Towards the Golden Throne (Warhammer 40k Xianxia)
- Thread starter Maugan Ra
- Start date
Fayhem
Definitely not an escaped SCP
- Location
- At large
- Pronouns
- He/Him
*squawks, I think?
*his right arm is nothing
[ ] Where are we? What world is this?
Easy enough to fill in ourselves, relatively speaking.
[ ] Who has been holding us captive?
Should potentially be possible to infer from the answers to the next two questions, and we'd have more opportunities to fill in blanks
[ ] Who is the Jackal?
Definitely important to know.
[ ] Who is the Heron Masked Man?
Likewise - anyone who tells you not to trust them is somebody you should take at their word in that and that alone.
[ ] Why was I brought here?
We can probably infer this from the answer to the latter. Maybe. Potentially.
[ ] What is their plan?
The single most important thing to learn here.
So yeah, joining the bandwagon for:
[X] What is their plan?
[X] Who is the Jackal?
[X] Who is the Heron Masked Man?
On par if we're *lucky*. Nothing says he couldn't be a couple realms above instead.
Also, I do love this socially awkward Young Mistress.
- Location
- Vermont
[ ] Where are we? What world is this?
Don't care! We can ask someone else about that!
[X] Who has been holding us captive?
Presumably there are more of them somewhere! This should be rectified!
[ ] Who is the Jackal?
This answer to this question will become "irrelevant pile of ash" at some point in the future! Our course of action is already set!
[X] Who is the Heron Masked Man?
This question could possibly be solved with violence but that might be suboptimal!
[ ] Why was I brought here?
They grievously and fatally underestimated the power of our sect! No further pondering is required here!
[X] What is their plan?
How can we best ruin it with flaming violence ignorant layfolk would describe as "exceedingly and dangerously gratuitous!"
Don't care! We can ask someone else about that!
[X] Who has been holding us captive?
Presumably there are more of them somewhere! This should be rectified!
[ ] Who is the Jackal?
This answer to this question will become "irrelevant pile of ash" at some point in the future! Our course of action is already set!
[X] Who is the Heron Masked Man?
This question could possibly be solved with violence but that might be suboptimal!
[ ] Why was I brought here?
They grievously and fatally underestimated the power of our sect! No further pondering is required here!
[X] What is their plan?
How can we best ruin it with flaming violence ignorant layfolk would describe as "exceedingly and dangerously gratuitous!"
Upon Brandished Steel (Astartes fiction piece)
- Location
- United States of America
Death Comes Not Upon Wings, But Upon Brandished Steel
Each step he took vibrated the puddles and muck making up this humid world. A world that was trying its best to kill him. Failing to, but trying. Mobs of howling mutants rushed forward yet his artifact spat metal, flame, and death. Each round gouged terrible holes into the forces trying to prevent his progress. Holes rapidly filled with even more of the damned and desperate. A cycle that seemed to have no end in sight.
Senior Brother Clevius's voice came over his commlink, steady and sure amidst the howling madness. "Status report, Brother Zuriel."
"Sir," Zuriel responded, "I am stalled at the third Grand Hall. The Sect of Unspoken Tounges has committed as many bodies as necessaries to prevent my progress."
"Acknowledged. Standby for directions."
"Acknowledged, will standby."
A flex of will opened a slight hole in Zuriel's faceplate allowing him to spit a stream of liquid toward the horde. Those in front of the horde dissolved into vapor as the acid transmuted their flesh and bone into boiling water. The unfortunates behind them screamed in agony as that very same boiling water splashed over skin and eyes, painfully searing them. It caused the river of bodies stopping him to halt their charge, for a fraction of a second. Enough time to reload and continue firing into his opponents.
"Brother Zuriel," Senior Brother Clevius's voice came through again. "Hold until reinforced. I and three others will join you to commit to a spearhead assault."
"Acknowledged, will hold."
It took a few moments of firing into the doorway before he heard the sharp staccato of galloping Astarte brothers behind him. Id codes pinged through his vision. Senior Brother Clevius was there, as well as Brother Ashath, Volorh, and Sevetor. Their combined fire pulped the remaining forces charging at him.
"We will move quickly," Senior Brother Clevius said, "assume the Battle Formation of Surety."
Nodding, Zuriel placed himself in the proper location of the formation just as the horde returned. Then Senior Brother Clevius activated the formation and there was no more thought. All five of them were linked, by blood and gene and power, becoming a single entity with ten eyes, ten arms, and ten legs. Five bodies, one purpose.
Tearing through the opposition the formation advanced. Just as an ocean could not prevent the passage of a shark, so it was the horde arrayed before them could not stop them. Blades sliced through bodies, bolters tore holes through enemies. Where one brother would have been stalled by the river, five brothers linked in such a way was too much to stop with such meager foes. And their enemy knew it.
Stiffer opposition soon joined the poor fools that had been arrayed against them. Higher ranking members of the Demonic Sect hid at the back, using bursts of uncontrolled energies to warp the world and lesser disciples into more dangerous versions. They were not successful, dying just as quickly as their brethren. Priests and warriors further along the path practiced by the Sect of Unspoken Tounges were reached next. Mutated beyond anything else yet faced, these creatures attempted to break the link joining the brothers. These foes lasted longer by dint of their mutations but died all the same.
Then the formation broke into the inner sanctum. Purplish crystals arching with lightning covered the walls and ceiling in dizzying patterns. Along the ground were carved sigils and geometric shapes filled with a mixture of liquid gold and blood. At the center of the room, though lay the Branch Master. A serpentine creature with ten arms jutting out of its body, each tipped with a different implement. At their arrival, the creature stirred and rose its head, glaring with simmering hate at the intruders.
Screams and sobs resounded through the room as the world began to buckle beneath the weight of the creature's unleashed presence. The poor fools attending it, with polishing rags in hand, collapsed as froth forced itself out of their jaws. Leaping into action, the formation began the process of killing the abomination in front of them. Slipping swords underneath scales to pop off the unnaturally durable armor, firing bolts into the exposed weaknesses, leaping at the creature's eyes to distract and disorient. All efforts were responded to in turn by whips of energy searing air into ozone, while the creature stabbed at the formation with its varied arms.
One body couldn't dodge a whip fully, so the formation choose instead to sacrifice a non-dominant arm to keep the assault up. Despite the setback, the sacrifice was rewarded as that same body spat a round into a freshly unscaled wound. Screams ripped themselves out from the Branch Master as it began to spasm. Something important had been struck. More attention was focused on the wound, bolts and swords deepening the weakness. Eventually, the creature's spasms subsided. It was over. Purpose fulfilled, the formation began dissolving.
Grasping his stump in pain, Zuriel slumped down to the ground. Breathing deep he willed the pain to cease and his body obeyed. Looking around, he noticed that his arm had been mangled beyond use in the creature's death-throes. He would have to grow a new one when he got back to the Monastery. Standing up and walking over to a wall, Zuriel leaned against the support. Then, he began the tedious task of reloading his bolter with one arm, pinning the artifact against the wall when necessary.
Slowly, more Brothers trickled into the inner sanctum, and a similar story repeated itself. The hordes broke when the Branch Master had fallen and his fellows had taken the opportunity to advance through the complex. Already, flamers were being brought to torch the crystalline library, with explosives being placed along as many structurally important sections as possible. It was time to move on to the next cry for help, but by the Emperor, they wouldn't leave this place standing for use by future foes.
A/N: A look at what I imagine the Adeptus Astartes might look like. Especially the idea that they would have techniques not just for personally killing people as quickly as possible, but also for enhancing a squad to become a killing machine. Hence the "Battle Formation" idea. I hope you enjoyed the read!
Each step he took vibrated the puddles and muck making up this humid world. A world that was trying its best to kill him. Failing to, but trying. Mobs of howling mutants rushed forward yet his artifact spat metal, flame, and death. Each round gouged terrible holes into the forces trying to prevent his progress. Holes rapidly filled with even more of the damned and desperate. A cycle that seemed to have no end in sight.
Senior Brother Clevius's voice came over his commlink, steady and sure amidst the howling madness. "Status report, Brother Zuriel."
"Sir," Zuriel responded, "I am stalled at the third Grand Hall. The Sect of Unspoken Tounges has committed as many bodies as necessaries to prevent my progress."
"Acknowledged. Standby for directions."
"Acknowledged, will standby."
A flex of will opened a slight hole in Zuriel's faceplate allowing him to spit a stream of liquid toward the horde. Those in front of the horde dissolved into vapor as the acid transmuted their flesh and bone into boiling water. The unfortunates behind them screamed in agony as that very same boiling water splashed over skin and eyes, painfully searing them. It caused the river of bodies stopping him to halt their charge, for a fraction of a second. Enough time to reload and continue firing into his opponents.
"Brother Zuriel," Senior Brother Clevius's voice came through again. "Hold until reinforced. I and three others will join you to commit to a spearhead assault."
"Acknowledged, will hold."
It took a few moments of firing into the doorway before he heard the sharp staccato of galloping Astarte brothers behind him. Id codes pinged through his vision. Senior Brother Clevius was there, as well as Brother Ashath, Volorh, and Sevetor. Their combined fire pulped the remaining forces charging at him.
"We will move quickly," Senior Brother Clevius said, "assume the Battle Formation of Surety."
Nodding, Zuriel placed himself in the proper location of the formation just as the horde returned. Then Senior Brother Clevius activated the formation and there was no more thought. All five of them were linked, by blood and gene and power, becoming a single entity with ten eyes, ten arms, and ten legs. Five bodies, one purpose.
Tearing through the opposition the formation advanced. Just as an ocean could not prevent the passage of a shark, so it was the horde arrayed before them could not stop them. Blades sliced through bodies, bolters tore holes through enemies. Where one brother would have been stalled by the river, five brothers linked in such a way was too much to stop with such meager foes. And their enemy knew it.
Stiffer opposition soon joined the poor fools that had been arrayed against them. Higher ranking members of the Demonic Sect hid at the back, using bursts of uncontrolled energies to warp the world and lesser disciples into more dangerous versions. They were not successful, dying just as quickly as their brethren. Priests and warriors further along the path practiced by the Sect of Unspoken Tounges were reached next. Mutated beyond anything else yet faced, these creatures attempted to break the link joining the brothers. These foes lasted longer by dint of their mutations but died all the same.
Then the formation broke into the inner sanctum. Purplish crystals arching with lightning covered the walls and ceiling in dizzying patterns. Along the ground were carved sigils and geometric shapes filled with a mixture of liquid gold and blood. At the center of the room, though lay the Branch Master. A serpentine creature with ten arms jutting out of its body, each tipped with a different implement. At their arrival, the creature stirred and rose its head, glaring with simmering hate at the intruders.
Screams and sobs resounded through the room as the world began to buckle beneath the weight of the creature's unleashed presence. The poor fools attending it, with polishing rags in hand, collapsed as froth forced itself out of their jaws. Leaping into action, the formation began the process of killing the abomination in front of them. Slipping swords underneath scales to pop off the unnaturally durable armor, firing bolts into the exposed weaknesses, leaping at the creature's eyes to distract and disorient. All efforts were responded to in turn by whips of energy searing air into ozone, while the creature stabbed at the formation with its varied arms.
One body couldn't dodge a whip fully, so the formation choose instead to sacrifice a non-dominant arm to keep the assault up. Despite the setback, the sacrifice was rewarded as that same body spat a round into a freshly unscaled wound. Screams ripped themselves out from the Branch Master as it began to spasm. Something important had been struck. More attention was focused on the wound, bolts and swords deepening the weakness. Eventually, the creature's spasms subsided. It was over. Purpose fulfilled, the formation began dissolving.
Grasping his stump in pain, Zuriel slumped down to the ground. Breathing deep he willed the pain to cease and his body obeyed. Looking around, he noticed that his arm had been mangled beyond use in the creature's death-throes. He would have to grow a new one when he got back to the Monastery. Standing up and walking over to a wall, Zuriel leaned against the support. Then, he began the tedious task of reloading his bolter with one arm, pinning the artifact against the wall when necessary.
Slowly, more Brothers trickled into the inner sanctum, and a similar story repeated itself. The hordes broke when the Branch Master had fallen and his fellows had taken the opportunity to advance through the complex. Already, flamers were being brought to torch the crystalline library, with explosives being placed along as many structurally important sections as possible. It was time to move on to the next cry for help, but by the Emperor, they wouldn't leave this place standing for use by future foes.
A/N: A look at what I imagine the Adeptus Astartes might look like. Especially the idea that they would have techniques not just for personally killing people as quickly as possible, but also for enhancing a squad to become a killing machine. Hence the "Battle Formation" idea. I hope you enjoyed the read!
Last edited:
- Location
- London, England
Oh hey, that's pretty cool! I love the idea of the Formation Arts in particular, and will probably steal that later on.
As a random aside, "mutants" being people warped by the deliberate efforts of a powerful or specialised Adept is a pretty solid way to represent the change to that setting element in the crossover, since that is definitely something that could be done. The existence of Arts to track what kind of energy induced those changes has also had significant cultural effects on the Imperium - people simply born different generally have the same legal rights, but there's a whole bunch of new and interesting prejudices and conflict points stemming from who exactly altered the flesh of their charges (and how much choice the mortal had in that change). There are a number of Mechanicus Sects which have sparked incidents by deciding to "optimise" their mortal workforce, while the Salamanders make some people uncomfortable when they take the time to "bless" the civilian populace near their warzones with improved strength and resilience that they might better protect themselves.
I'll give you 100xp for this, since it's largely unrelated to the actual main quest. You can either invest that in an existing Art, or if you have an interesting idea for a new Sect-appropriate art that you'd like Miraxa to have then you can spend the xp to add that to her sheet (so long as it's at least vaguely reasonable).
BungieONI
Seven gremlins in a trench coat
- Location
- Lickwidget
- Pronouns
- She/Her
That's actually a question that just landed in my brain:
Are the great Ships of the Adeptus Astra empowered by a gigantic Formation Art (or Arts) created by the sections of the crew? Like the guns are enhanced by the gun crew heads engaging in Formations.
- Location
- Peterborough, NH, USA
Hm, so, could there be really nasty Sects who can do stuff like this to entire planetary populations? Presumably high-end Tzeentchian or Slaaneshi Sects. Perhaps a branch of the Noise Marines-equivalent who specced super-hard into corruption. Actually... hang on a little bit...
- Location
- London, England
I am going to punt that one and say "depends on the ship" until I've had a chance to really think about it in depth. Though a gun crew wouldn't need an Art to inflict horrendous damage on someone, that much is handled by "this is a macrocannon".
I do know that the role of "ship's captain" and "ship's navigator" have been generally merged, though, which of course means all of those stiff-upper-lip navy types have a third eye in the middle of their forehead. Mostly because Navigators are cool as hell.
BungieONI
Seven gremlins in a trench coat
- Location
- Lickwidget
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hell yes they are hehehe.
Hmmm, now I'm wondering how much mortals can participate in Formations. They have no akasha/energy to Mira's eyes so they may not add anything to use except for gun fire (or blades and fists), which a Formation may be able to enhance or direct magically.
Last edited:
- Location
- United States of America
I'm glad you liked it! It was fun to think of how a battle formation of that nature would function.
I'll sink my 100xp points into Incandescent Wings of the Phoenix if that's all right.
- Location
- Peterborough, NH, USA
Discordant Noise Marines - Minor Slaaneshi Astartes Sect - Majoris Threat
This is a Sect greatly feared. Originally, a number of apparently 'normal' members of the Noise Marines Sect, and they have retained much of the culture and norms therein, they were not content with merely being able to kill with sound. No, they wanted more. They delved deep into the lore of sound and Chaos alike. They went so far as to make deals with the Thousand Sons, mostly Ahriman, the Plague Marines, the World Eaters, and even Abaddon himself, with rumors swirling of some manner of accord being reached with the Sons of Malice, though no proof that any such meeting even took place. Serving alongside them and aiding them in disputes in exchange for secrets of weaving Chaos into sound. In pursuit of the instruments and the physical sound itself being made Chaotic, they began making agreements with the Dark Mechanicus, a few Dark Forgeworlds bearing interest in sound themselves. They even went so far as to assist in the founding of a Dark Forgeworld, one Trazom, with a specific interest in sound, forming a research agreement with them.
It took centuries of research, experimentation disguised as more normal raiding by the Noise Marines, though Inquisition eventually began to suspect something was off, as what was left behind did not quite match with the main body of Noise Marines, even accounting for the fact that they were clearly trying new songs in an effort to please their god. While this was technically accurate, the Inquisition was barely able to obtain enough evidence to gather appropriate resources for what the Discordant Noise Marines, as they revealed themselves to be during their scheme, had been preparing for.
Attacking a Hive World, they unleashed a Discordant Symphony that was one part plague, one part mutation, one part enhancement, and one part music, which consumed every citizen still on the planet within three weeks, with similar reports coming from all over the Sub-Sector a week in. It turned mortals into a horde not unlike Nurgle's Plague Zombies. From what the Inquisition has uncovered, the plague was in part based on it, and has somewhat similar effects on the infected, save that, rather than a yellow-green pallor and fluid, they were consumed by some kind of black ooze, with pink fluid leaking from the eyes and mouth, coloring them the same way, and with the odd pink accent making itself known, their alignment with Slaanesh, forcing them to truncate any stealth capabilities the Discordant, as the mortals were called, might have. The Discordant would gain increased physical attributes, enough to overwhelm a first Realm with relative ease given their numbers, and significant musical ability, either to a set floor if they possessed no talent for it beforehand, or a significant improvement of them. This made the Discordant Noise Marines target artists and institutions dedicated to them, recruiting shock troops to begin spreading the plague among the rest of the populace.
The Discordant Symphony can spread in two ways, direct contact, or it's preferred method, sound. While the Discordant often struggle to string sentences together when not singing, simply talking to them is hazardous, and they will have Discordant Noise Marine support if they should encounter resistance, for reasons discussed later. Regardless, the Discordant will make music, both in terms of playing music and writing new music, at a low but constant level as one part worship of Slaanesh, though it's a topic of some debate whether the Discordant themselves count or whether this branch of the Noise Marines are simply using them as fixtures in planet-sized temples to Slaanesh, and one part defense mechanism, ramping up a great deal if they receive any hint of the presence of the uninfected.
It should be noted that being any higher in terms of Cultivation Realm than the Discordant will grant resistance, however, how loud the music is will also factor into one's resistance, so as a general rule, the closer you are to a Discordant individual, the faster they can in turn infect you. Provided you can move away, partial infection can be fought off without much trouble, though you will see a loss of fine motor control in afflicted areas. If it achieves full coverage, however, a person's consciousness is chained to the Symphony, at which point they have their consciousness driven into the depths, their body piloted by the Song. This apparently qualifies as dangling the souls right in front of Slaanesh' mouth or something along those lines.
It should also be noted that some Discordant Noise Marines will allow themselves to be consumed by Symphony in a manner similar to Possessed Astartes, and these are some of the most common of the Special Lyrics. This is where the mutation really comes into play. Special Lyrics are those afflicted with the Discordant Song who have shown an unusual affinity for it, gaining mutations or special Arts from their bond with it, allowing just about anything within Slaanesh' wheelhouse to be gifted to them. Given Slaanesh' ties to Perfection and Obsession, this can be almost anything so long as it was important before they were swallowed by the Song. A florist gaining control over plants, forming a chorus to aid them or engaging in more direct combat, for example. The longer the Symphony is present in an individual, the more likely they'll become a Special Lyric. It is a sign that the Symphony has sunk deep into them, and is generally regarded as the point a person becomes a lost cause without the personal intervention of a Saint.
You see, because of the nature of the Discordant Symphony, the infected can in theory be saved, which often serves to compromise the defenses. Were it a Nurglish plague and the only recourse was to kill the infected and burn the bodies, then it would merely be a grim necessity, but by dangling a bit of doubt disguised as hope, the locals will clash with the Discordant, attempting to rescue people. Every now and then, they even succeed. This is a trap. While being of a higher Realm grants resistance to the Symphony, resistance is not immunity, and since it's not a conventional illness even by Nurglite standards, and with the backing of a completely different patron to boot, anti-Nurgle Arts are usually of little use, while this is different enough from Slaanesh' usual work to limit the effects of anti-Slaanesh Arts. This has proven a costly surprise to many, an advantage the Symphony will press.
An infection will generally go something like this. The Discordant Noise Marines will infiltrate a Sector, and begin going after singers and musicians, and to a lesser degree, various forms of electrician and engineer who might make sound equipment. Forcibly recruiting those best suited to rescuing those fallen under the Song's sway, who are also the best suited to spread the Song even in the face of similar opposition. From there, the the Song will spread through mortals like wildfire, a few minutes of direct exposure enough to overwhelm the weak-willed, and a half hour something iron-willed veterans of Imperial campaigns would struggle with. Any resistance will naturally form around those of the higher Realms present on the world, both as the most resistant, and because that's what always happens. The Discordant Noise Marines, Discordant Adepts, and Special Lyrics will assassinate or 'assassinate' these leaders, killing or converting them as the opportunity presents itself. A Material Realm Mechanicus Adept is largely immune to mortals possessed by the Symphony, but a group of Runic tech-priests are another story, especially if the Material Adept in question knew them, as the Song can more easily slip inside if it's intended victim is emotionally compromised, though this usually goes both ways, making rescuing the fallen easier as well. By this point, organized resistance will have collapsed, and any remaining unaffected will either be trying to flee or bunkering down for the long haul, if not outright signaling for Exterminatus like an infestation of Plague Zombies have hit critical mass. Without a Saint cleansing the world, or a Holy Artifact of the Mechanicus specifically designed to fight the Song, Exterminatus or quarantine until one of those can come to pass are really the only options. Combat is a drawn out way of feeding hordes of Discordant like this more bodies, and bombardment of sufficient magnitude to clear them all out to a sufficient degree the rest could be dealt with conventionally would scour the planet's surface anyway, and at that point you're just carrying out Exterminatus more slowly and expensively than a dedicated Exterminatus weapon would allow.
The good news is, the signs of the Song's influence are very obvious if you know what to look for, and there's no incubation period. Some Special Lyrics can cast illusions to appear as if they've been cured, but this deception never lasts long. They grow impatient and strike within minutes, if not moments. There's no risk of someone abruptly being consumed by the Symphony without apparent explanation because they listened to an infected tune a few weeks ago, for example.
As for the original Sub-Sector, it was saved by the efforts of an at-the-time new Saint who turned the music the Ministorum, if not focused on, then possessed as a part of it's repertoire. Having been one of the singers originally targeted on the Hive World, his body was piloted as one of the prime carriers of the Symphony across his home planet and Sub-Sector. Unusually, he managed to break free from the Symphony, with a little help from the God-Emperor, who caused him to manifest an aspect of his personality separately to influence him within the depths of his own mind. Something those who have studied other Saints may find familiar.
Regardless, once he broke free, with some further aid from said personality fragment in getting past the Special Lyrics, he was able to restore his social circle, including his Noble paramour and her family, and together, they managed to push back the Symphony long enough for the Inquisition to bring over some specialized artifacts to amplify the Counter-Symphony the Mechanicus had been making at their behest, and counter-deploy Loyalist Astartes to fend off the incensed Discordant Noise Marines. Having allied users of sound backing them against the Noise Marines was strange, but not unwelcome, was the general sentiment according to their Captain.
While the Discordant Noise Marines were forced to retreat as the Sub-Sector was won back, they split into a number of smaller warbands and scattered across the galaxy. Their Symphony affects humans and xenos alike, so long as they are vulnerable to Akasha. Thus, they would be found in locales from Ork Roks battle Goff Rockerz, which led to a bizarre instance of common cause with Orks not serving as mercenaries for humans against other xenos or Chaos, to apparent acts of revenge against Shrine Worlds with any strong elements of music in their worship of the Emperor, to seemingly random strikes to test the Symphony on various other worlds. The Saint and his paramour have joined the Inquisition's efforts to quell these, with a select few of their social circle, an assassin to handle the Symphony's attempts on their lives, among others, serving as a retinue. Still, they can only be in one place at a time, and even the Inquisition's fastest ships can only go so fast, especially when it takes time to cleanse a given world. A more widespread solution will be needed sooner or later.
AN: Yes, this is based on FNF Corruption. Can you really tell me you don't think the Noise Marines would turn the world into a series of musical battles if they could? Whether the new Saint is in fact a Saint or just somebody with immense willpower with some vague similarities to how Celestine's resurrection works in terms of how he broke out is intentionally vague. It might be true, but the Inquisition isn't going to want the idea people might eventually break out on their own to spread around when the Symphony already takes advantage of people trying to save the victims of the explicitly curable Symphony. They also aren't going to be telling just anyone that said paramour has non-human heritage that grants her abnormal abilities that just so happen to match really well with the supposed Saint's. That would be the sort of bizarre coincidence that turns out to not be a coincidence in the 40K-verse. They don't object to the idea of the Emperor foreseeing the shape of a threat and arranging a counter, as an idea, but they would politely ignore the exact shape that took if it was inconvenient.
Nurgle and Tzeentch can both mess with your biology quite a bit, but they don't duopolize such effects, so I don't see why Slaanesh can't take a page from them among her fanatics. It's not quite Chaos corruption-ing people as in normal 40K, but when their bodies and abilities serve your cause anyway, truncated mental abilities only matter for the most cerebral of Sects, like the Mechanicus, and normal tech-priests can still set up sound systems just fine.
They managed to make a plague that turns entire worlds to Slaanesh in body if not in spirit, and to constant making of music in Slaanesh' name. Though admittedly a lot of the appeal for Slaanesh is that it's like being teased but with souls. I think I'll dump any xp from this into Temple Body again. Should have another Omake or two today or tomorrow, which will be focused on actual techniques.
2200+ words, if it matters.
This is a Sect greatly feared. Originally, a number of apparently 'normal' members of the Noise Marines Sect, and they have retained much of the culture and norms therein, they were not content with merely being able to kill with sound. No, they wanted more. They delved deep into the lore of sound and Chaos alike. They went so far as to make deals with the Thousand Sons, mostly Ahriman, the Plague Marines, the World Eaters, and even Abaddon himself, with rumors swirling of some manner of accord being reached with the Sons of Malice, though no proof that any such meeting even took place. Serving alongside them and aiding them in disputes in exchange for secrets of weaving Chaos into sound. In pursuit of the instruments and the physical sound itself being made Chaotic, they began making agreements with the Dark Mechanicus, a few Dark Forgeworlds bearing interest in sound themselves. They even went so far as to assist in the founding of a Dark Forgeworld, one Trazom, with a specific interest in sound, forming a research agreement with them.
It took centuries of research, experimentation disguised as more normal raiding by the Noise Marines, though Inquisition eventually began to suspect something was off, as what was left behind did not quite match with the main body of Noise Marines, even accounting for the fact that they were clearly trying new songs in an effort to please their god. While this was technically accurate, the Inquisition was barely able to obtain enough evidence to gather appropriate resources for what the Discordant Noise Marines, as they revealed themselves to be during their scheme, had been preparing for.
Attacking a Hive World, they unleashed a Discordant Symphony that was one part plague, one part mutation, one part enhancement, and one part music, which consumed every citizen still on the planet within three weeks, with similar reports coming from all over the Sub-Sector a week in. It turned mortals into a horde not unlike Nurgle's Plague Zombies. From what the Inquisition has uncovered, the plague was in part based on it, and has somewhat similar effects on the infected, save that, rather than a yellow-green pallor and fluid, they were consumed by some kind of black ooze, with pink fluid leaking from the eyes and mouth, coloring them the same way, and with the odd pink accent making itself known, their alignment with Slaanesh, forcing them to truncate any stealth capabilities the Discordant, as the mortals were called, might have. The Discordant would gain increased physical attributes, enough to overwhelm a first Realm with relative ease given their numbers, and significant musical ability, either to a set floor if they possessed no talent for it beforehand, or a significant improvement of them. This made the Discordant Noise Marines target artists and institutions dedicated to them, recruiting shock troops to begin spreading the plague among the rest of the populace.
The Discordant Symphony can spread in two ways, direct contact, or it's preferred method, sound. While the Discordant often struggle to string sentences together when not singing, simply talking to them is hazardous, and they will have Discordant Noise Marine support if they should encounter resistance, for reasons discussed later. Regardless, the Discordant will make music, both in terms of playing music and writing new music, at a low but constant level as one part worship of Slaanesh, though it's a topic of some debate whether the Discordant themselves count or whether this branch of the Noise Marines are simply using them as fixtures in planet-sized temples to Slaanesh, and one part defense mechanism, ramping up a great deal if they receive any hint of the presence of the uninfected.
It should be noted that being any higher in terms of Cultivation Realm than the Discordant will grant resistance, however, how loud the music is will also factor into one's resistance, so as a general rule, the closer you are to a Discordant individual, the faster they can in turn infect you. Provided you can move away, partial infection can be fought off without much trouble, though you will see a loss of fine motor control in afflicted areas. If it achieves full coverage, however, a person's consciousness is chained to the Symphony, at which point they have their consciousness driven into the depths, their body piloted by the Song. This apparently qualifies as dangling the souls right in front of Slaanesh' mouth or something along those lines.
It should also be noted that some Discordant Noise Marines will allow themselves to be consumed by Symphony in a manner similar to Possessed Astartes, and these are some of the most common of the Special Lyrics. This is where the mutation really comes into play. Special Lyrics are those afflicted with the Discordant Song who have shown an unusual affinity for it, gaining mutations or special Arts from their bond with it, allowing just about anything within Slaanesh' wheelhouse to be gifted to them. Given Slaanesh' ties to Perfection and Obsession, this can be almost anything so long as it was important before they were swallowed by the Song. A florist gaining control over plants, forming a chorus to aid them or engaging in more direct combat, for example. The longer the Symphony is present in an individual, the more likely they'll become a Special Lyric. It is a sign that the Symphony has sunk deep into them, and is generally regarded as the point a person becomes a lost cause without the personal intervention of a Saint.
You see, because of the nature of the Discordant Symphony, the infected can in theory be saved, which often serves to compromise the defenses. Were it a Nurglish plague and the only recourse was to kill the infected and burn the bodies, then it would merely be a grim necessity, but by dangling a bit of doubt disguised as hope, the locals will clash with the Discordant, attempting to rescue people. Every now and then, they even succeed. This is a trap. While being of a higher Realm grants resistance to the Symphony, resistance is not immunity, and since it's not a conventional illness even by Nurglite standards, and with the backing of a completely different patron to boot, anti-Nurgle Arts are usually of little use, while this is different enough from Slaanesh' usual work to limit the effects of anti-Slaanesh Arts. This has proven a costly surprise to many, an advantage the Symphony will press.
An infection will generally go something like this. The Discordant Noise Marines will infiltrate a Sector, and begin going after singers and musicians, and to a lesser degree, various forms of electrician and engineer who might make sound equipment. Forcibly recruiting those best suited to rescuing those fallen under the Song's sway, who are also the best suited to spread the Song even in the face of similar opposition. From there, the the Song will spread through mortals like wildfire, a few minutes of direct exposure enough to overwhelm the weak-willed, and a half hour something iron-willed veterans of Imperial campaigns would struggle with. Any resistance will naturally form around those of the higher Realms present on the world, both as the most resistant, and because that's what always happens. The Discordant Noise Marines, Discordant Adepts, and Special Lyrics will assassinate or 'assassinate' these leaders, killing or converting them as the opportunity presents itself. A Material Realm Mechanicus Adept is largely immune to mortals possessed by the Symphony, but a group of Runic tech-priests are another story, especially if the Material Adept in question knew them, as the Song can more easily slip inside if it's intended victim is emotionally compromised, though this usually goes both ways, making rescuing the fallen easier as well. By this point, organized resistance will have collapsed, and any remaining unaffected will either be trying to flee or bunkering down for the long haul, if not outright signaling for Exterminatus like an infestation of Plague Zombies have hit critical mass. Without a Saint cleansing the world, or a Holy Artifact of the Mechanicus specifically designed to fight the Song, Exterminatus or quarantine until one of those can come to pass are really the only options. Combat is a drawn out way of feeding hordes of Discordant like this more bodies, and bombardment of sufficient magnitude to clear them all out to a sufficient degree the rest could be dealt with conventionally would scour the planet's surface anyway, and at that point you're just carrying out Exterminatus more slowly and expensively than a dedicated Exterminatus weapon would allow.
The good news is, the signs of the Song's influence are very obvious if you know what to look for, and there's no incubation period. Some Special Lyrics can cast illusions to appear as if they've been cured, but this deception never lasts long. They grow impatient and strike within minutes, if not moments. There's no risk of someone abruptly being consumed by the Symphony without apparent explanation because they listened to an infected tune a few weeks ago, for example.
As for the original Sub-Sector, it was saved by the efforts of an at-the-time new Saint who turned the music the Ministorum, if not focused on, then possessed as a part of it's repertoire. Having been one of the singers originally targeted on the Hive World, his body was piloted as one of the prime carriers of the Symphony across his home planet and Sub-Sector. Unusually, he managed to break free from the Symphony, with a little help from the God-Emperor, who caused him to manifest an aspect of his personality separately to influence him within the depths of his own mind. Something those who have studied other Saints may find familiar.
Regardless, once he broke free, with some further aid from said personality fragment in getting past the Special Lyrics, he was able to restore his social circle, including his Noble paramour and her family, and together, they managed to push back the Symphony long enough for the Inquisition to bring over some specialized artifacts to amplify the Counter-Symphony the Mechanicus had been making at their behest, and counter-deploy Loyalist Astartes to fend off the incensed Discordant Noise Marines. Having allied users of sound backing them against the Noise Marines was strange, but not unwelcome, was the general sentiment according to their Captain.
While the Discordant Noise Marines were forced to retreat as the Sub-Sector was won back, they split into a number of smaller warbands and scattered across the galaxy. Their Symphony affects humans and xenos alike, so long as they are vulnerable to Akasha. Thus, they would be found in locales from Ork Roks battle Goff Rockerz, which led to a bizarre instance of common cause with Orks not serving as mercenaries for humans against other xenos or Chaos, to apparent acts of revenge against Shrine Worlds with any strong elements of music in their worship of the Emperor, to seemingly random strikes to test the Symphony on various other worlds. The Saint and his paramour have joined the Inquisition's efforts to quell these, with a select few of their social circle, an assassin to handle the Symphony's attempts on their lives, among others, serving as a retinue. Still, they can only be in one place at a time, and even the Inquisition's fastest ships can only go so fast, especially when it takes time to cleanse a given world. A more widespread solution will be needed sooner or later.
AN: Yes, this is based on FNF Corruption. Can you really tell me you don't think the Noise Marines would turn the world into a series of musical battles if they could? Whether the new Saint is in fact a Saint or just somebody with immense willpower with some vague similarities to how Celestine's resurrection works in terms of how he broke out is intentionally vague. It might be true, but the Inquisition isn't going to want the idea people might eventually break out on their own to spread around when the Symphony already takes advantage of people trying to save the victims of the explicitly curable Symphony. They also aren't going to be telling just anyone that said paramour has non-human heritage that grants her abnormal abilities that just so happen to match really well with the supposed Saint's. That would be the sort of bizarre coincidence that turns out to not be a coincidence in the 40K-verse. They don't object to the idea of the Emperor foreseeing the shape of a threat and arranging a counter, as an idea, but they would politely ignore the exact shape that took if it was inconvenient.
Nurgle and Tzeentch can both mess with your biology quite a bit, but they don't duopolize such effects, so I don't see why Slaanesh can't take a page from them among her fanatics. It's not quite Chaos corruption-ing people as in normal 40K, but when their bodies and abilities serve your cause anyway, truncated mental abilities only matter for the most cerebral of Sects, like the Mechanicus, and normal tech-priests can still set up sound systems just fine.
They managed to make a plague that turns entire worlds to Slaanesh in body if not in spirit, and to constant making of music in Slaanesh' name. Though admittedly a lot of the appeal for Slaanesh is that it's like being teased but with souls. I think I'll dump any xp from this into Temple Body again. Should have another Omake or two today or tomorrow, which will be focused on actual techniques.
2200+ words, if it matters.
deadcrystal
Slaaneshi Cultist
- Location
- The Warp
One wonders how Blanks/Pariahs slot into the rework (Or if they're axed entirely)
With no distinct 'Psykers' as all groups pull xianxia nonsense, they can't serve as specific anti-psykers.
Only things I can think of off the top of my head would be either Imperial agents taking down renegade artists (which tbh feels more like the Inquisition's wheelhouse) or otherwise a more radical 'pro-mortal' faction forcing adepts down to the earth.
With no distinct 'Psykers' as all groups pull xianxia nonsense, they can't serve as specific anti-psykers.
Only things I can think of off the top of my head would be either Imperial agents taking down renegade artists (which tbh feels more like the Inquisition's wheelhouse) or otherwise a more radical 'pro-mortal' faction forcing adepts down to the earth.
Roth963
If I become inactive with this massage, I died
I think they cultivate themselves to cancel qi skills, at the cost of being much weaker, basically demonic cultivator that feed on the qi of others, but can't grow by themselves and can't cast the variety if effects other cultivators have.
- Location
- Peterborough, NH, USA
Omnissiah Igvita- Underwater Combustion Ritual
You remembered a time, a younger time, when you did not know better, and had thought, as mortals did, that flame was quenched by water, and any victories flame might win was more a matter of the water running out before the flame did. A large enough ocean could quell even a star. In their wisdom, the higher Adepts of the Igvita had sought to disabuse their juniors of this notion early.
Called together in a manner not dissimilar to the trials to obtain the their Sun-Tempered Temple Body constitutions, they were instead taken to a chamber just outside of a larger, deeper one. A magos stood a few feet from the door to said chamber, bearing a torch, alongside a table of unlit ones, and beckoned them forward. "It is the common man's wisdom that one cannot make a fire underwater. The enemies of the Omnissiah Igvita have attempted to use this against us in the past." As he spoke, he lit and passed along torches to each of the aspiring Adepts present. "As Adepts, you must be beyond conventional wisdom. Over the next few weeks, or months should you prove ill-suited, you will learn to keep your flame lit despite the water. After all, combustion requires only heat and oxygen even for a Menial, and an Adept should not be so limited." he explained, before leading them into the chamber, which proved to essentially be a pool with the water kept perhaps a foot below the door's threshold, and dove into the pool's deep end without hesitation, the torch remaining unbothered by the water. A few other Adepts were present, but this was a much less dangerous test than working in a reactor's heart, so the proctors were unworried about anyone drowning. Needing more than one was mostly a byproduct of the sheer size of the pool to accommodate so many students.
Most students remained in the shallow end, where they could gradually lower the flames into the water as they attempted to understand the Art, the sound of sizzling where flame and water met resounding through the room. You scoffed. They'd clearly missed the point of the lesson. The idea was that we should simply not allow the universe to dictate where flames could and could not be to us. Anyone who knew of the Genetors understood that such would eventually come naturally, this was merely an Art to prevent an attack on disadvantageous turf from snuffing an Adept out early. So you had followed the magos who had demonstrated the Art. While your flame guttered, and flickered even once you'd adjusted for your environment, it held, unlike those who had grown impatient and doused their flames, which were being relit by the techpriest who had first lit them even now. The water was warmer than you'd expected, presumably from all the flames. You'd braced for cold out of habit, and been momentarily surprised.
It took a few more weeks to achieve basic competence, such that a flame within a few feet of her could remain lit without a constant focus on it, though she struggled with moving that flame beyond 3 or 4 feet away. Enough that she was confident in remaining effective in close-range combat. Of course, she then had to leave, because remaining would be tantamount to admitting she hadn't mastered the technique in her first session, or that her approach had been less than perfect. Additionally, she saw few situations where having the higher masteries would be of much use to her. She saw little challenge her initial assessment of the technique and it's ultimate purpose.
AN: The Underwater Combustion Ritual is, as Miraxa suspects, somewhat niche. It's amazing for deflecting attempts at using water, which is in some ways more hostile than a vacuum where flame is concerned, to literally douse the flames of an Adept, but largely useless except possibly as an exercise in control over one's Akasha or as a precursor to various environmental Arts. While mundane water has little effect on higher Realms, an Adept using Water-based Arts can and will have quite a bit more impact on an Igvita than, say, one using lightning Arts, and it's still a problem for the lower ranks until they actually achieve that higher level. I figure we might as well have this ready if we need to deal with any watery environments, and having a solution beforehand would be nice. It should be noted that this disobedience of physics represents a constant drain on the resources of the Adept in question, but a loss of stamina in combat conditions is better than having your Arts sabotaged.
In-universe, this Art is rumored to be adapted from a race of xenos discovered to have been living in a Civilized World's oceans for quite some time, who traded a number of interesting techniques and some mercenary 'tithes' for their continued existence so long as they did not harm humanity. Supposedly, Orks invaded the planet, only to meet a surprising amount of resistance planetside in the oceans. Accounts of what exactly transpired differ, but story commonly has it that the xenos made common cause with the humans in fighting off the Orks, and this agreement was hammered out when it was ascertained that the xenos had no interest in leaving the oceans. Of course, the official story is that it was invented by the Primarch Vulkan for use in certain kinds of forge work and adapted to the Igvita's needs, primarily making it longer range, or simply that it was made by an enterprising Adept who saw the problem and worked to resolve it.
At the Novice level it essentially creates a bubble where flames and plasma ignore how water should be quenching or obstructing them, something an intelligent enemy, or one with a good Eye Art for noticing these things, could take advantage of. It also doesn't do much to keep the fire fed, so if it burns through it's supply of oxygen and/or fuel, you're still out of luck. Higher levels contract the effect onto flames and plasma based on the user's intent, making it less draining to use, and easier to keep as solely the user's advantage, as well as slightly feeding the flames. If one bothers to Master it, they can enable plasma pistols and the like to function underwater for the sake of mortal troops, providing a very nasty advantage in a realm of combat most of the Guard has little experience with. It also allows them to set fires if the appropriate conditions are set. For example, if you arranged a conventional campfire, except underwater, or if you found an oil tank of some kind.
Any xp on this would go to such an Underwater Combustion Ritual, or to Temple Body if that's not an option.
1100+ words if it matters.
You remembered a time, a younger time, when you did not know better, and had thought, as mortals did, that flame was quenched by water, and any victories flame might win was more a matter of the water running out before the flame did. A large enough ocean could quell even a star. In their wisdom, the higher Adepts of the Igvita had sought to disabuse their juniors of this notion early.
Called together in a manner not dissimilar to the trials to obtain the their Sun-Tempered Temple Body constitutions, they were instead taken to a chamber just outside of a larger, deeper one. A magos stood a few feet from the door to said chamber, bearing a torch, alongside a table of unlit ones, and beckoned them forward. "It is the common man's wisdom that one cannot make a fire underwater. The enemies of the Omnissiah Igvita have attempted to use this against us in the past." As he spoke, he lit and passed along torches to each of the aspiring Adepts present. "As Adepts, you must be beyond conventional wisdom. Over the next few weeks, or months should you prove ill-suited, you will learn to keep your flame lit despite the water. After all, combustion requires only heat and oxygen even for a Menial, and an Adept should not be so limited." he explained, before leading them into the chamber, which proved to essentially be a pool with the water kept perhaps a foot below the door's threshold, and dove into the pool's deep end without hesitation, the torch remaining unbothered by the water. A few other Adepts were present, but this was a much less dangerous test than working in a reactor's heart, so the proctors were unworried about anyone drowning. Needing more than one was mostly a byproduct of the sheer size of the pool to accommodate so many students.
Most students remained in the shallow end, where they could gradually lower the flames into the water as they attempted to understand the Art, the sound of sizzling where flame and water met resounding through the room. You scoffed. They'd clearly missed the point of the lesson. The idea was that we should simply not allow the universe to dictate where flames could and could not be to us. Anyone who knew of the Genetors understood that such would eventually come naturally, this was merely an Art to prevent an attack on disadvantageous turf from snuffing an Adept out early. So you had followed the magos who had demonstrated the Art. While your flame guttered, and flickered even once you'd adjusted for your environment, it held, unlike those who had grown impatient and doused their flames, which were being relit by the techpriest who had first lit them even now. The water was warmer than you'd expected, presumably from all the flames. You'd braced for cold out of habit, and been momentarily surprised.
It took a few more weeks to achieve basic competence, such that a flame within a few feet of her could remain lit without a constant focus on it, though she struggled with moving that flame beyond 3 or 4 feet away. Enough that she was confident in remaining effective in close-range combat. Of course, she then had to leave, because remaining would be tantamount to admitting she hadn't mastered the technique in her first session, or that her approach had been less than perfect. Additionally, she saw few situations where having the higher masteries would be of much use to her. She saw little challenge her initial assessment of the technique and it's ultimate purpose.
AN: The Underwater Combustion Ritual is, as Miraxa suspects, somewhat niche. It's amazing for deflecting attempts at using water, which is in some ways more hostile than a vacuum where flame is concerned, to literally douse the flames of an Adept, but largely useless except possibly as an exercise in control over one's Akasha or as a precursor to various environmental Arts. While mundane water has little effect on higher Realms, an Adept using Water-based Arts can and will have quite a bit more impact on an Igvita than, say, one using lightning Arts, and it's still a problem for the lower ranks until they actually achieve that higher level. I figure we might as well have this ready if we need to deal with any watery environments, and having a solution beforehand would be nice. It should be noted that this disobedience of physics represents a constant drain on the resources of the Adept in question, but a loss of stamina in combat conditions is better than having your Arts sabotaged.
In-universe, this Art is rumored to be adapted from a race of xenos discovered to have been living in a Civilized World's oceans for quite some time, who traded a number of interesting techniques and some mercenary 'tithes' for their continued existence so long as they did not harm humanity. Supposedly, Orks invaded the planet, only to meet a surprising amount of resistance planetside in the oceans. Accounts of what exactly transpired differ, but story commonly has it that the xenos made common cause with the humans in fighting off the Orks, and this agreement was hammered out when it was ascertained that the xenos had no interest in leaving the oceans. Of course, the official story is that it was invented by the Primarch Vulkan for use in certain kinds of forge work and adapted to the Igvita's needs, primarily making it longer range, or simply that it was made by an enterprising Adept who saw the problem and worked to resolve it.
At the Novice level it essentially creates a bubble where flames and plasma ignore how water should be quenching or obstructing them, something an intelligent enemy, or one with a good Eye Art for noticing these things, could take advantage of. It also doesn't do much to keep the fire fed, so if it burns through it's supply of oxygen and/or fuel, you're still out of luck. Higher levels contract the effect onto flames and plasma based on the user's intent, making it less draining to use, and easier to keep as solely the user's advantage, as well as slightly feeding the flames. If one bothers to Master it, they can enable plasma pistols and the like to function underwater for the sake of mortal troops, providing a very nasty advantage in a realm of combat most of the Guard has little experience with. It also allows them to set fires if the appropriate conditions are set. For example, if you arranged a conventional campfire, except underwater, or if you found an oil tank of some kind.
Any xp on this would go to such an Underwater Combustion Ritual, or to Temple Body if that's not an option.
1100+ words if it matters.
WhoTheHeckity
But no one ever asks HowTheHeckity
- Location
- Murica 🦅
[X] Who has been holding us captive?
[X] Why was I brought here?
[X] What is their plan?
[X] Why was I brought here?
[X] What is their plan?
SalsaDeGranada
Thankful for our Cradle's Graces
- Location
- Philippines
Wonder what it means that our Young Mistress has stepped outside of her sect and is immediately forced into a machine for pigs.
(nice thing is though,
it was built
and so can be destroyed)
[X] What is their plan?
[X] Who has been holding us captive?
- Location
- France
[X] What is their plan?
[X] Why was I brought here?
[X] Who has been holding us captive?
[X] Why was I brought here?
[X] Who has been holding us captive?
- Location
- London, England
Alright, sorry for the delay, sudden discovery of the need for a root canal will do that. Thankfully I have antibiotics and shit to tide me over until then.
Calling the vote here, looks like we have a fairly clear consensus on what is important to ask.
And while I'm at it, touching on a couple of those submitted fanworks...
I'll be honest, while this is very evocative, it has precisely nothing to do with the quest or even really the crossover of the setting? Miraxa isn't going to be fighting weird music-plague zombies, and indeed has little to no understanding of or interest in Chaos in general.
Actually on a broader note I've already said how Chaos manifests in this crossover is different to how it manifests in the canon 40k verse. I have a potential way to explain that IC in the next three updates or so - it's probably best holding off writing explicitly-chaotic fan content until everyone is on the same page there.
This one is interesting though - I love the mental visual of a bunch of Adepts being trained to keep plasma or sunfire alight even in situations where it "logically" should be extinguished.
However, the actual proposed mechanics are way too niche. Countering enemy water-based techniques or preparing to fight underwater is such an incredibly specific scenario I have no idea if it would ever come up in the quest, and it's certainly far too limited for an Art. If you (or anyone reading this) have a broader/more potent idea for what it could do, then we might have something worth adding to the character sheet.
Calling the vote here, looks like we have a fairly clear consensus on what is important to ask.
And while I'm at it, touching on a couple of those submitted fanworks...
I'll be honest, while this is very evocative, it has precisely nothing to do with the quest or even really the crossover of the setting? Miraxa isn't going to be fighting weird music-plague zombies, and indeed has little to no understanding of or interest in Chaos in general.
Actually on a broader note I've already said how Chaos manifests in this crossover is different to how it manifests in the canon 40k verse. I have a potential way to explain that IC in the next three updates or so - it's probably best holding off writing explicitly-chaotic fan content until everyone is on the same page there.
This one is interesting though - I love the mental visual of a bunch of Adepts being trained to keep plasma or sunfire alight even in situations where it "logically" should be extinguished.
However, the actual proposed mechanics are way too niche. Countering enemy water-based techniques or preparing to fight underwater is such an incredibly specific scenario I have no idea if it would ever come up in the quest, and it's certainly far too limited for an Art. If you (or anyone reading this) have a broader/more potent idea for what it could do, then we might have something worth adding to the character sheet.
- Location
- Leeds
Time for the submarine arc guys.
- Location
- Vermont
Well, probably not something to add to the character sheet, but-
PHOSPHEX PRINCIPLE INVOCATION
One of the most rightly feared arts of the Omnissiah Igvita, this forces into existence a flame that feeds upon the world and akasha with a singular hunger, growing rapidly and unchecked as it takes on a life of its own. The flame takes on attributes similar to a fluid, as well as a crude sentience as it devours everything in its rapidly expanding grasp. Water, stone, and even the very air catches fire as the flame spreads. Only a wielder of akasha can extinguish such a flame, and as such, only the most responsible and respected members of the sect are allowed to learn it, following the Four-Hive Pyre of Aloisius-9 and the Year of Vagabond Flames.
Yay war crimes!
- Location
- Peterborough, NH, USA
@Maugan Ra Fair enough. If zang's thing won't work, maybe:
Inexhaustible Flames Invocation.
Normally, flames require oxygen and heat to come into existence, and to remain. This Art prevents flames from being put out by normal means. The vacuum of space, an atmosphere unsuited for it, even finding themselves without fuel will be of no real consequence so long as the Art itself it maintained. This allows things like a plasma reactor to ignore it's casing being destroyed, which has been used to save more than a few vehicles, or even naval vessels in extreme circumstances. More mundane flames will completely ignore extreme cold or being smothered in one manner or another, like the old standby of drowning them with water. It can also be used to set fires at a distance, which will not go out without enemy Arts specifically targeting them, or the user dispelling the Art.
It's basically a less dangerous version of the same Art.
Inexhaustible Flames Invocation.
Normally, flames require oxygen and heat to come into existence, and to remain. This Art prevents flames from being put out by normal means. The vacuum of space, an atmosphere unsuited for it, even finding themselves without fuel will be of no real consequence so long as the Art itself it maintained. This allows things like a plasma reactor to ignore it's casing being destroyed, which has been used to save more than a few vehicles, or even naval vessels in extreme circumstances. More mundane flames will completely ignore extreme cold or being smothered in one manner or another, like the old standby of drowning them with water. It can also be used to set fires at a distance, which will not go out without enemy Arts specifically targeting them, or the user dispelling the Art.
It's basically a less dangerous version of the same Art.
Undead-Spaceman
Skeleton Supreme
- Location
- Somewhere in Orbit
Vision of Borean Glory
Said to have been discovered by the Adept Carrington long ago, this technique takes inspiration from the radiant beauty of the stars and the furious displays of light as they clash with planetary magnetism. When utilized, the Adept wreathes them themselves in a shroud of auroran light, blinding their foes and reducing vox chatter into howling static.
Said to have been discovered by the Adept Carrington long ago, this technique takes inspiration from the radiant beauty of the stars and the furious displays of light as they clash with planetary magnetism. When utilized, the Adept wreathes them themselves in a shroud of auroran light, blinding their foes and reducing vox chatter into howling static.