Turn 48: Unexpected DiscoveriesExamine the tiny scroll in my cigar box.
[5][Luck 4], [6][Luck 6] You unroll the tiny scroll to discover a rather intricate pattern drawn on it. You promptly inscribe it all over yourself using the rather generous amounts of blood available, and discover that it seems to be some sort of rune of quickening.
+5 InscriptionsInscription Discovered: Inscription of Wind's QuickeningInscriptions function similarly to runes, but are more involved in several ways.
More specifically, inscriptions channel a specific trait, element, effect, or similar, rather than granting a quality or ability. This has three major distinctions.
Firstly, inscriptions tend to have different effects depending on what they're applied to. Whereas runes typically have a single, specific effect, inscriptions have a far more general impact that reacts differently depending on what it's applied to. The same inscription could have radically different (but still thematically similar) effects on a sword, shield, or piece of armor, for instance.
Secondly, inscriptions almost always have drawbacks commensurate with their advantages. Whereas runes tend to simply add, inscriptions are a mixed package, granting a benefit in one area and a weakness in another. The same inscription might increase power but reduce accuracy, for instance.
Third, inscriptions tend to be incompatible with any effects or items opposed to them. While it would be quite rare (and generally obvious) for a rune to not function with another rune or when applies to a specific item, certain inscriptions simply won't work when using the wrong equipment, benefiting from the wrong spells, or even performing the wrong actions. An inscription that increased power at the cost of accuracy, for instance, might cease to function or even interfere when the wielder benefits from an effect that opposes that inscription, such as increased accuracy or reduced power. Even if the individual inscription doesn't seem mechanically opposed, thematic issues can cause an inscription to fail.
I use Enchanting to suck Frelock's Spirit Worm into my ring and trap it there.
[5-1][Luck 2] You suck the spirit worm into your ring, where it immediately wriggles out into you instead.
+2 EnchantingFre no longer Infested.Now Infested.Cure Moderate Wounds on self
[4+2][Luck 2] You blast yourself with far more energy than you intended, healing yourself but also stunning yourself.
Heal moderate damage, now Moderately Wounded.-1 penalty to next action.If HMH's attempt fails, or if he infects himself, I try to transfer the worm(s) into Iceballs beetle companion.
Otherwise I rest.
[4-1][Luck 6] You feebly manage to push the worm into the beetle, but it promptly burrows in regardless. Curious...
+4 SpiritNow Apprentice Spirit MagicAnyway now that we are sort of ok, medically assist worm guy by first taking my sticky paper rope and take it off/put it on really quickly in hopes of pulling the worm out of him. If it already has been removed, then with battle-beetle's consent, scribble on a couple of more runes to make it strong enough to have combat rolls instead.
[3][Luck 1] You manage to inscribe some not very impressive runes on your... wait... did you just empower the worms? That was a powerful rune, even if you didn't do it right, you'd have to think what...
+3 RunecraftingConverse with the local flora, try to find out more about our surroundings.
[6-1][Luck 3] Realizing that there is no local flora, at least in the immediate vicinity, you attempt a far more powerful, long range spell. You learn that twisted plant life indeed grows here, but you can't push the range far enough to get anything interesting. Some of the denser concentrations might be slightly interesting locales, but you're not nearly familiar enough with the local flora to tell what is or isn't unusual.
+5 PlantNew Spell: CommuneMake a rune of regen, if I make it carve it on the ground.
[1-2][Luck 3] You carve a rune into the ground, and immediately feel your flesh begin to slough off. You have the good sense to stumble back, but the effect doesn't stop...
+3 NecromancyTake light damage, now Moderately Wounded.DegeneratingScour the area, looking for alchemical supplies.
[1][Luck 3] You find Ochita's degeneration rune. Oops.
Take light damage, now Lightly Wounded.DegeneratingFind a demon to kill, and see if I can absorb it's energy after killing it to restore health.
[5][Luck 5] You manage to find a... wait a minute...
You come across a humanoid demon gloating over a downed foe. It's slick, moist skin is a sort of mottled beige-grey color, and it almost looks like the thin upper layer is translucent. It's certainly out of place in what is essentially a desert. The rest of it is somewhat oddly shaped, but still humanoid; perhaps it has odd bones or extra muscles somewhere. It's somewhat hunched, and has three long toes and three long fingers, plus a thumb and dangly thing on the back of its foot. Its head is largely normal, save that its face contains several tentacles rather than a mouth, and it has ear membranes rather than true ears. No visible nostrils.
Its victim, upon closer inspection, seems to be a very young human female in tattered robes- while you're no expert on humans, you're not entirely convinced this wouldn't be considered a child. Given the state of her clothing and person, and the fact that she's sobbing, it seems the creature has claws and enjoys using them as slowly as possible.
[5] You catch it completely by surprise- one minute it's gloating over its victim as it tortures her to death, the next [5+3] vs [6+1] some spectral avenger wings it across the shoulder. Even caught by surprise, however, it's surprisingly nimble.
+3 Ranger+2 Polearmsattempt to make it so that angels i summon are less likely to turn on me
[2][Luck 5] You can't figure out how to make your summons less likely to turn on you, but you do notice a rather long demon claw buried in the cracked earth. Strange, this is waaaay too long to be a normal demon's claw...
Gain Unusual Demon Claw[5] vs [3] The beetle shudders and lets out a screech. Ghostly tentacles accompany its mandibles in the display. Uh....?
[3] The demon decides to attack, lunging at Thorontur. [2+2] vs [6+3] Thorontur was hoping he'd
say do that, and impales it deeply a bit lower than where a lung should be. Its eyes widen in panic, and it's now moderately wounded.
Slightly short man with a long amethyst ponytail and eyes. Medium complexion, birthmark on left hand.
HealthyCurrent Location: Tainted Lands
Expert Summoner (21/40)
Novice Claw User (0/10)
Dabbling Earth Magic (2/10)
Dabbling Fire Magic (9/10)
Dabbling Restoration (8/10)
Dabbling Negotiator (1/10)
Summon Spirit AllySummon WildlifeSummon Angel of MercySummon GrinderSummon Earth GliderSummon EarthmakerSummon WyvernWave of GlueCrystal FlurryFire EmpowerSummon GuardianSummon Angelic GruntsNova BanishClaw Gauntlets
Reinforced Leather Armor
Linen Tunic
Rugged Leather Pants
Leather Boots
---
Camping SuppliesUnusual Demon Claw
Tall, swarthy, long-fingered arabic man with a short black beard and long arms.
HealthyDamaged HandsCurrent Location: Tainted Lands
Adept Destruction (27/30)
Apprentice Enchanter (11/20)
Dabbling Dagger User (2/10)
Dabbling Pain Tolerance (4/10)
Dabbling Lightning (2/10)
Dabbling Summoning (1/10)
Dabbling Restoration (3/10)
Lightning BlastFireballImbue Concussion BombShrapnel ShatterDetonateFiery DetonateDissipationDagger Focus StanceMinor DispelSlightly Broken Steel Dagger
Dark Grey Robe of Weeping WaterDark Grey Wizard's Hat
Bone Ring
---
Spellbook
Broad-shouldered man with green eyes and black hair.
Lightly WoundedDegeneratingCurrent Location: Tainted Lands
Expert Earth Magic (11/40)
Novice Alchemist (4/10)
Dabbling Diplomat (5/10)
Dabbling Scavenger (2/10)
Dabbling Restoration (8/10)
Dabbling Butcher (2/10)
Dabbling Fire Magic (2/10)
Dabbling Light Magic (1/10)
Dabbling Organizer (3/10)
Dabbling Necromancer (1/10)
Earth WaveEarth SlamPotion of StoneskinEarth CrushStonefistMonolith PrisonMonolith PillarsHammerfallIron Skullcap
Reinforced Leather Armor
Soft Wool Tunic
Soft Wool Pants
Soft Wool Socks
Leather Shoes
Walking Stick
---
Hand Axe
Knife
Blanket
Waterskin (2)
Dried Beef
2 Gold Coins
Three
Demon EyesCrystalline white stones
Tiny Red GemTiny Yellow GemMystery Potion
Small White JarUnremarkable looking man with brown hair and eyes.
Moderately WoundedDegeneratingCurrent Location: Tainted Lands
Expert Water Magic (0/40)
Apprentice Runecrafter (17/20)
Apprentice Restoration (3/20)
Dabbling Swordsman (6/10)
Dabbling Necromancy (3/10)
Rune of Weeping WaterRune of Water's FlowAir FrostCure Minor WoundsRune of Frozen WaterIce LanceWater DrawDroughtfrost**
Healing MistsHealing MistsRune of Growing FrostSummon RainstormField FreezeSummon Violent StormIcy DeathRobe
Shoddy Oak Staff of Erratic WaterHooked Belt
Linen Pants
Leather Shoes
---
Frozen LongswordSketchbook+Pencil
Frozen Demon EyesCoin of Growing FrostCheap Iron Scale MailBroken SwordRunecrafting KitA short, moderately-girthed man with brown hair, piercing blue eyes, and a short but full red beard. Jolly demeanor, wearing very simple clothes.
Critically WoundedCurrent Location: Tainted Lands
Expert Restoration (6/40)
Apprentice Light Magic (8/20)
Novice Necromancy (1/10)
Cure Light WoundsCure Moderate WoundsCure Serious WoundsCure Critical WoundsMajor MendingEye FlashSolar FlareLife TransferSoothing MendRainbow ShieldFaith HealingLaserMass Cure Light WoundsFiend-Cudgeling StanceLeast VigorApplewood Staff
Brown Friar Robes (includes hood and rope belt)
Brown Linen Pants
Hemp Sandals
---
Backpack
Bedroll
Traveling Rations
Small Medical KitFairly tall, decently muscled, clean-shaven man with black hair and dark blue eyes. Seems a bit distant or distracted sometimes.
HealthyCurrent Location: Tainted Lands
Apprentice Swordsman (19/20)
Novice Destruction (1/10)
Dabbling Medic (3/10)
Dabbling Ranger (5/10)
Dabbling Treasure Hunter (2/10)
Dabbling Priest (7/10)
Dabbling Inscriptions (5/10)
Dabbling Feint (2/10)
Dabbling Shield Bash (2/10)
Dabbling Sneak (1/10)
Dabbling Taunt (3/10)
FrostballDiamond CutterInscription of Wind's Quickening
Steel Longsword
Shield of the GodsStudded Leather Armor
Shredded Linen TunicLeather Pants
Leather Boots
---
Book of Destruction Magic
Ornamental OrbCopper PoleNice Cigar Box (contains tiny scroll)
Tiny Scroll (in cigar box)
Spectral, armored figure floating above the ground, wielding a halberd.
HealthySpirit of BattleLocation: Tainted Lands, apart from group
Apprentice Polearms (8/20)
Novice Lightning (7/10)
Dabbling Dancer (3/10)
Dabbling Meditation (1/10)
Dabbling Sprinter (7/10)
Dabbling Enchanter (1/10)
Dabbling Plant (2/10)
Dabbling Ranger (3/10)
Lightning EdgeGrounding Nova StanceCall LightningHerd ThunderstormBasic LightningSpectral EquipmentTall, somewhat older-looking man with dark brown hair and eyes.
HealthyMangled ArmPoisoned
Current Location: Tainted Lands
Expert Plants (19/40)
Novice Runecrafting (6/10)
Dabbling Demonologist (1/10)
Seed BurstGentle DirectionRune of Plant's CommandSeeking SeedsEnergizeRoot DrawRune of Plant's PuppetPlant Puppet ReversalBramblesOvergrowthTransfusionCommuneWild Magic Bamboo StaffRobe
Backpack
---
Big Box of SeedsTinderbox
FlareBook of Botanic RitualsMedium-sized lizardfolk with shiny orange scales streaked with onyx. Needle-teeth and very dark brown eyes.
Moderately WoundedCurrent Location: Tainted Lands
Adept Runecrafter (3/30)
Apprentice Improvised Weapons (10/20)
Dabbling Ranger (3/10)
Rune of StrengthRune of Bouncing MaliceRune of ClingingPig Leather Robe
Anticlinging Necklace of Good Fortune---
Exceptional Wooden BucketGuide to Passive Taming of Wild AnimalsRuned beetle companion
Rather small puppy/lizard thing with reptilian mud-brown skin, a small tail, and a mangled left ear. Muted red eyes and sharp pointy teeth.
Lightly WoundedSharp TeethPossessedCurrent Location: Tainted Lands
Apprentice Poison Magic (14/20)
Apprentice Spirit Magic (3/20)
Dabbling Ranger (5/10)
Poison BoltPoison SoulBolsterPoison CloakSpirit WormFelsite Stone Staff
Itchy Hemp Robe
Cotton Undershorts
Obsidian Ring of Minor Poison Resistance---
WaterskinDog Leather Shoulder BagRitual Demon Rat Skull BowlBone Pestle
Chewing BoneObsidian Mug
No worries, the beetle isn't
another boss. It could still be hostile, but it wouldn't be all that challenging even then.
New Rules Concerning Spells: I believe I'm going to try something like the following: You can only have one or two spells per level per category. "Category" is at the moment a rather loose term, but the general idea being things like "Attack," "Disabling," "Utility," etc. If nothing else, this will make organizing them a bit better.
I'll expand/refine this idea more later, but for the moment you should start thinking in terms of what spells you use for what, and which ones are just redundant.
Author
Topic: Staggered Magi RTD [Turn 64: Plenty of Power, Lack of Control] (Read 91121 times)