[X] Are nightmares sapient? If so, can they be reasoned with?
[X] Can nightmares be bonded with like an archetype? Is the method safe and easy to reproduce? Simply pairing up vagrant nightmares with people willing to co-habit with them could prevent violence. Perhaps whatever drives them to harm others could be let out in a more constructive manner, like art.
[X] Are you okay? Putting your lives at risk like this must be taxing, if you need someone to vent to, find me, that goes for everyone.
[X] Do you know where one could pick up a loose archetype?
[X] It isn't my intent to become subservient to my future subjects, as tempting as the offer may be. I have no qualms, however, about staying in touch. Perhaps we can arrange a few sparring matches and exchanges of information so that we are both better prepared for the ordeals to come?
[X] Are nightmares sapient? If so, can they be reasoned with?
[X] Do you know where one could pick up a loose archetype?
[X] Does bonding with an archetype have any side effects such as effecting your emotions or how you think?
[X] Sure. I won't join, but I'll stay in touch.
I agree with this point, we needn't make enemies like this even if it is in character. Such a decision is justified by virtue (hue hue) of our pride being tempered by intelligence.
On the subject of nightmare bonding, the question could lead into a "yes", "no", or "I don't know" even with any suspicion gained, until they can actually prove that we are evil, they can't (or rather, shouldn't) act on it. I like the question because it also plants the seed of doubt in or prospective foe's minds, as you've said with the dark is not evil aspect. If we can come off as a beleaguered redemptionist, wishing for a peaceful resolution even after the discovery of our true nature can make us seem sympathetic. We were brought up on the side of darkness but seem like we want to do good, bringing others out may seem like a personal mission from the outside, a task worthy of one deigned to be the future king of all the universe.
I'll freely admit I didn't quite look at it from that perspective, but how well can we pull off being a beleaguered redemptionist when we showed no qualms killing someone (we did mention we stabbed the other guy with a sword, and haven't shown any remorse or grief), while seeming to have little issue with Kui's implication that his group kills some of the Daemons he fights. Will we treat every fight around someone else like we are trying to redeem the other side?
Honestly I don't trust us to be able to play a redemptionist angle consistently enough. One question isn't enough to cement that image, especially when it is an inherently suspicious question, and we haven't shown any attempts of wanting the Daemons we fought redeemed and have no issue with one being taken away by a member of a group that kill our kind.
Also it doesn't help that I tend to be paranoid about some things.
Is it possible to use the Crown of violet to enhance a person's sin enough to make them become a Daemon, assuming they are somewhat close to the borderline, or are there other requirements then just the depth of their sin?
It was just a random thought for when we are strong enough that we could theoretically put the crown on someone and take it away without being pummelled by the Daemon using their crown enhanced power for the first time (admittedly that is not too much of a problem for some types of sin). That of course assumes we couldn't just take off the crown before they get to the point they can use their power, at which point we wouldn't have to actually get all that much stronger to attempt it, assuming it is something that would work.
Let's save the Chronic Backstabbing Disorder for people who have actually promised us something and failed, or get uppity after becoming our subjects. Putting down traitors is the duty of the king. Killing random advisors... Yes, if they advise us badly or are just guessing. Killing random subjects who are still loyal is exactly opposite what a king does.
We will react disproportionately, but justly. We will not kill the bearer of bad news, for news bears not on its bearer. But we will kick the foreign king's ultimatum-bearer into the Spartan death pit, for that is a decision on their part to serve against our interests.
I'm not interested in being redemptionist here. The world has enough people in it we don't need to waste the effort on anyone we don't want or need. People are expendable and we can make more. Kings eventually need heirs, after all, to continue their legacy and ideology. To propogate our magnificence. Pump some Pride into that and it might even become literal, in case we die. Though that's obviously a long term plan. Which is fine, conquering the world is the work of a few decades, not an evening.
The Princesses also fight eldritch abominations that tend to rack up killcounts in the double digits and treat buildings as afterthoughts. They get rather a lot of leeway for that.
Chronic backstabbing disorder seem to open options (such as the invisitext option the update before this one that would have had us attempt to kill all of them), but it is not necessarily a given that we actually must eventually back stab, though since I imagine we are going to try to get close to all the groups, we almost definitely will end up backstabbing some down the line, if only to discard the less useful ones that the more valuable people we can subvert have issue with.
Chronic Backstabbing Disorder essentially means that you are always aware of the possibility of betrayal and the benefits it might bring, both from your own perspective and that of another. This means that some part of you is always considering what you might have to gain from betraying everyone else and planning for it. It also means you're always worrying that anyone you associate with might betray you. It makes it difficult for you to trust people completely and reduces the effects when someone else enacts their sudden yet inevitable betrayal.
Is it possible to use the Crown of violet to enhance a person's sin enough to make them become a Daemon, assuming they are somewhat close to the borderline, or are there other requirements then just the depth of their sin?
To actually activate a Daemon's power for the first time requires a significant emotional threshold to be crossed, one which is intimately tied to their Sin. The Crown would ensure that they had sufficient Sin for their activation, lowering the threshold they'd have to aim for,but they would still have to develop the base Sin and the willpower on their own. After the activation, moreover, they'd be at the level of a new Daemon being augmented by the Crown, so not that powerful.
Vote Tally : Magical Girl Monster Quest | Page 25 | Sufficient Velocity ##### NetTally 1.7.4
[10] Are nightmares sapient? If so, can they be reasoned with?
[10] Do you know where one could pick up a loose archetype?
[9] Are you okay? Putting your lives at risk like this must be taxing, if you need someone to vent to, find me, that goes for everyone.
[8] Sure. I won't join, but I'll stay in touch.
[5] Can nightmares be bonded with like an archetype? Is the method safe and easy to reproduce? Simply pairing up vagrant nightmares with people willing to co-habit with them could prevent violence. Perhaps whatever drives them to harm others could be let out in a more constructive manner, like art.
[5] Does bonding with an archetype have any side effects such as effecting your emotions or how you think?
[3] It isn't my intent to become subservient to my future subjects, as tempting as the offer may be. I have no qualms, however, about staying in touch. Perhaps we can arrange a few sparring matches and exchanges of information so that we are both better prepared for the ordeals to come?
[1] No thanks. Your aesthetics really don't appeal to me.
[1] Sure. I might not join formally, but I'd be happy to work with you.
Total No. of Voters: 13
My voter numbers fluctuate really randomly. I wonder why? Interesting questions.
[X] Are nightmares sapient? If so, can they be reasoned with?
[X] Do you know where one could pick up a loose archetype?
[X] Are you okay? Putting your lives at risk like this must be taxing, if you need someone to vent to, find me, that goes for everyone.
[X] Can nightmares be bonded with like an archetype? Is the method safe and easy to reproduce? Simply pairing up vagrant nightmares with people willing to co-habit with them could prevent violence. Perhaps whatever drives them to harm others could be let out in a more constructive manner, like art.
[X] Sure. I won't join, but I'll stay in touch.
"Actually, I do have a question," You interject hastily. "about these Archetypes. You mentioned they bond to people, right? How does that work? Could I get one? Is it only Archetypes which bond to people, or can nightmares do it too?"
"That's more than one question." Kaleido astutely observes.
You give her a look, one you've picked up from Kaho. She smiles a disarming smile, which you don't believe for a second.
"Well, each Archetype bonds to people in a different way. In my case, Magical Girl Warrior sent me on a sort of spirit journey through a mystical world, whereas in Skopeo's case, most of her bond was prearranged, almost. I think you might be able to bond with an Archetype if you found one, but you'd need to find one capable of and willing to bind and submit to a host, and it'd need to be compatible with you as well. Archetypes can only bind to specific types of people, to ensure symbiosis. Nightmares, on the other hand, can and will bind to anyon, if they reach a certain level of power and intelligence. Those are always the worst. When they do, we call them Moroi. Thankfully, they're really rare. We've only ever fought one."
You blink. "Are Nightmares sapient then? Can they be reasoned with?"
She waggles her hand. "Sort of. A Nightmare's power is directly proportional to its intelligence. A weak, newly formed Nightmare is as intelligent as a microorganism, capable only of moving towards things which benefit it and attacking things which don't. As they grow more and more powerful, they also grow more intelligent, to the point where they can be as smart as, if not more so than, a normal person. Moroi are invariably superhumanly intelligent. Nightmares also tend to develop strange and twisted codes of honor, of a sort. Unfortunately, their idea of honor seems to always focus entirely on creating new Nightmares of a structure akin to their own. So they can be reasoned with, but it's difficult at best."
Ah. Well, there goes that plan for either another path to power or for a new set of disposable and easily-manufactured minions. Shame, that. You'd really like to get your hands on some proper minions of your own. Every king needs a well-trained and obedient set of loyal enforcers to enact his will.
"Is there anything else?" Kaleido offers.
"One more thing." You state decisively. Smoothly, you slide to your feet and saunter over to her. With a warm smile, you kneel beside her and take one of her hands in both of your own.
"Are you okay?" You ask in the most comforting voice you can manage. Wordlessly, she stares at you, eyes wide, lips slightly parted, a light blush on her face. "I know that what you're doing can't be easy for you. Being a hero is hard work even at the best of times, and it doesn't sound like it's been an easy road for you. But I think that what you're doing is admirable, and a worthy task. And I want you to know that if ever you need anything, I'm here for you. If you need a place to hide, help with an alibi or with a cover story, medical assistance, or even just someone to talk to, I'll be there for you. Please. If you ever need help, come to me. It's the least I can do for a hero like you."
Kaleido stares at you for several seconds with a blank look in her eyes and a growing blush across her face. Then, slowly, her other hand comes up and clasps your hands, as a small tremulous smile forms on her lips.
"Okay," she finally breathes, in a much softer voice than what you're used to hearing from her. "I will. Thank you."
"No," you correct her. "Thank you."
For several seconds, you just smile at each other. Then the moment is broken by a forced cough from Kui.
"Do we need to give you two a moment?" He asks awkwardly.
A moment? Then it clicks. You and Kaleido are in a position that could be quite easily misinterpreted as romantic. Even as this realization dawns on you, it dawns on the magical girl as well, and the two of you separate very quickly indeed, as she pointedly looks everywhere but at you and blushes ever more intensely.
You turn and address Kui. "The same goes for you too, you know. The king has a duty to see to the welfare of his subjects, after all. If there's something you need..."
He smiles. "I'll come to you." He concedes.
You nod firmly. "That's all I ask."
"With regards to the matter of joining your organization," you continue. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline. That said, I would be perfectly open to staying in touch with you guys. I won't promise to help you, since you seem to be just a little too morally flexible for my taste, but I'll keep in touch, and if you find out about an impending apocalypse, let me know and I'll do the same for you."
"We're with Victor," Kaleido notes, still blushing. "Apocalypses are bad, and we'd like to keep them to a minimum. We'll also try to warn you about any particularly concerning Nightmares in the area."
"That's more than enough for me." Kui addresses both of you. "Now, if there's nothing else, since this stake-out doesn't seem to be panning out, I do believe it's well past both of your bedtimes. So go home kids, you have school tomorrow."
You roll your eyes and turn to Kaleido. "A ride down, please?" She blushes again, but complies. Once you land, you exchange phone numbers, and depart. Well, you give her your phone number. Obviously, she declines to give you her contact information for fear of revealing her identity, but tells you that if you need to contact her, you can just leave a note in the doorjamb of the closet in the rooftop stairwell, since no one will ever bother to check there.
You sleep well that night, proud of your acquisition of a new set of contacts. When you wake up the next morning after less than six hours of sleep, however, you are less then pleased. Then you remember that you have school, and your mood absolutely plummets.
Do you want to go to school?
[] Yes. Maintain your facade of normalcy. [] Yes. Turn it down a little, do only what you have to to not be suspicious. Locked by Pride.
[] No. Just disappear. People probably won't care too much, considering the average Japanese adult's reaction to foreigners.
[] No. Come up with a plausible reason for your disappearance and then stop attending.
-[] How will you justify your absence?
[] Write-in?
[Contacts Acquired!]
[Magical Girl Kaleido: When all you have is a hammer]
[Magical Girl Skopeo: i have no mouth]
[Shinku Kei: Red Right Hand] QM: What's this? A reasonable delay between updates? From me? The world must be ending!
[x] Yes. Maintain your facade of normalcy.
We need to chat with Angry girl to make sure the school project is going well, after all a king should always make sure anything he is involved in is the best of the best.
What kind of identity she is afraid to reveal if she says we go to the same school? One of the choices before even read 'See you at school, Kaleido!'
Wouldn't it make any inquiries into her civilian persona trivial for us?
What possible reasons do we have to avoid school, or even go as far as to try and disappear altogether, wasting all the good work we've done? I am probably missing something, because that looks like it came out of the blue.
Fairly simple, with Kaho and Kaleido at school. That alone makes school currently valuable enough to attend. Would need significantly more out-of-school contacts and important things to do to consider dropping it even temporarily.
Fairly sure that the leader of the Princesses was also there as the one who asked us why we want to rule the world, but that is OOC knowledge based on the fact that their picture was Usagi
