Is Light a bane for Malice or just vampires?
TreeQuest: Magitech (Riot Quest)
K von Carstein
Likes to go for a walk
- Location
- Belgium
- Pronouns
- He
That woman killed a wolf barehanded, and she isn't listed as a combatant? How is that even possible?!
- Location
- Dragyxx
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
I'll have to look into dropping a trimmed version of this into the informational post I maintain, sometime when I have more time. (just tagging it right now so I remember)
- Location
- Texas
In the big fight, she stayed inside and kept an eye on her brothers. Which was probably a good idea, overall.
She's not like, a pacifist, she just only fights when backed into a corner.
Go for it.
There's also that you'd be surprised at what some people can do when the adrenalin gets pumping.
It's definitely a spy
Robinton
Probably petting Schrödinger's cat
- Location
- Scientifically proving a miracle
Everything Page 199.
Great roll. Somewhat non-standard implementation.
No comment on whether the implementation was nonstandard perforce (that is, the requested action couldn't literally happen so I gave you the next-best thing) or by GM fiat (because I felt like it).
But it is well-known that improving any Mind - yours or another's - beyond the limits of your own is not easy.
I'll give you 6d on TK and full bonus on TK Write-Ins. Does that work?
Provisional Name: Telekinetic Tree.
"Build an upgraded version of the Shields" would count as Magic Research, although it would also be a standard Write-in with a standard Write-in's failure chance.
I'll be a touch generous and say it's one Action per Creature type, and one for Newton Village.
I'll wait to take the action until I'm fairly certain that the Forest as a whole is behind it.
Yes this could work. Though you'd need several actions and success rolls.
Nobody's exactly sure what this will do, but the general suspicion is that the resulting person would be able to draw a lot on the Forest's power if need be, would have a relatively Tree-ish point-of-view, and would far more easily be able to pick up any Magic known by the Forest (and vice-versa).
The basic job would be "Represent the Forest among Two-Legs."
They'd also give a bonus to understanding Two-Legs in general. You can mostly make-do with Newton Village, largely due to having already Connected with them. But dealing with, for example, a bunch of Humans (or whatever) that are Out of Range or paranoid about mental defense would leave you - mostly OK but occasionally tripping over something like "your sense of humor is weird" or "I'm finding it difficult to understand your language" (assuming it's not one the Forest already knows) or "romance; what is that? OH! Right."
But yeah.
Though I should note that "Try to explore Life Magic alongside the Forest" would work fairly well. Arthur Scrat would be somewhat better, but "both combined" would be the best IF the Forest were contributing several actions to Learn Life Magic (Magic Research).
Well, Ben Grimm (junior) would consider it.
But "I can speak! And walk around a Human town! And buy things!" is a very nice advantage.
(Note that this remains true except in the case that she's an infiltrator with a very specific set of orders. Most infiltrators would stay just like virtually-all legit Herbalists would.)
I'll roll for that in the next update.
(And every update thereafter. )
The Commander, "try and Improve our own Mind With Magic."
Great roll. Somewhat non-standard implementation.
No comment on whether the implementation was nonstandard perforce (that is, the requested action couldn't literally happen so I gave you the next-best thing) or by GM fiat (because I felt like it).
But it is well-known that improving any Mind - yours or another's - beyond the limits of your own is not easy.
Yes.
I'll give you 6d on TK and full bonus on TK Write-Ins. Does that work?
Provisional Name: Telekinetic Tree.
Any Action to produce any size of Shield based on that template will now all-but auto-succeed, but yes - you do need to actually spend the Action. And, no, it no longer counts as Magic Research.
"Build an upgraded version of the Shields" would count as Magic Research, although it would also be a standard Write-in with a standard Write-in's failure chance.
I'll be a touch generous and say it's one Action per Creature type, and one for Newton Village.
If you want, sure.
I'll wait to take the action until I'm fairly certain that the Forest as a whole is behind it.
Lol!!!
Yes this could work. Though you'd need several actions and success rolls.
A member of Newton Village that has intentionally - on both sides - developed an unusually strong Connection with the Forest.
Nobody's exactly sure what this will do, but the general suspicion is that the resulting person would be able to draw a lot on the Forest's power if need be, would have a relatively Tree-ish point-of-view, and would far more easily be able to pick up any Magic known by the Forest (and vice-versa).
The basic job would be "Represent the Forest among Two-Legs."
They'd also give a bonus to understanding Two-Legs in general. You can mostly make-do with Newton Village, largely due to having already Connected with them. But dealing with, for example, a bunch of Humans (or whatever) that are Out of Range or paranoid about mental defense would leave you - mostly OK but occasionally tripping over something like "your sense of humor is weird" or "I'm finding it difficult to understand your language" (assuming it's not one the Forest already knows) or "romance; what is that? OH! Right."
If they roll well, they'd reach Competent midway through trying to teach the Forest.
But yeah.
Though I should note that "Try to explore Life Magic alongside the Forest" would work fairly well. Arthur Scrat would be somewhat better, but "both combined" would be the best IF the Forest were contributing several actions to Learn Life Magic (Magic Research).
I doubt most of the candidates would want to dive headfirst into battle with quite the same abandon.
Well, Ben Grimm (junior) would consider it.
But "I can speak! And walk around a Human town! And buy things!" is a very nice advantage.
If you contact her and don't roll horribly for the first interaction? Yeah; you already know IC that she'll almost-certainly choose to stay for a while. Multiple years, at minimum. You would absolutely intrigue her!
(Note that this remains true except in the case that she's an infiltrator with a very specific set of orders. Most infiltrators would stay just like virtually-all legit Herbalists would.)
In "Raise the Shield" I assume?
Ooh!
I'll roll for that in the next update.
(And every update thereafter.
)Noted!
Done.
- Location
- Canada
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Absolutely!
[X] Telekinetic Tree
[X][Action] Make one more push to extend telekinetic range, aiming for coverage enough to protect Newton Village.
ConfusedPotato
Unverified Verifier
- Location
- Australia
I know that she doesn't know us yet but I think that the Herbalist would be a great Speaker : she has a strong interest in plants, would like to live for centuries (she would get that from our Connection and learning Life magic more easily) and could apply her knowledge in new ways with a Tree-ish perspective.
Full agree, was gonna mention it if the gift vote goes for clarity on her. (Or if we actually start having serious discussions about picking a speaker, Herbalist or Old Man Materson)
@Robinton
btw, will the next found of trade negotiations be a year after last bargaining turn (was turn 11, so a year later would be turn 27)?
- Location
- Goose Land
Personally I'd really like Granny Miller as Speaker if she's up for it.
- Location
- Texas
I'd favor Betty Grim as Speaker candidate.
She volunteered first, for one thing, but she's also already a magic user, but a pretty limited one, based on her actions in the fight. So, she's got a lot to gain by being able to tap the forest's magic reserves directly, plus she can teach us stuff and learn stuff from us.
She volunteered first, for one thing, but she's also already a magic user, but a pretty limited one, based on her actions in the fight. So, she's got a lot to gain by being able to tap the forest's magic reserves directly, plus she can teach us stuff and learn stuff from us.
Robinton
Probably petting Schrödinger's cat
- Location
- Scientifically proving a miracle
Page 120 answers.
(Wow we have a lot of replies! This is awesome! Daunting, but awesome!)
So +1 to +2 from the current Forest Baseline.
Well, I don't think anyone's actually written a list. Not recently, at least. So this will start this list.
Hogfather, in particular?
There exists at least one case in history - probably lost to the ages, but still - of a kid fearing monsters in the dark, the monsters existing, and the parent(s)/guardian(s) believing the kid and taking reasonable actions in response despite not seeing the monsters themselves.
(Note that you haven't actually suggested it yet. Don't want to disappoint him.)
I will add, for the record, that it is potentially (at least mostly) reversible. Though it's not safely reversible unless one of:
1. Someone really skilled/powerful is working on it.
2. Both sides consent and work on the project.
The first doesn't look likely to happen outside of serious enemy action - and, honestly, it would be an odd way to attack the Forest. It would require lots of rare know-how, and a fair bit of effort, for honestly not-that-much obvious reward. The second is the expected result of the Speaker wanting to retire at some later point (plausible enough).
I mean, if you flat-out tell Newton Village that you're not willing to potentially transfer the title and Connection if someone wants to retire, um... They might honestly retract the offer at that point? It's not impossible, but a bit OOC compared to what-the-Forest-has-done-so-far.
You expect Speaker to have, if anything, fewer problems (no intelligence reduction).
(Though I really like how you guys are approaching this - and if you're letting Newton Village listen in to your debates, they're probably on the verge of taking Speaker for the Forest from 1-favor to 0-favors.)
I'm considering spoiler-ing some of the votes. Perhaps all Creature votes? Or one for Actions and Focuses, one for Creatures, and just leave anything unusual full-size? Any thoughts?
Though she'd probably ask Materson and Ben Grimm (senior) to keep half-an-eye on her decision-making w.r.t. the Forest.
(Admittedly a lot of her decision-making is "highly intelligent delegation" anyway.)
It depends on your initial statements.
I mean, if you guide her into the Forest proper, let her examine all the strange Trees, then (softly) Telepathically contact her - and say something more along the lines of "Hello; we're the Forest; want to be friends?" than "die tasty human" - you'd probably have pretty good luck.
Plausible? Yes.
Difficult? Yes.
Awesome? Yes.
(Wow we have a lot of replies! This is awesome! Daunting, but awesome!)
Advanced Movement or Bipedal Movement, depending on your definition of "dance."
So +1 to +2 from the current Forest Baseline.
...Um, sure. Might take some work, but sure!
Possibly. I'll add it to the list of things you might be looking to buy.
Well, I don't think anyone's actually written a list. Not recently, at least. So this will start this list.
Do any of you remember Susan Sto-Helit from the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet?
Hogfather, in particular?
There exists at least one case in history - probably lost to the ages, but still - of a kid fearing monsters in the dark, the monsters existing, and the parent(s)/guardian(s) believing the kid and taking reasonable actions in response despite not seeing the monsters themselves.
If you suggest him, he'll get a huge grin on his face and start asking, "Can I? Can I?"
(Note that you haven't actually suggested it yet. Don't want to disappoint him.)
Ironically, Newton Village's first thought was "Let's pick someone who can take in your Magic better and thus get (possibly quite significantly) better traits and bonuses."
I will add, for the record, that it is potentially (at least mostly) reversible. Though it's not safely reversible unless one of:
1. Someone really skilled/powerful is working on it.
2. Both sides consent and work on the project.
The first doesn't look likely to happen outside of serious enemy action - and, honestly, it would be an odd way to attack the Forest. It would require lots of rare know-how, and a fair bit of effort, for honestly not-that-much obvious reward. The second is the expected result of the Speaker wanting to retire at some later point (plausible enough).
I mean, if you flat-out tell Newton Village that you're not willing to potentially transfer the title and Connection if someone wants to retire, um... They might honestly retract the offer at that point? It's not impossible, but a bit OOC compared to what-the-Forest-has-done-so-far.
Arthur Scrat hasn't gone that far from your Forest ever, but if you ever sent him you'd find that he grows somewhat weaker (though still ludicrously strong for a Squirrel) and marginally less intelligent - and the Forest can't send him energy to rapid-Heal him - but he has no other significant problems.
You expect Speaker to have, if anything, fewer problems (no intelligence reduction).
(Though I really like how you guys are approaching this - and if you're letting Newton Village listen in to your debates, they're probably on the verge of taking Speaker for the Forest from 1-favor to 0-favors.)
I'm considering spoiler-ing some of the votes. Perhaps all Creature votes? Or one for Actions and Focuses, one for Creatures, and just leave anything unusual full-size? Any thoughts?
She'd accept (after a bit of discussion) if you asked.
Though she'd probably ask Materson and Ben Grimm (senior) to keep half-an-eye on her decision-making w.r.t. the Forest.
(Admittedly a lot of her decision-making is "highly intelligent delegation" anyway.)
Maybe.
It depends on your initial statements.
I mean, if you guide her into the Forest proper, let her examine all the strange Trees, then (softly) Telepathically contact her - and say something more along the lines of "Hello; we're the Forest; want to be friends?" than "die tasty human" - you'd probably have pretty good luck.
Done.
Valid request, but please put a dash "-" at the beginning of the second line so it will get picked up by the tallier.
Done.I'd like that one, please
Your current best guesses:
Plausible? Yes.
Difficult? Yes.
Awesome? Yes.
Very slight typo: duplicate [ character at the start of the line.
Done.
Yep; you are correct.
Last edited:
Granny has good people skills as the de facto diplomat and kinda leader of the Village but she didn't really like having weird dreams about us (and being a Speaker probably cause worse permanent mental disturbances) and doesn't have much ability for magic.
Since I didn't give a reasoning for Old Man Materson as speaker:
General feeling that he enjoyed being our teacher and seeing our forays into magic.
A more passive speaker (no big adventures to represent us to the city folks or anything like that, just laid back village life) who mentors us seems to fit him.
Herbalists suspicion that he is a retired hero fits that idea well, imho. And a more tree-ish perspective could also go along with retirement life.
But other speaker candidats also have good arguments.
General feeling that he enjoyed being our teacher and seeing our forays into magic.
A more passive speaker (no big adventures to represent us to the city folks or anything like that, just laid back village life) who mentors us seems to fit him.
Herbalists suspicion that he is a retired hero fits that idea well, imho. And a more tree-ish perspective could also go along with retirement life.
But other speaker candidats also have good arguments.
Makes me wonder if elves of old had such a connection and grew more receptive, but also dependant on it. And todays issues of elven people is because they are lacking that connection or the malice forces using corrupting attacks on whatever the elves are connected to. (last star elves somehow survive without it, less than half elf doesn't have issues yet because there is enough human in them that doesn't need the connection)
- Location
- Dragyxx
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
I might actually argue that, while I'd skirt away from really young kids (aim for ones who are at least 12 or so and thus have enough experience to make their own decisions), we might actually get better results from someone who's less than 18 and still has the neuroplasticity to adapt to having the Forest whispering in their ear all the time. Full adults might be too set in their comfort zones to adapt as well to the connection.
Magic changed after/during the Cataclysm so pure enough Elves can't survive anymore, the Last Star is far from the planet so whatever doing that is probably just not affecting them.
My personal theory is that the whole world has a fair amount of background Malice and that elves are too magically sensitive and not comptatible with it but I don't have a lot of evidence to base that on.
Thank you
- Location
- Texas
This concept is alarming.
I mean, I love Arthur Scrat, but... he's a squirrel who thinks the best approach to fighting a giant a giant carnivorous snake is to jump into its mouth. He can't afford to become marginally less intelligent! He has no intelligence to spare!
Robinton
Probably petting Schrödinger's cat
- Location
- Scientifically proving a miracle
Page 121.
Total so far: 2 Omakes.
You win a major bonus to your next Write-in. (It's arguably an auto-success, though the degree of success is still random.)
Though I don't guarantee that it's possible as-stated. In particular, "xyz regardless of opposed abilities" sounds a bit improbable, though "regardless of <broad swathe of> opposed abilities" is quite plausible.
And you can't actually test any attempt to counter Portal Magic until you get a source of that - or another attack.
Part of the construction will be finding a good way to interpret the output intuitively. Or maybe that will be a cheap but minor upgrade?
...
Actually, I think you've even seen the other two blocker options at work in-story. I'm not 100% sure you've officially been told of one of the two, but you definitely have the other.
If anyone cares to guess, I'm willing to at least somewhat confirm the other two. Within the Forest's own knowledge and/or ability to easily test, at least.
Growing new ones? Not so much.
Then again, a natural Tree's process of having and raising kids is somewhat less involved than a natural Human's (or Elf's). Also, a Tree can - up to a point - just keep growing taller and broader for quite some time into maturity, unlike a Mammal.
Plus all of @Toboe 's thoughts.
That's at least a partial explanation.
Not guaranteed to be a full one.
Or a healthy married couple after forty-plus years.
Or best friends after a century, or about two-thousand-four-hundred fights, whichever comes first.
Materson isn't remotely book-learned, and definitely doesn't fit the normal image.
Any Expert-rank Negacion Pair was considered Archmage (for any short-lived being) back in the day. A lot of places allow for Journeyman now, and the Forest isn't far from that.
Addendum: Archmage for an Elf? Definitions (again) depended, but typically:
If you had a Transcendent, well, you were arguably not an Archmage in the same sense that Einstein (by the end of his life) arguably wasn't a "researcher" anymore. Also, you were in the company of a handful of extremely reclusive possibly-died-years-ago-who-knows legends, a handful of world-ending threats, and one cat.
Unless you're the one doing it to yourself, and you're proving really useful (and/or non-threatening to others) (typically: gaining War Hero status); then it just gets you looked at a touch oddly but nothing worse.
Being able to reverse the effects, only changing the consenting, and making sure the targets won't go crazy from e.g. body dysmorphia, those are all also good things to go for if you're trying to be accepted.
If you just want stronger muscles, that's fine.
If you want eyes like a cat, and maybe to give all your friends the same, you get a few odd looks (as long as the friends are willing targets). This one has happened a few times, and isn't that big of a deal. Assuming you can get it right, of course.
Potential side-effects of a mistake are problematic here.
Healing - if your healing goes awry, AND you have the right pattern, then you usually don't have to worry about breaking anything that wasn't already broken, very much at least. You usually either get "try again" or "well; they were actively dying before you got there anyway."
Barring outright Hive Minds - which aren't exactly common either.
Materson - skilled, dangerous, light on the theory but makes up for it with a lifetime of practical experience.
Mr. Tavish - studied the theory thoroughly. Can manage quite a few low-level spells with enough time.
Both Grimm children - starting to learn.
(I have to roll for the soon-to-be-newborn...)
Herbalist - Potions are a form of Magic, and one that she's quite good at.
20 in Newton Village plus 5 Traders and 1 Herbalist. 26 people.
5 with enough Magic to be worth mentioning in 26 people.
Yeah, that's above average but not absurdly so. Especially with one skilled theorist, one powerful practical practitioner, and a number of rather bright - and rather dedicated - individuals.
I haven't specified - but I think Human average is around 1 in 10. Maybe a little higher. 1 in 8?
Elves had practically universal Magic back in the day - and in theory you could get >90% among Humans today if everyone spent their lives meditating and training and trying to unlock Magic and explore it - but *further information redacted; go looking into Ancient Elven Lore for more information*.
Addendum: One thing you can easily learn is that part-Elves were generally considered Magically to have a lot more in common with their Human side than Elven. ...Which, admittedly, might have been influenced by the way they survived the Cataclysm.
So, yes, again - 100% Magic is a thing that makes the Forest unusual. Though there aren't many listed cases of "I can copy the memories of a Mage functionally flawlessly, and have an incredibly deep connection to them for any Patterns to use, and my own Body/Mind/Magic are very closely related as well" in history.
(You know? Annabeth Tavish might have a touch more Magic than she realizes. That would in no way surprise anyone who knows her - except perhaps she herself.)
Then keep in mind that you're effectively having more than one Magic-specialist study a Magic relentlessly - without sleeping - for weeks on end.
And ask me how many man-hours of progress that is?
(Answer: One basic action should be about ~3 weeks times 24 hours/day times 7 days/week = 504 hours. In more comprehensible terms: that's about one human work-year per season. Per Tree.)
Although there's something that you theoretically have heard about, but probably haven't fully considered, that's also relevant, but I'm not allowed to specifically mention in context.
(Why? Because I'm waiting for someone to check the numbers and figure out for themselves what math I'm using certain places.)
Addendum: And the Hero of Ten Thousand Arrows, and the Hero of Undying Flames, and probably some random courtier who draws a dagger and decides "screw this; if I'm being attacked by a giant monster I'm trying to take it down with me," and...
...Maybe. Though the Vines seem to disagree, at least somewhat.
Yeah, I mean.
No guarantees exactly what it would do.
But with enough effort I'm sure you could get - at minimum - morale bonuses, a Tall Tree bonus to your own Forest, and probably a positive reaction modifier to "anyone of good will who sees or interacts with it."
Which is a story in its own, probably.
After a legendary Elf who was associated with Foresight.
She was said to have saved entire cities by warning them of the precise plans of the Vampires, always in the nick of time.
...And apparently, if you've told them about the Last Star's message, she's actually still alive up there somewhere.
Which, if you have told them, would definitely cement the name choice. An Elf that actually survived is a pretty good story to follow.
Charlotte + Matthew -> Gustav (18; human-standard 16 equiv), Violet, Edmund, Elanore.
The four kids were listed in birth-order.
Granny is technically not entitled to the Miller name, but she prefers it to her own. Which says a lot about her opinion of her son-in-law, actually, and she's said as much to his face. It made her daughter's day, and that wasn't remotely a bad day for Granny or Matthew.
Matthew's dad actually was in the generation that technically founded this place - though it had about four people at that point. And he might have taken the Miller name for his actions here, rather than carrying it from his prior life.
Also: if you want to nickname them, they'll be quite happy to get names.
(They'll probably eventually get named anyway, but maybe not depending on how many Moles / etc gain Magic.)
I'd give 0.3 extra Interludes (e.g. do 3-and-a-bit of these and get a free Interlude).
(Also: Does this count as an Omake? I don't think it quite does, but it's close.)
Wow! Looking forward to these many mushroom actions!
- Bark grows in layers; the Trees can sense inside themselves to a degree; I'm guessing you probably have multiple layers of writing per Tree?
- Do the Trees use the local Two-Legs encoding for written information, or come up with one of their own?
- I laughed several times, reading your list of gems!
Much appreciated!
Total so far: 2 Omakes.
You win a major bonus to your next Write-in. (It's arguably an auto-success, though the degree of success is still random.)
The wording works.
Though I don't guarantee that it's possible as-stated. In particular, "xyz regardless of opposed abilities" sounds a bit improbable, though "regardless of <broad swathe of> opposed abilities" is quite plausible.
And you can't actually test any attempt to counter Portal Magic until you get a source of that - or another attack.
Done.
Theoretically? Yes. Human(/Elven) and/or Corvid? Maybe your own thought-processes as well?
Part of the construction will be finding a good way to interpret the output intuitively. Or maybe that will be a cheap but minor upgrade?
Agreed! I can think of three ways to block block most hostile Portal-or-similar attempts, and one of them is "Find an applicable Magic domain to counter it." Law Magic or equivalent would hypothetically work; Space Magic would definitely work and I can confirm that it is an option (as is Time; though, again, be VERY careful with Time Magic).And with Space comes quite a few things relating to transportation, teleportation, and portals. And if we can't figure out how to lock down enemy Portals after getting Space Magic, then I'll be quite disappointed in ourselves
...
Actually, I think you've even seen the other two blocker options at work in-story. I'm not 100% sure you've officially been told of one of the two, but you definitely have the other.
If anyone cares to guess, I'm willing to at least somewhat confirm the other two. Within the Forest's own knowledge and/or ability to easily test, at least.
Fall now.
Healing other Humans - or even Mammals - is a ridiculously-easy power to learn.
Growing new ones? Not so much.
Then again, a natural Tree's process of having and raising kids is somewhat less involved than a natural Human's (or Elf's). Also, a Tree can - up to a point - just keep growing taller and broader for quite some time into maturity, unlike a Mammal.
Plus all of @Toboe 's thoughts.
That's at least a partial explanation.
Not guaranteed to be a full one.
Destined True Lovers might manage it as well.
Or a healthy married couple after forty-plus years.
Or best friends after a century, or about two-thousand-four-hundred fights, whichever comes first.
I will note that, technically, there are some places that would define Archmage in a way that would automatically include Materson. Which would amuse Mr. Tavish if he happened to realize.
Materson isn't remotely book-learned, and definitely doesn't fit the normal image.
Any Expert-rank Negacion Pair was considered Archmage (for any short-lived being) back in the day. A lot of places allow for Journeyman now, and the Forest isn't far from that.
Addendum: Archmage for an Elf? Definitions (again) depended, but typically:
- Grandmaster (plus significant achievements) in any one Magic, and Journeyman in several others.
- Legendary at any Magic.
If you had a Transcendent, well, you were arguably not an Archmage in the same sense that Einstein (by the end of his life) arguably wasn't a "researcher" anymore. Also, you were in the company of a handful of extremely reclusive possibly-died-years-ago-who-knows legends, a handful of world-ending threats, and one cat.
If you mean "Turn a human into some crazy abomination" then yeah it's shunned.
Unless you're the one doing it to yourself, and you're proving really useful (and/or non-threatening to others) (typically: gaining War Hero status); then it just gets you looked at a touch oddly but nothing worse.
Being able to reverse the effects, only changing the consenting, and making sure the targets won't go crazy from e.g. body dysmorphia, those are all also good things to go for if you're trying to be accepted.
If you just want stronger muscles, that's fine.
If you want eyes like a cat, and maybe to give all your friends the same, you get a few odd looks (as long as the friends are willing targets). This one has happened a few times, and isn't that big of a deal. Assuming you can get it right, of course.
Potential side-effects of a mistake are problematic here.
Healing - if your healing goes awry, AND you have the right pattern, then you usually don't have to worry about breaking anything that wasn't already broken, very much at least. You usually either get "try again" or "well; they were actively dying before you got there anyway."
Yes.
Barring outright Hive Minds - which aren't exactly common either.
Let's see.
Materson - skilled, dangerous, light on the theory but makes up for it with a lifetime of practical experience.
Mr. Tavish - studied the theory thoroughly. Can manage quite a few low-level spells with enough time.
Both Grimm children - starting to learn.
(I have to roll for the soon-to-be-newborn...)
Herbalist - Potions are a form of Magic, and one that she's quite good at.
20 in Newton Village plus 5 Traders and 1 Herbalist. 26 people.
5 with enough Magic to be worth mentioning in 26 people.
Yeah, that's above average but not absurdly so. Especially with one skilled theorist, one powerful practical practitioner, and a number of rather bright - and rather dedicated - individuals.
I haven't specified - but I think Human average is around 1 in 10. Maybe a little higher. 1 in 8?
Elves had practically universal Magic back in the day - and in theory you could get >90% among Humans today if everyone spent their lives meditating and training and trying to unlock Magic and explore it - but *further information redacted; go looking into Ancient Elven Lore for more information*.
Addendum: One thing you can easily learn is that part-Elves were generally considered Magically to have a lot more in common with their Human side than Elven. ...Which, admittedly, might have been influenced by the way they survived the Cataclysm.
So, yes, again - 100% Magic is a thing that makes the Forest unusual. Though there aren't many listed cases of "I can copy the memories of a Mage functionally flawlessly, and have an incredibly deep connection to them for any Patterns to use, and my own Body/Mind/Magic are very closely related as well" in history.
(You know? Annabeth Tavish might have a touch more Magic than she realizes. That would in no way surprise anyone who knows her - except perhaps she herself.)
Assume a single Tree has slightly less brainpower than a single Human. Which... might not be quite right, but should have the right idea.
Then keep in mind that you're effectively having more than one Magic-specialist study a Magic relentlessly - without sleeping - for weeks on end.
And ask me how many man-hours of progress that is?
(Answer: One basic action should be about ~3 weeks times 24 hours/day times 7 days/week = 504 hours. In more comprehensible terms: that's about one human work-year per season. Per Tree.)
Although there's something that you theoretically have heard about, but probably haven't fully considered, that's also relevant, but I'm not allowed to specifically mention in context.
(Why? Because I'm waiting for someone to check the numbers and figure out for themselves what math I'm using certain places.)
(I laughed at this!)
Addendum: And the Hero of Ten Thousand Arrows, and the Hero of Undying Flames, and probably some random courtier who draws a dagger and decides "screw this; if I'm being attacked by a giant monster I'm trying to take it down with me," and...
The last one is true. But the first two?
...Maybe. Though the Vines seem to disagree, at least somewhat.
Um...Second, we create a Special Tree Mega Project and make- basically a giant ass Christmas Tree? With lights of joy and warmth and happiness sprinkled throughout it, capped with Star on its crown.
It would probably have several defensive benefits, but the real goal would for it to be a Beacon of Hope, to declare an intent for goodwill towards all sapients and whomever would seek shelter beneath our boughs.
We'll want to do this post Light/Darkness Negation, because I imagine such a project would benefit greatly from it, as well as several other develops we'll likely have in the mean time, but unlike other Megaprojects as a Living Tree we can likely incorporate more things we learn as we grow so the important bit is to lay the foundation and get it started without worrying about scope creep.
@Robinton a Christmas Tree Of Hope Megaproject is totally possible right?
Yeah, I mean.
No guarantees exactly what it would do.
But with enough effort I'm sure you could get - at minimum - morale bonuses, a Tall Tree bonus to your own Forest, and probably a positive reaction modifier to "anyone of good will who sees or interacts with it."
Short for "Newton." The same as the village, actually.
Which is a story in its own, probably.
Rachel.
After a legendary Elf who was associated with Foresight.
She was said to have saved entire cities by warning them of the precise plans of the Vampires, always in the nick of time.
...And apparently, if you've told them about the Last Star's message, she's actually still alive up there somewhere.
Which, if you have told them, would definitely cement the name choice. An Elf that actually survived is a pretty good story to follow.
Reluctant Combatant
Granny -> Charlotte
Charlotte + Matthew -> Gustav (18; human-standard 16 equiv), Violet, Edmund, Elanore.
The four kids were listed in birth-order.
Granny is technically not entitled to the Miller name, but she prefers it to her own. Which says a lot about her opinion of her son-in-law, actually, and she's said as much to his face. It made her daughter's day, and that wasn't remotely a bad day for Granny or Matthew.
Matthew's dad actually was in the generation that technically founded this place - though it had about four people at that point. And he might have taken the Miller name for his actions here, rather than carrying it from his prior life.
Gustav is trying to win her heart and hand, and is mostly succeeding.
Twice.
I laughed.
Also: if you want to nickname them, they'll be quite happy to get names.
(They'll probably eventually get named anyway, but maybe not depending on how many Moles / etc gain Magic.)
Any request for a Reward for your post?
I'd give 0.3 extra Interludes (e.g. do 3-and-a-bit of these and get a free Interlude).
(Also: Does this count as an Omake? I don't think it quite does, but it's close.)
Robinton
Probably petting Schrödinger's cat
- Location
- Scientifically proving a miracle
Caught up!
Nobody's seriously considered intentionally trying to replicate the incident, for a list of reasons that prominently includes "the moment she realizes what you're up to, she turns that same desperate strength on you."
Also note that she would have permanently injured herself without Healing Magic, and still had a long-term injury despite Materson and Tavish. Which should tell you quite a bit right there.
(Though, admittedly, "she should have asked them to heal her more" might be a valid takeaway. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease.)
Right now, I was hoping everyone would start proposing trade items that you're asking for. Because you have a lot of credit right now, with Andrewsburg mostly but still.
Really, all of Newton Village occasionally dreams in Tree. Not often, but it happens. None of them consider it a form of nightmare (barring Cay Tavish who occasionally dreams of being in one place as a Tree for ages and thinks it's ridiculously boring; dreams of being a moving Tree are fine).
Enjoyment with a hint of wistful melancholy.
If that were true, the odds would be highly in favor of the Source of Elven Magic having been Corrupted at some point, and if you could figure out a way to undo that utterly, you could get Elves back to normal. If you could undo the Corruption enough to disconnect it from Elves in general, you could at least get Elves back to mostly-working.
Of course, that doesn't explain The Last Star. Admittedly, those three might have been capable of such a thing, when many others weren't. But it would be odd, then, that I mentioned what I did in that Interlude but DIDN'T mention them filtering the Magic they drew from some Source...
Or at least what isn't.
But you can't practically at the moment, via any path I can think of.
...
Though you might be able to find a sickly 3/4ths Elf from somewhere.
...Though Maxim 43 applies.
Because, so far, getting her to Combatant stage requires her little brothers being about to die.
Nobody's seriously considered intentionally trying to replicate the incident, for a list of reasons that prominently includes "the moment she realizes what you're up to, she turns that same desperate strength on you."
Also note that she would have permanently injured herself without Healing Magic, and still had a long-term injury despite Materson and Tavish. Which should tell you quite a bit right there.
(Though, admittedly, "she should have asked them to heal her more" might be a valid takeaway. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease.)
That works. Or a bit sooner.
Right now, I was hoping everyone would start proposing trade items that you're asking for. Because you have a lot of credit right now, with Andrewsburg mostly but still.
True to both.
Potentially. Though Arthur Scrat was easier than attempt-2, to the point that you haven't even succeeded at attempt-2 yet (though partially for lack of trying, in your probably-correct best guess).
As far as that's concerned: Knowing what's going on, knowing it's not a threat and is an ally, will definitely mitigate that first one.
Really, all of Newton Village occasionally dreams in Tree. Not often, but it happens. None of them consider it a form of nightmare (barring Cay Tavish who occasionally dreams of being in one place as a Tree for ages and thinks it's ridiculously boring; dreams of being a moving Tree are fine).
Truth.
Enjoyment with a hint of wistful melancholy.
I love the theory!
If that were true, the odds would be highly in favor of the Source of Elven Magic having been Corrupted at some point, and if you could figure out a way to undo that utterly, you could get Elves back to normal. If you could undo the Corruption enough to disconnect it from Elves in general, you could at least get Elves back to mostly-working.
Of course, that doesn't explain The Last Star. Admittedly, those three might have been capable of such a thing, when many others weren't. But it would be odd, then, that I mentioned what I did in that Interlude but DIDN'T mention them filtering the Magic they drew from some Source...
That seems a very good guess based on what I mentioned in the Interlude.
If you could actually see an Elf here, you'd very quickly figure out what's going on.
Or at least what isn't.
But you can't practically at the moment, via any path I can think of.
...
Though you might be able to find a sickly 3/4ths Elf from somewhere.
Hey; it worked! Give him credit for that, at least.
...Though Maxim 43 applies.