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Warhammer Fantasy: Divided Loyalties - an Advisor's Quest

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BoneyM said:
Yes, Hochland is an all-College branch. A few others are the Ancient Library of the Lights in Tubingen, the Wizards and Alchemists Guild of the Golds in Middenheim, and the Royal Academy of Talabecland for the Jades and Ambers in Talabheim.
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...In hindsight, it's kind of surprising that there isn't an Amethyst one in Stirland. Vampiric sabotage?
 
Ganurath said:
...In hindsight, it's kind of surprising that there isn't an Amethyst one in Stirland. Vampiric sabotage?
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Stirland is poor and conservative, so they're generally against partnerships with the Colleges at this point in history, and the Haupt-Anderssens were occupied with their own troubles. Stirland is currently more a Morrite concern than an Amethyst one. Hexensohn might have been looking to change that, but it didn't turn out too well for him.

LockedMind said:
How come that the place with such a stuffy name is an outpost for down-to-earth Jades and Embers? I would expect such name from Light, Heavens or Metal wizards, not Druids and Shamans.
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The institution predates the Colleges, it just formed a partnership with them more recently. As the name suggests, Talabecland is the capital of Taal worship, so Jades and Ambers get along fairly well with them.
 
BoneyM said:
U / The Penumbral Pendulum: A ghostly and razor-sharp pendulum of immense size appears above the wizard, then falls in the direction of their choosing. Anyone that fails to get out of the way will suffer horrendous damage.
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I've got a ton of questions about basically every battle spell, most spells really, but I'm particularly curious about this one. I won't deny this started off with me trying to figure out which Battle Magic spells we can cast as Fiendishly Complex with our Magic Staff, but this has shifted into genuine curiosity with the Lore and the way our magic works.

I've never seen a description of this spell refer to it as dark in color, and while I normally don't take the Total War Warhammer graphics stuff as canon for this quest the ghostly part of the description fits well with the way it's colored white, but, like, a spooky/mystical white in that game.

This had me wondering if the spell was somehow fog based or, alternatively, off the fog/shadow part of Ulgu entirely.

However, I happened to have an idea of what Penumbral actually means off the top of my head and so I looked it up just to be sure, and, uh, it means "A partial shadow, as in an eclipse, between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination. "

So, uh, does this count as a Shadow spell? Is it completely off the Shadow/Fog track and it's completely rooted in the Mystical concept of boundaries?

Sorry about this, been low key obsessed with this for awhile now.
 
King Arthur said:
I've got a ton of questions about basically every battle spell, most spells really, but I'm particularly curious about this one. I won't deny this started off with me trying to figure out which Battle Magic spells we can cast as Fiendishly Complex with our Magic Staff, but this has shifted into genuine curiosity with the Lore and the way our magic works.

I've never seen a description of this spell refer to it as dark in color, and while I normally don't take the Total War Warhammer graphics stuff as canon for this quest the ghostly part of the description fits well with the way it's colored white, but, like, a spooky/mystical white in that game.

This had me wondering if the spell was somehow fog based or, alternatively, off the fog/shadow part of Ulgu entirely.

However, I happened to have an idea of what Penumbral actually means off the top of my head and so I looked it up just to be sure, and, uh, it means "A partial shadow, as in an eclipse, between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination. "

So, uh, does this count as a Shadow spell? Is it completely off the Shadow/Fog track and it's completely rooted in the Mystical concept of boundaries?

Sorry about this, been low key obsessed with this for awhile now.
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It's very much a mystical Ulgu spell, not elemental. Algard said that the Penumbral Pendulum was a weaponization of the boundary between reality and the Warp while Mathilde was being promoted. So it wouldn't be made easier by the Staff.
 
King Arthur said:
I've got a ton of questions about basically every battle spell, most spells really, but I'm particularly curious about this one. I won't deny this started off with me trying to figure out which Battle Magic spells we can cast as Fiendishly Complex with our Magic Staff, but this has shifted into genuine curiosity with the Lore and the way our magic works.

I've never seen a description of this spell refer to it as dark in color, and while I normally don't take the Total War Warhammer graphics stuff as canon for this quest the ghostly part of the description fits well with the way it's colored white, but, like, a spooky/mystical white in that game.

This had me wondering if the spell was somehow fog based or, alternatively, off the fog/shadow part of Ulgu entirely.

However, I happened to have an idea of what Penumbral actually means off the top of my head and so I looked it up just to be sure, and, uh, it means "A partial shadow, as in an eclipse, between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination. "

So, uh, does this count as a Shadow spell? Is it completely off the Shadow/Fog track and it's completely rooted in the Mystical concept of boundaries?

Sorry about this, been low key obsessed with this for awhile now.
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BoneyM said:
. "It is the source of some of our most potent abilities. This is where objects enfolded within Substance of Shadow reside, this is the impossibly thin and thus infinitely sharp edge summoned by Penumbral Pendulum, this is where the Pit of Shades opens into, creating a wailing as the air itself is crushed. And through Teclis' techniques that I've only begun to scratch the surface of, it can be permanently expanded into a pocket big enough for a College."
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Does that help to explain things?

Edit: ninja
 
We should get around to learning how to make a pocket dimension, because it's cool.
And it's also a great justification for the indeterminate state of Mathilde's home. We could make it official and proper wizard-like.
 
Talking of edges, i love how the grey order symbol is a sword.
A symbol of judgement, and sometimes of nobility, the whole Ulgu as the sword of a god or whatnot.
And then the realization that, Battle mages are wielding a sword into battle when casting pit of shades of penumbral Pendulum.

The symbol of the Grey order is not just a random sharp object, it is the blade that cleaves reality from the aethyr.
 
BurnNote said:
We should get around to learning how to make a pocket dimension, because it's cool.
And it's also a great justification for the indeterminate state of Mathilde's home. We could make it official and proper wizard-like.
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BurnNote said:
We should get around to learning how to make a pocket dimension, because it's cool.
And it's also a great justification for the indeterminate state of Mathilde's home. We could make it official and proper wizard-like.
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Algard says he has barely scratched the surface and he has been aware the true nature of the location of gray college far longer than us. As least a decade. Someone else can likely give a more exact number to how long he has been at least a Lord magister. It is not an easy problem.

@BoneyM He have any papers on the subject that we are cleared to read now?
 
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Valmond said:
Talking of edges, i love how the grey order symbol is a sword.
A symbol of judgement, and sometimes of nobility, the whole Ulgu as the sword of a god or whatnot.
And then the realization that, Battle mages are wielding a sword into battle when casting pit of shades of penumbral Pendulum.

The symbol of the Grey order is not just a random sharp object, it is the blade that cleaves reality from the aethyr.
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Echoes of Gazul, eh?
 
fictionfan said:
Algard says he has barely scratched the surface and he has been aware the true nature of the location of gray college far longer than us. As least a decade. Someone else can likely give a more exact number to how long he has been at least a Lord magister.

@BoneyM He have any papers on the subject that we are cleared to read now?
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Not that you know of. When Mathilde researches things she'll send a message to the College automatically for anything relevant that she might be cleared for.
 
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BoneyM said:
Not that you know of. When Mathilde researches things she'll send a message to the College automatically for anything relevant that she might be cleared for.
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So we would have to spend at least 1 AP attempting actual novel research on the topic to get this knowledge, we can't just request it without good reason?
 
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fictionfan said:
Algard says he has barely scratched the surface and he has been aware the true nature of the location of gray college far longer than us. As least a decade. Someone else can likely give a more exact number to how long he has been at least a Lord magister. It is not an easy problem.

@BoneyM He have any papers on the subject that we are cleared to read now?
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I would guess his paperwork tray is related, though I suspect it's also something he just has a personal knack for, since his tower also does something like that. But the pocket dimension aspect is already established, because that's what the college is. They probably can't replicate the scale, but they basically have to be able to monitor and modify it. Monitor, or it would be a ticking time bomb/deathtrap, and modify because they can add new rooms and shit positions (as with Mathilde's donation).
 
Glau said:
A Matter of Perspective

Mathilde's perspective (from Turn 33 - 2486 - Part 2):

Your return to the matter of the Waaaghsoak Mushrooms is a perfect opportunity to show off your Green Tower to Panoramia, who nods along as you explain the different components of it but is obviously itching to be unleashed upon the planters you set up, which occupies her for the next several days. It's certainly pleasant to have her nearby while you work on other things, but once she considers herself satisfied with the conditions that your fruit-bearing saplings are growing in (which are now significantly larger and noticeably lusher) it's time to return to the matter at hand.


Panoramia's perspective:

She woke to the sounds of a brush running through hair. She stretched, feeling soft sheets and and fluffy pillows as she thrust her fists above her head and arched her back, then with a sigh relaxed and opened her eyes.

Mathilde sat on the edge of the bed half-facing away, meditatively running a tortoise shell comb slowly through her long brown locks. Her eyes were mostly closed, only a single thin layer of cloth hung over her- a grey shift, half-off her narrow muscular shoulders, while a soft half-smile played across her lips.

Panoramia licked her own lips, tasting salt and hot memories from the night before, but in the early grey light did no more than watch. Five strokes, ten, fifty, then switch to the other side. Five, ten, fifty. Mathilde bowed her head. Panoramia felt power flex- a soft cool wash across her skin and a floating feel under her fingernails- then relax. Mathilde looked up, met her gaze, and smiled

"Good morning. Would you like to do some research with me today?"

_________________
(Flashback)

The days before had been glorious; Mathilde's architectural ambitions had cooled but not vanished since her days of magical superweapons. Instead of a looming tower of grey threatening dwarven hellfire, or a crackling tower of blue threatening bolts of lightning, the latest was a wonderfully welcoming font of upwelling jade that had slowly taken shape at the far edges of her awareness. And three days ago, Mathilde had come with an infectious grin and an invitation to tour it.

She had been to the grey's penthouse before (Mathilde secretly delighted in showing off her slowly expanding mountaintop palace) but this was special: this time it was evident that all through the planning and construction of this latest piece, Mathilde had been thinking of her. There was no real need for a Jade tower, not for a grey wizard- unlike the blue or the red towers it did not add to or defend the Eye of Gazul, and was not of personal use in research. So while it's construction may simply have been a Wizard doing wizard things to the vast majority of the Karak, to Panoramia it was a message both subtle and blindingly obvious in a way only the greys could really manage. Mathilde was making a space for the Jade wizard in her life. Panoramia approved. It was true that every wizard dreamed of having a tower, even if only a little...

The outside was nothing too special, though it took living in the Karak and the tower's neighbors to make that statement true. Dwarf-crafted blocks of carefully stained limestone shot through with dozens and dozens of small windows made up the outside, two stories tall above the foundations and with a gorgeous vine-carved staircase spiraling up the exterior. A door of weathered copper leaves opened onto a landing at the top of the stairs, the door split horizontally in two halves to allow for some additional control over the ventilaton.

This was the way Mathilde took Panoramia, bouncing up the stairs with her endless energy and chattering about the difficulties the artisans had experienced trying to form patterns friendly to ghyran. Apparently the dwarven love of geometries and stylized repetition did not mesh well with growth and nature, but after some examination of jade college glyphs and experimentation it was discovered that branching fractals were a workable middle ground.

Panoramia caught her by the hand just as the breathless words finished tumbling from her mouth, pulling her to a stop at the top of the stairs.

"This is all... You made this all for me? It's almost too much!"

"Well, not *just* for you! I'm looking forward to wandering over and picking fruit off the bush for my breakfast. But... Yes, I was hoping you would help me with it. There's a few bits of research I think it might be useful for too!"

"Mathilde..." Normally, with others present, Panoramia's tone might have been chiding, or mildly exasperated. Here and now, it was low, earnest. "Mathilde, I would like very much to kiss you right now."

Mathilde's eyes widened, and she ceased to tug Pan towards the door as her free hand rose to cover her mouth.

"Oh! I'm- I didn't- it's- wh-wha- umm. Ok?"

Panoramia stepped forwards into her space, reaching out to cup her cheeks and tilt her hat back, looking very seriously into her eyes.

"Thank you." She said, and leaned forward just enough to press her lips against Mathilde's. A moment passed.

"Now show me the inside! It looked like you have a couple of levels?"

"Ohhhh.... Oh! Yes!"

Inside was a single large open space, with ferns and flowers lining the ramp spiraling down the interior, and tubs of individual fruit trees crowded again the walls. Several large empty planters seperated by low stone walls occupied the center. It was all so new, and Panoramia could feel the jagged edges and catches of not-quite smoothness in the flow of ghyran against her skin.

She turned again to Mathilde and this time without asking gave her a longer, deeper kiss, pressing her whole body against the other woman's.

"Thank you. And it looks like you were right that I might be able to help you- there's a bit of work to be done to make sure all those trees grow well enough to give you fruit. But it's a long walk back to my cottage tonight, so I should probably begin back and see you in the morning-"

"Stay with me."

"I'm sorry?"

Blushing furiously, trying desperately to hold contact and pretend that this is all perfectly normal, Mathilde continued.

"I've got a very nice bed, and one of the best bathes on the continent outside Wurtbad. Stay with me? You wouldn't have to walk up and down all those stairs each day."

Panoramia responded with a delighted smile and another, even longer kiss.

____________________
(Present)

"Research? Of what sort?" Panoramia asked, pushing herself up.

"The waaaghsoak mushrooms. I thought they might make a good aide for journeymen, and we haven't had a chance to follow up on that last paper in a while."

"Mhhhmmmm. Sounds good. But we should start with breakfast and a good talk about how we are going to go about this. Here, let me help?"

Panoramia moved up behind Mathilde as she obligingly turned away, taking the brush with brief touch of fingers and seperating Mathilde's long hair into two bunches. With a bit of whimsy, Panoramia began plaiting her hair, weaving the brown stands into an echo of the dwarf-styles as the two talked softly of mushrooms.



A/N: Fluff! Mathilde-plaits getting mentioned plus running across the Green tower getting shown off for the first time gets you this!
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DAWWWWWW that's so cute.
 
Ericwinter said:
Burning shadows isn't actually a flame though. We actually had to add the divine flame part in our tower, and Kragg grumbled once about how the name was inaccurate.
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It's aethyr, where metaphor becomes real.
Or, Gazul set the barrier between reality and unreality on fire. :V
Any claims that this was not completely intended are baseless rumours. :whistle:
 
matvprok said:
So we would have to spend at least 1 AP attempting actual novel research on the topic to get this knowledge, we can't just request it without good reason?
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I think it's not about having a good reason. It just hasn't been relevant to Mathilde's actions.
And since AP expenditure corresponds to how Mathilde spends her time, it's just a matter of her not having put the time in because it wasn't pertinent to whatever she was doing.
AP hell is not just a mechanical thing after all.
 
fictionfan said:
Algard says he has barely scratched the surface and he has been aware the true nature of the location of gray college far longer than us. As least a decade. Someone else can likely give a more exact number to how long he has been at least a Lord magister. It is not an easy problem.

@BoneyM He have any papers on the subject that we are cleared to read now?
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I am surprised to read this, I really thought Algard had a solid idea of how making spaces in the Shadow Realm worked, and this is how he moves and hides his Screaming Towers. Guess he is doing it in another way somehow? Perhaps they just cloak when not in use and can be flown around via a hideously expensive Blue Magic Enchantment?
 
matvprok said:
So we would have to spend at least 1 AP attempting actual novel research on the topic to get this knowledge, we can't just request it without good reason?
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That's how the security measures work, yeah. There's an obvious flaw that it means someone who might be able to spot a novel avenue of research from reading a paper can't do so unless they've already got a novel avenue to begin research on that clears them to read the paper, but that's considered less of a problem than information on how to tear open reality being freely available.
 
King Arthur said:
I've got a ton of questions about basically every battle spell, most spells really, but I'm particularly curious about this one. I won't deny this started off with me trying to figure out which Battle Magic spells we can cast as Fiendishly Complex with our Magic Staff, but this has shifted into genuine curiosity with the Lore and the way our magic works.

I've never seen a description of this spell refer to it as dark in color, and while I normally don't take the Total War Warhammer graphics stuff as canon for this quest the ghostly part of the description fits well with the way it's colored white, but, like, a spooky/mystical white in that game.

This had me wondering if the spell was somehow fog based or, alternatively, off the fog/shadow part of Ulgu entirely.

However, I happened to have an idea of what Penumbral actually means off the top of my head and so I looked it up just to be sure, and, uh, it means "A partial shadow, as in an eclipse, between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination. "

So, uh, does this count as a Shadow spell? Is it completely off the Shadow/Fog track and it's completely rooted in the Mystical concept of boundaries?

Sorry about this, been low key obsessed with this for awhile now.
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It's cool. That's the point.
 
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