Yep. I like the lore of that particular series. I've also got a weakness for references to the Lesser Key of Solomon.
I can see the appeal in fighting the Unholy with even greater unholy power, but I'd rather not get involved with actual demons, mostly because of the dangers involved in that sort of thing that range from the demon escaping the summoner's control to getting on Councillor Knight's bad side.
*Councillor Knight's eyes narrow*
*His hand twitches for just a moment*I can see the appeal in fighting the Unholy with even greater unholy power, but I'd rather not get involved with actual demons, mostly because of the dangers involved in that sort of thing that range from the demon escaping the summoner's control to getting on Councillor Knight's bad side.
The 72 demons in The Ars Goetia always struck me as rather helpful, as demons go. And more than a bit silly, As an example, the Wikipedia article on Beleth talks about how Noah's son Ham was the first to summon him, shortly after the flood...to help Ham write a book on mathematics. A decent number of Goetic demons are basically just demonic math tutors. It's actually rather comical. Almost none of them seem to offer lessons on things like magic. Nah, they'll teach you philosophy instead.I can see the appeal in fighting the Unholy with even greater unholy power, but I'd rather not get involved with actual demons, mostly because of the dangers involved in that sort of thing that range from the demon escaping the summoner's control to getting on Councillor Knight's bad side.
"Hey man, reputation of supposedly commanding the legions of Hell aside, the demons in the Ars Goetia might very well be less dangerous than any other supernatural source of knowledge we might tap. They can, supposedly, be bound by very specific, but doable, rituals. They might make for a lower-risk option than, say, the Necronomicon. Or possibly not. We'd need to understand them, and the risks, before summoning them. I'm also not advocating we summon them for just any old problem, either. Even if I could use some tutoring in calculus."
Well, if my omakes are 100% canon we do have a library full of named Mythos tomes! Almost all of them!
Eh, the Ars Goetia, and the Lesser Key it's a part of, aren't exactly all that legendary, pretentious naming aside. Many of the names and demons clearly predate the first known copy, dating to the 1500's, and it ripped the majority of its demons (68/72, IIRC) from one particular book. It's the standard demonological mix of names and words from other languages and mythologies, and names of unknown origin, possibly due to being too garbled to be understood. Many of the demons also have massive overlap in their abilities and functions, making a number of them redundant. In terms of world-building, it's not the best. Basically, the only reason it's managed to stick around is its use in pop culture and the fancy title, IMO.
"....Did you ever watch the 'I of Newton' bit from the old Twilight Zone show? The sketch with Sherman Hemsley as a math professor, and Ron Glass as a demon who loved math? Because either way, let's assume this would go worse than that."
*First Reports: Councillor Knight is upset but skeptical.*
)
"I mean...we seem to be risking absolute madness on a pretty regular basis, if the stories about the Necronomicon are true. I feel like a demon would probably still be slightly safer than that. At least with demons, you know what they want."
I'm not quite sure why it's that time-critical. Yes, Bracer and her remaining pilots are in harms way. But they've been like that for weeks now. We could use more time, and they could likely spare it. Especially to get the Elite Superheavy Nuclear Missile Submarine we just got back into service.
Two turns out would be my goal. Built the dock this turn, patch up the sub, then go. The Sons of Liberty would be easy to get on our side, especially since Iceman has contacts with them. Atlanta might be trickier, but they owe Bracer for covering our tails while we retreated to Atlanta If not for Bracer, they'd never have reached the point they have today. I really doubt anyone in or around our territory would be up for leaving any Jaeger and its pilots in the lurch, assuming they're not evil cultists.
Quote butchered to make it abundantly clear, I'm sure @Nixeu was referring to its power plant, not its payload.
pardon me while I feed my pet triceratops
Yep. Kinda annoying, but "missle nuclear submarine" sounds weird. And the blithe assumption that "missile sub" and "nuclear sub" are synonymous doesn't apply with lay people. "Nuclear-powered Guided Missile Submarine" is probably the most accurate name, but I was being lazy.
Good to know, on both counts.
Sure, I'll do that.
I still think we should move fast. The reports of them building a wall of life state that it was still incomplete which means there's still a vulnerable spot we can attack. Furthermore, Charleston just lost a lot of troops and materiel in the last fight while our own troops suffered relatively few casualties. If we don't act quickly they'll have replenished those troops and increased their defenses by the time we attack.
Isn't it bad luck to rename a ship?
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Fair. Some cruise missile support would still be nice, but yeah, hitting them while they're down makes sense.
Or at least one of his sailors would. And he'd be willing to listen. I'll also point out that military ships get renamed pretty regularly, usually when put into service with a different nation, or arm of the military, or when they end up in private service.The Boat Renaming Superstition, and how to get around it…
According to legend, every vessel is recorded by name in the 'Ledger of the Deep', and is known personally to the god(s) of the sea. To change the name of a vessel without consulting them is to invoke their wrath, so in order to change a boat's name, a traditional ceremony is used to appease the god(s) of the seas.
The first thing that must be done when renaming a boat is to purge its old name from the Ledger of the Deep, and from the god(s) memory. This will involve removing every trace of the old boat name, and reciting a short ceremony to remove the boat's name from god(s) records. You may use White-Out to cover the boat's name in log books, engine and maintenance records, personalized ships life rings, etc., but it is much easier to simply remove all offending documents from the boat and start afresh. Do not under any circumstances carry aboard any item bearing your boat's new name until the renaming ceremony has been completed! Once you are certain every reference to her old name has been removed, you have to make a metal tag with the old name written on it in water-soluble ink.
Buy a bottle of good Champagne & invite your friends to witness and party.
Begin by invoking the powers of the deep as follows:
Oh mighty and great ruler(s) of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to expunge for all time from your records and recollection the name (here insert the old name of your vessel) which has ceased to be an entity in your kingdom. As proof thereof, we submit this ingot bearing her name to be corrupted through your powers and forever be purged from the sea. (At this point, the prepared metal tag is dropped from the bow of the boat into the sea.)
In grateful acknowledgment of your munificence and dispensation, we offer these libations to your majesty(s) and your court. (Pour at least half of the bottle of Champagne into the sea from East to West. The remainder may be passed among your guests.)
You must conduct the renaming ceremony immediately after the purging ceremony. For this you will need more Champagne.
Boat Renaming Ceremony - Begin by again calling on the power(s) of the seas as follows:
Oh mighty and great ruler(s) of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as (Here insert the new name you have chosen), guarding her with your might and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.
In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation and in honor of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court. (At this point, one bottle of Champagne, less one glass for the master and one glass for the mate are poured into the sea from West to East.)
The next step in the renaming ceremony is to appease the Powers of the winds and storms. This will assure you of fair winds and smooth seas.
(Basically rinse & repeat altering ritual slightly)
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But I'm sure a Salty individual like the Admiral would have such knowledge buried in his bag of tricks
Throw my support behind all of those that I'm not already supporting. They all seem like fine choices.
Your cruise Missile sub, currently has some non-K-scale munitions to sling, provided your Jet Propulsion research succeeds (with current city stat bonus to the HEL labs roll & the Jail research token roll, only some serious crit fail results could raise the bar beyond your likely reach) the cruise missiles can use target acquisition from your MQ-1C 'Gray Eagle's to distribute the 2 MAC tubes of BLU-97/B Combined Effects Bomb) .
I support all the ones I didn't support before.