Round 2
Slightly Less Humble Beginnings((Note: Due to your unique connection and their state, your first follower is the easiest to convert. But most mortals already worship a deity, and converting them will be a greater challenge. Furthermore, to clarify in case it wasn't implied well-enough, you can use multiple abilities in one turn -- as many as your mana allows for.))The fledgling gods make their first moves in this new world. But as they do, they realize that they can
create abilities. Any god may expend a specified amount of Mana in the attempt to form it into the template for a new ability. Mana is volatile and hard to shape, so success varies and the result may not be exactly what was wanted.
Success in ability creation depends on the amount of mana allotted to the creation of it, how related it is to current domains, how related it is to the most relevant ability to "base" off of (though new abilities without a base are very possible), how related it is to past experiences, and how ambitious in general it is compared to the god's current power.
[3]Drive: Sadal encourages Jara's hope of better conditions for herself and her workers.
[-3]:
DriveLady Jara looks up from her desk.
This isn't right.
She has to help herself and her people. She can't just leave them like this. Working in the last-chance brothel in town. She has to do
something. But she has no money, and is in such a state that money is hard to come by.
But that doesn't stop Jara. She won't stop now.
She locates a lender about as reputable as her own brothel -- Robern Prince -- and gets the greatest lump sum of money that she can stake her own reputation on. She pays for treatments for her own workers, and overhauls the parts of the brothel that used to bring depression to those inside.
Her improvements don't really help business, but they uplift the spirits of the ladies inside as well as Jara herself. For the first time in what feels like ages, Jara feels
hope. And she has a sense that there's someone out there that shares her sense of hope.
Important Follower gained: Lady JaraLady Jara is strong of spirit, and generates [+3]/round. Domains: Revolution, The Working Class
Current Focus: City of Haford
Mana: [5]
Mana Upkeep/Gains: [+2]/round
- Maintaining Existence: [-1]/round
- Important Followers: [/b][+3][/b]/round
Important Followers- [+3] Lady Jadal, Madame of Brothel in Haford; Jadal is strong of spirit. She owes money to the lender Robern Prince.
Individuals of Note:- Robern Prince, irreputable Lender
Abilities:- [1] Approach: Directly speak to a mortal (they must have some level of sympathy for you, but they can be Approached without having awareness of you already). Mortals have a strong chance to react negatively to being directly approached by a divine being, whether the consequence is insanity or just hostility.
- [3] Drive: Encourage a Mortal to act out on an existing impulse. How succesful this is depends on how repressed aforementioned impulse is.
- [6] New Perspective: Through some medium, show a mortal a brief glimpse of a seemingly possible reality (regardless of how possible it actually is). The mortal can interpret this glimpse however they please.
Fles looks upon the world and its people and found Ed Nes. He would be willing to listen. Fles and Ed were one in essence, after all.
Fles invokes Approach [1]
"Ed Nes. I have been expecting you."
"Oh, do not be afraid. I am no mortal who would strike your brilliance for your plans. I am a young god, and I admit I'm very interested in your situation. I believe we can be of mutual aid to one another."
"You seek to claim your brother's place, do you not? I will help you if you help me. There is more than once kind of power, you see, and might can in the right circumstances be counted by cunning and magic. If you grant me your allegiance, I will grant you my aid."
"Perhaps you are worried that your allegiance to me will compromise your independence. Unless you betray yourself, you will not betray me. For you see, we are one in essence. What you want, I want as well. My commands will be to do things you would be quite willing to do yourself if you had thought of them or were capable."
"Now... will you accept my offer, Ed Nes? Will you become my first Weaver? Will you hear my name?"
[-1]:
ApproachEd Nes is surprised by the sudden voice in his head. He stumbles backwards, his head darting around.
"WHO IS THIS?!" He screams.
"ANDEL! Andel! Why trouble yourself with me?!"
Shortly after, Fles finished his approach and rised up above the mortal realm for the time being, leaving Nes alone with his thoughts.
Ed is impacted by suddenly being the subject of a divine voice. All his life, he was looked down upon. The third son of a noble family, and hated by nearly everyone in it for his lack of strength or courage. In fact, the lack of courage comes into play here. Ed is temporarily reduced to a babbling mess as he tries to piece together his now-shattered world view. He leaves the abandoned house and doesn't return for days.
But eventually he returns. But with a newfound sense of paranoia. If gods can just do that, and he's of interest to them, what stops other entities from them? Maybe this isn't even a god, but rather Andel returning to his childhood ways and playing a trick on him?
Despite this, Ed tries to believe. He enters the basement, untouched from when he was last inside.
With a heavy sense of hesitation, he finally utters "I... am willing to help you, whoever you are."
Important Follower gained: Ed Nes
Ed Nes is devious, yet overly paranoid. [+2]/round.
Domains: Conspiracies, Illusions
Current Focus: The Nes Estate
Mana: [8]
Mana Upkeep/Gains: [+1]/round
- Maintaining Existence: [-1]/round
- Important Followers: [+2]/round
Important Followers- [+2] Ed Nes, largely-disavowed younger son of the Nes estate: Ed is devious, yet overly paranoid.
Individuals of Note:- Rodrick Nes, esteemed Noble
- Andel Nes, heir to the Nes estate
Abilities:- [1] Approach: Directly speak to a mortal (they must have some level of sympathy for you, but they can be Approached without having awareness of you already). Mortals have a strong chance to react negatively to being directly approached by a divine being, whether the consequence is insanity or just hostility.
- [4] Induce Paranoia: Manipulate the inner shadow's in ones mind to induce paranoia of any given thing. Difficulty increases with increased willpower of the mortal, and the less reason they have for paranoia, the harder it is to induce paranoia.
- [6] Hide Object Just a couple twists in reality and an object no longer appears to the ordinary eyes of mortals. Any small object can be completely hidden from sight with this, though if a mortal is aware of the object and its general location, they may be able to catch a glimpse of it.
Remove Imperfection: Ensure that Navramli creates a perfect item by correcting his cuts and such.
[-3]:
Remove ImperfectionNavramli doesn't make mistakes.
Or, at least in general.
Smithing a masterwork takes days and days to do. On one of those days, Navramli mistrikes, creating a blemish on his otherwise perfect creation.
Yet before his very eyes, he sees the blemish close up, forming something even more beautiful than it was before. The masterwork still isn't done, but Navramli is inspired. He's no stranger with gods. But this.
This. What could he make if a divine entity were to help him?
Navramli falls to his knees, praying. Kel immediately feels a tiny surge of
[+1] mana rise up to him from the newfound devotion. He's gained a new follower.
Important Follower gained: Navramli BlazbrandNavramli is an expert smith. [+2]/round. [/list]
Domains: Order, craftsmanship
Current Focus: Templescale, Dwarven mountainhall
Mana: [7]
Mana Upkeep/Gains: [+1]/round
- Maintaining Existence: [-1]/round
- Important Followers: [+2]/round
Important Followers- [+2]Navramli Blazbrand, formerly-gloried Dwarven smith; Navramli is an expert smith.
Individuals of Note:Abilities:- [1] Approach: Directly speak to a mortal (they must have some level of sympathy for you, but they can be Approached without having awareness of you already). Mortals have a strong chance to react negatively to being directly approached by a divine being, whether the consequence is insanity or just hostility.
- [3] Remove Imperfection: Remove a (small) imperfection on the face of the world and any object in it. The exact nature of removal may be decided upon at the moment of removal.
- [4] Steady Hands Pouring a bit of yourself into the hands of a mortal, their hands become significantly more steady for the duration of one round (the one that this is cast in). Capable of almost supernatural precision and steadiness. Any aware mortal would likely quickly notice this change.
O Tragedy! O Comedy! Now Wafna hears
The pain and grief and anguish Sarra, brave, endures.
What worth has life when art is mocked, drawing the tears
Of bard and muse in compact old, by mobs of boors?
No artist cries in vain to Wafna, Patron Prime.
For now, deadly though acts may be, does Wafna bless
Her voice to ring out clear as breezes striking chime,
Her lute to find its way to hearts; Muse, grant success!
Well aware of the high cost of doing so, Wafna tries to enhance first Sarra's voice and second Sarra's lute (7) so as to make them better at eliciting emotional responses from listeners and observers.
[-7]:
Enhance InstrumentUnfortunately, only one instrument can be enhanced with the ability employed by Wafna. But that's enough for her.
The next day, after Sarra awakes, she finds that people are much more pliable. They seem to like her? The tavern owner eyed her with mild spite, yet as soon as she opened her mouth his tune changed. He seemed to, at least for a few moments,
share her sadness. Another performance, please! She graciously accepts. Perhaps people are coming to realization of her talent?
Later that day, a handsome man seems almost enchanted by her voice. He introduces himself Edmund, a traveling bard, and the two immediately hit it off. They tell stories to each other, and eventually to the gathering crowd.
Sarra's enchanted voice doesn't improve her talent, but her listeners
feel her. When the hero of the tale is trapped, awaiting his doom, the entire audience feels that desperation. They're enthralled. It's in the middle of this tale that Sarra realizes: she has a muse! What all the legendary artists of her time had! She was chosen by the gods themselves! She truly is of divine talent!
Sarra wakes the following morning in bed next to Edmund. And she smiled. The performance was in a few days, Edmund was here, she was chosen by the gods...
Things are finally going her way.
Important Follower gained: SarraSarra is a relatively untalented minstrel of immense potential. [+2]/round. Domains: Tragedy, Comedy
Current Focus: City of Haford
Mana: [2]
Mana Upkeep/Gains: [+1]/round
- Maintaining Existence: [-1]/round
- Important Followers: [+2]/round
Important Followers:- [+2] Sarra, dramatic Minstrel; Sarra is a relatively untalented minstrel of immense potential.
Individuals of Note:- Edmund, traveling bard and (temporary?) lover of Sarra
Abilities:- [1] Approach: Directly speak to a mortal (they must have some level of sympathy for you, but they can be Approached without having awareness of you already). Mortals have a strong chance to react negatively to being directly approached by a divine being, whether the consequence is insanity or just hostility.
- [4] Create Emotion: Life is but a play, and with the right performance you can induce a desired emotion in any mortal. Wafna can make any mortal feel any emotion, though difficulty increases as the mortal has less theoretical reason to feel that emotion.
- [7] Enhance Instrument With a bit of magic, an instrument (liberally defined) can become something greater. An enhanced instrument is much more likely to make those experiencing it feel whatever it is the wielder wnats them to feel.
Not immediately finding any errors or a lack of ambition within Amed Ward, Eekokarn decides that it should introduce himself to him directly.
Eekokarn invokes Approach [1]
"You have the means to accomplish much, yet you lack direction. If I may make a suggestion... Progress begins with someone saying 'there has to be a better way to do this'. This world is filled with men who must work every day just to survive, performing the same mundane tasks over and over again.
If only someone was smart enough to find a way to make this endless toil more efficient. It would need to be someone with a proper education, far too many lack the gift of literacy. Someone with the luxury of time to spend working on things beyond their pitiable day to day struggle just to get by.
If someone like that could find a way to improve upon the tasks that society must perform in order to get by... Not only would the people of these lands live better lives, but whoever could bring forth such a change would stand to become quite wealthy indeed."
[-1]:
ApproachMost mortals would react with fear or shock upon hearing a god speak to them.
But Amed was different.
He had read about this. He was
hoping for this. Upon hearing the divine words of Eekokarn, he immediately makes a resolution inside his mind to become this god's follower.
The nearby town of Haford would be his future. He would use his money to purchase a place to stay, and find ideas and helpers there. The trip is short, and he quickly finds a local tavern with some
interesting talent inside. Two bards. One with such a compelling voice that every time she spoke, Amed couldn't help but feel exactly what she was describing.
But eventually the performance ended, and he went into his room. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he would change the world.
Important Follower gained: AmedAmed is rather intelligent and ambitious. [+2]/round. Domains: Technology, Ambition
Current Focus: Ward Estate
Mana: [8]
Mana Upkeep/Gains: [+1]/round
- Maintaining Existence: [-1]/round
- Important Followers: [+2]/round
Important Followers:- [+2] Amed Ward, Ambitious 2nd son of a Baron; Amed is rather intelligent and ambitious.
Individuals of Note:Abilities:- [1] Approach: Directly speak to a mortal (they must have some level of sympathy for you, but they can be Approached without having awareness of you already). Mortals have a strong chance to react negatively to being directly approached by a divine being, whether the consequence is insanity or just hostility.
- [3] Address Error: In order to improve, a mortal must come to accept their mistakes. Eekokarn can help them with this. The less obvious the mistake and/or the less willing the mortal is to accept mistakes, the harder this is.
- [6] Unsatisfy Grant a mortal with an intense sense of... unsatisfaction. Have them feel unfit with their current situation. Difficulty scales with how accepting the mortal is of their current situation
X’arilyg the god of the eye, saw promise well only a tiny bit in that the entity can invoke to the desired person to expand their influence, but with his current status it will assuredly take a great deal of time to be rivaling in terms of influence.
Approach (1) Evan Reaves
”Why fellow Evan your failing to meet standard cult expectation because you forget advertisement. Why the best way to make your cult or let’s call it an “association”, is that you need more followers and with my instructions here’s how, you simply advertise during a village in the outskirts of the city, that you found this amazing new thing, to the villagers and common folk, that if you have met with the God of Prophecy and Luck, where in joining this association, providing only a meager amount of their income (5%) and dedicating themselves towards the rituals to this entity, than you can be provided dreams of your future and how to capitalize on those for economic success. Now you just need to go to the outskirt village and convince people, the more desperate the better!, to join you in on your meetings in the outskirt cave you were sacrificing goats in, and the association will start its growth. Seems simple, but can you follow the instructions?
[-1]:
ApproachEvan collapsed to his knees and began bowing fervently, yet with little purpose, upon hearing the words of his new god.
Of course he would do all that was asked of him! Of course!
Evan quickly began recruiting. The city and its outlying villages were full of people, but Reeves encountered two problems:
1.) Finding people right for the cult is hard.
2.) Reeves isn't that good at this.
But still, Reeves persevered. He kept on asking and recruiting until he found two followers. They would convene every other day at the cave on the outskirts of town. Unfortunately for X'arilyg, the worship-mana from these followers is sent to the Void as it isn't being consciously directed towards X'arilyg himself. But that didn't mean these followers were useless.
The income from the two followers, while paltry, is noticeable for Reeves. He was a bonafide cult leader now! Sure, no one was getting any boons from the gods and everyone but him was worshipping a fake god, but still. A cult. That's what he wanted.
Important Follower gained: ReevesEvan is somewhat foolish, but extremely dedicated. [+2]/round. [/list]
Domains: Mind, Corruption
Current Focus: City of Haford
Mana: [8]
Mana Upkeep/Gains: [+1]/round
- Maintaining Existence: [-1]/round
- Important Followers: [+2]/round
Important Followers:- [+2]Evan Reeves, Cultist; Evan is somewhat foolish, but extremely dedicated.
Individuals of Note:Abilities:- [1] Approach: Directly speak to a mortal (they must have some level of sympathy for you, but they can be Approached without having awareness of you already). Mortals have a strong chance to react negatively to being directly approached by a divine being, whether the consequence is insanity or just hostility.
- [6] Corrupt Memory: Memories are fickle and delicate. With just a nudge, a memory can become corrupted. Be just different enough than what it used to be. A memory of happiness turned to fear. Of sadness turned to greed. A memory of one's birthday turning happiness into mournful nostalgia. The stronger the memory is, the harder it is to corrupt.
- [4] Brief Dream Dreams are often prophetic, and ones from X'arilyg can probably be said to not be different. Grant a mortal a short dream with contents of your choosing. The mortal won't be fully aware during the dream, and will not remember the full details of it after they wake up.
[1] Approach
"Dear Rykan, I hear your inner strength and your desire to be stronger. Young wizard, I am the god Mu, deity of strength and magic. I have come to make you a champion of magic. Are you strong enough to bear this burden upon your shoulders? As you have learned, magic does not come easily, and my gift to you shant either. I desire followers, deliver them unto me, and I will grant you the power you desire. Will you rise to my challenge?"
[-1]:
ApproachRykan is surprised when he hears the divine words in his head. Spoken in no language, yet understandable by all. The fledgling mage is so distracted in his interest that he fails to truly realize the horror and awe of speaking directly to a god, however minor that god may be. Perhaps this was for the better.
"Of course!'" exclaims Rykan, still fascinated.
"I... but how? I'm just a nobody mage! Why would anyone in their right mind listen to me? I beg your advice!"Important Follower gained: RykanRykan is curious and eager to improve his knowledge of magic and the world. [+2]/round. Domains: Strength, Magic
Current Focus: City of Haford
Mana: [8]
Mana Upkeep/Gains: [+1]/round
- Maintaining Existence: [-1]/round
- Important Followers: [+2]/round
Important Followers:- [+2]Rykan, Fledgling Mage; Rykan is curious and eager to improve his knowledge of magic and the world.
Individuals of Note:Abilities:- [1] Approach: Directly speak to a mortal (they must have some level of sympathy for you, but they can be Approached without having awareness of you already). Mortals have a strong chance to react negatively to being directly approached by a divine being, whether the consequence is insanity or just hostility.
- [3] Push: Move a relatively small object in a single axis of movement. Fairly straightforward. Can move things up, but they tend to fall back down immediately afterwards.
- [4+x] Grant Minor Ability Through some complicated manipulation in the transfer of mana between soul and Void/Gods, Mu can grant a Mortal with the ability to cast a single one of Mu's abilities, for the cost of this ability + the other ability's cost. The other ability cannot cost more than 10 mana.
The Faceless Prince will grant Octavian Foresight (4) to guide him through these trying times. Perhaps it will lead him to a seemingly-risky venture that will grant him great success; mayhaps it will aid him to avoid a disaster.
He will wait to approach until such time that such activity may be better received.
[-4]:
ForesightOctavian Grey plays with some of his remaining coins in his hand, when an otherworldly realization hits him.
The silver market! Grey admonishes himself as he realizes this; he was such a fool! How did he not realize?! The signs should have been obvious when he was organizing the caravan in the first place. If he can buy enough silver before the mine inevitably collapses, Grey knows that he'll be able to make a
fortune.He spends his last few remaining coins on -- wait. Octavian stops before even enacting his plans. He doesn't have enough money. He can't afford the guards, the shipment arrangements, the silver, and to hold it until the mine collapses. He'd need something short of divine aid to do that!
It's at this moment that Grey's hindsight kicks in. He has divine aid. He thinks back to his conclusion regarding the mine collapse. It's so... fitting, yet how could he predict it this easily? It's no doubt nothing short of divine intervention.
The following night, Grey prays for help. He only has a few gold coins to his name now. If you truly helped him, he humbly requests your help again.
Important Follower gained: Octavian GreyGrey is a natural smooth-talker and quite charismatic, but despite his efforts he's not the best at commerce. [+2]/round. Domains: Trade, Foresight
Current Focus: City of Haford
Mana: [5]
Mana Upkeep/Gains: [+1]/round
- Maintaining Existence: [-1]/round
- Important Followers: [+2]/round
Important Followers:- [+2]Octavian Grey, Down-on-his-luck Merchant; Grey is a natural smooth-talker and quite charismatic, but despite his efforts he's not the best at commerce.
Individuals of Note:Abilities:- [1] Approach: Directly speak to a mortal (they must have some level of sympathy for you, but they can be Approached without having awareness of you already). Mortals have a strong chance to react negatively to being directly approached by a divine being, whether the consequence is insanity or just hostility.
- [4] Foresight: Grant a mortal with mildly uncanny wisdom, allowing them to predict things that could normally be only seen in hindsight. Difficulty scales with how hard it'd be to conventionally predict the given event.
- [7] Make Amenable Trade is about bargaining, and the Prince can make bargaining a whole lot easier when one side is more amenable to the other's offers. Make a mortal more accepting to suggestions. Difficulty scales to how likely the mortal would be to accept any given suggestion in the first place.
Grow (Forest): As the last embers fade, a small bit of forest seems to spring from the fertile ash. At the south edge a number of blueberry bushes grow, once picked they seem to regrow new berries in minutes. Surrounding it from the east, north and west are two dozen densely growing trees, though only saplings at the moment, the trees will be taller than a man by nightfall.
[-7]:
GrowJust as Janice Namdar's gaze was being distracted, she noticed something. A patch of burnt forest. The last ember falls to the ground, and instantly a flower sprouts where it lands. Soon, saplings start rising out of the ground. Grass starts spreading across the scarred land. Namdar can't help but spend all day in amazement watching more.
Eventually, the trees are as tall as any other full-grown tree.
It was a sign. Namdar knew it. Fire, life, forests. It was all connected. Sure, it was enough wood to partially offset the loss by the wildfire. But there was a higher being that wanted her to facilitate this connection.
She knew this god would be her salvation. She offered herself to Ugunsupkis as the new god's faithful servant.
Important Follower gained: Octavian GreyJanice is already extremely devout, and is "in sync" with the nature around her. [+3]/round.
Domains: Flame, Forests
Current Focus: Outskirts of Haford
Mana: [2]
Mana Upkeep/Gains: [+2]/round
- Maintaining Existence: [-1]/round
- Important Followers: [+3]/round
Important Followers:- [+3]Janice Namdar, Woodsman; Janice is already extremely devout, and is "in sync" with the nature around her.
Individuals of Note:Abilities:- [1] Approach: Directly speak to a mortal (they must have some level of sympathy for you, but they can be Approached without having awareness of you already). Mortals have a strong chance to react negatively to being directly approached by a divine being, whether the consequence is insanity or just hostility.
- [3] Spark: Create a small spark of fire in any given location. The spark acts like any other spark, so it's unlikely to ignite that's not particularly flammable..
- [7] Grow (Forest): Induce unnatural growth of any forest-related flora in a very small area (single digit meters). Plants can grow to heights that would normally take years, at rates visible to the mortal eye.