The God Diversion
- Thread starter Birdsie
- Start date
- Original
- Location
- washington
I don't even know if there is a main plot like Birdsie has said for the previous quest we could have not even done anything with the horror king if we just ignored them. I find it likely there's a variable plot based on what we do.
Horizon
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
Horizon
The Abode of the Witch, a revered center of the Valley's community, called an abyssopelagic sea creature to mind, some manner of long-spined leviathan; a longhouse of uneven walls, twisting unnaturally across the hilltops, a rooftop covered with straw. There were multiple entrances scattered across, small doors or grandiose gates. It was surrounded by streets, each with its own homes and stores; a thriving suburban community, like a close-knit village that's become inflated with magic and outlived that origin. Interestingly, it seemed males existed as well, although bore occupations of craftsmanship or menial work, rather than magic. Not only a Witch's Land, then.
Inside the doors, however, there was no construction; no walls or floors. Only a darkness as deep as the ocean's waters - the Abyss itself, yawning and shapeless, a darkness that consumed them and delivered them into the embrace of an endless space. This was the heart of the Valley; the Witch's Sanctum.
"Eldest Sister," addressed Lunne with a bow. "The intruders."
A young woman stood in the darkness, in a witch's robe, a hood covering the upper half of her face. Her lips bore silver gloss. She was interesting to Solomon's eyes - connected deeply to the environment, and Architecturally significant in an indistinct, nebulous fashion, as if the Architecture wanted to form a deeper inclusion for her within its structure, but couldn't manage to find a fitting location. She wasn't Enrolled but had a connection with Solomon himself, or more specifically, his Role. It was a deep but stretched and ruined thing; a thread of invisible energy as thick as an arm, but frayed apart as if a blunt knife had run over it, as if the connection were drying up gradually.
"Lunne, you've brought me a wonderful gift," said the Eldest, with a voice that was disarmingly beautiful and soft. He could've seen an idiot on Ethan's level immediately falling in love with it. Solomon himself was untouched, mind reflecting the voice's beauty like a pond reflecting moonlight. She smiled at him beatifically, enthrallingly, as if perceiving something truly amazing. "The Magician himself, in the flesh! And two companions of his, as well. I am honored." She offered a light bow.
He'd intended to aim for honesty and a straightforward explanation of intent with them anyway. Her awareness was mildly concerning, still. Nonetheless, it made sense, as whatever this Abyss was, it was the center of her seat of power; they were in the stomach of the beast, the center of its activities.
"This almost feels like meeting evil Galadriel," murmured Harrison.
"I am not evil, honored guest," said the Eldest, clearly hearing the murmured words. She didn't appear offended, merely aristocratically amused at the supposition. "Just territorial - and with good reasons. I'm afraid intrusions such as yours diminish our Abyss permanently, even if the intruders do nothing hostile of their own volition. We've made it a matter of protocol to turn away such trespassers, especially when they actively cast foreign magics on our territory."
"You have my apologies for that," answered Solomon. "We didn't know."
"Oh, I'm well-aware, good sir," she replied, a hand on her heart. "So in my largesse, I forgive you the trespass, and welcome you to stay as long as you like!"
He balked at the immediate forgiveness. "Thank you, Eldest."
"Oh, please, there's no need for titles such as that!" she insisted, raising a hand and chuckling. "As visitors to our community - especially so esteemed, so welcome - we should foster a spirit of familiarity, and get to know each other! My name is Mona."
"Solomon..." he answered, full of incertitude. "And those two are Harrison and Penelope."
Primly, she snapped her fingers. The chains of astral shadow which Lunne had bound them with collapsed into nothingness.
The Abyss around them flowed and created a receiving room, something reminiscent of a parlor. Comfortable chairs and couches, a coffee table between them, a fireplace already roaring with flame. Mona took a seat in the middle of a couch and invited them forth with a beckoning hand. "Come! Partake of our fruit. Break bread with me."
Slightly unnerved at the sudden hospitality, Solomon stepped forward without confidence - a feeling apparently shared by Lunne and the other witches, who stared at the warm reception with confused looks. Penelope and Harrison followed after him, all three of them sitting by reasonably close.
Bright as a sun at zenith, Mona smiled at the witches and nodded them off eagerly. "Thank you, Sisters. You're dismissed."
After a second of uncertainty, they bowed and left.
"Now, tell me of your travels! I am sure you've all experienced a plethora of exciting adventures out there on Fortuna, so I'm curious as to what brings you three to our corner of the world. Oh my, but perhaps you'd have questions for me instead? I'd hate nothing more than to be impolite. Please, feel free to speak up." Mona acquired a teacup from the coffee table - now set with all sorts of teatime confections and cakes - and took a demure sip, contrasting her bright and cheerful speech and behavior.
"It's nice to meet you," Penelope started - drably but diplomatically. "We've heard rumors of a Witch's Land covered in darkness. Curious about said rumors, we decided to investigate and explore." She gave Solomon a slightly questioning look.
Reading the meaning of that expression smoothly, he smiled at Mona and said, "We're the students of a certain Educator, who's teaching us to assume the position of our Roles. As you mentioned, I am the Magician. Some supernatural insight of yours?"
"Something like that! Our Abyss gives me information in regards to who I'm looking at," she said with an easy smile. "From what I understand, you've had a very close brush with it? Poor thing, it was so angry at you trying to control it. I nearly developed some gray hairs trying to soothe it."
"Ah... sorry about that," he apologized once more.
"No worries! What's in the past's in the past, right? It's better to get along than fight needlessly," she answered, smile somehow becoming even brighter and even deeper, more meaningful.
"I suppose."
"So, this Educator of yours..." Mona returned back to the topic from earlier, "He must be a rather powerful man, to create such a deep connection with one of the Sacred Tarot. Let alone three - and, based on your bearing, I would imagine more. The entire Tarot, perhaps? What a terrific thought."
"Yes," an agreeable Solomon confirmed. "Given we're still in education, he encouraged us to explore the world and what it had to offer. It only seemed natural to pursue a story as interesting as your valley's. I can't say the initial reception was especially warm, but it was, at least, understandable given the nature of the Abyss you seem to interact with. How did that come about? It doesn't seem like a natural feature of the landscape, and I had an interesting vision before that."
"Ah, that'd be my mother's doing." Mona's cheer faded a notch. A sharp-lined contemplation now dawned on her face, as if considering how much she ought to share. Eventually, her natural humor returned, and she explained in the tones of a history lesson, "A long time ago, this land was a kingdom ruled over by the King of Swords. He was a cruel lord, intent on conquering all the lands beyond and subjugating them to his will. The Abyss you see around us was the foremost extrusion of his power on the world: the darkness that meant to swallow Fortuna. My mother and father, the Priestess and Magician of that time, respectively, managed to stop him. My father sacrificed himself to empower a working that'd bend the Abyss and grant my mother control over it, and she, in turn, finished the King with his own blade. Those who live by the sword..."
Solomon nodded. "Die by the sword."
It certainly explained some of the visions he'd seen, even if they seemed to yield a much different impression. He'd seen a bright, sunlit kingdom with protective walls; a king not evil, but as bright as the sun above. And the impression it offered of the High Priestess was malevolent and dangerous if anything.
A great number of theories swirled lazily around in Solomon's head. It didn't seem that Mona herself was lying, and Solomon was excellent at picking up falsehoods, especially now, with access to his magics returned. It was, however, entirely possible the telling of events she'd received from her mother was fabricated or altered. Alternatively, the story was entirely true, and the land itself was still loyal to its king, even with - or perhaps despite - the Abyss blanketing it so thoroughly, and attempted to show its monarch in a positive light.
Regardless, it'd be a pointless exercise to speak out with any of those theories and antagonize them needlessly if he questioned the benevolence of their society's founding, so Solomon decided to keep quiet about it for now.
"And what became of your mother?"
"She passed away of old age several years ago, and naturally, passed rule over the Valley to me," Mona answered, a little subdued at the question. "That brings me to an issue I hoped to ask you about. As you can surely see, the Abyss faces endless diminishment. It cannot perennially maintain itself against the constant erosion caused by outside energies, especially with so many intruders at our borders. Without it, we won't have much magic left, and the land itself will turn against us. It's an irony: we must stay, yet if we stay, we'll be in danger. I predict a full breakdown within two decades at this rate. Our choices were either a full exodus, or finding a different solution..."
She offered him a smile. "Which, I believe, you can offer?"
"You want me to help you with this?" Solomon asked, surprised to hear that.
"If it's not too much trouble," she answered with a nod. "Naturally, you wouldn't be doing this for free, Master Magician! I mentioned friendship, didn't I? Such is a route which connects, not steals; I'll aid your efforts and repay you handsomely in whatever manner you desire."
Harrison chose that moment to interject, "How can you repay us?"
"Artifacts," she immediately answered. "Our Abyss excels at infusion into simple objects. Its nature is concealment and constriction, although it can be extended to other ideas as well. I'm sure you can see the benefits of that? Furthermore, if you can figure out a mechanism of remote recharging or moving the Valley elsewhere, I'd be more than happy to accommodate that as well. My mission is to preserve our way of life as best as I can and to stop the works of my parents from decaying."
The shape of what she offered was tremendous. It was nothing less than implicit vassalage. If he saved their Abyss, he could have as many artifacts as they could make. If he moved it conveniently to his base of operations, or invented a way to allow witches to move and operate elsewhere without losing their powers, he'd have additional territory and a small private army. By any reasonable standard, the offer was extremely generous - or extremely desperate. It hinted at something deeper. A consequence, if the Abyss collapsed indeed? Sone long-delayed doom in storage? The King's spirit awaiting vengeance once it was unshackled?
Contemplating the offer, Solomon contemplated the best approach.
---
Will: 110
Credit: 8.1
XP: 487
[ ] Face Value - You don't have to worry about what the Abyss might mean if you never let it fully diminish. Besides, her offer and benevolence seem totally genuine to every sense you've got. Even if her mom was evil, she doesn't seem that bad, as sincerely concerned for her people as she is.
Also, she kind of let you off the hook about messing up their Sanctum? That was a nice thing to do, so this'd be a nice thing to do in exchange.
[ ] Press on Details [-50 Will] - There's something amiss here. Until you find out what's truly going on, you'll withhold judgement or acceptance of her offer. Press her on the details of the Abyss and its diminishment, and if she doesn't reveal some terrible doom awaiting everyone, investigate on your own: more thoroughly, although with emphasis on not contributing to the destruction of the Abyssal fabric. Then, and only then will you make a decision.
[ ] No - Whatever this is, you're not getting involved. Thanks for the tea, but we're leaving.
Go as fast as you can, in case she decides to become hostile (although based on your predictions, this is unlikely; instead, she's likely to throw more desperate pleas at you.)
You should also consider what you want to get out of this. Each of the below also contains the benefits of each option above it.
[ ] Artifacts - Just artifacts are fine. You can recharge them yourself.
*Gain a small army's worth of minor artifacts related to concealment, swiftness, obstruction, constriction, and denial. It's nothing you couldn't make yourself, given enough time, but the industrial quantity's a sort of quality of its own; you can distribute them among people you care about. There'll likely be one or two gizmos you'll find useful, too.
*++Mona.
[ ] Conclave [-20 Will] - Artifacts are fine, but you'd like some hands capable of using them... Figure out a way of enabling a remote recharge of the witches' implements, and you'll have yourself a willing army of supporters!
*Gain a small army and even more artifacts.
*All witches have implements capable of idiosyncratic magics, as outlined in the option above. However, unlike you or your friends, they're significantly more experienced with them: usually training from early childhood. They're decently loyal to someone of your pedigree and origin.
*+++Mona.
[ ] Land of Darkness [-40 Will, 7 Credit] - Create a vast spatial working to permanently move the Abyssal Valley to surround your Magician's Tower. This is an effortful and difficult feat, even for you, even accounting for the massive support structure you have with you.
*Gain a small kingdom, even more artifacts, and even more followers.
*The Abyss surrounding your Tower shall naturally aid you in rediscovering some of its secrets, accelerating progress on that front. Likewise, it'll deny entry to intruders and invaders, and act as an extra defensive measure. Furthermore, you'll have an entire civilization conveniently close by, with all of its riches, advancements, and benefits at your fingertips. This could pay off immensely in the future, especially if you can take them along with you on graduation.
*++++Mona.
[ ] Sacred Matrimony [-10 Will, 5 Credit] (Discounted) - Support doesn't suffice, not for you. Mona desires friendship? Offer something a step beyond that. Utilizing a sacred ritual and your experience with the Connections-Which-Span-the-Worlds, you'll indelibly link your souls together. Actual marriage or relationship is optional; something to consider.
This linkage causes a permanent mutation of your Sanctum Aspect. Its mechanics change significantly, as the Abyss becomes inextricably conjoined with it. The valence of most of these changes is net-positive, as your Sanctum will become innately mobile and even more excellent at concealment and other things associated with the Abyss. Furthermore, it causes your Sanctum Aspect to gain an immediate level, and discounts future purchases of Sanctum levels and Techniques. The Abyss is strong with this one.
From the resonance of your relationship, Mona will develop some abilities reflecting the Tarot of the High Priestess - and with your deep Connections, you'll always have access to a fraction of them, and she, access to a fraction of yours. As a new ally, she'll never lag exceedingly far behind you in power, although she'll be focused on much subtler magics and powers than you. This rite will also prevent betrayal and link your fates to each other. If you're open to it, you can eventually explore an actual romantic relationship, too? Although that seems a little premature at this stage, given you've only barely just met...
*Mona is an eager proponent of this herself. (She's not much older than you, for the record.)
*Gain a small kingdom, even more artifacts, even more followers, and a bashful wife who didn't expect this outcome (a proponent that doesn't expect acceptance!)
*Gain a new Arcanum Technique: Lord of the Abyss, reflecting your mastery over it and the implement magics wielded by the witches.
*Ensures with a hundred percent certainty you'll be able to take everything here with you on graduation.
*+++++Mona.
[ ] Write-in
The Abode of the Witch, a revered center of the Valley's community, called an abyssopelagic sea creature to mind, some manner of long-spined leviathan; a longhouse of uneven walls, twisting unnaturally across the hilltops, a rooftop covered with straw. There were multiple entrances scattered across, small doors or grandiose gates. It was surrounded by streets, each with its own homes and stores; a thriving suburban community, like a close-knit village that's become inflated with magic and outlived that origin. Interestingly, it seemed males existed as well, although bore occupations of craftsmanship or menial work, rather than magic. Not only a Witch's Land, then.
Inside the doors, however, there was no construction; no walls or floors. Only a darkness as deep as the ocean's waters - the Abyss itself, yawning and shapeless, a darkness that consumed them and delivered them into the embrace of an endless space. This was the heart of the Valley; the Witch's Sanctum.
"Eldest Sister," addressed Lunne with a bow. "The intruders."
A young woman stood in the darkness, in a witch's robe, a hood covering the upper half of her face. Her lips bore silver gloss. She was interesting to Solomon's eyes - connected deeply to the environment, and Architecturally significant in an indistinct, nebulous fashion, as if the Architecture wanted to form a deeper inclusion for her within its structure, but couldn't manage to find a fitting location. She wasn't Enrolled but had a connection with Solomon himself, or more specifically, his Role. It was a deep but stretched and ruined thing; a thread of invisible energy as thick as an arm, but frayed apart as if a blunt knife had run over it, as if the connection were drying up gradually.
"Lunne, you've brought me a wonderful gift," said the Eldest, with a voice that was disarmingly beautiful and soft. He could've seen an idiot on Ethan's level immediately falling in love with it. Solomon himself was untouched, mind reflecting the voice's beauty like a pond reflecting moonlight. She smiled at him beatifically, enthrallingly, as if perceiving something truly amazing. "The Magician himself, in the flesh! And two companions of his, as well. I am honored." She offered a light bow.
He'd intended to aim for honesty and a straightforward explanation of intent with them anyway. Her awareness was mildly concerning, still. Nonetheless, it made sense, as whatever this Abyss was, it was the center of her seat of power; they were in the stomach of the beast, the center of its activities.
"This almost feels like meeting evil Galadriel," murmured Harrison.
"I am not evil, honored guest," said the Eldest, clearly hearing the murmured words. She didn't appear offended, merely aristocratically amused at the supposition. "Just territorial - and with good reasons. I'm afraid intrusions such as yours diminish our Abyss permanently, even if the intruders do nothing hostile of their own volition. We've made it a matter of protocol to turn away such trespassers, especially when they actively cast foreign magics on our territory."
"You have my apologies for that," answered Solomon. "We didn't know."
"Oh, I'm well-aware, good sir," she replied, a hand on her heart. "So in my largesse, I forgive you the trespass, and welcome you to stay as long as you like!"
He balked at the immediate forgiveness. "Thank you, Eldest."
"Oh, please, there's no need for titles such as that!" she insisted, raising a hand and chuckling. "As visitors to our community - especially so esteemed, so welcome - we should foster a spirit of familiarity, and get to know each other! My name is Mona."
"Solomon..." he answered, full of incertitude. "And those two are Harrison and Penelope."
Primly, she snapped her fingers. The chains of astral shadow which Lunne had bound them with collapsed into nothingness.
The Abyss around them flowed and created a receiving room, something reminiscent of a parlor. Comfortable chairs and couches, a coffee table between them, a fireplace already roaring with flame. Mona took a seat in the middle of a couch and invited them forth with a beckoning hand. "Come! Partake of our fruit. Break bread with me."
Slightly unnerved at the sudden hospitality, Solomon stepped forward without confidence - a feeling apparently shared by Lunne and the other witches, who stared at the warm reception with confused looks. Penelope and Harrison followed after him, all three of them sitting by reasonably close.
Bright as a sun at zenith, Mona smiled at the witches and nodded them off eagerly. "Thank you, Sisters. You're dismissed."
After a second of uncertainty, they bowed and left.
"Now, tell me of your travels! I am sure you've all experienced a plethora of exciting adventures out there on Fortuna, so I'm curious as to what brings you three to our corner of the world. Oh my, but perhaps you'd have questions for me instead? I'd hate nothing more than to be impolite. Please, feel free to speak up." Mona acquired a teacup from the coffee table - now set with all sorts of teatime confections and cakes - and took a demure sip, contrasting her bright and cheerful speech and behavior.
"It's nice to meet you," Penelope started - drably but diplomatically. "We've heard rumors of a Witch's Land covered in darkness. Curious about said rumors, we decided to investigate and explore." She gave Solomon a slightly questioning look.
Reading the meaning of that expression smoothly, he smiled at Mona and said, "We're the students of a certain Educator, who's teaching us to assume the position of our Roles. As you mentioned, I am the Magician. Some supernatural insight of yours?"
"Something like that! Our Abyss gives me information in regards to who I'm looking at," she said with an easy smile. "From what I understand, you've had a very close brush with it? Poor thing, it was so angry at you trying to control it. I nearly developed some gray hairs trying to soothe it."
"Ah... sorry about that," he apologized once more.
"No worries! What's in the past's in the past, right? It's better to get along than fight needlessly," she answered, smile somehow becoming even brighter and even deeper, more meaningful.
"I suppose."
"So, this Educator of yours..." Mona returned back to the topic from earlier, "He must be a rather powerful man, to create such a deep connection with one of the Sacred Tarot. Let alone three - and, based on your bearing, I would imagine more. The entire Tarot, perhaps? What a terrific thought."
"Yes," an agreeable Solomon confirmed. "Given we're still in education, he encouraged us to explore the world and what it had to offer. It only seemed natural to pursue a story as interesting as your valley's. I can't say the initial reception was especially warm, but it was, at least, understandable given the nature of the Abyss you seem to interact with. How did that come about? It doesn't seem like a natural feature of the landscape, and I had an interesting vision before that."
"Ah, that'd be my mother's doing." Mona's cheer faded a notch. A sharp-lined contemplation now dawned on her face, as if considering how much she ought to share. Eventually, her natural humor returned, and she explained in the tones of a history lesson, "A long time ago, this land was a kingdom ruled over by the King of Swords. He was a cruel lord, intent on conquering all the lands beyond and subjugating them to his will. The Abyss you see around us was the foremost extrusion of his power on the world: the darkness that meant to swallow Fortuna. My mother and father, the Priestess and Magician of that time, respectively, managed to stop him. My father sacrificed himself to empower a working that'd bend the Abyss and grant my mother control over it, and she, in turn, finished the King with his own blade. Those who live by the sword..."
Solomon nodded. "Die by the sword."
It certainly explained some of the visions he'd seen, even if they seemed to yield a much different impression. He'd seen a bright, sunlit kingdom with protective walls; a king not evil, but as bright as the sun above. And the impression it offered of the High Priestess was malevolent and dangerous if anything.
A great number of theories swirled lazily around in Solomon's head. It didn't seem that Mona herself was lying, and Solomon was excellent at picking up falsehoods, especially now, with access to his magics returned. It was, however, entirely possible the telling of events she'd received from her mother was fabricated or altered. Alternatively, the story was entirely true, and the land itself was still loyal to its king, even with - or perhaps despite - the Abyss blanketing it so thoroughly, and attempted to show its monarch in a positive light.
Regardless, it'd be a pointless exercise to speak out with any of those theories and antagonize them needlessly if he questioned the benevolence of their society's founding, so Solomon decided to keep quiet about it for now.
"And what became of your mother?"
"She passed away of old age several years ago, and naturally, passed rule over the Valley to me," Mona answered, a little subdued at the question. "That brings me to an issue I hoped to ask you about. As you can surely see, the Abyss faces endless diminishment. It cannot perennially maintain itself against the constant erosion caused by outside energies, especially with so many intruders at our borders. Without it, we won't have much magic left, and the land itself will turn against us. It's an irony: we must stay, yet if we stay, we'll be in danger. I predict a full breakdown within two decades at this rate. Our choices were either a full exodus, or finding a different solution..."
She offered him a smile. "Which, I believe, you can offer?"
"You want me to help you with this?" Solomon asked, surprised to hear that.
"If it's not too much trouble," she answered with a nod. "Naturally, you wouldn't be doing this for free, Master Magician! I mentioned friendship, didn't I? Such is a route which connects, not steals; I'll aid your efforts and repay you handsomely in whatever manner you desire."
Harrison chose that moment to interject, "How can you repay us?"
"Artifacts," she immediately answered. "Our Abyss excels at infusion into simple objects. Its nature is concealment and constriction, although it can be extended to other ideas as well. I'm sure you can see the benefits of that? Furthermore, if you can figure out a mechanism of remote recharging or moving the Valley elsewhere, I'd be more than happy to accommodate that as well. My mission is to preserve our way of life as best as I can and to stop the works of my parents from decaying."
The shape of what she offered was tremendous. It was nothing less than implicit vassalage. If he saved their Abyss, he could have as many artifacts as they could make. If he moved it conveniently to his base of operations, or invented a way to allow witches to move and operate elsewhere without losing their powers, he'd have additional territory and a small private army. By any reasonable standard, the offer was extremely generous - or extremely desperate. It hinted at something deeper. A consequence, if the Abyss collapsed indeed? Sone long-delayed doom in storage? The King's spirit awaiting vengeance once it was unshackled?
Contemplating the offer, Solomon contemplated the best approach.
---
Will: 110
Credit: 8.1
XP: 487
[ ] Face Value - You don't have to worry about what the Abyss might mean if you never let it fully diminish. Besides, her offer and benevolence seem totally genuine to every sense you've got. Even if her mom was evil, she doesn't seem that bad, as sincerely concerned for her people as she is.
Also, she kind of let you off the hook about messing up their Sanctum? That was a nice thing to do, so this'd be a nice thing to do in exchange.
[ ] Press on Details [-50 Will] - There's something amiss here. Until you find out what's truly going on, you'll withhold judgement or acceptance of her offer. Press her on the details of the Abyss and its diminishment, and if she doesn't reveal some terrible doom awaiting everyone, investigate on your own: more thoroughly, although with emphasis on not contributing to the destruction of the Abyssal fabric. Then, and only then will you make a decision.
[ ] No - Whatever this is, you're not getting involved. Thanks for the tea, but we're leaving.
Go as fast as you can, in case she decides to become hostile (although based on your predictions, this is unlikely; instead, she's likely to throw more desperate pleas at you.)
You should also consider what you want to get out of this. Each of the below also contains the benefits of each option above it.
[ ] Artifacts - Just artifacts are fine. You can recharge them yourself.
*Gain a small army's worth of minor artifacts related to concealment, swiftness, obstruction, constriction, and denial. It's nothing you couldn't make yourself, given enough time, but the industrial quantity's a sort of quality of its own; you can distribute them among people you care about. There'll likely be one or two gizmos you'll find useful, too.
*++Mona.
[ ] Conclave [-20 Will] - Artifacts are fine, but you'd like some hands capable of using them... Figure out a way of enabling a remote recharge of the witches' implements, and you'll have yourself a willing army of supporters!
*Gain a small army and even more artifacts.
*All witches have implements capable of idiosyncratic magics, as outlined in the option above. However, unlike you or your friends, they're significantly more experienced with them: usually training from early childhood. They're decently loyal to someone of your pedigree and origin.
*+++Mona.
[ ] Land of Darkness [-40 Will, 7 Credit] - Create a vast spatial working to permanently move the Abyssal Valley to surround your Magician's Tower. This is an effortful and difficult feat, even for you, even accounting for the massive support structure you have with you.
*Gain a small kingdom, even more artifacts, and even more followers.
*The Abyss surrounding your Tower shall naturally aid you in rediscovering some of its secrets, accelerating progress on that front. Likewise, it'll deny entry to intruders and invaders, and act as an extra defensive measure. Furthermore, you'll have an entire civilization conveniently close by, with all of its riches, advancements, and benefits at your fingertips. This could pay off immensely in the future, especially if you can take them along with you on graduation.
*++++Mona.
[ ] Sacred Matrimony [-10 Will, 5 Credit] (Discounted) - Support doesn't suffice, not for you. Mona desires friendship? Offer something a step beyond that. Utilizing a sacred ritual and your experience with the Connections-Which-Span-the-Worlds, you'll indelibly link your souls together. Actual marriage or relationship is optional; something to consider.
This linkage causes a permanent mutation of your Sanctum Aspect. Its mechanics change significantly, as the Abyss becomes inextricably conjoined with it. The valence of most of these changes is net-positive, as your Sanctum will become innately mobile and even more excellent at concealment and other things associated with the Abyss. Furthermore, it causes your Sanctum Aspect to gain an immediate level, and discounts future purchases of Sanctum levels and Techniques. The Abyss is strong with this one.
From the resonance of your relationship, Mona will develop some abilities reflecting the Tarot of the High Priestess - and with your deep Connections, you'll always have access to a fraction of them, and she, access to a fraction of yours. As a new ally, she'll never lag exceedingly far behind you in power, although she'll be focused on much subtler magics and powers than you. This rite will also prevent betrayal and link your fates to each other. If you're open to it, you can eventually explore an actual romantic relationship, too? Although that seems a little premature at this stage, given you've only barely just met...
*Mona is an eager proponent of this herself. (She's not much older than you, for the record.)
*Gain a small kingdom, even more artifacts, even more followers, and a bashful wife who didn't expect this outcome (a proponent that doesn't expect acceptance!)
*Gain a new Arcanum Technique: Lord of the Abyss, reflecting your mastery over it and the implement magics wielded by the witches.
*Ensures with a hundred percent certainty you'll be able to take everything here with you on graduation.
*+++++Mona.
[ ] Write-in
Last edited:
ImperatorV
The Laughing One
- Location
- The Voyaging Realm
Land of Darkness seems good. We'll have to invest more actions to guarantee taking our new kingdom with us, but having a kingdom to take back to Earth sounds fun.
Sacred Matrimony... It's powerful, certainly. For only 5 credit and 10 Will more, it brings many benefits even before we take into account that we practically create a new Role and she's guaranteed loyal to us. But this does interfere with the possibility of the Penelope route.
Sacred Matrimony... It's powerful, certainly. For only 5 credit and 10 Will more, it brings many benefits even before we take into account that we practically create a new Role and she's guaranteed loyal to us. But this does interfere with the possibility of the Penelope route.
- Location
- washington
Probably but only if a bunch of people do a lot of content and honestly past few updates has been very low on us content.
Magical_Duck
The One Who Quacks
- Location
- A Pond
- Pronouns
- Duck
[X] Face Value
[X] Sacred Matrimony
"Quack Qu"
[X] Sacred Matrimony
"Quack Qu"
Tyrant_Rayne
Probably Not Evil… Maybe
- Location
- Canada
[X] Face Value
[X] Sacred Matrimony
[X] Sacred Matrimony
[X] Face Value
[X] Sacred Matrimony
because
[X] Sacred Matrimony
because
[X] Face Value
ImperatorV
The Laughing One
- Location
- The Voyaging Realm
Well, I respect a good discount. And the King of Magi getting himself a kingdom, and a queen, is thematic.
[X] Sacred Matrimony [-10 Will, 5 Credit]
[X] Sacred Matrimony [-10 Will, 5 Credit]
- Location
- washington
I'm gonna vote for the same as tyranny but gonna wait to see if anyone makes a plan vote first.
Deadly Snark
Tryhard As Fuck
I don't necessarily think that a marriage would be necessary in terms of that option? Like different cultures and all that, but to me that's effectively taking her as Solomon's Head Disciple/Student. Which is a position that is as bound Connection wise. Since it comes with effective adoption and all that jazz.
But different cultures I get it, and not like modern writers don't abuse that these days anyways.
But different cultures I get it, and not like modern writers don't abuse that these days anyways.
[X] Face Value
[X] Sacred Matrimony [-10 Will, 5 Credit]
Well, I was all for the "Slay witches" plan, guess it's time to hard pivot to "Lay witches" plan.
[X] Sacred Matrimony [-10 Will, 5 Credit]
Well, I was all for the "Slay witches" plan, guess it's time to hard pivot to "Lay witches" plan.
Deadly Snark
Tryhard As Fuck
Also guys, I get it. Saving Will.
But if you are going with a Political Marriage, we should probably push for more Details. Like that's just good sense. The Connection that prevents betrayal works on both end. So if she's actually shady and does something shady but that she does not consider to be a betrayal of Solomon then we could be fucked. Because then acting against her to stop her would count as Solomon knowingly betraying her.
But if you are going with a Political Marriage, we should probably push for more Details. Like that's just good sense. The Connection that prevents betrayal works on both end. So if she's actually shady and does something shady but that she does not consider to be a betrayal of Solomon then we could be fucked. Because then acting against her to stop her would count as Solomon knowingly betraying her.
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Deadly Snark
Tryhard As Fuck
[X]Plan Marriage Interview
-[X] Press on Details [-50 Will]
-[X]Depending on the details carry on with helping them.
-[X]If Solomon finds out there are no huge problems. Move forward with Sacred Matrimony[-10 Will, 5 Credit]
-[X]If there are huge complications. Just go with Artifacts and move on.
[X] Land of Darkness
-[X] Press on Details [-50 Will]
-[X]Depending on the details carry on with helping them.
-[X]If Solomon finds out there are no huge problems. Move forward with Sacred Matrimony[-10 Will, 5 Credit]
-[X]If there are huge complications. Just go with Artifacts and move on.
[X] Land of Darkness
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[X] Sacred Matrimony
[X] Face Value
[X]Plan Marriage Interview
-[X] Press on Details [-50 Will]
-[X]Depending on the details carry on with helping them.
-[X]If Solomon finds out there are no huge problems. Move forward with Sacred Matrimony[-10 Will, 5 Credit]
-[X]If there are huge complications. Just go with Artifacts and move on.
[X]Plan Marriage Interview
-[X] Press on Details [-50 Will]
-[X]Depending on the details carry on with helping them.
-[X]If Solomon finds out there are no huge problems. Move forward with Sacred Matrimony[-10 Will, 5 Credit]
-[X]If there are huge complications. Just go with Artifacts and move on.
Tyrant_Rayne
Probably Not Evil… Maybe
- Location
- Canada
Just to remind people, we still have the communication with the Diamond Entity coming up this turn. There's a very high chance there will be more Will costs for any options it could bring up.
I don't doubt there's probably some hidden curse, enemy, or what have you that will become our problem should we associate with the witches. But so what?
The benefits of the alliance are way too good to pass up. They definitely out weigh any hidden dangers that come along with it. We're likely to take matrimony any ways no matter what we learn so why bother?
Foreknowledge of the threat would be good, sure, but it's not like we need to look into it immediately. We can take an action next turn when we have more Will and don't have a special event coming up.
And even if we don't have the time or ability to research this then it still won't matter.
Cause we're strong. And so we'd win anyways.
I don't doubt there's probably some hidden curse, enemy, or what have you that will become our problem should we associate with the witches. But so what?
The benefits of the alliance are way too good to pass up. They definitely out weigh any hidden dangers that come along with it. We're likely to take matrimony any ways no matter what we learn so why bother?
Foreknowledge of the threat would be good, sure, but it's not like we need to look into it immediately. We can take an action next turn when we have more Will and don't have a special event coming up.
And even if we don't have the time or ability to research this then it still won't matter.
Cause we're strong. And so we'd win anyways.