The Problem of Evil
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
The Problem of Evil
After the cafeteria demonstration, most of Solomon's peers became inwardly focused, occupied foremost with themselves and their own business.
Although conversations and meetings hadn't shut down to a complete nothing, the social circles narrowed down into something lesser than pinpricks, and became more isolated from each other, almost like a reactive lockdown. As if everyone had suddenly become afraid of everyone else's potential power.
It was an incredibly terrifying sight for Solomon to witness, as human trust crumbled into its foundations, and the foundations themselves became shaken. His prognostications of the future turned a note darker, harbingers of potential doom at every corner; barely avoided or turned aside.
The Engine's demonstration had sparked a terrific realization in almost everyone who'd witnessed it. It was the realization they weren't in some storybook in which everyone worked hard to earn power and then selflessly constructed a better future. They were locked in a twilight realm, a wild and uncivilized zone full of uncertainties and conflict. They were Enrolled: the freshest and least bloodied inclusion in a series of so-called Classes historically known for competing with each other more than anything.
And instead of cooperating, everyone simultaneously decided there was more safety in pretending they were far too busy to interact. Although the Surveyor's Club continued its regular outings, reports became more scarce, and Penelope had allegedly become sullen and depressed, more focused on improving herself.
A hatred of weakness is starting to poison her mind, Solomon's predictions whispered. An unveiling of the darkest face of Justice, as blind as her all-consuming Wrath.
Solomon had, much as everyone else, drawn inwards. His reasons, however, weren't entirely self-motivated. As much as security mattered to him, there was something else driving him. Gnawing at every thought like a dog insistent on picking a bone clean.
"Mr. Lancaster, I cannot help but notice that you're distracted," the Educator said after Solomon lost track of the lesson for the second time in a row - admittedly unusual, given the Educator could tailor a regimen to account even for Solomon's slovenly distractedness. The Educator slowly lowered the book he'd been citing examples from, closed it, and then looked at Solomon. "I don't think we'll be able to accomplish anything substantial with your mind stuck in a groove. Instead, let's spend the remainder of the lesson's allotted time decompressing. Can you tell me about what's bothering you?"
Embittered, Solomon felt a spark of desire to lash out at the man's earnest attempt to reach out. It didn't help in the slightest that for all the assiduous genuity, it was difficult to sense the man's expression. All because of the blurred and indistinct features, the redaction surrounding every characteristic of his face, even dressed as he was in his boisterous Thematic outfit. Historically, none had ever broken the censorship of the Educator, none ever successfully beheld the man's true and unobscured countenance. Even the Metaphysicist never made a claim to the contrary.
However, even through it, Solomon could detect a tenor of concern. His bitterness spiraled down and collapsed on itself like the rungs of a broken ladder clattering in a dark alleyway after it gave way to pressure.
For a second, it seemed hopeless to even try sharing. Ingrained habits and well-worn experiences whispered of the uselessness of meaningful attempts at communication. Yet the Educator was the one and only individual Solomon knew who could see the Architecture same as him. If there was anyone who'd understand, it'd be him.
He'd already taken a chance with Harrison. This was even less than a chance. Might as well.
"You've heard about the cafeteria incident?"
"I have," said the Educator, unperturbed. "I know of almost everything of note that happens within my Academy the moment it occurs."
"Then why didn't you do anything to stop it?" Solomon asked, starting off neutral, yet quickly diverting to a more upset tone, as if casting an accusation at the man's feet, "It's clearly evil. Even if your amazing power is nullified outside of a classroom, you still wield authority over your students and could've done something. Could've told the Engine that you wouldn't teach her anymore if she did that. Or... I don't know, asked the rest of us to do something. You could've made a lesson out of it, even."
For a minute or so, the Educator pondered how to answer the accusations. There wasn't even a hint of tension or shame at being accused of silently approving of evil deeds, only a slight contemplation of the most accurate framing of his answer.
Finally, the Educator steepled his fingers, looked Solomon in the eyes, and started off, "Imagine if you could assign an accurate number to every being, corresponding to said being's ability to exert influence. A power level, if you will."
A demonstrative explanation or an exercise of the imagination. Solomon couldn't imagine it as anything other than tiresome. Still, he decided to play along. "Alright, so what?"
"If all of my students spent equal effort on learning from me, you'd all be necessarily level with each other," the Educator said. "And yet clearly, that is not the case. The Little Engine That Could is a whole year behind Judas Iscariot, and yet easily defeated him and your classmate. Do you know why?"
Solomon considered that. The Educator raised a fair point. How come some of them were stronger than others, even with less time? The naive answer was that some of them worked harder over a more limited time, although that seemed unlikely to be universal.
"I'm not sure," he answered honestly, even as some inklings of an idea danced in his head.
The Educator's blurred mouth curved into a smile. "It's simple. Hard work doesn't serve as an accurate determiner on its own. Judas has applied himself diligently over the course of his Enrollment. Alas, strength has its vectors. The sinuous interplay of supernatural power revolves on the same basis as the children's game of rock-paper-scissors. A man with a killing hand slays the strongman who lifts and throws boulders, and yet the strongman can destroy a military platoon, whereas the man with the killing hand will simply be shot prior to getting in range. A bit of a crude example, I'm assuming the killing hand can get the drop on the strongman... but you get the idea."
"So Judas isn't weak," said Solomon, summarizing the explanation. "He's simply invested in a different sort of strength, one that's essentially worthless when a metal monster is shooting blasts of steam at you. How does that mesh with the question I asked you?"
"I am invested wholly into being a teacher, Mr. Lancaster," the Educator said. "I am most excellent at my profession. I can teach a man or a woman to see through walls, or conjure up fire without flint or tinder, or even take flight among the birds. However, investment implies a cost. I have invested myself into this mantle so utterly, so thoroughly, I am now constrained to a mien of strict lawful neutrality in the face of both good and evil. To intervene would've ruined impartiality, and shattered any pretense of free will that my students have - important Aspects that I've carefully cultivated. Even so, I still believe my decision was worth it."
It was almost an admission of hubris. The Educator believed the formation of supernatural Aspects, even devoid of morality, was more than worth its investment cost to mankind. That human civilization could rein in the evil side of that reified power and eventually emerge as a utopia.
And, more than anything, it was also an admission that he believed it was worth pursuing more power in the face of adversity.
It didn't help as much as he'd hoped. If anything, the Educator's abiding neutrality only made Solomon even more abundantly ashamed, feeling his culpability was evident as one of the strongest among the Tarot Class.
"As your Educator, Mr. Lancaster, I should recommend more learning from your mistakes and less moping about them," said the man, seemingly amused at the silent response. "I won't force you to study more tonight, although I heartily suggest looking at what you have available, and what you could accomplish with it."
Solomon nodded with a sigh.
"Hey, Sol," Harrison said after Solomon returned. The muscular athlete was sitting at a desk, earbuds blasting some fashion of rock stuffed into his ears, poring over a book full of diagrams and notes on the margins. It was clearly borrowed from the Academy's Library. "Anything good from Mr. E?"
"Just stuff to think about."
"Hmm, yeah, tell me about it," Harrison muttered non-committally. "Thanks for borrowing me your solar, by the way."
"No problem," said Solomon, before muttering something unfocused and incoherent about not bothering him; a verbal spewage that Harrison, being Solomon's roommate for over a month now, thankfully seemed to comprehend.
After Solomon dropped into the embrace of a familiar bed, he further contemplated the Educator's words. The soothing comfort of the cool sheets provided lubrication to every thought and brought with it a gentle extrusion of novel ideas. He needed to experiment, and some easy methods came to mind.
His eyes cracked open, as he raised the stylized deck of cards he'd brought along for the Enrollment.
He focused. The Architecture of the cards was opaque, the involvement of their material form minimal within the structure of the universe. And yet, the Magician's Role was to connect the above to the below, the heavens to the terrestrial fundament. The cards themselves were trivial, easily discarded; the meaning hidden within the configurations on them, however, was a reflection of higher ideals. He struggled for a second, to express and externalize the inherent meaning of his Role, and forged a resonant sympathy between material and the abstract it represented.
Although it took a moment, it happened.
From every card, slowly, undulated a string of white mystical light, an ethereal cord. Like a spider's web, the strings exploded into the air, each leading away to somewhere else, most of them either out the window or through the door.
Solomon absentmindedly shuffled through the deck, as Harrison didn't seem to notice anything.
The Chariot's string was connected to Harrison's heart. The Magician's, to Solomon.
The ideal connects to the real.
After that, Solomon had slightly less trouble falling asleep.
---
Now that you've reached the second (Year 1, October) turn, and acquired some minor experience and sophistication in your Role, it's time to discuss the matter of Techniques, and expand on the power expansion mechanics.
In short, Techniques are efficient condensation of skill in applying your Role, meant to achieve specific outcomes. Often, they are more granular than Aspects, and develop in a straightforward fashion. Most of them be divided into three broad categories:
Aspectless - A Technique that doesn't require any particular Aspect, only your Role, or something else inherent to you. Varied limits.
Aspected - A Technique reliant on the cultivation of an Aspect. It cannot be raised above twice the number of its Aspect's level.
Combination - A Technique reliant on an Aspect and an Aspectless quality of some kind, or two different Aspects.
In most situations, you cannot raise a Technique higher than double its Aspect level, or the overall refinement of your Role in the case of Aspectless, or refinement level of its specific Combinatorial skills or prerequisites in the case of a Combination Technique.
As a result of your hard work, you've managed to develop the following Techniques:
Arcanum Technique: Comfort's Embrace (Level 2) - An efficient regimen of invocations meant to assure your comfort: regulation of temperature, minor alteration of tactility, and autohypnosis that optimize your sleeping experience frightfully well. Gain +5 Will every turn.
Combination Technique: Connections (Level 1) - A combination of your insight into Architecture alongside your Role as the Magician. Allows you to draw on and perceive semi-real connections between abstract or real things, and follow them. Currently, limited to your personal tarot deck and classmates.
Now, for the efforts you've expended this month, you're given 825 XP to do with as you please.
Will: 65
Credit: 5.2
XP: 825
It's recommended you attempt to vote by plan, as otherwise, this could get messy. Also, you should note Aspected Techniques aren't shown for Aspects at n/a level, not even for theoretical Techniques you could obtain later.
[ ] Combination Technique: Connections (Level 2, 100 XP / Level 3, 250 XP) - Expand your sight further, allowing you to visually trace the connections and 'perceive' what is happening on the other end. Furthermore, you can now see your personal connections, on top of those inherent to your tarot deck. / Connections may now be traced with less effort, and you may perceive the connections of other people and things in your environment, aside from your own and those of your deck.
[ ] Aspect: Sanctum - The ritualistic creation of a sacred space: a wizard's tower, a thaumaturge's temple. In a devoted sanctum, you possess fewer limits as a magician: energy constraints loosened, generation redoubled, efforts quintupled. Although outside you may be a mere magus, within you are the King of Magi, every wonder of the world availed and accessible. It can be moved with effort, eventually.
Current Level: n/a
Next Level: 1 (250 XP) / 2 (500 XP)
Allows you to demarcate a single room-sized space in which your spells are almost twice as strong, and you have slightly more laxity in what your spells can do.
/ Allows you to demarcate an area the size of a small family house, in which your spells are twice as strong, cost one-third less to cast and maintain, and you have slightly more laxity in what you can do. Furthermore, hostile effects in the area are minimally less potent and attenuated to harm you or yours less.
[ ] Aspect: Arcanum - Invocation and spellcraft, orthodox. Also the magical processes of enchantment and alchemy, albeit to a lesser degree.
Current Level: 1
Next Level: 2 (500 XP)
Acquire further sophistication in spellcasting, comparable to a mid-level non-Enrolled wizard. Can, with effort, shoot rods of electricity that cross a street and incapacitate a human, or form a ball of fire that covers a small room and mostly deals with everyone inside. For utility, can near-effortlessly levitate or conjure small objects, clean and alter colors of items instantly, produce minor cosmetic or illusionary effects, and transfer yourself spatially across a room. Can accomplish minorly impressive feats of alchemy and enchantment, as well as other similar deeds on this scale.
-[ ] Technique: Arcane Focus (Level 1, 300 XP / Level 2, 600 XP) - A fundamental alteration of your Arcanum, altering the casting style you employ to follow a certain precept. It also enhances and grants special capabilities endemic to each of the Foci. For more details, read their descriptions below. Can either be employed as a minor specialist boost, or 'locked in' with full devotion for dramatic benefits, in turn preventing you from picking any of the others. Devotion can always be selected later, although un-devoting yourself is an involved and lengthy process, and shouldn't be done without due consideration.
--[ ] Sword - Air and Reason. Aerokinesis, electrokinesis, eventual 'pure' telekinesis and command over the electromagnetic spectrum, enhanced cognition, the summoning of Djinni, and offensive magics, including those which act as proactive defense.
*Casting Style: Hermetic Magic.
---[ ] Minor - Slight increase to Technique effectiveness.
---[ ] Devoted [7 Credit] - Monumental increase to Technique effectiveness, grants a Specialist Bonus. Locks out the other sub-Techniques.
--[ ] Wand - Fire and Creativity. Pyrokinesis, the summoning of Ifrit, Thematic flame magics (cauterization, creation of passion, damage over time effects), and all fundamentally 'creative' magics - from inciting a wellspring of inspiration to creating a barrier against incoming harm, to the creation of life itself.
*Casting Style: Wand Magic.
---[ ] Minor - Slight increase to Technique effectiveness.
---[ ] Devoted [7 Credit] - Monumental increase to Technique effectiveness, grants a Specialist Bonus. Locks out the other sub-Techniques.
--[ ] Cup - Water and Emotion. Hydrokinesis, including eventual control over ice and all other liquids; the creation of supernatural potions, poultices, salves and tinctures, the summoning of Marids, and all fundamentally transformative magics - from altering someone's emotional state to increasing their strength to transforming them into a newt.
*Dual Casting Style: Raw Manifestation and Potioncraft.
---[ ] Minor - Slight increase to Technique effectiveness.
---[ ] Devoted [7 Credit] - Monumental increase to Technique effectiveness, grants a Specialist Bonus. Locks out the other sub-Techniques.
--[ ] Pentacle - Earth and the Material. Terrakinesis, including ferrokinesis; the creation of artifacts and vestments, the manufacture of Golems and other material servitors, and all magics related to matter and the material world, including the summoning of actual individuals from, theoretically, any physical realm.
*Casting Style: Ritual Magic (including Artifice).
---[ ] Minor - Slight increase to Technique effectiveness.
---[ ] Devoted [7 Credit] - Monumental increase to Technique effectiveness, grants a Specialist Bonus. Locks out the other sub-Techniques.
-[ ] Technique: Arcane Induction (Level 1, 125 XP / Level 2, 250 XP) - Can take on a single non-Enrolled apprentice, conferring the potential to reach half your overall talent and level in the Arcanum Aspect and your Arcane Focus Technique / Can take on three apprentices of a similar level.
-[ ] Technique: Comfort's Embrace (Level 3, 400 XP) - Requires Arcanum (Level 2).
-[ ] Create New Technique - write-in, variable (high) cost
[ ] Aspect: Hermes the Destroyer - A combat-oriented Aspect, all relegated to ensuring security and capabilities in combat. Focused on releases of pure destructive energy and entropic shielding. A more powerful Aspect.
Current Level: n/a
Next Level: 1 (250 XP) / 2 (500 XP)
Allows you to maintain an aura that shreds enemies within a couple of meters from you, and fire rays that present the same amount of danger as a longbow.
/ Shoot entropic rays that present the same amount of danger as a squad of trained and accurate crossbowmen, cloak yourself in destructive energies that can slay or at least permanently maim a baseline human within three meters of you in several seconds, make focused, charged releases and blast-waves that can throw or crush cars.
[ ] Write-in
After the cafeteria demonstration, most of Solomon's peers became inwardly focused, occupied foremost with themselves and their own business.
Although conversations and meetings hadn't shut down to a complete nothing, the social circles narrowed down into something lesser than pinpricks, and became more isolated from each other, almost like a reactive lockdown. As if everyone had suddenly become afraid of everyone else's potential power.
It was an incredibly terrifying sight for Solomon to witness, as human trust crumbled into its foundations, and the foundations themselves became shaken. His prognostications of the future turned a note darker, harbingers of potential doom at every corner; barely avoided or turned aside.
The Engine's demonstration had sparked a terrific realization in almost everyone who'd witnessed it. It was the realization they weren't in some storybook in which everyone worked hard to earn power and then selflessly constructed a better future. They were locked in a twilight realm, a wild and uncivilized zone full of uncertainties and conflict. They were Enrolled: the freshest and least bloodied inclusion in a series of so-called Classes historically known for competing with each other more than anything.
And instead of cooperating, everyone simultaneously decided there was more safety in pretending they were far too busy to interact. Although the Surveyor's Club continued its regular outings, reports became more scarce, and Penelope had allegedly become sullen and depressed, more focused on improving herself.
A hatred of weakness is starting to poison her mind, Solomon's predictions whispered. An unveiling of the darkest face of Justice, as blind as her all-consuming Wrath.
Solomon had, much as everyone else, drawn inwards. His reasons, however, weren't entirely self-motivated. As much as security mattered to him, there was something else driving him. Gnawing at every thought like a dog insistent on picking a bone clean.
"Mr. Lancaster, I cannot help but notice that you're distracted," the Educator said after Solomon lost track of the lesson for the second time in a row - admittedly unusual, given the Educator could tailor a regimen to account even for Solomon's slovenly distractedness. The Educator slowly lowered the book he'd been citing examples from, closed it, and then looked at Solomon. "I don't think we'll be able to accomplish anything substantial with your mind stuck in a groove. Instead, let's spend the remainder of the lesson's allotted time decompressing. Can you tell me about what's bothering you?"
Embittered, Solomon felt a spark of desire to lash out at the man's earnest attempt to reach out. It didn't help in the slightest that for all the assiduous genuity, it was difficult to sense the man's expression. All because of the blurred and indistinct features, the redaction surrounding every characteristic of his face, even dressed as he was in his boisterous Thematic outfit. Historically, none had ever broken the censorship of the Educator, none ever successfully beheld the man's true and unobscured countenance. Even the Metaphysicist never made a claim to the contrary.
However, even through it, Solomon could detect a tenor of concern. His bitterness spiraled down and collapsed on itself like the rungs of a broken ladder clattering in a dark alleyway after it gave way to pressure.
For a second, it seemed hopeless to even try sharing. Ingrained habits and well-worn experiences whispered of the uselessness of meaningful attempts at communication. Yet the Educator was the one and only individual Solomon knew who could see the Architecture same as him. If there was anyone who'd understand, it'd be him.
He'd already taken a chance with Harrison. This was even less than a chance. Might as well.
"You've heard about the cafeteria incident?"
"I have," said the Educator, unperturbed. "I know of almost everything of note that happens within my Academy the moment it occurs."
"Then why didn't you do anything to stop it?" Solomon asked, starting off neutral, yet quickly diverting to a more upset tone, as if casting an accusation at the man's feet, "It's clearly evil. Even if your amazing power is nullified outside of a classroom, you still wield authority over your students and could've done something. Could've told the Engine that you wouldn't teach her anymore if she did that. Or... I don't know, asked the rest of us to do something. You could've made a lesson out of it, even."
For a minute or so, the Educator pondered how to answer the accusations. There wasn't even a hint of tension or shame at being accused of silently approving of evil deeds, only a slight contemplation of the most accurate framing of his answer.
Finally, the Educator steepled his fingers, looked Solomon in the eyes, and started off, "Imagine if you could assign an accurate number to every being, corresponding to said being's ability to exert influence. A power level, if you will."
A demonstrative explanation or an exercise of the imagination. Solomon couldn't imagine it as anything other than tiresome. Still, he decided to play along. "Alright, so what?"
"If all of my students spent equal effort on learning from me, you'd all be necessarily level with each other," the Educator said. "And yet clearly, that is not the case. The Little Engine That Could is a whole year behind Judas Iscariot, and yet easily defeated him and your classmate. Do you know why?"
Solomon considered that. The Educator raised a fair point. How come some of them were stronger than others, even with less time? The naive answer was that some of them worked harder over a more limited time, although that seemed unlikely to be universal.
"I'm not sure," he answered honestly, even as some inklings of an idea danced in his head.
The Educator's blurred mouth curved into a smile. "It's simple. Hard work doesn't serve as an accurate determiner on its own. Judas has applied himself diligently over the course of his Enrollment. Alas, strength has its vectors. The sinuous interplay of supernatural power revolves on the same basis as the children's game of rock-paper-scissors. A man with a killing hand slays the strongman who lifts and throws boulders, and yet the strongman can destroy a military platoon, whereas the man with the killing hand will simply be shot prior to getting in range. A bit of a crude example, I'm assuming the killing hand can get the drop on the strongman... but you get the idea."
"So Judas isn't weak," said Solomon, summarizing the explanation. "He's simply invested in a different sort of strength, one that's essentially worthless when a metal monster is shooting blasts of steam at you. How does that mesh with the question I asked you?"
"I am invested wholly into being a teacher, Mr. Lancaster," the Educator said. "I am most excellent at my profession. I can teach a man or a woman to see through walls, or conjure up fire without flint or tinder, or even take flight among the birds. However, investment implies a cost. I have invested myself into this mantle so utterly, so thoroughly, I am now constrained to a mien of strict lawful neutrality in the face of both good and evil. To intervene would've ruined impartiality, and shattered any pretense of free will that my students have - important Aspects that I've carefully cultivated. Even so, I still believe my decision was worth it."
It was almost an admission of hubris. The Educator believed the formation of supernatural Aspects, even devoid of morality, was more than worth its investment cost to mankind. That human civilization could rein in the evil side of that reified power and eventually emerge as a utopia.
And, more than anything, it was also an admission that he believed it was worth pursuing more power in the face of adversity.
It didn't help as much as he'd hoped. If anything, the Educator's abiding neutrality only made Solomon even more abundantly ashamed, feeling his culpability was evident as one of the strongest among the Tarot Class.
"As your Educator, Mr. Lancaster, I should recommend more learning from your mistakes and less moping about them," said the man, seemingly amused at the silent response. "I won't force you to study more tonight, although I heartily suggest looking at what you have available, and what you could accomplish with it."
Solomon nodded with a sigh.
"Hey, Sol," Harrison said after Solomon returned. The muscular athlete was sitting at a desk, earbuds blasting some fashion of rock stuffed into his ears, poring over a book full of diagrams and notes on the margins. It was clearly borrowed from the Academy's Library. "Anything good from Mr. E?"
"Just stuff to think about."
"Hmm, yeah, tell me about it," Harrison muttered non-committally. "Thanks for borrowing me your solar, by the way."
"No problem," said Solomon, before muttering something unfocused and incoherent about not bothering him; a verbal spewage that Harrison, being Solomon's roommate for over a month now, thankfully seemed to comprehend.
After Solomon dropped into the embrace of a familiar bed, he further contemplated the Educator's words. The soothing comfort of the cool sheets provided lubrication to every thought and brought with it a gentle extrusion of novel ideas. He needed to experiment, and some easy methods came to mind.
His eyes cracked open, as he raised the stylized deck of cards he'd brought along for the Enrollment.
He focused. The Architecture of the cards was opaque, the involvement of their material form minimal within the structure of the universe. And yet, the Magician's Role was to connect the above to the below, the heavens to the terrestrial fundament. The cards themselves were trivial, easily discarded; the meaning hidden within the configurations on them, however, was a reflection of higher ideals. He struggled for a second, to express and externalize the inherent meaning of his Role, and forged a resonant sympathy between material and the abstract it represented.
Although it took a moment, it happened.
From every card, slowly, undulated a string of white mystical light, an ethereal cord. Like a spider's web, the strings exploded into the air, each leading away to somewhere else, most of them either out the window or through the door.
Solomon absentmindedly shuffled through the deck, as Harrison didn't seem to notice anything.
The Chariot's string was connected to Harrison's heart. The Magician's, to Solomon.
The ideal connects to the real.
After that, Solomon had slightly less trouble falling asleep.
---
Now that you've reached the second (Year 1, October) turn, and acquired some minor experience and sophistication in your Role, it's time to discuss the matter of Techniques, and expand on the power expansion mechanics.
In short, Techniques are efficient condensation of skill in applying your Role, meant to achieve specific outcomes. Often, they are more granular than Aspects, and develop in a straightforward fashion. Most of them be divided into three broad categories:
Aspectless - A Technique that doesn't require any particular Aspect, only your Role, or something else inherent to you. Varied limits.
Aspected - A Technique reliant on the cultivation of an Aspect. It cannot be raised above twice the number of its Aspect's level.
Combination - A Technique reliant on an Aspect and an Aspectless quality of some kind, or two different Aspects.
In most situations, you cannot raise a Technique higher than double its Aspect level, or the overall refinement of your Role in the case of Aspectless, or refinement level of its specific Combinatorial skills or prerequisites in the case of a Combination Technique.
As a result of your hard work, you've managed to develop the following Techniques:
Arcanum Technique: Comfort's Embrace (Level 2) - An efficient regimen of invocations meant to assure your comfort: regulation of temperature, minor alteration of tactility, and autohypnosis that optimize your sleeping experience frightfully well. Gain +5 Will every turn.
Combination Technique: Connections (Level 1) - A combination of your insight into Architecture alongside your Role as the Magician. Allows you to draw on and perceive semi-real connections between abstract or real things, and follow them. Currently, limited to your personal tarot deck and classmates.
Now, for the efforts you've expended this month, you're given 825 XP to do with as you please.
Will: 65
Credit: 5.2
XP: 825
It's recommended you attempt to vote by plan, as otherwise, this could get messy. Also, you should note Aspected Techniques aren't shown for Aspects at n/a level, not even for theoretical Techniques you could obtain later.
[ ] Combination Technique: Connections (Level 2, 100 XP / Level 3, 250 XP) - Expand your sight further, allowing you to visually trace the connections and 'perceive' what is happening on the other end. Furthermore, you can now see your personal connections, on top of those inherent to your tarot deck. / Connections may now be traced with less effort, and you may perceive the connections of other people and things in your environment, aside from your own and those of your deck.
[ ] Aspect: Sanctum - The ritualistic creation of a sacred space: a wizard's tower, a thaumaturge's temple. In a devoted sanctum, you possess fewer limits as a magician: energy constraints loosened, generation redoubled, efforts quintupled. Although outside you may be a mere magus, within you are the King of Magi, every wonder of the world availed and accessible. It can be moved with effort, eventually.
Current Level: n/a
Next Level: 1 (250 XP) / 2 (500 XP)
Allows you to demarcate a single room-sized space in which your spells are almost twice as strong, and you have slightly more laxity in what your spells can do.
/ Allows you to demarcate an area the size of a small family house, in which your spells are twice as strong, cost one-third less to cast and maintain, and you have slightly more laxity in what you can do. Furthermore, hostile effects in the area are minimally less potent and attenuated to harm you or yours less.
[ ] Aspect: Arcanum - Invocation and spellcraft, orthodox. Also the magical processes of enchantment and alchemy, albeit to a lesser degree.
Current Level: 1
Next Level: 2 (500 XP)
Acquire further sophistication in spellcasting, comparable to a mid-level non-Enrolled wizard. Can, with effort, shoot rods of electricity that cross a street and incapacitate a human, or form a ball of fire that covers a small room and mostly deals with everyone inside. For utility, can near-effortlessly levitate or conjure small objects, clean and alter colors of items instantly, produce minor cosmetic or illusionary effects, and transfer yourself spatially across a room. Can accomplish minorly impressive feats of alchemy and enchantment, as well as other similar deeds on this scale.
-[ ] Technique: Arcane Focus (Level 1, 300 XP / Level 2, 600 XP) - A fundamental alteration of your Arcanum, altering the casting style you employ to follow a certain precept. It also enhances and grants special capabilities endemic to each of the Foci. For more details, read their descriptions below. Can either be employed as a minor specialist boost, or 'locked in' with full devotion for dramatic benefits, in turn preventing you from picking any of the others. Devotion can always be selected later, although un-devoting yourself is an involved and lengthy process, and shouldn't be done without due consideration.
--[ ] Sword - Air and Reason. Aerokinesis, electrokinesis, eventual 'pure' telekinesis and command over the electromagnetic spectrum, enhanced cognition, the summoning of Djinni, and offensive magics, including those which act as proactive defense.
*Casting Style: Hermetic Magic.
---[ ] Minor - Slight increase to Technique effectiveness.
---[ ] Devoted [7 Credit] - Monumental increase to Technique effectiveness, grants a Specialist Bonus. Locks out the other sub-Techniques.
--[ ] Wand - Fire and Creativity. Pyrokinesis, the summoning of Ifrit, Thematic flame magics (cauterization, creation of passion, damage over time effects), and all fundamentally 'creative' magics - from inciting a wellspring of inspiration to creating a barrier against incoming harm, to the creation of life itself.
*Casting Style: Wand Magic.
---[ ] Minor - Slight increase to Technique effectiveness.
---[ ] Devoted [7 Credit] - Monumental increase to Technique effectiveness, grants a Specialist Bonus. Locks out the other sub-Techniques.
--[ ] Cup - Water and Emotion. Hydrokinesis, including eventual control over ice and all other liquids; the creation of supernatural potions, poultices, salves and tinctures, the summoning of Marids, and all fundamentally transformative magics - from altering someone's emotional state to increasing their strength to transforming them into a newt.
*Dual Casting Style: Raw Manifestation and Potioncraft.
---[ ] Minor - Slight increase to Technique effectiveness.
---[ ] Devoted [7 Credit] - Monumental increase to Technique effectiveness, grants a Specialist Bonus. Locks out the other sub-Techniques.
--[ ] Pentacle - Earth and the Material. Terrakinesis, including ferrokinesis; the creation of artifacts and vestments, the manufacture of Golems and other material servitors, and all magics related to matter and the material world, including the summoning of actual individuals from, theoretically, any physical realm.
*Casting Style: Ritual Magic (including Artifice).
---[ ] Minor - Slight increase to Technique effectiveness.
---[ ] Devoted [7 Credit] - Monumental increase to Technique effectiveness, grants a Specialist Bonus. Locks out the other sub-Techniques.
-[ ] Technique: Arcane Induction (Level 1, 125 XP / Level 2, 250 XP) - Can take on a single non-Enrolled apprentice, conferring the potential to reach half your overall talent and level in the Arcanum Aspect and your Arcane Focus Technique / Can take on three apprentices of a similar level.
-[ ] Technique: Comfort's Embrace (Level 3, 400 XP) - Requires Arcanum (Level 2).
-[ ] Create New Technique - write-in, variable (high) cost
[ ] Aspect: Hermes the Destroyer - A combat-oriented Aspect, all relegated to ensuring security and capabilities in combat. Focused on releases of pure destructive energy and entropic shielding. A more powerful Aspect.
Current Level: n/a
Next Level: 1 (250 XP) / 2 (500 XP)
Allows you to maintain an aura that shreds enemies within a couple of meters from you, and fire rays that present the same amount of danger as a longbow.
/ Shoot entropic rays that present the same amount of danger as a squad of trained and accurate crossbowmen, cloak yourself in destructive energies that can slay or at least permanently maim a baseline human within three meters of you in several seconds, make focused, charged releases and blast-waves that can throw or crush cars.
[ ] Write-in
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