Matter of Faith (BTVS / OC)

Let's just jump the dude as he's walking down the street.


No, really, he can only move at night and at some point he has to head back, and he's not exactly going to be moving with a large crowd. Wait till no one else s in sight and bam.
 
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Also remember guys that at some point we're gonna fight demons, meaning that we should have some direct damage spells rather than just light based ones, what are we going to do if some big lizard guy come up? He's not going to be bothered about us chucking consecrates about is he?
Demons should also get hurt by Light IIRC. Vampires are essentially low level demons that are using dead human bodies as hosts. (Humans turned into a vampire loses their soul and acts as the vessel/host for the demon's from what I can find out.)

But anyways, flat out increase in damage would need us to grind up the Unyielding Light skill tree. Avenging Wrath + Blessing of Might would currently boost us from 15 damage to (if Avenging Wrath doesn't count the bonus from Blessing of Light) 27 (I think) damage.
 
Demons should also get hurt by Light IIRC. Vampires are essentially low level demons that are using dead human bodies as hosts. (Humans turned into a vampire loses their soul and acts as the vessel/host for the demon's from what I can find out.)

But anyways, flat out increase in damage would need us to grind up the Unyielding Light skill tree. Avenging Wrath + Blessing of Might would currently boost us from 15 damage to (if Avenging Wrath doesn't count the bonus from Blessing of Light) 27 (I think) damage.
Well wow demons do, problem is that I'm not sure buffy ones do, holy water doesn't work and neither do crosses or silver, implying that they're more like interplanar invaders than demonic things
 
Well wow demons do, problem is that I'm not sure buffy ones do, holy water doesn't work and neither do crosses or silver, implying that they're more like interplanar invaders than demonic things
Actually, according to Lost, unless I read it wrong, it's more like those things are keyed specifically towards vampire-demon-things, rather than other things not being demons.
 
Actually, according to Lost, unless I read it wrong, it's more like those things are keyed specifically towards vampire-demon-things, rather than other things not being demons.
Possibly, although, another theory presents itself, namely that if each demon has its own weaknesses and those weaknesses are unique, it would be really awkward to carry around all the stuff for that individual demon species. Therefore its just easier to chop their heads off and be done with it.
 
All this rouging is messing with muh Hammer Man sensibilities.

[x] Stake the place out and wait for the target to leave or go to sleep. Try to make sure he's actually a vampire and scout out how many there might be from a distance.
-[x] Stay unarmored until the target starts to leave or the door needs to be kicked in.
-[x] Both Astral and Faith wear something relatively concealing, hoodies and the like. Make sure Faith has a full on balaclava/sock mask/etc for combat time.
-[x] When things go bad, Hammer Time! Faith can stay back and support.
 
Demons is a wide term applied to many different types of beings. Honestly, the title demon seems to apply to everything that has origins from a different dimension and not everything with the title of demon necessarily has all that much to do with the classical definition of demon in the Buffy universe.

See, the thing is Vampires and a good number of other demons descend from Old Ones, these are what I like to call home brew demons. These old ones come from another dimension, sure, but the new demons come from here and are only descended from other dimensions. There is however another type, those crossing over directly from another dimension. We don't know how many there are but we know a bunch of demons flat out come from other dimensions, like Lorne for example, and no one really finds this unusual suggesting it's a fairly regular thing. We actually have no way of knowing how many of these outsiders descend from other dimensions and they might work on a completly different paradigm.

So, something that affects the old one descended demons might not affect any original recipe demons the same way.
 
Demons is a wide term applied to many different types of beings. Honestly, the title demon seems to apply to everything that has origins from a different dimension and not everything with the title of demon necessarily has all that much to do with the classical definition of demon in the Buffy universe.
So the Light would work on Old One derived demons but not on random inter-dimensional ones? For example, what would happen if we smited Lorne?

Also, regarding the soul, what would be the effects of smiting a vampire with a soul? Would the Light work considering this? I recall a forsaken paladin in Light's Hope Chapel, which seemed to imply that although he was undead he could still use the Light, and not just the Shadow version but the actual one.
 
So the Light would work on Old One derived demons but not on random inter-dimensional ones? For example, what would happen if we smited Lorne?

Also, regarding the soul, what would be the effects of smiting a vampire with a soul? Would the Light work considering this? I recall a forsaken paladin in Light's Hope Chapel, which seemed to imply that although he was undead he could still use the Light, and not just the Shadow version but the actual one.
Technically. Light works on anything. It's just most effective against stuff like undead and demons.

And yes. When people say anyone can use the light. They mean anyone can use the light as long as they believe. Of course, there is a stipulation. While people like undead Can use the light. It hurts them to use, so it's not quite all encompassing.
 
I read an article once speculating about a forsaken priest healing another forsaken and the possibility it would cause pain to the both of them
Yea, because the light seems to specifically target the undead. Like holy light, being a healing spell. Causing damage to undead.

Don't ask me how undead priests work though. It might actually heal wounds, but cause crippling pain to the user and recipient or something.
 
Yea, because the light seems to specifically target the undead. Like holy light, being a healing spell. Causing damage to undead.

Don't ask me how undead priests work though. It might actually heal wounds, but cause crippling pain to the user and recipient or something.

Could a demon use it then? The Holy Light in WoW, as opposed to whatever clerics use in DnD or something, works as long as you believe you are doing the right thing, which is why people like the Scarlet Crusader can use it. Would a demon's intrinsic nature prevent them from using it, or just cause them pain the the same way it does undead?
 
Could a demon use it then? The Holy Light in WoW, as opposed to whatever clerics use in DnD or something, works as long as you believe you are doing the right thing, which is why people like the Scarlet Crusader can use it. Would a demon's intrinsic nature prevent them from using it, or just cause them pain the the same way it does undead?
Shrug, no idea. No demon has ever touched the Light. So it could be impossible to use, cause pain to use, or they could use it as freely as they want. It's up to Lost.
 
[x] Stake the place out and wait for the target to leave or go to sleep. Try to make sure he's actually a vampire and scout out how many there might be from a distance.
-[x] Stay unarmored until the target starts to leave or the door needs to be kicked in.
-[x] Both Astral and Faith wear something relatively concealing, hoodies and the like. Make sure Faith has a full on balaclava/sock mask/etc for combat time.
-[x] When things go bad, Hammer Time! Faith can stay back and support.
 
I guess a way you can explain the Light is by using the Tolkien binary morality system, there is Right, and there is Wrong.
Light is Right, so as long as you can convice yourself that you're doing the "Right" thing, the light will react. But demons are Wrong, they know what they are doing is Wrong, and it's just, well, wrong is right for them, so their morality got reversed, and that can't use the Light because it is Right, therefor wrong
 
[x] Stake the place out and wait for the target to leave or go to sleep. Try to make sure he's actually a vampire and scout out how many there might be from a distance.
-[x] Stay unarmored until the target starts to leave or the door needs to be kicked in.
-[x] Both Astral and Faith wear something relatively concealing, hoodies and the like. Make sure Faith has a full on balaclava/sock mask/etc for combat time.
-[x] When things go bad, Hammer Time! Faith can stay back and support.

Nothing else has been posted far as decent plans go.
 
[x] Stake the place out and wait for the target to leave or go to sleep. Try to make sure he's actually a vampire and scout out how many there might be from a distance.
-[x] Stay unarmored until the target starts to leave or the door needs to be kicked in.
-[x] Both Astral and Faith wear something relatively concealing, hoodies and the like. Make sure Faith has a full on balaclava/sock mask/etc for combat time.
-[x] When things go bad, Hammer Time! Faith can stay back and support.

Its a decent plan, we really don't need Faith being identified by the vampires or/and gang members.
 
I guess a way you can explain the Light is by using the Tolkien binary morality system, there is Right, and there is Wrong.
Light is Right, so as long as you can convice yourself that you're doing the "Right" thing, the light will react. But demons are Wrong, they know what they are doing is Wrong, and it's just, well, wrong is right for them, so their morality got reversed, and that can't use the Light because it is Right, therefor wrong
Problem there with that example is that nothing in Tolkein's stuff wasnt redeemable. He was a catholic so he thought bad people could be saved, so if for instance something 'wrong' like an orc was about, they could still join the 'right' side.

Also in regards to perception of right and wrong, I think the Light reacts on a more real goods level, eg utilitarianism, so a demon's view on whats 'right' is just that view because they;re basing it on incomplete information. Then again the Scarlet Crusade are a thing so *shrug*

In the end, to solve the problem you've got to decide what the intrinsic nature of the light is. Whether it is actually a intrinsically good thing, or whether its effectively another element, like fire, water etc. There's a quest on this site about the Maghar and the orcs interpret the Naaru as furies of the light, and the light as just another element, and they think thats what explains the dranei being shamans as well.
 
Saturday Night Week 5
[x] Stake the place out and wait for the target to leave or go to sleep. Try to make sure he's actually a vampire and scout out how many there might be from a distance.
-[x] Stay unarmored until the target starts to leave or the door needs to be kicked in.
-[x] Both Astral and Faith wear something relatively concealing, hoodies and the like. Make sure Faith has a full on balaclava/sock mask/etc for combat time.
-[x] When things go bad, Hammer Time! Faith can stay back and support.

You mess up your sleeping schedule that day. Once you're done training, you and Faith hash out a barebones plan. Fighting the new man in the club is a bad idea on multiple levels. But you can ID him and any vampires around him with relatively little effort. So, you're going to be going 'clubbing' with Faith. When he leaves or targets a victim, then you can attack and smite. Not the most solid plan, but sometimes simple is best.

So you sleep until it's time and head to the party house when night falls. Faith meets you there and gives you a big grin as she grabs an arm. She's trembling enough that you can feel it from here.

"You all right?" You mutter softly as you enter the place.

"I'm wired." Faith admits and waves at a few people. She gets a few shouts, and a beer can is tossed at her. She pops it open, but very pointedly looks at you as she pretends to sip. "Hope it's quick, I'm going to need to let of a lot of steam after this."

"Can try." You mutter and look around. "Is he here?"

"Two story place. He's likely up the stairs." Faith points out a set of stairs, and guides you to it. More than a few people are laughing and the place is already starting to stink of smoke. Faith hands off her beer to a girl in what looks like a bikini and then heads up.

You ignore how the stairs creek as you move. The place is run down and you're fairly certain that the stairs are going to break if you put more than a bit of weight on them.

The second story is less active. There are curtained areas off to the side, and a few people inside. It seems here's where the harder drugs are being used. As well as more sordid activities. You ignore it, focused as you are on the mission. Towards the back is a large couch and a man sprawled on it.

He's tattooed and smoking. Wearing sunglasses and no shirt. A more stereotypical gangbanger you've never seen.

He's also a vampire too.

You glance at him, and around the room again. Two more thugs, both casually loitering around. Vamps as well. One of them is hitting on one of the dancer girls there. A skinny girl that's more than a bit drunk you can tell. Aside from that the rest are humans.

Faith notices you tense as you see the men, and drags you into one of the curtained off areas. A few ratty cushions are there, and you both fall atop them. Her on top of you. She gives a smoky giggle and looks at the edge of the curtain. "So they are dustable?" She whispers.

"Yes." You mutter back, and try to shift so that she's off you.

"Go with the plan then? Can likely spot em as they move." Faith's grin as she looks up at you makes you a little bit uncomfortable. "Likely be a bit though."

"Yes it will, so would you mind getting off me?" You finally give up trying to move yourself and bodily lift her off.

The girl giggles and twists so that she's kneeling down next to you. "Still wired. Keepin' the head in the game though." She pulls the small pack she brought with her forward. "Got the goods, and am ready to go. You keep an eye out?" She gets close up to you. "If you move just enough you should be able to see through the curtains. Anyone looks in, we're cuddling."

You're beginning to think that the girl has only a two track mind. Violence and sex. Regardless, you do as she suggested, and try to ignore how close the girl is to you.

It's a very long time before the vamps decide to move out. You catch a few people talking, but with the way the music starts to blare and the smoke starts to rise, it's nearly impossible to make things out. Only your light-gifted senses allow you to keep an eye on them at all really. You lose track of time to be honest. Faith dozes lightly next to you, and more than a few people look in. But with the way she's clinging to you, most people just assume something else.

Finally the man starts to leave though, and you nudge Faith awake.

With the way the crowds are starting to form it's trivially easy to follow the vampires out of the party house. It's harder outside though. There are more than a few teenagers talking outside, but with the wider area it's harder to pass unnoticed. Furthermore, the crowds extend little beyond the immediate areas. Faith takes the time to pull on a scarf and wrap that hides her face once you get an idea of which way they're going, and you move after them.

Past the party house it gets dark fast. The moon is out in full by now, and the stars are shining brightly. You're going to be spotted almost immediately. There are no people here now. So you simply change into your armor from one step to the next, and continue to move forward. Your boots fall heavily to the ground, and Faith almost instinctively lets you take the lead. Your hammer forms in your hands and you grip it tightly as you step forward.

The vampires are waiting for you a bit down the street. The moonlight is illuminating the street such that you can see them fully. The main man is still smoking, but you see he's stopped pretending to breath. It's just slowly burning in his mouth. The other two vampires are looking back at you with almost amused expressions. Three vampires versus you and Faith.

"Could hear ya halfway down the street bro." The vampire flicks out the cigarrette. "Suppose you're the one that dusted the other one. Playing hunter?" He glances back to Faith and you. "Stupid, but whatever. Kill the armored idiot. The girl we can use."

Both of the toughs surge forward. Faster than anything mortal. You meet the first one with your hammer. It swings out in an mighty arc, and the vampire blocks it almost contemptuously with his hand, only for his eyes to widen as it keeps going. The other takes your distraction to hit you in the head, and is similarly surprised with you simply keep going. Your head rings some, but the such a blow would have knocked a man down. You're hammer's backswing forces him to step back as it clips his torso. (HP 23, MP 6)

A twang heralds Faith's contribution. The arrow speeds past you and hits the lead vampire. The man looks almost amused at the object in his side, until the holy effects start to kick in, and the cloth around the entry point lights up in fire.

"What the fuck!" The next shot misses as the vampire rolls and hisses as he pulls out the bolt with a hissing sound.

Both the toughs are taking your seriously now. The circle you, nursing the paltry wounds you've given them. In turn you simply wait. They aren't used to working together. They are stronger and faster than you, and have better endurance. But you already know the differences in skill. They won't attack together. One circles in front of your waiting figure, and the other behind. You listen, and then step just as the one behind attacks. The blow clips an arm, but you ignore the pain and shift to push the attacker forward. He tumbles harmlessly, but is out for a critical second. (HP:20)

Your follow up is delayed as you catch sight of the leader vampire charging at Faith. The girl's shot hits a leg, but even as it hisses you can see the man's going to hit the girl.

You refuse to the let that happen. You move faster than you've ever moved before. Your metal boots stomp hard on the ground, and just before the vampire reaches a backpedaling Faith your hammer slams into his back. Harder than you've ever hit anything before. Dead on his heart. The cruel spikes on your hammer dig deep, and you hear bone crack and snap. Then there is nothing but dust.

For a moment everything is still as you reset your stance. Bring your hammer to a neutral position and pivot to face the two vampire brutes. They look at you with wide eyes, and one turns to run. You start forward, but a twang from Faith's crossbow heralds a shot right into his back and heart. A perfect shot that causes him to turn to dust as well.

The last vampire panics and gets past you. You're on his tail, and too late you realize that he's going towards Faith.

The girl gives a soft cry as she hits the ground, and the vampire hisses as he presses down. A hand holds her throat and he snarls at you. "I'll kill her if you move!"

You loom over him holding your hammer. You can feel your armor shimmering with light, and somehow you know that your helmet's eyes are glowing. "That won't save you."

Anything more from the man is stopped as Faith lunges and drives a crossbow bolt into his eye. The vampire screams in agony as his skin smokes and flares into fire.

Your hammer drives down and caves in his head a second later as your rage manifests itself. The last vampire turns to dust ashes and dust. You let it linger on the ground for a moment before letting it rest on the ground and offering your hand to Faith.

The girl gurgles as she grabs it, and cries out in agony as she leans against you. "Oh god." She croaks.

Alarmed you immediately channel a healing spell, and let the light wash over her. Her pained breathing immediately eases out, and the girl takes a shuddering breath.

"Ok, that was wickedly cool." She breathes out. "Even with the near death."

"You're lucky you didn't die." You state simply, and look around. No witnesses again. You're rather lucky on that you think.

"What a way to go." The brunettes straightens out and pulls off the hood. "What you up to next? There are a few things I need to handle now." She tilts a hip suggestively and looks up at you with eyes half closed.

[]
[] Spend reward
Reward: 1 Skill point, 2 Secondary points.
 
Incidentally, I'm not really trying to push Faith or anything, she's just an adrenaline junky, so I'm trying to keep her in character. Let me know if I'm coming across too hard there.
 
Man, Faith really isn't making it easy for poor Astral.
Still, that worked out ok!

Damn shame I can't draw, or I would've done something with that "paladin with glowing eyes" thing.

Now, Blessing of Might is a-go.

Incidentally, I'm not really trying to push Faith or anything, she's just an adrenaline junky, so I'm trying to keep her in character. Let me know if I'm coming across too hard there.
No, no, I like it.
It's very in character for Faith.
 
Great update.

So, anyone up for buffing Dexterity?

Edit: Can't say much for characterization though, seeing as I've never seen a single episode of BTVS
 
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