Punching through the Masquerade (Modern Magical Cultivation Quest)
- Thread starter Useless Writer
- Start date
- Location
- Bretonnia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Yeah, I'm more and more convinced the artifact was the right choice. That will be a long-time boon... the angels are only one threat out of many, and not even the big bad. At the very least, researching them will be easier than researching Promethean Flametending. Nice to see that it won.
Lord Typhon explains some things
Useless Writer
He who should not access the interwebs...
- Location
- Somewhere between Wolf 359 and Courscant
(A couple of things happened today and I am much too tired to put together a list of options tonight. Gaze in awe upon some juicy exposition while i work on recovering some lost blood. I'm gonna combine the rest of the results and the options for next turn in one post tomorrow)
"Forgive me, Lord Typhon, but what do you mean by Servant of Prometheus? I only have access to Embers on account of accidentally bleeding on a symbol I found in a book of a Servant of God." You ask with some small degree of trepidation. Lord Typhon chuckles.
"It is more a title then anything else, Flame Tender. When Prometheus stole some of the fire of the gods to give to humanity some 70 millennia ago, it was a more princely gift then any mere source of heat. It granted those who harbored it the ability to challenge the very Gods themselves. Ensuring that the Gods do not idly torment mortals and instilling a measure of respect in Mankind for the sheer power the Gods held. As most who try to tend the flames burn to ash for the flame is too much for their mortal coil." Lord Typhon explained.
"That... just gives me more questions. What is the difference between a Divine Beast and a God? Forgive me if it is insulting to compare such but you seem quite godly yourself."
"We Divine Beasts are something both more and less then Gods. Once this world belonged only to us, and we warred for territory and mates as is the want of lowly beasts, but with the very power of Divinity giving our claws and teeth a slightly more cutting edge, shall we say. After untold eons of our savage rule, mortals came into being and through their dreams and desires gave rise to the Gods from the shiftless energies of reality. The world as you know it was very different before you fouled existence with order and reason. Naturally, many of my kindred wish to return reality to the chaos from which it was birthed and only the Gods could truly challenge us. Before Jehovah started playing games there was quite a natural ebb and flow to things, as in most cases only Might could force us back."
"Speaking of that, how were the pantheons defeated in the first place? If God is just another deity, how did he achieve such goals? Why didn't his own pantheon stop his ambitions?"
"How does any war progress? Tactics, strategies, distractions, betrayals, taking advantage of momentary weaknesses and suchlike. I cannot give more specificity on this war as it has lasted for five times as long as your current histories stretch and we have not the time for minutia. Jehovah betrayed his own kindred last, casting those who refused his mad ambitions into the Pit."
"Well, the fact that I wasn't instantly smote for my power implies he hasn't won yet. What pantheons remain free to fight him?"
"Most of the eastern pantheons yet remain free, the Norse were too potent for Jehovah to face directly so he commanded his enslaved servants to charm the Divine Beast Nidhogg into attacking Asgard, commanding their full attention. Tir na Nogg was shattered but the Tuatha de Danann are not so easily slain or bound. In addition there's a motely army of escaped deities, ascended mortals and dispossesed divine servants from two dozen conquered pantheons that still work to tie up as much of Jehovah's legions as possible. Though that number is always less then one would prefer"
"Say the worst comes to pass and Jehovah wins, then what happens?
"As Soverign god of this world he would be free to remake it in whatever way he wanted. Having both the mortals and other gods subserviant to his whim would make his order nigh impossible to break. Even the strongest of the Divine beasts working together would not be able to withstand him, not that any of the strongest ever would work together. His claims of omnipotence and omniscience would become true, rather then the laughable claims they are." Lord Typhon finishes. He opens his hand, which you had not noticed had been closed before. In the center of his palm lay a single golden apple.
"This is, from a certain point of view, a pathway to immortality should you prove strong enough. It will grant you the wisdom of Forgotten Flame Tenders, specifically how they shaped their flesh with divine fire." He says before pressing the apple into your hands.
"A kingly gift Lord Typhon, I shall treasure it always." You manage to force out through quivering lips, your mind abuzz at the thought of what sort of shaping you could do with this.
"Before I leave, a word of advice. The flaming blades of the Angels of God cannot be withstood by mortal means. Seek thee out a Shield beyond mortal measure in the groves of the great forests to the south of Smallville, the woods hold places of power not yet plundered and broken by Jehovah's servants. It will be perilous, but are not all Hero's Quests?"
With that, Lord Typhon vanished from your apartment with a clap of thunder. Heavy rain was pelting your windows. Had it only just started? Was it some form of cover? A quick search on the weather channel showed that over a dozen freak storms had popped up out of nowhere around the western hemisphere, leaving meterologists baffled. Had this been Lord Typhon's influence to buy time?
You weren't sure, but it sounded right.
"Forgive me, Lord Typhon, but what do you mean by Servant of Prometheus? I only have access to Embers on account of accidentally bleeding on a symbol I found in a book of a Servant of God." You ask with some small degree of trepidation. Lord Typhon chuckles.
"It is more a title then anything else, Flame Tender. When Prometheus stole some of the fire of the gods to give to humanity some 70 millennia ago, it was a more princely gift then any mere source of heat. It granted those who harbored it the ability to challenge the very Gods themselves. Ensuring that the Gods do not idly torment mortals and instilling a measure of respect in Mankind for the sheer power the Gods held. As most who try to tend the flames burn to ash for the flame is too much for their mortal coil." Lord Typhon explained.
"That... just gives me more questions. What is the difference between a Divine Beast and a God? Forgive me if it is insulting to compare such but you seem quite godly yourself."
"We Divine Beasts are something both more and less then Gods. Once this world belonged only to us, and we warred for territory and mates as is the want of lowly beasts, but with the very power of Divinity giving our claws and teeth a slightly more cutting edge, shall we say. After untold eons of our savage rule, mortals came into being and through their dreams and desires gave rise to the Gods from the shiftless energies of reality. The world as you know it was very different before you fouled existence with order and reason. Naturally, many of my kindred wish to return reality to the chaos from which it was birthed and only the Gods could truly challenge us. Before Jehovah started playing games there was quite a natural ebb and flow to things, as in most cases only Might could force us back."
"Speaking of that, how were the pantheons defeated in the first place? If God is just another deity, how did he achieve such goals? Why didn't his own pantheon stop his ambitions?"
"How does any war progress? Tactics, strategies, distractions, betrayals, taking advantage of momentary weaknesses and suchlike. I cannot give more specificity on this war as it has lasted for five times as long as your current histories stretch and we have not the time for minutia. Jehovah betrayed his own kindred last, casting those who refused his mad ambitions into the Pit."
"Well, the fact that I wasn't instantly smote for my power implies he hasn't won yet. What pantheons remain free to fight him?"
"Most of the eastern pantheons yet remain free, the Norse were too potent for Jehovah to face directly so he commanded his enslaved servants to charm the Divine Beast Nidhogg into attacking Asgard, commanding their full attention. Tir na Nogg was shattered but the Tuatha de Danann are not so easily slain or bound. In addition there's a motely army of escaped deities, ascended mortals and dispossesed divine servants from two dozen conquered pantheons that still work to tie up as much of Jehovah's legions as possible. Though that number is always less then one would prefer"
"Say the worst comes to pass and Jehovah wins, then what happens?
"As Soverign god of this world he would be free to remake it in whatever way he wanted. Having both the mortals and other gods subserviant to his whim would make his order nigh impossible to break. Even the strongest of the Divine beasts working together would not be able to withstand him, not that any of the strongest ever would work together. His claims of omnipotence and omniscience would become true, rather then the laughable claims they are." Lord Typhon finishes. He opens his hand, which you had not noticed had been closed before. In the center of his palm lay a single golden apple.
"This is, from a certain point of view, a pathway to immortality should you prove strong enough. It will grant you the wisdom of Forgotten Flame Tenders, specifically how they shaped their flesh with divine fire." He says before pressing the apple into your hands.
"A kingly gift Lord Typhon, I shall treasure it always." You manage to force out through quivering lips, your mind abuzz at the thought of what sort of shaping you could do with this.
"Before I leave, a word of advice. The flaming blades of the Angels of God cannot be withstood by mortal means. Seek thee out a Shield beyond mortal measure in the groves of the great forests to the south of Smallville, the woods hold places of power not yet plundered and broken by Jehovah's servants. It will be perilous, but are not all Hero's Quests?"
With that, Lord Typhon vanished from your apartment with a clap of thunder. Heavy rain was pelting your windows. Had it only just started? Was it some form of cover? A quick search on the weather channel showed that over a dozen freak storms had popped up out of nowhere around the western hemisphere, leaving meterologists baffled. Had this been Lord Typhon's influence to buy time?
You weren't sure, but it sounded right.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Dammit, teasing us but not giving the deets on how to grind!
Yeah, I definitely see how in hindsight, the relic choice was for the best.
A dozen across the entire Hemisphere. Not that we don't need to move quickly, but it's not going to attract the same kind of attention you're thinking - at least until the Angels are done searching each location.
- Location
- Bretonnia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
You'd think Typhon would want to not make any storms in order to attract less attention, but I guess a giant elf fish man thing does otherwise.
- Location
- Mataram Free Territory
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Let's hope so because unlike the occasional wizards and shaman they are more common dealing with, we just announced to the magical world that typhon's cult is back.
Useless Writer
He who should not access the interwebs...
- Location
- Somewhere between Wolf 359 and Courscant
Spreading his power out into a couple of freak storms is subtle for him, as his manifestation usually spawns a category four Hurricane at a minimum. The stronger storms over a couple of major cities will attract the most supernatural attention from both sides of the war as Typhon took advantage of the summoning to set a few wheels in motion. The Angels cleaning up the aftermath of that should buy you enough time to get stronk enough to handle the average Killteam. Hopefully.
Edit: The whole time mechanic of asking questions was because the longer he was physically in the world, the more time various scryers had to pin down his actual location. A number of places got crossed off as likely manifestation sites before your conversation finished. If you'd burned all of your time they'd have pinpointed your location and dispatched their forces on Earth to your location.
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- Location
- Mataram Free Territory
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Oh we need to move fast, shit the old man knows we have the book for summoning typhon. Would he spill if interrogated by Jehovah's witness?
AProcrastinator
You can Certainly Try
- Location
- Getting Somewhere
- Pronouns
- She/Hers
Alright, I'm willing to believe that Jehovah is the "bad guy" here, especially with direct GM confirmation that angels will be coming to attack us within two-thirds of a year.
But Typhon, for all that he's our "boss", is also a biased source. He's treating us as an ally for the moment, but it'd do well for all of us to remember he may not be the "good guy" just because Jehovah is "bad".
Besides: we gain our power from Rebellion, after all.
But Typhon, for all that he's our "boss", is also a biased source. He's treating us as an ally for the moment, but it'd do well for all of us to remember he may not be the "good guy" just because Jehovah is "bad".
Besides: we gain our power from Rebellion, after all.
Of course Typhon is not good. Have you read his myth? He fucking tried to destroy the world once.
Like all other deities he is fighting becasue he wants power. We may be useful to him now, but if it will be necessary to advance his agenda he will not hesitate to sacrifice us.
Its pretty clear that to divine creatures (be they Gods or Beasts) mortals are just pawns in their schemes.
Jehovah is clearly our enemy, but we need to be prepared to stand up against other gods if needed.
Useless Writer
He who should not access the interwebs...
- Location
- Somewhere between Wolf 359 and Courscant
He wouldn't, Paracelsus is a tough old bastard and treats the more churchy people like cops(You don't talk to cops). But the big thing is that book is commonly available. It's expensive for sure (mostly on account of such things as fine leather bindings and other fancy book upgrades), but you'll find a few typhonic current practioners in cities across the western world.
I mean, i doubt that every single practicioner attracts the personal attention of Typhon. Otherwise the books would't be found in a "normal" magical library.
Useless Writer
He who should not access the interwebs...
- Location
- Somewhere between Wolf 359 and Courscant
okay, here's the thing. Those practioners that reach out to Typhon do recieve his attention. Whether or not that's worth anything depends on their ability to actually understand what he might be saying to him. Nine-tenths of deity work, both in quest and otherwise, is trying to understand what the deity in question is trying to communicate. If you aren't one of the lucky bastards who have a natural talent for the claire's (clairvoyance, clairaudience, etc.), a lot of deity work is trying to interpret signs and omens because it's actually kind of hard for deities to communicate with mortals directly. Loki for example has a tendancy to use spiders to communicate (assuming he isn't just fucking with you, which he deeply enjoys doing, my first interaction with him was him resting his dick on my shoulder for the lolz.) and not in the practical sense of having a spider spin a web into words like charlotte got a job as a divine messanger, but in the sense of "Three big spiders appeared on your wall last night." and trying to figure out what he meant by that. As you deepen your relationship with a deity, it becomes easier to parse their messages, but even then that's not necessarily conducive to giving long form explanations of complicated metaphysical phenomena.
There's a reason that you can buy books on how to summon up satan in the equivilant of a magical barnes and nobles. It's because for the vast majority of practioners, they will never become potent enough to even quasi threaten the current status quo. Calling up a demon that people who haven't trained for years can't even see is no threat to the masquerade. You have a cheat code in this case on account of the fact that you have literal divine fire burning away in your soul, which on a fundemental level is amplifying your ability to understand what's being said enough to have proper conversations when you aren't offering up motes of it and granting Typhon power he shouldn't have.
- Location
- Bretonnia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Also, was it the entirely the book that granted us our abilities, or was it merely the catalyst? Since Typhon said not many can actually handlr the power of fire. Wait, what happened to the book that granted us our abilities to begin with?
Was Typhon the one that got the book sent to us in the first place? There's a lot that we still don't know.
Was Typhon the one that got the book sent to us in the first place? There's a lot that we still don't know.
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I think it was just a catalyst. If we could not handle the power of Fire we probably would have just died.
It was consumed by the flames when we gained our first Ember.
Probably not Typhon, unless he is playing an incredibly convulted 4D chess game with us. Whoever sent the book to us must have been somebody else, or maybe it really was just a mistake of adress. But i find it unlikely.
We absolutely need to investigate who sent us the book, but first we need to prepare for the Tribulation.
- Location
- Bretonnia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I mean, yeah, the tribulation is obviously more important right now. I'm just trying to figure out why someone would want to revive this particular branch of magic, and why they chose us. I don't think it's Typhon, but he does certainly benefit from this. Feels like we're being used by something or someone.
We are totaly begin used as a pawn by somebody, we just need to discover who and cut our strings.
First name who comes to mind is Prometheus, he is the origin of our branch of magic and seems to want to help Mankind against the Gods, but that seems too obvious.
Maybe some trickster god like Loki or Hermes, or even more esoteric and less known tricksters like Anansi or Nezha (since non-western gods remain still powerful).
Turn 8 Results/ First week of May, Turn 9
Useless Writer
He who should not access the interwebs...
- Location
- Somewhere between Wolf 359 and Courscant
((There will be no update this weekend. I'll happily answer questions but I am not up to writing more after the hell week this has been. We'll resume normal daily updates on Monday.))
(Gained a Golden Apple of Wisdom: Lesser stat grinding)(Unlocked an exploration site)(Started the doom clock: 34 turns remain until the Hunting party finds you.)(Miraculously, despite your intent to shed blood, it seems as if you came away from the dedication unharmed. That's a good thing, right?)
Having nearly drained yourself dry on Embers during your dedication this week, you endeavored to recover some of your lost embers. Nothing unusual (ignoring the fact your blood set paper on fire) happened and you now have three embers seated within your soul.
(Gained two Embers)
Thankfully, your repeated badgering of Sundrop has lead to her finally agreeing to a Lunch date next week. The only question that remains... what will you wear?
(Sundrop found your persistance endearing and has cleared her schedule for you. A special social action has unlocked. Your critical success has granted you bonus Blood dice during the date (+2 dice during the date event))
If last week was a good week for the Crystal Gardens, this week was exceptional. Mabel was crowing to herself over the impressive stack of twenties that were pressed into your awestruck hands on payday.
(Gained 6 windfall this week, after purchases your new windfall total stands at 5)
You have vastly underestimated how quickly your life could change. You accidentally summoned a godlike being into the physical realm and earned the ire of Heaven for doing so. Your apartment still smells of rainwater and ozone, and the little spiritual crocodile decide to nibble you awake after you slept through it's morning warble. You've got one hell of a deadline to prepare for and you do not like how physical this test might get. Which is why you intended to ace those Angel bastards right back to heaven.
... You're not quite sure if that line worked or not.
(You have 34 weeks remaining before the Hunting team finds you)
(You have six actions you can take this turn and one free dice you can apply to any one action)
Work: Paying the bills isnt so bad anymore. (You can use one action here at present)
[ ] Work your shifts at The Crystal Gardens: (dc:7-13) (uses your Blood and Yellow Bile stats) (Grants 1d3 windfall if you dont fail the check, with an additional point of windfall for every two points over 13 you roll)
Social: Talking to people isn't so bad, if they can stop staring at your cane for two minutes.
[ ] Approach Matt about being your wizard's apprentice: One of the few people you can think of at present who could help and wouldn't start tossing around prayers and holy water. You really need to meet more people. (Reveals your mystical capabilities to a mortal, potentially gains their aid in future occult endeavors) (Potentially Dangerous?) (Uses Blood) (Costs one action)
[ ] Take Sundrop on that date: You haven't had the time nor the desire to date someone in years. Much less a woman like Sundrop. You're not nervous, not at all. Maybe if you could keep telling yourself that it'll even become true after a time? (Takes Sundrop out on a date. Not taking this action will understandably upset Sundrop.)(Costs one action) (Starts Dating event turns) (You will not be able to use any windfall generated this turn on this date.)
Research: You've purchased a pair of books from your local occult bookstore and are just itching to know more. You're out of materials for now. Perhaps you should purchase some more?
Occult: The fresh nonsense was the accidental summoning of a deity. Whatever the hell your life is, it certainly won't be boring.
[ ] {Self Improvement} Tempering your body and soul with Embers: Through possesion of the Golden Apple given to you by Lord Typhon, you understand how to warp and shift your body, mind, and soul to greater heights of capability. While you are presently limited to the peak of human capability, there are hints of a way to break through to something beyond human. (Costs one action)(DC 12(18 for enhancing black bile due to Handicapped))(Dice used for this action are Stat you're trying to elevate +Yellow Bile) (Costs Embers equivilant to the stat you are attempting to elevate +2 (For example, to enhance Blood to 3 you'd need 4 embers). Failing the dc will expend the embers for no positive effect, at this current stage you cannot do harm to yourself by failing)
[ ] {Ritual} Investing yourself with the power of the Elements: There is a long and complicated ritual that you need to perform that invests you with the authority to command Elemental Spirits. If you wish to start walking the Elemental path, this is the first step. This ritual invests you with the power of Spirit, the unique element that gives humans their natural edge.(Gives you the authority to command the elemental spirits you conjure.) (Memorizing DC: 8) ( Uses Phlegm) (Starts action chain) (5 Steps remaining) (Costs one Action)
[ ] Kindling Embers: You feel moderately full, and you're going to need a lot of these in the coming weeks. (Creates new Embers) (Requires you have at least one Ember) ( Uses Yellow Bile and Black Bile) (Costs one action) (Current Embers 3/5)
- [ ] Specify the number of Embers you wish to create (Can create two safely, can create two at the cost of your Yellow Bile, can create one at the cost of your Black Bile)
[ ] How important is the medium?: You are able to create a single Ember from a sheet of printer paper, pencil lead, and blood. While the blood feels vital for the process, what about other possible mediums? (Reveals whether or not a particular medium is more or less useful for creating Embers) (Requires that you have at least one Ember) (Uses Phlegm) (Costs one Action per medium tested)
- [ ] Clay (Two ticks of financial damage)
- [ ] Brass (Eight ticks of financial damage) (Possibly dangerous)
[ ] Can I shoot more fire?: You've figured out how to turn an Ember into a grenade, surely there's other offensive measures you can take? (Unlocks an offensive spell) (Requires you have at least one Ember) (Uses Phlegm) (Costs one action) (Inflicts Financial damage until you find a safe place to practice outside of your apartment.)
- [ ] Write in: What form of magical hell are you trying to unleash? The complexity of the desired affect will affect the DC
[ ] Making Sacred Flame: There's a ritual that sanctifies an appropriate vessel which allows things burned within it to reveal snippets of the future. You don't have the right bowl or incenses, but that's easily rectified with a quick shopping trip. (Unlocks a form of divination)(Influenced by your relationship with the spirits of the Typhonian current) (Uses Phlegm and Yellow Bile) (Inflicts one Tick of financial damage) (Costs one action)
[ ]Conjure an Elemental spirit: You technically don't have the right yet. But you already feel the changes in the world about you. Do you dare conjure something up before you're technically ready? (Conjures a spiritual ally(?)) (DC: 8 ???) (Uses Yellow Bile and Phlegm) (Costs one action) (Potentially dangerous)
- [ ] Phlecket, Tutelary spirit of the Earth: Reported to be friendly and helpful. This is the spirit you're supposed to conjure after investing yourself with the right to conjure him. Perhaps he'd admire your cheek to call him a tad bit beforehand? (Unknown DC for cooperation)
- [ ] Random Elemental Spirit: You have the necessary rituals to call up spirits of the four elements, but lack names to call them by. Perhaps you can call a random spirit and see if they'll show?
- - [ ] Gnome: Elemental spirit of Earth(Unknown DC for cooperation)
- - [ ] Salamander: Elemental spirit of Fire(Unknown DC for cooperation)
- - [ ] Undine: Elemental spirit of Water(Unknown DC for cooperation)
- - [ ] Sylph: Elemental spirit of Air(Unknown DC for cooperation)
[ ] Conjure a Typhonic Spirit: You managed to conjure Lord Typhon himself into reality. There's no way in Hell you can mess this up. Hopefully. (Conjures a spiritual ally) (No dc, no benefit from dice) (Costs favor with the Typhonic Current) (Costs one action) (You currently have 0/2 spirit pacts)
- - [ ] Daimon: Spirits that are best described as embodied concepts, kin to the gods but so much less. Jack of all trades spirits that embody different concepts (Specify which concept) (Costs 1 favor with the Typhonic current to summon) (Weakest spirit on the roster, cheapest to maintain. Grants 1 additional untyped die to spend per turn on a single action. Concept defines capabilities when taken on explorations)
- - [ ] Empousa: Predatory spirits. Savage, willfull, and cunning. (Costs 2 favor with the Typhonic current to summon) (Glass cannon, hits hard but is easily banished, moderately cheap pact maintenance. Good spirit for assassination, open combat or causing trouble in general, lacking everywhere else.)
Temple (new category): You have a small altar dedicated to the Typhonic current, you should probably take care of it.
[ ] Tend the altar: Clean it, light incense, make offerings. Standard maintenance stuff. (Costs one action) (No dc) (Grants 1d4 favor with the typhonic Current)
[ ] Make a sacrifice: A bigger offering, how big is limited only by your pocketbook. (Does not cost an action) (No dc) (Grants 1d4 favor with the Typhonic Current per point of windfall spent.) (Specify how many points of windfall you'll spend, can take financial damage.)
Exploration: There are a couple of interesting locales nearby, shake a leg and see what's what. (Exploring the world beyond your apartment is a bit more involved then occult experimentation, and can be unsafe as it exposes you to the deeper world.)
[ ] The Order Hall of the esoteric order of the Silver Dusk: While not exactly common knowledge, the Esoteric order of the Silver Dusk has been around for a while. Claiming to study the mystic arts, there might be some worth in seeing how much they actually know. (Costs one action) (Starts exploration turns) (Potentially dangerous)
[ ] Seeking the Hidden Grove within the Woods: Lord Typhon informed you of a relic hidden in the woods to the south that would make it a lot harder for Angels to kill you. Finding the right Grove could take a while, but apparently there are other treasures to be found here if you understood the implication correctly. Making multiple trips potentially worthwhile assuming you don't get killed by whatever guardians inhabit the forest. (Costs two actions) (Starts exploration turns) (Definitely dangerous)
(Exploration turns trigger after the rest of the actions on this turn have been resolved, allowing preparations to be made before delving into the proverbial dragon's den)
Purchasing: Your new job has granted you a more significant source of income! You can buy more then the absolute essentials! (Costs no actions, inflicts financial damage to Windfall first, then your financial health. Be careful to not let your newfound excess go to your head.)
[ ] Better Food: Real meat! Fruits and Vegetables! Butter! Life is good. (Costs one tick) (Improves health and Mental Recovery) (Grants an additional action and a free die for each turn you purchase this item(Does not stack). Grants a Black Bile Die for ritual and occult purposes.)
[ ] Quality Alcohol: Fine wine and microbrews, excellent for relieving stress and bribing spirits apparently. (Costs one tick) (grants one use of Quality Alcohol which can be used for multiple purposes(Heals one tick of mental health, Grants two Yellow bile dice when used for ritual purposes))
[ ] Occult Paraphernalia: The tools of the trade of magic. You don't technically need these but by the gods do they help. (Multiple costs for different items)
- [ ] Conjuring Incense: Frankincense, Myrrh, and Dragonsblood. A potent combination for conjuring the unseen. (Costs one tick) (Grants two untyped dice for ritual purposes) (Grants one Yellow Bile die for occult purposes)
- [ ] Cleansing Incense: Lavender, Sandlewood and Sage. A useful combination for cleaning up your space, spiritually. (Costs one tick) (Grants one untyped die for ritual purposes) (Lowers danger from summoning type events)
- [ ] Undedicated Altar: Cloth, candle holders, statuary. All the bits and pieces for making a dedicated ritual space. (Costs three ticks) (Reduces ritual dc's by 10) (Grants one Blood die for occult purposes)
- [ ] Occult books: A thousand different practices and theories, so little time. (Costs two ticks) (Uses Phlegm) (Provides 1d3 books for research purposes) (no guarantee of anything being useful, higher rolls are generally better)
(One hour moratorium while I update the character sheet. Your current favor count with the Typhonic current is 15, which will be reflected in the character sheet along with a few other specifics.)
(Gained a Golden Apple of Wisdom: Lesser stat grinding)(Unlocked an exploration site)(Started the doom clock: 34 turns remain until the Hunting party finds you.)(Miraculously, despite your intent to shed blood, it seems as if you came away from the dedication unharmed. That's a good thing, right?)
Having nearly drained yourself dry on Embers during your dedication this week, you endeavored to recover some of your lost embers. Nothing unusual (ignoring the fact your blood set paper on fire) happened and you now have three embers seated within your soul.
(Gained two Embers)
Thankfully, your repeated badgering of Sundrop has lead to her finally agreeing to a Lunch date next week. The only question that remains... what will you wear?
(Sundrop found your persistance endearing and has cleared her schedule for you. A special social action has unlocked. Your critical success has granted you bonus Blood dice during the date (+2 dice during the date event))
If last week was a good week for the Crystal Gardens, this week was exceptional. Mabel was crowing to herself over the impressive stack of twenties that were pressed into your awestruck hands on payday.
(Gained 6 windfall this week, after purchases your new windfall total stands at 5)
You have vastly underestimated how quickly your life could change. You accidentally summoned a godlike being into the physical realm and earned the ire of Heaven for doing so. Your apartment still smells of rainwater and ozone, and the little spiritual crocodile decide to nibble you awake after you slept through it's morning warble. You've got one hell of a deadline to prepare for and you do not like how physical this test might get. Which is why you intended to ace those Angel bastards right back to heaven.
... You're not quite sure if that line worked or not.
(You have 34 weeks remaining before the Hunting team finds you)
(You have six actions you can take this turn and one free dice you can apply to any one action)
Work: Paying the bills isnt so bad anymore. (You can use one action here at present)
[ ] Work your shifts at The Crystal Gardens: (dc:7-13) (uses your Blood and Yellow Bile stats) (Grants 1d3 windfall if you dont fail the check, with an additional point of windfall for every two points over 13 you roll)
Social: Talking to people isn't so bad, if they can stop staring at your cane for two minutes.
[ ] Approach Matt about being your wizard's apprentice: One of the few people you can think of at present who could help and wouldn't start tossing around prayers and holy water. You really need to meet more people. (Reveals your mystical capabilities to a mortal, potentially gains their aid in future occult endeavors) (Potentially Dangerous?) (Uses Blood) (Costs one action)
[ ] Take Sundrop on that date: You haven't had the time nor the desire to date someone in years. Much less a woman like Sundrop. You're not nervous, not at all. Maybe if you could keep telling yourself that it'll even become true after a time? (Takes Sundrop out on a date. Not taking this action will understandably upset Sundrop.)(Costs one action) (Starts Dating event turns) (You will not be able to use any windfall generated this turn on this date.)
Occult: The fresh nonsense was the accidental summoning of a deity. Whatever the hell your life is, it certainly won't be boring.
[ ] {Self Improvement} Tempering your body and soul with Embers: Through possesion of the Golden Apple given to you by Lord Typhon, you understand how to warp and shift your body, mind, and soul to greater heights of capability. While you are presently limited to the peak of human capability, there are hints of a way to break through to something beyond human. (Costs one action)(DC 12(18 for enhancing black bile due to Handicapped))(Dice used for this action are Stat you're trying to elevate +Yellow Bile) (Costs Embers equivilant to the stat you are attempting to elevate +2 (For example, to enhance Blood to 3 you'd need 4 embers). Failing the dc will expend the embers for no positive effect, at this current stage you cannot do harm to yourself by failing)
[ ] {Ritual} Investing yourself with the power of the Elements: There is a long and complicated ritual that you need to perform that invests you with the authority to command Elemental Spirits. If you wish to start walking the Elemental path, this is the first step. This ritual invests you with the power of Spirit, the unique element that gives humans their natural edge.(Gives you the authority to command the elemental spirits you conjure.) (Memorizing DC: 8) ( Uses Phlegm) (Starts action chain) (5 Steps remaining) (Costs one Action)
[ ] Kindling Embers: You feel moderately full, and you're going to need a lot of these in the coming weeks. (Creates new Embers) (Requires you have at least one Ember) ( Uses Yellow Bile and Black Bile) (Costs one action) (Current Embers 3/5)
- [ ] Specify the number of Embers you wish to create (Can create two safely, can create two at the cost of your Yellow Bile, can create one at the cost of your Black Bile)
[ ] How important is the medium?: You are able to create a single Ember from a sheet of printer paper, pencil lead, and blood. While the blood feels vital for the process, what about other possible mediums? (Reveals whether or not a particular medium is more or less useful for creating Embers) (Requires that you have at least one Ember) (Uses Phlegm) (Costs one Action per medium tested)
- [ ] Clay (Two ticks of financial damage)
- [ ] Brass (Eight ticks of financial damage) (Possibly dangerous)
[ ] Can I shoot more fire?: You've figured out how to turn an Ember into a grenade, surely there's other offensive measures you can take? (Unlocks an offensive spell) (Requires you have at least one Ember) (Uses Phlegm) (Costs one action) (Inflicts Financial damage until you find a safe place to practice outside of your apartment.)
- [ ] Write in: What form of magical hell are you trying to unleash? The complexity of the desired affect will affect the DC
[ ] Making Sacred Flame: There's a ritual that sanctifies an appropriate vessel which allows things burned within it to reveal snippets of the future. You don't have the right bowl or incenses, but that's easily rectified with a quick shopping trip. (Unlocks a form of divination)(Influenced by your relationship with the spirits of the Typhonian current) (Uses Phlegm and Yellow Bile) (Inflicts one Tick of financial damage) (Costs one action)
[ ]Conjure an Elemental spirit: You technically don't have the right yet. But you already feel the changes in the world about you. Do you dare conjure something up before you're technically ready? (Conjures a spiritual ally(?)) (DC: 8 ???) (Uses Yellow Bile and Phlegm) (Costs one action) (Potentially dangerous)
- [ ] Phlecket, Tutelary spirit of the Earth: Reported to be friendly and helpful. This is the spirit you're supposed to conjure after investing yourself with the right to conjure him. Perhaps he'd admire your cheek to call him a tad bit beforehand? (Unknown DC for cooperation)
- [ ] Random Elemental Spirit: You have the necessary rituals to call up spirits of the four elements, but lack names to call them by. Perhaps you can call a random spirit and see if they'll show?
- - [ ] Gnome: Elemental spirit of Earth(Unknown DC for cooperation)
- - [ ] Salamander: Elemental spirit of Fire(Unknown DC for cooperation)
- - [ ] Undine: Elemental spirit of Water(Unknown DC for cooperation)
- - [ ] Sylph: Elemental spirit of Air(Unknown DC for cooperation)
[ ] Conjure a Typhonic Spirit: You managed to conjure Lord Typhon himself into reality. There's no way in Hell you can mess this up. Hopefully. (Conjures a spiritual ally) (No dc, no benefit from dice) (Costs favor with the Typhonic Current) (Costs one action) (You currently have 0/2 spirit pacts)
- - [ ] Daimon: Spirits that are best described as embodied concepts, kin to the gods but so much less. Jack of all trades spirits that embody different concepts (Specify which concept) (Costs 1 favor with the Typhonic current to summon) (Weakest spirit on the roster, cheapest to maintain. Grants 1 additional untyped die to spend per turn on a single action. Concept defines capabilities when taken on explorations)
- - [ ] Empousa: Predatory spirits. Savage, willfull, and cunning. (Costs 2 favor with the Typhonic current to summon) (Glass cannon, hits hard but is easily banished, moderately cheap pact maintenance. Good spirit for assassination, open combat or causing trouble in general, lacking everywhere else.)
Temple (new category): You have a small altar dedicated to the Typhonic current, you should probably take care of it.
[ ] Tend the altar: Clean it, light incense, make offerings. Standard maintenance stuff. (Costs one action) (No dc) (Grants 1d4 favor with the typhonic Current)
[ ] Make a sacrifice: A bigger offering, how big is limited only by your pocketbook. (Does not cost an action) (No dc) (Grants 1d4 favor with the Typhonic Current per point of windfall spent.) (Specify how many points of windfall you'll spend, can take financial damage.)
Exploration: There are a couple of interesting locales nearby, shake a leg and see what's what. (Exploring the world beyond your apartment is a bit more involved then occult experimentation, and can be unsafe as it exposes you to the deeper world.)
[ ] The Order Hall of the esoteric order of the Silver Dusk: While not exactly common knowledge, the Esoteric order of the Silver Dusk has been around for a while. Claiming to study the mystic arts, there might be some worth in seeing how much they actually know. (Costs one action) (Starts exploration turns) (Potentially dangerous)
[ ] Seeking the Hidden Grove within the Woods: Lord Typhon informed you of a relic hidden in the woods to the south that would make it a lot harder for Angels to kill you. Finding the right Grove could take a while, but apparently there are other treasures to be found here if you understood the implication correctly. Making multiple trips potentially worthwhile assuming you don't get killed by whatever guardians inhabit the forest. (Costs two actions) (Starts exploration turns) (Definitely dangerous)
(Exploration turns trigger after the rest of the actions on this turn have been resolved, allowing preparations to be made before delving into the proverbial dragon's den)
Purchasing: Your new job has granted you a more significant source of income! You can buy more then the absolute essentials! (Costs no actions, inflicts financial damage to Windfall first, then your financial health. Be careful to not let your newfound excess go to your head.)
[ ] Better Food: Real meat! Fruits and Vegetables! Butter! Life is good. (Costs one tick) (Improves health and Mental Recovery) (Grants an additional action and a free die for each turn you purchase this item(Does not stack). Grants a Black Bile Die for ritual and occult purposes.)
[ ] Quality Alcohol: Fine wine and microbrews, excellent for relieving stress and bribing spirits apparently. (Costs one tick) (grants one use of Quality Alcohol which can be used for multiple purposes(Heals one tick of mental health, Grants two Yellow bile dice when used for ritual purposes))
[ ] Occult Paraphernalia: The tools of the trade of magic. You don't technically need these but by the gods do they help. (Multiple costs for different items)
- [ ] Conjuring Incense: Frankincense, Myrrh, and Dragonsblood. A potent combination for conjuring the unseen. (Costs one tick) (Grants two untyped dice for ritual purposes) (Grants one Yellow Bile die for occult purposes)
- [ ] Cleansing Incense: Lavender, Sandlewood and Sage. A useful combination for cleaning up your space, spiritually. (Costs one tick) (Grants one untyped die for ritual purposes) (Lowers danger from summoning type events)
- [ ] Undedicated Altar: Cloth, candle holders, statuary. All the bits and pieces for making a dedicated ritual space. (Costs three ticks) (Reduces ritual dc's by 10) (Grants one Blood die for occult purposes)
- [ ] Occult books: A thousand different practices and theories, so little time. (Costs two ticks) (Uses Phlegm) (Provides 1d3 books for research purposes) (no guarantee of anything being useful, higher rolls are generally better)
(One hour moratorium while I update the character sheet. Your current favor count with the Typhonic current is 15, which will be reflected in the character sheet along with a few other specifics.)
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Hmmm. So, Work, Date, gaining Ember, and stat improvement seems the clear thing to do...maybe start with Yellow Bile since it adds to the roll to improve the others?
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
Hrm, we definitely need to figure out how to increase our Yellow Bile then, and we need to figure out how to increase our Brazier capacity as well if we want to keep working on that--didn't we figure out an avenue towards that at some point?
Also, does this mean raising Yellow Bile double taps it? Where we roll for YB x2?
Also, are we able to further rig stat raising attempts with Occult Paraphernalia? Rather, does it count as a Ritual?
Also, does this mean raising Yellow Bile double taps it? Where we roll for YB x2?
Also, are we able to further rig stat raising attempts with Occult Paraphernalia? Rather, does it count as a Ritual?
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- Pronouns
- He/Him
I think if we try and increase Yellow Bile we get 4 dice? The base stat plus itself? Which should be enough to do that once, though we'll only be able to get it to 3 with our Brazier at its current level.
We can do the same with Blood. After that, we probably need a bigger Brazier to increase Phlegm, and more dice for Black Bile due to the higher DC.
We can do the same with Blood. After that, we probably need a bigger Brazier to increase Phlegm, and more dice for Black Bile due to the higher DC.
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Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
Our short term goal should definitely be to get our Black Bile out of the hole. Even bringing it up to 2 will be extremely handy.