[X] Something serious like a librarian with books and paper
[X] Power
[X] Power
Summoner Quest (Celestial Menagerie)
- Thread starter zagan
- Start date
- Crossover IC
Chapter 17: Compendium
- Location
- france
- Pronouns
- He
[X] Something serious like a librarian with books and paper
[X] Power
Power roll: (250 points)
Roll, D85=72, 200 Improved Distance
Power gained
Banked 50 points.
[X] Power
Power roll: (250 points)
Roll, D85=72, 200 Improved Distance
Power gained
Banked 50 points.
The next morning I woke up refreshed. Today I would start my new job, Hero. I nearly laughed out loud at the thought. Before getting up I thought back about yesterday evening.
After dinner, I return to my room to play a little Cardstone to relax a little. Later when I descend to the living room to unsummon cactus-guy and say good night to mom. I found them both sitting on the couch watching a movie. Apparently some sort of romantic comedy.
I stayed speechless for a few moments before I just shake my head and smiled. I end up sitting with them to watch the end of the movie.
Afterward, I dragged my latest creature into my bedroom, again he was looking around fascinated "Please listen to me, little guy." He turned toward me.
Once I was sure to have his attention I spoke up."The woman that you've seen downstairs, she's my mother. I don't know if as a plant it's a concept that you can understand. But it does not matter, to me she's the most important person in the world."
I paused to allow him to digest that. Hesitantly he nods. "I will give you an order, the most important one that I'll ever give you. An order that will override any other orders I may give you in the future. If I ever summon you and you see that Mom is in danger, I want you to do everything in your power to protect her, even if it means using your damaging powers. Do you understand?"
He gives me a fierce nod and some sort of salute with his arms against his torso.
"Thank you, my friend, I know I can count on you." After a short pause, I add "I also need to find a name for you. Unless you already have one?"
He just shakes his head.
"Okay, I'll try to think of something good. Have a good night." With a thought I unsummon him.
Refocussing on the present, I get up to start the day. As I was taking my shower I felt my power activating again, not a creature but another sub-power. I focused on it but I couldn't activate it because it seems to already be active. With no clue on what it does and nothing being apparent around me I put it aside. More power testing I guess.
Less than an hour later I found myself at the PRT building, without a mask, being shown around by an employee. A nice woman called Charleen. She shows me everything I need to know, from the cafeteria to the cell block and even Armsmaster's secondary tinker lab. Most interesting was the ward quarter, none were present at this hour, but I'll know where to find it.
We finished the visit with my own office.
I learned that every protectorate member possesses a secondary office in the PRT Building. They were pretty small but all regrouped in a separate part of the building and only accessible by Protectorate members and a few select peoples. It was mostly to write our report after patrol if we didn't want to go back to the Rig and also to change into our costume.
Soon afterward it was time for my appointment with Image. I managed to find the office easily enough. Inside I found an office overflowing with merchandising from all sorts of Protectorate heroes. The man behind the desk was rail thin, his dark red hairs contrast remarkably well with his black suit, a seemingly very expansive suit. The only touch of color on him was his dark green tie.
"Welcome, you must be Compendium. It's a pleasure to meet you, please sit." Despite his kind word, the man didn't smile and his expression was severe. But he did gesture for me to sit down.
"My name is Zackary Ware, I'm responsible for the image department of the Brockton Bay branch." He paused as if waiting for me to acknowledge him in some way.
Not knowing what he wants exactly I simply respond politely. "The pleasure is mine, you can call me Compendium I guess. I don't know if I'm allowed to tell you my real name. Sorry."
He frowned before responding "Yes, I am cleared to know you're real name, Mister Crewser. And speaking of name, let's talk about Compendium."
He bends forward on his desk, looming over me a little. "I'm annoyed by the fact that I wasn't consulted before that name was chosen. Choosing a name for new heroes is part of my duty and I take it very seriously. Technically we could still change it because you haven't been announced yet. But the name isn't bad and I can work with it so I'm willing to forgive that slight." He relaxed back on his chair.
"Hum, thanks for that."
He nods as if I should be eternally grateful for his forgiveness. "Compendium is not a bad name, from the research I've made it was never used before. It got connotation with knowledge and with academic work. It originates in Latin so it got some gravitas to it. And finally with your power that keeps expanding but doesn't seem to have a particular theme besides creating Projection it does work. No plant connection sadly but that's not a huge loss, avoiding any link to bio tinkering is a good thing." He paused in his tirade at this point.
"The main thing we need to discuss is your costume, I already have a few ideas but do you have anything to contribute?" He didn't seem to expect me to have anything to say but I decided to speak up.
"Actually I do have one idea in mind, even if you'll probably need to refine it, you are the expert." Butter him up a little couldn't hurt particularly if it makes him more receptive to it. "My proposition would be a costume based on a librarian look something that makes me look serious and respectable."
The man seems to give my idea some thought, "Among my concept, I have some things along those lines but before we get there let me tell you to amount my other idea, you may like them better."
He grabs a sketchbook from the side of the desk and puts it in front of me. As he opens it toward the end he explained. "The first concept would be some sort of heavy armor, made to look like interlocking books. I'm particularly proud of the arms guard and the pauldron." He points at the image for me to look at.
Upon looking closer, I barely managed to refrain from laughing out loud. The sketch was well made but it looks ridiculous. The pauldrons did look like books but were so big that they would completely block my peripheral vision and if I dare to shrug my shoulder I would probable get a concussion. And the arms guard would probably prevent me from bending my arms at the elbow.
Trying to remain polite I said, "It looks impressive I must admit but it's probably a little too heavy for my build."
Mister Ware didn't seem to appreciate my response but after looking at me in more detail he grudgingly nods. "Very well, the second one is a more classical hero look. What do you think?"
The second sketch looks like a thin bodysuit, probably leaving little to the imagination in real life, the only motif being a bookshelf on the chest and books and pages on the rest of the body.
In theory, it was not in any way worse than what Velocity or other heroes wore across the country. But I would probably die of embarrassment the first time I'll wear it in public.
I respond hesitantly "¨Perhaps a little too classic?"
Again he nods, "Yes, probably. The next one is pretty close to the idea you proposed."
I looked again at the sketchbook and I couldn't help but smile. It was perfect, a three pieces suit in light brown color. It also includes a fedora in the same color and a white mask that only shows my mouth. The book motif was still present but more discreetly.
"I really like it, are the cufflink books too?"
He seems delighted that I catch that detail, "Yes, absolutely it's a very nice touch if I say so myself."
I could only nod, "Yes, I love it. I don't think we need to go further. I want that one."
"Excellent, I'll send you an email to arrange a measuring session and then I'll order a few prototypes." He turns toward his computer to make of note and then addresses me again.
"There one last point that we need to discuss. How do we want to handle presenting your power to the public?"
I was confused by that question and I said so.
"We could just tell the public the truth of course but that may be revealing too much. Let me tell you what I am proposing."
[] You are a mental tinker, you design creatures in your mind and can bring them to life. But you are subject to normal tinker fugue and have little control over their looks.
[] You can take a seed and transform it into a monster under your control. But you'll need to summon all your projection with your plant's appearance power.
[] You need to write in a book a very detailed description of your projection to be able to summon it. But you'll need to transport books with your costume to sell that illusion.
[] Or you could tell the truth.
[] Write-in.
Wordcount: 1507
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Another vote of some importance for the story, please think carefully and don't hesitate to propose other concepts.
Also if you have any idea for a name for our Cactuar I'll all hear.
We gained enough excess words to gain 200 points at the same time.
[] One Creature roll with 250 points
[] One Power roll with 250 points
[] One Creature roll with 150 points and a second Creature roll with any leftover plus 100 point
[] One Creature roll with 150 points and a Power roll with any leftover plus 100 point
[] One Power roll with 150 points and a second Power roll with any leftover plus 100 point
[] One Power roll with 150 points and a Creature roll with any leftover plus 100 point
Voting will be closed Thursday at 12 AM GMT.
- Location
- On Earth
[X] Or you could tell the truth.
[X] One Power roll with 250 points
[X] One Power roll with 250 points
[X] One Power roll with 150 points and a second Power roll with any leftover plus 100 point
- Location
- USA
[X] Or you could tell the truth.
[X] One Power roll with 250 points
[X] One Power roll with 250 points
- Pronouns
- male
[X] Or you could tell the truth.
[X] One Power roll with 250 points
[X] One Power roll with 250 points
Anacromacia
"It's not gay, it's magecraft!"
- Pronouns
- He
[X] You need to write in a book a very detailed description of your projection to be able to summon it. But you'll need to transport books with your costume to sell that illusion.
[X] One Power roll with 150 points and a Creature roll with any leftover plus 100 point
[X] One Power roll with 150 points and a Creature roll with any leftover plus 100 point
- Location
- California
[X] You need to write in a book a very detailed description of your projection to be able to summon it. But you'll need to transport books with your costume to sell that illusion.
[X] One Power roll with 150 points and a Creature roll with any leftover plus 100 point
Why would we tell the truth? If anything carrying around books helps sell a deception, and only our immediate colleagues will be able to gain say otherwise. It also makes us seem like a Wizard.
[X] One Power roll with 150 points and a Creature roll with any leftover plus 100 point
Why would we tell the truth? If anything carrying around books helps sell a deception, and only our immediate colleagues will be able to gain say otherwise. It also makes us seem like a Wizard.
- Location
- On Earth
They all add weaknesses, but with no real benefit. Telling people our power is x still doesn't inform them of our capabilities, because unlike other capes our power is constantly improving, and with that improvement brings about numerous extraneous variables we can use to our advantage.
(We can actually summon 40 creatures max if we hit improved limit twice.)
- Location
- California
These weakness are mild. If anything having to write down what we know of our summons we'll help us in the long run. Might even start us on the path of learning about Starro's sentience. Hell, with work we can probably narrow things down to a single book. Also, telling the truth gives inaccurate presentation as our rolls are unreliable.
- Location
- On Earth
That's precisely why it's the only one that works. We would be lying if we said we have choice over what the creatures and powers we gain are.
- Location
- California
Then why go for the truth when the first option of mental tinker also fits? Tinker fugues perfectly describe our erratic roll system, and we could still carry a book to write down notes to cover up our activity. If anyone asks our predominantly mechanical creatures were a result of attempting to go for the Rule of Cool over anything practical.
- Location
- On Earth
Because honesty is the best policy. Whenever possible it's best to say the truth since lies only get you involved in a complicated web. If people can tell your lying then that's even worse.
- Location
- California
But the truth is looks like nonsense though, that's why we don't confer everything with Arsmaster, and we'll appear crazy for it.
- Location
- On Earth
The truth is randomly throughout our lives we get the capability to summon creatures and expansions to our powers. We are rather similar to dauntless in that sense while he improves his equipment over the days we do so by improving what we can summon and what we can do with them.
- Location
- On Earth
Cactuar's name: Thorne.
- Location
- California
But the in-universe evidence is very tenuous, and the idea of a constantly improving projection summoner is going to get people nervous. If we want to make meaningful change then we need to wait for the esoteric and powerful summons; it's the minimum for the endbringers and scion. However, possession and active use of such creatures will make people nervous as here's a guy who can throw out endbringer-lite.
Or, When people do accumulate evidence of the truth then we can expect hardship as most shards want information. Which means increased Parahuman activity which our squishy body can't take. We can delay such by claiming that we have a limit of sorts.
- Location
- The Medium
[X] Or you could tell the truth.
[X] One Creature roll with 250 points
[X] One Creature roll with 250 points
- Location
- On Earth
A) He's a hero. Having someone with such a power protecting you is more likely to make a feeling of safety if we can prove ourselves.
B) yeah i can see villains getting nervous about us being capable of projecting endbringer-lite's but we can't, and that's going to be true no matter which one we tell them we can do. When we can the very first thing we'll do with it is using it against an endbringer which frankly will allow us to be seen on the same tier as eidolon.
C) No matter which one we tell them we will always have the weakness that we are the core of the power, and thus can be disabled.
D) we do have a limit. And honestly I don't see the statement of they'll constantly fight us to make us bring to bear our powers in any way is changed by adding a meaningless limit onto ourselves.
I'm pretty sure your trying to sound reasonable but I don't see where your coming from. The argument seems nonsensical to me.
- Location
- California
Paranoia mostly, but a couple hours and lunch have calmed me down.
Chapter 18: Weapon Summoning
- Location
- france
- Pronouns
- He
[x] Or you could tell the truth.
[x] One Power roll with 250 points
Power roll: (250 points)
Roll, D85=26, 200 Weapon Summoning
Power gained
Banked 50 points.
[x] One Power roll with 250 points
Power roll: (250 points)
Roll, D85=26, 200 Weapon Summoning
Power gained
Banked 50 points.
I'm really excited by this power, this opens many possibilities. I'll add in the Character sheet the weapon shape for each of our creatures.
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I frown in thought, reflecting on the various option proposed or even if any other ideas come to mind. Finally, I spoke up. "I really, really like the book idea. It fit the character we are creating and introduces false weakness that we could exploit."
Mister Ware seems to pick something from my tone, "But?"
"But, no I want to say the truth. Being caught in a lie is always worse than just admitting the truth from the start. In addition, it would make it difficult to use a creature I could gain in the middle of combat."
He seems dubious about my explanation but finally nods. "Very well, I can respect that choice and I will keep it in mind when I start preparing your introduction speech. Thank you for your cooperation. You can go now."
The dismissal was a little abrupt but I just shrug and thank him before exiting. Looking at the time I hurried toward the medical wing for my exam.
The next hour was no pleasant, every parameter of my body was taken. My vision and hearing were tested. All sorts of print were recorded, finger, eyes, ears, and even dental.
I was asked to give blood, urine, and hair for analysis.
When I finally managed to get out of there, I was feeling violated. Seeing that I still had a few minutes before my meeting with the Director I opted to stop by the cafeteria for a coffee and some pastry.
I had just finished eating when I reached the director's office. The secretary pointed toward a chair on the side to wait. Thankfully I didn't need to wait long, barely five minutes later she said that I could enter.
The room inside was not bare but not decorated either just completely utilitarian. The woman behind the desk was grossly overweight and her skin color was sickly, still, she moved with energy. She didn't look up when I entered and simply gestured toward one of the chairs before the desk while continuing to read something on her computer.
I was a little intimidated by her demeanor so I sat in silence waiting for her to finish. After a few moments, she turns her attention toward me. She didn't speak immediately, simply observing me, apparently searching for something. In the end, she probably found it because she nods in my direction.
"Mister Crewser, do you think that you have what it take to be a hero?"
Her abrupt question surprises me so I take my time before responding. Honesty seems to be the best policy at this point. "I don't know director but I think if I didn't at least try I'll never know if I have what it takes."
She didn't respond immediately, digesting my response. "Not a bad response I suppose, not the best I heard but not bad." She paused after that declaration. Her attention was on me and it was a little unnerving. She gives the impression that she could look right through me.
"Very well, we will try to make a hero out of you. Perhaps your ever growing power will allow us to break the stalemate currently reigning in town. We can only dream."
I slowly nod thinking about that delicate balance between the ABB, the E88, the Merchants and we could even include the PRT/Protectorate in that. How my joining the Protectorate would affect the balance? And perhaps more importantly if we managed to break this balance of power, will we manage to avoid a devastating gang war.
Director Piggot cut my reflection short, "Changing the subject there is one thing we must discuss. Your projection and their potential ability to reproduce, I'm not too worried about the robotic one, even if we need to be careful. But you've shown with your big starfish that your projection can at least look biological."
She paused but I could feel anger beneath her words, "Should any of your projection be able to reproduce in any way I'll absolutely forbid it! Any of your creatures proving that it's able to do so won't be summoned anymore. Am I clear?"
I gulped, she was clearly completely serious about that so I didn't hesitate to respond. "Yes, very clear."
"Good you are dismissed." She turns back toward her work. Clearly, this meeting was over. I didn't hesitate to get out as fast as possible without running.
I was more than a little shaken by my encounter with the Director, I stood motionless outside her office for a few moments. Her secretary was giving me a sympathetic look, most likely I wasn't the first person to be shaken after meeting with Director Piggot.
I began walking away, I was supposed to have lunch here, and afterward, someone would bring me to the Protectorate HQ. Just as I was reaching the corridor leading to the cafeteria I could feel a new power manifesting. Lots of power lately, from what I remember of the Dream I honestly thought that creatures would be way more common. Let's see what do we have this time. Something to activate when summoning a creature apparently. But it seems to be different from the plant's effect.
While focussing on my power I've reached the cafeteria, I began absently pilling food on my plate while refocusing on this new power. I tried to visualized what it would do without activating it. I managed to glimpse a feeling of violence, sharp edge, and gunpowder odor.
How do I know the odor of gunpowder? I live in Brockton Bay, enough said. Anyway it looks, interesting but dangerous perhaps I'll get an occasion to try it this afternoon.
During my lunch I noticed Dauntless entering the cafeteria, his gear was really impressive up close. Even in a relaxed state, I could see his shield, boots, and lance glowing.
I opted to not approach him right now, I'll be meeting every member this afternoon anyway. And right now I was in my civilian identity. I quickly finished eating and soon enough I was in the parking garage underneath the buildings.
I didn't have to wait long for a PRT trooper to find me. Together we get into a featureless black van.
I look through the window as we travel toward the HQ, it wasn't very far but we'll need to use the famous light bridge to reach it. It would be my first time using it and I was looking forward to it.
Wordcount: 1078
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No story vote this time.
For the roll, 150 points:
[] Creature
[] Power
Voting will be closed Sunday at 12 AM GMT.