[X] Dominate it, perhaps it'll save the creature from death. If not then you will at least understand a little more about your power with it's death.
-[X] Either way, pet, praise and reward Velvet after that for being a good bunny
[X] Tie off the injury on your arm with a Clean Rag. It's not a proper alchemical Bandage, but it should staunch the bleeding.
First off, I hope the wolf survives and we get to keep it. Secondly, good bunny. Thirdly, I love the receptionist scolding our socially awkward scholar.
Three days prep time for the undead quest sounds good. We can hunt some corn and try to work with our new wolf (hopefully). I don't see a point to immediately buying pricier trap making supplies when we don't need them right now.
Now, as for socializing... explore the guild hall, strike up a conversation with another porcelain adventurer, find the bar closest to the guild hall? What else could we try? Maybe go use the equally ranked sparring feature in the training hall as an introduction?
I didn't really want to socialize with idiot wood ranks, but porcelain shows a mild ability to survive and be useful.
[X] Dominate it, perhaps it'll save the creature from death. If not then you will at least understand a little more about your power with it's death.
-[X] Either way, pet, praise and reward Velvet after that for being a good bunny
[X] Tie off the injury on your arm with a Clean Rag. It's not a proper alchemical Bandage, but it should staunch the bleeding.
We really need to invest in some armor, also try and see if perception or awareness is a skill.
I'm actually hoping we'll make our first proper Adventurer contacts during that quest, we're going to be sent traveling as a group after all, and we're going to be supporting each other in the same campaign. Not to mention if our bid to serve as an assistant Quartermaster pans out, then that'll be an extra reason for people to want to get on our good side.
Three days prep time for the undead quest sounds good. We can hunt some corn and try to work with our new wolf (hopefully). I don't see a point to immediately buying pricier trap making supplies when we don't need them right now.
If we have time, I'd still like to do the Vicious Rabbits quest in order to get some meat for our minions, especially since Vicious Rabbit meat will heal Velvet. If we don't have time, we can just buy it, but I had been hoping to trade some for Ironhide Boar meat because I think it might give Velvet a defensive ability. Plus, doing the quest will let John work on Trapping, Skinning, and Blunt Weapon Usage, assuming he doesn't fully get the skill by the end of the Corn quest.
[X] Dominate it, perhaps it'll save the creature from death. If not then you will at least understand a little more about your power with it's death.
-[X] Either way, pet, praise and reward Velvet after that for being a good bunny
[X] Tie off the injury on your arm with a Clean Rag. It's not a proper alchemical Bandage, but it should staunch the bleeding.
As for your attempt to improve the club, well... You look down at the utterly horrific cuts you'd made in the leather and the horrifically uneven leather grip you'd made with a mixture of pride and mild disgust. You had wasted almost half of the leather hide you'd bought getting this acceptable enough to use as a weapon, having taken several tries to get the size right as well as leave enough length for a wrist-strap to actually work. It wouldn't have been so bad if the leather you'd wasted could at least be salvaged for some crude cordage, but...
I honestly expected worse than this, that it would take the entire piece of leather before he got it right, guess it was larger than I assumed. What Skill is involved in this anyway? I'm not interested in pursuing it on top of everything else on our plate, but I am curious as to what it is exactly.
Plus, doing the quest will let John work on Trapping, Skinning, and Blunt Weapon Usage, assuming he doesn't fully get the skill by the end of the Corn quest.
Well even if he does get Beginner Blunt Mastery, it wouldn't max out. That's just the first skill level, and the experience would just start accumulating towards the next one. Though if we were going to keep doing that, then I'd like to ask the smith about that war hammer commission, and probably the spiked collar(s) along with it.
Well even if he does get Beginner Blunt Mastery, it wouldn't max out. That's just the first skill level, and the experience would just start accumulating towards the next one. Though if we were going to keep doing that, then I'd like to ask the smith about that war hammer commission, and probably the spiked collar(s) along with it.
I'm not really set on using blunt weapons as a long-term strategy, but there's only so much we can improve before the end of the week so I want to make sure we get the skill. If there's something else specific we can do to improve John's chances, then I'd definitely be willing to consider it instead.
As a side note, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to participate in the quest for a couple of weeks because of RL stuff. I wasn't sure whether to bring it up or not, but I didn't want the GM to think I was giving up on the quest.
[X] Dominate it, perhaps it'll save the creature from death. If not then you will at least understand a little more about your power with it's death.
-[X] Either way, pet, praise and reward Velvet after that for being a good bunny.
If Domination continues AFTER death, I imagine the God of Death will be very cross with us for creating one, BUT I figure we can have a sudden show of piety and destroy the thing, possibly even through our bond depending on how that works.
As for this staff request?...So. I figure smart thing to do is read up on higher end undead. ASAP, because sure, that Receptionist MIGHT have once been a famous Adventurer, and she COULD still be on the side of good and want that staff for at least well-meaning reasons.
Frankly after that whole 'favor for a favor' thing she did though? And the fact that John was suspicious of her early on? I'm thinking Scholar boy might know something we don't, or at least Heroes can be Theives is telling him she's thinking he makes a nice pawn...
[X] Dominate it, perhaps it'll save the creature from death. If not then you will at least understand a little more about your power with it's death.
-[X] Either way, pet, praise and reward Velvet after that for being a good bunny
[X] Dominate it, perhaps it'll save the creature from death. If not then you will at least understand a little more about your power with it's death.
-[X] Either way, pet, praise and reward Velvet after that for being a good bunny
[X] Tie off the injury on your arm with a Clean Rag. It's not a proper alchemical Bandage, but it should staunch the bleeding.
[X] Dominate it, perhaps it'll save the creature from death. If not then you will at least understand a little more about your power with it's death.
-[X] Either way, pet, praise and reward Velvet after that for being a good bunny
[X] Tie off the injury on your arm with a Clean Rag. It's not a proper alchemical Bandage, but it should staunch the bleeding.
[X] Dominate it, perhaps it'll save the creature from death. If not then you will at least understand a little more about your power with it's death.
-[X] Either way, pet, praise and reward Velvet after that for being a good bunny
[X] Tie off the injury on your arm with a Clean Rag. It's not a proper alchemical Bandage, but it should staunch the bleeding.
[X] Dominate it, perhaps it'll save the creature from death. If not then you will at least understand a little more about your power with it's death.
-[X] Either way, pet, praise and reward Velvet after that for being a good bunny
[X] Tie off the injury on your arm with a Clean Rag. It's not a proper alchemical Bandage, but it should staunch the bleeding.
It takes, but an instant for you to decide as you reach for the power hidden in you once more, your brow beginning to heat up as you focus on the creature dying upon the ground in front of you. A faint golden light pours forth from you for an instant before taking the shape of a a golden crown encased firmly within a book and pounces at the Greenpelt Wolf lying upon the ground. It enters the beast without any sign of resistance, the creature stopping it's flailing attacks and Velvet quickly releasing it before it begins to try and cry out desperately.
A part of you can't help, but flinch as you watch the beast writhe on the ground, a crude image of a crown beginning to form upon it's head as you feel a link form between the two of you from which you immediately sense a tidal wave of emotions. Your will hardens in an instant, the wave of pain and utter fear battering against your mind as you look down at the wolf with the realization that it will die even after the bond was formed. Something inside of you seems to kick on as you stare impassively and ignore the emotions battering against your mind, the club being dropped as you grab your dagger and pull it out from one of your robe's pockets.
Kneeling down in front of it, you look at it coldly before driving the dagger into and ending the beast's suffering. For a moment the wave of emotions attacking your mind turn into a maelstrom, you can feel a deep seated feeling of betrayal lingering there and trying to shatter the guard you've thrown up. It passes as quickly as it came, entirely ineffective as you stroke the wolf's head.
"I could do nothing other than end your suffering, I...."
You choke up, the barriers you built breaking down as you feel tears beginning to pour down your face. You had fought off the damage the emotions would've caused, but still you felt like your heart was wrenched from your chest as the thing tied so close to your very being simply ceased to exist. It's last moments little other than terror at your betrayal.
With your power you made a creature bend their will, enslaved themselves to your will and forced them to follow you in the last moments of their life only to tear life away from them. It was a test seeking knowledge of your power, it was a mercy to ease their end... You understood, but why? Why did this hurt?
"I'm sorry, run free in the after life."
You mutter, ignoring the blood still pouring from it as you take the wolf's head in your lap and stroke it's head gingerly. Sobbing, you stare down at the crown upon it's head that marked a being as your subject and you think.
'Knowledge, I seek to know more with every day, but... is knowing always worth the price?'
In the end you decide...
[] Yes, regardless of the price knowledge must be gained.
[] No, sometimes it is better not to know. Sometimes the price is just too steep to pay...
How do you deal with the corpse?
[] Skin it and gather what you can.
[] Leave it where it is.
[] It was your subject, it deserves a proper burial. You might not have a shovel, but you'll make do...
Gained 3 Experience for Domination for the first death of a minion.
Gained 2 Experience for They Who Seek the Crown for the first death of a subject.
Gained 10 Experience for killing a Greenpelt Wolf
Do you give Velvet experience from the fight?
[] Write-in the amount.
[] No.
Gained 5 Experience for Discussion in the thread.
John is overcome with sorrow, gains the Sorrowful trait.
Status
Health:Slightly Injured (Bite wound on left arm, hastily bandaged) Stamina:Energetic
Status Effects: None
Dominate Writing - Blunt Mastery Basics - Using a copy you made of the basics required to wield a blunt weapon in battle effectively you have gained the knowledge and experience required exactly for that. When using a blunt weapon you will be more capable of striking the enemy with ease. +5 to Attack Rolls made with Blunt weaponry equipped.
Lasts until end of the day.
Level: 3 Experience: 162/400
Guild Rank:Porcelain (0/40) Hidden Features: Unlocked Instructors in the Guild Store Current Booked Courses: None
They Who Seek the Crown (Level One, 16/25) - A title earned by gaining the blessing of the God of War in a chance encounter with his will. It is a boon granted to those who seek to become like Lords, towering above the world with every action and word capable of bringing great waves of change. Currently it is weak and only grants you the power of Domination, but if you grow stronger and perform in a way that meshes with this Boon then perhaps its strength can grow.
Heroes can be Thieves Right? - In the name of Heroism you stole classified information from the Church of War without being caught. Now no innocent souls shall be ended with this dangerous knife, but ... yours might be if you mess up? Slightly increased chance of learning stealth and thievery related skills until discovered, lost if the Sealed Scroll is destroyed.
Ethical Scholar - A scholar's duty is that of facts, numbers, honesty, and boundaries. You have a devotion to the work of the written word that few would follow in the face of potential benefits. You seek simply to perform your work to the best of your ability and stand within the morals of your scholar code, even find yourself compelled to do so. Established personal Scholarly Code, sticking to it makes your work easier and better while going against it more difficult and with worse results.
Scholar Code I - No work is better than hasty work. {Provides +2 to scholarly rolls when you take your time, take -2 to scholarly rolls when you attempt to work with haste.}
Scholar Code II - Provide the facts to those that hire you, nothing more and nothing less. {Provides 2 bonus experience when followed, lose 2 experience when ignored.}
Scholar Code III - Judgement is the employer's job. {Provides 2 bonus experience when followed, lose 2 experience when ignored.}
Scholar Code IV - There is satisfaction in learning that which is known and that which is not. {Provides 2 bonus experience when learning new knowledge skills and advancing skill ranks in them.}
Traits
Sturdy Physique - You come to possess a body that is much more resilient than your original form allowing you to withstand roughly twice as much damage before your body gives out resulting in death. Quick to Act - You are fast to respond in dangerous situations, where others are still confused about changing events you have already begun to move in response to them. Iron Clad Mind - Your will is strengthened considerably under the guidance of the Spirit as if your mind has created the foundations of a fortress around it. With it's backing you are capable of putting up greater resistance against mental influences.
Aspire to Sagehood - You've come to find yourself a seeker of all forms of knowledge and find it easy to learn those skills a scholar finds most useful. Perhaps with enough work you may achieve acknowledgement as a Sage, a master of countless fields of knowledge. Increased skill gains for scholar related skills. Forbidden Scholar - You are more likely to notice lore and knowledge regarding those topics considered forbidden to the general populace. Of course, your affinity for these subjects does not create that knowledge where none exists. Studious - You've become well acquainted with book learning and, while it will never be a good replacement for a teacher, have learned how to make the most of it. Increased skill gains when learning a skill from a book.
Swift Growth I - With enough power the Heroic Spirit can even help you grow, increasing the rate at which you earn experience by twenty-five percent permanently.
Sorrowful - In your quest for knowledge you chose to use your power on a creature near death and in doing so formed a mental bond much as you did with Velvet, and for the first time you now understand death. The pain and the fear, you felt every moment of your subject's death and knew you could do nothing. To make it worse, when you gave it mercy you could sense the betrayal literally assaulting you through your connection and now you understand fully the power you've been given. Such a thing, you know it will haunt you for even now it tears at you and weakens your will, your certainty in your goals...
Skills
Mathematics (Beginner, 15%) - +4 to rolls requiring use of mathematics. Local Administration (Beginner, 10%) - +4 to rolls involving administration of businesses and small land holdings. Geography of Relgar Township Region (Beginner) - Capable of recalling information related to areas in the Relgar area that could be of use. Such as the size of a specific forest, important landmarks, etc. Monster Knowledge (Relgar Township, Beginner, 45%) - You've memorized basic information provided on Vicious Rabbits, Giant Rats, Slimes, Monstrous Corn, Green-pelt Wolves, and Forest Bears. Knowledge of the Undead (Beginner) - You've memorized the basic information and understanding of the Church of Death on Mindless Walkers, Animated Remains, and Wisps. Plant Knowledge (Relgar Township, Beginner) - You've memorized basic information provided on Red-Shelled Warmths, Blue Bells, Golden Leaf, and common herbs like thyme or poppies. Copying Writing (Adept, 2%) - You've experienced copying countless documents, books, and records to such an extent that it's almost an ingrained instinct in you. Time required to copy any form of writing is reduced and chance of wrongly copying something is greatly decreased. Evasion (Beginner, 19%) - You've learned the basics of positioning, and movement enabling you to react well to attacks sent you way. It's rather simple now, but even a slight advantage could save your life. Increases your Difficulty to Hit by 4. Dagger Mastery (Beginner, 9%) - Through sparring and practice you have grasped the basics of fighting with a dagger. How to grip it so as not to lose the weapon in combat, basic and effective methods of attack from stabbing to slicing, etc. +4 to attack rolls when wielding a dagger.
Harvesting (Learning Beginner, 45%) - You are slowly obtaining experience in the act of harvesting plants and herbs. With some more work experience you are certain you'd be at least somewhat skilled in the act. Skinning (Learning Beginner, 40%) - You have learned the basic knowledge one should know to begin skinning and harvesting the corpses of monsters, but to really come to understand it and it's uses you will need actual experience. Haggling (Learning Beginner, 92%) - You have obtained a lot of insight into the act of haggling varying from the dos to the don'ts and you are certain with a bit more knowledge and actual practice you can put it to work helping you. Identification (Learning Beginner, 10%) - After reading the book on Identification you have a vague idea of how the power works, but without a teacher to guide you in the absolute specifics you are unsure if you can learn to utilize this power. Survival (Learning Beginner, 40%) - You are quickly becoming used to most basic of the basics when it comes to surviving outdoors, and with the help of some of your research materials you believe you have a decent grasp of it all. Only actively performing the actions and experience will tell. Trapping (Learning Beginner, 20%) - Trapping is a rather simple subject, but the specifics are somewhat confusing to you with your rather limited life experiences. You have a decent grasp of theoretical knowledge, but will need to use it in the field to confirm. Shield Mastery (Learning Beginner, 11%) - Utilizing a shield in battle is an incredibly useful tool that may well prevent incredibly lethal blows, but as it stands most of the concept has flown over your head. Monster Taming (Learning Beginner, 3%) - Needless to say that taming slimes by feeding them mana and utilizing mana to communicate with them was pretty distant from what most of monster taming was (with what little you know). Still, the book did give you some small grasp of what the trade's core needs might be. Stealth (Learning Beginner, 85%) - You have begun to grasp the simplest aspects of being stealthy, mainly softening your footsteps and avoiding a target's sight. You're quite close to putting this to effective use in the field, but need a bit more training or practical experience.
Abilities
Domination (Level One, 8/25) - Allows you to bind creatures/monsters that are one level below you (to a minimum of level 1) to your will permanently. Unless the creature in question has a particularly strong will then the power is bound to succeed. Does not work on humans. [Dominated Beings: 1/2] + Dominate Writing (Level One, 7/25) - You've obtained a new power derived from your blessing from the God of War. It grants you the ability to draw strength from the written word though... You are utterly uncertain what that actually means. [Dominated Writings: 1/1]
Backstab -You force an opening in your opponent's guard and shift yourself into place to deliver a well timed, well placed reverse grip stab to the foe's back with great force. Such a move is straining on you, but has incredible effects when successfully performed. Make a single attack that deals four times damage to the enemy if it lands, uses a moderate amount of Stamina.
Inventory
Equipment
Main Hand - Simple Wooden Club [Damage: 3, Blunt, Grip and Wrist Strap (Harder to Disarm)] Off Hand - Iron Kite Shield [???]
Armor - Plain Scholar's Robes [???, Tear on left sleeve]
Easily Accessed Items
Iron Hand-Axe [???]
Simple Iron Dagger [Damage: ???, Attack Speed: 2, Slashing]
Skinning Knife
Scholar's Writing Instruments [1/4 sheets of paper]
Canvas Backpack [8/10]
- Ten Foot Rope
- Bundle of Clean Rags [9/10]
- Archbishop Julian Vandamule's Sealed Scroll
- Wooden Storage Box [Can hold up to twenty herbs (varies based on size) | 0/20]
- Paper with copied contents from a Book on Skinning
- Paper with copied contents about Trapping.
- Papers copied from the Book of Academia (Contain basic descriptions of numerous scholarly branches of study)
- Piece of Leather [5/10 Units left]
-
-
Belt Pouch[4/4]
- Flask of Oil [3 Units of Oil Remaining]
- Container with Six Vials [0/6 Filled]
- Flint & Steel
- Waterskin [6/6, Water]
Health:8/8
Status Effects: None
Level: 2
Experience: 0/40
Attacks:
Bite - [Damage: 3, Slashing]
Traits:
Sensitive Nose - +5 to finding herbs Natural Gatherer - +5 to harvesting herbs Soul Linked - Can be given up to 2 Experience from their Master's kills.
Skills:
Evasion (Beginner,14%) - Increases the Difficulty to Hit by 4.
Abilities: Cannibalize (Level One, 0/10) - Capable of devouring their kin to quickly heal from injuries. Regains 1 Health per pound of Vicious Rabbit meat consumed.
Payment: 5 Coppers per Monstrous Corn corpse, 2 GP per corpse, 1 Rank Advancement Point for every fifteen corpse, 1 Experience per every two corpses Description: Due to the increased traffic through town we've been running low on our supply of a local delicacy - Monstrous Corn. An fine mixture of sweet and salty that can survive months in the open air before rotting. If you could hunt down some for us it would be much appreciated, the more you get the better! We've left instructions to a good spot with the receptionist.
Payment: 50 Copper per 3 Golden Leaf (Quality does matter), Variable GP, Variable Rank Advancement Points, Variable Experience Description: I have need of as many Golden Leaf as you can get your hands on, quality is important so insure proper storage. You can find me at the apothecary on the south side of the town, Gerald's Apothecary. I've provided drawings for those who've never seen Golden leaf and they can be found on the outskirts of Relgar's Northern Woods. Please only come when you have Golden leaf to deliver, I am a busy man.
We can give two XP, I think...
As for this? Well. No might damage Forbidden Scholar, and Yes means taking a step towards becoming a ruthless seeker of knowledge.
I can see either decision altering our Ethical Scholar Code, though I'm less sure of how...
I think yes and a burial make sense. We decided to be a seeker of forbidden knowledge walking lines comes with the territory. Hopefully we can further evolve our code to reflect that.
Thanks, also the XP to dominate and our title have not been added to the character sheet.
[] It was your subject, it deserves a proper burial. You might not have a shovel, but you'll make do...
Honor those that serve us no matter how short a time.
[] 2 XP
Death of our dominated is not a fun thing, keep on leveling up velvet, gives her more health also gives her a trait/ability a level I believe ( I know soul link and canablize were not there at the beginning will have to check the post she leveled up at edit- she did earn those from level ups)
As for the is knowledge worth this I think @Zaealix has the right of it in that this is going to impact us going forward. I lean towards No as determining that some knowledge is not worth the price of acquiring is a good thing, hopefully this is a gradient and will also continue to evolve with further questions instead of being decided right now. Basically I want us to move towards the view point that acquiring knowledge is good but we must consider the price to acquire such knowledge (i.e. deal with a demon is bad, while poking a demon may be worth it depending on needs and what we are trying to get out say weakness of the demon to allow others to actually be able to fight it).
Edit- Character changes since last update:
Us-
They Who Seek the Crown +2 XP (16/25)
Trait added: Sorrowful - In your quest for knowledge you chose to use your power on a creature near death and in doing so formed a mental bond much as you did with Velvet, and for the first time you now understand death. The pain and the fear, you felt every moment of your subject's death and knew you could do nothing. To make it worse, when you gave it mercy you could sense the betrayal literally assaulting you through your connection and now you understand fully the power you've been given. Such a thing, you know it will haunt you for even now it tears at you and weakens your will, your certainty in your goals...
Domination +3 XP (8/25)
Well, that kills the disposable minions plan. At least we found out this way instead of through an actual betrayal. I'm on a tablet and can't copy the votes, but I definitely want to bury the wolf and pay back Velvet for protecting us.
I'm not really sure about the price of knowledge. I don't want to disregard all consequences, but sometimes trying stuff is the best way to know to NOT do something and why not.
I will go ahead and say that this is just a step towards a direction, much like past choices you've made that effect your scholarly code it is simply a choice to help shape it towards a specific direction, so either option won't lock you towards the extreme. Plus even if you hit the extreme you can still work to unravel parts of the code you pick up through choices, or actions given time and effort.
