File: mage quest michael santos(...).png (1.24 MB, 1414x1835)

1.24 MB PNG

"Uhh... neat trick," you say to Garen, now looking up at him, when mere moments ago you were looking down. "I

assume Life magic eventually lets you do stuff like this?"

"My dear ally, when you've been alive for as long as I, you will quickly find out that Magic can do anything,"

he bellows out, giving a gentle pat on the back. You almost tumble forward in shock at the strength of the kind

gesture. And if this is just how he is when being friendly, what would he be like if he was pissed off? "So,

what can you tell me about what has befallen our fair Mystic?"

You give him a bit more information about what you saw, producing your notes on the machines you saw and the

readouts you could gleam from them, along with the notes that Diana had on the helmet itself. He pours over

them, even making small notes on some of the pages, before handing them back to you.

"Well, how bad is it Garen," Jemma asks, glancing at her watch. Right, she has to be at work in a few hours.

"It's not great," he murmurs. "Most of those machines are meant to keep someone alive, and in a heavily sedated

state. What worries me the most is this helmet device Diana made. She's a brilliant mind, but cares only for

the bottom line, so I doubt she cared much for what it could do."

"... And what can it do?"

"Well, to put it simply, it can eventually re-write a person's mind, given enough time, energy, and magical

prowess over all things to do with the Mind Arcanum." He cracks the knuckles in his hands, loud pops following

each digit. "We have to consider the possibility that the Mystic might not recognize us, or worse, see us as

enemies."

> Wait, we might have to kill her?
> She's strong, I know she won't turn
> Even if she is brainwashed, I can get through to her
> Other

Fuck, why does copy + pasting from notepad have it format like that sometimes, but not others? Oh well, not re-editing/posting it.

Here's the resource documents, and a helpful link an anon posted at the end of quest 4 on all things related to Mage: the Awakening:


http://www.thesubnet.com/portal/wod2/mtaw/index.html

>>36414915
>> Even if she is brainwashed, I can get through to her

Also, we are seriously unoptimized. Not one pool of 5+5?

File: mage quest reference sheet.png (68 KB, 1913x2475)

68 KB PNG

I suppose it would help if I actually submitted the files...

>>36414915
> Even if she is brainwashed, I can get through to her

File: mage quest 13 practices.png (146 KB, 2550x3300)

146 KB PNG

And a brief idea of what the 13 Practices are (the terms seen in the first post).

The four people Jemma suggested we try and recruit. She said we could probably get 1, maybe 2 people, but getting all 4 will require some work.
> Ezikiel, another Obrimos (Forces and Prime mage) like Jemma, only he focused on the "art of Magic itself"
> Diana, a Moros (Matter and Death mage), someone Jemma calls a "magical Blacksmith"
> Garen, a Thyrsus (Life and Spirit mage), a doctor for the supernatural
> TA, a Mastigos (Space and Mind mage), someone Jemma rather dislikes but admits might be useful

Currently, you have Garen and Diana on your side.

Also, there's some bad blood amongst those 4 Mages. Here's the basic scoop on them:


>Ezikiel
Bad blood with TA and Garen
>Diana
Isn't a huge fan of TA
>Garen
Bad blood with Ezikiel
>TA
Bad blood with Ezikiel

>>36415012
>>Diana
>Isn't a huge fan of TA
Does she dislike him enough that it would be a dealbreaker?

>>36415034
Jemma admits she isn't sure, as she doesn't know what the beef between the two of them is, and her attempts to find out have proven less than effective.

>>36414915

> Wait, we might have to kill her?

>>36414915
>She's strong. Whatever he's done to her won't stick.

>spouce dyne
Uh Captcha, maybe keep the spoilers to yourself?

File: Spoiler Image (55 KB, 1280x720)

55 KB JPG

>>36414915
> Even if she is brainwashed, I can get through to her

I can already feel it, the yuetsu. It's coming. Besides, his virtue is justice, he'd say something like that.

"Even if she is brainwashed, I can get through to her." You say this with a rather confident tone in your voice, which Garen immediately picks up on.

"Oh, and how can you be so sure? From what I can gleam together, you have but only recently Awoken, and wouldn't have known the Mystic for very long. On the other hand, myself, Jemma, and several other Mages have known her professionally for almost a decade."

You recoil a bit in shock, realizing only now how arrogant your previous statement sounded. You readily told Diana how you were connected to the Mystic, and Jemma scolded you for such an action on the car ride up.

> Tell Garen how you know her
> Make up a believable excuse (3d10, Manipulation + Subterfuge)
> Other

>>36415167
> Tell Garen how you know her

File: Alex Louis Armstrong.png (205 KB, 616x377)

205 KB PNG

Oh, and for those curious (or haven't read the previous thread), this is what Garen currently looks like.

>>36415167
> Other
"Obviously since you didn't know about me until now, you didn't know the Mystic enough."

File: winry-rockbell-1546461.jpg (62 KB, 495x640)

62 KB JPG

And this is what Diana looks like.

>>36415167
>Tell Garen how you know her


shouldn't we have some skill specialties?

>>36415202
>>36415184
Hey MageQM, why don't you compile >>36414974 >>36414958 >>36414915 into a PDF, with a page on characters with images?

That way you only need to post 1 PDF file

Rolled 1, 4, 2 = 7 (3d10)

>>36415167
Let's lie!

>>36415221
You only have one at the moment (Law) due to our chosen profession (basically a paralegal at a law firm in the city). The closest we've come to another specialty is Boxing in Brawl, due to hints of previous boxing lessons/training.

>>36415195
>>36415167
Lets go with something like this, better than lying or telling the truth.

>>36415167
>> Tell Garen how you know her

>>36415167
> Tell Garen how you know her

>>36415237
I've thought about it, but aren't sure, as I have had people say/comment on being on mobile devices when the thread's been going on, and they had issues opening the images due to file sizes/dimensions.

Do you guys want me to try and compile all pertinent information into a single PDF?

>>36415281
>>36415278
>>36415221
>>36415172
Guys, remember the line here?
> You readily told Diana how you were connected to the Mystic, and Jemma scolded you for such an action on the car ride up.
Do we want Jemma to scold us again?

>>36415195
Well the dice gods proved they hate me just now so I'll vote this instead. It's true. If they knew her so well how the hell'd they not know she had a hubby or what said hubby looked like? Chrom did, why didn't they?

>>36415314
I don't think we can keep us being her husband a secret for long. I mean after rescuing her we'll probably work together with her and it will be obvious that we're in a relationship.

>>36415344
That should be up to HER, not US. Remember we're fucking new to everything here?

>>36415167
> Tell Garen how you know her

>>36415195
This.

>>36415195
Secoding

Voting's closed, writing.

>>36415395
We're tied though.

>>36415371
>>36415281
>>36415278
>>36415221
>>36415172
>We were scolded for telling someone this before
>OH HEY
>LETS TELL EVERYONE GAISE
Holy fucking shit you guys are stupid

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>36415408
Realized that just as I posted voting closed.

1 for telling the truth, 2 for the Other option.

>>36415423
>cares about being scolded.
I'm sorry we're not all 6 years old.

>>36415424
Woo, now we get the stupid option.

>>36415424
I think we've got some samefagging here, no one's giving any sort of reason as to why we should tell them.

>>36415443
Why do you even play the quest if you aren't going to listen to other characters or try to it into the setting?

>>36415448
Nah, I just voted for that because anon was butthurt about it. Now he can rage even more.

>>36415483
Because her opinion is not valued highly.

This isn't even difficult to understand. You're just retarded.

>>36415448
it's not as if anyone posted a good reason why we shouldn't, either

>>36415507
>Because her opinion is not valued highly.
And mind telling me why? She's been perfectly reliable and valid since the start of the quest.

>>36415511
Trusting the advice of someone who knows more about this than we do for one, for a start.

>>36415443
A spouse counts as an Intimate level conduit through which you can channel sympathetic magic through dumbass. It's like they want the wife to become somebody else's bitch. Or be killed conveniently. A little bit of sympathetic death or mind magic can kill covertly. You can also use forces if you want to try and pass it off as spontaneous combustion, but that's iffy.

Point is, don't be a fucking idiot and reveal your weaknesses to another mage. Bad. Fucking. Idea.

>>36415487
Samefag please go.

"You know her on a professional level, I know her on a personal level." You go to raise your hand, to flash the wedding band still on your hand, but Jemma quickly stops you.

"It's ok Garen, I vouch for how well he knows the Mystic," she blusters out, pushing your hand back down to your side.

He glances between the two of you, before grumbling in acceptance. "Very well. When will we go and rescue her?"

> Early tomorrow morning, after Jemma's shift
> Tomorrow at/around 10 AM, with Diana's gear
> This weekend (it's currently Wednesday afternoon), when we all have had time to prepare
> Other

>>36415527
Telling the mage doctor guy that you have an emotional connection with a possible victim of brainwashing overrides her meaningless warnings.

>>36415554
>> Tomorrow at/around 10 AM, with Diana's gear

>>36415557
Why would it?
See: >>36415545

>>36415554

> Tomorrow at/around 10 AM, with Diana's gear

>>36415554
> Tomorrow at/around 10 AM, with Diana's gear

>>36415557
Why would that override telling anyone else? Remember we're going to kill that guy too.

>>36415554
Finger, not hand

God, so bad with my spelling today.

And I am trying to keep an eye out for sameanon's posting, but there's not much I can do to stop it, short of straight up ignoring posts, which to me then makes it look like railroading, so...

Also, lets be cordial/nice to anons, some people are new to the system, and don't know all the terminology (or how potentially world-breaking certain combinations of Magic can be).

>>36415610
>kill that guy too.
Wut. Why are we killing garen?

>>36415639
> mage doctor guy
>Remember we're going to kill that guy too
I'm talking about the mage doctor, who he was referencing. I didn't mention Garen anywhere.

>>36415655
Considering I was the one who wrote that post and I was specifically mentioning Garen, No. You're wrong.

>>36415666
There's the doctor who kidnapped our wife (Who I thought he was referencing), and then Garen is the underground doctor (Which isn't really his most distinguishing feature)

Besides, that anon was also wrong. Before >>36415554, we didn't actually tell Garen we had an emotional connection, just A connection. Even moreso why I thought it was the Doctor who kidnapped our wife.

>>36415613
Most world breaking combos require archmastery though. You need that to fling out full 5 dot combos (e.g. a Space+Forces with effects requiring 5 in each one to pull off). A mage can get immensely powerful though.

>>36415718
>held up hand with ring
>said we know her personally

Garren can put two and two together. He knows now.

>>36415613
'other' was more heavily samefagged than telling the truth. Only 2 unique IPs agreed with that. 3 unique IP's for the truth.

But sure, if you want to railroad go ahead. I'm sure asshole anons will love you for it.

>>36415750
How can you tell the IP addresses? I thought they eliminated that feature.

>>36415748
I know that he knows now, that's not what I was talking about at all however.

>>36415768
4chanx helpfully shows every time a post is a new IP in a thread.

More generally, just look at the IP counter at the bottom whenever a new post goes up.

>>36415786
...No, it's exactly what we're talking about. You're butthurt we told a doctor that there might be something we could do to mitigate a condition.

>>36415787
>>36415750
Oh wow, it's totally not as if that's so easy to get past it hurts or anything!

Writing, btw.

>>36415787
>>36415750
Oh wow, it's totally not as if that's so easy to get past it hurts or anything!

>>36415830
So you're admitting you samefagged the 'other' option? good to know.

>>36415806
>>36415830
How are you able to do that?

>>36415802
I thought >>36415557 was talking about the Doctor mage who had our wife. Instead he was talking about Garen.

So, no.

File: 6268448400.jpg (68 KB, 526x300)

68 KB JPG

>>36415867
I have literally no idea what you're even saying anymore.

>>36415860
Multiple divices, proxies, etc.
It's easy, so saying "Wow UNIQUE IPS" means shit all.

>>36415888
>proxies
i thought 4chan banned like, every known proxy.

>>36415884
Okay. Lets turn back the clock.

>>36415557
I responded to this person, thinking that they were talking about the Mage who kidnapped our wife. Since we told him about our connection with her. Therefore I responded
>Why would that override telling anyone else? Remember we're going to kill that guy too.
Because we're going to kill that Mage. However he was referencing Garen, who is another Doctor.

From there it's just a number of misunderstandings.

>>36415901
>i thought 4chan banned like, every known proxy.
Fucking hue.

"Tomorrow, probably around 10 AM. Does that timeframe work for you?"

Garen nods in approval, as Jemma hands the lab coat back to him. He begins to re-age himself, shifting back into the old, wrinkled man appearance he hand when you first met him. "Very well, I shall be ready by early tomorrow morning for you to pick me up." He begins to usher you guys to the exit. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to begin preparing for tomorrow's festivities."

You thank him once again, as Jemma steps outside first. You close the door behind you and begin walking to her car. You're barely inside of it before she punches you, hard, in the arm.

"Ow, what the fuck was that for!?"

""You're a god damn idiot, you know that!? You don't get it, do you? Blabbing to anyone and everyone that you're the Mystic's husband is just about the worst thing you can do right now! Back when you were a Sleeper it was ok, we don't mess with Sleepers all that often, due to Paradox. But you are freshly Awoken, you don't have a full control over all the powers and possibilities available to you, AND the people we are meeting are not the most up-and-up folks in the city." She turns the car on and starts driving, one eye on the road, the other glaring at you.

"Then why are we recruiting these people if they aren't trustworthy!?"

>[1/2]

>[2/2]

"Because that's how this works! No one trusts anyone because it's one gigantic power race! It's like the Cold War; we trade in favors and secrets and hope to God no one drops a fucking nuke on our heads, because if that happens it's fucking World War 3, and no matter who wins that fight, we all lose." She begins tapping on the steering wheel. It must be some nervous habit of hers, as that's the third time in 12 hours you've seen her do it. "The Mystic was one of the few truly neutral forces in the city, and if Chrom is trying to weaponize her, that's really, really bad."

You open your mouth to say something, then stop and close it. Obviously Jemma cares about what happens to the people in the city, and not just the normal human beings in it. And if she has been at this with Elizabeth - trying to keep the peace - for more than a decade, it must be a very lonely venture. She's probably devoted to her work, with little or no time for personal connections.

Or maybe she had one, and this supernatural stuff is what caused her to leave them behind.

> Ask her about herself, at least with things she is comfortable sharing
> Sit in silence in the car
> Other

>>36416006
>> Sit in silence in the car

>>36415982
>>36416006
Oh look, we were exactly right. Fucking woo.

> Sit in silence in the car

>>36416006
> Sit in silence in the car
Ok. Guess you aren't trustworthy either, then.

>>36416006
>Ask her about herself, at least with things she is comfortable sharing

>>36416006
> Sit in silence in the car
Anon was right. We should be as autistic as possible.

>>36416032
>Ok. Guess you aren't trustworthy either, then.
> Obviously Jemma cares about what happens to the people in the city, and not just the normal human beings in it. And if she has been at this with Elizabeth - trying to keep the peace - for more than a decade

>>36416006

> Ask her about herself, at least with things she is comfortable sharing

>>36416071
She can't have it both ways. Either mages are untrustworthy in general, in which case we should be as reticent as possible from now on, or they aren't and she's having a bitchfit for no reason. Either way, silence is best.

So that means we shouldn't trust her, which means we shouldn't believe her, which means all mages are actually trustworthy, which means we should trust her, which means we should believe her.

>>36416130
Fucking wizards.

>>36416087
> Either mages are untrustworthy in general,
Correct.

Now, notice something here.
>No one trusts anyone because it's one gigantic power race!
>"The Mystic was one of the few truly neutral forces in the city
Now, that's showing that the Mystic didn't partake in the power race, outside of peacekeeping.
>Obviously Jemma cares about what happens to the people in the city, and not just the normal human beings in it. And if she has been at this with Elizabeth - trying to keep the peace - for more than a decade,
Looking at this, one could draw a parallel between Jemma and the Mystic, since they're in the same line of work.
Combine that with how she's been treating us, telling us how to act properly in Mage society, not exploiting us, and generally working towards making us a proper mage.

One can easily see both Jemma and the Mystic are anomalies in how Mages normally act, which is why she's warning us how normal mages act. Therefore making her trust worthy.

>>36416087
Power corrupts. They can be trustworthy for a time, but the risk of them falling in the future and using you for their power mad schemes is always a possibility.

>>36416130
Wizards, no sense of right or wrong. Plan accordingly.

>>36416181
Autism, ho!

>>36416190
>Fitting into the setting and acting rationally to your surroundings, ho!
Fixed for you anon.

>>36416201
Sure man, whatever makes you think your autism isn't.

>>36416006
>Ask her about herself, at least with things she is comfortable sharing
>flirt - it calms our nerves

>>36414915
Hopefully it hasn't gone that far, but if it has, then it is imperative we do not damage his machines. As they might contain the history of changes and it might be possible to use them to restore her to her original state from before she was inserted in them

>>36416240
>trying to waifu her
oh anon

>>36416256
We've flirted with her a lot before anon. And we're going to do it a lot more too.

Maybe our wife will lose all her memories or something. There's still hope for JemmaXMichael

>>36416269
Keep telling yourself that.

You sit in silence for most of the duration in the car ride, with only small squaks from the police broadband radio in her car about various crimes being committed throughout the city. You really don't know the extent of what Magic can do, but everyone and everything you've seen, heard, and done so far seems to imply that when they say 'anything,' they mean, ANYTHING. And while people with a generally good sense of moral foundation might use it sparingly, or for good, like Elizabeth and Jemma, those who are indeed power hungry like this Chrom fellow, or other Mages you don't even know about, might use it for other, rather questionable reasons. Thoughts of little dudes with Snively Whiplash mustaches, twirling them and cackling maniacly race through your mind, them throwing lightning bolts and fireballs and God knows what else all around them.

It might be a bit cartoonish, but it certainly seems apt, with how Jemma is describing most Mages.

"Listen, Jemma, I-"

"We're here," she says, pulling up to the entrance to your apartment complex. She throws the car into park and looks at you expectantly. "... Well?"

> Get out and go up
> Apologize
> Flirt
> Other

>>36416287
> Get out and go up

>>36416287
> Apologize
We're new to this and we've got a hothead, we need to cool off.

>>36416287
>Apologize
And ask her if there's anything else we shouldn't do as a mage.

>>36416287

> Apologize

It's been a rough couple of days.

>>36416287
>Apologize

>>36416287
> Flirt
+
>>36416302

>>36416287
> Apologize

>>36416287
>> Get out and go up

>>36416287
> Get out and go up
Thanks for the ride

>>36416287
> Get out and go up

>>36416287
>> Get out and go up

>>36416287
>> Apologize

>>36416345
>>36416340
>>36416333
>>36416330
Sup samefag

I bet the nxt two votes are the same choice.

>>36416287
>> Get out and go up
Gotta get some rest for tomorrow

>>36416287
> Apologize
Also, seconding >>36416310

>>36416287
> Get out and go up
See you tomorrow, then

>>36416287
> Get out and go up

>15 votes
>14 posters (Including OP)
Wonder why someone would be samefagging for this.

>>36416399
Autism

>>36416399
>>36416396
>>36416391
Huh.
Strange how the unique IP didn't increase with these two new votes huh?

>>36416287
>Apologize
>Thank her for all her help
>Ask her what kind of a favor she's planning to extract from us (mildly flirtatious)
>Ask her to pass on our best wishes to her partner before she leaves

>>36416419
>>36416426
>>36416366
>>36416327
>>36416319
>>36416318
>>36416310
>>36416302
Yes, just like those. Truly strange.

>>36416419
Because it's the most blatant samefagging someone could be doing, obviously.

>>36416426
This please

>>36416399
Trolls, and people who want their way at the cost of everyone else's fun because they just have to be That Guy.

It's a worst case scenario kind of person. He ruins everyone's fun and gets off to it. Full on lover of annihilating all fun. Despicable and pathetic in that this is how he chooses to spend his time and life, but what are we to do?

>>36416426
Agreed.

>>36416487
>>36416472
Oh hi IP changing anon. Good demonstration earlier.

>>36416496
Nice paranoia. Wonder why you're not complaining about the
> Get out and go up
Samefags. Why, could it be you're him?

this is just sad

>>36416502
You're assuming I didn't. Samefagging on both sides is pretty bad.

>>36416496
So you're the asshole

He's just foing to keep trying to derail the thread. Not sure what we should do here.

>>36416508
Doesn't seem like it to me, nearly all the Apologizes are perfectly valid.

>>36416518
Honestly, I don't see any argument to not say sorry. And there's plenty of reasons as to why we should say sorry.

>>36416538
>all the Apologizes are perfectly valid.
Sure they are samefag.

>>36416548
You missed out the "nearly" there anon.

>>36416399
>Wonder why someone would be samefagging for this.
The average 4chan poster is a blithering retard
Dunning kruger effect means they think everyone else is retarded
Both the actual retards, and the retards who think everyone else is a retard, are trying to save the quest form being ruined by retards.

>>36416287
> Get out and go up

>>36416538
I agree. The legitimate votes are clearly for apologize. But we're just going to keep having samefag wars.

Ok, seriously stop. I'm writing based upon the apologize votes. After that, I'm going to keep voting to a 10 minute period. Once I post voting's closed (with a potential roll off if need-be) we stop arguing and wait until the next scene is up.

>>36416572
I just can't see the logic for voting for
> Get out and go up
It's obviously she wants an apology for disregarding her advice, and we owe it to her. On top of that, she's our partner in saving our wife, one of the only people we can actually rely on.
Why would we act like a cunt?

>>36416588
Thank you very much QM.

>>3616287
> Get up and go up

>>36416588
Good call MageQM.

"Listen, I'm sorry for being so rash earlier. You're right; this is all new to me. Literally less than 24 hours ago I was sitting in traffic, complaning that the AC in my truck was busted. Now I'm a Mage, and I'm trying to rescue Elizabeth, and trying to swim in the deep end of the pool."

She sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "And I shouldn't have snapped at you. You're doing what you think is right, not knowing the consequences of your actions. Because you're still thinking like a Sleeper, and not like a Mage. Of course there's going to be a bit of a learning curve." She looks up, and you can see just how emotionally tired and frustrated she is. This is the frustration of someone who has had to do this alone, with no one to guide them or help them along. And the few allies - maybe the only one - she had is in trouble, and it is reminding her just how helpless she can be, even with all this power available to her.

So you lean in and kiss her on the cheek. Immediately her cheeks flush red, mouth slightly agape.

"So, what favor are you going to call me for," you grin at her. "Once all this is over?"

"W... What?" Of all the things she expected you to do or say, kissing her on the cheek was obviously pretty low on the list. Good, get her mind out of that spiral of darkness and onto the job. She looks cuter when she doesn't have that defeatist look on her.

"Just think about it." You climb out of the car, looking down at her. "And thanks. For everything you've done, and are about to do."

She looks back, cheeks still burning red, before grinning. "You're a crazy one, Michael, and that's probably the only thing that'll keep you alive." She shifts the car into drive as you close the door, and she drives off towards her job.

So, what now?

> Work out in the gym, try and see what you can do with your Magic
> Begin thinking of ways to repay the favors to Diana and Garen
> Sort through your work files
> Other

>>36416588
>we stop arguing
Oh man, you have some serious wishful thinking going on there.

>>36416644
> Work out in the gym, try and see what you can do with your Magic
> Begin thinking of ways to repay the favors to Diana and Garen
Fuck work.

>>36416644
>Work out in the gym, try and see what you can do with you Magic

>>36416644
>> Work out in the gym, try and see what you can do with your Magic

>>36416644
> Other
>Try and experiment with spirits

we have 2 dots in it and we've never used it. Let's change that

>>36416644
>> Sort through your work files

>>36416644
> Work out in gym, work out our Magic.

>>36416690
>>36416673
>>36416644
Seconding.

>>36416644
>Begin thinking of ways to repay the favors to Diana and Garen
>Sort through your work files

Gotta keep a handle on this. Need day job, is cover.

>>36416644
>Work out in the gym, try and see what you can do with you Magic

I don't mind a healthy discussion about things that could happen, or people weighing the merits of one option or the other.

But accusing people of voting multiple times, when we currently have 20 unique posters (so 19 unique IPs besides my own), without much foundation for it I will not tolerate.

As for some of the other things mentioned (mainly how Mages can react/be if given enough power) keep in mind most of those things require Archmastery over at least two different schools of Magic. Also, I'm keeping this relatively low-powered as best I can. You can guess where most of the Mages we've met so far have thrown the majority of their points into, but I have the sheets, I have the numbers. And I can assure you, that at this point in time, of the Mages we've met, none of them are worried about what Michael can do.

At least, not yet

>>36416644
> Work out in the gym, try and see what you can do with your Magic

>>36416644
>Work out in the gym, try and see what you can do with you Magic

Voting's closed, writing. I'm writing based upon Michael working out and seeing what he can do with his magic.

>>36416765
>But accusing people of voting multiple times
This is what you did with the previous vote, though.

>>36416690
Spirits 2 is actually how we got in contact with our wife in the first place

>>36416847
Shhhh, qm's can be as hypocritical as they want. Just ask /qtg/.

Oh wait.

>>36416866
okay, we haven't CONSCIOUSLY used it

>>36416847
I picked apologize because it seemed to have the least suspicious votes. I am just trying to lay out some ground rules is all.

>>36416899
Don't respond to it QM.

>>36416899
So Do as I Say, Not As I Do, then?

You head up and change out of your polo and khakis, into something a bit more comfortable, and something you won't mind getting a bit dirty from your workout. You've only used your Magic in specific circumstances, and not really knowing your limits with how far they can go. So the best way you know how to do that is by hitting the gym, testing your limits before you use Magic, then seeing where they lie after you use it.

After doing some basic stretching exercises, you build up a good sweat testing your speed, strength, and endurance on the equipment in the room. It's still early in the afternoon, so most people in the building are at work. After taking a quick swig of water, you start applying a bit of magical might into your workout. Almost immediately you notice that your punches hit harder, and that you are sometimes hitting the opponent with some unseen force even before your fist connects into them. You also notice that you aren't tiring out as quickly, but you certainly aren't making muscles grow like Garen did. Finally, you notice that calling upon the raw essense of Magic itself is possible for you, but you sense you are straining yourself whenever you do so, and feel it would take a lot of work to improve such a connection.

You are about ready to head out for the day, satisfied with your tests, when one final thought crosses your mind. 'How did I find Elizabeth in the first place?' You never asked Jemma about it, but she gave names to the various schools of Magic. By your best guess, you think you have some foundation in the Forces, Life, and Prime schools. But this fourth school seemed almost spiritual in nature, as you could sense the emotional connection between you and Elizabeth, and followed it to her.

>[1/?]

> [2/2]

You try and retrace the thoughts you had in the dream, the emotions you had when you tried to connect to Elizabeth.

"Michael? What'd you do to your hair?"

You whip around, seeing one of the other tennants entering the gym. Laura, you think her name is. In shock, you release the magical energy you were building up. And suddenly everything seems wrong.

> Explain it away
> Other


>Be back soon, eating dinner and thinking about how this works, should be 30-ish minutes

>>36417022
> Explain it away
> Other
"Some girl I was hitting on set me up for fashion-make-up something, I didn't question it at the time, but hell I wish I did."
"Hell of a girl in the sack though."

>>36417022
>Explain it away
so, why did we decide to test our magic in public of all places

>>36417022
>And suddenly everything seems wrong.
THERE'S SOME PARADOX.

>>36417040
Seconding that, seems somewhat reasonable.

>>36417049
Because we dumb as nuts

>>36417022

> Explain it away

"I lost a bet."

>>36417022
seconding >>36417080

>>36417049
Because the samefag is trying as hard as he can to bad end us.

>>36417106
I think most people didn't know the Gym was open actually.

>>36417080
That's mostly reasonable. Otherwise say that you got drunk with some jackass friends.

>>36417080
I'm late, but that's a good answer especially if paired with a supposed night of drinking.

>>36417106
tsk tsk, already breaking QM's rule.

Back from dinner, writing.

>>36417022
> Explain it away

>>36417080
this should probably work

"I lost a bet," you quickly exclaim, averting your eyes from her. Explaining away the hair color is one thing, your eyes changing color, especially when you've never worn contacts or glasses? That's another can of worms entirely. You try and recall the magical energy you sent out, and nearly instantly realize doing that is just as bad as what you were trying to do in the first place, with you not realizing she was there. "We had a pool going at work on the score of last night's baseball game, and I lost."

"Rather odd wager," she says, trying to get a better look at you.

"You should've seen what I'd done if I'd won the bet! I'd have had my boss come to work the next day in a frilly pink dress," you exclaim to her, trying to skirt your way to the door. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get cleaned up. Have a nice workout." And with her barely able to utter out a 'bye' you dash out of the gym and into your room. You close the door and lock it behind you, a wave of paranoia washing over you. She must've seen you cast a spell, right? How else can you explain how you are feeling.

You try and recall everything Jemma said about casting Magic around Sleepers, but all you can recall is that, "bad things happen." You try and calm your breathing, but can't seem to get a steady bead on it. You've never been this panicky before.... Why now?

> Continue trying to calm down
> Try and focus on something else, maybe dinner?
> Other

>>36417501
>Continue trying to calm down

>>36417501
> Continue trying to calm down
>Other
Try and phone Jemma. We do have her phone number right?

>>36417501
>Continue trying to calm down
Also, note to self: when people say "bad things happen" ask to elaborate. Seriously, those 70-something supernatural faggots in the city couldn't even explain us what paradox is. Way to go with that "cold war" analogy, Jemma.

>>36417501
>> Try and focus on something else, maybe dinner?

>>36417501
>Try to calm down
>Also, go online and find where we can pick up a couple boxes of colored contact lenses to hide our eye color change

Voting's closed, writing.

You continue to try and calm down, in an attempt to slow your breathing. You dig Jemma's number out of your

pocket and quickly call her up.

"What is it Michael? I'm about to go on the clock," she asks, the bustling of a police station muffled in the

background.

"What happens with a Paradox? Like how can I tell if IcausedonebecauseIthinkatennentsawmeand-"

"Stop." You stop. "Breathe." You breathe. "How long ago did they see you?"

"Maybe3minutes," you reply. Did you always talk this fast? And why are you so clammy?

"Put your fingers up to your neck. Feel for your corotted artery. It's a big, thick vain in your neck. Count

everytime you feel it twitch. After 15 seconds, take your finger off and multiply that number by 4, and tell me

what it is." You do as she asks, and after her requisite 15 seconds, you reply.

"176...Isthatnormal?"

She sighs heavily, you can hear the tone in her voice. "Yeah, you got bamboozled. Sounds like a relatively

minor one though, you should be more careful. Just try and calm down, it should fade within a few minutes.

Just... Be more careful, ok? It can get worse. Much, MUCH worse." At that, she hangs up.

... If this is how a Paradox is, and she considers it mild, you shiver at how bad a Paradox can get.

But, as she says, within a few (heartracing) minutes, that wave of anxiousness and paranoia just disappears. You glance at the clock, seeing it be just after 5 PM. You've got a few good hours of free time left, before you should get ready for tomorrow.

> Cook dinner
> Look into getting contacts to get your eye color back to normal
> Get your hair dyed
> Catch up on work from the law office
> Other

>>36417816
>Look into getting contacts to get your eye color back to normal

>>36417816
>Contacts
Plus, shave your head, it's faster that way.

>>36417816
> Get your hair dyed
Hair dye first.
> Other
Order a Chinese or something.
> Look into getting contacts to get your eye color back to normal

>>36417816
>> Look into getting contacts to get your eye color back to normal
>> Get your hair dyed

>>36417816
>>36417859
Seconded

>>36417816
>Contacts
>get a do-it-yourself hair dye kit from the same place/corner drugstore while we're at it

>>36417816
>Get your hair dyed
> Look into getting contacts to get your eye color back to normal

Is changing hair and eye color a thing that usually happens to mages?

Guys, am I a retard or can we just dye our hair with magic?

Voting's closed, writing.

>>36417997
Sure. If we had any fucking clue how to do that. These powers didn't exactly come with an instruction manual.

>>36417997
I think that would require constant upkeep

>>36417997
Eventually yes, you can change your hair, eye, and even skin color with Life 3 (if memory serves).

You call around to a few places, mainly trying to find optometrists who are still open, sell colored contact lenses, and have some in your previous eye color (hazel brown). You explain that you need it for costume/stage makeup purposes, and while a rather odd request, it's not one they haven't heard of before. It takes you a good hour or so to get the contacts from the optometrist (mainly you having to deal with traffic more than anything else), but a quick payment in cash, followed by a quick stop at the local pharmacy to pick up some hair dye, and you get back to the office in time for the 7PM news. You begin to heat up another microwave meal, a habit you hope stops when Elizabeth gets home.

After eating, you spend another hour just getting your bathroom set up so you can begin the dying process, and noticing that you'd yet to take a shower from your previous workout, you do that first. By the time the dye is applied and your hair begins drying, it's almost 9PM. You still have a couple hours before you should head to bed.

> Catch up on work, also call in sick to work
> Try testing out more spells in the privacy of your home
> Other

>>36418068
>Catch up on work and call in sick

>>36418068
> Catch up on work, also call in sick to work

>>36418068
>Catch up on work, also call in sick to work

>>36418068
>Call in sick to work
Don't even think of looking at all those businessy staff right now, we're going to fight a fucking wizard tomorrow, probably to the death, it's of no importance.
>Try testing out more spells in the privacy of your home
Try your spiritual powers.

>>36418068
> Catch up on work, also call in sick to work

You call up your boss, letting him know that you need another day to get caught up, and also deal with some personal issues with the wife (which isn't exactly a lie). While disappointed, he understands and grants you the day off, reminding you that you only have 3 more allowed days of paid vacation time.

After hanging up with him, you go back and try to recreate the spell you were about to cast before Laura walked in and struck you with a Paradox. In the (relative) safety of your home, away from prying eyes, you succeed in your initial goal. Your spiritual prowess seems a bit more developed than the Life and Prime schools, and while you can't do as much as you'd hoped (being able to try and communicate remotely with Elizabeth) you do sense that most objects - both animate and inanimate - have a 'soul' to them, and you can at least communicate with them.

By the time you resolve all this practice, it's nearly midnight, and you head to bed. And for the first time in almost a year, you are not plagued with the nightmare of the day Elizabeth left you.

You are startled awake by a loud knocking on your door. You climb out of bed, pulling a bath robe on, the sun beginning to peak over the lake's horizon to the east, and head to the door. Standing outside is Jemma, downing a large cup of coffee. You let her inside, and she barges in, almost bowling you over.

"Hey," you yell at her, as she dashes to the bathroom. The door slams shut, and moments later the tell-tale sound of a human vomiting echoes out of the door.

> Hey, you gonna be ok for today?
> What the hell happened to you last night?
> Other

>>36418343
> Hey, you gonna be ok for today?
> What the hell happened to you last night?

>>36418343
>What the hell happened to you last night?

>>36418343
> Hey, you gonna be ok for today?

>>36418343
>Are you gonna be ok for today?

>>36418343
>Get her some water and saltines
>Ask if she's ok or if there's anything else we can get her

>>36418343
Is she pregnant or something? I can't remember.

>>36418457
I don't think so, no.
Maybe she drunk too much

Voting's closed, writing.

>>36418457
Could be.mwe don't exactly know her that we'll yet.

>>36417816
Ah the joys of Bedlam paradox. Thanks abyss for that wonderful sample of madness!

"Hey, you gonna be ok for today?" You begin to get a glass of water for her, as another round of her blowing

chunks echoes out from your bathroom.

"Yeah, I just..." A loud belch from behind the door, followed by a gagging noise. A few seconds later and she

flushes the toilet, leaving the bathroom. "Sorry, rough night."

"What would've made you puke that much? And can't Life magic stop stuff like that?"

"Yeah, if I spend the energy to do so, and this is me punishing myself for what I did last night." She looks up

at you, wiping a small stain off her cheek, and sees the look in your eyes. "Don't ask, cause I won't tell."

She hands you her coffee cup, as though you were her barista. "Gimme a refill before we go?"

You shrug, knowing that saying no to her getting coffee is likely to get you shot. Besides, with it being barely 6 AM (as you look at the clock on the coffee maker) you know you'll need a little pick-me-up before all this action starts.

> Note: I'm writing up a long scene as we transition into the rescue operation, so this will take some time

>>36418775
>this is me punishing myself for what I did last night
so she's a masochist?
kinky

> [1/?]

After pouring several cups for Jemma (and some into travel mugs) and getting dressed into comfortable, flexible clothing, the two of you head out into the morning traffic, as she fills you in a bit more on what exactly Paradoxes are, and how bad they can be. The one you suffered sounds like it is a stage 2 Paradox, what she calls Bedlam. It tends to affect you mentally, bestowing a temporary mental illness (in your case, an anxiety attack). Some can be even more severe, with a stage 5 Paradox calling forth some kind of Cthulu-esque creature from the Abyss, which is a large, growing divide between the Supernal Realm (where you pull your Magic from) and the Fallen Realm (the real world).

You stop in with Diana first, Jemma once again walking in like she owns the place. Diana herself is sleeping on one of her work benches, her looking to be fiddling with the gun Jemma was wanting to use. Jemma kicks the chair Diana's sitting on, startling her awake.

"Huh... wha..." She looks around, startled, a piece of paper stuck to her face.

"You ready," Jemma asks, handing her a cup of coffee that you'd poured previously.

"Huh? Oh, yeah." She quickly assembles the gun and hands it to Jemma, before tossing you a rather clanky duffle bag. "Couple pairs of brass knuckles in there, magically enchanted to enhance any punches you throw. There's a knife in there sharp enough to cut through a piece of sheet metal as though it were paper, and a chain vest that's about as light as a trenchcoat, but it'll stop most things short of a point blank shotgun blast." You begin to put the vest on first, it fitting rather perfectly. You hide it beneath your sweater, and drop the pairs of knuckles into the sweater's pockets. The knife, as promised, slides into your boot rather easily, and you can barely tell its there.

File: the-a-team-van.jpg (67 KB, 585x342)

67 KB JPG

>[2/?]

"Did you get the other thing ready?"

"What other thing?"

Jemma looks at her expectantly. It takes a moment for Diana to catch on, but eventually the light bulb clicks. She runs over and pulls a tarp off of some piece of machinery, revealing a large van, a grill on the front, large panels blocking all but the front, driver's side, and passenger side windows, and a rather interesting paint job.

"Our new ride," Jemma intones, walking over and throwing her own duffle bag of supplies in the back. You head over and look inside, and a whistle of awe escapes from your lips. Several rather plush seats are inside, that swivel about, with several racks of guns, plastic explosives, and even a rocket launcher inside. There's a work bench inside, next to a rather large monitor that's hooked up to a PC underneath the table. "And yes," she says, climbing into the driver's side seat. "It's bigger on the inside."

"You could knock off Fort Knox with this setup," you say, climbing into one of the seats and closing the door behind you.

"Nah, that'd be chump change," Diana says, climbing into the passenger's seat. "So, we ready?"

> [3/4]

"One more stop," Jemma replies, and she starts the van up. The ride itself is pretty smooth, and she makes it to Garen's home in relatively good time. The doctor (still in his old man guise) is also appreciative of the cup of coffee (how she's keeping it hot after all this time still baffles you), and he has his own bag of tools and medical supplies. Diana seems rather happy to see Garen, and the two make small talk as Jemma drives the van into the city.

"We're here," she says, parking the van on the street outside of a large, public library.

"Chrom's here? At the library?"

"He's probably got the Mystic stashed away in one of her recovery wards," Jemma says. "And she bases her operation out of here. It's a large building, surrounded by Sleepers, but quiet and out of the way, which makes it easy to hide certain corners of the building from non-Magical eyes." She leads the four of you inside, locking the van up with a quick tap of the digital keychain, past several early morning librarians and some homeless people, looking for a cool place to evade the summer heat. You go up, down, left, and right of several dozen different stairwells, bookcases, and film reel booths, before stopping at a door labelled 'Employees Only.'

"From this point onward, we have to assume Chrom knows we are here, and coming for him and the Mystic. Keep your guard up, be wary of anything, and be ready for trouble." You all nod in agreement, before stepping through the door.

Inside, you expected it to be rather dim, small and cramped, not... This. As far as you can see are rows, and rows of books. Large skylights shine down from above, the roof much higher up than what this building implied on the outside. Standing in front of you is a young woman, her auburn hair tucked away in a neat bun, a kind smile on her face.

"Welcome, is there something I can help you with," she asks, in a rather monotone voice.

"Yes," Jemma says, walking forward with the aire and swagger of purpose. "I'm the Gemini, and I'd like to meet with the Mystic about a problem I came across, and I want her guidance on how to best proceed with solving the problem."

"Certainly," the woman replies, looking past Jemma and at the other 3 of you. "And are you 4 all together?"

"Yes," you say, stepping forward. "I've got a problem with how this gentleman here," you say, nodding your head at Garen, "charged me for some treatment I received, and this bitch," you nod back at Diana, "sold me some shoddy equipment."

"What, I did no such-" Garen gently elbows the protesting Diana, head shaking ever so slightly. "I mean, he paid me in sub-par materials, what'd he expect to happen?"

"Enough," Jemma shoots back, daggers coming from her eyes. She looks back at the woman and smiles. "See what I mean?"

"Certainly," she replies, stepping out from behind her desk. "Follow me."

> Ask some more questions about this place
> Is the Mystic always in this early?
> Other

Sorry for the long time before this next option, but I had to set the scene up. I hope this is ok.

>>36419484
>Is the Mystic always in this early?

>>36419484
> Is the Mystic always in this early?

>>36419484
>Is the Mystic always in this early?
And maybe activate our spirit sight. We could be close to our wife.

>>36419484

> Ask some more questions about this place

>>36419345
>> Ask some more questions about this place

Voting's closed, writing.

As you walk along, you take note of your surroundings, and attempt to remember just how to get back to this entrence. "Is the Mystic always in this early," you ask the aide.

"Sometimes, yes. Other times she doesn't show up until later on in the afternoon, or she is out in the field to meet with multiple parties at a different neutral meeting ground." Her movements are very robotic and stiff, her tone of voice not changing one bit. Concerned, you mentally focus on casting a Spirit-based spell, to try and see the 'souls' of everything around you, hoping that you can recognize Elizabeth's being nearby.

You see the 'souls' of Jemma (a large, red burning flame), Diana (a pulsing black light), and Garen (a gentle, green glow) but the aide's 'soul' seems conflicted, muted in color, and very, VERY dim. You glance around and see the 'souls' of other being around you, mainly emotions or the 'souls' of books, but nothing else seems out of place.

>[1/2]

>[2/2]

The rest of the journey goes by in silence, as you continue to absorb your surroundings. Eventually, she reaches a door, knocks briefly on it, then lets you four inside. In the room, sitting down at one end of a large table is Elizabeth, reading a newspaper, sipping a cup of coffee. You almost call out to her, before noticing two important details.

1. This 'Elizabeth' has no soul.

2. Behind her is the 'ghost' of another individual, even though you see nothing else behind her.

"Mystic, Gemini is here, and she seeks your aid."

"Thank you, leave us," she says, looking up at the 4 of you.

> Confront Elizabeth about what's going on
> Call for Chrom to drop his veil
> Pretend to play out the drama you set up for the woman
> Other

>>36419938
>> Pretend to play out the drama you set up for the woman

>>36419938
Right. Now, this is important. Does anyone except us have points in spirit? If not, or we don't know it, then we have to play along while inconspicuously telling them that something is off. Otherwise we should trust more experienced people and play along too.

>>36420049
As near as you can know/tell, no one else has points in Spirit.

>>36420073
Then we have to tell them (really quietly, maybe even whisper). Considering that doctor has already seen us spiritwalking, he knows that as soon as we enter the room the jig is up.

Writing.

"Yes, Mystic." The woman bows her head slightly before leaving. Elizabeth motions for the four of you to sit down, so you sit next to Jemma, with Diana and Garen sitting across the table from you. The chairs are rather plush, made of leather, and you almost feel like you are sinking into them.

"So, Gemini, what can I do for you this morning?" It certainly sounds like Elizabeth, but Jemma was right; this voice is rather monotone, and her facial features seem ever so slightly to be too rigid. The ghostly apparition behind her almost looks like it is controlling this body, as it has its left hand shoved into Elizabeth's skull.

"Well, this Mage here," she says, motioning to you. "Recently commissioned some work done by Garen and Diana. Now, I don't know the specifics, but he feels he was slighted by them, and is seeking reparition from them. Now, as is their right, both Garen and Diana have protested this slight, and I come to you to seek a peaceful resolution."

"Very well," Elizabeth intones, setting her coffee down. "Let me hear the accusor's problems."

"Well, Garen promised to give me a new set of eyes," you say, taking out one of your contacts to show your green eyes before putting them back in. "But when was the last time you saw a Latino with green eyes! Never, I'll tell you that much! And all throughout the procedure he kept muttering to himself, like a man possessed!" You hope the hints you drop in your statements they pick up on, because if this ghostly person is Chrom, you have no clue how long your charade will last before he recognizes you.

"Well, you never specified the color, and getting a specific color costs extra," Garen replies.

> [1/2]

> [2/2]

"And this woman here," you say, fingering Diana. "She promised to make me a new identity, with a bitching new car and house and everything? And what did I get? Some shoddy two-timing thing, with a SSN that looks like it came out of the movies, and the car was a hunk of junk! It had no soul to it, like it was just a machine!"

"Because it is a machine, you putz! Men and their cars, always thinking it has a soul to it," Diana replies, a rather angry tone to her voice.

"Enough," Elizabeth yells, attempting to quiet the room. "Honestly Gemini, this isn't a problem you can't handle yourself? It seems rather petty to bring such a matter to me."

"My apologies, Mystic," Jemma says, head bowing in respect. "But no matter what I suggested, no one could reach an agreement. I was hoping that you could find something that all parties would be tolerant of."

Elizabeth sighs, rubbing the temples of her forehead. "Very well, give me a moment to think it over. If you'll wait outside?"

The four of you stand up, but as you go to leave, Elizabeth speaks up. "Wait. I wish to speak to the accusing Mage alone."

> Let them leave
> Protest
> Other

>>36420391
>> Let them leave
she is still there in some way or doctor douche makes an appearance

>>36420391
Hell if I know. I guess I'll roll for it I we need more votes in a few minutes.

>>36420391
> Let them leave
We're safe, our doctor is Thyrsus.

>>36419938
>2. Behind her is the 'ghost' of another individual, even though you see nothing else behind her.
Is the individual behind her the doctor we saw before, or someone else?

>>36420499
You don't know for certain, but that would be your best guess.

>>36420514
if it is really him, then there is no way he didn't recognize us. This could be a trap...

>>36420391

> Let them leave

>>36420514
That it's the doctor, I mean.

Also, writing.

Shit's about to get real, yo! Prepare your d10s!

File: Akihiko_Kayaba.png (193 KB, 757x688)

193 KB PNG

"Very well," you say. The others pause for just a moment, before Jemma pushes them all out into the hallway. She gives a knowing look, then closes the door. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Almost immediately, Elizabeth slumps over, her head impacting the table with a rather large thud. The ghostly apparition behind her quickly solidifies, into the Doctor you met before in her room.

"I must say, I'm rather impressed." He adjusts the tie around his neck slightly. "You managed to gather the Heroic Cop, the Powersmith, and the Berserk Healer all rather quickly, just to come and save the Mystic. What makes her so special to you?"

"It's something you wouldn't understand," you say, jabbing your hands into the sweater. You begin slipping the knuckles on, to be ready for anything that might come out of him.

"Oh, I very much doubt that. You see, I've been able to dig about her mind for quite some time. Oh, she resisted at first. That was the best part," he says, motioning for something in the shadows to step outward. "Watching her struggle, to try and free herself from the prison I'd built for her. Especially after she denied my very simple request." From behind him, a shuffling of feet can be heard, and your mouth drops agape in a mix of shock and horror.

Elizabeth shambles forth, her body barely moving, a trail of wires and cables danging down from the helmet encasing her head. She stops next to him, as though he was issuing her silent commands.

"What was the request," you ask, the rage building up in your throat.

>[1/2]

"to Awaken more people. You see, there are so very few of us, and even less that I can experiment on." He begins to fondle Elizabeth, grobing her left breast. You almost lunge at that, but hold your ground. "But if I can figure out what event causes a Sleeper to Awaken, I can figure out how to make an Awaken cross the Threshold again."

"And why would you want to go back," you say, "to cross that Abyss?"

"Why, to join my brothers and sisters in the Supernal Realm. To rule over man and Mage alike. For it is with our guiding hand that we will elevate our chosen Few to Paradise."

"And let the others do what?"

"Well..." He grins, turning Elizabeth's head towards him. "Some must be sacrificed for the greater good." He leans in and kisses her, and she returns the kiss.

> You're dead, bitch (8d10, Brawl + Forces + Strength, +1 die from magical weapon)
> Continue to try and play it cool
> Other

> Quest End

> 16 Exp gained

Note: all votes from today's thread will carry over and influence the next quest. I won't be able to post tomorrow (Thanksgiving in the USA) but I should be back Friday.

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>36420829
> You're dead, bitch (8d10, Brawl + Forces + Strength, +1 die from magical weapon)
All eight successes, straight into his face.

>>36420829
Hmm. I get the feeling she's as good as dead no matter what.

Rolled 9, 10, 1, 1, 2, 6, 2, 6 = 37 (8d10)

>>36420829
>> You're dead, bitch (8d10, Brawl + Forces + Strength, +1 die from magical weapon)

Rolled 1, 5, 5, 7, 9, 7, 3, 8 = 45 (8d10)

>>36420829
I don't think we're going to save her. But we can at least kill that rapey faggot.

Rolled 1, 6, 7, 2, 8, 9, 7, 5 = 45 (8d10)

>>36420829
> You're dead, bitch

>>36420829
i wonder, did he actually completely rewrite her mind to love him...
Or did is she under an illusion and thinks he is you. If the latter, he could be trying to goad us into attacking him first in order to make her "protect him" and attack us.

>>36420829
> Other
call the others back in.

Note to self: no more cold war. There might be others who do this stuff in their comfy basements. Let's assemble our faggot police force and unite this fucking city! With the power of our fists!

>>36420829

> Continue to try and play it coo

Rolled 3, 6, 1, 10, 4, 2, 7, 10 = 43 (8d10)

>>36420829
>> Your dead, bitch

>>36420829
Fucking hell he sounds like a mad seer! Let's play it cool for now, and deny his temptations. Justice demands his head, but we aren't exactly in the optimal place to sever it from his shoulders. Soon, with our backup, he'll die.

Time and place for all things, now is neither, but soon, we'll have this little fucker in a corner. Lightning bolt from the cop, warform old guy slugging him like the GLORIOUS person he is, and us, with the siderite knuckles giving him a kinetic blow for the ages. Let's smash his head like a blood pumpkin at the opportune moment.

>>36420829
What's the total exp we have now?

>>36420829
> Continue to try and play it cool

>>36421020
that is an important question. maybe we could level up spirit and try to heal her soul

Also, you now have 32 experience to spend. So maybe look into doing something with it? Here's the reference sheet with the exp. table: >>36414958
and our current stats are found at: >>36414915

And for those curious, the items we got are:

2x enchanted Brass Knuckles (+1 die when casting a Forces spell)
1x enchanted Steel Dagger (+1 die when casting a Spirit spell)
1x enchanted Steel Chain Shirt (+1 to our defense vs. non-firearms)

>>36421064
We should ask based Garen how much experience in spirit matters he has. He's very experienced, so he could totally have 3 dots there.

>>36421106
Considering what jemma said, I don't trust him to do it.
Also, he is lifemage first and foremost.

Spirit is our ruling arcana. And we need 45 xp to level it up to 3 dots.

>>36421064
We should get that gnosis dot ASAP. Maybe up our forces or spirit.

>>36421151
>We should get that gnosis dot ASAP.
we already got a gnosis dot. we are now at gnosis 2.
gnosis 3 would cost us 75 XP. we have 32 XP.

>>36421148
This begs the questions: what the actual fuck our mysterious tower means?

>>36421166
Whoops, sorry, I didn't notice. Then I vote for spirit, that seems right in-universe (we want to save our wife's sould) and 3 dots signify a start of the cool mojo.

>>36420829
>>36421090
Here's an idea: how about we put two points in Forces, and then zap the shit out of him with lightning.

>>36421175
From what you know, all it means so far is your Primary Arcanum is Forces and Spirit, with an Inferior Arcanum of Prime. This basically means we kick ass at all things physical and spiritual, but suck ass at all things magical.

>>36421222
we already have two dots in force.
3rd force dot costs 45 XP, same as 3rd dot in spirit
because our ruling arcanas are force and spirit

File: 13463415234.jpg (24 KB, 300x250)

24 KB JPG

>>36421272

>>36421288
Oh, I thought every dot costs 15 exp.

>>36421064
Would need to actually possess it first. I think reattaching a soul requires Spirit 4 though, as it takes death 4 to sever it from its vessel. Prime can make the latter damn difficult (must overcome both the supernal shield and it's stacking guard against soul altering magic), and archmastery makes it utterly impossible.

Either way, he's probably got her soul in a soul jar. We need to get that from him to heal the wife. Nothing grants a stronger sympathetic connection to someone than a soul. That's why soulstones are so risky. Can make a demense with one (i.e. paradox free zone, go nuts!) Problem is, if someone somehow gets their hands on it and gets away you're pretty much that guy's bitch. Mage tradition states 3 favors before he hands it back. Never would have had that problem if you didn't make one. The theme resonates again, what will you do for power? How much are you willing to risk?

>>36421222
You'd need space arcana for that, two dots minimum. You'd also need a part of his person/a prized possession or relation of his and his "true" name. If ya got all that you can hit him from anywhere in the world. Best make it subtle though. Only blast him with lightning if he's outside in the middle of a thunderstorm at the time. Stuff like that.

Ya gotta sell magic to sleepers like acts of god. If ya don't, ya land a paradox. Ya don't want that, trust me ya really don't.

>>36421325
you know, i am not sure anymore. when the prices were last revised the wording was changed. it used to be crystal clear. not so much now.


>>36421334
>You'd need space arcana for that, two dots minimum. You'd also need a part of his person/a prized possession or relation of his and his "true" name. If ya got all that you can hit him from anywhere in the world
mate, we are in the same room as him.
we can blast him with lightening without any extra dots of anything

I suppose I should mention this, so you guys know, as your "Spirit Vision" is still turned on. Forgive me for overlooking this fact.

There's a 'soul' inside the helmeted Elizabeth, and even with it being its twisted, muted color, you can see the thread linking you to her, strained but still there.

So yes, her soul is still in her body.

Rolled 8, 9, 1, 6, 9, 5, 2, 9 = 49 (8d10)

>>36420829
Last roll!

>>36421389
ok, we so desperately need to save our XP for spirit 3 and cure her.

>>36421376
And I'll be honest, I don't know on the prices either. I tried to find out (as this is basically the GMC experience table) but couldn't find an answer one way or the other. I mean, I suspect it's meant to be that flat amount per dot, as normal experience is handed out in Beats, not experience points. And it's a ratio of 5 beats to 1 exp, so unless a Storyteller hands out beats/exp like it's going out of stock, leveling up is a much harder thing to do in GMC rules.

Can we spend a willpower next thread and add to whatever succeses we got this thread?

Sure. For those curious, here's the basic rundown on what we can blow Willpower on:


>Spend Willpower Points on Merits or to get +3 on a roll
>Spend Willpower Dots on major character advancement (learning rotes, item crafting, etc)
>Regain spent Willpower Points by completing Virtues and Vices
>Regain burnt Willpower Dots for 5exp each

>>36416481
Lobby for unique identity tags within threads. Other forums have it, I don't see why /tg/ shouldn't have it either.

>>36421528
what is the difference between spent and burned?

>>36421542
lobby where?

>>36421436
you should really figure it out then.
you just awarded us 16XP for this thread aka 80 beats.
You said (wisely) that you are not gonna faff with the silly beats/XP conversion and just measure it all in one value called XP. that was wise, but you need to figure out your own system here.

For one thing, we can't spend points if we don't actually know. Is it 15 or 45 XP to go from 2 dots to 3 dots on our ruling arcana. we need to know cause we have 32XP

>>36421634
Just language/terminology. You have a maximum amount of willpower, and if you spend one it just sits there, empty. You regain the burnt one by using the exp. to refill it.

>>36421690
TELL MICHAEL HOW MUCH GOING FROM 2 TO 3 SPIRIT COSTS, PUNY MAN

MICHAEL WANTS TO SAVE HIS WIFE

File: Captain America on Justice.png (908 KB, 780x697)

908 KB PNG

>>36421634
"Spent" willpower can be recovered by either acting in accordance with our vice (one point per scene we do so) or fully restored by acting out our virtue (slamming JUSTICE into the face of an offender). The latter implies a personal risk, for it is against human nature to uphold an ideal at risk to self. To do so anyway, is a show of the brighter side of humanity. Yeah, it hurts, but your vision of a better tomorrow demands it. That is a worthy sacrifice, the reason you persist in being "good" despite every incentive to just give in and succumb to base impulses.

Tis a hard thing, to be a light in the darkness. Such acts are exceptions to the rule of this World of Darkness. To shine on despite that is both risky and rewarding. For this character, lust is easy, justice is not. Yet he holds in his heart of hearts that justice must be done. To be "just" is his bright side, giving in to lust is his vice, his dark side.

To act in the light contradicts the setting, yet it can be the most rewarding thing to do. To stand tall regardless of the consequences, is that not a laudable act?

>>36421781
Until proven otherwise, I will rule that it is a flat 15 exp per increase in skill, regardless of how many dots are in the pertaining Arcanum. This applies to all stats, not just Arcanum.

>>36421879
So 40xp for Gnosis 3 and Spirit 3?

>>36421944
Yes.

>>36421813
what is the difference between recovery and full restoration?

>my face if after we put xp into spirit Garen says that his 4 dots in spirit magic were passed down the Armstrong family line for generations

File: 124372628761876318231.jpg (14 KB, 320x231)

14 KB JPG

>>36422036

>>36421879
IIRC the guy who mentioned the new rules to you said they are flat, but you are supposed to be awarding us much less XP.

>>36420829
AWW YESS I FINALLY CAME INTO ONE OF THESE THREADS IN TIME.

Voting for bumping up Spirit to 3 - ruling so it's 18xp annd freeing Elizabeth

File: MtA p.69.png (701 KB, 649x965)

701 KB PNG

>>36422053
Do you mean this table?

>>36422053
I awarded as much as I did today because we did experience a fair bit, and did a lot of bluffing and trying hard to stick to our Virtue.

>>36422036
>mfw trusting garen to spirit bend your wife's soul
>mfw mages are not genetic and the children of mages are sleepers
>mfw it was already mentioned you are the only one in the group with spirit sight.
that being said, as a Thyrsus he probably has at least 2 dots in it.

>>36421879
If you're going off the GMC rules, Dave Brookshaw suggested 3xp (15 beats) for Ruling, 4 for commonm and 5 xp for Inferior Arcana, like Vampire.

>>36422087
That's the 1e rules, the new, GMC rules are in the reference document way back at the top of the thread.

>>36422087
No, thge table you posted is the original mage the awakening XP chart.
as per
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/36375069/#p36375179
QM was convinced to use the new XP system which was released with "God Machine Chronicle"
That XP system has flat costs per dot, rather than scaling. But you get XP a lot slower. As per
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/36289715/#p36292123

>>36422014
Say we at 1 WP remaining. If we act in accordance with our vice we'll recover a single point, thus granting us 2 WP in the pool.

Acting in accordance with our virtue, however it may hurt us, will restore ALL lost Willpower. So we'd be right back at 5, our current maximum. This is hard to do, but is obviously very rewarding. Mortals can even regain integrity by doing so. A "mere mortal" can actually regain points in that stat for free if he risks himself hard enough. We can't anymore, but the concept lives on in the full restoration of WP.

To risk you life for the sake of a stranger, to risk it all for the hope of a better tomorrow, is there not a more "human" act such as that?

>>36421944
in that case, get spirit 3 now to unlock spirit mending. That would leave us with 32-15 = 17 XP
safe that towards gnosis 3 (25XP required)

also, I just realized, with spirit we should be able to punch someone in the soul

>>36420829
Actually, she might have awakened us. She and that vampire.

>>36422103
It was stated that in-character we wouldn't know who else has spirit sight, OOC though it was apparent from his description.

>>36422346
I think we should increase spirit to 3, and forces to 3 as well. Forces has a hell of a lot of utility and combat application, plus both of these are our ruling arcana, which we ought to master.

>>36422682
If going by RAW, Forced's combat ability kinda sucks, esp. when you consider Paradox. Granted, our arcana is horribly suboptimal anyway, so...

>>36422835
More related to M:tA in general rather than this game. What arcana is the best for combat besides Prime?

Also how easy is it to achieve an unaging state as a mage?

File: Arcana Mastery.png (75 KB, 842x520)

75 KB PNG

>>36422682
You should be aware that when you cast an improvised spell, you roll arcana+gnosis
so if you are improvising a force spell with force 2 and gnosis 3, you roll 5 dice. if your force is 3 and gnosis is 2 its also 5 dice.
So raising gnosis does contribute to mastering force.

Gnosis is really good for all spells. the advantange of arcana is complexity as per >>36414974

The reason for going spirit + gnosis is because MC's wife has had her spirit twisted via mindrape and we need to heal it. leveling up spirit and gnosis will let us do that.

... oh hey, actually with our current gnosis of 2, we can raise our ruling arcana to 4. Meaning we should dump 30 of our 32 points to raise spirit from 2 to 4 for healing the wife's soul.

>>36422931
Life arcana helps you live longer. Prime is best against mages, but you really want death or mind if you're out to be a murderhobo as those are easily rationalized away by sleepers (he had a heart attack/stroke, this happens).

Spirit works too, if you roll high enough to compel a given spirit to do your dirty work for you. Numina can be a real bitch if you ain't got a way to defend against it. Won't work as good against werewolves though, they kinda deal with those things in their own way that may beat out your manipulations.

And forces is your "brute force" route to dealing with any problem. It may be vulgar, but lets see you survive a fireball/rad blast/explosion to the face fucker! We got that as a ruling arcana, it can get pretty scary, if you're willing to risk a hard paradox. Fry em' with the power of SCIENCE!

>>36423033
Reading this makes me wish I could find a group to play M:tA with, online or in person. Everyone I know isn't adventurous enough to try anything beyond dungeon delving in D&D iterations and have a very strong aversion to learning more rules.

Finding a game online is like finding a needle in a haystack. There's two WoD games on Roll20 for instance, each with a waiting list, and I'm not a very good GM.

>>36423033
>if you're willing to risk a hard paradox. Fry em' with the power of SCIENCE!
I am recalling a thing about "lightening hitting them from the sky instead of your fingertips" thing.

>>36423098
"Call Lightning" is such a wonderful thing. It's so nice, to call down the wrath of God without any risk of paradox.

Just hope you ain't targeting a Promethean. They get *healed* by that shit. Good thing they tend to avoid cities.

>>36423033
>>36422835
And you forgot to mention Mind, the only Arcanum in the game with a covert attack spell.

>>36423221
isn't death's "heart attack" spell a covert spell?
also, wouldn't spirit attacks be covert as well?

>>36423221
Death has one too. You basically force em' to have a sudden heart attack. And again, if you can compel a spirit to do it for you, you also avoid paradox as it was Numina that did em' in, not "magic".

Wouldn't a "increase punch power" or "increase bullet power" be a covert force spell? (as long as the increase isn't insanely high).

>>36423248
>>36423259
Hmm, perhaps - all I remmeber was a complaint a while back about how Mind was OP and it was the only to have a default covert attack spell or something. Oh well.

>>36423273
There is such an example spell alr IIRC, requiring Forces 3 or something.

>>36423221
If you're using direct attack spells in Mage you're doing it wrong. Use a gun. Boost your gun using spells. Then just fucking shoot him.

>>36423273
>>36423318
Found it - Forces 3, Optimize Kinetic Attack, pg.71 Grimoire of Girmoires. Covert, yeah, but it might be limited to melee attacks only - can't remember.