Humans are the only ones who can use Belief naturally. Just like how monsters are the only ones with access to Magic naturally. Making a Pact is the equivalent of making a Trade deal. Humans get access to Magic, while Monsters get access to Belief.
Unlocking Belief based abilities first would have no penalty on getting Magic related ones later. However, getting Belief first is the safer option since getting a Pact is liable to kill you, if neither you nor the one you made it with is frugal with your casting/using.
Edit: Belief is just as likely to kill you, but it is something you have complete control over using. Unlike a Pact where you are essentially constantly worrying about the person on the other end drawing a bit too much Life from you at the wrong time.
It's a bit of both your own Belief as well as Belief from others.
You need Belief in yourself in order to be able to physically manifest it. You need to believe you can do something in order to...well do it. If you have no Belief in yourself, then it is pretty much like throwing water into sulfuric acid.
However, your own Belief can only get you so far. It's only a matter of time before you come across something you on your own can't handle. That's where Belief from others come in.
If others believe in you, they magnify what you can do with your Belief by a certain threshold.
In other words:
You with Belief vs a High Dragon = you can win but you will probably lose multiple appendages once it's all over, with possible death.
You with Belief with others who believe in you vs a High Dragon = you win with a broken arm at the most.
Imagine if you will, an army of hundreds humans. Each one believes that they can triumph over any enemy that steps into their path and come out alive. Now, imagine every other human in the army believes the exact same thing. Then add in the fact that everyone also believes that the person standing next to them will come out of this fight alive.
Now you start to see why the Monsters lost in the early stages of humanity.
You with Belief vs a High Dragon = you can win but you will probably lose multiple appendages once it's all over, with possible death.
You with Belief with others who believe in you vs a Dragon = you win with a broken arm at the most.
Imagine if you will, an army of hundreds humans. Each one believes that they can triumph over any enemy that steps into their path and come out alive. Now, imagine every other human in the army believes the exact same thing. Then add in the fact that everyone also believes that the person standing next to them will come out of this fight alive.
Now you start to see why the Monsters lost in the early stags of humanity.
So the individual members in the army believing in each other and the army as a whole was an exponential force that drastically increased their power and made them in a genuine threat for the Monsters of the world? Where a disorganized mob of strangers with little to no care for one another would have been lambs to the slaughter. Which likely happened at several points, come to think of it.
So the individual members in the army believing in each other and the army as a whole was an exponential force that drastically increased their power and made them in a genuine threat for the Monsters of the world? Where a disorganized mob of strangers with little to no care for one another would have been lambs to the slaughter. Which likely happened at several points, come to think of it.
We have to start a new religion then. Or ensure the kids of the school believe in us. As children, their emotions are extra-strong and therefore probably more effective.
We have to start a new religion then. Or ensure the kids of the school believe in us. As children, their emotions are extra-strong and therefore probably more effective.
We have to start a new religion then. Or ensure the kids of the school believe in us. As children, their emotions are extra-strong and therefore probably more effective.
Jeez, you misunderstood. I meant that the children believed in the teacher as someone that can protect them no matter what, not an actual religion. That first line was a joke. Either way, if they're teenagers then the plan can't work anyway.
Practice Powers: 55 + 15 (Potential) + 20 (Magical Day) = 90 High Success
As the rain continues to pour down outside, you and Anastasia decide to spend some of this extra time on your hands to practice her powers more. After all, until you figure out how to weaponize this "Belief" or find a Mon—Mythic who will agree to a Pact with you, you're going to be relying on your daughter for a lot when it comes to combat.
Since the last time you did this ended with Ana getting the ability to create a serrated blade out of her arm, you figure it might be a good idea to work a bit more on that.
Your daughter agrees and ask you to stand back as with last time. You stand and watch with a bit of horror as she begins to focus on her right arm intently. The familiar smell of sulfur fills the air as she shifts her flesh into the same long blade from last time. However, once her arm is fully transformed, you see her close her eyes.
It takes a good five minutes, but soon her arm begins to pulsate and change. It beats like a heart, collapsing and folding in on itself as its fundamental shape and function are changed by the owner. When the transformation is finished, the serrated blade has been replaced with hard, black flesh. It's ridged in certain places giving it the look of a cinder block made of cancerous skin.
Ana's eyes open to look upon her work. She smiles as she examines the newly made limb, her teeth canine and sharp again. She looks up at you and gives you a nod which you return.
She's getting better at this.
Good.
(Biological Augmentation Upgraded! +30 to Physical Combat)
Sense Eldritch: 87 +15 (Senses) = 102 Artificial Crit Success
"We're being watched."
You open your eyes at your daughter's voice. It's the same young and bubbly tone spliced with that wisdom that you would expect of someone much older than you. Though now, you notice that when she speaks to you, there's this little inflection that you're almost certain indicates joy. It makes your heart soar whenever you hear it.
You were both kneeling down on the carpet in the living room right now, you just meditating so as not to disturb your daughter while she searches the perimeter for anything else supernatural.
You'd think that with what happened last time, it would deter some of the other creatures out there from attack you. But if what the journal said is anything to go by, the exact opposite it true.
So, here you are attempting to see if there's anything else around that might wish you harm.
Better safe than sorry after all.
You look at Anastasia, her eyes still half closed as she focuses on her recon, "Aren't we always?"
She shakes her head, keeping her eyes shut, "No. Not by those lesser creatures. This is….something else."
"Something else?" you echo. A chill runs down your spine again, causing you to nervously glance around at your home. What could be worse than those fucking Shadow Creatures, and weird Eldritch...thing from that last time?
"The….creature itself is not active, no. It's still asleep. But….it's power is what's active. For lack of a better word, it's scanning for something. And it seems to have its sights settled on our little neighborhood here."
Oh, well that's just awesome.
"You said it was inactive. How long will that be true?" while it might not completely ease your conscious, it will give you some peace of mind to have some kind of time table to be able to look to for help.
Your daughter stays seated for a time, until she stands up with her eyes open. She looks down at you with her hands on her hips, "As long as some foolish cultist don't start up a ceremony to awaken it? For an indefinite amount of time."
You sigh with relief.
"If a group of cultist does come to awaken it? Two days, maybe less."
…..Well, shit.
"Where is it exactly?"
"Hmm," she starts to pace around the room, hand on her chin. You stand up and watch her, your knees popping from being inactive for a time. She's quiet for four long minutes, before finally turning back to you with a smile, "I knew there was something strange about that place."
"What place?"
"The school you teach at. That's where it is. Right underneath it."
To say you're shocked would be an understatement. There's an Eldritch Monster sleeping underneath your school. And it's almost awake.
….Well, fuck.
(Gained Knowledge of a powerful Eldritch Creature lying dormant right underneath your place of work! New Investigation Unlocked!)
Read a Book: 69 + 15 (Prodigy) = 84 High Success
With Starship Troopers finished, you move on to the Horus Heresy books. Thankfully, GW has a habit of printing 3 books into one, making it relatively easy to get the whole story in one purchase. With Ana already past the primer (that being the part about the world being grimdark as Hell), you both start the book right when the Emperor is getting ready to go look for his Primarchs.
As you read the description of one of the Emperor-class Battleships, Anastasia speaks up, "What is with the Emperor's obsession with gold?"
A bit confused, you ask her to elaborate, "It's just, what's the point in doing so? Wouldn't it be more cost efficient and pragmatic to line the interiors of ships with a more functional metal? And if the Emperor doesn't want to be seen as a God, wouldn't it do him well to not walk around in a giant suit made of gold? It just seems counter productive."
Ah yes. You've had this conversation multiple times with other fans of the 40k world, as few as they are. "Well," you begin, "there are many theories about that, but the major one I choose to believe in, is that it keeps the Chaos Gods at bay." When she looks at you questioningly, you press on, "Think about it. The Chaos Gods love….well Chaos. Gold is normally used to represent Order. As such, by lining most of their vehicles and buildings with gold…."
"It forms a better barrier against the forces of Chaos," Ana finishes for you. You nod along with her, and resume your reading.
After you're finished, you see Ana start to look around your room for whatever reason. When you ask why, she says that she's looking for something gold to put up around the house.
Looks like she took your lesson seriously. It's good to see that you're teaching skill aren't going to waste.
(New Perk: The Gold Standard: Gold. The determent to all Eldritch bullshit. (-10 to all enemy Supernatural Perception rolls)!)
The Severe Weather continues.
Days until Anastasia Matures again: ???
Your Actions: 3 (+1 Thunderstorm)
[] Physical: You're gonna need to learn how to defend not just yourself, but your little girl now.
[] Focus on Offense (Work towards Perk for Offensive Combat)
[] Focus on Defense (Work towards Perk for Defensive Combat)
[] Mental: The Mind is a terrible thing to waste. And you are not gonna waste yours.
[] Focus on Mental Power (Work towards Perk for Mental Offenses)
[] Focus on Mental Fortitude (Work towards Perk for Mental Defenses)
[] Perception: You missed enough paper airplanes coming towards your head to know that you need to better your vision.
[] Focus on perceiving Objects (Work towards Perk for seeing things before they hit you)
[] Focus on perceiving People (Work towards Perk for spotting others before they see you)
[] Work on lesson plan: Always helps to be prepared for anything (+10 bonus to next Job roll)
[] Ask for a day off: Hey, your only human. You can only go on for so many days at a time. (+1 to Action for one day, but may worsen rep with boss)
[] Look for a new job: Maybe you should try to find one that pays a bit more (Possible new job opportunities)
[] Do some side work: More cash is always a good thing. (Add +2 to Money immediately)
[] Read the Journal: You really don't want to do this, but how else are you supposed to prepare? (Learn more about Anastasia and the Supernatural)
[] Find out more about Chester: Why did he break into your house that night? (Learn more about Chester and his home life)
[] Call Chester's Parents for a Meet Up: Time to teach wolves to not judge a book by it's cover. Umm...smell. (Unlock Chester Playdate and New SLs)
[] Have Hannah meet you after school: You've got a couple of questions for her. (???)
[] Dispelling Serious Rumors!: It's all a misunderstanding, really! (Decrease Alarm; Remove The News! Perk)
[] Investigate your School: Seriously, the fuck! (Possibly learn why there is an Eldritch Monster underneath your school and how to stop it)
[] Try to make some friends: Let's face it; you need friends. Let's see if you can makes some. (Possibly unlock friendships to be cultivated)
[] Call Rivauld: Ok..you can do this. (Improve Ms. R SL)
[] Go shopping: You've got some cash. Wouldn't hurt to spend a little bit of it. (Spend Money to purchase items or food)
[] Spend time with Anastasia: You are her father after all. (Raise Trust/Satiety with child)
[] Take Anastasia out somewhere: You can't keep her cooped up in the house forever. (Raise Trust/Satiety with Child even more. May cost Money depending on where you go)
-[] The Park (No Cost)
-[] The Mall (1-2 Money)
-[] A Gym (1 Money)
-[] Write in...(Be reasonable)
[] Go looking for trouble: This is probably a horrible idea. But...you just gotta know. (Try to find evidence of the Supernatural. Could lead to a battle.)
[] Ask Anastasia about Magic: Just because you can't use it, doesn't mean you can't learn about it. (Learn more about Magic. Possibly Unlock Magic Perks that will remain unusable until a Pact is made.)
[] As Anastasia about Belief: What could possibly go wrong? (???)
Anastasia's Actions: 2 (+1 Thunderstorm)
[] Practice her powers: Ya lose it if you don't use it. (Anastasia practices getting a better handle on her powers and learning to what extent she can use them.)
[] Read a book: The best way to gain knowledge on just about anything. (Anastasia will look through your collection of books and read one on her own. May result in new Perk.)
[] Sense Eldritch: They are not getting into our house again. (Anastasia will use her Eldritch Powers to try to sense who or what is currently watching you. May lead to discovery of other Supernatural beings.)
[] Watch TV?: Who knows? She may actually learns something from it. (???)
[] Call Chester over for a playdate: He's her first friend, it would be a shame to keep them apart. (???)
Anastasia
Level 2
Parent: Howard Craft
Monster Type: Eldritch Abomination
Stats: Alarm 4, Notoriety 5, Trust 10, Satiety 8
Items:
Basket Crib
Young Child's Plain Clothes
Days Until she Mature's Again: ???
Friends:
Chester Harrowmont: 4/10 SL
THING THAT SHOULD NOT BE: A baby eldritch horror that could grow up to be one of the deadliest things in all of existence isn't exactly something you can keep hidden from the supernatural crowd. As it grows into its powers, Child Notoriety will become easier to raise.
Human Form (Child): Need to look the part if you want to play the part. You have a humanoid form that allows you to blend in. No penalties to interactions with mortals, but a -15 to all rolls to use your powers. You now have a five year old form. +5 to interactions with other children.
Eldritch Form: Tentacles are optional. You have an eldritch form that lets you unleash your true power. +20 to rolls to use your powers, but any mortals you come in contact with immediately go insane unless they have sufficient willpower.
Aura of Horror: It's not my fault I literally smell like the end of the world! -15 to all rolls to remain hidden from supernatural entities.
Supernatural Senses: I see you! +15 to all rolls to sense supernatural entities.
Prodigy(Reading): Your eye's just fly across the page! Once you hit toddler age, +15 to all rolls to maintain information from reading.
Potential Unlocked: Now is the time to train! (As long as you are in Child state, gain a +15 to gaining a new Perk or Power)
Human's Will to Live(Beginner): A race so stubborn that they won't even die when killed! (+5 to Rolls when fighting a losing battle)
Put your trust in me: I have your back. (+5 to persuading others)
The News!: Fucking Vampires is what they are! (-10 to actions that could raise Alarm (going to the Park, a class roll, shopping, etc.) for Two Days!)
Physical Augmentation: Get Fit! (When activated, add +15 to Physical Combat)
Telekinesis/Telepathy: I can read your mind, and throw you around like a ragdoll! (When activated +15 to all Mental and Physical Combat)
Rituals: I hereby summon thee....whatever your name is. (Can perform rituals to someone Eldritch creatures)
Biological Augmentation: My body is a weapon! (When activated, +30 to Physical Combat)
Howard Craft
Level 1
Child: Anastasia the Eldritch Abomination
Job: Middle School Teacher
Stats: Money 2, Sanity 10, Notoriety 4, Actions 2
Weekly Income: +2 to Money
Current Food: 2/4
Items:
The Journal
Starship Troopers
Warhammer 40k
Star Wars
Horror Books
Red Cloth (From Shadow Creature)
Amulet
Known Adults/Supernaturals:
Ms. Harrowmont: 2/10
Mr. Harrowmont: 2/10
Acquaintances(That you can actually stand):
Olly Rivauld: 3/10
Those who can't, teach better: You're not the best, but you are still a teacher. And you'll be dammed if anyone questions it. +15 to rolls when teaching your child and classroom
Middle School Drama: You've been around enough 13-16 year olds to know what they worry about at that age. +15 bonus to rolls when child hits puberty
Authoritative: Sometimes, tough love is the best love. +10 to rolls when laying down the law
Those fucking brats!: Why do they keep putting a tack on my seat? -10 to rolls to keep Sanity when doing job.
Low Risk Job: If a roll would increase Notoriety with a fail, add +10 to roll
Strong Willed: Either your willpower is harder to break than titanium, or you were insane to begin with to even THINK about raising a THING THAT SHOULD NOT BE as your child. No longer lose Sanity from Supernatural sources.
Knowledge of the Supernatural (Beginner): Turns out, there's an entire world that you are completely unaware of right under your nose! Heh, heh….uuuggghhh. +5 to Supernatural Investigations.
A Bond between Father and Daughter: Everything is better now! (Trust is Maxed Out! +15 to actions to Increase Trust and 1 Reroll for failed actions to increase Trust!)
Orator (Novice): You've got that commanding voice! (+10 to rolls to Inspire or Persuade others)
DODGE!: Best way to not get hit? Not get hit! (+10 to Defensive Combat Rolls)
Your enemies are some kind of strange Shadow Creatures. Apparently they live in..well shadows and are currently watching your every move. You've encountered one of them twice. Once when it appeared on the roof of your car. Then again when you accidentally left Anastasia at home alone.
You have discovered that whatever the Shadow Creatures are, they can bleed. They can be killed.
You have discovered that Magic exist.
You have discovered something called Belief.
There's an Eldritch Monster underneath your school. It is currently asleep Indefinitely, unless someone else tries to wake it up.
[X] Find out more about Chester: Why did he break into your house that night? (Learn more about Chester and his home life)
[X] Have Hannah meet you after school: You've got a couple of questions for her. (???)
[X] Investigate your School: Seriously, the fuck! (Possibly learn why there is an Eldritch Monster underneath your school and how to stop it)
[X] Call Chester over for a playdate: He's her first friend, it would be a shame to keep them apart. (???)
[X] Read a book: The best way to gain knowledge on just about anything. (Anastasia will look through your collection of books and read one on her own. May result in new Perk.)
[X] Find out more about Chester: Why did he break into your house that night? (Learn more about Chester and his home life)
[X] Have Hannah meet you after school: You've got a couple of questions for her. (???)
[X] Investigate your School: Seriously, the fuck! (Possibly learn why there is an Eldritch Monster underneath your school and how to stop it)
[X] Call Chester over for a playdate: He's her first friend, it would be a shame to keep them apart. (???)
[X] Read a book: The best way to gain knowledge on just about anything. (Anastasia will look through your collection of books and read one on her own. May result in new Perk
[X] Find out more about Chester: Why did he break into your house that night? (Learn more about Chester and his home life)
[X] Have Hannah meet you after school: You've got a couple of questions for her. (???)
[X] Investigate your School: Seriously, the fuck! (Possibly learn why there is an Eldritch Monster underneath your school and how to stop it)
[X] Call Chester over for a playdate: He's her first friend, it would be a shame to keep them apart. (???)
[X] Read a book: The best way to gain knowledge on just about anything. (Anastasia will look through your collection of books and read one on her own. May result in new Perk
[X] Find out more about Chester: Why did he break into your house that night? (Learn more about Chester and his home life)
[X] Have Hannah meet you after school: You've got a couple of questions for her. (???)
[X] Investigate your School: Seriously, the fuck! (Possibly learn why there is an Eldritch Monster underneath your school and how to stop it)
[X] Call Chester over for a playdate: He's her first friend, it would be a shame to keep them apart. (???)
[X] Read a book: The best way to gain knowledge on just about anything. (Anastasia will look through your collection of books and read one on her own. May result in new Perk.)
[X] Find out more about Chester: Why did he break into your house that night? (Learn more about Chester and his home life)
[X] Have Hannah meet you after school: You've got a couple of questions for her. (???)
[X] Investigate your School: Seriously, the fuck! (Possibly learn why there is an Eldritch Monster underneath your school and how to stop it)
[X] Call Chester over for a playdate: He's her first friend, it would be a shame to keep them apart. (???)
[X] Read a book: The best way to gain knowledge on just about anything. (Anastasia will look through your collection of books and read one on her own. May result in new Perk
[x] As Anastasia about Belief: What could possibly go wrong? (???)
[x] Call Rivauld: Ok..you can do this. (Improve Ms. R SL)
[X] Investigate your School: Seriously, the fuck! (Possibly learn why there is an Eldritch Monster underneath your school and how to stop it)
[x] Practice her powers: Ya lose it if you don't use it. (Anastasia practices getting a better handle on her powers and learning to what extent she can use them.)
[x] Call Chester over for a playdate: He's her first friend, it would be a shame to keep them apart. (???)
Time to meet miss vampire, get Belief powers and investigate the horrors hiding under the school.
Few in terms of your school anyway. A lot of the other teachers think it's a bit too quote "ridiculous" for them. As for the kids....most of them are in their "edgy Fantasy Anti-Hero with a Katana" phase.
If there are any that like 40k, Howard hasn't found any.
[X] Find out more about Chester: Why did he break into your house that night? (Learn more about Chester and his home life)
[X] Have Hannah meet you after school: You've got a couple of questions for her. (???)
[X] Investigate your School: Seriously, the fuck! (Possibly learn why there is an Eldritch Monster underneath your school and how to stop it)
[X] Call Chester over for a playdate: He's her first friend, it would be a shame to keep them apart. (???)
[X] Read a book: The best way to gain knowledge on just about anything. (Anastasia will look through your collection of books and read one on her own. May result in new Perk
[X] Dispelling Serious Rumors!: It's all a misunderstanding, really! (Decrease Alarm; Remove The News! Perk)
[X] Read the Journal: You really don't want to do this, but how else are you supposed to prepare? (Learn more about Anastasia and the Supernatural)
[X] As Anastasia about Belief: What could possibly go wrong? (???)
We need to get rid of "The News!" Trait or we will probably regret it. Also the journal would be very informative regarding what's going on (it might even give us info regarding whatever is beneath the school). We also need a way to defend ourselves from beings that can't be hurt physically, thus belief.
[X] Call Chester over for a playdate: He's her first friend, it would be a shame to keep them apart. (???)
[X] Read a book: The best way to gain knowledge on just about anything. (Anastasia will look through your collection of books and read one on her own. May result in new Perk.)
We will probably get something good if Chester's friendship up to max, also if the last perk gave us such a bonus against the supernatural it seems likely that the next perk (As she's reading books from said series) would be something along those lines.