While this does strike me as a thing we want that is also not really a power grab, does it have any relation to the Dragons? If so, that should probably be made clear to Asuma.
Isn't the implication of getting another Boss on board the Dragonwar pretty clear?
Also, Orochimaru has expressed direct disdain for the existing replica (which, granted, was made not-to-scale and at a lower skill level) in the past and I think we can safely assume he won't be satisfied with it here. Unless this is, idk, performative reluctance to frame the tone of the encounter, I don't see the value in it.
I'm pretty sure that was before he took the Great Seal all that seriously in the first place. Orochimaru shouldn't know that our skill at making replicas has significantly improved, meaning that he'd find having the existing replica at least marginally useful, now that he can map his own memories of the Great Seal's actual details onto the imperfect rough sketch he expects us to provide.
- There's gotta be a better way to say "You can't treat us unfairly, but trading for seals/clan secrets might make things fair." As is I am very concerned Asuma would become annoyed by our foot-in-mouth.
I concur. How about something like this: Is there a way we can share certain Clan secrets with the Tower without it gutting Goketsu's future potential? P.S.: Which Clan secrets are we even talking about here,
@FaintlySorcerous ?
- If we're putting Goketsu behind this 100%, we shouldn't then express concern about not helping Orochimaru. One of those two things should be removed, and I feel it's better that we support Orochimaru in this regard (though others may disagree).
No. Leaving it up to the Hokage is exactly the right move here. The dragons are an existential threat, but we aren't yet a 100% sure that Orochimaru isn't. Personally I am just. like, 85% sure. So let's follow the Hokage's judgement on whether the scary snake he has to bribe with live citizens to keep happy and "docile" is a usable asset more than it is Leaf's own proto-dragon.
Expectation management: on balance, we feel we made a mistake with the idea of lootboxes and they don't fit the level of simulation we strive for.
Can I ask why, from a simulationist standpoint? It has been long established that sealing notes of accomplished sealmasters have a lot of value and XP boosts seemed like a relatively elegant solution to the problem of having the MC know a science that neither the players nor the QMs have a way to actually understand.
Edit: Some more comments on your plan.
I want to minimize the chance that we say something dumb by letting Asuma potentially say things first.
I agree with you on keeping that in. Not just to avoid foot-in-mouth, but saying things in that order allows Asuma to more easily interject additions and opinions once we do start asking for stuff.
Approach:
- First - what more can Goketsudo? No promises, but everything (including clan secrets) is on the table.
- Tone: Asuma is putting Leaf behind this 100%. We're with him.
- Second - thank you. You believed us and mobilized Leaf. You offer patience and understanding despite everything. We saw what it was like for Jiraiya, and have a (very limited) idea of the stress.
- We'd like to articulate the problems, have Asuma propose solutions/Tower assistance, and then make our suggestions - there's likely overlap so this limits what we can phrase badly.
The 'Approach' section seems like a mix of things we want Hazou to outright say and tones we want him to set while saying the rest. Especially the inclusions of words like 'First'/'Second' make it confusing. Maybe make the whole section and flow a bit more clear for the QMs?
- Skyslicers and Shadow Clone could maybe defeat Chakra Golems?
Should we tell Asuma about that chakra cave Orochimaru pointed us to and the experiences therein? I don't remember why we didn't, but there might be a reason I'm not thinking of.
Mareo could potentially help - he's another Summoner and near Dog.
- Can we offer him citizenship or an ANBU escort? More useful for Leaf than Dragons - left it last for that reason.
We have already done full reports on Mareo to Asuma in previous chapters. So explaining what he is and where we found him is unnecessary. Also, I don't see why we should include that last part. It's perfectly in character to slip Mareo in like that, thinking that having him on site is better during the dragonwar. The worst that could happen is Asuma commenting on it, so again, not worth the word count or the self-aware explanation to Asuma.
- Beforehand, clarify maximum size, materials and space needed (via Kabuto?).
Why is this still necessary?
Velorien already clarified between chapters.
He's distracting - he's basically a god - and we need to concentrate.
Why call Oro a god instead of scary? Seems like superfluous wordcount inflation.
