The God Diversion

[firefrog600]

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.

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[ArcanaVitae]

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.

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Even the Architecture is saying that she's a really important character.

"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.

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She has really good senses given she's able to pick up on Sol's nature.

"This almost feels like meeting evil Galadriel," murmured Harrison.

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Love the references from Harrison.

"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."

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The Educator is a freak of nature, Mona is smart enough to realize 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."

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Huh that explains the vision, that's some pretty cool lore.

"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..."

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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?

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It's a long term problem that she doesn't have any solution to which makes Sol's help invaluable.

[ ] 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.

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I really think we should do this because going into this blindly is rather stupid.

[ ] 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.

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I'm cool with doing this choice since it'll get Solomon a lot of stuff. But to be honest I'm kinda unsure about the whole marriage bit for two reasons one because I'd rather go down the Penny romance path and two because getting married to someone you just met is rushing things even if it's just a marriage on paper.

 

[Deadly Snark]

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.

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This is Primal Connections Witch Magic. And we are making a bond that makes it impossible to betray her. That's not a question of strength, that's a question of karmic blowback. It's the sort of thing that doesn't care about strength because no man escapes from Karma, Fate and the Consequences of their actions.

Or in other words, we are Archmage Solomon jumping into a marriage with no real understanding of the other side. It's just asking for thematic blowback from how King Solomon's entire legacy got destroyed because he wasn't discerning with his marriages.

I don't mind an alliance. I mind the soul bond.

If people want an alliance and keep some Will for the Entity. Go for [ ] Land of Darkness. It gives us the Alliance, but does not lock us into a Soul Oathed Bond with someone we literally just met.

 

[firefrog600]

This is Primal Connections Witch Magic. And we are making a bond that makes it impossible to betray her. That's not a question of strength, that's a question of karmic blowback. It's the sort of thing that doesn't care about strength because no man escapes from Karma, Fate and the Consequences of their actions.

Or in other words, we are Archmage Solomon jumping into a marriage with no real understanding of the other side. It's just asking for thematic blowback from how King Solomon's entire legacy got destroyed because he wasn't discerning with his marriages.

I don't mind an alliance. I mind the soul bond.

If people want an alliance and keep some Will for the Entity. Go for [ ] Land of Darkness. It gives us the Alliance, but does not lock us into a Soul Oathed Bond with someone we literally just met.

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I'm not spending 7 sc if we're spending sc go all out.

 

[Deadly Snark]

I'm cool with doing this choice since it'll get Solomon a lot of stuff. But to be honest I'm kinda unsure about the whole marriage bit for two reasons one because I'd rather go down the Penny romance path and two because getting married to someone you just met is rushing things even if it's just a marriage on paper.

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And there's no need to rush. As you noted, she's the one who needs our help. We don't have to jump into a marriage now. If we want that, we can do it later.

The worst she can do is say no but still act as our loyal Vassal. She's one that in a desperate position, we have the luxury of not giving a shit if we are so inclined and still be a god-like entity.

I'm not spending 7 sc if we're spending sc go all out.

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Then go for Conclave or something.

But in any case if we are going for the Marriage. Investigation is necessary.

 

[Shard]

Well it would be kind of a waste of IRL money to not do the marriage now, so we don't have any choice in this matter as players except to go for the soulbond. That being the case, investigation is basically a waste of wordcount since we will go for it anyways and we might as well go for the marriage now, then move on to the next update.

 

[firefrog600]

And there's no need to rush. As you noted, she's the one who needs our help. We don't have to jump into a marriage now. If we want that, we can do it later.

The worst she can do is say no but still act as our loyal Vassal. She's one that in a desperate position, we have the luxury of not giving a shit if we are so inclined and still be a god-like entity.


Then go for Conclave or something.

But in any case if we are going for the Marriage. Investigation is necessary.

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The Doylist is we have an action economy and spend time on this quest choosing investigate delays actual decision making, will, and could potentially push us to not make the decision for the marriage or get rid of the option entirely. The no rush argument doesn't work for quests like this or quests entirely really. Also if you mean it doesn't get rid of the decision entirely if we wait it does simply because we WILL spend the sc later and will get new options to spend on indefinitely.

 

[Deadly Snark]

Well it would be kind of a waste of IRL money to not do the marriage now, so we don't have any choice in this matter as players except to go for the soulbond. That being the case, investigation is basically a waste of wordcount since we will go for it anyways and we might as well go for the marriage now, then move on to the next update.

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That's on the person who spend money before people had time to hash things out. And since its their money they can always discuss things with Birdsie.

Investigation insures we are forwarned of dangers before doing something potentially soul-shattering stupid. If we find out something is wrong that escaped Mona, there's a chance to hash things out with her and take measures before taking the plunge.

Again, no rush. She's not gonna fucking go away and we are the only one who can offer her what she needs and she still has a few years. It's in her interest to keep us friendly. We can always come back and keep the bonus.

The Doylist is we have an action economy and spend time on this quest choosing investigate delays actual decision making, will, and could potentially push us to not make the decision for the marriage or get rid of the option entirely. The no rush argument doesn't work for quests like this or quests entirely really. Also if you mean it doesn't get rid of the decision entirely if we wait it does simply because we WILL spend the sc later and will get new options to spend on indefinitely.

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Well the Doylist counterargument is if we get locked into a fuckton of problems and headaches down the line that will consume action economy and word count that could have been spend on other characters. That's pretty shitty. It would potentially be drowning the quest because someone paid money on an impulse, and people didn't want to take due precautions to avoid the rope we were given to hang ourselves. That's no fun.

"Oh you want to spend time with Damien? Sorry the consequences of impulsively marrying Mona arrived you have to deal with that. Again."

 

[firefrog600]

That's on the person who spend money before people had time to hash things out. And since its their money they can always discuss things with Birdsie.

Investigation insures we are forwarned of dangers before doing something potentially soul-shattering stupid. If we find out something is wrong that escaped Mona, there's a chance to hash things out with her and take measures before taking the plunge.

Again, no rush. She's not gonna fucking go away and we are the only one who can offer her what she needs and she still has a few years. It's in her interest to keep us friendly. We can always come back and keep the bonus.


Well the Doylist counterargument is if we get locked into a fuckton of problems and headaches down the line that will consume action economy and word count that could have been spend on other characters. That's pretty shitty. It would potentially be drowning the quest because someone paid money on an impulse, and people didn't want to take due precautions to avoid the rope we were given to hang ourselves. That's no fun.

"Oh you want to spend time with Damien? Sorry the consequences of impulsively marrying Mona arrived you have to deal with that. Again."

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No the doylist of my comment is basically fact there is almost zero scenario where we get this option again. Not saying I care much if we lose it or arguing against voting against. But, its guaranteed we will get more sc options later, choosing this later will require a different will investment, choosing it now won't cost anything except the now costs future will have different costs. Its now or never for this specific sc option because people will both be dissuaded from initial added costs compared to the initial and because we will have new shinies to pursue. Of course I'm sure we could find something similar its obviously gonna have different flavor and costs though and probably different affects. Not worse ones mind you there are always better and newer options available in this quest. On top of this if we don't invest now people won't want to invest later or commit to this thats just the fact of the matter.

Also its not forced birdsie gives refunds if an option doesn't go through for things like this. Well not refunds its just not spent if it doesn't win birdsies not a dick.

Also drownings an exaggeration we were gonna tackle problems as we see them anyways or avoid them entirely. We're always eventually gonna go down a rabbit hole which one is just determined by choices. You can't really know which rabbithole your going to eventually go through though.

 

[Deadly Snark]

Oh yeah plus, her mother was probably some kind of Morgan Le Fay, given what we seen of the King she fucked over. That might make Mona an equivalent to Nimue, and therefore making us Merlin in this situation.

So there's potential thematic resonance of us being Merlin walking into Nimue/Morgan's trap because we were too overconfident

No the doylist of my comment is basically fact there is almost zero scenario where we get this option again. Not saying I care much if we lose it or arguing against voting against. But, its guaranteed we will get more sc options later, choosing this later will require a different will investment, choosing it now won't cost anything except the now costs future will have different costs. Its now or never for this specific sc option because people will both be dissuaded from initial added costs compared to the initial and because we will have new shinies to pursue. Of course I'm sure we could find something similar its obviously gonna have different flavor and costs though and probably different affects. Not worse ones mind you there are always better and newer options available in this quest. On top of this if we don't invest now people won't want to invest later or commit to this thats just the fact of the matter.

Also its not forced birdsie gives refunds if an option doesn't go through for things like this. Well not refunds its just not spent if it doesn't win birdsies not a dick.

Also drownings an exaggeration we were gonna tackle problems as we see them anyways or avoid them entirely. We're always eventually gonna go down a rabbit hole which one is just determined by choices. You can't really know which rabbithole your going to eventually go through though.

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Then we let it go. We don't need these people. Solomon can graduate as a Godlike being with Tarot Card and all its ludicrous Protagonist talents as his side. The only problem is if we accidentally screw ourselves over because of Wizards Level of Hubris and forging a soul bond between ourselves and a woman we just met. Because we blithly assumed that somehow as the Magician, and therefore taking after Solomon and Merlin, we'd be immune to the consequences of our actions and the ropes we hand ourselves with

When that is explicitly not the case for the Magician and was not the case for Solomon and Merlin.

 

[firefrog600]

Oh yeah plus, her mother was probably some kind of Morgan Le Fay, given what we seen of the King she fucked over. That might make Mona an equivalent to Nimue, and therefore making us Merlin in this situation.

So there's potential thematic resonance of us being Merlin walking into Nimue/Morgan's trap because we were too overconfident


Then we let it go. We don't need these people. Solomon can graduate as a Godlike being with Tarot Card and all its ludicrous Protagonist talents as his side. The only problem is if we accidentally screw ourselves over because of Wizards Level of Hubris and forging a soul bond between ourselves and a woman we just met. Because we blithly assumed that somehow as the Magician, and therefore taking after Solomon and Merlin, we'd be immune to the consequences of our actions and the ropes we hand ourselves with

When that is explicitly not the case for the Magician and was not the case for Solomon and Merlin.

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yeah sure I'm just debating some of your statements. Though honestly the danger or hubris card is not really a turn off for me. We'll deal with things as they come I completely assume we'll have some fuck ups in this quest. Also this doesn't need to be romantic I'll note its in many ways more intimate but it doesn't actually need to be romantic. I'd like it if you don't assume its going to doom us though consequences I'm sure but if I'm being honest avoiding all possible consequences doesn't exactly sound fun to me or feasible. Also you know foibles could actually give us exp it certainly does for the greek class when they play up their pettiness us doing it should do stuff as well and I'm willing to deal with the problems that come with that if it has some benefits. Now don't get me wrong I have limits I won't stab myself for power (well in the dead bleach quest way) but my response to you was mostly made out of dismissing some notions and disagreements.

 

[Lordfartquad]

We're really giving up on best girl angel waifu for mediocre witch girl? Really?

 

[firefrog600]

We're really giving up on best girl angel waifu for mediocre witch girl? Really?

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This isn't actually a romantic relationship my dude its just a lot like one. Also I'd be lying if I said that bringing a kingdom to the outside world with us didn't sound fun. Asides she can be the below to pennys above. I'm not even talking from a romantic view having a soul connection for her the below part and eventually penny the above part would be thematically awesome.

 

[OctarineShrike]

[X] Land of Darkness

 

[Shard]

We're really giving up on best girl angel waifu for mediocre witch girl? Really?

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I mean money has been paid to make it happen. Like within two hours of the update dropping. So I'm like in a 🤷‍♂️ about it. Like wow, two hours and already money upfront for this new girl we just met.

 

[firefrog600]

[X] Land of Darkness

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Please anything but this like I get not wanting to get married. But, I don't want to spend 7 sc on the objectively worse option when we could either spend none or some.

I mean money has been paid to make it happen. Like within two hours of the update dropping. So I'm like in a 🤷‍♂️ about it. Like wow, two hours and already money upfront for this new girl we just met.

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Like I already said birdsies not a dick if it loses birdsie just doesn't take the cash as spent yet.

 

[Shard]

[X] Artifacts
[X] Conclave
[X] Land of Darkness

Extremely disinterested in this money-incentivised soulbinding marriage thing. Like didn't we already have a full furious discussiom about dating other people in our class and stuff???

 

[quantum lurker]

Why not approval Face Value then, considering it's the other leading option for now?

 

[Shard]

Face Value is obviously going to pass, there's no way we're pressing on details or saying no.

 

[firefrog600]

jk

[X] Artifacts
[X] Conclave
[X] Land of Darkness

Extremely disinterested in this money-incentivised soulbinding marriage thing. Like didn't we already have a full furious discussiom about dating other people in our class and stuff???

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Not to take away from your decision but the in character justification is probably more seems nice but I want insurance to prevent betrayal and this gives more power so may as well. We're not actually going into a romantic relationship and as much as this is a joke in that direction anything like that would probably be a no from sol as hes not marrying someone he barely knows.

 

[WHISPER]

Eh... I really don't like this soul bond stuff... or at least are weary about it.

 

[Shard]

jk

Not to take away from your decision but the in character justification is probably more seems nice but I want insurance to prevent betrayal and this gives more power so may as well. We're not actually going into a romantic relationship and as much as this is a joke in that direction anything like that would probably be a no from sol as hes not marrying someone he barely knows.

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Soulbinding might as well be marriage. Who else are you gonna marry, someone who isn't your soulmate? And it is marriage, an arranged marriage at that. It's just that romance may happen later.

 

[firefrog600]

Soulbinding might as well be marriage. Who else are you gonna marry, someone who isn't your soulmate? And it is marriage, an arranged marriage at that. It's just that romance may happen later.

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We could get more soul bindings familiars have had soul bindings in fiction before shard. If anything i want more soul bindings and do some bullshit power of friendship win if we can't be better than meta the normal way do it with friendship or something.

 

[quantum lurker]

Face Value is obviously going to pass, there's no way we're pressing on details or saying no.

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According to the tally, that's not currently the case? It's not like the compromise Marriage + check details vote is anywhere near close right now either

 

[Shard]

According to the tally, that's not currently the case? It's not like the compromise Marriage + check details vote is anywhere near close right now either

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The vote is two parts:

Face Value/Interrogate/No
Artifacts/Conclave/Land of Darkness/Marriage

There being no point in going anything other than Face Value for the first option, we go to the second option, which is the exact degree of cooperation. Money invested into Marriage means there's no point in going for anything other than Cooperate/Marriage, so my vote is more of a protest vote. The Interrogate/Marriage vote is in my view pretty much a 'but Marriage after stressing out about it in character' option, especially with money involved.