[OOC] Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

[Lucius Cypher]

This is where teamwork comes in, Free. Alaria is not alone. Some battles can be won by building than by destroying. By eliminating the threat inside the Infirmary you've brought enough time for everyone else to mount a proper defense. But you've only won the battle, not the war. The future is murky, and a new challenge greater than before lies beyond each corner. You cannot stand against it alone. Alaria's valor and bravery must be combined with cooperation and trust. IF you cannot stand against the threat that looms before you, how could you expect Alaria to do the same? Have faith, Freeshooter.

[Freeshooter92]

Do not do this to me Lucius, if you do I swear to god I'm fucking done here. I do not want it to come to that.

[EliteCommander]

I have difficulties deciding on what to think here. From my perspective, this whole thing does seem like a raw deal for Free. As I mentioned before, were I in his shoes, I would lower the mental damage done by the magic, live to fight, and sacrifice again another day, on more certain terms. Make it more of an event, a bigger deal in a different situation.

[Lucius Cypher]

I will not lie to your Free: After the attack is over, the land will either be embroiled in war or getting ready for it. It will come with all it's glory and all it's horror. It's not going to be easy for anyone. But that's why we have each other. Even the gods, for all their power, can be defeated if mortals band together. Alaira was the key role into the successful defense of the Infirmary; without her more demons would have come in after the first Amorphous Demon laid waste to everyone. Thanks to her the healers can focus on creating barriers to fortify the infirmary and tending to the injured. Thanks to this the Infirmary will become the second most defensible position next to the Dinning hall. That way, everyone can rest up until reinforcement arrives. Shouldn't take too long assuming neither the other two GM's causes too much of a disturbance at the Dinning Hall.

[Freeshooter92]

FOR FUCK'S SAKE AT LEAST SPELL HER FUCKING NAME RIGHT.

[EliteCommander]

I'm also reminded that I need to make my post with Ssarak and the others, so...hey, Leon. How are things going with you?

[Lucius Cypher]

Sorry about that. Alaira didn't seem to be added to my spell check yet. But nonetheless, her efforts were not in vain. She's ensured the worse did not come, and once everyone else gets their bits in I'll have the counter-offensive ready to clear paths between the Dinning Hall and the Infirmary. Without her there would be nothing to save at the Infirmary. So she's saved more than one life, even if they're mostly nameless NPC's. But they're important too.

[Fallenreaper]

EliteCommander said
I have difficulties deciding on what to think here. From my perspective, this whole thing does seem like a raw deal for Free. As I mentioned before, were I in his shoes, I would lower the mental damage done by the magic, live to fight, and sacrifice again another day, on more certain terms. Make it more of an event, a bigger deal in a different situation.

Elite, there's one thing Free's not mentioned. Namely everything mentioned in a pm and exaggerating what we came to a agreement on. That's the problem which I will share with Free's permission so not get stuff mixed up.

[Freeshooter92]

Fallenreaper said
Elite, there's one thing Free's not mentioned. Namely everything mentioned in a pm and exaggerating what we came to a agreement on. That's the problem which I will share with Free's permission so not get stuff mixed up.

Go ahead.

[Fallenreaper]

Here it is. Not all of it, but the key bits:

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A little too strong, Free, as seen through the description below. This what a Novice can do.

Novice~
Charging Energies is most dominated here. Novices can easily tap into their own energy source and manipulate it with some effort and focus. They can light a spark on their fingers and hold charge for several minutes, anything that touches them is instantly shock with the voltage that a single Taser hit has before charge dies after one used. It requires another charge build up afterwards and after several, a novice will be left exhausted. They can send a small current, for a brief moment, through a metal weapon or item usually strong enough to cause the enemy to drop it or become temporarily immobilized. EIS can be also be used, for a few minutes, out to about 2 feet radius from user. Small light can be illuminating only a small area from their hand when held.

What Alaria’s attempting to do is intermediate as seen below in the description, because there’s no way any living creature’s bioelectrical energy is that powerful unless they are one of a few things: A thunder beast, monster or demon (None PC or GM Boss). Even elementals draw upon the Natural Energies due to the drain it cause just using their own energy and the damage to brain and motor skills.

Intermediate~

Charging Energies power and duration is increase by a notable degree, their Taser effect is able to shock 3-4 enemies with one charge or one large one on a single contact as well as spread through others when those targets are in skin to skin contact. This affect can also be placed into an Electromancer’s weapon for the same amount of targets, sometimes making an enemy think twice about locking horns. The area of the effect can be increased to cover over half their body and with increased focus can send foes to become immobile for a brief time depending on the mass the creature has, may even kill them. ESI is increased to up to 4 feet in 360 degrees around mage for a temporary time, the continual use will slowly tired out the user because of the slow drain in the blood use. In this level, mages start to edge into using Natural Energies for added range. Creating small, 2-3 foot wide square area where magnetism can occur for a limited time, a few seconds, pulling any armored foe onto the ground or booby trap to shock any living creature brave enough to venture within it.

I did caution Crossark against playing his PCs above their levels, as in the case with Locas who was doing intermediate-advance level magic before having the magic strength built to that, so I can’t just favor one Player over another when it comes to displaying something like this.

Now, before you get discouraged, there’s a loophole that we can explore and it would still allow this awesome effect without the aftermath being something rather crippling. This loophole is the Electromancer rune. It can create Lighting/electrical energies that Alaira can manipulate and boost her own power to kill the monster. The mentioned after effect would still be the same but without exhausting her own inner energies (which is what Novice Electromancers accesses easiest at this stage)and not pulling over the line. The only edits you would have to make are minor, like mentioning that Sam shouted at Alaira and tossed her the rune as well as the fact she used it's magic. It still allows for the same effect without a Player pointing out that I allowed you to go past your boundaries yet I limited Cross on his. Make sense? Also, the Rune will crumble afterwards from having all the magic used and it being overheated.

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Freeshooter92 said
But wouldn't combat instincts be more likely to think of it as an attack to be deflected? Plus, she's moving way too fast to have a chance at catching anything when coupled with all the things she has to keep track of. The idea is it leaves her out of action for several months, with debilitating effects when she wakes up as well. The goal is to keep her wrecked for months, to show people what happens when you go 'FUCK LIMITS.'

I would accept the rune if I felt there was any way to utilize it, but I just cannot imagine her taking it, and taking it just feels like some kind of cop-out to me.

You know bioenergy includes nerve and neurons right? (Each magic has their own type of serious effect when you go beyond their limit, which Locas's would've been suffocation...I rather not explain that because it will make this rambling...)

If it was a Six month skip, I wouldn't mind it too much as she would be much closer to recovering within reason to her old ability. However, the next one is only two months (we hit spring in year 2 for missions) and I don't feel that is enough time to recover/adapt from the brain damage and loss of motor skills. Though after 2 months, she might be able to hold her weapon, using it in high tensity situations effectively and regaining the sharp reflexes would be impossible imo. Namely cause it's like someone who was paralyzed for a month or longer having to learn to walk/talk/move all over. This would mean you would likely be stuck at the College for at least 2 time skips, likely alone.

So if you still want to do this, then realize this: she will be barely able to combat when the missions come in the next 2 months and Sam will keep her from joining them because of her condition.

In honesty, Free, I'm not trying to give you a cop out as much as lessen the damage. Last thing I want is Alaira a vegetable and if she doesn't have help with that scene, she has a high likelihood to end up like that. Possibly even paralyzed anywhere from the neck to the waist down. There will still be side effects like some lost of motorskills which she would have to regain, but instead of struggling to hold and lift her spear, it's lessened to something that's less permanent. Like say rebuilding her muscles to move in time with her mind. It won't be as good as before, as she's still working on it, but it would enable her to at least hold her weapon without suddenly dropping it.

That's why the Players who go too far are asked to edit their post yet still take the damage stated.

Anyway, since you stated there's no way for Alaira to use the rune then I can try to work out this problem with you. Merely all Alaria needs is the rune activated nearby and her instinct could end up tapping into it. Every student's ability is different, despite what the levels say as they are more guide lines, and some are able to instinctively tap into areas in a raw way. They still pay for it because its untrained and not refined, but it's possible.

Take Mar for example. She's able to use offensive Vitamancy while most students start off in healing and can't access offensive magic until much later, but its the opposite with her.

Anyway, back on topic. Another option is Sam could activate it and slide over to Alaira so she could draw upon the energy instinctively. She would still be fried and collapse at the end, also suffer motorskill problems after the time skip. However the positive thing was she would be able to at least hold her spear for a small period of time rather then not at all, making it where when another time skip happens, after the 2 month one, she would be right as rain, almost, again. She would still likely have twitches and what not from time to time as a permanent side effect making a small reminder for PCs to watch their magic level but nothing too crippling for IC.

[EliteCommander]

This situation is more of a discussion between you all and Free. I just thought I would give my opinion. My concerns are really of a more general nature. I'm afraid, honestly. I worry that the same problems Free mentioned are not unique to him. I've heard the same things from others from time to time, and I would be lying if I said I hadn't had the same feelings at times myself. Ultimately, I'm just afraid of people losing interest; this is by far one of my favorite RPs that I have ever been in, at the moment.

[Lucius Cypher]

The feeling of powerlessness is going to be a common issue that will be dealt with IC. Power itself, and how we obtain it, will shape who we are. What lengths we go to get it and why we do so. Everyone wants to feel like they have meaning in this world. If nothing else, that's what we're trying to get for each of you. that, and a world to play around in and create for yourself.

[EliteCommander]

Lucius Cypher said
The feeling of powerlessness is going to be a common issue that will be dealt with IC. Power itself, and how we obtain it, will shape who we are. What lengths we go to get it and why we do so. Everyone wants to feel like they have meaning in this world. If nothing else, that's what we're trying to get for each of you. that, and a world to play around in and create for yourself.

That sounds great, honestly. It's not what I'm worried about though. What I mentioned before about balancing success and failure is a worry for me. If story events become essentially guaranteed failures, then I cannot honestly say I would enjoy that. It would be as bad as guaranteed successes.

I have developed another idea on Ssarak's story though, but if I decide I wanted to do it, it would take a long time to come to fruition.

[Freeshooter92]

Lucius Cypher said
The feeling of powerlessness is going to be a common issue that will be dealt with IC. Power itself, and how we obtain it, will shape who we are. What lengths we go to get it and why we do so. Everyone wants to feel like they have meaning in this world. If nothing else, that's what we're trying to get for each of you. that, and a world to play around in and create for yourself.

He says that, but at this point I have a hard time believing it, honestly. IC, the biggest contribution I've made is naming a child, and even that's more than what a few folks have gotten. IIt is an important event, and I do take pride in it but it's hardly 'creating something for myself.'

[Fallenreaper]

I know how one side of the situation can sound and when that's all you have to go on, it's hard to make a good opinion to be honest Elite. That's why news, and other sources leave out key mentions, to keep your opinion linked to one side. I'm a GM and I will admit I'm not perfect, but I will be reasonable as I can as will my fellow GMs.

One of the key aspects of this rp is growth but it's hard to see that if we don't first show you what you'll likely encounter as master in the far future. And currently even against the odds, the PCs are doing very well where their fellows have failed and at some point things well shimmer down a bit.
.
Right now, I think it's best to drop this drama and leave it alone. Hopefully, it won't happen again...

[EliteCommander]

Freeshooter92 said
He says that, but at this point I have a hard time believing it, honestly. IC, the biggest contribution I've made is naming a child, and even that's more than what a few folks have gotten. IIt is an important event, and I do take pride in it but it's hardly 'creating something for myself.'

I actually disagree there. I've made plans for Ssarak and his story, and so far, all GMs have been supportive. I can't say too much because spoilers, but its the reason Dirssi exists. I cannot say that I have had an influence on others' stories, or any main plots, but I think that is just a matter of communication.

[Lucius Cypher]

If there's anything you can guarantee from me, its that nothing I plan will always go through. I will show you possibilities both light and dark. Your success and failures. leave it to me to remind you of either, because I always allow you to fight for your own destiny. Even if I am your opponent, that should not disaude you from reaching your own ending. You may be defeated, but you can win, if you can band together and endeavour to stand against me united rather than fighting for just yourself.

[Freeshooter92]

Fallenreaper said
I know how one side of the situation can sound and when that's all you have to go on, it's hard to make a good opinion to be honest Elite. That's why news, and other sources leave out key mentions, to keep your opinion linked to one side. I'm a GM and I will admit I'm not perfect, but I will be reasonable as I can as will my fellow GMs. One of the key aspects of this rp is growth but it's hard to see that if we don't first show you what you'll likely encounter as master in the far future. And currently even against the odds, the PCs are doing very well where their fellows have failed and at some point things well shimmer down a bit. .Right now, I think it's best to drop this drama and leave it alone. Hopefully, it won't happen again...

Well, there is only really one good way to show people huge threats: from a distance. In a videogame let's say you want to show the player a huge boss they'll face around mid game. a good game will have you watch it say... level a town a ways off, or in the background. This shows you the guy we will call 'baddest motherfucker' for this demonstration without being put in harms way by it. By seeing it from afar we know we are safe for the time being, but we gain an impending sense of dread as we know that one day, we must face it. This is good as it conveys that sense of power baddest motherfucker is supposed to exude, while not only getting the player out of harms way, but inspiring fear in a way, or at least showing them a goal to be overcome.

A bad game throws you in a situation where you must either fight and autolose (JRPG) or flee (Action games) While you may feel as if this instills hopelessness, it does, but in a much more frustrating and decidedly less fun manner. You feel as if you are skilled enough to beat baddest motherfucker, but the game cheats and railroads you so you cannot actually win. And in the case of badass minions instead of bosses, more keep spawning until you lose. It is futility defined.

[Lucius Cypher]

Do you really think I am so cruel that I would give you such a bull experice? Well, maybe i have given that impression, but no, you can fight, you can struggle, and you can win. The odds will be stacked against you and against better logic, you may lose. But there's always a chance to win, to turn a situation around from bad to better. It just requires all of us to work together as friends rather than opponents. The worse thing you can do is give up; there is no mercy for quitters. Victory needs to be earned, defeat can be denied.

[Sep]

I think if you meet a big badass boss and you lose early game and you fight them later it instills a sense of "I will not fail again."

Of course if you do this too many times then it instills a sense of hopelessness. Just my opinion.