Fantasy Mess Hall (OOC)

[Kylesar1]

Fergie won't be winning to Ash, but Bogrum CAN actually win to Avery if he can keep an upclose frontal assault. It's within Avery to lose so................That's the bone here

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

My plan is whatever goes, goes
Outcome doesn't matter so much as watching it play out. I have a basic idea of how Fergie will take the loss/win, but the specifics are up to circumstance.

Bogrum is fine with competing against whoever, but Ferg is absolutely set on Ash. She wants the greatest challenge.

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

I didn't see your last post, oops. I'm confused, is the victor not set in stone, or is it pretty much a guarantee that Ash will come up on top?
Either way, Fergie is fine with losing. She mainly wants the experience.

Edit: I figured it was because I said Fergie hasn't been as diligent in her training, after the first thing you said, but I just wanted to make sure I'm understanding.

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Kylesar1
The idea that nothing is guaranteed in this setting, that you can do everything "right", serve a benevolent god, have Favor and protection, be promised a place On High. And all of that not matter if the wrong thing happens, a trivial but devastating action, or even something out of your control, and you can end up somewhere you don't want to be for eternity? Those three people Nellie accidentally killed will never see their Holy God, wrongfully. That shit terrifies me, that's some existential horror that makes me grateful we live in a world where what happens after death is still ambiguous and contested. I love it. Please give me more.

Adds another fucked-up level to Nancy's choices, but he probably figured Descending with Mariana was just as good. It's... very multifaceted, what he did. A lot more will be revealed about it in time. It was a decision as selfless as it was selfish. Giving someone a light and pulling them out of the depths, yet thrusting them and himself into new darkness. True in nature to Goddess Mariana's new teachings (kind of), even if he wasn't around to learn them.

I was really, really anticipating the opportunity to show that Nancy isn't quite as clueless and innocent as he lets on. He's a man with many a vice, like anyone else, and the shy, nervous disposition does well to mask that fact in the unobservant. It's a genuine disposition, he is an anxious little noodle, but I'd be lying if I said he didn't use it to his advantage.

 

[Kylesar1]

I'm the one where if you win, you win. I just don't allow EASY wins which is why I gave a bone on Bogrum v Avery. As for Fergie v Ash, I don't see but then again you're the dear player so may Fergie may come out on top. It's not a big thing regardless since Fergie has the Bronze Ballasts to worry about and there's a few who might have a connection. The victor isn't really important but it COULD shape Avery if he loses to Bogrum in an upfront fight

WayfaringWaaksian

 

[Kylesar1]

My laptop just shat itself. $1400 I gotta spend to replace it

My post will be delayed as a result
WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

No!! Tell it to unshit itself! Surprise computer issues suck

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Btw, when I say I vibe with a character, 9/10 times I mean in a narrative sense, as a character. Not necessarily an agreement or condoning of their actions. Or that I'd like them IRL, lol.
Like, Elaina is a character I really like, she's very compelling. Even though I want to strangle her most of the time. And Steven kind of scares me, especially knowing what I know now from hints and after a reread of recent stuff.

Not that I was legit worried, I just feel the need to put out my thoughts sometimes

 

[Kylesar1]

I'm working on the post.

Oh, I understand what you meant. No issues there. I really enjoy writing Elaina because she's clearly not good but she's not quite evil either. Mariah sees the good in her, but Elaina clearly doesn't show it. At least not in a way that can be appreciated

I enjoy what I've been doing with Steven as well. I'm interested in what unnerved you about him though. Or at least what you speculate about him based on what you've read so far.
WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Kylesar1

Not that Elaina cares whether or not she's appreciated, I'm sure. Save for people who're actually important to her. I think it's ironic in a funny/sad way that the one person (other than Sebas) she's been humble enough to apologize to didn't even appreciate it. Fergie was just "ight cool, now fuck off". I hope they can talk more in the future and Fergie can try to make peace/grill Elaina for answers. That woman can hold a grudge, but she's not above reconciliation.


As for Steven, ah...

Spoiler: warning: long

Or maybe his time under the High God steeled his nerves........or maybe he was desensitized. No, it wasn't that.

Yes. Yes it is, honey. But that's okay. (maybe that "It was" tagged on at the end was intentional, but I figured it was an incomplete sentence you forgot to delete because it lacked a period at the end)

Disclaimer, this is all based on conjecture, so take with a grain of salt:

Steven obs doesn't owe Nancy any sympathy. He's a complete stranger, after all. Being a pirate, Steven's seen worse I'm sure. But the fact that he didn't feel slightly ANYTHING, given the fact that Nancy's did it to save his sister? That it was a self-sacrifice for a loved one? Most would at least feel pity, if not genuine sympathy.
"We don't borrow power to do our own thing" said in the same fashion as if Nancy had done it for a petty/selfish reason. I guess in a certain perspective you could say saving your loved one is selfish, but... in a warped view, I suppose. Granted, there WAS another, selfish motive behind it, but that wasn't outwardly said. Steven could assess the clues given though, and maybe that's part of it.
His thought that he'd never felt Obris was against him was kinda... I feel bad saying this, because it feels presumptuous of me to say. But it's just the impression I got. It kind of came across as a bit holier-than-thou of him? Like, okay, either Obris is competent enough to not create a situation where something like this could play out, or Steven is willing to let a loved one die because of their own fuck-ups. He has killed people he cared about, as was written, but under Obris's specific order isn't the same as an accidental situation like that happening. Though maybe I'm wrong and he has been in a situation like this, and made a choice that was legal by Divinity standards.
But anyway, Steven's and Nancy's perspectives and experiences are different. Who's to say one is better/the correct way, really? Unless we're talking about Divinity Law alone. Using ONLY those standards, Nancy was in the wrong, no nuance.

Which brings me to my speculation: Steven was under order to kill someone/several someones he deeply cared about, and has accepted that as right and good to him as a means to cope. Not feeling bad about Nancy's situation means he doesn't have to feel bad about the people he's killed whos' bad decisions/choices earned them Obris's wrath.

Wonder how the rest are takin it? If Elaina called Demi and Mariah, that meant she also called Vespera, Vlad, and Nellie.

This could be nothing, but I know you like to covert stuff in subtle ways. My immediate thought was that the lack of Nancy was because he's keeping him out of his mind. But that could be because he doesn't know if the crystal can take calls still (though he was there when Nellie charged Nancy's crystal after he went Null). Or maybe you just didn't list them all without a specific intent. Steven did mention Nancy when he was telling the nun about who was answered by their God, but maybe because it would be weird NOT mentioning him aloud in this context.

Steven's not ACTUALLY okay with killing people he likes, given he gave Nellie condolences as well as congrats when she went Ice Age over the castle. But he has to be; Law is Law, and he basically agreed to the Terms of Service when he accepted Favor. And anyone who doesn't, or fucks up enough to break them, he has to distance from emotionally. Because Law is harsh, unforgiving, and very sparing to the nuance, Steven feels the need to be the same. Even though he's not an unfeeling set of rules, he's human. He has empathy. But empathy fucking sucks when you have to hurt the people you care about.

Why he unnerves me? People with dampened empathy don't flinch at things that would make most cower in horror. Feeling just shock and no anger at the death toll reveal? Kinda scary. But it's a good thing he wants to help people, and that's probably a big part WHY he's this way. Eaiser to help when you're not controlled by your emotions, as Elaina said.

That's enough psychoanalizing people who don't exist, but there you have it. Whatever going on in his head, part of why I said I vibe with Steven because he'll serve a narrative purpose. Nancy needs to be around at least one person he cares about who doesn't give a shit about his problems, even though that's one of the last things he wants. He can brush off random, snooty nobles, people he knew were going to dislike him on baseless assumptions. But losing the respect (percieved or real) of someone he actually wants respect from, especially due to his own actions? A Very Bad Thing that he's not good at processing. It ties into a bigger theme I'm going for with Nancy, but that's another essay.

Edit: I should clarify that "cares about" more so means caring about Steven's opinion of him, since they just met. But Nancy cares about most people on a base level, especially those who've helped him in some way.

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Also I'll be going on vacay for the week starting tomorrow, so possibly no posts until I'm back. Will depend on how I'm feeling.

 

[Kylesar1]

You're damn good at reading between the lines. Steven has convictions to a fault. When it comes to the Divine, he's ruthless to both Gods and followers.

The thing about him feeling like Obris was never against him wasn't looking down on Nancy as much as it was pitying Nancy because Steven looks down on the Goddess. The Goddess's actions were completely unacceptable, and to Steven is reason on its own to defect. It's because Steven likes Nancy that he heavily dislikes the Goddess now

Steven is probably the closest to a zealot in this RP, and that ties into High God Obris's power, competence, and the low point in Steven's life. However, any zealotry is counteracted by the fact that he serves the LITERAL Paragon of Virtue and must uphold it. It's a natural counter into full blown religious zealotry, though the less virtuous parts of Steven will show itself at times

Also I'll be going on vacay for the week starting tomorrow, so possibly no posts until I'm back. Will depend on how I'm feeling.

No problem. I'm gearing up to head back to the Philippines soon. Like last time, I don't know how it'll affect my posting, but I'm honestly not anticipating anything major

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Thanks :3
Looks like I was close, but not quite there

The thing about him feeling like Obris was never against him wasn't looking down on Nancy as much as it was pitying Nancy because Steven looks down on the Goddess. The Goddess's actions were completely unacceptable, and to Steven is reason on its own to defect. It's because Steven likes Nancy that he heavily dislikes the Goddess now

Ohh I didn't read it as that, but that makes a lot of sense in hindsight. Especially when Steven was trying to get the hell away from Mariana, lol. Now I really wanna see him and Nancy get in a debate/argument over the Goddess. Though it wouldn't be quite as polarized as one might suspect. Just very heated because the Goddess is basically a stand- in for a parent to Nancy, and Steven views her as disgraceful. In a matter of perspective, both are technically true?

Regardless, Nancy would benefit from someone who won't spare his feelings. Even if Steven does care about him, he for damn sure won't make Nancy feel better just for Nancy's sake. I expect, anyway.

... After almost a year it still feels kind of weird typing "he" and "Nancy". Yes, the names getting mixed up in the legal process is still canon. No, they didn't bother to change it after 200+ years. It grew on them, and Lungborne don't give much care for human gender standards.

No problem. I'm gearing up to head back to the Philippines soon. Like last time, I don't know how it'll affect my posting, but I'm honestly not anticipating anything major

Safe travels. Hope they'll let you be back with fam for Thanksgiving/Christmas

 

[Kylesar1]

Regardless, Nancy would benefit from someone who won't spare his feelings. Even if Steven does care about him, he for damn sure won't make Nancy feel better just for Nancy's sake. I expect, anyway.

Absolutely. It would be a nice conversation between Steven and Nancy. A needed one if anything, especially since if Nancy were getting exiled, his options are Steven/Jack, Sebas, Demi, or Elaina

It would be some good to happen in the transition. The tournament will happen on their way back to Andouphe (which is where your arc will kick off). I don't think the Kraiven stuff will truly end until Ves ends up with her family. I'm thinking there will be some side stories about Ves and Nancy depending on how things go, since there will be side stories about the goings on in Kraiven post-Mariana

 

[Kylesar1]

Safe travels. Hope they'll let you be back with fam for Thanksgiving/Christmas

Oh, I won't. There are multiple reasons why, but I won't be getting back until January. It's perfectly fine and Army will compensate me nicely for giving up my holiday lol. Just know that I'm not going against my will, at the very least

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Absolutely. It would be a nice conversation between Steven and Nancy. A needed one if anything, especially since if Nancy were getting exiled, his options are Steven/Jack, Sebas, Demi, or Elaina

It would be some good to happen in the transition. The tournament will happen on their way back to Andouphe (which is where your arc will kick off). I don't think the Kraiven stuff will truly end until Ves ends up with her family. I'm thinking there will be some side stories about Ves and Nancy depending on how things go, since there will be side stories about the goings on in Kraiven post-Mariana

Not sparing feelings while also not disregarding them, that is. Not that I mind Nancy being bullied here and there, as he's very bulliable. Right after the Kraiven arc though, he'll be in a critical mental state that's better off not being played with. Though Steven's hardly the type for that, if he likes him I'm sure he wants to see this poor idiot get better too.

I do have some interactions planned for Nancy regarding Fergie and Bogrum as well, but that would show up more after the tournament arc I figure. I'm equally curious to see how Nancy interacts with Sebas, a 200+ year older Demi, and a woman he hisses at the name of. Though honestly I see him leaning towards Steven/Jack the most at least in the beginning, but that depends on how things play out.
And there's def more stuff I want to do with Nancy and Ves. They're both the only tangible thing left of home for each other, save for Demi, but she's removed in a sense after being away so long.

Oh, I won't. There are multiple reasons why, but I won't be getting back until January. It's perfectly fine and Army will compensate me nicely for giving up my holiday lol. Just know that I'm not going against my will, at the very least

Lmao, I respect that. Get that moolah

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Kylesar1

Given the way I'm talking about it, yeah, the exile is the route I wanna go with. Nancy will not allow Nellie to gambit on his behalf, but that conversation is still an important plot point I want to go over.

 

[Kylesar1]

Even though the arc is concluded, there is still the gambit and then Nancy's punishment

We'll tackle the gambit one first
WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Since there's an hour before the meeting, should the gambit be discussed before it or with Mariana present?
Kylesar1

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Please don't let this be something crazy, Lattice hoped.

Oh it will be, Lattice, don't you worry

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Kylesar1

I got super fucking sick this week, but I'm starting to feel better, so I should be back to making replies 0.061 seconds after you

 

[Safety Hammer]

Thought i might throw my metaphorical hat in this ring. I've been itching to make someone really despicable.

 

[Kylesar1]

Safety Hammer
What up, it's been a while. We're right before the transition period into the next arc so you're coming in at the right time. Glad to have you

Character looks good, but there are some limitations to add

• Light: Powerful lighting withers and extinguishes shadows. Lighting directly overhead may prevent the formation of shadows
• Total Darkness: Without some form of light, there are no shadows. In places of complete darkness with no light sources, shadow-related magic has the same weaknesses as in too much light
• Passive health regeneration costs mana. He cannot regenerate if he runs out of mana. This requires him to keep a steady supply of blood to drink
• Mana potions do not work on vampires. Balancing limitation since vampires regenerate both health and mana by drinking blood

Add these and he'll be accepted


It looks like he can be a major villain, which is very nice. If you do intend for him to be a major villain, we'll have to discuss where the RP will go relative to WayfaringWaaksian since their arc proposal is what we were going to transition to

 

[Safety Hammer]

Safety Hammer
What up, it's been a while. We're right before the transition period into the next arc so you're coming in at the right time. Glad to have you

Character looks good, but there are some limitations to add

• Light: Powerful lighting withers and extinguishes shadows. Lighting directly overhead may prevent the formation of shadows
• Total Darkness: Without some form of light, there are no shadows. In places of complete darkness with no light sources, shadow-related magic has the same weaknesses as in too much light
• Passive health regeneration costs mana. He cannot regenerate if he runs out of mana. This requires him to keep a steady supply of blood to drink
• Mana potions do not work on vampires. Balancing limitation since vampires regenerate both health and mana by drinking blood

Add these and he'll be accepted


It looks like he can be a major villain, which is very nice. If you do intend for him to be a major villain, we'll have to discuss where the RP will go relative to WayfaringWaaksian since their arc proposal is what we were going to transition to

Not much, life just happened to creep up on me a bit. The weaknesses seem to be acceptable too, with the exception of total darkness. There's a specific direction that I wanna play him in relation to his powers, and that involves him eventually reaching a point where he begins to smother light with his power. More of an evolution of shadow magic to darkness magic. Could Total Darkness eventually get phased out as he becomes more of a threat?

As for a villain role, I'm willing to take a back seat as a reoccurring minor villain for a bit. Kinda like a speed-o-sound sonic level of villainy at first. Then after this, we could have Laszlo evolve into a major threat. I'm willing to divulge more later in dms

 

[Kylesar1]

Not much, life just happened to creep up on me a bit. The weaknesses seem to be acceptable too, with the exception of total darkness. There's a specific direction that I wanna play him in relation to his powers, and that involves him eventually reaching a point where he begins to smother light with his power. More of an evolution of shadow magic to darkness magic. Could Total Darkness eventually get phased out as he becomes more of a threat?

As for a villain role, I'm willing to take a back seat as a reoccurring minor villain for a bit. Kinda like a speed-o-sound sonic level of villainy at first. Then after this, we could have Laszlo evolve into a major threat. I'm willing to divulge more later in dms

Yes, it can eventually evolve to transcend the need for light sources. That's like peaking in terms of full potential though

We already have a concept of darkness so strong that it feeds on light, and in such areas, one must still maintain lighting lest it start acting in some ways similar to a poison. Called Oppressive Darkness. It's all lore stuff that you'll get acquainted with as time goes on