The Streetwalker's Guide to the Hierarchy

[firefrog600]

So I don't want to make this mask but the ideas bugging me. Just have a little nightmare fuel cause I've been thinking of war crimes. This mask was created under the idea of sacrificing a defenseless animal and forcing that defenselessness on others and repeatedly putting it on people who die minutes later over and over and over.
[JK] Mask of the Sacrificial lamb: Made from the mask of a sacrificial lamb this mask was made with one thing in mind bloody sacrifice of a defenseless victim. From the sacrifice of the lamb this mask was forged from the death of a defenseless creature and then used on many others. Forced onto the faces of victims who soon were killed after putting this mask remembers the defenseless nature of the first life taken from it. Forcing the concept of a defenseless lamb onto those it seeks to sacrifice this mask hungers for the sacrifice of others. Those who have the mask put on become weaker like the lamb it once came from and unless they can manage to take off the mask designed to clamp onto its victims they will slowly succumb to weakness and be sacrificed as well.

 

[Tetra]

It is still blowing away our very important points for no reason.

Like vote itself is whatever. You pick which 3/4 powers you get to have to start with, you work around missing heal/craft/combat depending on the choice and then update or two later we are where we want to be. On the other hand spending a considerable amount of metaresource is always a very important decision, and getting FB requires certain considerations to justify getting it over an EFB.

To be considered FB in question needs to be amazingly powerful, which Heart is not, it has to have some kind of absurd immediate impact that would recoup the investment, which Heart doesn't provide, or it has to have some kind of specific and powerful synergy(usually acting as direct multiplicative improvement to existing EFB or such) which Heart yet again doesn't do. You guys are getting it just because you can spend stuff, which is just bad. It is not unfair to say that correctly spending metaresources is often more important than actual voting, and this is just bad way to do it.

The worst thing is, Heart doesn't even appear to be locked in any way, so any potential synergy that would warrant Heart can just be done later when we actually need it. It is such a straight up terrible decision to make.

Click to shrink...

For what it's worth I'd be more okay with voting for KISS if it took a value point in Antimask and Reflection for the Puppeteer synergy bonuses. Do you have any thoughts on Brightwing's custom masks? The Facelessness one seems especially interesting given that we apparently want a source of Facelessness for crafting.

 

[JOEbob]

It being a cool ability we didn't have before is good enough reason to get it.

Click to shrink...

Is it, though? It's a cool ability, but is it cooler than average for the price? Is it cool enough to justify not being able to get something cooler-and-more-expensive later? Do we have any reason to believe it is?
it's a reason, but I don't think it's a good enough one.

 

[OctarineShrike]

I've just learned that potential invested in techniques such as heart reader is not added to the potential of the base aspect. 19 reflection and 5 on heart eater is 19 reflection with the heart eater technique.

[x]Plan Social Chameleon V2
-[x]Reflection(21)
-[x]Master Shaper(13+4)
-[x]Puppeteer(3)
-[x]Tinkering Mask
-[x]Emergency Mask

Edit: You know what I'm just going to back Wolfy's plan for the moment

[x]Plan KISS

 

[Birdsie]

We'll do the final tally within about a day.

 

[_brightwing]

[X] Plan KISS
-[X] Master Shaper - 13
-[X] Puppeteer - 27
-[X] Healing
-[X] Tinkering

Unless we immediately plan on utilizing anti-magi and power copying immediately, which we don't, we can just make them later. Remember - keep it simple stupid. Putting Potential in fifty things just leaves us with bunch of alright effects. Max out on our talky talky and then craft other masks later.

The only question, for me at least, is if we want to getting Healing or if we want to get Assassination and then try to use our social to get aid after story starts. However there isn't as much to be gain here so I don't think we have much reason to risk.

It's a FB so yeah. Just SAVE and go for EFB /shrug

Click to shrink...

If you are willing to switch the default masks to Healing and Tinkering v2, I'd switch and the plan would get 6 votes and more of a fighting chance. I can also think of some ways to increase omake voting power as well if I get time. Your first omake for the quest should have net you voting power as well.

The offer is also open to R' as well should he change his mind. You guys are the mechanics savvy voters and I trust any of your decisions. I am however more of an aesthetic voter, and that I care very much about.

 

[Rihaku]

I've just learned that potential invested in techniques such as heart reader is not added to the potential of the base aspect. 19 reflection and 5 on heart eater is 19 reflection with the heart eater technique.

[x]Plan Social Chameleon V2
-[x]Reflection(21)
-[x]Master Shaper(13+4)
-[x]Puppeteer(3)
-[x]Tinkering Mask
-[x]Emergency Mask

Edit: You know what I'm just going to back Wolfy's plan for the moment

[x]Plan KISS

Click to shrink...

KISS is an extremely risky plan as it has no combat power whatsoever - if it encounters a foe not vulnerable to socialization, or simply a natural disaster of some kind, it will straight up die. We purchase Reflection and Antimask for a reason!

 

[_brightwing]

If we take the facelessness mask with Devourer that instantly solves this problem with KISS..

Dorian, the terrorist. When the time for words are past, he simply dons the dread mask.


What do you guys say?

 

[GenericName]

[X] Wolfy

Don't have time to get into the weeds of the argument but I agree with being against using meta resources on a semi decent not necessarily required upgrade

 

[OctarineShrike]

If we take the facelessness mask with Devourer that instantly solves this problem with KISS..

What do you guys say?

Click to shrink...

It depends on just where our characters ethical framework is with vs without the mask IMO.

Like, Im fine with being Lelouch, or Angela during Library of Ruina, or a Tenno, or perhaps low chaos Corvo Attano. I'd rather not be Mab from the Dresden Files, or Kefka or something

 

[_brightwing]

It depends on just where our characters ethical framework is with vs without the mask IMO.

Like, Im fine with being Lelouch, or Angela during Library of Ruina, or a Tenno, or perhaps low chaos Corvo Attano. I'd rather not be Mab from the Dresden Files, or Kefka or something

Click to shrink...

I think we could probably steer Dorian's ruthlessness, I see it as presenting more options in that nature. And we the players would still have to guide Dorian's hand. We could absolutely play him as a Lelouch.

 

[Rihaku]

If you are willing to switch the default masks to Healing and Tinkering v2, I'd switch and the plan would get 6 votes and more of a fighting chance. I can also think of some ways to increase omake voting power as well if I get time. Your first omake for the quest should have net you voting power as well.

Click to shrink...

I don't want to frame our character in a way as to strongly and pointlessly commit them to committing warcrimes for mere aesthetics. There is no functional gain from this and it has the potential to make very powerful and numerous enemies almost immediately depending on the magics available to Street denizens.

[X] Wolfy

Don't have time to get into the weeds of the argument but I agree with being against using meta resources on a semi decent not necessarily required upgrade

Click to shrink...

I wouldn't characterize upgrading the Sharingan to the Mangeko to be a "semi-decent" improvement. That's more of a make-or-break S-class core ability.

 

[OctarineShrike]

I think we could probably steer Dorian's ruthlessness, I see it as presenting more options in that nature. And we the players would still have to guide Dorian's hand. We could absolutely play him as a Lelouch.

Click to shrink...

Hrm... what do you think of that social chameleon v2 plan I briefly considered with Facelessness and Emergency or Healing? A Cracked Cell Circumvention type effect is enough to make me consider the Emergency mask even if we burn it to get teleported to a healing source.

[x]Plan Social Chameleon V2
-[x]Reflection(21)
-[x]Master Shaper(13+4)
-[x]Puppeteer(3)
-[x]Facelessness Mask
-[x]Emergency Mask

Basically the point of Social Chameleon is to get into places he isn't supposed to be/be the kind of assassin who slips poison into peoples drinks.

Shapeshifting resistant to magical perception, memory copying to get door codes out of people along with copying hostile magic/skills, with a little bit of social boost and the mask hotswapping ability because our guy is good enough to not need much and Reflection/Master Shaper open up infiltration options mundane skills can't provide.

Edit: On Second thought here's a v3

[x]Plan Social Chameleon V3
-[x]Reflection(21)
-[x]Heart Reader(5/5 Import)
-[x]Master Shaper(13)
-[x]Puppeteer(1)
-[x]Tinkering Mask
-[x]Emergency Mask

[x]Plan Masker of Circumstance

 

[_brightwing]

I don't want to frame our character in a way as to strongly and pointlessly commit them to committing warcrimes for mere aesthetics. There is no functional gain from this and it has the potential to make very powerful and numerous enemies almost immediately depending on the magics available to Street denizens.

Click to shrink...

Ah I thought it wouldn't be a presssing issue, historically you have always favoured hard of core characters as such. It isn't pointless, our guy is already an assassin. This merely lets us dictate the how of it.. And Masked is about creating legends. Making the assassination tool the Devourer mask only adds to our character's story - and thus, aesthetics is power.

@OctarineShrike
I think we're at a point where we need to consolidate, so our efforts would be better served convincing Wolfy about the change. And I'd rather we frame the Facelessness mask as Devourer of Faces so it can explicitly be the assassination tool to take advantage of tying narrative to it. That would increase it's facelessness capabilties, ero improve Mask construction that way..

Ideally..

[] Plan KISS
-[] Master Shaper - 13
-[] Puppeteer - 27
-[] Healing & Tinker v2
--[] Mask of my own Face
--[] Devourer of Faces

-[] A Mask of your own Face - That gradually turns back your body to your ideal state you were in when you first crafted the mask. Reverting your form to the pinnacle of your physical prime. Metaphysical abilities to save your mindstates as well as you progress, protection from memetic dangers. Capturing other physical states as well with time.
-[] Devourer of Faces - The tool of the assassination. A featureless mask with a yawning maw that feeds on a target or area. With continued exposure, the power intensifies, stripping away the very identity of those caught in its grasp, rendering them faceless. Realizing the higher degree of facelessness has been invaluable in Mask creation.

 

[Birdsie]

It is perhaps pertinent to mention that purposefully generating Facelessness is a supremely vile war crime on Drethir; even the Somber Mask thinks it's rather in bad taste.

 

[Wolfy]

For what it's worth I'd be more okay with voting for KISS if it took a value point in Antimask and Reflection for the Puppeteer synergy bonuses. Do you have any thoughts on Brightwing's custom masks? The Facelessness one seems especially interesting given that we apparently want a source of Facelessness for crafting.

Click to shrink...

I kinda don't like them for same reason R brought up. I don't mind which mask we get because they should be replaced at some point anyway, but getting ones that are just screaming "evil" is a bit too much.

Something like this then:

[X] Back 2 Basic
-[X] AntiMask: 10
-[X] Reflection: 12
-[X] Shaper: 8
-[X] Pupeteer: 10
-[X] The Artificer's Face
-[X] Crimson Lost

The Crimson Lost is a mask of haunting beauty. It is fashioned from a deep, lustrous ruby, its surface carved with the likeness of a blooming lotus, the petals unfurling in a mesmerizing pattern of light and shadow. The mask pulses with an almost lifelike rhythm, mirroring the steady beat of a heart, its glow intensifying with every beat. It grands the following abilities:

• Hemokinesis: Ability to control blood. Can use own or foreign blood to generate weapons or launch weapons. Can be used to deal catastrophic damage in tactile range by directly controlling opponents blood
• Combat Tendency: Grants increased aptitude to combat
• Blood Sense: Gain ability to perceive blood of other people, acting as scuffed X-ray vision
• Consume: Expend blood, your own or blood of others, to heal. Pretty bad healing ratio but it's somethin

 

[_brightwing]

I kinda don't like them for same reason R brought up. I don't mind which mask we get because they should be replaced at some point anyway, but getting ones that are just screaming "evil" is a bit too much.

Something like this then:

[X] Back 2 Basic
-[X] AntiMask: 10
-[X] Reflection: 12
-[X] Shaper: 8
-[X] Pupeteer: 10
-[X] Tinkering
-[X] Crimson Lotus

The Crimson Lost is a mask of haunting beauty. It is fashioned from a deep, lustrous ruby, its surface carved with the likeness of a blooming lotus, the petals unfurling in a mesmerizing pattern of light and shadow. The mask pulses with an almost lifelike rhythm, mirroring the steady beat of a heart, its glow intensifying with every beat. It grands the following abilities:

• Hemokinesis: Ability to control blood. Can use own or foreign blood to generate weapons or launch weapons. Can be used to deal catastrophic damage in tactile range by directly controlling opponents blood
• Combat Tendency: Grants increased aptitude to combat
• Blood Sense: Gain ability to perceive blood of other people, acting as scuffed X-ray vision
• Consume: Expend blood, your own or blood of others, to heal. Pretty bad healing ratio but it's somethin

Click to shrink...

I can get behind blood healing, this looks like another direction to expand the assassination identity through deeds. Could you add a flavour text mentioning the Duke and Dorian committing to exsanguinate him drop by drop? To get started on the narrative of Dorian.

I am amendable to switch it out with Healing in KISS as well.


I am still worried about the opportunity loss... I think we were meant to take advantage of Masked world which we are about to leave behind. We'd have the materials and facetime from that world to commit to the masks.

What about another take with Tinker mask - but to reflavour the facelessness not as a tool of terror. A secret mask?

Edit:

The Masque of the Red Death

In this classic Edgar Allan Poe story, a prince hosts a party in his castle while a plague rages outside its walls.

storyoftheweek.loa.org

Also reminds me of Masque of the Red Death

 

[OctarineShrike]

[x]Wolfy

 

[_brightwing]

[X]Wolfy

 

[fame]

I'm not 100% sure about this but ehh fine

[X]Wolfy

 

[Wolfy]

As I said, I am not really concerned about exact masks we get. If you guys want something else feel free to work something out and tell me.

 

[fame]

I was unsure about the main mask because of the almost equal focus on all 4 aspects, since I feel it's spread too thin.
Though after thinking more it's probably fine. The equal focus on everything has a good synergy with puppeteer

 

[OctarineShrike]

I was unsure about the main mask because of the almost equal focus on all 4 aspects, since I feel it's spread too thin.
Though after thinking more it's probably fine. The equal focus on everything has a good synergy with puppeteer

Click to shrink...

Honestly if I had my way we'd dump anti magic and put 1-3 points in puppeteer. The rest goes into reflection and shaper favoring reflection

 

[_brightwing]

As I said, I am not really concerned about exact masks we get. If you guys want something else feel free to work something out and tell me.

Click to shrink...

How about..

[] The Artificer's Face - Nailed together from the disjointed fragments of many a worn mask, wearers of which have all succumbed to Facelessness. Fused with the tools of maskcraft of old, sticking out of the mask in odd angles.

Donning the mask perceive the world through a lens of pure potential, seeing the underlying structures and materials of masks with unparalleled clarity. Furthermore, gauge the threshold of facelessness that can be projected by a given mask during creation, to overstep the risk of mask failure.

The mask naturally generates energies associated with Facelessness, creating a reserve that can only be tapped when crafting masks. This reservoir increases with Mask potential and must be used judiciously. If overfilled, it could lead to an uncontrollable outpouring of Facelessness.

---

I reiterate my request to add a note in Crimson Lost about it being the Assassination tool, just to get a head start on the Masked identity stuff. You might also want to balance it and add a bloodthirst mechanic to it.

 

[WHISPER]

[X]Wolfy