500 Total End Damage Intangible (50%): 24,250 Total End Damage
Stygian Beast Health 38,572 - 24,250 = 14,322
Murder-debuff Applied for 12,125)
The tide eats into the beast like acid, melting it further and continuing to do so while you all watch with a mixture of awe and fright. Another gaze crashes into the oozing form and even though it does not kill the thing entirely, remains of the acidic blood melt it to nothing within just a few seconds.
You shiver at the sight, noting how nonplussed Ana is about it before realising that this might be a lot like her own spells. Rico and Eva are regarding Ming with curiousity and respect, though they relax when she stops attacking after that. Your current host looks around with her eyes still swirling purple, but quickly forces them back to their normal blue after seeing your expressions. "My apologies, I... uh... lost myself there for a moment."
You just nod and try to get your faces under control while the older twins wave it off. Fairy Knight seems still taken aback from the sight and Stygian... is cowering on the ground, hands held protectively over her head and sobbing. You blink at her display, but keep quiet after pointing Ming toward the confrontational girl.
Once the goddess moves to crouch next to her however, she only starts sobbing louder and apologising with what breath she has left, hiccupping and shaking like a leave in autumn's winds. Ming's expression is... conflicted. She is still a little bit angry from what you can see, but she also feels bad for having lost her temper like that. In the end, she decides to comfort Stygian gently, cooing "It's okay" into her ear a few times before slowly wrapping an arm around her. You have the other three Vescovis take a few steps aside with you and Knight... Fairy follows.
. . .
Line Break Recognised . . .
Calming a terrified Magical Girl took Ming some time, which you used to explain your journey since awakening to the older twins; Fairy listened quite curiously, as did Eva and Rico. Calling yourself by either of those is now rather difficult, so you just have to think of something else. Maybe just assigning Priscilla and Celeste to refer to either body?
That question aside, you also remembered to hand your final two spare-communicators to your new siblings, so they can actually talk to people. The first thing Rico did was chatting up Fairy and taking her aside, so you quietly thanked her for the opportunity to explain to Ana; going by how confused your adopted sister ends up being, it will take some time to be processed.
At least all your sisters get along, that is a good start. They are a little wary around each other, but you can definitely work that out over time.
At some point Stygian finally calms down and reapplies her transformation for some reason. You pretend not to notice the wet patches of ground where she was huddled. Nightmare Guard rises from the ground with a groan now, making you realise you entirely forgot about her. Oops?
Considering how she acted towards you though, even if it was under orders, you do not feel as embarassed as you normally would. Maybe that helped her cool down; she does not meet your gaze at least, though that might be because she is focussed on her boss. Guard immediately rolls over to her side before kneeling. "I'm afraid I failed, my lady. I was defeated before anything could be done."
Stygian is a really weird sight, with her right side being actinic mist and bones from the shoulder downward while the rest is pale flesh. Her lips quiver and tears glisten in her eyes even now. "It's -hic- It's okay."
It is as if her whole personality turned around; there is no resistance or anger or anything in her eyes now as she turns to you. "My -hic- My apologies for -hic- what happened before. I-" "It's okay," you chirp into her apology with a smile. Stygian stops instantly and blinks at you with hopeful eyes, so you elaborate a bit to show her you mean it: "It is okay as long as you are sorry. I'm not mad."
"My stomach disagrees," Guard deadpan's in response before rubbing her sore tummy, but you just stick your tongues out at her. Rico chuckles over the situation, joining the gathering with Fairy next to her. "To be fair, you were kind of a bitch to them."
Meanwhile, Eva is holding Ludger in her arms to calm him. With everyone accounted for, you get everything back on track: "Can we get the meeting started properly now?"
. . .
Line Break Recognised . . .
It turns out Styx is a pushover... or rather, she is really bad with people. A bit like you used to be as Eva, but she is easily intimidated. She is also a powerful summoner and smart, so a group of well-meaning people united large swaths of land under her banner and served as her advisors, keeping the whole thing together with her power. They also taught her how to keep her fear hidden and appear more confident, even though she usually wants to run away.
None of you was particularly convinced that those people are "well-meaning", but Nightmare Guard confirmed it. The main reason Stygian was so confrontational, though... was dumb. Really dumb. Someone told her that she must present a strong front for negotiations lest the other sides try to trick her, which she understood as 'agree to nothing'.
It is dumb and you told her so... and immediately felt bad because the girl looked ready to cry from just that. So you apologised. Ming used the time this whole explanation went to heal Moon, which took a while and unsettled all three leaders; Forsaken God's healing power is incredibly strong, so her needing several minutes to bring you back in top shape says a lot about how much you grew.
What came after was... anticlimactic. Ming just asked what conditions her counterpart wanted in return for agreeing to the merge, then agreed to all of them. Same for Fairy, though neither of them asked for anything unreasonable; the three of them would form a council to meet regularly in this place, with Ming in charge overall, Fairy taking care of protection from outward threats, and Stygian as the high priestess, same rank as she had so far. Only for a different god...dess now.
In the end you were not needed... or maybe you were; things would not have escalated -and thus resolved- like this without you. They probably would have gotten to an agreement sooner or later anyway, but you are happy to have helped nonetheless
The journey back to the temple is a little weird, though; you go slower this time, with Ludger in Ming's arms, Moon right behind her, and the rest on Ana's back. It is really sad that neither Eva nor Rico can fly... and Rico refuses to tag along on her thrown weapons, even though she could.
On the other hand, traveling like this allows you to actually talk to each other. Ming hangs right overhead, explaining how she wants to continue: "I am a little conflicted to be honest," she confesses in a louder voice than normal; everyone needs to shout to get heard at your current speed. "I did promise you to agree if you helped me, but," the rest of her mumbled explanation is ripped away by the wind. You quickly shrug and shake your head in response. ""It's fine, really. I wouldn't feel well if the agreement is too one-sided. Is there something else we can do?""
"I will think about it!", the goddess calls out after you made yourself heard, then offers you a smile and speeds up a little; Ludger pants happily and nuzzles closer to the older girl, though she pays it no mind right now to lead everyone. Rico watches her back intently... now that you look at them again, she and Eva have similar outfits to Ming, at least in how they are made. The next thing you find out is that Rico was not watching Ming's back, but a little lower instead, as Eva points out to you by poking your other sister and telling her to "stop staring at her butt".
You do not really understand what might be so interesting about doing this in the first place, but the need to ask is small. Maybe you will understand it by yourself in a year or two.
. . .
Line Break Recognised . . .
The sun began to sink when you land safely in Timimoun, leaving you just a little bit of time to spend until it is time for bed. Your bigger twin sisters will stay with you for now, so at least there is no need to organise something new for them.
Ming herself runs off after telling you she has to think about things for a bit, so that leaves you with the task to talk to your new siblings about the details and to wonder how to break it to Bianca. "Hey sis, we kind of broke reality and made our alternate teenager selves real" will probably not go well with her.
The next morning, Ming calls you to meet her right after breakfast, with one more task to do before she agrees to your proposal.
Which task is it?
[] Go on a 'date' with Ming
[] Help out with a new building they are constructing
[] Assist with patrolling the countryside until all three factions are done unifying their border patrols.
[] EXP-Plan
-[] Write-in what to buy
-[] Save it
=====
+5xp Bullied Nightmare Guard (Only Pris)
+2xp Saved God out of a Catfight (Only Pris)
+1xp Don't Make God Mad
+5xp Suddenly I have five sisters (Only Ana)
EXP gained: 8 + 8 + 6 = 22
Total EXP: 2,332
=====
(Unlocked Level 2 Character Sheet: Magical Girl Forsaken God)
(Unlocked Level 1 Character Sheet: Magical Girl Stygian Sovereign)
(Unlocked Level 1 Character Sheet: Magical Girl Fairy Knight)
It's frustrating as all hell to find a legitimately entertaining quest and then to start realizing about half way through that everyone seems to be ignoring combat in favor of shiny distractions every damn time they get any experience unless they were dragged kicking and screaming to the shop section titled "Not Fucking Dying"
I can relate, it was me who had to somehow get them through all of this after all
But to be honest, I do not mind it too much. Writing the underdog who has to be clever in dealing with their opponents is much more entertaining than writing someone who one-shots every second opponent.
Plus, it allows me to bask in the fear of my players as they fret their plans going awry with each coming combat Update
[X] Help out with a new building they are constructing
[X] EXP Plan Upgrade
-[X] Upgrade Sunlight Scepter to level 20 (850)
-[X] Upgrade Scorching Sunlight to level 15 (140)
-[X] Upgrade Soothing Moonlight to level 15 (270)
-[X] Upgrade Baleful Eclipse to level 15 (270)
Total EXP Spent: 1530
Alright, my plan should be useful no matter what happens in the future. Getting the Sunlight Scepter gets us another APT, while getting our remaining spells to 15 increases Solar Wind to level 3, finishes off the requirements for Reflected Godlight if we want to get that in the future, and if Moon's Omnicaster works like Sun's does, then if we get that in the future it'll start at level 3 as well.
Ultimately, my plan is to finish off the XP spending on weapons and spells so that we can save for Abilities, or for upgrading World Eater.
Well, Stygian Beast certainly looks impressive, especially with its Abilities on its weapon. However, why does it have an Epic Affinity? Shouldn't it have a Myth or Legendary Affinity instead?
Well, Stygian Beast certainly looks impressive, especially with its Abilities on its weapon. However, why does it have an Epic Affinity? Shouldn't it have a Myth or Legendary Affinity instead?
It's frustrating as all hell to find a legitimately entertaining quest and then to start realizing about half way through that everyone seems to be ignoring combat in favor of shiny distractions every damn time they get any experience unless they were dragged kicking and screaming to the shop section titled "Not Fucking Dying"
One issue, in particular early on, was QM/Player dissonance on how the quest was structured.
The sheer number of shop items presented, alongside the QM saying 'you won't be capable of buying everything, so don't try', fits an Elitist, game-type quest: one in which the players need to defeat the setting the QM is running. In this sort of quest, deciding on a 'character build' is appropriate and fitting, and trying to do all of the things should result in a more difficult game.
However, the structure of the story, and indeed the structure of CWMGQ and it's knock-offs in general, supports a more narrative quest: One that serves to tell a story more than play a game. In the case of Magical Girls, they each generally only have a limited number of options that can possibly be taken, and while there are multiple ways to play the character, each MG has a specific 'niche' that they generally fit into, even the most powerful (The Four Goddesses, the Drives/Cores, Primeval Earth) or variable (Summit) has a 'theme' that doesn't necessarily correspond to how they're played (See: 'Ana' and 'Nepgear' for the most obvious examples).
So in this case, in addition to QM/Player dissonance, there was Mechanical/Narrative dissonance.
I think most of it has been fixed with the trimming and modification of shop items, but I'm not totally sure.
