"Stop right there, criminal scum! You violated my mother!" Leif shouts after the guard. Where's that line from? Definitely heard it somewhere before...
Let's try that sense robbing technique aqain, this time more easily observed target: the guard. Rob his senses from his legs. And then rob his spear and run after Lee.
The pursuing stoatman immediately turns around as you shout in her direction, evidently surprised. Surprise is a fine emotion. Very mutable.
[Tricks of the Mind: 1]
She looks at you for a few moments as something perceptibly changes in her eyes. You start running in her direction, then abruptly stop. Neither of these, you note, seem to be happening of your own volition.
Well. At least this is a slightly different category of messing up. And she does seem really confused at what's happening.
"Like you weren't already going to attack me."
I try to disrupt whatever it's about to do with a well-timed "CHAOS!"
One is offended at this implication. This is supposed to be a duel, after all. But if you'd like to interfere directly, one would like to cordially
INVITE CHAOS
[Words: 5+1]
Your Word meets one's own, and together they blend into a most wonderful sound. A storm begins to rise. The yard starts to shake violently. The laws of physics consider taking a holiday. One looks a little surprised. A well-chosen Word, one's look seems to also indicate.
[Standing Firm: 4]
The wind turns murderous, dust rises from the trampled ground. You duck down to minimize your profile and brace yourself as the gale starts and the ground trembles. You are pulled this way and that, but do not budge as you consider your next move.
"Ah. I think the likelihood of that was lower than it may have seemed. Certainly lower than it is now."
Sit down and relax a bit whilst watching, I could do with a rest.
You sit down as you resolve to not contribute to this silliness in any particular way, propping yourself up against a wall as you try to relax with the comforting sight of mortal combat. That is, until some choice Words start getting thrown around.
INVITE CHAOS
The courtyard starts to shake, and everything starts to bend in ways you would not expect.
[Resting Firm: 3]
The wall you're up against slaps you away and onto the ground. The ground tries to pass you on. You tumble along the dust and occasional mud, the ground feeling selectively liquid as you do so. This is not restful! This is not restful at all!
After a rather long period of time thinking his questions over, Daniels speaks.
"I will ask my questions first, since the answers may change my desired fulfillment.
1. How may I obtain the ability to absorb connections and sources like you do, and what would be the effects on my being from undertaking such an action?
2. What is a method to nullify all reality warping directed against myself by others that is not a word? If such a thing only exists as a word, what word is it?
3. You uncoupled my strength. What other things could you uncouple from me, and what would the effects of each be?
4. Is there a way for me to alter my physical form in the sense of growing additional limbs and such? Where, if anywhere, could I obtain this ability without using a desire?"
It is good practice to consider questions carefully. Of these four, two of the superior ones will be answered. Repeat the other two if those are your final questions.
Firstly, a desire to absorb connections and sources may be fulfilled with some adjustments. You already possess much of the needed functionality (see: societal probing, template utility, mental encompassing). They would be of little use to you on their own, given that the interest of the well is largely academical (see: mission statement, emotional deconstruction, effective analysis), but with additional practice and refinement you could almost certainly learn to deploy or even transpose these connections and sources as the situation demands (see: social engineering, connection transplant, source insertion). And before you master this functionality, the absorption of connections and sources would allow you to more efficiently deliver them to well access points, although doing so will likely require effort (see: alignment of reaction, emotive surround, other isolation techniques) as well as permit you to be given more specific and potentially more rewarding instructions on future subjects.
Secondly, uncoupling demands explanation. Your substrate is extremely versatile and largely unbound by what tends to be expected of regular matter (see: substrate, freedom from shapes, robust design). Because of this it is unsuitable on its own as a probe into this world (see policy of minimal interference, universal fragility, programming failures). With the addition of a template the substrate is limited and placed within parameters roughly similar to that of this world's own inhabitants, with additional selected favorable qualities (see: unfamiliarity, differing expectations, desire for engagement). Uncoupling removes these parameters. It can be done sparingly to reasonably increase your overall ability to navigate obstacles (such as uncoupling your heat output, density, volume, center of mass, height, width, muscle strength or similar parameters, which would allow you to manipulate these parameters far beyond usual likelihood), but to overuse uncoupling would defeat your purpose as a useful research tool. As such you will need to make increasingly compelling arguments in order to receive more uncoupling than you already possess (see compelling appeals, mission objectives, subtle usefulness).
Thomas continued to be impressed at the effects here. He hadn't a clue how that one was done. Must be a mirror.
"I must say, the special effects here are quite amazing! I suppose you wish to continue? You look ready. Still."
Sea what can be done with this new sword? Water we waiting for?
One is of the opinion that you haven't seen anything yet. Observe!
INVITE CHAOS
There is a dull roar as the courtyard comes alive, twisting and bending and howling, the ground heaving in great waves as the buildings begin to dance discordantly and the wind pushes in great chaotic gusts. A storm rises!
[Fighting Firm: 2]
Well, you say as you find yourself tossed to and fro, this really is quite impressive! Is this going to go on for long, though?
[Flitting Firm: 4]
Probably for a while, one replies as one slides closer to you, minimally perturbed by these drastic upheavals in the landscape.
Leif Erikson, Miner
- A Word: INEVITABLE
- Body Count: 1
- 4 large red berries
- Damp and moldy fuel
- The Queen's Guard: A Roaring Good Time
- Reappropriated, Clean Skirt
- Inscribed Wooden Stylus
- Iron Spearhead
- 1.03 gp
- Anglefork Castle: A Free Man
- The Box: ?
- Tower of the Mind: Convenient Relocation
- Induced Inebriation: Comfortably Drunk
- Induced Lucidity: A Concert For The Gods
- Elongated Affairs: Cheerio!
- Compatibility: Minding
- Tricks of the Mind: Cormick's Condescending Riddle
- Tricks of the Mind: Perceptual Rebuke
- Tricks of the Mind: Erikson's Inexplicable Grapefruit
- Tricks of the Mind: Speak With The Mob
- Tricks of the Mind: Headfirst Dive
- Tricks of the Mind: Lend Them Your Limbs
- Party in the Courtyard: Celebration in Earnest
- Never In: Swallowed By The Pit
- Gods of the Underground: Did You Just What
- Labyrinths of Anglefork: Tunnel-Literate
- The Voracious Dark: Two Deals Made
- The Voracious Dark: The Promised Sixth
- Moth's Flight: Not Going As Planned
- Troubles In Anglefork Town: Nothing To See Here
- The Secret Life of Stoats: Harnessing Potential
Eileen Minett, Vinyl Collector
- Wounds: 1
- Traces of Mischief: A Bubbling Scar
- Reclaimed Hooded Robe (worn, torn)
- Giant White Mushroom
- A Word: SEA
- A Word: HUNGER
- A Word: CHAOS
- A Weapon: Explosive Cysts
- Rat Pantheon: Disliked
- Origins: Witness to Dissolution
- Tower of the Mind: There's Something To Remember
- The New Queen: And Something To Forget
- The Queen's Guard: Bringer of Doom
- Touch of Flame: the Secrets of Flammability
- The Voracious Dark: Three Connections Given
- Stone's Glory: An Uncivil Disagreement
- Body Count: 1
- Never In: Change of Priority
- Labyrinths of Anglefork: Tunnel-Literate
- The Flip Side: Crippling Indecision
- The Impromptu Prophecy: ?
- Sweet Little Children: Fond Farewell
- The One They Fear: Interloper!
Jack Daniels, Karate Man
- Naked
- Dusty Wooden Speaking-Trumpet
- Crossbow Bolt (in throat)
- A Word: REND
- A Word: SILENCE
- A Weapon: Murder-Thought
- Traces of Mischief: A Bisected Left Kidney
- Traces of Mischief: Ruined Left Hand
- Uncoupled: Strength
- Wooden Door (held)
- The Majordomo: ?
- The Winding Path of Inspiration: the Armor of God
- The Winding Path of Inspiration: A Master's In Chemistry
- The Winding Path of Inspiration: A Sliver of Perfection!
- The Winding Path of Inspiration: The Beauty of the Material
- Tower of the Mind: Endless Well of Mystery
- Induced Lucidity: A Garden Well-Tended
- Elongated Affairs: Enemy of the New State
- Doomstones: ?
- A Place In History: Vastly Unreliable
- Anglefork Castle: the Great Serpent
- The Obsolete Class: Suggested Victims
- 2 rats, crushed
- 1 rat, strangled
- 1 rat, live
- Touch of Flame: the Second Degree
- Travels In The Fourth Dimension: Sunday ± 2 Days
- The Impromptu Prophecy: There's A Mountain Higher Than We Knew
- The Voracious Dark: A Source Provided
- The Voracious Dark: A More Perfect Cooperation
- The Good Doctor: A Recommendation
- Labyrinths of Anglefork: Suspended Above
- Body Count: 3
- Wounds: 2
Thomas Minstep, Insurance Agent
- A Word: ABSENCE
- Sea-Sword
- Traces of Mischief: Nausea's Depths
- A Bowl, Black and Knobby
- Anglefork Castle: From Another Time, Another Land
- Gross Incandescence: Partly Illuminated
- Tight Leather Pants (worn, wet)
- Incredibly Tight Blue Dress (worn, mutilated, mildly provocative)
- Travels In The Fourth Dimension: Saturday, July 24th, 409 S.D.
- The Majordomo: Busy Morning
- The Good Doctor: House Call
- The Queen's Guard: Space Among The Ranks
- Make A Man Out Of You: a Test of Worth and Skill
- The New Queen: Strategic Meeting
- Tower of the Mind: Advice Given
- The Obsolete Class: Let Them Be
- Cruelty-Free Foods: Treats Survived
- The One They Fear: Makings of a Solid Fight
- Body Count: 2
Oscar Wilde, Chemistry Teacher
- A Word: REVELATION
- Wounds: 2
- 1 rat, skinless and smoked
- 6 gp
- Poor Misshapen Dice
- Lock of Hair (unidentified)
- Iron nail, unused
- An Inauspicious Key
- Burlap Foot Wrappings (worn)
- Burlap Hand Wrappings (worn)
- Moth-Eaten Hat (worn)
- Respectable Brown Skirt (worn)
- Old Brown Waistcoat (worn)
- Bright Yellow Tunic (worn)
- Blue Shards of a Probable Bottle
- Blue Glass Shiv
- A Wealth of Burlap Ribbons
- An Obsolete Class: Trustworthy Individual
- The Flip Side: A Strange Day In The Making
- The Doom Guard: the Inquisition
- Tower of the Mind: An Interruption
- A Frightening Door: An Understanding
- The Voracious Dark: Backed Away
- The Winding Path of Inspiration: The Measure
- The One They Fear: Observing Restlessly