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Salted Sands (A Caves of Qud-Inspired Cultivation Quest)

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Kell is a tough cookie so Karter showing him how dangerous Ka is didn't have too much of an effect it was something he needed to learn after all.

[X] Rush back to Melka to join the defense proper.
 
[X] Rush back to Melka to join the defense proper.

Protecting our siblings is priority number 1 right now.
 
[X] Rush back to Melka to join the defense proper.

Don't know enough about the situation to mount an effective ambush. Maybe with a bit more skill or another fighter with us.
 
Thoughts on the setting? I know that there were some comments on the lack of shown Qud-isms, so I've been trying to include more of that.
 
Not familiar with Qud, so I don't find them lacking.
I think it is more important to focus on (gradually) fleshing out Melka more than dropping in explicit nods to Qud.
But that itself will allow you to show more links to the inspiration.
 
I'm enjoying it so far. I agree with HousePet, and the bits we had in the update before the last, with the market and the eldermost, and so on tying things in the world together are doing an excellent job of giving the narrative weight.

The nature of the setting, with the oases seperated by the Sands lends itself a very different air mechanically and thematically than Qud. There's the inter-group conflicts between cultures and so on that's exacerbated by the idea of scarce resources in a desert. This is in contrast to Qud where there's a feeling of abundance and plenty amidst the danger; in Qud you can find basically anything you need under a rock if you're skilled enough to not die to the wildlife. Here people are very emphatic about not giving anything for free, even to family members.

It's a good difference for the different formats imo, and I'm looking forward to what comes next now that we're starting to get our feet under us.

Also, the setting feels like it will lend itself to an episodic nature fairly well? I have to wonder if there will be a one piece style themed arc per oasis, if we end up put and about traveling.
 
Orbmorb said:
Left off the end of the description for Grasp at a distance. I'm guessing it's meant to be "vulnerable to getting grabbed" or similar


I'm Enjoying Kell and the sands!
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Thank you and fixed.
DeadmanwalkingXI said:
Neat. Hmmm...so Active Patterns is its own number separate from Techniques, huh? How is that determined? Is it based on something else or does it need to be raised on its own?
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It is raised on its own. Essentially, you can think of it as the amount of ka you are able to generate and use with a single breath. Or, more accurately, you can think of it as the amount of ka you are able to pull out of a breath.

Fuelling Kell's eyes would count as a pattern.
 
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I.F. Ister said:
It is raised on its own. Essentially, you can think of it as the amount of ka you are able to generate and use with a single breath. Or, more accurately, you can think of it as the amount of ka you are able to pull out of a breath.

Fuelling Kell's eyes would count as a pattern.
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Check, that makes sense...a 'free pattern' usable for any Technique granting increased perception is pretty good. What's the xp cost on increasing Active Patterns, then?
 
Eater said:
If we get mutations (say the wings that were mentioned on a few merchants), will actively using those also count as a pattern?
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It depends on the exact form and function of the mutation. Rule of thumb, though, is that mutations don't count as patterns.

Psionics have their own limiter and, as such, do not count as patterns.
 
I.F. Ister said:
It is raised on its own. Essentially, you can think of it as the amount of ka you are able to generate and use with a single breath. Or, more accurately, you can think of it as the amount of ka you are able to pull out of a breath.

Fuelling Kell's eyes would count as a pattern.
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Karter mentioned that Patterns are quick to prepare but slow to replace. I like the idea that the Eyes should avoid the slow to replace thing to really set the salt gifts apart power wise. Also do psionics run on Ka as well?
 
Grytorm said:
Karter mentioned that Patterns are quick to prepare but slow to replace. I like the idea that the Eyes should avoid the slow to replace thing to really set the salt gifts apart power wise
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Fueling your eyes is no different than fueling a pattern. By 'preparing' a pattern, you are making the effort to partition off a portion of your ka generation to activate and/or fuel a pattern. In order to swap to a different pattern, you have to make an active effort to restructure the natural shape the ka takes. In combat, you don't have the mental focus to spare while you're also keeping track of a dozen different things.

Grytorm said:
Also do psionics run on Ka as well?
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They do not
 
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Ahm'Shalla, reader. I am Singing Scribe Cus'Nad and this is an informational writing on mutations, psionics, and salting.

Mutations utilize biological methods to provide additional capabilities to the owner. Unlike salting and psionics, mutations have no need for fuel, but also have reduced scope. Mutations are acquired after the genome is destabilized, usually after exposure to radiation or other DNA-scrambling effects. Rarely do the afflicted have any choice in the manner of mutation gained—a trait shared with salting.

Psionics utilize one's capacity for focusing to affect the tactile world. When one runs out of focus, one's mental energies go with it, leaving one mentally exhausted and in dire need of rest. Psionics rapidly drain one of focus, but can warp reality in that time. Psionics are gained through mental exercise and careful study. Psychics must keep their guards up at all times, for there are those that hunt them.

Salting is the result of [DATA CORRUPTED]


Archivist's Note: I managed to piece this file together, but was unable to find the necessary fragments to complete the puzzle. I suspect it to have been stolen during the Cyber-Khan's raid.
 
I.F. Ister said:
Archivist's Note: I managed to piece this file together, but was unable to find the necessary fragments to complete the puzzle. I suspect it to have been stolen during the Cyber-Khan's raid.
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Minmaxer: Wait, does that mean there's a cybernetics supplement as well?!
DM: You are in the Sands. Electrical devices break down in the Sands. I'm not saying they don't exist, but good luck finding any information about them without leaving the desert.
 
Silverking said:
Minmaxer: Wait, does that mean there's a cybernetics supplement as well?!
DM: You are in the Sands. Electrical devices break down in the Sands. I'm not saying they don't exist, but good luck finding any information about them without leaving the desert.
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Maybe we can find a nice oasis to settle down in.

Additionally, I agree with the general sentiment that we probably aren't going to be that successful with stealth.
[X] Rush back to Melka to join the defense proper.
 
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