Omegahugger
Inattentive Idiot
There aren't any dragons around, so that's probably a bit tough.
Time of the Gods: Into the Amber Age
- Thread starter Powerofmind
- Start date
- Original
Would a Sea Serpent with Giant/Titan Avatar and a bunch of Air/Wind traits count? We're probably not going to make one anytime soon, but it isn't an impossibility.
Pandemonious Ivy
Panties, Revolution. Big Drawers. Parachute.
Gyarados, is that you?
Powerofmind
In Madness Fallen
- Location
- United States
What? No, no! That's just the threshold for you getting legend out of the investment. Anything extra after that is kept by the child for their own possibility of ascension when they die.
Maybe use the last calm seas at only at night? It'd make sure that more people are out at night.
Then do the same next turn to condition them. But the turn after that we hit them hard with lure or whip.
- Pronouns
- It/They
I got two explores in my plan.
Omegahugger
Inattentive Idiot
To honour this great occasion, I have compiled a small list of possible monster bases, separated by categories:
This list is by no means exhaustive, so feel free to bring up the stuff I missed.
Overall: Naturally aquatic animals, these are an obvious choice for the offspring of a sea-spirit. Notable qualitites include no need for air and a tendency for laying eggs. Also likely to help Gaerig getting Aspect of Fish, which certain members might like.
Sharks: Of course we start with the coolest species. Sharks are often described as little more than fins and teeth, and it's easy to see why given that their skin is basically made out of proto-teeth. Notable sharks that have been found in arctic waters include the greenland shark, which quite possibly is the longest-lived vertebrate on the planet, and the blue shark, which most definitely is one of the prettiest vertebrates on the planet. Sharks are carnivorous and most fishermen probably dread them a little already, which is always nice in a monster.
Basking Sharks: This should technically be part of the shark category, but I think they're sufficiently different to warrant their own box. Basically, they're sharks who think they're whales. Basking sharks are the second-largest fish in the world (barring divine intervention) and the largest we'll have access to this far north. This, naturally, also makes them the single largest set of jaws we'll have access to, which is nice because the basking shark's only known way of hunting is swimming around with its mouth open. As filter feeders they mainly eat krill, plankton and small fishes and are actually known to be relatively relaxed around divers, although being born a monster would fix that.
Lamprey: Yes, that long bloodsucking thing is also found north of Norway. If we want to make primordial monstrositites this is where we should look, as this beast is from before evolution figured out this thing called jaws. They latch on to unfortunate fish and suck blood like they're an underwater vampire, which they usually do until the target is dead from blood loss. Normally, they need to pul back to freshwater rivers to lay their eggs, but I'm 98% sure being born from a sea-goddess alleviates that problem.
Crocodile Icefish: Technically found in Antarctica rather than Arctic, but this is a fantasy world so our distribution might not neccesarily apply here. This is a small fish that feeds mainly as an ambush predator, and is pretty unremarkable if it weren't for one tiny detail. Their blood doesn't have any hemoglobin. Like, this doesn't actually benefit our monster in any meaningful way, but their blood is white. It's just seriously cool, that's all.
Herring: According to Wikipedia, this little fella is found in the arctic seas. Nothing particularly special about this other than the fact that I really want to see how a school-based fish would turn out as a monster.
Sharks: Of course we start with the coolest species. Sharks are often described as little more than fins and teeth, and it's easy to see why given that their skin is basically made out of proto-teeth. Notable sharks that have been found in arctic waters include the greenland shark, which quite possibly is the longest-lived vertebrate on the planet, and the blue shark, which most definitely is one of the prettiest vertebrates on the planet. Sharks are carnivorous and most fishermen probably dread them a little already, which is always nice in a monster.
Basking Sharks: This should technically be part of the shark category, but I think they're sufficiently different to warrant their own box. Basically, they're sharks who think they're whales. Basking sharks are the second-largest fish in the world (barring divine intervention) and the largest we'll have access to this far north. This, naturally, also makes them the single largest set of jaws we'll have access to, which is nice because the basking shark's only known way of hunting is swimming around with its mouth open. As filter feeders they mainly eat krill, plankton and small fishes and are actually known to be relatively relaxed around divers, although being born a monster would fix that.
Lamprey: Yes, that long bloodsucking thing is also found north of Norway. If we want to make primordial monstrositites this is where we should look, as this beast is from before evolution figured out this thing called jaws. They latch on to unfortunate fish and suck blood like they're an underwater vampire, which they usually do until the target is dead from blood loss. Normally, they need to pul back to freshwater rivers to lay their eggs, but I'm 98% sure being born from a sea-goddess alleviates that problem.
Crocodile Icefish: Technically found in Antarctica rather than Arctic, but this is a fantasy world so our distribution might not neccesarily apply here. This is a small fish that feeds mainly as an ambush predator, and is pretty unremarkable if it weren't for one tiny detail. Their blood doesn't have any hemoglobin. Like, this doesn't actually benefit our monster in any meaningful way, but their blood is white. It's just seriously cool, that's all.
Herring: According to Wikipedia, this little fella is found in the arctic seas. Nothing particularly special about this other than the fact that I really want to see how a school-based fish would turn out as a monster.
Overall: These are probably the second most populated group. Mammals are smelly beings that are covered in hair, feed their offspring using weird excretions and generally take good care of their young. Really don't see the appeal here, but I suppose being exothermic in an arctic environment is a bonus.
Many mammals have their own aspect, so spawning one of the proper type can boost our chances of getting that one.
Baleen whale: When it comes to sheer size, this is the best we'll get. The largest animal that has ever existed (and we know of) belongs in this category and, yes, the blue whale has been known to make trips up far north. They don't do much terror-wise but when you are larger than most houses, do you really need to?
Toothed whale: These are the baleens' more bitey cousins. Essentially take one of the above and replace some of the size with teeth. The crown jewel of these are the sperm whales, or the cachalot as they really should be called more often. They normally feed on fish and squid, and in the case of the cachalot even feed on giant squid!
Orca: Yes, yes, technically a toothed whale but they're cool so it doesn't matter! If basking sharks are sharks that think they're whales, orcas are whales that think they're sharks. Or dolphins who've decided to drop the pretense and act like they we all know they want to. And hunt in packs. Really, all you need to know about these guys is that Saiga originally ascended because he wrestled one of them. Which of course makes them attractive monster bases.
Human: Technically Trait-gated, but I want to talk about this one anyways. The only non-aquatic animal on the list and these guys are weird. Like, they're almost hairless mammals that use the skin of other animals to keep warm and that's just the beginning. You remember how I said that mammals often take good care of their young? Humans take that up to fourteen. As in they often raise their children for that many years. Heck, there are records of them taking care of their offspring for 40 years when circumstances are decent. Forty. Years. Most animals don't even live that long! And that isn't the only weird thing humans are known to do when conditions are good. They've been known to actively seek out and consume poisonous foods. Which is something that many animals do, but I can't think of any other species that actively gets angry if its poisonous food turns out to not be poisonous enough. As far as I know, there's no medical reasoning for this, they just do so.
Many mammals have their own aspect, so spawning one of the proper type can boost our chances of getting that one.
Baleen whale: When it comes to sheer size, this is the best we'll get. The largest animal that has ever existed (and we know of) belongs in this category and, yes, the blue whale has been known to make trips up far north. They don't do much terror-wise but when you are larger than most houses, do you really need to?
Toothed whale: These are the baleens' more bitey cousins. Essentially take one of the above and replace some of the size with teeth. The crown jewel of these are the sperm whales, or the cachalot as they really should be called more often. They normally feed on fish and squid, and in the case of the cachalot even feed on giant squid!
Orca: Yes, yes, technically a toothed whale but they're cool so it doesn't matter! If basking sharks are sharks that think they're whales, orcas are whales that think they're sharks. Or dolphins who've decided to drop the pretense and act like they we all know they want to. And hunt in packs. Really, all you need to know about these guys is that Saiga originally ascended because he wrestled one of them. Which of course makes them attractive monster bases.
Human: Technically Trait-gated, but I want to talk about this one anyways. The only non-aquatic animal on the list and these guys are weird. Like, they're almost hairless mammals that use the skin of other animals to keep warm and that's just the beginning. You remember how I said that mammals often take good care of their young? Humans take that up to fourteen. As in they often raise their children for that many years. Heck, there are records of them taking care of their offspring for 40 years when circumstances are decent. Forty. Years. Most animals don't even live that long! And that isn't the only weird thing humans are known to do when conditions are good. They've been known to actively seek out and consume poisonous foods. Which is something that many animals do, but I can't think of any other species that actively gets angry if its poisonous food turns out to not be poisonous enough. As far as I know, there's no medical reasoning for this, they just do so.
Overall: These beauties are usually ectothermic, so not a lot of them dwell up north like we are. Still, a few do and thus they're worth a look. Their genders are typically decided based on what temperature the eggs had, which is always fun.
Leatherback sea turtle: This adorable little fella actually manages to make road trips into the artic seas. Sea turtles are the secondbest source of prehistoric monsters, as they're the only group of marine reptiles that managed to survive cretaceous-paleogene extinction event. You know, the event that killed all the dinosaurs. These guys survived that. They're also the largest extant turtle species and overall one of the fastest reptiles alive. Unfortunately, they do not nest this far up north, but again that's one of the problems I think a monster born of the arctic sea could alleviate.
Leatherback sea turtle: This adorable little fella actually manages to make road trips into the artic seas. Sea turtles are the secondbest source of prehistoric monsters, as they're the only group of marine reptiles that managed to survive cretaceous-paleogene extinction event. You know, the event that killed all the dinosaurs. These guys survived that. They're also the largest extant turtle species and overall one of the fastest reptiles alive. Unfortunately, they do not nest this far up north, but again that's one of the problems I think a monster born of the arctic sea could alleviate.
Overall: These are the "other". The literally spineless ones. The ones that probably should've gotten individual categories because they're as diverse as the vertebrates but I didn't give them that because I needed that space for the turtles. Like mammals, invertebrates are spread across multiple Aspects, so pick with care.
Octopus: Crafty little buggers, Aspect of the Octopus almost certainly grants Innovation. They also have eight arms (septipi are a myth), meaning that any tool-use they can do is essentially quadrupled compared to the comparative human one. They can also change colour and use their boneless bodies to fit into spaces they really shouldn't. If we get a proper monster off this, it'll be a terror.
Giant Squid: Incidentally, this one is a terror already as an animal. Like, there's not much I can say about this one that isn't already covered by the words "Giant Squid". Maybe that the "Sea Monk" found in Denmark anno 1546 was for a long time believed to be a giant squid, ironically linking the species to an underseas clergy.
Nudibranch: Naked sea slugs that are experts of undersea biochemical warfare. They straight up eat hydrozoids like the man o' war and repurpose their stinging cells for defensive use and signs suggest that they can similarly adopt plant cells for photosynthesis. Also, they are amongst the most gorgeous of animals alive. Like seriously, go Google them right now. As slugs they are also hermaphroditic, in case you wanted to know the mechanics of monster breeding.
Octopus: Crafty little buggers, Aspect of the Octopus almost certainly grants Innovation. They also have eight arms (septipi are a myth), meaning that any tool-use they can do is essentially quadrupled compared to the comparative human one. They can also change colour and use their boneless bodies to fit into spaces they really shouldn't. If we get a proper monster off this, it'll be a terror.
Giant Squid: Incidentally, this one is a terror already as an animal. Like, there's not much I can say about this one that isn't already covered by the words "Giant Squid". Maybe that the "Sea Monk" found in Denmark anno 1546 was for a long time believed to be a giant squid, ironically linking the species to an underseas clergy.
Nudibranch: Naked sea slugs that are experts of undersea biochemical warfare. They straight up eat hydrozoids like the man o' war and repurpose their stinging cells for defensive use and signs suggest that they can similarly adopt plant cells for photosynthesis. Also, they are amongst the most gorgeous of animals alive. Like seriously, go Google them right now. As slugs they are also hermaphroditic, in case you wanted to know the mechanics of monster breeding.
- Pronouns
- It/They
My plan can get us tentacles.
Omegahugger
Inattentive Idiot
Why not just cut out the middle link and make a plan that lays with a Lamprey? It's not like we need Aspect of X to lie with an X, and we already know that fish are a thing. There's nothing to stop us from making a lamprey monster right now except for Veekie's charisma and common sense.
- Pronouns
- It/They
We still need to find a lamprey to lay with one.
Thus we must explore.
We are to close to the shore and the shallows to find lampreys after all.
Omegahugger
Inattentive Idiot
Pretty sure the "lay with an X" option also includes looking for an X. I mean, we straight up have an action for summoning fish, so I don't think calling a lamprey to us is going to be particularly hard.
We pulled in an idiot pretty easily, remember?
- Pronouns
- It/They
We also have to know that lampreys exist.
- Location
- Bologna
[X] Plan Moongazer Baby
I'm not sure what to vote for, or whether to make another plan...
Analysis inc. Maybe I'll convince myself one way or the other.
Moonlight used, Calm used, Astrology used: Keeping Sea Affinity, Sea Spirit, Moon Affinity.
Blessing for Trickery: Mischief Spirit kept.
Unlikely to accidentally Despise any traits.
Blessing Astrology, Trickery, Navigation; Inspiring twice to see what happens.
@Powerofmind, I'm pretty sure we can now bless Fishing for Growth if we so desire? It's not currently listed.
Mortal Ur-Child with half of our free legend and most of our Sustenance. We'll either hit zero this turn or eat an Ambrosia immediately after conception.
Traits can still be upgraded, even if we're at the cap, so if we upgraded Mischief or Sea Spirit, or Ocean(?) Affinity, we should still remain under cap.
Learning more about Saiga and the Island. Consummates Marriage.
Casts a potentially Moon-Boosted Reflecting Pool, should be cool - or flop. One of those.
Puts a lot into Blessing Astrology. Inspires once.
Moonlight + Read the Future keeps Moon; Calm Seas + Wander the Depths keeps Seas + Spirit of.
No direct Mischief actions can be considered a Mischief 'action'. Might protect Spirit of Mischief. Also might improve odds of Capricious One. Won't help if we don't get Shrine 2... as we would explode in a cloud of energy.
Direct Fish. For the potential Legend gain? Only other thing it might do is increase odds of Minor Aspect of the Fish... which would cause us to explode in a cloud of energy.
Looks for new sea Creatures with Wander the Depths. May end up boosting Spirit of Exploration, which I do want... but it would also cause us to explode in a cloud of energy.
Consummates Marriage to Saiga.
----
ninjafish looks for cool things to have Monsters with (New proper term: Ur-Beasts), studies stars to find cool monsters to sleep with, Moon-boosts that act, and directs fish; veekie has an Ur-child, Moon-boosts Reflecting Pool, Blesses for Growth, and attempts to find out more about the island and Saiga.
Both Bless for Sacrifices, Inspire, and lay with Saiga without committing to a child.
No plan Demands that mortals work to improve our Shrine
. Sure, there isn't much they can do, but Shrine 1 -> Shrine 2 can't be that hard, now can it? /Wonders where External Shrine and External Avatar are hiding.
Probably gonna come up with a plan that includes that after lunch. Either that or abstain.
Analysis inc. Maybe I'll convince myself one way or the other.
Moonlight used, Calm used, Astrology used: Keeping Sea Affinity, Sea Spirit, Moon Affinity.
Blessing for Trickery: Mischief Spirit kept.
Unlikely to accidentally Despise any traits.
Blessing Astrology, Trickery, Navigation; Inspiring twice to see what happens.
@Powerofmind, I'm pretty sure we can now bless Fishing for Growth if we so desire? It's not currently listed.
Mortal Ur-Child with half of our free legend and most of our Sustenance. We'll either hit zero this turn or eat an Ambrosia immediately after conception.
Traits can still be upgraded, even if we're at the cap, so if we upgraded Mischief or Sea Spirit, or Ocean(?) Affinity, we should still remain under cap.
Learning more about Saiga and the Island. Consummates Marriage.
Casts a potentially Moon-Boosted Reflecting Pool, should be cool - or flop. One of those.
Puts a lot into Blessing Astrology. Inspires once.
Moonlight + Read the Future keeps Moon; Calm Seas + Wander the Depths keeps Seas + Spirit of.
No direct Mischief actions can be considered a Mischief 'action'. Might protect Spirit of Mischief. Also might improve odds of Capricious One. Won't help if we don't get Shrine 2... as we would explode in a cloud of energy.
Direct Fish. For the potential Legend gain? Only other thing it might do is increase odds of Minor Aspect of the Fish... which would cause us to explode in a cloud of energy.
Looks for new sea Creatures with Wander the Depths. May end up boosting Spirit of Exploration, which I do want... but it would also cause us to explode in a cloud of energy.
Consummates Marriage to Saiga.
----
ninjafish looks for cool things to have Monsters with (New proper term: Ur-Beasts), studies stars to find cool monsters to sleep with, Moon-boosts that act, and directs fish; veekie has an Ur-child, Moon-boosts Reflecting Pool, Blesses for Growth, and attempts to find out more about the island and Saiga.
Both Bless for Sacrifices, Inspire, and lay with Saiga without committing to a child.
No plan Demands that mortals work to improve our Shrine
. Sure, there isn't much they can do, but Shrine 1 -> Shrine 2 can't be that hard, now can it? /Wonders where External Shrine and External Avatar are hiding.Probably gonna come up with a plan that includes that after lunch. Either that or abstain.
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chocolote12
A Penguin Flailing Against The Keyboard Of Life.
They're basically everywhere. Finding a Lamprey isn't a problem, it's convincing everybody that we should have kids with these tentacle abominations against all that is right in the world:
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Romv
A Memory of TREES
but it has no babies ...
Powerofmind
In Madness Fallen
- Location
- United States
Good catch.
You already know about... let's see on that list @Omegahugger...
Everything in the fish list (you get the croc icefish because white blood is cool). You know of all the mammals, the biggest whale is not something you've ever found personally. Never seen turtles. The only thing you're missing in invertebrates is giant squid. You do have regular ones, and a limited smattering of other cephalids. Sad day tho, you only have one octopus to pick from at the depths you can hit (also why no giant squid); the Antarctic Octopus, a cute little hand-size octopus that only eats a type of creature called brittle stars (that sounds like it was pulled directly from Lovecraft, seriously; an octopus that eats stars?).
- Pronouns
- It/They
Babies come after tentacles not before.
chocolote12
A Penguin Flailing Against The Keyboard Of Life.
[X] Ninjafish
I'm voting for this because I don't want to cheat on Saiga. Like, jokes about not promising to be monogamous or whatever aside, going out and immediately having a kid with somebody just after you married somebody else is messed up.
Also, if we find any giant squid, we can totally wear them as a hat or something and pick up their traits that way, and then we can grab shapeshifting and such which is awesome, and then we can have totally legitimate squid-kids, which would blow Saiga's mind.
I'm voting for this because I don't want to cheat on Saiga. Like, jokes about not promising to be monogamous or whatever aside, going out and immediately having a kid with somebody just after you married somebody else is messed up.
Also, if we find any giant squid, we can totally wear them as a hat or something and pick up their traits that way, and then we can grab shapeshifting and such which is awesome, and then we can have totally legitimate squid-kids, which would blow Saiga's mind.
I say we get big bowls in our shrines and make it our mascot. It sounds cute, in the cuddly way.
Pandemonious Ivy
Panties, Revolution. Big Drawers. Parachute.
- Pronouns
- It/They
We must have that octopus.
To those of of you wanting kids I'll see if I can get fiddle around with the plan to get an octopus monster once I get home and off my phone.
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Omegahugger
Inattentive Idiot
I only accepted the marriage on the premise that we were allowed to sleep with as many non-Saiga things as we please!
*But Omegahugger, you didn't accept the marriage. In fact, you were one of the staunchest opponents of it, not even joining the idea you spawned*
This is 2016! What I have said previously needs no connection to what I am saying now!
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