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Questionably Soteriological: A Puzzle/Mystery Quest with Kids, Science, and Fun!

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LUCY (250/250)
[x] <ITEM>
-[x] TRIDENT - pass to Owen

OWEN (230/250)
[x] <ATTACK>
-[x] MARS

KALA (200/300)
[x] <CLASS MACHINATION>
-[x] SNEAK ATTACK, BITCH!
 
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> causticAccolade: Explain SOTERIOLOGY GAMBITS and {BELLIGERENCE SYSTEMS}
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    • TurtleDucks said:
    [x] Examine <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT> [OWEN]
    [x] Examine <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT> [KALA]
    [x] Examine <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT> [LUCY]
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    During {BELLIGERENCE}, all ASCENDANTS have access to the {BELLIGERENCE SYSTEM} versions of their SOTERIOLOGY GAMBITS, which are more combat-oriented than their usual SOTERIOLOGY GAMBITS, while still being the same abilities. Now that you have the ability to perceive [SOTERIOLOGY ASCENDANTS], you will be able to access the GAMBITS outside of combat, in which case they will be presented in the less combative forms offered by the {CONCORD SYSTEM}.

    When using SOTERIOLOGY GAMBITS in the {CONCORD SYSTEM}, the user will gain ASCENDANCY. When ASCENDANCY has been maxed out, any further use of SOTERIOLOGY GAMBITS will take the user to the next ASCENDANCY LEVEL. Using SOTERIOLOGY GAMBITS from the {BELLIGERENCE SYSTEM} will not add to the user's ASCENDANCY, at first, but instead subtract a SOTERIOLOGY TARIFF from the user's SOTERIOLOGY GUARD, which has a number of points equal to the user's LEVEL x10. When the SOTERIOLOGY GUARD has been exhausted, further use of GAMBITS from the {BELLIGERENCE SYSTEM} will add ASCENDANCY, just as in the {CONCORD SYSTEM}.

    Increasing one's ASCENDANCY LEVEL allows access to MORE and STRONGER SOTERIOLOGY GAMBITS - however, the higher one's ASCENDANCY LEVEL, the more humanity one loses.

    <SOTERIOLOGY MENU {BELLIGERENCE SYSTEM}: SATURN ASCENDANT>
    [] [REWIND & RE-REVERSE] - SOTERIOLOGY TARIFF 15
    - Transforms the most recent friendly MISS into a HIT, or the most recent enemy HIT into a MISS.

    <SOTERIOLOGY MENU {BELLIGERENCE SYSTEM}:     MERCURY ASCENDANT>
    [] [SPEEDY THING GOES IN...] - SOTERIOLOGY TARIFF 10
    - Absorbs the damage of a targeted enemy's next attack.
    [...SPEEDY THING COMES OUT] - SOTERIOLOGY TARIFF 10
    - Delivers the damage absorbed by [SPEEDY THING GOES IN...] back to the original attacker.
    - Activates automatically the turn after[SPEEDY THING GOES IN...] is used.

    <SOTERIOLOGY MENU {BELLIGERENCE SYSTEM}: LUNA ASCENDANT>
    [] [MOONLIT MELEE] - SOTERIOLOGY TARIFF 10
    - Adds +10 to the NIMBLENESS scores of all PARTY MEMBERS until the end of the {BELLIGERENCE}
    [] [PHANTOM THIEF] - SOTERIOLOGY TARIFF 20
    - Adds +20 to the NIMBLENESS score of the LUNA ASCENDANT USER and adds half their NIMBLENESS SCORE to the DAMAGE of their NEXT SUCCESSFUL ATTACK.
     
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    • Does SOTERIOROLOGY GUARD counter get reset after {BELLIGERENCE} ends?

    What happens if the SOTERIOROLOGY TARIFF exceeds the remaining SOTERIOROLOGY GUARD? Yes, it was mentioned that once that happens, further uses will increase ASCENDANCY, but say, Lucy has 10 SG and uses a GAMBIT which subtracts 15... does that increase ASCENDANCY, or does it merely deplete SG, and only the next GAMBIT use has further effects?

    What is the ASCENDANCY counter? Do we know how many GAMBITS can be used before we max it out? From the looks of the rule I don't believe there is a way to reduce ASCENDANCY and delay gaining ASCENDANCY LEVELS, is there?

    So far we have 2-3 free uses of Lucy's power, 4 uses of Owen's, and 2 to 4 of Kala's, depending on her skills.

    Lucy can't deal attacks normally, but can dodge really well due to one of her machinations... her contribution to the fight would probably better served with the use of GAMBITS. Owen's tactics are pretty transparent. Kala's... Nimbleness increase is useless for Lucy who uses her ACUMEN to dodge most of the time, and is only mildly useful for Owen. Her best bet is to use her THIEF GAMBIT and then make use of Sneak Attack.

    LUCY (250/250)
    [x] <ITEM>
    -[x] TRIDENT - pass to Owen

    OWEN (230/250)
    [x] <ATTACK>
    -[x] MARS

    KALA (200/300)
    [x] SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT
    -[x] [PHANTOM THIEF]

    It does not break her invisibility, right? We'll be boosting Kala's Sneak attack with Lucy's gambit next turn.
     
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    LUCY (250/250)
    [x] <ITEM>
    -[x] TRIDENT - pass to Owen

    OWEN (230/250)
    [x] <ATTACK>
    -[x] MARS

    KALA (200/300)
    [x] SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT
    -[x] [PHANTOM THIEF]
     
    LUCY (250/250)
    [x] <ITEM>
    -[x] TRIDENT - pass to Owen

    OWEN (230/250)
    [x] <ATTACK>
    -[x] MARS

    KALA (200/300)
    [x] SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT
    -[x] [PHANTOM THIEF]
     
    LUCY (250/250)
    [x] <ITEM>
    -[x] TRIDENT - pass to Owen

    OWEN (230/250)
    [x] <ATTACK>
    -[x] MARS

    KALA (200/300)
    [x] SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT
    -[x] [PHANTOM THIEF]
     
    I'm dubious that trying to fight Fights Things Good will work very well; it seems more productive to just stall until Mari fixes the elevator, and both Lucy and Kala can do that quite well.
     
    Stall how? What do you propose? Not dealing damage and just dodging, or what? That would last us until our SG pools run out, and then we'll be racking Ascendance points like there's no tomorrow.

    We don't know how long Mari will take, and we don't know that this encounter can be resolved by stalling, so having a backup plan of beating the other guy until he flees may sound sensible.

    If we present no threat, what's stopping him from going after Mari?

    I would prefer to use environmental damage against our opponent (gravity, electricity), not quite trusting our fighting skills, but not sure how to go about it yet.
     
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    Nevill said:
    Does SOTERIOROLOGY GUARD counter get reset after {BELLIGERENCE} ends?
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    Yes!
    Nevill said:
    What happens if the SOTERIOROLOGY TARIFF exceeds the remaining SOTERIOROLOGY GUARD? Yes, it was mentioned that once that happens, further uses will increase ASCENDANCY, but say, Lucy has 10 SG and uses a GAMBIT which subtracts 15... does that increase ASCENDANCY, or does it merely deplete SG, and only the next GAMBIT use has further effects?
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    The remaining SOTERIOLOGY TARIFF will contribute to ASCENDANCY.
    Nevill said:
    What is the ASCENDANCY counter? Do we know how many GAMBITS can be used before we max it out? From the looks of the rule I don't believe there is a way to reduce ASCENDANCY and delay gaining ASCENDANCY LEVELS, is there?
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    The ASCENDANCY counter for each PARTY MEMBER can be found on the CHARACTER SHEETS. When the {CONCORD SYSTEM} is first used, it will reveal DESCRIPTIONS and ASCENDANCY VALUES of all available {CONCORD SYSTEM} SOTERIOLOGY GAMBITS. As for reducing ASCENDANCY, once an ASCENDANCY LEVEL has been reached, it cannot be removed through any ordinary means.
     
    LUCY (250/250)
    [x] <ITEM>
    -[x] TRIDENT - pass to Owen

    OWEN (230/250)
    [x] <ATTACK>
    -[x] MARS

    KALA (200/300)
    [x] SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT
    -[x] [PHANTOM THIEF]
     
    causticAccolade said:
    [] [REWIND & RE-REVERSE] - SOTERIOLOGY TARIFF 15
    - Transforms the most recent friendly MISS into a HIT, or the most recent enemy HIT into a MISS.
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    A question! What does qualify as the 'most recent'?

    Assume the following actions: Lucy -> Rewind; Owen -> Attack; Kala -> Sneak Attack (two attacks); Mars -> Attack Owen

    Assume Kala misses her first attack, Owen misses his only one, and Mars hits once in absense of Rewind&Reverse. Which hit gets affected by the gambit? Do we get to choose?
     
    Nevill said:
    A question! What does qualify as the 'most recent'?

    Assume the following actions: Lucy -> Rewind; Owen -> Attack; Kala -> Sneak Attack (two attacks); Mars -> Attack Owen

    Assume Kala misses her first attack, Owen misses his only one, and Mars hits once in absense of Rewind&Reverse. Which hit gets affected by the gambit? Do we get to choose?
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    ACTIONS are not taken simultaneously, but in descending order of NIMBLENESS. As such, with the lowest NIMBLENESS of the lot, Lucy would take her action last, and the SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT would take effect on the most recent MISS or HIT - if there have been both a friendly MISS and an enemy HIT on the same turn, then a CHOICE can be made between the two.

    In the example given, the GAMBIT could not be applied to Kala's MISS, as Owen's is more recent (his NIMBLENESS being lower than Kala's), so a vote would be presented between reversing OWEN'S MISS or MARS' ATTACK. If there have been no FRIENDLY MISSES or ENEMY HITS in the turn the GAMBIT is used, it will reverse MISSES or HITS from the previous round. If there have not been any MISSES or HITS the GAMBIT could apply to in the entirety of the {BELLIGERENCE} so far, it FAILS, having no effect - on the bright side, GAMBITS that FAIL do not use up their SOTERIOLOGY TARIFFS.
     
    LUCY (250/250)
    [x] <ITEM>
    -[x] TRIDENT - pass to Owen

    OWEN (230/250)
    [x] <ATTACK>
    -[x] MARS

    KALA (200/300)
    [x] SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT
    -[x] [PHANTOM THIEF]
     
    {BELLIGERENCE} | MARS | {MOVEMENT I}
  • Threadmarks
    • x8 [X] Lucy: <ITEM>
    -[X] TRIDENT - pass to Owen

    8x [X] Owen: <ATTACK>
    -[X] MARS

    x6 [X] Kala: <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT>
    -[X] [PHANTOM THIEF]
    x2 [X] Kala: <CLASS MACHINATION>
    -[X] [SNEAK ATTACK, BITCH!]
    {BELLIGERENCE: MOVEMENT I}
    ​
    TURN I: LUNA ASCENDANT (40 NIMBLENESS)(UNDETECTED)
    > <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT> [PHANTOM THIEF] (ST: 20)
    [+20 NIMBLENESS]
    [+30 DAMAGE on next ATTACK]
    (VIT: 200)
    (ÉLN: 40)
    (SG: 20)

    TURN II: MARS ASCENDANT (30 NIMBLENESS)
    > <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT> [THERE BE DRAGONS HERE] (ST: 15)
    [+20 FISTICUFFS until the end of BELLIGERENCE]
    <Make one <ATTACK> on a random ADVERSARY>
    > <ATTACK> LUCY CALLOWAY
    {ATK(17) ♂ FST(65) | DEF(39) ♃ ACU(45)}
    {82♂|♃84}
    [ATTACK FAILED]
    (VIT: ???)
    (ÉLN: ???)
    (SG: ???)

    TURN III: MERCURY ASCENDANT (20 NIMBLENESS)
    > <ATTACK> MARS
    {ATK(35) ☿ FST(45) | DEF(31) ♂ NIM(25)}
    {80☿|♂56}
    [ATTACK SUCCESSFUL: 45 DMG]
    (VIT: 230)
    (ÉLN: 225)
    (SG: 40)

    TURN IV: SATURN ASCENDANT (0 NIMBLENESS)
    > ITEM (TRIDENT)
    [Passed to OWEN]
    [OWEN has AUTO-EQUIPPED the TRIDENT]
    (VIT: 300)
    (ÉLN: 157)
    (SG: 40)
    As the beautiful, terrible, beautiful creature descends on you, red light following it, embracing it, almost seeming to carry it, you find yourself almost blinded, standing stock still, rooted in place like Owen was a few seconds ago - until you realise that the creature is swinging at you, a sharp, crystalline claw swinging through the air towards you. Possible trajectories flash through your mind, weight and shape and momentum all triangulating in the space of seconds, the pathways that the talon could take on its way to you materializing before your eyes, and in the fraction of a second before those projections become reality you take a neat, minimal little step back, with a polite little bow as the claws rend the air where you were standing moments before.

    You briefly glance at the others - the TRIDENT in your hand feels heavy and useless, and you're sure either of them could make better use of it. Kala is nowhere to be seen - although the shimmering behind what you can only presume was once MOTH is telling. You're just about to pass the TRIDENT to Owen when Moth pulls back a claw to swing again - and is rudely interrupted by Owen sprinting up to him and, very rudely, punching him directly in the jaw - it's a punch from a child, what could it possibly do against that thing, you ask yourself, that thing of armor and jagged edges and perfect, perfect bone - but then the trajectories you're seeing realign themselves, warping ever so slightly, a subtle shuffling of a few numbers that would never be noticeable in a million years if there wasn't a resounding crack as Owen pulls his fist away, scowling. "Leave her alone!" he exclaims breathlessly. "That's... that's very rude, trying to kill people!"

    You nod. "I agree with Owen," you add, hoping that Moth will feel socially ostracized as you pass Owen the TRIDENT, which he seems to wield with a curiously natural sort of grace. Your heart is pounding so hard that you feel it's going to burst your chest open, and your head hurts like anything - but you need to give Mari the time she needs to repair that elevator, and if a JUNIOR SLEUTH isn't prepared to steel themselves, banish the panic threatening to strangle them, and face danger for the sake of a client, they're not prepared to be a JUNIOR goddamn SLEUTH.

    {BELLIGERENCE! MOVEMENT II}

    KALA (200/300)
    [] <ATTACK>
    [] <ITEM>
    [] <CLASS MACHINATION>
    [] <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT>

    OWEN (230/250)
    [] <ATTACK>
    [] <ITEM>
    [] <CLASS MACHINATION>
    [] <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT>

    LUCY (300/300)
    [] <ATTACK>
    [] <ITEM>
    [] <CLASS MACHINATION>
    [] <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT>
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • Question!

    In case Owen uses his SPEEDY THING gambit, Owen absorbs the hit from the next attack, but does an attack need to connect first, or does he take it automatically?

    In case the opponent's attack needs to connect (and it does), and Lucy uses her gambit... does it mean that Owen's gambit didn't work that turn?

    The obvious follow-up would be:

    KALA (200/300)
    [ ] <CLASS MACHINATION>
    -[ ] SNEAK ATTACK, BITCH!

    OWEN (230/250)
    [ ] <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT>
    -[ ] SPEEDY THING GOES IN

    LUCY (300/300)
    [ ] <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT>
    -[ ] REWIND AND REVERSE

    Edit: does damage equal FISTICUFF stat? Mars would hit like a truck...
     
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    causticAccolade said:
    "Leave her alone!" he exclaims breathlessly. "That's... that's very rude, trying to kill people!"

    You nod. "I agree with Owen," you add, hoping that Moth will feel socially ostracized as you pass Owen the TRIDENT, which he seems to wield with a curiously natural sort of grace.
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    Hear, hear.

    @Nevill, if Kala misses her attack, are you planning to RaR her hit or Moth's?

    It's worth noting that MARS gets two actions per turn and launches attacks randomly, so the chance of his hitting a non-Owen character is... pretty good.
     
    WAIT

    Talking is a free action!!! I know it probably won't work but we can try to Talk-no-jutsu Moth? (Also this is the kind of thing that Lucy, who braved Mari's words, might be inclined to at least try.) That's a kid! Sort of!

    So would something like this be applicable?

    Lucy
    [X] Talk to Owen
    -[X] What was Moth like before the whole attacking people thing?
    -[X] Do you have any idea how this transformation happened? Or clues?

    [X] Talk to Moth
    -[X] Try to appeal to the kid inside if he's still there!
     
    [X] Talk to Owen
    -[X] What was Moth like before the whole attacking people thing?
    -[X] Do you have any idea how this transformation happened? Or clues?
    -[X] Do you remember if he had anything with him back when you first met?

    [X] Talk to Moth
    -[X] Try to appeal to the kid inside if he's still there!

    Thinking back, when this whole thing started, Lucy had her violin with her and when we met Owen he had his lucky baseball in his inventory. So, I'm guessing each of the test subjects was allowed to keep one precious item with them. If we can figure out what Moth's was it might give us something to work with when talking to him.
     
    OK, let me see whether I get this right.

    We don't want Owen to attack, so that REVERSE AND REWIND can affect Kala's miss if her sneak attack should fail. So this is one reason we have Owen use SPEEDY THING GOES IN... instead of just attack.

    I will just vote for Nevill's plan:

    KALA (200/300)
    [X] <CLASS MACHINATION>
    -[X] SNEAK ATTACK, BITCH!

    OWEN (230/250)
    [X] <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT>
    -[X] SPEEDY THING GOES IN

    LUCY (300/300)
    [X] <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT>
    -[X] REWIND AND REVERSE

    Nevill said:
    In case the opponent's attack needs to connect (and it does), and Lucy uses her gambit... does it mean that Owen's gambit didn't work that turn?
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    This is an interesting question, but it doesn't really matter this turn, does it? I mean, Moth goes first, so Owen's gambit comes too late anyway. We need to know later, so we can decide whether to use RaR again next turn.

    causticAccolade said:
    Using SOTERIOLOGY GAMBITS from the {BELLIGERENCE SYSTEM} will not add to the user's ASCENDANCY, at first, but instead subtract a SOTERIOLOGY TARIFF from the user's SOTERIOLOGY GUARD, which has a number of points equal to the user's LEVEL x10.
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    Just to be sure, does this mean CLASS LEVEL or ASCENDANCY LEVEL? If it is ASCENDANCY LEVEL then we need to be more careful with the gambits, as the SOTERIOROLOGY GUARD would be only 10 for MARI and LUCY and 20 for KALA.
     
    Nevill said:
    Question!
    In case Owen uses his SPEEDY THING gambit, Owen absorbs the hit from the net attack, but does an attack need to connect first, or does he take it automatically?
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    Nope, the GAMBIT activates instantly when the ATTACK is made, before the ATTACK ROLL is made.
    Gingganz said:
    Just to be sure, does this mean CLASS LEVEL or ASCENDANCY LEVEL? If it is ASCENDANCY LEVEL then we need to be more careful with the gambits, as the SOTERIOROLOGY GUARD would be only 10 for MARI and LUCY and 20 for KALA.
    Click to expand...
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    CLASS LEVEL! The SOTERIOLOGY GUARD remaining for each character is displayed after their actions during each {BELLIGERENCE} MOVEMENT alongside their ÉLAN and VITALITY.
     
    KALA (200/300)
    [X] <CLASS MACHINATION>
    -[X] SNEAK ATTACK, BITCH!

    OWEN (230/250)
    [X] <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT>
    -[X] SPEEDY THING GOES IN

    LUCY (300/300)
    [X] <SOTERIOLOGY GAMBIT>
    -[X] REWIND AND REVERSE
     
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